Federal outrages at Hampton.
[special Correspondence of the Dispatch.]
Near Hampton, June 21, 1861.
In your paper of the 15th instant, you quote from a correspondent in Hampton, who advises those who have left that vicinity to return and take care of their property, intimating that if they had remained at home their property would not have been pillaged and destroyed as it has been.
This sounds very well to the ear and looks very well on paper; it is also perfectly in accordance with proclamations that have been issued by the Federal authorities, and perfectly in accordance with the rules of civilized warfare.
But how does it accord with the facts that have actually taken place?
In the general stampede from Hampton and vicinity, there were many families who could not get away and not a few who, trusting to the faith of the proclamations and other promises of the vandal invaders, remained at home to ‘"protect their property. "’ How did these citizens fare?
Not a whit better than those who left.
Indiscriminate plunder has been the rule and occasional exemption the exception.
‘"To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world."’ Col. Carey S. Jones staid at home to protect his property, and yet the vandals not only stole his property before his eyes; but actually fired at him 6 or 7 shots, either with a view to kill him or scare him away, that they might plunder the more freely.
Jos. Segar was at home when they encamped on his farm, and yet they not only pillaged his property in the way of poultry, pigs, &c., but tore down his fenced and out houses for fuel.
Parker West was at home when they encamped on his premises at Newport News, yet his presence and that of his wife and daughters, did not prevent their stealing nearly, or quite every living thing on his farm.
And when this gentleman complained to Col. Phelps of these depredations, all the satisfaction he could obtain was, that if he (Mr. W) should prove himself a good Union man, he might be paid for the damage he had sustained.
And when an officer under Col. P. was ascertained to have gone out with his men on a plundering expedition, and summoned into the presence of the Colonel, this officer not only did not deny the charge, but coolly remarked that ‘"war always made plunder free."’ The Col., who is much of a gentleman, looked ashamed, but did not, perhaps dared not, even rebuke his subordinate.
Isaac Jones and his neighbor, Mr. Watts, have remained at home; yet the vandals stole, often in broad day light and in the presence of their families, horses, mules, carts, pigs, lambs, and poultry.
Mr. Read remained at home with a sick wife and a child not over two weeks old, and yet about forty Zouaves came one night and demanded, and took lodging in his house, though, so far as I am informed, they offered no personal violence to the family.
Mr. Algernon Whiting, though a private citizen, was at home when they came to his house about daybreak and took him a prisoner, and burnt his house and furniture.
Let me tell your correspondent, however honest he may be, that the presence of a family is no guarantee for the protection of their property.
Several of their officers have told me the same thing.
One, a Zouave Captain, told the writer of this, that he was surprised that the people should have left their property unprotected; that they were not barbarians, and did not come there to plunder or destroy.
But that is all gammon; plunder and destruction have been the rule of the invaders ever since they stepped on Virginia's soil.
Some of the officers, and even some of the men, may be men of honor, and cordially despise these depredators, but that does not prevent the rascally portion of them from doing what they please.
I could add to the above facts many others and give the names of sufferers, but let these suffice to illustrate scores of a similar character.
Taking into consideration the losses of Negroes, horses, mules, cattle, grain, furniture, &c., stolen and destroyed in Elizabeth City and Warwick counties within the last six weeks, it is doubtful whether a half a million of dollars would repair the damage.
Among other things, it is said that now they are laying under contribution the large forests of valuable ship-timber lying on the bay and inlets of this peninsula.
Besides plunder, the most contemptible acts of petty tyranny have been resorted to by the Lincoln ‘"protectors of public property."’--One instance will suffice to illustrate this: Rev. Mr. Adams, pastor of the Baptist Church in Hampton, was expressly told by General Pierce that if he was ever seen in Hampton again, he (Gen. P.) would have him arrested and imprisoned in Fortress Monroe during the war. Mr. A.'s crime consisted in his refusal to take the oath of allegiance to the United States when asked to do so by Gen. P.
I relate these things, Messrs. Editors, not in malice even to a hostile and invading foe; but that Southern men may understand the true character of the enemy who has placed his ruthless foot upon our soil, and the nature of the warfare by which that enemy would win us back to the old Union with himself for his own profit.
It is too late to prate about a reconstruction.
The die has been cast; the blow has been struck.
Our only hope, under God, is in the brave hearts and strong arms of the noble and gallant sons of the South.
Let them arise, and, with one heart and one soul, determine to do and dare.
‘"For God and their native land."’
I presume to make no suggestions to our military men. They are not asleep, and I have all confidence in their wisdom and courage.
It is, however, worthy of consideration, whether the crops in this peninsula (and Heaven has not given us better for many years than those now inviting the sickle,) are not worth an immediate and vigorous effort to save them from the ravages of the fell destroyer now in our midst.
Virtue. 