The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-01-31
Burning of Chambersburg, Penna.-
EarlY,s Statement In RelatiOm to it.

Burning of Chambersburg, Penna.-
Early's Statement In Relation to 1t.
From Gen. Ja6dt Il. EGrly's "LdSt Year OF the Yer"
hile at Martinsburg, IL ascertained be-
yond all doubt, thar Hunter had been again indug
ing in his tavOrite mode OF warfare, and after his
return to the Valley while we were near Washing
ton among other OUtrages, the private residences
o. Mr.. Andrew Hunter, q member o1 the Virginia
Senate, Mr.. Al exander r. Boteler, an ex-member
of the Confederate well as of the United States
Congress, and Edmund 7. Lee, distant relative
OF General Lee, all in Jefferson county with their
contents, had been burned by his ORDERS only tune
enough being given for the ladies to get out of the
houses.
country houses, had been burned by the Federal
troops and the accounts had been heTalded forth in
some OF the Northern papers in of exultation
and gloated over by their readers, wnile they
received by Others with apathy. now came to the
conclusion that we had stood this mode of warfare
long enough ana that 1t was time to open the eyes
Of the people OF the North TO its enormity by an
ample in the way OF retaliation.
did not select the cases mentioned as having
more merit er greater claims for retaliation than
others, but because they had occurred within the
limits OF the country covered by my command, and
were brought more Immediately to my attention.
had often seen delicate ladies' who had been plum
dered irsulted aud rendered desolae by the acts of
our most aaocious enemies and while they did
not call for it, yet, in the anguished expression of
their features, while narratIug their mstortunes,
there was mute appeal 20 every manly sentiment
OF my bosom Tor Teribu'ion, which could no longer
withstand.
The town of Chambersbulg, in Pennsylvania, was
selected as the one on which reta Iaton should be
made, and McCausand was ordered to proceed
with MS DrlRaOe ana tnat OF johnson ana battery
OF artillery 10 that place, and demand of the muni-
cipal authorities the sum OF 100000 in gold, or
S6L0,OOO in United States currency, as coppensa-
ton for the destruction OF the houses named aud
their contents; and, in default OF payment, to lay
the town IN ashes in reta lat on for the burning OF
those houses and others in Virginia as we'll as for
the towns which had been burned in other States
A written demand to that effect was sent to the
nicpal authorities, ana they were informed what
would be the result of failure or refusal to comply
with it.
/ cesired TO give the people of Chambersburg an
opportunity OF saving their town by making COM
pensaon for part ofthe injury done and hoped that
the payment OF such sum would have the desired
effect, and open the eyes OF the people Of other
their Government the adoption Of a different policy
McCausland was also directed to proceed from
ChambersburR towards Cumberland, in Mary land,
and levy contributions In money upon that and
other towns able to bear them, and, II possible to
destroy the machinery at the coal pits near Cum
berland and the machine shops depots and bridges
on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad as far as prac.
On the 10Th of July McCausland crossed the Poto-
mae near Clear Spring above WIlliamsport, and 1
moved with ROdes' and Ramsear's Divisions and
Vaughns Cavalry to the latter place while Imboden
! demonstrated with his and JacksOn's Cavalry to-
wards Harper's Ferry, in order to withdraw atten-
! Byeckinrdge remained at MartinsburV and con-
! tiuued the destruction of the railroad Vaughn
! drove q force of cavalry from Williamsport, and
! went into Hagerstown where he captured and de
stro, ed train of cars loaded with supplies. One
of Rodes' brlgades was crossed over at Williams
| mort and subsequently withdrawn On the Both,
| Met ausland being we'll under way, moved back
TO MartinsbuIg, and the 8lst the whole infantry
! force was moved 20 Bunker Hill, where we remained
! on the 1st, I'd, and Sd OF August
| On the Sd of August McCausland reached Cham
| beTsburg, and made the demands as directed read
! ing to such of the authorities presented them
/ selves the papag sent by me. The demand was not
| complied with, the people stating they were not
afraid of having their town burned and that Fede-
raj force was approaching. The policy pursued bV
our army on former occasions had been so lenlent
that they did not suppose the threat was in
| This time, and they hoped for speedy relief
! McCausland, however, proceeded to carry out his
orders and the greater part OF the town laid in
officers engaged in il were simply carrying out INV
orders, and had no discretion ,eit them. Notwlth.
standing the laose OF time which has occurred and
my conduct on this occasion, and see no reason "a
| regret II.