Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-09-16
CONDITIONS IN APRIL 1865.
An Interesting Letter of General Henry a
Wise to Generals Grant or Meade.
Correspondence of the Dispatch)

Correspondence Of the Dispatch)
CHASE CITY, VA. September 10
After the surrender of General Lee at
Appomattox in April. 1855, General Henry
A Wiz rode over to the county Of Hall
fax and remained some time visiting ola
friends. He then started on a journey
horseback and alone to visit Hon. Neck.
Alexander Of Mecklenburg. On his route
he stopped several days with his old sup
porter in his political life, at the Hospital
bic home Of Captain Robert y. OVerDey'
near Buffalo L.thia Springs. Everything
was then In confusion and uncertainty
Sherldan's Cavalry had just before ma
rauGed this section. General Wise saw
the condition of affairs, and before leav-
ing the house of Captain oNerDey, Ielt
with him the following letter 10 project
him as far as possible if Grant or Meade
should follow with the Federal army
The occasion never arose for us use.
CAPTAIN Overbey always appreciated the
kind consideration of General wise. anu
the letter was found in his safe when ne
died. in 1872.
The letter shows the state Of affairs
here soon after the close of the war, as
IL appeared to the old Governor III re-
veals the Kindness of heart OF GENERA
Wise. and il was all he could then DO. at
that time to befriend the people. The
dates and surrounding circumstances
when the letter was written ana the tN-
pressive language show it TO have been
Characteristic of the author. and con-
trjbution 10 the history of the times.
AN APPEAL FOR PROTECTION.
MECKLENBURG COUNTY. VA,
April 20, 1860.
To General Grant. or General Meade
Commanding, etc:
General.-Mr. II. Y. Overbey. of this
county, has been robbed OF ms
whole stock Of horses. and MS
house hold furniture has been PHI
LACED by struggling parties OF General
Sherldan's cavalry; contrary, douOuess'
10 the orders and wishes of their com
panders. Besides these maraud,rs. mum
her OF dcser;ers and strangers or
tho Confederate armies are infcstlng the
ncighborho0d around and about ms
premises / make these representations
% you. after the armies of the Coniede-
! racv have laid down their arms, and the
rcople have returned to their peacefu
! occupations with the intention, doubtless
! Of resuming their relations existing prior
! tn tte. war. 10 obtain some reparatiOn
for inturics and some security from ma
rauling parties Of both armies To that
end / ask YOU 10 restore Mr.. ONerDcy $
horses. sixteen In number. or 10 allow
him to take in their place such disabled
/ animals as win enable him TO carry or
his crop. This is a tobacco region. which
suffered from drought last year, ana II
me midst Of general scarcity. and in
state exhausted by the war. they nave
been deprived of their provisions ano
forage. The people must have the means
of making crops. or the suffering VII
ha great and insupportable during th'
coming winter. And, 20 protest agains
the robbers and marauders OF our OWE
bad men. / urge the necessity of authority
10 organize committees of safety to arm
proper posses. to protect homes,eads and
| the people generally. and their private
property. / will youch for MI OVerD.
| 10 observe any conditions when ne VII
accept. very respectiu!'!' ,,,,c,,
priradicr-General on Parole