The Daily Dispatch: October 10, 1864., [Electronic resource]

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Horrible Villainy.

The New York Herald of the 5th has been received in this city. In it is a letter from Grant to Sheridan, in which he directs him to burn every house in the valley; to kill every horse, cow, hog, sheep, or other animal; to destroy every to set fire to every barn, wheat or hay stack; to cut down every ornamental mill; and carry off every negro. He says that if this war continues twelve months longer, he desires to convert the whole Valley into a howling wilderness. There is nothing in modern history so atrocious at this order. It is the act of a man with small brains and great vanity, who has been beaten and battled until his senses have fled completely. It is the outpouring of a beaten and wounded spirit. He cannot whip Lee, but he can starve the women and children. We turn him over to General Lee.

This order was issued while Sheridan was, as he thought, carrying everything before him. It had not time to be published before he was flying down the Valley with his freebooters, and Early in pursuit. Is there a man belonging to the Valley who can stay away from his colors under such circumstances? If there is, he must be dead to all the impulses that ennoble man. Never was vengeance more loudly called for.