June 14, 1862---"The Penalties of Treason"

JUNE 14, 1862:           

The New York Illustrated News reports on “The Penalties of Treason” in war-torn Virginia:

“Supposing that the old man's mind was affected by some loss that he had sustained during the war, we inquired whether the rebel soldiers had done him injury during their sojourn in this section.

‘Oh, yes sir, yes sir," simultaneously answered both man and wife. "They took all our corn, killed our cattle, toted off two of our servants, and even stole all the bacon and cornmeal we had to live on. No, sir; they didn't leave us so much as would feed one person a fortnight; we were deceived, sir, and now we can't do anything but starve.’

His wife, perceiving the grief that our inquiries had caused her husband, stepped up to his side and laying her thin and bony hand upon the old man's shoulder, said to him in soft tones: ‘Never mind, Abel, don't take on so. I know those good gentlemen will give us something to eat and will not let us starve…Will you, sir?’

‘Our generals will help you, no doubt,’ we answered, ‘so soon as you make your case known to them.’

 ‘There,’ ejaculated the woman, drawing nearer to the side of the old man, ‘I knew, we could get assistance from these gentlemen, they won't let us starve; don't worry yourself so. It will be all right yet.’

‘…I had children, sir, two sons, when the war broke out; but they both went away---both went away, sir...I did not know what was best for them just then; didn't kind of understand this war business…I wished they'd never gone, sir, never gone!’

The story had been told, and so promising the old folks that their immediate necessities should be attended to (and a promise that was fulfilled), we left the miserable couple.”