“visited by this fiendish invasion”

“clothed in mourning and tribulation”

150 years ago today the Richmond Daily Dispatch reported on Union General Burnside’s demand that Fredericksburg, Virginia surrender or else risk being bombed. The Dispatch report stated that the Yankees lobbed a few shells toward the railroad depot where a train full of fleeing citizens was departing. The editors editorialized about the condition of this town associated with George Washington’s youth.

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch November 24, 1862:

Fredericksburg.

The condition of this once happy and beautiful Virginia town must excite the sympathy of every Southern heart. It was the home of Washington in childhood, the home of that mother whose elevated character and wise training prepared the Father of his Country for the great part he played in human affairs. It may be that the home in which she lived, and in which she trained her illustrious son for his lofty mission, that the very monument erected to her memory, have been demolished by the cannon of a people who owe to Washington their freedom and independence! The town itself, though without commercial importance, has always been remarkable for the intelligence, refinement, and moral elevation of its community — We have never known a town so free from the usual vices of towns, or more distinguished for its hospitality and household virtues. Exile, desolation, and ruin are the fate with which such a town has been visited by this fiendish invasion, whilst the Northern cities, reeking with moral corruption, are exuberant with pleasure and gaiety. Washington, the central fountain of all the bloodshed, misery, and crime of this inhuman war, is said to be the scene of extraordinary festivities, whilst innocent Southern cities are clothed in mourning and tribulation. But there is justice in Heaven, and although it may be long delayed, it will come at last, and virtue be triumphantly vindicated, and vice receive its deserved recompense.

It is said that the young George Washington actually lived for a time at Ferry Farm in Stafford County across the river from Fredericksburg. In 1772 George purchased this house for his mother in Fredericksburg.

Where George’s mother lived from 1772 until her 1789 death

The following is the grave monument begun for Mary Washington in 1833. It was never finished but replaced by an obelisk dedicated in 1894.

“It may be … that the very monument erected to her [Mary Washington’s]memory, ha[s] been demolished by the cannon of a people who owe to Washington their freedom and independence!

There is a lot of information about Fredericksburg at Project Gutenberg.