obody
would have known that they were armed and masked if I hadn't said so.
I'll bet you the paper doesn't say a word concerning the 'cowardly
citizen' who sent those robbers to our house."

Swallowing his indignation as well as he could, Marcy turned his
attention to the article, which ran as follows:

"We have learned, from what we think to be reliable sources,
that a reign of terror exists in certain portions of this
Commonwealth that is a burning shame and a disgrace to the
cowards who permit it. They claim to be loyal Southern
gentlemen up there, but they will have to furnish better
proof than they have thus far given before we will believe
it. When the gallant Wise was placed in command of this
district in December last, Secretary Benjamin desired him to
bring his legion up to 10,000 strong by recruiting in North
Carolina. There was reason for this order, and for anxiety
regarding Roanoke and adjacent points, because as early as
September, 1861, General McClellan requested the Yankee
Secretary of War 'to organize two brigades of five regiments
each of New England men, for the general service, but
particularly adapted to coast service.' That means that he
intended to turn a horde of red-hot abolitionists and
nigger-lovers loose upon our almost defenceless shores. Wise
saw and realized the danger, tried hard to obey Secretary
Benjamin's order, and failed; and now we know the reason
why. How could he make brave soldiers out of men who will
permit armed and masked traitors to ride about their county
of nights, wreaking vengeance upon those who are so
unfortunate as to incur their displeasure? While we deeply
sympathize with Messrs. Shelby and Beardsley, whose
dwellings were burned last night, and wish that the
incendiaries might have chosen some less out-spoken and
liberal citizens as their victims, we are constrained to say
that the lesson that community has received is well
deserved. Now let them arouse and stamp this lawlessness out
with an iron heel; and let us warn those Union men in the
same breath, and all others who feel disposed to follow in
their lead, that their day will be a short one. They will
not be driven from the country they will be hunted down like
dogs, and hanged to the nearest tree. They will not be shot.
That is the de