Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1866-03-20
[Eor the SnectatOr. I

Mr.. EDITOR For nearly six months there
has been semblance, at least, of a restoration
of cita rights in Augusta. Judge Thompson
has held a term Of the Circuit Court, the Coun-
ty Court has had regular sessions and the Cor
poration Court has perhaps been organized, and
the county and town Justices within the corpo-
ration have been acting efficiently for several
months, at least. Yet, sir, on Wednesday last,
we were most unpleasantly reminded we are yet
under the heel of petty tyranny; and little ma
lgnant brief neutrality-suspicious.. For weeks
past the troops have been withdrawn, and ex-
cept the freedmen bureau which has gotten on
smoothly, and en'aided by the action of the
county court in the discharge Gifts duties as per
order published by you a fortnight ago, we
might have imaginative were well MI h restored
to the situation enjoyed before the war, but for
the circumstance am about to mention. Fresh
from the county yesterday, (l4th inst, | was
passing down street and met large athletic,
well dressed individual carrying asfine overcoat
on one arm and a carpet bag In hand, and Scan
ming his face, though seen'forthe first time,
remarked to friend with me, it had sinister
and unpleasant expression. He gave me this
morning chased through one of our streets at
full run by one ofthemest fragile, delicate look
ing youths of the town. Air said |, how was
that?' Well this scoundrel who turns QUITO be
James IL. Chandler; son Of Daniel Chandler,
of Augusta, and at one time a fnember ofCapt.
Bumgardner's Company of SIND Regiment,
deserted and joined the LIST Regiment of New
Jersey Cavalry, Do not know how he turned
up in Staunton, but this morning he paid his
bill at the American Hotel, to. this youth Pun
kett' q Ferrall, and, as he did so, remarked,
bers,.2 at which p. O f. struck him across the
counter of the Office in the mouth, and gather
ing up light pine curtain roller of the window,
started out after this deserving PhiListine who
ran down street atfulll speed, but made his es-
cape. Lin q few moments COL OFerrall was
summoned before Capt. Howe, the provost
marshal, but on learning it was his. brother
Plunkett, he (Plunkett) was sent for Col.
OF had Capt. Bumgardner to appear as couf-
sci for his brother, and as soon as the Captain
came in, Chandler recognized him, but was not
recognized by B. He (Chandler), at this stage,
asked Howe if he could have some private con-
versation with him. Howe objected, when
Chandler without any sense of shame, objected
to Bumgardner having anything to do with the
case, as he (C) was once a member Of his COM
pany, and had deserted and joined the company
of cavalry before mentioned, under the name of
James Grimes which he assumed for fear OF
capture After giving his history of the mat
ter; Howe imposed a fine Of $40 on young OF.
for acting in the manly manner he did, Col.
OF protested against it, saying he was COM
PEELED to protect himself against outrage and in
suit. Howe remarked, Oh we don't do things
in that way where came from-we let the law
take its courses All says the Colonel, 1 I'M
derstand you then to say, if scoundrel such as
this deserter has proved himself to- be, insults
me or those in charge Of my house, as he did
this morning, with his carpet bag in hand, ready
to step on the cars, when | may never see or
hear from him again, [ must tamely swallow it
and content myself with hunting up some limb
of the law, and institute a suit against him for
slander.e That is your idea, Capt H., is it not?
I es sir, you must not under any circumstances
take the law in your own hand But, sir, says
the Colonel, we of the South are accustomed to
different code Of honor, Of conduct of morals
You mist learn to do as ace do up North, sir,
says Howe. God forbid, Mr. Editor, that we
of the South shall learn any such lessons as
these: My doctrine is this, that to have been
noulted by such an accursed scoundref as this
Chandler unblnshingly represents himself to be-
Oh would have done God service, to have nd
the world Of him, could it have been done in
self detencef They are the Pu1ahs of our socie-
ty, and Gen. Terry is not harmonizing us by
sending us Ho,ce to teach us any such lesson,
as these. How much more propriety would
there have been in turning this matter over to
the civil authorities
A