National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1882-03-11

To the Editor of TUE REPUDLIoANi
Ny attention has been invited to lengthy COM
munication in THE REPUBLICAN, Of this morning
purporting To give detailed account of hostilties
between armed bodies OF countrymen and my
surveying party in Bath County, Virginia, and l
have to request correction of certain inaocurR-
ces contained in the article, which reflect uDjusty
upon the conduct not only Of the men in my en-
ploy. but Of the Inhabitants themselves.
THERE WAS NO SURRENDER
OF any sort whatever. My party consisted OF my
SELF Mr.. Campbell, aud four Others, two or three
Of whom had pistols, but none Of US carried guns
Mr.. Campbell and myself were unarmed. We
were attacked by white men, who kept within
cover Of the woods. When we attempted to pu 7.
sue them they hurriedly got out OF the way, and Il
was impossible to discover who they were. Thii
occurred near Dilley's MIL, Poonhontas County
The attack was made not by " squatters," but by
men hired by Mr.. Monatt, Mr. Moore, Mr.. Dilley
and Others, who had heretofore becu engaged IL
robbing the land OF its timber.
THE TIMBER II VERY VALUABLE,
consisting OF white oak, white pine, black walnut
yellow poplar, hickory, and cherry. aud had beer
q source Of immense profit 10 these men, who hRd
been carrying on their freebooting for many years
was enabled TO get near enough to the aggressive
party TO hold conversation with them, and
stated that purposed TO accomplish the survey
and that their efforts 70 terribly US would have nc
my men did not finch in the least; some of them
fred back with their pistols and
WERE AT ONCE sToPPED BY ME.
The trespassers were afraid to approach within
range of our pistols, but continued their attacks
from the adjoining hills for the few days we re-
manned in the place. There was no surrender
on our part, no flag Of truce was hoisted, and we
came out ofthe skirmish substantially victorious
The only foundation for the assertion OF Burren
der was the employment by us OF white Gag IN
our surveying when the snow was off the ground
on account of the color Of the forest leaves When
there was snow on the ground we used q red flag
MIR, BARRETT WAS NOT WITH THE PARTY
at the time Of the encounter, but was sick Al
Huntersville; in fact, he was present on the sur
yey but one day during the whole period OF oul
abors in the States of Virginia and West Virginia
had no Unsatisfactory or unpleasant relations
with any people in the neghborhood on thS
contrary, was everywhere treated with eonsid
ings on tho part Of the people OF Pocahontal
County might mention tho fact that / wal
awarded the contract for the erection Of th,
county jail at Huntersyille, upon which work
have already entered, General Butler having beer
accepted by the authorities as surety upon m!
bond for faithful performance of the contract
Every one spoke in the highest terms
OF GENERAL BUTLER
for his magnanimity toward the men taken pris
oners by him during the late war, and was re
quested by the citizens TO convey to him their ex
pressions Of esteem, and 70 state that they woul,
be pleased to receive n visit from him. This spiri
of good will was fully reciprocatod on the part o
General Butler. HIS parting injunction to me OF
leaving Washington was that, II In my surveyings,
discovered any persons who had erected house
on, or otherwise improved any portions of ou
lands deeds in fee should at once be given TO sucl
parties without cost, for the extent OF land so i'm
SAMUEL STRONG.