Horriels Cruelty of "the traitor Letcher."
--It appears that there is now confined in Castle Thunder a loyal citizen, who, according to the spy Harvey Birch, is "a fac simile of President Lincoln." His name is Wm. Fitzgerald, who, according to the Baltimore American, is "a high-toned, educated gentleman, and once a class-mate of Gov. Letcher's." It appears that this unfortunate loyal citizen, after getting into the Castle, addressed a letter to his former class-mate and received the following answer, which is furnished to the American by Birch, and which it considers one of the most "shocking cruelties of the war;"Executive Department,
--I was aware before the receipt of your letter yesterday that you were still in prison, and I can assure you that it shall be no fault of mine if you do not remain so during your natural life.--When I promised to intercede with the military authorities in your behalf I believed your assurance that the suspicious against you were without foundation; but on calling on Gen. Winner I found that it had been reported to him by a gentleman of undoubted loyalty and veracity, that you have been for years an enemy and vilifier of Southern institutions. In 1856 you voted for the Abolitionist, Fremont, for President. Ever since the war you have maintained a suiten silence in regard to its meris.--Your son — who, in common with other young men, was called to the defence of his country — has escaped to the enemy, probably by your advice.--This is evidence enough to satisfy me that you are a traitor to your country, and I regret that it is not sufficient to justify me in demanding you from the military authorities to be tried and executed for your treason. Yours,
John Letches.
The American says Gov. Letcher's letter "will explain itself." We should say it did, and about as clearly as anything of its length we ever saw.
John Letches.
The American says Gov. Letcher's letter "will explain itself." We should say it did, and about as clearly as anything of its length we ever saw.
