Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1914-07-16

|
families involved. and il is strange that
| he should have taken such course, as
| they had never shown any enmity to
him. II was not justifiable as a war
measure, and it was not done, we are
informed, in response to any demand up
on the part of other Union generals. 1t
is said that in his later years Hunter ex-
pressed much regret at having destroyed
the mansionS-but regret could not re-
build the ruins nor restore the desolated
homes.
The following letter was addressed to
! General Hunter by Mrs. Lee the DAY al
ter the burning of her home. In her lat
er life she expressed regret that she had
allowed her feelings TO so overcome her,
but when the great provocation is con-
sidered no one can blame her Tor her in
dignant wrath against the inhuman mon
ster who had robbed her OF home and
household possessions in so cruel a man
ner. Her letter follows:
ShepherdStown, Va, July 20, 1864.
General Hunter-Yesterday your I'M
deriiug, Captain Martindale, OF the First
New YORK Veteran Cavalry" executed
your infamous order and burned my
house. You have had the satisfaction
ere this OF receiving from him the infor-
nation that your orders were fulfilled to
| the letter, the dwelling and every out
| building, seven in number. with their
contents, being burned. therefore, a
| helpless woman whom you have cruelty
wronged, address you, Encouragement
of the United States Army, and demand
why this was dole? What was my OF
fence ? My husband was absent, an ex-
| lie. He has never been a politician, or
in any way engaged in the struggle now
going on, his age preventing. This fact,
David Strother, your chief Of staff, would
| 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; il way my house
and my home and there has your niece,
who lived among us all this horrible war
up to the present moment, met with all
kindness and hospitality at my hands.
Was il for this you turned me, my young
daughter and little son out upon the world
without shelter? Or, was it because
my husband was the grandson OF the
Revolutionary patriot and rebel, Richard
Henry Lee, and the near klnSman OF the
nobleSt of Christian warriors, Robert E.
Lee? Heavens blessings be upon his
head foreverl You and your govern
ment have failed to conquer, Subdue or
match him; and, disappointed, rage and
malice find vent upon the helpless and
lnoffensive. Hyena-like, you have torn
my heart to pieces; for all hallowed
memories clustered around that home
stead, and demon-like you have done it
without even the preteXt OF revenge, tor
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 unaware upon
HELPLESS women and children TO insult
and destroy. Two fair homes did you
Yesterday ruthlessly lay in ashes, giving
not a moments warning TO the startled
inmates OF your wicked purpose, turning
mothers and children out OF doors. Your
for the cruel work you gave them 10 do.
In the case of Mr.. A. r. Boteler, both
father and mother were far away. Any
heart but that OF Captain Martindale land
yours would have been touched by the
little circle comprising widowed daugh-
ter just risen from her bed OF illness, her
three fatherlesS babes, the eldest not five
years old, and her heroic sister. re-
peat any man would have been touched
by that sight. But Captain Martindale-
one might as we'll hope TO find mercy and
feeling in the heart OF wolf, bent on its
prey OF young lambs, as to search for
such qualities in his bosom. You have
chosen we'll your man for such deeds;
doubtless you will promote him.
A colonel OF the Federal army has
stated that you deprived forty of your
officers of their commands because they
refused to carry out your malignant mis-
chief All honor to their names for this,
at least. They are men and have human
hearts and blush for such a commander.
ask, who that does not wish infamy and
disgrace attached to him forever would
serve under you? Your name will stand
on history's page as the Hunter to destroy
defenceless villages and refined and
beautiful homes 10 torture afresh the
agonized hearts of suffering widows the
Hunter of Africa's poor sons and daugh-
tiers to lure them on to ruin and death OF
souls and body. The Hunter with The
relentless heart OF a wild beast, the face
OF fiend and the form of man. 0
earth, behold the monster! Can say,
"God forgive you ?' No prayer can be
offered for you. Were il possible for
human lips to raise your name heaven
ward, angels would thrust the foul thing
back again and demons claim their own.
The curse OF thousands, the scorn OF the
manly and upright and the hatred OF the
true and honorable will follow you and
yours through all time and brand your
name lnfamyi lnfamy Again | de-
mand why have you burned my house ?
Answer as you must answer before the
Searcher of all hearts. Why have you
added this cruel, wicked deed to your
many crimes?
HENRIETTA B. LEE.