Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1877-08-28
MISCELLAH N E GUS.
BURNING OF CHAMBERSBURG. /.
The Con- fet1erate Commander tells hOW and
Why 1t ,cds done.

The Confederate Commander tells hoac and
tchy 1t tods done.
IGen. John McCausland in the Philadelphia
Weekly Tines.l
The wanton destruction of the private
property of citizens of Virginia by the orders
of Gen. Hunter, a Federal commander, may
be considered as one of the strongest reasons
for the retaliation, by Early's order, upon
the city of Chambersburg. Andrew Hun
ter lived in the county of jefferson, near
Harper's Ferry, and was a relative OF Gen>
eral Hunters; a. Il. Boteler and j. j. Lee
also lived in tho same vicinity. No reasons
that have ever heard have been given for
the burning of their houses. Governor Letch>
er's property was in Lexington, Va; the
Military Institute was near Lexington, also.
| do not think that any better reasons can
be given for the destruction of these proper
tics than could have been given If Gen.
Hunter had destroyed every house, barn or
other building, that was standing aud in
good order, upon his limo of march from
Staunton to Lynchburg. The property of
j. 7. Anderson was in the county of Bote-
tourt, and located near the banks of James
river, at Buchanan. Mrs. Anderson and a
lady relative were the only occupants at the
time. l destroyed the bridge across James
river to retard Hunter in his march upon
Lynchburg, and it detained him with his
army for two days, during which time no
occupied this house as his headquarters. He
promised the ladies protection, and after his
departure an officer and some soldiers re.
turned with written order from him to de-
stroy everything about the premises. A few
days afterward, as Gen. Hunter was passing
another Virginia mansion, lady asked him
H. H. af
Col. Anderson. He replied ''that Virginia
women were worse traitors than theit hus>
bands, and be would burn the houses over
their heads to make them personally and i'm
mediately experience some punishment for
their treason :" and on another occasion said
to lady that he would '.humble tho Vir-
ginia women before he left the State" I
could enumerate many other acts of actual
destruction, and threats and acts of wsuton
violence on the part of Hunter, all of which
went to make up public sentiment that pre>
vailed at the time in Virginia, and which
required the military authorities to take some
steps to prevent their recurrence in the
future, besides stopping the useless destruc-
ton that was then going on. But what
have given is considered sufficient to explain
the reasons why the city of Chambersburg,
in Pennsylvania, was destroyed.
On the 18th of July l received an order
from General Early to cross the Potomac
with my brigade and one under General
Bradley T. johnson and proceed to the city
of Chambersburg, aud after capturing it to
deliver to the proper authorities proclama-
tion which he had issued, calling upon them
to furnish me with s100, 600 in gold or $780,
900 in greeubacks, and In case the money
was not furnished was ordered to burn tho
city and return to Virginia. The proclama-
tion also stated that this course had been
adopted in retaliation for the destruction of
property in Virginia by the orders of Cen
of Andrew Hunter, A. r. Boteler, E. j.
Lee, Governor Letcher, J. T. Anderson, the
Virginia Military Institute, and others in
Virginia, had been burned by the orders Of
General D. Hunter, Federal commander,
and that the money demanded from Cham
bersbutg was to be paid to these parties as o
compensation for their property. It appears
that the policy of Gen. Early had been
adopted upon reflection; that his orders were
distinct and final, and that what was done
on this occasion BY the command was not
the result Of inconsiderate action or want Of
proper authority, as was alleged By many
parties at the North, at the time and since
the close of the wsr.
The approach to the town was defended
only by one piece of artillery and some ir-
regular troops that we're soon driven of, and
the advance of our force took possession Of
the town. The main part Of the two brigades
was formed in line on the high ground over
looking the town. at once went into the
place with my staff, and requested somo of
the citizens to inform the city authorities
that I wanted to see them. also sent my
staff through the town to fud ont where the
proper officials were, and inform them that
I had proclamation for their consideration.
Not one could be found. then directed
the proclamation to be read to many of the
citizens that were near me, and requested
them to hunt up their officers, informing
them would wait until they could either
find them, or by consultation among them
selves determine what they would do. Final
ly informed them that I would wait slx
hours, and if they would comply with the