Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1892-11-11
Lees Invasion Of Maryland.


Under date of Staunton, Va, Octo-
ber "A. Mrs. J. T.. b. Stuart, widow OF
/ tie distinguished Confederate caval-
nv commander, writes the Baltimore
Sun as follows:
The past September, Mr.. Whittier,
the poet, was laid to rest-and in
your paper there was an article in re
ference to his poem. Barbara Freit-
chic" At the time | could not find
an old letter | had received in 1879,
but herewith nclose an exact copy.
1t was published in the Richmond
Dispatch, December 20, 1873. The
writer is entirely unknown TO me
claims TO be physician living in
town i'm New York His name is at
your call, but | prefer not to give II,
not having his consent. He makes IA
mistake in regard to DR. Coleman,
who did not hold the position accred-
tied to him. but such an error was
natural under the circumstances.
His testimony a. To the behavior Of
the Southern troops toward the
encruy j. very valuable.
THE LETTER.
The following is the letter referred
to 10y Mrs. Stuart:
Mrs. j. T. B. Stuart, Richmond "a
Madam: Learning that you are In
Richmond recalls to my mind an in
cideut connected with the military
life Of your late husband, and know
ing that anything OF that nature
must be Of interest to yourself, ] am
persuaded to send you the following
At the time OF the first invasion Of
Maryland | was "A medical cadet.
United States Army, and attached TO
the general hospital, at Frederick city.
was but twenty years OF age,
young and romantic, and although
! could have left the city, remained,
from choice. for desired 10 see the
Confederate army. My curiosity was
soon gratifcd, General Lees forces
coming into town one fine September
morning with colors flying anG the
bands playing Maryland, Ny Mary
land.
Our hospital was at once surrender
ed, and shortly after | procured a
pass from the adjutant-gener giving
me the liberty Of the city. soon be
came acquainted with several Con
federate officers, and among others
DR.. Coleman, General Jackson med
ical director, who came up TO the hos
pital after liniment for the General,
who had badly sprained his ankle.
And here ! wish TO bear testimony to
the fact that not only myself, but all
OF the friends Of the Union cause in
Frederick, so far as / could learn,
were kindly treated 10y both officers
and private soldiers. / do not re-
member Of single instance where
private property was molested, nor
was any taunt. indignity or insult Of
fered to any person. Whittier 8
Barbara Freitchie," which has at
tracted so much attention, even that
is fiction.
1t was not until the morning Of the
day on which our forces entered Fred
erick that met your husband. He
and his cavalry alone remained in the
CITY. a. the remainder Of the Confed-
crate army had gone on toward South
Mountain and Antietam. / was COM
ing down one Of the principal streets
alone when / came upon a group oil
officers. one Of whom sat writing on
the porch OF a private residence,
where he seemed 10 be on friendly
terms with the family. | saw at once
that he was general OF consequence,
and az came directly opposite aud
+ close TO him he saw me. He halted
me. and, coming up on the walk,
asked my rank, &c. He then spoke
I Of the kindly manner in which they
had treated the "Unionists" Of Fred.
erick, and asked me il would do him
a favor. / replied that / would IL In
my power. he then said: Il want
you TO tell your commanding general,
when be comes, that we have treated
his friends here with great kindness
that we expect the same treatment
for ours, and unless they receive 1t
will doubly retaliate at each
every opportunity" ! did not
him. and noticing my look OF
! he Immediately added. Il q