The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1869-06-16
Sherman's Bummers,

nv OihoiHua|i CoWWefCfdt, n0tlo.
Ing the account of the valuable "findn
in the treasuary vaults at Washington,
gives the following explanation of its
being there;
Sherman's army, in it's march to the
sea, and in the campaigns of the Caro-.
linas, got q reputation for disorder
which was untrue and unjust. The
reckless, rollicking, rowing audacity
of tho "bummers" had much to do
with this. The "bummers," as these
men were called, were buccaneers of
tho land, who would temporarily de-
sert 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 tho laws, and in
this insubordination he was never
blood-thirsty and cruel to violence,
but vory often he would steal. When
an army invades an enemy's country,
and, by the laws of war, may destroy
or take to it's use almost all the kinds
of property, it is not easy for tho SOL
dior-much less the bummer-to de-
iine the great accuracy the point of
divergence between what kind of
property may DO distracted and that
which should be left behind, but VIC
Isre safe to say that now and then tho
"bummer" did that. But if tho
knowledge of military law was not
cute in tho mind of the hummer,
General Sherman and his officers not
only were not lacking, but they exact
cd obedience, and when detected in
irregularities the offender was punish.
cd. In order to ascertain who were
criminal, an ingenious and effective
means was practiced.
Whenever there was prospect of
big tight, or whenever the army came
to wide river which could not be
crossed except from upon the pom
toons, tho stragglers, foraging parties
and bummers would como within the
lines, seeking tho protection and as
sistance of the organized host. Thus
it was, near tho end of the march, and
at the crossing of the Little Pcedeo,
wo think, as all tho wagons and suspi-
clous soldiers, mounted or otherwise
and 1t was easy to recognize tho
oummers-camo up to the bridge they
were halted and thoroughly searched.
Only first-olass pawnbroker's could
have rivallod tho number and variety
of articles which camo to light. All
kinds of musical instruments, Jewel.
ry of all descriptions, silvcrware-in
truth, tho articles which have recently
been unpacked from the boxes in
Washington. Aftor this complete
search had heen made with its fruit
less rosuls tho question ut once arose,
what shall be done with all these val
uablos2 1t was evident that it was
private property, and in many in
s'ancrs inscriptions on tho plate show
they were valuable family relics.
WHAT was to be dono with the ole-
phant was the question waioh all
asked, and he answered and decided
it rs he always does whatever comes
before him, in simple, honest and
straightforward way: "This is private
property, and should be returned to
the owners whenever they can bo
found. Who and whore they are we
arc not in o situation to ascertain, tut
it may bo known after tho war
Meanwhile let these things be for,
wardcd to the Secretary of War OF
Washington to be disposed of hereaf-
ter"
This lot of articles and all other
questionable property, like letters
and public documents, wero sent to
MIR. Stanton; but wherever rebel
was concerned, tho practice of the
earnest Secretary was, "Gct all you
can, and keep what you get :" and SO
the jewels, and plato and tobacco and
cotton were turned over to the Treasu.
Department
The question of our national finan.
ces ovorshadows every other, and
upon the management Of that depend
in q great measure the present pros
perity and future welfare of tho ooun-
try. The Secretary should mature a.
plan for consolidating the whole debt
at lover rate of interest. The nre.
L