is time, money and valuables
seized and carried off, and revolting outrages committed. Turchin
was a Russian,(12) a soldier of experience, and a military man,
educated in the best schools of Europe. He had served on the
general staff of the Czar of Russia and in the Imperial Guard,
rising to the rank of Colonel, and he had served his Czar also in
the Hungarian War, 1848-49, and in the Crimean War of 1854-56.

It is more than possible that he had imbibed notions as to the
manner and believed in methods of treating the enemy's property,
including their slaves, and of dealing with captured towns and
cities and their inhabitants, not in harmony with modern and more
humane and civilized rules of war.

He did not believe war could be successfully waged by an invading
army with its officers and soldiers acting as missionaries of mercy
for and protectors and preservers of the property of hostile
inhabitants. Later, and after General McCausland burned Chambersburg,
Penna., less criticism fell on Turchin for his behavior at Athens.

His conduct and that of his command were doubtless exaggerated in
many particulars, but enough was true to excite much comment and
fierce denunciation and condemnation. The affair was especially
unfortunate as to place, Athens being justly celebrated for the
number of inhabitants who honestly adhered to the Union cause.

General Mitchel repaired to Athens on hearing it had been sacked,
addressed the citizens, induced them to organize a committee to
hear and report on all complaints; then ordered the brigade commander
to cause every soldier under him to be searched, and every officer
to state in writing, upon honor, that he had no pillaged property.
The committee subsequently reported, but no charge was made against
any officer or soldiers by name. The bills of forty-five citizens,
however, were presented by it, aggregating $54,689.80, for alleged
depredations. The search was made without finding an article and
the reports of officers showed that they had no stolen property.

Strict orders against pillaging and plundering were issued and
thereafter enforced in Mitchel's division. The outrages upon women,
if any occurred, were greatly magnified.(13)

Buell caused Turchin to be placed in arrest, and he was later tried,
convicted, and sentenced to be dismissed the service of the United
States, the court having found him guilty of "neglect of duty, to
the prejudice of good order and military