The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1877-08-09


of Andrew Hunter, A. R. Boteler, =.
J. Lee, Governor Letcher, ]. T. Aud
erson, the Virginia Military Insti-
tute, and others. in Virginia, had
been burned by the orders of General
d. Hunter, a Federal commander, and
that the money demanded from
Chambersburg was to be paid to these
parties as a compensation for their
property. 1t appears that the policy
of General Early had been adopted
upon proper reflection; that his ord
ers were distinct and final, and that
what was done on this occasion by
my command was not the result OF
inconsiderate action or want Of prop.
er authority, as was alleged by many
parties at the North, both at the time
and since the close Of the war,
THE DASH OVER TIE BORDER.
On the Goth of July the two caval
ry brigades that were to make the
dash into Pennsylvania, by turning
the right of Hunters army, we're as,
semblcd at or near Hammond's Mill,
in Berkely county, West Virginia.
During the night the Federal pick
cts OH the northern side of the Poto,
mac were captured, and the troops
crossed just at daylight on the morn
ing of the 30th, and moved out and
formed the line of march on the Ma,
tional road. Major Gilmer drove the
Federal cavalry from the small will
age of Clear Spring, and pushed on
toward Hagerstown tocreate the i'm.
! PTeSs16u riiar INC rest tflt troops
were following. AT clearsprfng we
left the National road and turned
north on the Mercer$burg road. We
reached MercorSburg about dark.
and stopped to feed our horses and tc
give time for the stragglers TO come
up. After this stop the march was
continued all night, Notwithstanding
the opposition made at every ovaila.
bic point by a regiment of Federal
cavalry. Major Sweeney, with his
cavalry battalion, kept the roads clean
and we reached Chambersburg at
daylight on the 9lst. The approach
to the town was defended only by
once piece of artillery and some ir-
regular troops that were soon driven
off, and the advance of our force took
possession OF the town. The main part
of the two brigades was formed in
the high ground overlooking the
town. lat once went into the place
with my staff, and requested some OF
the citizens to inform the city au-
thorities that | wanted to see them,
| also sent my staff through town tc
find out where the proper oificialswere
and to inform them that | had a pro-
clamation for their consideration
Not one could be found. | then di.
rcctcd the proclamation to be read tc
many of the citizens who were neal
me, and requested them to hunt W
their officers, informing them ]
would wait until they could either
find them, or by consultation among
themselves determine what they
would do. Finally | informed them
that | would wait six hours, and il
they would comply with the roquisi,
ton their town would be safe; and in
case they did not it wouldbo destroy
ed in accordance with my orders
from General Early. After few
hours of delay many citizens came
to me-somc were willing to pay the
money, others were not l urged
them TO comply with such reasons as
occurred to me at the time, and told
them plainly what they might ex'
poet. Ishowcd to my own officers
the written instructions of General
Early, and before a single house was
destroyed both the citizens and the
| Confederate officers that were present
fully understood why it was done
and by whose orders. After waiting
until the expiration Of the six hours
and finding that the proclamation
would not DO complied with, the dcs'
truction of the town was begun by
firing the most central blocks first
and after tho inhabitants had been
moved from them. Thus the town
was destroyed, and the inhabitants
driven to the hills and fields adjd
cent thereto. No lives were lost by