Maryland free press., 1867-02-14
| from Gen. Edrfy's "Last Yscr of the Wr.'i
Burning OF Chambersburg,

from Gen. Edriy's "Last Yscr of the Wr."7
Burning OF Chambersburg.
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 outrages, the private resi-
dences of Mr.. Andrew Hunter, member
of the Virginiau Senate, Mr. Alexander
R. Botelcr, an ex-member of the Confed-
crate as we'll as Of the United States Con-
gress, and Edmund I. Les, distant rela-
tive of General Lee. all in Jefferson county
with their contents, had been burned by
his orders, ouly time enough being giver
for the ladies to get out of the houses. A
number of the towns in the South, as we'll
as private country houses, had been burned
by the Federal troops. aud the account
had been heralded forth in some of the
Northern papers in terms of exultation.
aud .gloated ever by their readers, while
they. were received by others with apathy.
1 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. I 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 more imme T.;
ately brought to my attention. had often
seen delicate ladies, who had been pun
dered; 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,
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-
laud was ordered tn proceed with his bri-
gade and that of johnson, and a battery
of artillery, to that place, aud demand of
the municipal authorities the sum of $1O0-
900 in gold. or $500, 900 in United States
currencyas compensation for the de-
struction Of the houses named and their
contents; and, in default os payment, to
lay the town in ashes, in retaliation for
the burning of those houses, and others in
Virginia, as well as for the towns that 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 refusal or
failure to comply with it. desire to give
the people ofChambersbuEg an opportuni-
ty of saving their town, by making COM
pensation for part of the injury done, and
hoped that the payment Of such sun,
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 adoption of a different
policy. McCausland was also directed tc
proceeded mountaineering towards Cum.
berland, in Maryland, and levy contribu.
tions in money upon that and other towns
able to bear them, and ifpossible to de.
stroy the machinery at the coal bits neal
Cumberland and the machine shops, de-
pots and bridges on the Baltim ore ant
Ohio railroad as far as practicable.
On the Goth of July, Mc'Causland
crossed the Potomac. near Clearspring,
above Williamsport, and I moved with
Vaughn's Cavalry, to the latter place
while Tmbodeu demonstrated with his and
Jackson's cavalry towards Harpers' Ferry
in order to withdraw attention from Nc
Causland. Rreckinridge remained Al
Martinsburg aud continued the destruction
of the railroad. Vaughn drove force o.
cavalry from Williamsport and went intt
Hagarstown. where he captured and de.
stroyed train Of cars loaded with sup
plies One Of Rodes' brigades was cross
ed over at Williamsport and subsequent,
with drawn. On the 30th Me'Causlaut
being we'll under woy. I moved back t,
Martinsburg. and on the 31st the Who'll
infantry force was moved to Bunker Hill
where we remained on the LIST, I'd and 81
of August. On the Sd day of August
Mc'Causland reached Chambersburg, au
made the demand as directed. reading t,
such Of the authorities as presented them
selves the paper sent by me. The deman
was not complied with. the peopl