The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1865-11-17
DIR. BACHMAN's VINDICATION.

The following is an extract from a
letter written by the venerable DR..
John Bachman, Of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church, in reply to some
charges published against him by Rev.
f. w. Hutter, of Philadelphia DIR.
Bachman's letter is published in full
in the Philadelphia Lutheran and Ms
sj0nary, of October 26,
When Sherman's army came sweep
ing through Carolina, leaving i broad
track Ofdesolation for hundreds of miles.
whose steps were accompanied fire,
and sword, and blood, reminding us of
the tender mercies of the Duke of Alva,
happened to be at Cash's Depot, six
miles from Cheraw. The owner was a
widow, Mrs. Ellerbe, II years of age.
Her son, Colonel Cash was absent. I
witnessed the barbarities inflicted on the
aged, the widow, and young and deli
cate females. Officers, high in command,
were engaged tearing from the ladies
their watches, their ear and wedding
rings, the daguerreotypes of those they
loved and cherished. A lady ofdelicacy
and refinement, personal friend, was
compelled to strip before them, that they
might find concealed watches and other
valuableS under her dress. A system
of torture was practiced towards the
weak, unarmed and defenseless, which
as far as l know and believe, was uni
versal throughout the whole course of
that invading army. Before they ar
rived at a plantation, they inquired the
names of the most faithful and trust
worthy family servants; these were
Immediately seized, pistols We're pre-
sented at their heads: with the most
terrific curses, they were threatened to
be shot, if they did not assist them in
finding buried treasures. If this did
not succeed, they were tied up and cru
ely beaten. Several poor creatures died
under the infliction. The last resort
was that of hanging, and the officers
and men of the triumphant army of
Gen. Sherman, were engaged in erect
inggalloWs, and hangingup these faith
full and devoted servants. They We're
strung up until life was nearly extinct,
when they were let down, suffered to
rest awhile, then Threatened and hung
up again. 1t is not surprising that some
should have been left hanging so long
that they were taken down dead. Cool
ly and deliberately these hardenedmen
proceedon their way, as if they had per-
petrated no crime, and as if the God of
Heaven would not pursue them with
His vengeance. But ii was not alone
the poor blacks To whom they pr0fesscd
tocomeas Iberators) that were thussub-
iected to torture and death. Gentlemen
Of high character, pure and honorable
and grayheaded, uncOnnected with the
military We're dragged from their fields,
or their beds, and subjected to this pro-
cess Of threats, beating and hanging.
Along the whole track of Sherman's
army, traces remain Of the cruelty and
inhumanity practiced on the aged and
the defenseless. Some Of those who
were hung up, died under the rope,
while their cruel murderers, have not
only beenleft tunreprOachedandunhung
but have been hailed as heroes and pa
triOts. The list of thosemartyrs whom
the cupidity of the officers and men Of
Sherman'sarmysacriticed to their thirst
for gold and silver, is large and most re-
voting. If the editors Of this paper
will give their consent to publish it, !
will give itin full, attestedby thenames
of the purest and best men and women
of our Southern land.
/, who have been witness to these
acts of barbarity that are revolving to
every feeling of humanity and mercy,
was doomed to feel in my own person
the effects of the avarice, cruelty and
despotism which characterized the men
of that army. / was the only male
guardian of the refined and delicate fe-
males who had fled there for shelter
and protection. | soon ascertained the
plan that was adopted in this wholesale
system Of pIunder, insult, blasphemy
and brutality. The frstparty thatcame
was headed by officers, from colonel
to lieutenant, who actedWith seeming
pOliteness and told me that they only
came to secure our firearms, and when
these were delivered up, nothing in the
house should be touched. Out Of the
house, they said they were authorized
! to press forage for their large army. /
told them that along the whole line of
the march of Sherman's army, from
Columbia to Cheraw, it had been ascer-
tanned that ladies had been robbed and
| personally insulted. Iasked for guard
to protect the famales. They said that
there was no necessity for this, as the
men dare not act contrary to orders. If
any did not treat the ladies with proper
respect, I might blow their brains out.
''But," said |, 'you have taken away
ourarms, andweare defenseless." They
did not blush much, andmade no reply.
| Shortly after this, came the second par
/ ty, before the first had left. They de-
manded the keys of the ladies' drawers