Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-08-20
Correspondence Of the southern opiniOn.I
General Hunters Vandalism.


The Shenandoah Valley, during the late
war, was the scene of many acts of vandal-
ism, perpetrated by men wearing the uniform
of United States officers, which will doom
them to everlasting infamy. Their very
name will bring to mind the days of Attila
and Hun, and their deeds of cruelty must
cause shudder of horror whenever their
memory is recalled. But of all these brutal
acts, the burning of the private mansions of
Edward Jennings Lee, Esq, and Col Alex.
ander Il. BOteler, near ShepherdstOwn, Va,
(bOth of whom were absent at the time } by
order of General David Hunter, on the l9th
OF July, 1864, was the most wanton, as not
the slightest apology could be offered for the
crime.
The residence of Mr.. Lee, known as eBed
ington," had been in the Bedmger and Lee
family for many years, and Was venerable and
handsome building, situated on an eminence
that overlOOks the village. Scarcely mo
ments time was allowed the family by Can't.
Martindale, the minion of Hunter, to leave
the house and save what valuables they could.
Strict orders were given against removing
anything yet some old citizens from town
endeavOred, at the point of the bayonet, to
save few necessary articles, but the Yam
KEGS threw back into the fire us fast as they
were brought out!
When the flames were past extinction,
these brave G) soldiers went over to "Foun-
tain Rock" the residence OF Col. 4. r. Bote-
Ter, and his fine mansion was soon on fire
In this act they showed the same diabolcal
malignity as iu the other, aud resisted every
effort of the young ladies and citizens to save
some things from destruction. No reason or
excuse was ever given for their conduct, and
the next day Mrs. Lee addressed letter to
General Hunter, which ought not to be with
held from the world, and therefore we ap-
pend copy OF the same -
''GeHerGt Hunter :-N NesterdaY your un-
derling, Captain MartindaIe, of the First
New York Veteran Cavalry" executed your
order and burned my house, Your orders
were fulfilled to the letter; the dwelling and
every Outbuilding, seven in number, with
their contents, were burned. l, therefore,
helpless woman, whom you have cruelty
wronged, address you, Major. General OF
the United States army, and demand why
this was done? What was IMPOTENCE? My
husband was absent an exile. lie has never
been politician, or in any way engaged in
the struggle now going on, his age prevent
ing. This fact David Strother, your Chief
of Staff, could have told you. The house
was built by my father, Revolutionary sol
dier, who served the whole ScUcn years for
your independence. There was born there
the sacred dead repose it was my house and
my home, and there your own riece, Miss
Griffith, who remained in this vicinity DUR
ing the struggle COrTesp., who lived among
Us all this horrible war, met with every kind
ness and hospitality at my hands. Was it for
this you turned me, my young daughter and
son out upon the world without Il shelter p
Or was it because my husband is grandson of
the Revolutionary patriot and reJeI Richard
Henry Lee, aud the near kinsman of the no.
blest of Christian warriors, the greatest of
Generals, Il. +. Lee! (ueaven's blessings
be upon his head t0rever)
"uycna.like, you have torn my heart to
pieces, for all haIIOwed memories clustered
around that homestead; and demon-like YOU
have done it, without even the pretcxt of re-
venge, for never saw or harmed yOu.-
Your Office is not to lead, like a brave man
and soldier, your men to fight in the ranks of
war, but to separate yourself from all danger,
aud with your incendiary band to make war
upon helpless women and children, and, steal
ing unawares upon them, to insult and de-
stroy. Two fair homes you yesterday ruth
lessly laid III ashes, giving not a moments
warning to the startled inmates of your wick
ed purpose, turning mothers aud children out
of doors-your very name execrated by your
own men for the cruel work you gave them
to do. y Colonel of the Federal army has
stated you deprived forty of your officers of
their commands because they refused to car,
ry out your malignant mischief. (All honor
to their names, Tor this at least; they were
men, and had human hearts and blushed for
such a comnanderD
C.In tbn ease nf CnlnDnl Rnfnlnr both c,Fbor
and mother were far away, and any heart hut
that of Captain MartindaIe and yours would
have been touched by that little circle, COM
prising widowed daughter, Cwhose husband
had died from cruel treatment in the hands of
of Federal soldiers.) just risen from bed of
sickness, her three little iatheTless babes-the
eldest not five years-and her heroic sister. l
repeat, any man would have been touched by
that sight. But one might as we'll hope to
find mercy and feeling in the heart of hun
CRY wolf bent on its prey of young lambs, as
to seek for such qualities in the souls OF Capt.
Martindale and yourself Your name will
stand on history's page rs the hunter of weak
women and innocent children; the destroyer
of defenceless villages. refined and beautiful
homes, the torturer, of the agouized spirits of
suffering widows the betrayer of the poor
sons and daughters of Africa, Turing them on
to ruin and death Of both soul aud body the
Hunter with the relentless heart of wild
beast, the face of fieud and the form of a
man. Oh earth, behold the monster; Can
say, "God forgive you ?" No prayer can
be offered for you. Were it possible for hu-
man lips to raise your name Heavenward, the
angels would thrust the foul thing back again
and demons claim their own. The curses of
thousands, thesc of the manly and upright,
the hatred of the true and honorable, will
follow you and yours through all time, and
brand your name with "IaTanIy Hfdmy i"