The Burning of Chambersburg, PA in the Civil War

Chambersburg, PA ruins c. 1864

Temple of Bal ruins c. Pre ISIS

Came across this another example of loser second rate nation's interaction with currency systems:

Historical Background: 

 Chambersburg was a frequent stop for Confederate forces, first invaded (and raided) by Jeb Stuart in 1862, the Army of Northern Virginia then passed through on its way to Gettysburg in 1863. The next year, on July 30, 1864, Early ordered Brigadier General John McCausland to demand a ransom of $500,000 in “greenbacks” or $100,000 in gold from the citizens of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. When they failed to take the demand seriously (in fact many laughed at the captured and then released banker who was sent by the Confederate officers to deliver the terms) McCausland, acting on Early’s orders, burned a large portion of the town.

At the link, you can see in the moron's own handwriting, his reasoning for why the difference in the amounts if paid in gold or in greenbacks; sounds just like a contemporary "hard money" libertarian nut-job out there today so not much has changed for these people in 150 years (and perhaps thousands...):

Lynchburg VA, June 1st 1882 

Dear Sir 

In reply to your enquiries I have to inform you that the Town of Chambersburg was burned on the same day in which the demand on it was made by McCausland and refused – ... – I had no knowledge of what amount of money there might be in Chambersburg – I knew that it was a town of some Twelve Thousand inhabitants – The Town of Fredrick in Maryland, which was a much smaller town than Chambersburg, had in June very promptly responded to my demand on it for $200.000 – Some of the inhabitants, who were friendly to us, expressed a regret that I had not put my demand at $500,000. 

There was one or more National Banks at Chambersburg, and the Town ought to have been able to raise the sum I demanded − I soon heard that the refusal was based on inability to pay such a sum, and there was no offer to pay any sum. The value of the ... was fully $100,000 in gold, and at the time I made the demand the price of gold in greenbacks had very nearly reached $3.00, and was going up rapidly. Hence it was that I required the $500,000 in greenbacks, if the gold was not paid. To provide against any further depreciation of the paper money.

So remember this guy writing this is from the confederate states and they are attacking the United States... but... the guy will readily take (of course preferably gold but) the actual currency issued by the enemy nation!

Hey moron, if you are successful in the war where are you going to spend it?

Can you spell L-O-S-E-R !

This is interesting in light of ISIS selling the oil today.  I would bet that ISIS, even though they have attempted to establish their own gold (of course...) based munnie, is readily accepting either EURs or USDs for the oil they are robbing.

This does not bode well for ISIS as neither does the massive ordnance being dropped on them.