Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-06-16
SPOILATION OF THE SOUTH.
From the New York News

From the New York Newsl
One H. Z. PAYNE, of Wilkesbarre, Penn
sylvania, wrote some time ago to Mr.. REESE
of Bristol, Tennessee, that he (PAYNE) had
in his possession certain certificates of stock
belonging to Mr.. REESE, which he (PAYNE)
| had bought of Federal soldier, for the sum
| OF ten dollars, intending 90 present the GER
tifcates to ''the Historical Society" of his
town, as interesting sOureniers of the rapacity
we presume, of the Federal armies. The
writer added that he would, however, forego
the enjoyment that would result to him from
the execution of this patriotic purpose, and
return the stock to its rightful owner for the
sum of thirty dollars. To this liberal offer
Mr.. REESE has had the hardihood and want
of grace to write the subjoined reply
BRISTOL, Tenn, May 80, lS66.-MR. II.
3. PAYNE-Dedr Sir: Your second kind
favor dated April 20, has been received, and
your very liberal proposition to sell us fif-
teen shares in the East Tennessee and Vir-
ginia railroad, for the moderate sum of $50,
has heen duly considered. You say, Mr..
Payne, that you paid $40 for these bonds,
"for the purpose of securing them for your
historical society" Now, sir, as we fully
appreciate the generous motives which
think it would be both unjust and ungener-
GUS for us to deprive your society of so val
liable an acquisition without returning q
fair equivalent 1t would seem to be TAX
ing an unfair advantage of most tuorthy
member Of an honorable body. Such unpar-
alleled generosity should be met in a SINH
lar spirit of lberality, and | will say to you,
keep the bonds for the benefit and amuse-
ment of your society, and | will get new
ones issued instead, which can be done by
exhibiting your letters, or mere stating that
the original were bought, picked up, or stolen
by Mr.. Payne, of Wilkesbarre, Pa. | will
furthermore state for your benefit, Mr.. i.
that stock in this road is not transferable
except on the books of the company, and as
each of US known to the officers of the
company, it would seem you are in 4 fair
way to lose your $40, which no doubt will
be extremely painful to your sensitive
nature.
Your statement as to how you came in
possession of these bonds may, or may not,
be true. There are many reasons for doubt
ing it. As you have brought up this subject
allow me to state, for the benefit of all con-
cered, some facts connected with the robbery
which placed you in possession of those
bonds. Some time in the winter of 1868,
during Longstreefs occupation of Upper
East Tennessee, an artillery duel took place
in the immediate vicinity of my mothers
residence near Messy Greek. The family
fed for safety, and upon their return found
that one General ELLIOTT, who formerly dis
graced the uniform of a Federal officer, had
made his head quarters in the house. Every
lock in the house was broken, and railroad
bonds, papers of all kinds, books, household
furniture, ladies' dresses, &c, were gone.
This man in officers uniform, while pretend
ing to protect the property, allowed his hang
erS-OR to appropriate whatever suited them.
The only excuse the staff" offered was that
they understood it was "seccA house.
When, on account of the proximity of the
rebels, this hero departed. he or one Of has
staff, took with them II will not say stole,
that is an ugly word) from out Of the Gen
erals own sleeping-room, fine guitar, be-
longing TO one Of the family. And now, Mr.
PAYNE, allow me to say, strongly suspect
you belonged to this party, either rs SutieT,
fordge-nsaSter, or armytoliOwer. If my sus-
picions are well founded, probably You pur-
chased from headquarters the guitar and
some other articles priced by the owners,
who will probably come to some understand |
ing with you. Hoping TO hear from you
again soon, with full descriptive and price
IiSt of all the articles which may now be in |
gcur possession, have the honor to remain, |
lear sir Your obedient servant,
JOSEPH w. REESE.