Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1902-10-08
Hunter in Lexington in 1864.
Correspondence Richmond Dispatch.

No event of the Civil War more
interested me than the raid of
Hunter through Lexington in 1854,
on his way to Lynchburg. 1t was
the first appearance in our historic
town of a live, armed Yankee on
destruction bent, and the whole
population of women, children, and
slaves viewed them with awe.
The impress of that visit can be
seen easily nOw-thirty-fve years
after. All was done that could be
done to keep them away, and it is
marvellous to think Of the stout
resistance made by McCausland's
1000 cavalrymen to the $4,000
Yankees. General McCausland
did his part well. BY cutting trees
across the roads, burning bridges
in front of them, and stationing
cavalrymen, armed with infeld
rifles, behind trees, rocks, ETC., ne
was able to check the advance OF
Averill's 5000 cavalry, and compel
delay until their infantry could
be brought up and disloge us by
thanking.
On the approach of the Yankees
to Lexington General McCausland
had the bridge, which spans North
river, burned in order to cause de-
lay. While the Yankees were
making pontoons, "A section of their
artillery amused themselves by
Smelling the Virginia Military In
stitute, Washington College, and
other portions of the town. The
residence Of the Misses Baxter,
Professor John l.. Campbell, and
Others were struck, and two shells
pierced the walls Of the county
Jail, but, fortunately, there was no
loss Of life. On the 18th the
enemy entered Lexington, and their
whole force camped Immediately
around the town. The house oc-
cupied by Observation-Disclosures
f. II. Smith, of the Virginia MILF
tary Institute, was used as General
Hunters headquarters, while the
Presbyterian parsonage was put to
similar purpose by General
Averill.
Hunter came with fire and sword,
and most effectually did he accom-
plish his purpose. The barracks,
mess-hall officers quarters, II library
containing 10, 900 volumes, and all
the apparatus and instruments OF
the various departments OF the
school, were quickly reduced to
ashes. From providential causes
the home of superintendent Smith
escaped destruction, and was the
only building left standing upon
the grounds. The statue Of Gen
eral Washington, which stood in
front of the institute, erected by
resolution of the General Assembly,
was taken down and hauled
away. Some ancient cannOns, OF
no use whatever, except as orna-
ments, taken from stranded
French man-Of-war more than one
hundred years ago, were also
hauled away. The statue and can
mons were recovered after the war,
and today stand where they for
merly stood.
For some reason the enemy did
not burn Washington College. AT
the first alarm of war a company
had been raised here, largely from
among the students of the college,
and known as the Liberty Hal
Volunteers, the germ of the college
having been old Liberty Hal
Academy. This company was q
part of the StOnewall Brigade.
The enemy was content with
destroying the chemical apparatus
of the institution, and Il number
of valuable books, principally
scientific works, but which would
be of little value now, except as
relies, as science has left them in
the rear. The Federals used the
lecture-rooms of the college a.
stables for their horses, and in
many ways defaced the antiquated
buildings. Through the efforts of
Hon. John Randolph Tucker, after
the war Il claim for $l7, 900 damages
was allowed and paid. The home
of virginia's war Governor, John
Letcher, was burned to the ground,
the family not being allowed to
take anything out of the building,
and barely escaping with their
lives. This ended the burning in
Lexington.