The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-02-02

From General Jubsl A: Earl,'s Last Tear OF th.
While at Martinsburg It was asce rtained
beyond all doubt that Hunter had been
again INDUCING In his favorite mode oil
warfare, and after his return to the Valley,
while We were near Washington, among
other outrages, the private residences Of
Mr.. Andrew Hunter, member Of the Eir-
ginia Senate: Mr.. Alexander h. Boteler,
an ex-member Of the Confederate a. well
as of the United States Congress, and Ed.
mund l. Lee, a distant relative of General
Lee, all In Jefferson county, with their con-
tents, had been burned by his orders, only
time enough being given for the ladies to
get out Of the houses. C5 ....-Eft
A number Of towns in the South, as we'll
as private country houses, had been burned
by the Federal troops, and the accounts
had been heralded forth In some Of the
northern papers in terms Of exultation,
and gloatcd over by their readers, while
they were received by others with apathy.
i now came to the conclusion that we had
stood this mode Of warfare long enough,
and that 1t was time to open the eyes of
the people of the North to its enormity by
an example in the way Of retaliation. :
| did not select the cases mentioned as
having more merit or greater claims for
retaliation than others, but because they
had occurred within the limits Of the coun-
try covered by my command, and were
brought more Immediately TO my attention.
had often seen delicate ladies, who had
been plundered, insulted, and rendered
desolate by the acts Of our most atrocious
enemies, and while they did not call for it,
yet in the anguished expression of their
features while narrating their misfortunes
there was mute appeal to every manly
sentiment of my bosom for retribution,
which could no longer withstand.
The town Of Chambersburg, in Penn
sylvania, was selected as the one on which
retaliation should be made, and McCaus-
land was ordered to proceed with his bri-
gade and that of Johnson and battery Of
artillery to that place, and demand Of the
municipal authorities the sum Of 100000
in gold, or 100000 in United States cur
rency, as a compensation for the destruc-
ton of the houses named and their con-
tents; and in default of payment to lay
the town in ashes, in retaliation for the
burning Of those houses and others in Vir-
ginia, as well as for the towns which had
been burned in other southern States. A
written demand to that effect was sent to
the municipal authorities, and they in
formed what would be the result of a fail
ure or refusal to comply with it.
| desired to give the people Of Cham
bersburg an opportunity of saving their
town by making compensation for part of
the injury done, and hoped that the pay
ment of such a sum would have the de-
sired effect, and open the eyes of the peo-
pie of other towns at the North to the ne
cessity of urging upon their Government
the adoption of different policy. Nc
Causland was also directed to proceed
from Chambersburg toward Cumberland,
in Maryland, and levy contributions in mo-
ney upon that and other towns able to bear
them, and, if possible, to destroy the ma
chincry at the coal pits near Cumberland,
and the machine-shops, depots, and bridges
on the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, as far
as practicable.
On the 29th of July McCausland crossed
the Potomac near Clear Spring, above
Williamsport, and / moved with Rodes's
and Ramsear's divisions and Vaughn's ca
valry to the latter place, while Imboden
demonstrated with his and Jacksons ca
valry towards Harper's Ferry, in order to
withdraw attention from McCausland.
Breckenridge remained at Martinsburg and
continued the destruction Of the railroad.
Vaughn drove force Of cavalry from
Williamsport and went into Hagerstown,
where he captured and destroyed train
of cars loaded with supplies. One Of
Rodess brigades was crossed over at Will
Transport, and subsequently withdrawn.
On the 3Oth, McCausland being well under
way, moved back to Martinsburg, and on
the 3lst the whole infantry force was
moved to Bunker Hill, where we remained
on the LIST, I'd, and Sd of August.
On the Sd of August, McCausland
reached Chambersburg, and made the de-
mand as directed, reading to such of the
authorities as presented themselves the
paper sent by me. The demand was not
complied with, the people stating they
were not afraid of having their town
burned, and that Federal force was ap-
preaching. The policy pursued by our
army on former occasions had been so le-
nient that they did not suppose the threat
was in earnest this time, and they hoped
for speedy relief.
McCausland, however, proceeded to car
ry out his orders, and the greater part of
the town was laid in ashes. For this act
alone am responsible, as the officers en-
gagged in it were simply executing my or
ders, and had no discretion left them.
Notwithstanding the lapse Of time which
has occurred, and the result of the war,
am perfectly satisfied with my conduct on
thi. occasion, and see no reason to regret
il. r-@