Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-02-20
BURNING OF OHAMBERSBURG.
General Early's Statement in Re-
lation to II.

General Early's Statement in Re-
lation to 1t.
From Gen. Rarly's Last Year Of the War;
While at Martinsburg it was ascer-
tanned beyond doubt that Hunter had
been again indulging in his favorte
mode Of warfare, and after his return to
the Valley, while we we're near Washing
ton, among other outrages, the private
residences of Mr.. Andrew Hunter, a
member of the Virginia Senate; Mr..
Alexander r. BOteler, an ex-member of
the Confederate as well as United States
Congress, and Edmund |. Lee, a distant
relative Of General Lee, all in Jefferson
county, with their contents, had been
burned by his orders, only time enough
being given the ladies to get out of the
house.
A number of towns in the South, as
we'll as private country houses, had been
burned by Federal troops, and the ac-
counts had been heralded forth in some
of the Northern papers in terms of ex-
ultation, and gloated over by their read
ers, while they we're received by others
with apathy. ! now came to the conclu-
sion that we had stood this mode of war
fare 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 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 mar
rating their misfortunes there was
mute appeal TO every manly sentiment
of my bosom for retrikution, which |
could no longer withstand.
The town of Chambersburg, in Penn
sylvania, was selected as the one on
which retaliation should be made, and
McCausland was ordered to proceed with
his brigade and that OF Johnson and a
battery of artillery to that place, and de-
mand of the municipal authorities the
sum of 100000 in gold, or $500, 900 in
United States currency, as q compensa-
tion for the destruction of the houses
named and their contents; and in default
of payment to lay the town in ashes, in
retaliation for the burning ofthose 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 au-
thorties, and they we're informed what
would be the result of failure 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
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.
Nc cCauslsnd was also directed to proceed
from Chambersburg toward 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
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 Cedar Spring,
above Williamsport, and / moved with
Rhodes and Ramseur's divisions and |
Vaughn's cavalry to the latter place,
while Imboden demonstrated with his
and Jacksons cavalry towards Harper's
Ferry, in order to withdraw attention
from McCausland. Breckenridge re-
NAMED at Martinsburg and continued
the destruction of the railroad. Vaughn
drove force of cavalry from Williams
port and went into Hagerstown, where
be captured and destroyed train of
cars loaded with supplies. One of
Rhodes brigades was crossed over at
and subsequently with
irawn. On the 30th, McCausahd being
we'll under way, | moved back TO Mar
,insburg, and on the alst the whole in
rantry force was moved to Bunker Hill,
where we remained on the lst, I'd and
3D. Of August.
On the third of August, McCausland
reached Chambersburg and made the de-
maud as directed, reading to such of the
authorities as presented themselves, the
paper sent by me The demsnd was not
complied with, the people stating that
hey were not afraid Of having their towns
1nFned. and that a Federal force was
approaching The policy pursued by our
lrmy on former occasions had been so
enient that they did not suppose the
hreat was in earnest this time, aud they
loped for speedy relief
McCauslsnd, however, proceeded TO
AIRY out his orders, and the greater
,art of the town was laid in ashes For
his act ! alone am responsible, as the
,lieoFs engaged in It were simply exc.
uting my orders, and had no discretion
eft them. Notwithstanding the lapse Of
ims which has occurred, and the result
f the war, am perfectly satisfied with
ny conduct on this occasion, and see no
eason TO regret IL
How 70 Brighten a Lioa.
He was out once lion shooting in Kat.