STEWART-L Archives

From: Sunny2345 <>
Subject: STEWART, ROBERT PA >Orange County
Date: Wed, 11 Mar 1998 18:26:43 EST

Hi!

I found this in a library book and thought someone might enjoy it!!

My best thoughts,
Sunny

May 1st.- The ladies shower loaves of bread and slices of ham on the passing
troops.

May 2d.- An iniquitous looking prisoner was brought in to-day from Orange C.
H., by the name of Robert Stewart. The evidence against him is as follows: He
is a Pennsylvanian, though a resident of Virginia for a number of years, and
owns a farm in Orange County. Since the series of disasters, and the seeming
downward progress of our affairs, Stewart has cooled his ardor for
independence. He has slunk from enrollment in the militia, and under the
Conscription Act. And since the occupation of Fredericksburg by the enemy he
has made use of such equivocal language as to convince his neighbors of his
sympathies are wholly with the Northern invader.

A day or two since, near nightfall, three troopers, weary and worn, halted at
Stewart's hours and craved food and rest for themselves and horses. Stewart,
supposing them to be Confederate soldiers, declared he had nothing they
wanted, and that he was destitute of every description of refreshments. They
said they were sorry for it, as it was a long ride to Fredericksburg.

"Are you <italics> Union </italics> soldiers?" asked Stewart, quickly.
"Yes," said they, "and we are on scouting duty."
"Come in! Come in! I have everything you want!" cried Stewart, and when they
entered he embraced them.

A sumptous repast was soon on the table, but the soldiers refused to eat!
Surprised at this, Stewart demanded the reason; the troopers rose, and said
they were Confederate soldiers, and it was their duty to arrest a traitor.
They brought him hither. Will he, too, escape merited punishment?

Jones, J. B. "A Rebel War Clerk's Diary Vol. I." Philadelphia: J. B.
Lippincott & Co, 1866, 122.

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