Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-08-23
GHOULS IN UNIFORM.
GOVERNORS ATTENTION CALLED.
TO SOLDIERS oUTnAGEs.
DUG UP CONFEDERATE SOLDIER.
and Illinois yoIun-
teers Carry on Portions of the
skeletons as Relics Near Manassas.
Destroying Property OF Citizens.

action regarding the dissertation OF the
| destruction Of property by members OF
| the Sixth Pennsylvania Volunteers, the
| state Fencibles OF that State. and the
Seventh Illinois Regiment, in the neigh
borhood OF Thoroughfare Gap.
A letter has recently been received by
the Governor from a gentleman residing
in Philadelphia. calling attention to these
outrages. The letter is as follows:
philadelphia, August II. 1898
"The attention of the Governor Of the
State OF Virginia is respectfully called to
the enclosed from a recent issue of the
Record, of this city, a statement from
an evident participant, which recites with
ghoulish glee his part I'm connection with
the State Fencibles, of this city: the Sixth
Pennsylvania Regiment. and the Seventh
Illinois, in robbing graves killing cattle,
and outraging respectable farmers on the
soil Of Virginia.
Respectfully, 'VIRGINIAN.'
REBELS BONES AS RELICS"
The writer encioses the following dis
patch from Thoroughfare Gap. which Is
published under heading, Rebels Bones
as Relics Cherished by the Boys of the
Sixth Pennsylvania"
THOROUGHFARE, VA, August IA
Our boys Of the Sixth Pennsylvania Volun-
teers have undergone severe hardships
during the past week, and are nov in
camp here along the railroad. Since we
left Camp Alger we have had varied eX-
periences. At times we have been unfed
and at times well fed. but taken in all
we have had lots of fun. The marches
have been greatly enjoyed by the ma
jority of us. The health Of the boys has
improved wonderfully.
While we rested along Bull Run last
Sunday. several of our boys came into
camp and reported that two cows and a
calf were running loose about a mile
away This was good news, and several
squads Immediately started in search Of
the beasts. We were armed with dull
axes, knives, etc. We were soon on our
prey, which we lost no time I'm bagglng.
We succeeded in killing a cow and a calf.
and for a time lived pretty we'll The
other regiments now shout when we pass
by, "Who stole a cow" The State Fen
chile boys are all considered game. and
we say that we will never starve, and
you bet we will not, for if anything
crosses our line it is dead, especially If
we are hungry.
Near Bull Run several soldiers gained
entrance into a small graveyard and
dug up a Confederate officer. They di-
vded his remains among the crowd as
relics.
SWELL ROYS co RIGGING
We broke camp Sunday and marched 10
Bristow, n distance OF twelve miles. On
this trip We marched through the famous
town and battlefield OF Manassas. We
were cheered along the route. We got
very little TO eat and . poor supply of
water until we arrived at Bristow. All
the regiments, about 1900 troops. were
encamped in spacious field as level as
Philadelphia ball park. While here we
had quite little sport. We lost no time
in pitching our dog tents, and then pre-
pared ourselves for a good time. Food
was again scarce, so we were compelled
to search the county for something 10 eat
It was surprising 10 see some of our boys.
of well-to-do families of Philadelphia and
Media, going from house TO house, asking
for something to eat OF course. we are
all penniless. not having received our pay
for July. The boys are ashamed 10 write
home for money, and have proven TO be
such good "grafters" that they care little
for wealth. only TO buy smoking and
chewing tobacco and envelopes and tab
lets to write TO parents and sweethearts.
Some have even nerve enough to send
their girls soldiers letters, letting them
pay for the mail at the other end.
SPORT WITH THE FARMERS.
A long-whiskered farmer came along
the road, selling pies, cakes, and milk !
He was halted by a State Fencible boy, !
who purchased a pie for cents He |
handed the farmer a quarter and while |
the latter was getting the change a crowd |
charged on the wagon. took all the milk |
and cakes, and came very near upsetting |
the vehicle. The farmer became greatly |
angered, and for time acted like a wild !
man. He whipped his horse and went |
flying down the road. He looked back. |
cursing as he went and flashed an ugly |
looking knife through the air. Several |
other farmers Jared in about the same /
way, and in the course Of a few hours |
the tilers of the Virginia soil were
scarce.
one happy-looking farmer with a big
straw hat who stopped TO talk with some |
Of the Seventh Illinois boys, was sur
rounded in an instant by hundreds of
soldiers, who showed him around and pull
ed his whiskers. Finally. a blanket was
brought to the scene. and the unfortu
ate was sent flying up in the air. He
seemed TO enjoy the fun. and proved too
tough for the boys, and he was let GO.
He was considered n good fellow. and
with us until late'in the eve
ming