Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-10-16
THE PLTINDsRING OF THE SOUTH
TESTIMONY FROM An UNEXPECTED
QUARTER.

From the Macon Joarral and McssongerJ
The following letter was found in the
streets Of Columbia Immediately after the
army Of General SHERMAN had left. The
oririnal is still preserved and can be shown
and subsianiated, IL anybody desires. We
are indebted to a distinguished lady Of this
city for copy, sent with a request for publi-
cation. We can add nothing IN the way Of
comment on such document. 1t speaks
for itself:
CAMP NEAR CAMDEN, S. c., February 26,
IS65.-Mg Dear VIE: / have no time for
particulars We have had glorious time
in this State. Unrestricted license to burn
and plunder was the order Of the day. The
chivalry have been stripped Of most Of their
valuabies. Gold watches, silver pitchers,
cups, spoons, forks, etc, etc, are as common
in camp a. blackberries. The terms Of
plumber are as follows: The valuables pro-
cured are estimated by companies. Each
company is required to exhibit the result of
is operations at any given place-l-5 and
first choice falls to the commander-in-chief
and staff, l-5 TO the corps commander and
staff, i-5 10 the field officers Of regiments,
and 2-5 to the company. Officers are not
allowed to join in these expeditions without
Disgusting themselves as privRtes
One Of our corps commanders borrowed a
suit Of rough clothes from one Of my men,
and was successful in this place. He got a
large quantity ofsilyer, (among other things
an old time silver milk pitcher, and very
fine gold watch from Mr.. DESAUssURE at
this place (Columbia.} DESAUssURE is one
Of the Il. 4. VS. Of S., and was made to
fork out literally. Officers over the rank Of
Captain are not made to put their plunder
in the estimate for general distribution.
This is very unfair, end ior that reason, IN
order 70 protect themselves, the subordinate
officers and privates keep back everything
that they can carry about their persons
such a. rings, earrings breast pins, etc, etc.
ofwhich, II / live to get home, ! have about
quart. | am not joking have al least a
quart Of jewelry for you and all the girls
and some number one diamond pins and
rings among them. Gen. SHERMAN has gold
and silver enough TO start a bank. lis
share IN gold watches and chains alone, al
Columbia. was two hundred and seventy
five.
But said l could not go into particulars.
All the general officers, and many besides
have valuables Of every description, down
10 embroidered ladies pocket handkerchieis,
II have my share Of them too.) We took
gold and silver enough from the did rebels
10 have redeemed their internal currency
twice over. This (the currency Shenevel
We come across il, we burned, as We consid
cred it utterly worthless.
wish ali the iewelry this army has could
he carried 70 the sold Bay State" IL EoulC
deck her ont in glorious style; but alas j
will be scattered all over the North anC
Middle States The damned niggers, as /
general rule, preferred 20 stay at home
particularly after they found out that VI
only wanted The able-bodied men, and, L
tell the truth, the youngest and best locking
women. Sometimes We took off whole fam
lilies and plantations Of niggers, by way o
repaving some influential secessionist. Bu
the useless part Of those We soon manages
10 lose-somciimes in crossing rivers
sometimes by other ways.
shall write 20 you again from Whining
ton. Goidsboro or some other place In Noru
Carolina. The order 10 march has srTived
and l must close hurriedly. Love 20 Grand
mother and Aunt CHARLOTTE Take car
III vourself and the children. Don't sho'
this letter cut Of the family.
Your afieciiOnaie husband,
THos. j. MYERs, Lieut. etc.
p. 8 / win send this by the first flag {
tynee 10 be mailed, unless ! have an oppol
tunitv of sending i to Hilton Head. Tel
SAIIIE am saving a pearl bracelet am