The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1867-02-06
Burning Of Chambersburg.

Burning Of Chambersburg.
From Gen. Early's Last year ofthe Wal"
While at Martinsburg it was ascertained
beyond all doubt that Hunter had been
again indulgng in bis 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, member Of the Vir-
ginia Senate, Mr.. Alexander r. Boteler,
an ex member of the Confederate as well
as of the United States Congress, and
Edmund l. Lee, distant relative of Gen.
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.
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 North
ern papers in terms of exultation, and
gloated 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 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 re.
taliation 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
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
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 artil-
lery, to that place, and demand Of the mo-
nicipal 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 inform
ed what would be the result Of failure or
refusal to comply.
/ 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 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 government the adop-
ton of q different policy. McCausland
was also directed to proceed from Cham.
bersburg towards Cumberlandin Maryland,
and levy contributions in money upon that
and other towns able to bear them, and il
possible to destroy the machinery at the
coal pits near Cumberland, aud the ma
chine shops, depots end bridges on the
Baltimore and Ohio railroad as far as prac-
ticable.
On the 2sth Of July, Met adsland cross:
ed the Potomac near Clear Spring, above
Williamsport, and l moved with Rhodes
and Ramsear's divisions and Vaughn's
cavalry to the latter place, while Imboden
demonstrated with bis and Jackson's cav
airy towards Harper's Ferry, in order TO
withdraw attention from McCausland.-
Breckenridge remained at Martinsburp, and
continued the destruction of the railroad
Vaughn drove force Of cavalry from Viii
Transport, and went into Hagerstown,
where he captured and destroyed a train Of
cars loaded with supplies. One Of Rhodes
brigades was was crossed over at Williams
port, and subsequently withdrawn. On the
Both, Met ausland being well under way,
moved back to Martinsburg, and on the
3lst the whole infantry force was moved to
Bunker Hill, where he remained on the lst,
I'd and Sd Of August.
On the Sd Of August, McCaasladd
reached Chombersburg. 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 that they
we're not afraid Of having their town burn.
ed, and that federal force was approach
ing. The policy pursued by our army on
fotfhsr 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 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, l
am perfectly Satisfied with my conduct on
this occasion, and see no reason to regret
it. Page II.