Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1878-05-07
MIScELLkHE GUS,
THE COMMUNE IN RICHMOND.
AN INCIDENT OF THE REBELLION.

Major John NJ. Daniel, of Virginia, gives
the following graphic account Of the appear
ance and Operations of communists in Rch>
mond during the rebellion, and how they
were suppressed:
When Harper's Ferry was captured at the
beginning of the war, all the available ma
chinery for the manufacture of arms was ta-
ken to Richmond. Hundreds OF workmen
and their wives and daughters had been en-
plOyed in the arseDals and machine shops,
and they followed the machinery to the cap>
ital in search of employment. They got it.
For time they were regularly paid in good
money, and everything moved smoothly
But as the currency deprecated they began
to suffer. Tho money received by the work.
men would not support their families. AS
tho war progressed confederate notes became
almost yalueless. Grant had his hand on tho
throat of the confederacy at Petersburg-
The wages of the workmen would not pur-
chase food for their families. They pro-.
tested, but in vain. They were too patriotic
to organizee a revolution. Their women,
however, formed secret society based on
communistic principles. They seem to have
held that their husbands were working for
the coufederacy, and that the confederacy
keepers. Without clothing and provisions
their husbands aud sons must stop work.
This would cut off necessary munitions and
supplies, the government would fall. and all
be involved in one common ruin. To avoid
this, a general division Of food and clothing
must be made. The wives and daughters of
lsborers and mechanics throughout the capi-
tai generally joined in the movement.
While standing in Main street orc morn
ing the major witnessed an extraordinary
scene. Hundreds Of women suddenly ap>
peared. The broad avenue was filed with
them. They came filing in from the cross
streets by plAtoons, and began to sack the
stores. Hollow-eyed and gaunt with hunger,
nobody dared resist them. A crowd Of men
hung upon the outskirts, Offering no inter,
ference and expressing no sympathy for the
shopkeepers. The women took the stores in
line, one after the other. They proceeded
systematically. The goods were piled upon
wagons drawn by horses driven By female
sympathizers. Not word was spoken. The
work was done with terrible earnestness-
When the mob entered grocery certain
percentage of them piled the goods upon the
outstretched arms of the other, and they Here
borne to the streets and dumped into The
wagons. The women had il all their own
way Neither soldiers nor police were IN
sight. Meanwhile the crowd Increased
Other women heard what was going on, and
hocked to Main street for a share of the plum
der. Not man joined them, and for long
time no one made an effort TO stop them
At last Congressman Baldwin, of Virginia,
jumped upon a dry goods box and made an
impassiOned appeal for Law and order. He
might as we'll have talked to the wind. No
one paid the least attention to him. The
women went on with their sacking and the
bystanders drowned Baldwin's voice with
their whoops and cheers.
while was gazing at tho scene. said
the MajOr, ~ saw Captain OF an Als6ana