Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1867-02-28
From General Eary's "Last: Year of the War"
BURNING OF CHAMBERsBURG, Pa

BURNING OF CHAMBERSBURG, PA.
| While at Martinsburg it was ascertained beyond
all doubt that Hunter had been again indulging in
his favorite mode of warfare, and after his return
to the Valley, while we were near Washington, a.
mong other outrages the private residences Of Mr..
Andrew Hunter, member of the Virginia Senate;
Mr. Alexander R. Boteler, an ex-member Of the
Confederate as well as the United States Congress,
and Edmund /. Lee distant relative Of General
Lee, all in Jefferson county, with their contents,
had been burned by his orders, only time enough
being given for the ladies to get out Of the houses
Anumber of towns in the South as well as pri-
eral troops, and the accounts had been heralded
forth in some of the Northern papers in terms oi
exultaton, 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 e.
normity 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 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
of their features while narratng their misfortunes,
there was mute appeal to every manly sentiment
of my bosom for retribution, which l could nc
longer Withstand.
| The town of Chambersburg, in Pennsylvania,
was selected as the one of which retaliation should
be made, and McCausand was ordered to proceed
with his brigade and that of johnson and battery
of artillery to place, and demand o the munich
pal authorities the sum of $4,000 in gold, OF
$500, 900 in United States currency, as compen.
sation 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 o
those houses and others in Virginia. as well as to-
towns which had been burned in other Southern
States. A written demand to that effect was sent
to the municipal authorities and they informed
what would be the result of failure or refusal tc
comply with it.
I desired to give the people of Chambersburg an
opportunity of saving their town by making com.
pensation for part Of the injury done, and hoped
that the payment of such sum would have the de-
sired effect, and open the eyes Of the people ot
other towns at the North to the necessity of urg.
ing upon their Government the adoption Of diff
ferent policy McCausland was also directed to
proceed from Chambersburg towards Cumberland,
in 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, 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 Clear Spring, above Williamsport,
| and moved with Rodes's and Ramseur's divisions
and Vaughn's cavalry to the latter place, while
Imboden demonstrated with his and jackson
cavalry towards Harpers Ferry, in order to with
draw attention from McCausland; Breckinridge re-
mained at Martinsburg and continued the destruc
ton of the railroad. Vaughn drove q force OF cav
airy from Williamsport and went into Hagerstown
where he captured and destroyed a train Of car
loaded with supplies. One of Rodes' s, brigades
was crossed over at Williamsport, and subsequent
lly withdrawn. On the 30th, McCausand being
well under way, moved back to Martlnsburg, and
on the 3lst the whole infantry force was moved to
Bunker Hill, where we remained on the lst, and
3D. and Sd Of August.
| On the 3rd Of August, McCausland reached
Chambersburg, and made the demand as directed,
reading to such of the authorities presented them
selves, the papers sent by me- The demand was not
complied with, the people stating they were not a.
fraid of having their town burned, and that Fed
eral force was approaching The policy pursued by
our army ON former 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 carry out
his orders, and the greater part Of the town was
laid in ashes For this act I alone am responsible,
as the officers engaged in it were simply executing
nv orders, and had no discretion left them. Not,
withstanding the lapse Of time which has occurred
and the result of the war, am perfectly satisfied
with my conduct on the occasion, and see no reason
to regret it.