1864-08-20-CINCINNATI DAILY ENQUIRER-Ohio Late Southern News-What one Woman has Suffered. (From the Richmond Examiner.) Last year the world was horrified at the murder of a whole family at Beckham's Landing, in Obion county, Tennessee, by Yankee negro troops. In Europe it was made a theme of comment by the press of civilized nations. The particulars have never been fully given until within a few days past, when Mrs. Mary Beckham, the widow of A. F. Beckham, one of the victims, published a letter giving the details of the horrible act. As a matter of history, we put it upon the record: On Tuesday morning, about 9 o'clock, August 4, 1863, twelve armed negro soldiers came to the house, there being no one there except my husband, father-in-law (Benjamin F. Beckham), and four of my children, and some of our family negroes. They rushed on my husband and tied him, took off his watch and pin, and rifled his pockets. They then tied my father-in-law, and dragged them to the river, it being about thirty yards. They killed my husband on the top of the bank by shooting him in the head. They then cut off his shoulder blade and rolled his body into the river; his clothes looked as if there had been a great struggle. They then took the old gentleman, stabbed him three times, once in the heart and cut one of his ears off. After throwing his body into the river, they proceeded back to the house, where two of them had been guarding my dear little children. They spoke to my eldest daughter, Laura, aged fourteen years, telling her to get up and follow her damned old daddy, at the same time presenting a pistol to her temple. The children were driven to the water's edge, where their father and grandfather had been murdered, and then they were put to death in the most cruel manner. The youngest, Richard, aged two and half years, was thrown into the water. Laura jumped in and attempted to rescue him, and while in the water waist deep, begging for mercy, she was knocked on the head with the butt end of a gun, entirely separating her forehead, and then stabbed in the side. Kate Ida, eleven years of age, was then disposed of. She was beaten with guns until her head and shoulders were perfectly soft; her body was bruised all over. Caroline, seven years of age, was shot through the head and so disfigured that she did not look like a human. After they had murdered them all and thrown their bodies into the river, they returned to the house, taking everything valuable, and all the clothing they could carry. Then they started for Island No. 10, thinking or knowing they would be protected if they reached there in safety. While they were killing the children, a man by the name of Everett came up-he asked them what they meant, when they commenced firing on him, and he narrowly escaped with this life; he started immediately to alarm the neighborhood. There happened to be a Federal cavalry force from Columbus, Kentucky, conscripting the negroes in the cavalry, and on their being informed, the immediately started in pursuit and overtook them near the island, and arrested all except those who escaped, but they were afterward captured. Ten of them were taken to Columbus, where they were tried and six sentenced, and it is said even hung; the others, with the exception of one, sentenced to the penitentiary for life. One was left unpunished. The cause the Federals had for showing so much leniency to one was, he acknowledged he threw the youngest child in the river, but said he did not want to kill any of them, but he was threatened by others that if he did not obey Guynnes' and Captain Thomas' orders, he would meet with the same fate as these children. I know there is a just God above, and that they will have justice meted out to them in the next world, if not in this. I have three children left, and now living at home. Various threats were made against my life if I came home; but I came, and I could not tell the number of times the Federals have searched my house both night and day. I reported to the authorities at No. 10, but it did no good. I was told that the Lieutenant who arrested the negroes was wearing my husband's watch. I have been robbed five times since the murder of my family; and if this war continues much longer, I do not know how I will live. The negroes that murdered my family are strange negroes, trained by Union soldiers to commit such deeds. The New Albany Ledger gave an account of the murder, and said it more than likely a hoax, and if it was so, the rebellion was the cause of it. My father-in-law's brother was the first man murdered at the time of John Brown's insurrection at Harper's Ferry. I wonder what was the cause of that. One of the negroes concerned in the murder of my family was a noted corporal. In November I was at my brother's, when three white Union soldiers from the Island came to search. They cursed me, and said I was a damned old fool and other words too rough to mention. One drew his gun on me and threatened to shoot me. I went immediately to the Island, and told Captain Benison one of his men threatened my life. He said he would punish him. Two weeks later the same man came back and told me that I told the blackest lie woman ever told. I received a note from head-quarters to pay a woman $49 immediately, or I would be severely punished. The woman had no claim on me whatever. I refused to pay the sum, and the commander then on the island being sent away, prevented me from paying it or receiving the punishment. Under such circumstances I have lived alone, with the exception of three small children. I have resolved to have a monument placed over my husband's grave if I live, to show how he went; then, if the threats that are made against me are executed, and I am not spared, I call upon the Masons to see that it is done. Enough is left that an army can't destroy to have it done.