Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1890-01-21
MISCELLANEOUS.
a Romance of the Shenandoah
Valley.

e.
[Ernpst Ingcrsoll IN New Orleans Picaynnc.l ]
In 1864 it became apparens to tho Federal
authorities that the rich Valley of Virginia.
which was the gr0nary aud store-house of the
COnfederacy, must be crippled. Gen. David
Hunter was therefore hidden to takC a5, eco
men and make a raid up the Shenaidoah and
ruin the growing crops and gtHllh stores, de-
stroy the railroads. mIite and boundaries and
do all possible damage to the resources of the
enemy as far as he was able to go. It is with
one of the earliest incidents OF this remarkable
campaign that have to deal.
Gen. Hunter belonged to the family whose
ancestral home was on the lower Shenandoah
and he was related to many of the old families
| there, among others to the Botelers.
The head of the Boteler house was Col. Will
liam Boteler, now In the department Of justice
at Washington, then staff officer of high
rank at Richmond. His estate was short
distance from Shepherdstown.
When Hunters corps entered tho valley at
shepherdstown the sky was obscured by day
with the smoke and glowed at;night with the
burning barns. mills and haystaciss.
Mrs. Botelcr and her daughters, with ono or
two faithful servants, were then in the house
both armies that there was nothing lett on it
for these newcomers to take or destroy that
could be of any value as munitions of war;
The house itself, however, had been little hurt,
and its valuable library and pictures and fur
niture had been protected by both armies as
each in turn was in possession. Moreover. r.
David Hunter was Mrs. Botcler's own cousin
and the playmate Oh her childhood. Surely,
1 aim
poverty aud lonelIness-rather something t.
hope for from her long ago cotisin and friend
Cheercd by these thoughts, it was with nc
terror that the ladies sat upon tho porch and
watched the long blue column come ,tindtiia.
ting over the low hills and march hour after
hour along tho road that ran in front of the
estate.
The well-housc was conspicuous, and almost
at the fret squads of men ran In to drink and
! fill their canteens, but all were courteous. and
the first officer of consequence who appeared
placed guatd at the well to preserve aTid
keep away any evil-dispOsed men out of the
house. u
At last the great asmy had passed, save
struggling followers, and the stin was low over
North Mountain when squad of cavaItymen
came galloping back from the departing host
with young lieutenant in command They
turned into the yard, and the officer dis
mounted. Lifting his cap, he said:
''This is Col. Boteler's house7"
at is, and am Mrs. Boteler. We have
nothing left about the place except little
meal and bacon for ourselves. hope you
won't deprive us of that i II g.
''I only wish had NO Worss 20 do; but
madam, have Gen. Hunters orders to burn
this house and all It's contents to the ground
at once. You must believe me- he went on
with genuine sadness in his voice, /" that hate
it from the bottom of my heart. Iwould cheer
fully resign if that would save it, but 4lere is
no help. The orders are peremptory, ard ad-
NIT of no delay. All can let you dol can
not believe the general knew any one was here
lis to gather up your clothing and such yalua-
bles as you can carry. Please hasten, and"-
with sudden Eupplicating gesture and tone, for
he was boyish and sensitive" please forgive
me for my part in this cruel work /"
The men looked .eduktly sad as silently and
swiftly they help Mrs. BotGIer and her daugh-
ters-I think there were three Of then-make
into bundles the few necessarics they we're nl.
loved to take away. -. n
Suddenly the music Fl the plano sweiied
through the house, and mother and sister knew
that the eldest of the daughters was taking
farewell of her beloved instrument, that in the
old days had rung so merrily for flying feet,
and gay hearts and later had been the solace
of long evenings of cruel loneliness and aux
iety, or, abandoned to the sOldlery, had led the
loud chorus of both north and south.
SIS that all7" inquired the lieutenant, with a
choking voice, and bearing the little bundles
out to the stricken women, whispered TO the
sergeant to do hts duty.
Then there came floating out rough the
parlOrs the rich young voice chanting, The
Lord is my Shepherd, shall not WANT and
the hardy sergeant and men felt the tears
springing as they crept to the back of the house
and lighted the fires at Its dryest corners.
Cap in hand, hardly daring to look at the
long row Of books, the pictures, the bric-a-brac,
the pretty articles Of feminine adorument with
which the rooms were Notwithstanding his
eyes TO these things lest they unnerve him-the
lieutenant approached the piano and besought
the singer to leave the room
She paid not the slightest attention-seemed
neither 70 hear nor see him. Her mother and
sister were blinded and deafened by grief
never dreamed what she meant to do : but the
hamed ate into the dear old mansion from two
sidea and caught at the high cornfces and set
their banner on the roof, and ygisps=of smoke
swept In through the doors aud explored the
cool shPde of the parlor .beforethe chant was
done; and to It all the tapt musician seemed
obliYious.. =. ~
6 Now" thought tho oficer, aEeetruck at
the unearthly expression Of the girls face, and
the awfulness Of fhesceDe, e nov she will go.,
But as he advanced step toward her, she
spurned him with regal gesture, and strik-
ing, the chords of " Come ye Disconsolate,
Wbere'er ye Languish, /" broke with clear, pure,