Contemptible Villiany.
--A correspondent of the New York Herald furnishes the subjoined.
We presume that
Dr. Hooe is the gentleman whom the invaders call
Dr. Howe:
Lieut. Budd, commanding the
Resolute, of the flying flotilla, proceeded on Tuesday last to
Howe's landing.
After firing several shots from rifled cannon to satisfy himself that it was safe to go on shore, he landed and proceeded to an extensive dwelling house belonging to
Dr. Howe.
As the doctor was suspected of having been instrumental in burning the schooner
Christiana Keene,
Lieut. Budd was determined to set fire to his homestead.
On entering the house, several trunks were seen packed up ready for removal, and there were several indications of a recent stampede, and that some of the fugitives were females.
The house was very richly furnished, and contained a valuable library, all of which fell a prey to the flames.
Lt. Budd took prisoner a young negro man the body servant of
Dr. Howe, who stated that the family had left the house during the cannonade from the
Freeborn last evening but returned at ten o'clock and spent the entire night in packing up, and removed hastily taking some of their effects in a number of wagons, when they saw the
Resolute coming in. He reported that
Dr Howe himself was wounded by one of the shots from the rifled cannon.
Lieut. Budd took away with him a cavalry officer's full uniform, by way of trophy.
The dwelling, which was one of the most delightful on the banks of the
Potomac in now a heap of smouldering ruins.
The smoke was still ascending from it when the
Freeborn passed, about an hour since.
The number of buildings burned is about six.--Nothing is left but the chimneys.
