Rebel Atrocities
A correspondent of the Utica Observer, writing
from Missouri, speaks of the discovery of diverse, interesting relics found
in the rebel camp. Among others, two human ribs, bearing the inscription:
"The ribs of a New York Zouave, July 21st, 1861," soup dishes
made of human skulls, &c., &c. Evidence of the fact that the rebels
are but slightly removed from barbarism is accumulating. Will they compel
us, by their disregard of the usages of civilized communities to treat them
as savages?
In a railway car on a road running out of Macon, Georgia, hangs, or did hang a human skull, purported to be that of a Yankee soldier killed at Bull Run.
The Committee on the Conduct of the War have completed the examination of witnesses in regard to the alleged atrocities of the Rebels at Bull Run, and will today make a personal examination of that place, and will soon after make their report. Members of the committee say it is true, according to the testimony of Gov. Sprague and many others, that the graves which contained the bodies of our soldiers were opened and the bones carried off for trinkets and trophies for secession ladies, while skulls were used as drinking cups. Those of our dead interred by them were turned with their faces downward, and in repeated instances were buried one across the other.
The following letter is said to have been picked up at Centreville having been left there by the Rebels: "I send home for Ben the under jaw of a Yankee, which Pa will keep for him; it came from the battlefield. Persons go to the field with large bags, and fill them with bones of all kinds and carry them off. "
A letter dated Alexandria, Va. Sept. 5th, from a young soldier on his way to join the Thirteenth Massachusetts Regiment, gives the following warning to beware of rebel women: "On the railroad between Baltimore and Washington, three members of one of the companies were poisoned by eating pies and cakes sold by women, and one died in ten minutes after eating an apple thus poisoned".
A few nights ago, a sentinel in Bank’s division who was guarding two springs, discovered someone approaching, who, being challenged, made no reply, when the sentinel fired, and the man fell, being wounded in the groin. He was taken to the guard house and examined, when a pound and a half of arsenic was found on his person, with which he intended to sweeten the springs.
A story is told in connection with the late rebel raid in Pennsylvania, which we should think would help arouse the energies of our generals somewhat. It is that while the rebels were moving near Gettysburg they met a funeral procession, which they stopped, when they dismounted from their own and took forty three of the best horses in the procession, and marched off with them, taking those attached to the hearse with the rest. The afflicted company were left to get through with their mournful duty and then find the way to their homes as best they could.
In Nashville recently (says the Dispatch of that city) in the course of some investigations before the Chief of Police, it has come to light that the female members of a family in that city of reputed respectability, are in the habit of exhibiting a bone of the human leg taken from the body of a Union soldier killed at the Battle of Bull Run, as a parlor ornament. What a beautiful illustration of womanly instinct and delicacy!
A Mrs. Semmes of Baltimore, an aunt of the noted pirate Captain Semmes, with her daughter, have been arrested for attempting to poison the surgeon at one of the hospitals by sending him wine containing arsenic.
A returned soldier says that while he was a prisoner at Belle Island he saw a cart load of soldier's letters dropped into the river by the rebels.
When the rebels retreated from Wilmington they deliberately set fire to a house filled with Union prisoners. Eight or ten of them, being unable to leave, were burned to death.
When the rebel horde appeared in front of Hagerstown, one of its
principal citizens undertook a measure to which he looked for preservation
of his property. He farmed about 200 acres of land, his barns were full of
grain, his pastures were dotted with sheep and cattle and 40 well fed swine
were gathered in the rear of his corn cribs. He was emphatically a man of
plenty and of substance. When the rebels came he walked out to their lines
with a damask linen napkin affixed to his walking cane. The first rebel soldier
he encountered he requested to show him to the commanding officer. He was
passed under guard to the object of his search.
"General" said he, "I am a warm sympathizer with the South. I heartily
wish success to this invasion and to your forces. My object in seeking you
out is to ask that you and as many of your staff as will accept the invitation
will make my house your headquarters during your stay here. My house is yonder
upon that hill," pointing to a fine old-fashioned mansion, with modern additions
and with a long row of hay ricks on the back ground.
"You sympathize with the South did you say?" queried the general.
"Very earnestly, Sir and have always done so."
The rebel general beckoned to a sergeant who stood nearby. "Bring a musket
for for this man," said the general, "and take him into the ranks."
The "sympathizer" opened wide his eyes but stood mute with horror. He couldn't
see it in that light. He stammered out at last: "Oh! I didn't mean that General.
I don't want to fight. I want to entertain you and your staff while you remain
here, and show you that I am your friend."
The rebel general contemptuously informed him that they interpreted sympathy
only in the literal sense. He claimed to sympathize with them, and they intended
to avail themselves of his good will. A string of wagons was at once trotted
out, driven to the sympathizer's property, and in the same afternoon he was
stripped of everything. The rebels carried off all his cattle, sheep, hogs
and small livestock, removed all his hay and wheat crop, leaving his barns
empty. The cavalrymen turned their horses into his growing oats, and his
corn was cut for fodder for the stock while on the march. The sympathizer
was detained until all was done and was then released with thanks for the
sympathy he had manifested.
A gentleman from Lexington, Kentucky relates an incident relative
to John Morgan, which is certainly characteristic of him whether it is true
or not. After he had stolen the celebrated race horse Skedaddled, Mr. Clay
started in pursuit with two fine animals worth five hundred dollars each
and overtook the freebooter and offered him both together with six hundred
dollars if he would return the racer.
"These will answer your purpose just as well" said Clay.
John looked at the horses carefully and said "Well, Mr. Clay, they will answer
my purpose as well as Skedaddled." Mr. Clay's countenance brightened.
"As I am disposed to accommodate you I will partly comply with your request."
Mr. Clay was puzzled.
"I'll take these two horses, but I can't give you the other."
Mr. Clay was taken completely aback, but he was not to be got away that easy.
The soldiers took the six hundred dollars from him and he was compelled to
leave for home on foot with his pockets empty.
The Natchez (Miss.) Courier of the 15th ult. Says that a company of rebel cavalry surrounded a church at Rodney, Miss. On the previous Sunday and, while the occupants were at service, fired upon the congregation and wounded several ladies, before they demanded a surrender of the Federal gunboat officers and men there in attendance upon divine worship. A gunboat Captain, one ensign and fifteen men were taken prisoners. This is what Jeff Davis terms “partisan warfare”.