Year: 1877

Mr. MCGREdoR.-The beautiful anC
rich agricultural district of Marion county
Alabama, is, or was before the war, al
lovely district of country as the eye ev
er rested upon. That portion of the Coun
ty write about was settled many years
previous by wealthy and prosperous
community of planters, who had added
as the years rolled round, not only tC
their wealth, but also to the beauty
and charms of that land of flowers and
sunshine, Almost in the center of the
settlement was a rolling, elevated piece
of ground containing some thirty to forty
acres, covered with fine growth of cane
known as a canebrake. The planters for
miles around determined to clear off this
spot ofground and establish town there
for their own convenience, and add new
beauty and charm to that almost enchant-
ed domain. The town was laid out in
large lots containing one for each planter
in the township, and called Marion.
Upon these lots were erected large and
palatial residences, and the grounds were
laid out and decorated with all those
beautiful flowers and evergreens that the
Southern claim is so noted for. Here
was village whose quiet and loveliness
was disturbed only by the voice of pleas
ure and happiness, and the songs of the
many bright.plumed birds that legioned
the trees and shrubbery that adorned the
locality.


But war, with it's heartless and desolat-
ing tread, had yelled the land in mourn
ing, and beautiful Marion was called up
on to furnish its available men to meet
and beat back the Northern hosts whose
feet were already making their imprints
on Southern soil. Every man and boy
capable of bearing arms and pulling a
trigger, had left their once peaceful and
happy homes and joined the Confederate
forces, while the old men, women and
children were all that were left behind
to care for the homes so completely left
in the power ofan invading army.


1t will be recollected by numerous
readers that during Gen. Buell's march
from Alabama back to Louisville, KY,
Col. Straight was sent off into Alabama
on scouting expedition. In his march
he destroyed considerable property, and
met with no particular opposition until
Gen. Forrest, of the Confederate army,
heard of his movements. 1t was one of
the weak points in Col. Straight's military
career to divide his command too much,
and at this time he had his forces detail
ed and squads stationed at different points
80 that he was not prepared to make any
very great defence in case of an attack
from such commander as Gen. Forrest.
The consequence was that he and about
all his command were taken prisoners,
and sent to Libby and other prisons.


One detachment of his command was
stationed in the town of Marion, and
among the privates were some negroes,
formerly slaves. These men visited one
of the residences referred to and tied the
old man to a tree in the yard, he being
the only male left at the home. They
then re-entered the house, stripped and
violated the wife and three daughters.
This, the old gentleman said who related
the inhuman and barbarous acts, is only
one Of similar acts that were committed
throughout the neighborhood. Is it any
wonder that tears coursed Ills cheeks
while he related the acts of these mon
sters in human form?


These inhuman acts were confined most
ly to those who were always ready to 60
on scouting expeditions in the hope of
plunder and rapine.


These incidents are the unwritten part
of the late war. The historian, to hide
these Cruelties and monstrous acts from
the eyes of the world, passes them over.
But they are written in characters of fire
on the hearts of those who suffered.