The Republican journal., 1869-06-24
THE UNEARrHED TREASURE.

The Cincinnati Commercial, noticing the
account Of the valuable ''find' in the Treas
ury vaults at Washington, gives the following
explanation of its being there g
Sherman's army in its march to the sea,
and in the campaigns of the Carolinas, GOT a
reputation for disorder which was untrue and
unjust The reckless, rolicking, rowing all-
dacity of the ''bummers," had much to do
with this The ''bummers," as these men
were called, were buccaneers of the land,
who would temporarily desert the ranks and
wander over the country sometimes alone,
and often in squads Of from two to twenty.
They were unlike the camp followers or the
soldiers of European armies, who riot in
violence, and who are ignorant, if not born
to rob and kill. Our hummer was brought
up citizen, and taught to respect the laws,
and in this insubordination he was never
bloodthirsty and cruel to violence but very
often he would steal When an army invades
an enemy's country, and by the laws Of war,
may destroy or take to its use almost allkinds
OF property, it is not easy for the soldier
much less the bummer-to define with great
accuracy the point of divergence between
what kind of property may be distracted and
that which should be left behind, but we are
safe to say that now and then the ''bnmmcr''
did that
A'uI IL tut hllONltuSc VI IIiIlttIN law w Us
not acute in the mind Of the hummer, General
Sherman and his officers not only were not
lacking, but they exacted obedience, and
when detected in irregularities the offender
was punished. In order to ascertain who
were criminals, an ingenious and effective
means was practiced.
Whenever there was a prospect OF 4 big
fight, or whenever the army came to a wide
river which could not be crossed except upon
the pontoons, the stragglers, foraging parties
and bummers would come within the lines,
seeking the protection and assistance Of the
organized host. Thus it was near the end of
the march, and at the crossing Of the Little
Pedee, we think, as all the wagons and sus-
picious soldiers, mounted or otherwise-and
it was easy to recognize the bummers-came
oughly searched. Only first class pawn
variety of articles which came to light. All
kinds of musical Instruments, jiewelry of all
descriptions, silverware-in truth, the articles
which have recently been unpacked from the
boxes in Washington.
After this complete search had been made
with its fruitful results the question at once
arose, what shall be done with all these valu
ables? It was evident that it was private
property, and in many instances inscriptions
on the plate showed they were valuable fam
lily relics. What was to be done with the ele-
phant? was the question which all asked, and
which finally came to General Sherman; and
he answered and decided it as he always does
whatever comes before him, in simple, hon
est and straightforward way This is priv
ate property, and should be returned to the
owners whenever they can be found. Who
and what they are we are not in situation to
ascertain, but it may be known after the war.
Meanwhile let these things be forwarded to
the Secretary of War at Washington to be
disposed of hereafter"
This lot of articles and all other question
able property, like letters aud public docu-
ments, were sent to Mr.. Stanton but where
a rebel was concerned, the practise of the
Secretary was, get all you can and keep what
you get, and so the jewels and plate, and to-
bacco and cotton, were turned over to the
Treasury Department.