Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-05-15
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Cgn9srlgHd SeimHar.
The death OF Mrs. Mary J. Faulkner
Do Tuesday last in Winchester, Va,
recalls 10 mind a dramatic episode OF
the late war, Ia which she was the
chief participant, and which has been
neglected generally by the historians
OF that stormy epoch. Mrs. Faulkner
was the widow Of the late Charles J.
Faulkner, who was Minister % France
during the administration OF President
Buchanan, and the mother Of Senator
Faulkner, OF West Virginia.
After her marriage she and her hus-
band lived at the magnificent home
stead Of her family in Martinsburg,
then In old Virginia, but now city OF
the new State. II was house such as
one seldom Saes, even In the South,
which abounds so freely ia solid, mass
i've architecture Of most comfortable
style. The rooms were large, the cell
ings high, and most Of the walls were
three feet in thickness. The house
was filed with treasures, curiOSities
picked up abroad, bits OF china and
virtu, dainty bric-a-brac from European
marts. costly paintings from CONT
mental galleries and delicate fabrics
from oriental looms Such collection
is not often seen In private houses In
this country. The house was sur
rounded, too, by glorious park, lawn
OF several acres in extent, covered with
soft, thick Rrsss. and studded with the
remnants OF a virgin forest.
It'wss almost an earthly paradise.
Not alone was the home valuable as a
property, but IL was dear for It's mem
cries, its associations, as well as It's I'M
replaceaOle contents. Such was the
home Minister Faulkner left when he
went 70 his post al Paris, where he used
his efforts in aid Of the Southern cause
so openly that upon the Inauguration Of
President Lincoln the minister was re-
called and arrested upon his return. lie
was represented at bis home by his sou,
then q lad Of fourteen, who had been
with him in Europe, and who went TO
Martins0urg At once. But the sounds
OF war drew the lad OF 10 the front, and
be Joined the cadets OF the Virginia
Military Institute.
Thus the stately mansion was left In
the care OF a womaO and her daughters,
woman OF great courage aud wonder
ful spirit. who has recently been known
to the people of Washington as grace
ful aDd winning participant 10 several
social functions. For time all went
WE'LL though the tides Of the warfare
swept past the household, back aud
forth with varying currents. There
was peace within these massive walls 10
peculiar distinction 20 the strife raging
so near ST hand.
RETALIATION.
It was ia the summer OF 1854 that
the serenity of the Faulkner home was
seriously disturbed. Some time before
there mad been great indignation
aroused among the people or the notch
bv the action OF the cOntederate~gOrceS
ia burning the house Or Governor
Bradford, In Maryland, aGd Gen. Davis
5. Hunter, comR9pdJlfg the Federal
forces 10 NeSsefn Virginia, conceived
g AlSsssa- -6I retaliating for this act OF
vandalism by burning the homes OF
some prominent people in the Shenan-
doah Valley. None OF the citizens or
that beautiful region were more prOml-
nent than ex-Minister Faulkner, whose
arrest upon his return 10 this country
had become q topic OF national talk
early In the struggle. Accordingly one
morning Capt. Gray Martinda,e, OF the
first New York Cavalry, was dis
patched with his company from head
quarters, with orders 10 the effect that
the beautiful home OF the Publishers
should be in ruins by nigbtiaI,
Can't. Martindaie entered upon his
mission with little relish. The burning
OF homes over the heads OF deieuseIesS
women did not cOmpOrt with his idea Of
warfare, aud be made the terms OF dis
mission as easy as he could 10 conscience.
Arriving at the house shortly before
noon, be LETT the detachment OF soldiers
in the road guarding the entrance TO
the park which surrounded the house,
and the remainder galloDed up the
gravel pathway % the mansion, where
he was received by Mrs. Faulkner and
her daughters. They had heard OF the
approach Of soldiers, and they had
heard, too, the rumOrS that were abroad
that three Of the houses in the vicinity
were 10 be sacrificed. Their hearts told
them only too well the errand Of the
blue coats.
TO PREPARE FOR A CONFEDERATION.
MaAums eulN Va NNetu 'AAt GO "a Az
refining his horse before the porch aud
dofing his cap. Il am under the pain
full necessity Of communicating 10 You
the orders Of my superior officer that
your house shall be burned to-day. /
am permitted to give you one hour for
preparation You shall be allowed to
take from the house the wearing
apparel Of yourself and daughters,
but nothing else. All but these
articles must be left behind TO be burn
ed"
Prepared though she was for the
shock, the news that her beautiful
home and its invaluable furnishings aud
ornaments were to be sacrificed 10 the
torch came upon the lady with appall-
ing force. Without a man OF her own
kin 20 advise her, she was at loss 70
know what course 10 pursue. She
realized that unless aid could be sum
mOned the orders must be carried out
and that her home would the next day
lie smoking aud ruined, Soldiers Of
her own cause were far away Even
were they al hand 10 was doubtful II
they could succeed against tue great
odds opposed 20 them in Gght for the
preservation OF this great property.
No, the neediui assistance must come
from another source. 10 must come
from force higher than a general
commanding the forces 10 the neigh
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