Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1865-03-20

must be taken with some allowance, while
its admissions as to the strict discipline of
our troops, being from an unwilling wit
ness, are the very highest testimony to their
general good conduct:
CHARLoTTEsvILLE, March g..
Messrs. Editors The Yankee army.
FIVE thousand strong, entered this place on
Friday, about two O'Clock P. n, the Sd
instant, unopposed. The Mayor and civil
authorities of the corporation met the enc
my on hill southwest of the University
rotunda, where the town was surrendered
by the Mayor, and protection to private
property guaranteed by the Yankees to
the citizens and to the authorities of the
University. At first, five horsenen, with
drawn pistols, lode up to the fsg of truce
and then immediately galloped 10 town,
then followed six others, and then General
Custar, surrounded by dozen or twenty
men, bearing Confederate flags captured
from the defeated and routed troops of
General EARLY; then followed the entire
column through the main street to the
front of the Baptist Female Institute. All
the stores were closed, and the windows of
the houses were generally blinded, and but
for the rabble of negroes and mean, low
bred white women, on the streets, every
thing indicated q dead and buried CITY.
eocn after the arrival of the invaders,
guards were placed st every street-crossing
along the line Of march. An interview
was held between the Mayor and Rev. DIR.
Brosddus and General Custer, when the
latter assured these gentlemen that every
necessary protection should be given 70
private property. At the close of the dav
the Mayor and aldermen were sent for at
the headquarters of General Merritt, who
were requested to procure corn and forage
to supply the horses of the invaders, and
delivered to them at their camps. Unless
this was done, an order TO search the prem
ises of the citizens would have to be made
The civil authorities promised to make in
quiTies among the citizens to ascertain how
much Of the articles required they had on
hand, the General saying when he needed
them he would send his wagons for the ar
ticles. -Four hundred bushels of corn, be-
longing to our Government, were found at
Cochrsn's mill, and few hundred bushels
of wheat, belonging to private persons,
were found and taken possession of.
At night the farms about Charlottesville
were covered with cavalry, presenting q
sad picture to the eyes of our citizens. In
town, quiet prevailed during the night, ex-
cept the noise of passing troops as new de-
tachments arrived. Out of the town
depredstions and thieving were carried on
at all places where the occupants had failed
to procure private guards, which had been
giUe7s TO all lOho requested It, On Saturday
morning, in the outskirts of the town, dis
order began to prevailj stores were broken
into aud robbed, private houses entered
and searched; but these Uere stopped bg the
orders and interference of offers, and DIR
ing the stay Of the army the discipline ioas
rigid and seUere, and Uery little DAMAGE loas
done, and priUate houses l0ere free from IN
terruption from soldiers, and, where private
guards were given, no soldier dare enter
the house without special written permis-
sion from general headquarters. The
farmers, however, were not protected in
their property snd provisions everything
eatsble for man and beast was consumed,
and acts Of atrocity and mesnneSs were
committed.
Thrests of vengeance were made to
ladies in order to get their watches; the
wretches held pistols to their heads to in
timidste them and compel them to give up
their pIoperty These and timilsr acts
were done for ten miles east of Charlottes-
vile, as far down as the enemy ventured
to go. Scouting and robbing parties were
sent out In all directions on Saturday and
Sunday, plundering as they went.
Grain, forage, provisions and horses were
taken off the farms, in some instances leav-
ing not particle TO feed the cattle with,
yet generally the hogs, cows, oxen, sheep
and fowls were not disturbed. In some
few instances hog, or beef or a sheen
were killed, but none were wantonly de-
stroyed.
On Friday night the factory of Mr.. Mar
chant was destroyed. On Monday that of
Mr.. Flanagan was also destroyed, and all
the factories within their reach shared q
similar fate.
On Sunday evening some of the Yankee
army determined to publish paper and
went to the Chronicle Office to effect their
design; but portions of the press had been
removed with the type and they were un-
able to do so. They then took possession
Of the Jefersonion Office, and commenced
operations, and, after progressing awhile,
suddenly quit, saying they might resume
their object the next day but orders had
been issued to move off by o'clock next
day, and no further operations for the issue
of their paper were resumed. Inclosed l
send copy of such articles as were lett in
type by the Yankees. No damage was
done to the type or fixtures of either of
the printing offices in the place.
m ATapdarz ~aorpino, ooo, ala
the drums we're heard, and the troops were
seen marching down themain street, evac-
uating the town. Large numbers of ne
groes, mounted on stolen horses, were seen
going off with the Yankees; women with |
little children in their arms seemed as anx-
ious to be off as the men.
While the Yankee army was in Char |
ottesville they circulated reports that |
was captured, Richmond evac-
lRted, &c, but none but Wesk-headed and |
persons gave credit to any
uch stories. They said there were $1,000 !
,avalry with them, but 5000 will cover all |
hey had. Generals Sheridan, Custar,
Merritt and Forsyth, were with the inva-
lers, If there were other General, i have
lot heard their names.
On leaving the town they separated into
our columns, taking as many different di-
'ections. One of the columns went to
'cottsville, destroying the factory there
md the canal. Yours, MONTICELLO.
On this letter the Enquirer makes the
Glowing remarks:
'HE THIRD CAVALRY DIVISION CHRONICLE.
The paper alluded toin the above letter,
'ore the above title, but the enterprising
publishers, it seems, have not time to get
tut full sheet, and they issued galley"
II one column. The contents consisted of
advertisements offering rewards for 'my
10Y Jube, and "my man Rosser," de-
cribed as runawsys, special orders to Ear
y to furnish certain supplies, as hitherto,
&c. A personal appears, the object of
which is to open a correspondence with
: 4 |