Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1867-02-08
Burning of Chambersburg.

g Burning of Chambersburg.
From Gen. Eearly's "Last Year of the War;
While at Martinsburg it was ascertained
beyond all doubt that Hunter had been again
indulging in his favorite mode of warfare,
and that after his return to the Valley, while
we were near Washington, among other out
RACES, the private residences Of Mr.. Andrew
Hunter, a member of the Virginia Senate,
Mr. Alexander r. Boteler, an ex-member
of the Confederate as we'll as Of the United
States Congress, and Edmund j. Lee, dis
tant relative of General Lee, all in Jefferson
county, with their contents, had been burned
by his orders, only time enough being given
for the ladies to get out of the house. A
number Of towns in the South, as well as pri-
vate 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 gloated
over by their readers, while they were re-
ceived by others with apathy. | now came
to the conclusion that we had stood this mode
of warfare long enough, and that it 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
country covered by my command, and We're
brought more Immediately to my attention:
| had often seen delicate ladies, who had
been plundered, insulted, and rendered des-
olate by the acts of our most atrocious enc
mics, and while they did not call for it, yet,
in the anguished expression of their features
while narrating their misfortunes, there was
a mute appeal to every manly sentiment of
my bosom for retribution, which [ could no
longer withstand:
The town of Chambersburg, in Pennsyl-
vania, was selected as the one on which re-
taliation should be made, and McCausland
was ordered to proceed with his brigade and
that of johnson and battery of artillery,
to that place, and demand of the municipal
authorities the sum Of 800, 900 in gold, or
| $500,00O in United States currency as
compensation for the destruction of the hous-
es named and their contents; and, in default
of payment. to lay the town in ashes, in re-
taliation for the burning of those houses and
others in Virginia, 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 informed what would be the result if
failure or refusal to comply with it. de-
sired to give the people Of Chambersburg an
opportunity of saving their town, by making
compensation 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 necessity Of urging upon their govern
ment the adoption of different policy
McCausland was also directed to proceed
from Chambersburg towards Cumberland in
Maryland, and levy contributions in money
upon that and other towns able to bear them,
and if possible to destroy the machinery at
the coal pits near Cumberland, and the ma
chine shops, dcpots and bridges on the Bal
timore and Ohio railroad as far as practical
BILE.
On the Goth Of July, McCausland crossed
the Potomac, near Clear Spring, above Viii
Transport, and moved with Rhodes and
Ramseur's Divisions, and Vaughn's cavalry
to the latter place, while Imboden demonstra-
ted with his and Jacksons cavalry towards
Harpers Ferry in order to withdraw atten-
ton from McCausland. Breckenridge re-
manned at Martinsburg and continued the de-
struction of the railroad. Vaughn drove
force of cavalry from Williamsport, and went
into Hagerstown, where he captured and de-
stroyed train of cars loaded with supplies.
One of Rhodes Brigades was crossed over at
Williamsport and subsequently withdrawn.
On the 30th, McCausland being we'll under
way, moved back to Martinsburg, and on
the 31st the whole infantry force was moved
to Bunker HILL where we remained on the
LIST, End and 3rd Of August. On the 3rd of
August, McCausland reached Chambersburg
and made the demand as directed, reading to
such of the authorities as presented them
selves, the paper sent by me. The demand
was not complied with; the people stating
that they were not afraid of having their town
burned, and that Federal force was ap
preaching. The policy pursued by our ar
my on former occasions had been so lenient,
that they did not suppose the threat was in
earnest this time, and they hoped for speedy
relief. McCausland, however, proceeded to
carry OUT MS OrderS, ana Inc greater part OF
the town was laid in ashes For this act, I,
alone, am responsible, as the officers engaged
IN it were simply executing my orders, and
had no discretion left them. Notwithstand-
ing the lapse Of time which has occurred, and
the result Of the war, / am perfectly satisfied
with my conduct on this occasion, and see no
reason to regret it. Page II.
|
REMEDIES FOR Po1soNs.-Cases of poison
ing often occur in which life might be saved,
and hours Of agony averted; if we knew