Yankee operations on the Border.
We have recently met and converted with a gentlemen who has of late had an opportunity of witnessing some of the operation of
Lincoln's minions in the counties bordering on the
Potomac.
This gentleman came through from
Baltimore, and was detained several days at
Harper's Ferry and
Charlestown, from which latter point he seceded in running the blockade, and made his way safely into our liner.
He says that a proclamation has been issued, by order of
Gen. Schenck, requiring all persons in
Loudoun and
Jefferson counties to take the oath, or to be sent out of the enemy's lines.
Whilst at
Harper's Ferry he saw the oath administered to children not over fourteen years of age. At
Charlestown they had just established a Provost Guard, and it was expected that all the inhabitants there would be required to take the oath or leave their homes.
During the stay of our interment at
Harper's Ferry, a number of ladies from
Baltimore passed through that place who had been expelled from their homes on account of their Southern sympathies.
Among these was
Mrs. Dunham, of New York whose husband was for a long time imprisoned in
Fort Warren.
With three small children she was forced from her home, and when she arrived at
Harper's Ferry it was with great difficulty that she could obtain permission for her nurse to accompany her. It may be some gratification to the enemy to know that this lady and her husband are now both safe in Dixie.
Many of the citizens of
Loudoun and
Jefferson were being arrested by the
Yankee cavalry and taken to
Harper's Ferry.
Some days ago they visited
Middleburg and arrested and carried off about sixty citizens, and in Shickersville scarcely a male citizen was left.
The whole slave labor of that section of the
State has been enticed or forced away.
Some five or six negro women who left
Charlestown, and spent the winter in
Washington, have returned, perfectly satisfied with their experience in a land of freedom.
These report that many others would return if showed to do so.
A few weeks ago the enemy's cavalry went to the residence of
Mr. Thos. West, a farmer, in
Jefferson county, and forced his servants all to leave.
They also took with them a little daughter of
Mr. W. At last accounts she had not been recovered.
