Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-12-15
A Terror to Yankees.
From the ANanta tGa.l Constitutto,

from the Attd2lbI (Odsl C0nSt1bdtbO7I.
In the winter of '64 business called me
for few days to a small town in South
ern Alabama, near the Florida line. AT
that time several hundred COnfederates
were stationed there, and the commander
of the post was one Col. Jepp. The Fed
erals were gradually advancing their
lines, and their forces frequently crossed
the PerdidO river, which was about 10
miles below the village.
This Col. Jepp. the post commander,
was q character. When | first saw him
be impressed me rather favOrably. He
was about 40 years old, 6 feet high, with a
dark complexion, flashing eyes, and long
black nair. He looked every inch SOL
der, and seemed to take little interest in
anything outside of his military duties.
In the course of day or two i heard a
good deal about him and his peculiarities.
The colonel went out one night with a
scouting party. In the morning | heard
of the expedition, and learned that six
federals had been surprised and captured.
Out of curiosity l inquired where the
prisoners were. A young lieutenant
iaughlngly replied:
1--WE lost them. When Col. Jepp gets
any prisoners, you know, he alwas loses
them"
/ understood the full import Of these
W or0s.
$50 they were shot," l said.
Eyes, the colonel shot them himself"
/ ventured to suggest that it was unu-
sual for an officer of his rank to adopt the
methods OF guerilas and bushwhackers,
''On, It's all right" said the officer care
iessly. 81 wouldn't do it myself but L
don't blame poor Jepp."
This remark puzzled me. Why should
this man be privileged to butcher helpless
prisoners!
The next day there was another scout
ing expedition, and when the soldiers re.
turned | heard that their commander had
again distinguished himself. This time a
Federal Lieutenant rode right into the Con-
federates and was captured before he I'M
derstood the situation. He was handsome
youth, and In his belt were two ivory
handled revolver5. His captOrs relieved
him of his weapons, and after dismount-
ing him tied his hands behind his back.
Col. Jepp then directed the men TO ride on
down the road and leave him with the
prisoner. A moment later the soldiers
heard a pistol shOt and the Colonel re-
Joined them without the prisoner.
ale lost hImW suggested.
ssYes, he lost him." was the significant
answer. 'The colonel likes to catch Yam
KEGS, but he is unlucky about bringing
them 10 headquarters"
My comments upon Jepp's high-handed
and bloody methods were freely made and
were rather bitter. One OF the officers,
with whom had struck up an acquaint-
ance, listened In silence and then said:
''PoOr Jeppw
NY interest was aroused, and l asked
tor an explanation.
alt is n short story" said my com
panion, ''but there Is a good deal in IL.
u 900 Lat hon Gharnnan m ado his nj "
raid through Mississippi. Well, the hOr-
rors OF that merciless march has never
been thoroughly shown up. In Sherman's
army were some of the vilest de 3peradoes
that ever wore q uniform. On the raid
thew burned, plunde4 ed and maltreated
non-conbatants without respecting either
age or sex. IN their track lay the planta-
ton Of Col. Jepp. There was nobody at
home except the ColOnePs mother, an old
lady of 20, and few faithful family SER
wants. II is almost impossible 10 believe
n. but after the main body Of the troops
had passed few straggl0rs gutted the
mansion and then burned II. They
were about 20 leave when they saw
old Mrs. Jepp looking on az the burning
house with tears raining down her cheeks.
The rufians laid violent hands on the
feeble and frightened woman, and asked
her whore she mad concealed her money
and jewelry. She protested that she had
none except wnat had been found In the
house. What she said went for nothing.
The seOundrels tied her hands, stripped
her 20 the waist and gave her forty lashes
with a cowhide. The victim tainted under
the terrible torture, but that was not
enough. The robbers restored her 20 con-
sciousness and hung her 70 a tree until
abe was black In the face, Then they let
her down. and finding IL impossible 70
learn anything from her one Of tne gang
Enoeked her down, and they all rode OF
together" .,,,-,,
aCan such things be possiblew asked.
"The story is only too true. Wei, SIR,
when Jepp heard this he was Ike
maniac for time. His mother dled IN a
few weeks. and since then be has made y
his business. night and day, TO hunt ana
kill yankees. You may cali TINS hlohk.
You may say the man is mad. Perhaps