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

| DOlclST anu W. ~ Luz uloO iANNN -
the same vicinity. No reasons that
have ever heard have been giyer
for the burning of their houses
Governor Letcher's property was il
Lexington, Virginia; the Military
Institute was near Lexington, also
/ do not think that any better reas
ons can be given for the destruction
of these properties than could have
been given if General Hunter hac
destroyed every house, barn or Other
building, that was standing and in
good order, upon his line of march
from Staunton to Lynchburg. The
property Of J. r, Anderson was in
the county of Boutetort, and located
near the banks of james River, al
Buchanan. Mrs. Anderson and la
dy relative were the only occupants
at the time. / destroyed the bridge
across James river to retard Hunter
in his march upon Lynchburg, ant
it detained him with his army fol
two days, during which time he oc
cupicd this house as his headquart
ers. He promised the ladies protect
ion, and after his departure an oili
Ger and some soldiers returned with
written order from. him to destroy
everything about the premises. E. a
| few days afterward, as General Hun
ter was passing another Virginia
mansion, a lady asked him why he
destroyed the magnificent home Of
Colonel Anderson. He replied "that
Vireinia womenMere. worse traitors
than their husbands, and be would
burn the houses over their heads tt
make them personally and immedi'
atcly experience some punishment
for their treason" and on another oc-
casion said to a lady that he would
"humble the Virginia women before
! he left the State" | could onumer
ate many othorac of actual destruc'
ton, and threats, and acts of wanton
violence on the part of Hunter, all
Of which went to make up public
sentiment that prevailed at the time
| in Virginia, and which required tho
military authorities to take some
Steps to prevent their recurrence in
future, besides stopping the useless
destruction that was then going on
But what | have given is considered
sufficient to explain the reason why
the city of Chambersburg, in Penn
sylvania, was destroyed.
RELATIVE LOCATION OF THE FORCES.
1t may be considered as indispen
sable to give the location of the for
ces composing the Union and Con
fcdcrate armies during the latter part
of the month of July, 1864, in order
to properly understand the raid that
was made into the State of Pcnnsyl
vania, and which resulted in the de-
struction of Chamborsburg. Hunt
er'sarmy Unlon) was scattered along
the northern bank Of the Potomac
river, in Maryland, from near Han
cock to Harpors Ferry, the main
body being near the latter place
Early's army Confederate was 10
Gated on the opposite side of the same
river with its main body near Mar
tinsburg. Each army had its caval
ry on the TANKS, My command was
on the left of Early's army, and
think that Averill's cavalry was 10
Gated opposite to meat least u por'
ton of it was there. When | speak
of cavalry in the course of this sketch
/ am aware that the term is moi
properly applied; and as far as the
Confederate troops which command
ed are concerned, they were badly
armed, badly mounted and worse
equippod-in fact they were mostly
mounted militia. The men woulC
have made good soldiers if there had
been time to discipline them ant
arms and equipments to have fur
'nished them. The horses were near
.ly all worn out, and there was NJ
supply to draw others from. We at
tempted to get horses in Ponnsylya
mia, but found them removed from
the line of march, and we had re
time to look for them elsewhere.
In July, 1864, II cavalry brigade
which | commanded was cncampec
near the Potomac river in the county
Of Berkeley, West Virginia. II mad,