The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-02-09

S2.3O(02.50 per sack. q, }-
Burning OF Chambersburg, Pn.---
Gen. Early's Statement in ReIa-
tion 10 At.
While at Martinsburg, it was ascer-
tanned, beyond doubt, that Hunter
had been again indulging in his
favorite mode Of warfare, and after
his return to the Valley, while we
were near Washington, among other
outrages, the private residences of
Mr. Andrew Hunter, u member Of
the Virginia Senate; Mr.. Alexander
II. Boteler, an ex-meinber of the
Confederate as we'll as United States
Congress, and Edmund 7. Lee, dis
tant relative of Gen. Lee, all in JEFF
ferson County, with their contents,
had been burned by his orders, only
time enough being given for the
ladies to get ont of the house
Il number OF towns in the South,
as well rs private country houses,
had been burned by the Federal
troops, and the accounts had been
hcralded forth in some of the North
ern papers in terms of exultation,
and gloatcd over by their readers,
while they were received by others
with apathy. [ now came to the
conclusion that we had stood this
mode of warfare long enough, and
Chat Ii was tine to open the eyes of
the people of the North to its enor-
nifty by an example in tho way OF
retaliation.
did not select the cases mentipn-
ed as having more mcrit or greater
claims FOR retaliation than others.
but because they had occurred within
the limits OF the country covered by
my command, and we're brought
more Immediately to my attention
L had often seen delicate. ladies, who
had been plundercd, insultcd and
rendered desolate by the acts Of onr
most atrocious enemies, and while
they did not call for it, vet in the
ang,,ished expression of their fea-
lures while narrating their misfor-
tunes there was a mute appeal to
every manly sentiment Of my bosom
for retribution, which l could no
longer withstand
The town Of Chambersburg, in
Pennsylvania, was selected IS the one
on which retaliation should be made.
and McCausland was ordered to pro
ceed with his brigade. and that of
johnson and a battery Of artillery,
to that place, and demanded Of the
municipal authorities the sum of
100000 in gold, or $500, 900 in
United States currency, as compen-
sation for the destruction OF the
houses named and their contents;
and in default of payment to lay the
town In ashes, in retaliation for the
burning Of those houses and others
in Virginia, rs we'll as for the towns
which had been burned in other
Southern States. A written demand
to that effect was sent to the NUM-
cipal authorities, and they informed
what would be the result of failure
or refusal to comply with it,
desired to give the people of
Chambersburg an opportunity Of
saving their town by making COM
pensation for part of the injury done,
and hoped that the payment of such
sum would have the desired effect,
and open the eyes of the people of
other towns at the North to the ne
cessity of urging upon their Govern
ment the adoption of different poll
cy. McCausland was also directed to
proceed from Chambersburg toward
Cumberland, in Maryland, and levy
contributions in money upon that
and other towns able to bear them.
and, if possible, to destroy The ma
chincry at the coal pits near Cumber-
land, and the machine shops, depots
and bridges on the Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad, rs far as practicable.
On the 29th Of July, McCausland
crossed the Potomac near Clear
Spring above Williamsport, and
moved with Rhodes and Ramscur's
divisions and Naughn's cavalry to the
latter place, while Imbodcn demon
strated with his and Jackson's cava!-
~ towards Harper's Ferry, in order
to withdraw attention from McCaus-
land. Breckenridge remained at Mar
tinsburg and continued the destruc-
ton of the railroad. Vaughn drove
force Of cavalry from Williamsport
and went into Hagcrstown, where he
captured and destroyed train of
ears loaded with supplies. One of
Rhodes brigadcs was crossed over at
Wllll@msport, and subsequently with
drawn. On the both, McCausland
| being we'll under way, | moved back
TO MaItinSburg, and Oh the 31st, the
whole infantry force was moved to
L.,