One of Pope's officers arrested for Grand larceny.
--One of
Pope's officers was left behind yesterday, when the others dispersed in the direction of Yankeedom, or rather was brought back after getting some distance on his way. His name is
William S. Atwood, and his rank that of
Major in the 1st regiment of Michigan volunteers.
His detention was caused by an order of
Gen. Winder to that effect, a charge of grand larceny having been entered against
Atwood.
It appears that while
Atwood's regiment was prowling in the vicinity of
Mount Vernon he and a number of his comrades proceeded to depredate on the premises, by virtue of their belonging to the family of
Col. Jno. A. Washington, a rebel, and in pursuance of
Pope's proclamation.
Atwood selected as his share of the plunder the celebrated picture of
George Washington, painted by
Stuart, and which for eighty-odd years had been hanging in the venerable mansion undisturbed.
He caused it to be shipped to his Northern home as a prize, and doubtless felt very few twinges of conscience while performing the act of spoliation and sacrilege.
We believe the complaint which caused his detention was entered by some member of
Col. Washington's family.
Maj. Atwood was offered the option of ransoming himself by producing the picture, but giving no satisfactory assurance that it would be done, he was brought back.
We understand that the
Government will hold on to him till the picture is restored.
When exchanged, therefore, he will be given as an equivalent to
Gen. Washington's portrait.
The
Yankees profess great veneration for
Washington, but we never imagined that it was so intense as to embrace the stealing of his likeness, especially from
Mt. Vernon, a place sacred in the eyes of the world.