Federal outrages in Alexandria.
To the Editor of the Dispatch:--Having just escaped from the vicinity of the ‘"vandals"’ now occupying Alexandria, I cannot forbear giving you a few items with regard to their conduct and actions there, hoping. it will not prove uninteresting. Soon after the Federal troops took possession, Col. Wilcox, who by the death of Ellsworth was left commander of the whole forces, issued a famous proclamation, offering protection to all private property belonging to peaceful citizens, and declaring his intention only to be the ‘"putting down of all unlawful combinations."’ We will see how beautifully this magnanimous proclamation was kept.No sooner were they fairly quartered on the town than the ‘"Pet Lambs"’ began their lawless depredations. A party of them immediately broke into the depot, rifled trunks, boxes and everything, and stole all the money to be found. This was their first step to wards the ‘"protection of private property!"’ They then proceeded to break into private houses and search for arms, Southern flags, &c. No house was sacred from their intrusion — stores were broken into and valuable property stolen. People actually buried their silver, their flags and arms, rather than let them fall into the hands of these ruffians Finally they became so lawless that Col. Wilcox thought it advisable to move them out of town. Accordingly. they were encamped on ‘"Shuter's Hill,"’ a beautiful grove about a mile from Alexandria, and the property of Mr. Robert Ashby. The Colonel coolly invited Mrs. A. to leave her house and grounds, and give them up to a set of lawless flirelings.--Mrs. Ashby's only remark on leaving her house was--‘"Sir, I can only say that if you have a wife, I hope she may never be placed in the position you have put me."’
The troops are now throwing up entrenchments, tearing down the fences to build camp fires, cutting down their beautiful trees, and otherwise ‘"protecting private property." ’
Several instances of houses in the neighborhood of the Theological Seminary having been broken into, one of the ladies residing there, and knowing the Colonel, requested him to send a guard to protect the neighborhood and Seminary from these midnight marauders. A guard, ostensibly, was accordingly sent to the Seminary, but what was the surprise of the good people, and some six students still remaining, to find themselves literally taken prisoners. When the detachment of Michiganders arrived, the students were on their knees in the Prayer Hall, attending their evening devotions. They were detained there full half an, hour, while the Seminary was strictly searched for ‘"concealed arms."’ One sword and about six hatchets, their only utensils for cutting wood, were captured Also two or three young ladies, who were enjoying the view from the cupola; the latter, however, were released finally by the Lieutenant of the guard.
The ‘"Prayer Hall"’ was then taken as quarters for the guard, and the Seminary, once sacred to piety and learning, overrun by our so called ‘"protectors."’ Sentinels were placed at every point, the students only released on parole, and man, woman and child, could not walk five steps without being challenged by a sentinel, and required to show a pass But the Seminary proving rather a quiet locality, and finding time to hang heavy on their hands, a party of these valiant Michiganders suggested for amusement the capture of another Southern flag Accordingly they sailed forth about five miles from Alexandria, and come upon a lonely country house, which they stormed and took — fortunately ‘"no one was hurt. "’ It being rather early in the morning, (the favorite hour of the Lincolnites,) the poor man of the house was not up, but was soon roused.--His flag they wrapped around him, made him walk barefoot to Alexandria, and then trample on it. Another party. Some few days after, broke into the house of Dr. R. C. Mason, six miles from Alexandria, rummaged through the trunks, drawers, "c., and then carried off a blanket as a trophy, reporting that ‘ "there were plenty more there."’ This also was done by the Michigan troops. Now, we were prepared for anything from the Zouaves, as the Northern papers had given us various kind hints with regard to them. But for the volunteers of those so lately called our ‘ "sister States,"’ thus willfully to destroy private property, and insult peaceful citizens, was, we confess, more than we were prepared for. One of the Lieutenants said they concluded all who ‘"ran away"’ were Secessionists, and so they had a perfect right to break into their houses and take what they could ! Another soldier coolly remarked that Virginia was their's now, and they could do what they pleased ! Various complaints being made to the Colonel. he replied that these things were done without his orders. A poor compliment to a commander, verily, if after issuing a proclamation, he should be so utterly powerless to enforce it.
The taking of the Seminary we must confess, looks very much like treachery on the part of the Colonel, as he look the pains to write a note to the lady, who requested the guard, ‘ "hoping she would be relieved from all anxiety;"’ thus taking them completely by surprise, in order the more effectually to gain possession of any arms that might be in the neighborhood, unless the troops acted ‘"without orders."’ But time would fail me to enumerate all the acts which graced this famous ‘"taking of Alexandria"’ --the most unparalleled act of aggression that has yet characterized the corrupt policy of Lincoln and Seward, for they had not even the flimsy pretext of its being ‘"Federal property"’ under the old Union. It now only remains for us to go forth, prayerfully and manfully, to repel these unprincipled invaders, who make the sacred name of ‘ "Union"’ a pretext for their aggressions, and drive them ignominiously from our soll. But let us go forth in no revengeful spirit; our hearts filled with hatred and malice, only strong in the might of a good cause, and then the battle cry shall swell up from every Southern heart, ‘"Sic Semper Tyrannis"’--God and our native State !.
A Lady of Alexandria.
