The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-01-17
an Infamous Exposure Process by
which the Union was Restored.

|
found in the streets of Columbia i'm
mediately after the army Of General
Sherman had left. The original is
still preserved, and can be shown
and substantiated, if anybody de-
sires. We can add nothing in the
way of comment OH such document.
1t speaks for itself:
CAMP NEAR CAMDEN, S. c.,
February 26, 1865.
My DEAR WIFE: / have no time
for particulars. We have had a
glorious time in this State. Unre-
strictcd license to burn and plumber
was the order OF the day. The Chi
valry have been stripped of most of
their valuables. Gold watches, sill
yer pitchers, cups, spoons, forks, &c,
are as common III camp as blackber
ries. The terms Of plunder arc as
follows: The valuables procured are
estimated by companies. Each com
pany is required to exhibit the re-
suits of its operations at any given
place-one-ffth and first choice falls
to the share of the commauder.in-
chief and staff, one-ffth to the corps
commanders and staff, one-hfth to
field officers Of regiments, and two
tifths to the company.
Officers are not allowed to join
these expeditions without Disgusting
themselves as privatcs. One Of our
corps commanders borrowed suit of
rough clothes from one of my men,
and was successful in this place. He
got large quantity of silver, among
other things an old time milk-pitcher,)
and 4 very fine gold watch, from a
Mr.. DeSaussure, at this place De
Saussure is one Of the L. Z. VS. of
South Carolina, and was made to
fork over literally. Officers over the
rank of captain are not made to put
their plunder in the estimate for gene
raj distribution. This is very unfair,
and for that reason, in order to pro-
tect themselves, subordinate officers
and privates keep back everything
that they can carry about their per
sons, such as rings, earrings, breast
pins, &C., Of which, if [ ever live to
get home, | have about quart /
am not joking-I have at least
quart Of jewelry for you and all the
girls, and some No. 1 diamond rings
and pins among them. Gen. Sher-
man has silver and gold enough to
start Il bank. His share in gold
watches and chains alone at Columbia
was two hundred and seventy five.
(275)
! But said could not go into par
ticulars. Ali the general officers and
many besides had valuables of every
description, down to embroidered
ladies' pocket-Landkcrchiefs. q have
my share Of them, too.) We took
gold and silver enough from the ID
rebels to have redeemed their internal
currency twice over. This (the cur
rency) whenever we come across it,
We burned, as We considered it utterly
worthless.
[ wish all the jcwelry this army has
could be carried to the "Old Bay
State" It would deck her ont in
glorious style; but alas, it will be
scattered all over the North and Mid
lie States. The ID niggers, as Il
general rule, prefer to stay at home,
particularly after they found out that
we only wanted the able bodied men,
(aud, to tell you the truth, the young
est and best-looking women.) Some
times we took off whole families and
plantations Of niggcrs, by way OF re-
paying the secessionists. But the
useless part of them we soon manage
to losc-sometimes in crossing rivers
sometimes by other ways
L shall write to you again from
Wilmington, Goldsboro, or some
other place in North Carolina The
order to march has arrived, and T
must close hurricdly. Love to grand
mother and Aunt Charlotte Take
care of yourself and the children.
Don't show this letter out of the
family. Your affectionate husband,
THOMAS J. MYERS,
LIeutenant, &c
T. ST will send this by the first
flag of truce to be mailed, unless
have an opportunity of sending il to
Hilton Head. Tell Sallic L am saving
a pearl bracelet and earrings for her;
bat Lambert got the necklace and
breast-pin of the same set. ! am try
ing to trade him out of them. These
We're taken from the Misses Jamisons,
daughters Of the President Of the
South Carolina Secession Convention.
We found these on orr trip through
{seOrria