Maryland free press., 1866-12-13
An Infamous EXpOsure-Process b.
which the Union was Restored.

[From Tie Co1amlus Ga San and Tamss.l
The following letter v as found In the streets of
Columbia Immediately after the army of General
Sherman had left. The original is still preserv-
ed and can be shown and substan tiated, ifany-
body desires Wearc indebted TO a distinguish
ed lady of this city for a copy, sent with re-
quest for publication. We can add nothing in
the way Of co mment on such q document. Il
speaks for itself:
"CAMp NEAn CAMDEN, s. c. !
February &c, 1865. !
'My DEAR WIrE:-I have no time for particu-
lars. We have had a glorious time in this State
Unresistcd license 10 burn and plunder was the
order of the day. The chivaIry have been stript
of most Of their valuables. Cold watches, silver
pitchers, cups spoons, forks, etc, are as common
in camp as blackberrics. The terms Of plumber
as follows: The valuablcs procured are estima-
mated by companies. Each company is reqpir-
cd to exhibit the results of its operations at any
given rlacc-onc-lif1h and FIRST choice falls to the
share of the coninsnder-in. chief and staff, ono
fifth TO the corps commander and staff, one-ffth
to field Officers OF regiments, and two-Flhs TO the
company.
"Ollicers are not allowed to join these cxEedi-
lions without Disgusting themselves as privates
One of our corps commanders borrowed suit
of rough clothes from one of my men, and was
successful in this place. lie got large quantity
of silver (am1ng other things an old time silver
milk ptcher) and very fine gold watch, from
Mr.. De Siussure at this place. De Saussure is
one of the F. F. VS. of ). c., was made to
fork over literally. Officers over the rauk of
estimate for general distribution. This is very
unfair, aud for that reason, in order to protect
themselves, subordinate oficcrsand privates, keep
back everything that they can carry about their
persons, such as rings, earrings, broast-pins,
etc, of which, if ever live to get home have
about quart. am not joking j have at least
quart Of jewelry for you a I'd all the girls-and
some No. diamond rings and pins among the M
Gen. Sherman has gold and silver enough to
sta.t a bank. His share in gold watches and
chains alone at Columbia, was two hundred and
seventy-fve {2T5.
"But said cou'd not 60 into particulars
All the general fiocers and many besides, had
valuablcs Of every description down TO cmbroid-
cred ladies' pocket handkerchieis. Q have my
share of them too.) We took gold and sill yer
enough from the ID rebels to have redeemed
their internal currency twice over. This (the
currcncy( whenever we came across it, we burn
cd, as we considered il utterly worthless.
81 wish all the jcwery this army has could be
carried to the cod Bay State" 1t would deck
her out in glorious stvle but aIas it will be seat
tered all over the North and Middle States. The
niggers as general rule, prefer to stay at home
--pariieularly after they found out that we only
wanted the aLc-jodicd men, (nnd to tell you the
truth, the youngest and best looking women. J.
Sometimes VIC took of whole families and plan
tatious oc niggers, by way of rcpaying the seccs-
siouists. But the useless part of these we soon
lnara;tcd to ose-somctmes BY crossing rivers.
sometimes by other ways. .-...
81 shall write to you again from Whining ton,
GoldSboro', or some place in North Carolina
The order to march has arrived, and must close
hurrcdly. Love to grandmother and Aun
Charlotte. Take care of yourself and the chill.
drcn. Font show this letter out Of the fam
lily.
"Your affectionate husband,
Thomas J. MYERS,
Lieutenant, etc.
"P. 81 will send this by the first flag O
truce to be mailed unless have IN opportuni.
| 80, IN C,IF