Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1866-08-17

autumn Of 1863, by special order Of Major
General Heintzleman, who was IN command at
Washington 1t was a scouting expedition IN
pursuit of guerrllas, and the soldiers on that oc
cason took from man who was caught running
the blockade, two mules, and stole some of his
chickens At the first term of the circuit
court this man went before the grand
jury, and made q statement and they brought
in bill of indictment against four of US. l
wrote to the clerk Of the court for information
concerning it,and he informed ME that this man
charged ma with being present with a squad Of
soldiers when this stealing took place but still
this Reconstructed grand jury could bring in an
Indictment Oh that reformation. There was a
them word where | was and to come and arrest
me; that they would have to take me to Jail. as
| would not give bail. | concluded that, if the
military authorities would suffcrit would see
what it would result in. They failed to come
and arrest me. suppose they thought that
there was something behind by my sending
them word. There were two or three other
men who were in the service, and who were ar
rested since on the same charge. One of them
gave bond for thousand dollars; the other
two had to 20 to jail. The one who gave bond
came to Gen. Augur, having been in his en-
plovment before and tie result was General
Grant order directing military division and
department commanders, whose command EN-
braced any portion OF the seeded States, to
issue and enforce orders prohibiting civil courts
from prosecuting any person who had been IN
the employment of the United States tor acts
done in the service The officials OF the, coun
ty of Prince William refused to lelease these
two men at first on that order, but held them
for some time on the ground that they were
knf finally IN order
Of General Terry, they did release them
I was indicted, but never arrested. L
suppose the indictment is on the docket yet,
and that, when the military is withdrawn, it
will be renewed Some weeks ago l heard
party Of meu at the county seat OF Culpeper
county remarking that one Smith came and
lived on their land and then joined their enc
mics as a guide to Fitzpatrick. One Of them
remarked that Smith had killed two conteder
ate scouts. \ young lawyer, now Il member OF
the Virginia State senate, advised them to have
Smith indicted and tried for murder: stating
| that they could convict him.
G. Has that been attempted?
A. That has not been attempted yet, but
that was the advice which this member of the
Virginia State senate gave. it almost discour-
ayes me, after fighting four years and whipping
these men, to be placed again in their power,
and be sat in judgment upon by these very
men Blythe by, Moseby was engaged to as
sist the prosecuting attorney at the trial IN my
case. .....
@. Where is Mosby now?
4. He is at Warrenton, practicing law. 1t
occurred to ME that, after fighting four years
and still feeling need of protection, had bet
ter leave and give up Virginia; but then,
again, it occurred to me that they could make
a requisiton for me as fugitive from. justice.
Some persons have looked to immigration
from the northern States into the south to neu-
tralize, in great measure, this rebel sentl-
ment but unless there is protection given, it
are permitted to reconstruct and to go on In
the manner they are going on, the south Will
remain nursery Of treason The rebels say.
1--WE know that we are whipped; we are over
powered; but we hate YOU, and we Will teach
our children's children to hate you!' Their
favortc expression is, Every dog has his day,
and the time will come some time or other,
when an opportunity will present itself to US. y
G. Is that feeling very general?
A. Yes, sir
@. You lave seen evidences Of it wherever
you have been in Virginia? t
A. Yes, sir especially within the last two
months. ....
@. What chance does Union or (; northern
man stand IN their State courts "
A. No chance at all.
9. Why not ........... ......
4. The popular feeling is against him alto
gethcr, and he has it all to butt against. 1t
appears to me- when men who commit treason
manifest such bad faith towards the leDiency
shown them, there is no show for justice to
Uron men in any case that affects rebels.
O. What chance does a freedmen stand for
Justice at their hands?
A. As q general thing, he does not stand
any chance for Justice at all. You may find
men among them who would do him Justice;
but they are too few, and have but little to say.
found lots of men who said that it was wrong
in the grand jury Of Prince William county to
indct ne but THEN saying so did not have
any effect it did not get rid Of the Indictment
or affect public sentiment at all.
@. Do you think there is generally III the
State of Virginia Il willingness to have the free
negroes remain among them? -. ...
A. A majority Of the persons whom have
heard speaking about it are anxious to have
them sent away
@. Where do they propose to have them
sent?
A. have not heard any suggestion as to the
place where the government should have them
sent.
Q. Why do they want to have them sent
away?
A. I have not heard any good reason ad-
vanced for it-anything more than bitterness
Of feeling on the part Of the rebels towards the
negroes because they cannot control them any
more.
0. They dislike the negroes because they
can no longer control them by force?
\. That is it, find very strong desire to
get rid of the troops also That is very preVa
lent as far as have been. found it very
prevalent among all persons connected with the
State government. -
Q. In case the troops were Withdrawn,
would YOU anticipate scenes OF violence and
riot?
A. Yes, sir, towards loyal men and freed
men ...... =.
Q. Would you anticipate the expulsion 9t