Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1899-07-27

the only shelter then left for them.
THE COMPLAINT OF MRS. LEE.
Martindales written order from
Hunter also embraced another Virgin
la home. He burned it, too. The
story is told by the gifted mistress Of
that household in the following letter,
which was delivered to Hunter I
have been furnished a copy with per-
mission to publish it. This letter Will
live in history for its eloqunce and
sublime invective:
SHEPHERDsTowE, Va.
July 20, 1864.
GENERAL HUNTER:--Ye yesterday your
underling, Captain Martindale, of the
First New York Cavalry, executed
your infamous order and burned my
house. You have the satisfaction ere
this of receiving from him the intor-
nation that your orders were fulfilled
to the letter; the dwelling and other
outbuildings, seven in number with
fheir contents, being burned, l, there
fore, helpless woman whom you have
cruelty wronged, address you, ma
jor-general Of the United States Army,
and demand why this was done?
What was my ofense? My husband
was absent-an exile. He had never
been politician or in any way en-
gagged in the struggle now going on,
his age preventing. This fact your
chief-of-staf, David Strother, could
have told you. The house was built
by my father, Revolutionary soldier,
who served the whole seven years for
your independence. There was | born;
there the sacred dead repose. 1t was
my home, and there has your niece
Miss Griffith who has tarried among
us all this horrid war upto the pres
ent moment, met with all kindness
and hospitality at my hands. Was it
for this that you turned me, my young
daughter and little son out upon the
world without a shelter? Or was it
because my husband is the grandson
of the Revolutionary patriot and "reb-
el," Richard Henry Lee, and he near
kinsman Of the noblest Of Christian
warriors, the greatest Of generals,
Robert Z. Lee? Heavens blessings
be upon his head forever You and
your government have failed to con-
quer, subdue or match him and dis
appointed rage and malice find vent
on the helpless and inofensive.
Hyena-like you have torn my heart
to pieces, for all hallowed memories
clustered around that homestead and
demon-like you have done it without
even the pretext of revenge,fo for never
saw or harmed you. Your Office Is
not to lead like brave man and SOL
der your men to fight in the ranks Of
war, but your work has been to sepa-
rate yourself from all danger, and
with your incendiary band steal una
wares upon helpless women and chill
dren to insult and destroy. Two fair
homes did you yesterday ruthlessly
lay in ashes, giving not moments
warning TO the startled inmates Of
your wicked purpose; turning moth
srs and children out Of doors, your
very name execrated by your own
men for the cruel work you gave them
to do.
In the case Of Colonel A. R. Boteler,
both father and mother were far away.
Any heart but that Of Captain Mar
tindale (and yours would have been
touched by that little circle, compris-
ing widowed daughter just arisen
from her bed of illness, her three little
fatherless babes-the eldest not five
years old-and her heroic sister.
repeat, any man would have been
touched at that sight. But, Captain
Martindale One might as well hope to
find mercy and feeling in the heart Of
a wolf bent on his prey Of young
lambs, as to search for such qualities
in his bosom. You have chosen well
your agent for such deeds, and doubt
less will promote him.