Search the Newspapers Browse Newspapers by Date Articles Indexed by Topic About the Newspapers Valley of the Shadow Home

Franklin Repository: March 23, 1864 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |

Harrisburg
(Column 1)

Summary: This week's report from the state capitol includes news of Hon. Henry D. Moore of Philadelphia's election as State Treasurer and a visit by Major Generals Burnside and Hancock to the legislature. "Horace" also picks on the Democrats for their dodgy efforts to defeat the right of soldiers to vote.

Origin of Article: Harrisburg, March 21

Editorial Comment: "Correspondence of the Franklin Repository."

Trailer: Horace

Sermon
(Column 1)

Summary: Transcript of a rousing sermon delivered by the Rev. J. Montgomery at the Methodist Episcopal Church, in Little Cove, February 6, 1864, in which he expounds upon the concept that civil government is a Divine institution.
(Names in announcement: Rev. J. Montgomery)

Editorial Comment: "Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God; and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. --Romans 13:2."

"Various startling rumors..."
(Column 1)

Summary: The author discounts the rumors flying around about a possible rebel raid into the Cumberland Valley.

"Lieut. Gen. Grant..."
(Column 1)

Summary: The author chastises the Federal troops for recent wanton destruction of private property, stating that "the burning of houses, mills, and other property simply because they belong to the enemy, is unwarranted by any rule of civilized warfare," even if the enemy might "provoke it by similar acts of barbarity, or by the brutal treatment of our living prisoners and the more horrible atrocities committed upon our heroic dead."

Full Text of Article:

Lieut. Gen. Grant has assumed the command of the armies of the United States, and his orders are supreme in all the Military Departments. It is understood that his forces are about to take the offensive at all important points, and the plan of the campaign of course contemplates the occupation of various portions of country not now, and never as yet, held by our forces. It is due to the sacred Nationality for which we are struggling, that the wanton destruction of the private property of the enemy be arrested; and it would commend the new Chieftain and his holy cause were he to declare to the world by an order, that this war is not urged against private citizens, non-combatants or private property. We know that such is the theory on which the war has thus far been conducted; but it has been shamefully violated in various instances by subordinate commanders. The destruction of private property may be necessary at times to coerce treacherous citizens into decency, but the burning of houses, mills, and other property simply because they belong to the enemy, is unwarranted by any rule of civilized warfare; and we cannot afford to be responsible for it. True, the enemy may provoke it by similar acts of barbarity, or by the brutal treatments of our living prisoners and the more horrible atrocities committed upon our heroic dead; but this will not justify the almost unbridled license given to our men in several instances recently, to destroy private property.

Letter from Mr. Smith
(Column 3)

Summary: The editors publish a letter written to them by Representative Smith, in which he attempts to defend himself against the claims in a recent Repository article about his unwillingness to support the bill awarding residents of the border military damages. The editors adroitly manage to communicate their respect for Smith's "high character" and "integrity," while still expressing some doubts about his politicking and position on the issue.
(Names in announcement: P. Frazer Smith)

Our Railroad Connection
(Column 4)

Summary: The author urges the people of Chambersburg to focus their "energies and capital" on connecting the Cumberland Valley Railroad with the Connelsville Railroad and the Broad Top Coal region, noting that the "growing trade of the country clearly points to another great highway to the West through this region" and asserting that the "Southern counties should lose no time in making common cause in this important movement, and secure the priceless advantages it offers us."

Full Text of Article:

Various movements are now on foot to connect the Cumberland Valley with the Connelsville Railroad and the Broad Top Coal region; but we fear that the enterprise must fail unless there can be some concentration of our energies and capital. The Southern Pennsylvania Railroad Company, formerly known as the Sherman's Valley, is now making an effort to reach the East Broad Top coal lands, and we learn that at a meeting of the Directors held on the 19th ult., it was resolved to locate the road through Fulton county before the first of May next. This road, as at present managed, cannot make its way to the point proposed. If it is taken hold of by New York, as its present owners contemplate, it may become a through route to the Ohio, and thus reach the Broad Top; but as a local effort it cannot succeed. It has a feasible route, and it may be disposed of as a speculation and be made by New York.

The Pittsburgh people are moving to extend Con[illegible]sville through Cowan's Gap and Greencastle to join the Western Maryland; and another project proposes the extension of the Columbia Railroad through Gettysburg and Chambersburg to Broad Top. This should be the acceptable measure of the people of Southern Pennsylvania, it offers the very best connections, and at once shortens the distance to Baltimore and puts us in direct communication with the Broad Top Coal lands. The road from Reading to Columbia was complete last week, and is now running trains regularly; and the new route proposed would put this point in the very best possible position for receiving and shipping [illegible].

The Cumberland Valley must get direct communication with Broad Top at an early day. It has become a necessity; and the growing trade of the country clearly points to another great Pathway to the West through this region. The Southern counties should lose no time in making common cause in this important movement, and secure the priceless advantages it offers us.

Gossip with our Friends
(Column 1)

Summary: This column sweeps over many topics, including a condemnation of the "frequent thieving committed daily and nightly by our soldiers," the terrific expense of the Camden and Amboy Railroad fares, the marvelous piano performance given by a Mrs. Halm ("the best lady performer we ever heard, in public or private"), and the success of the Episcopal Church in Chambersburg.
(Names in announcement: Mrs. Halm)

A Sharp Dodge
(Column 1)

Summary: George W. Rase, presently in jail for burgling the Oaks & Austin warehouse in Greencastle, apparently sent a letter to Capt. George Eyster and Judge Kimmell, purporting to be from an anonymous dying soldier in Washington, claiming Rase's innocence in that burglary as well as the arson and burglary cases at William B. Gabby's property, near Chambersburg, and Mr. Henderson's, near Carlisle. Eyster and Kimmell had a number of letters from Rase, and by comparing the handwriting, deduced that the letter from the dying man was actually from Rase himself, who somehow managed to get it conveyed to Washington and mailed from there.
(Names in announcement: George W. Rase, Oaks, James G. Austin, Capt. George Eyster, Judge Kimmell, Henderson, William B. Gabby)

The Late Capt. Washington
(Column 2)

Summary: The late Capt. Washington, of Franklin County, along with his entire 1st Battalion of the 13th U. S. Infantry, was recognized for its conduct and loss at Vicksburg, which the board recognized was "unequaled in the army." Sherman has named the hill where Washington fell "Mount Washington," and the officers of the 1st battalion plan to erect a memorial monument there.
(Names in announcement: Capt. Washington)

Killed in Action
(Column 2)

Summary: "Sergeant James T. M'Dowell, son of Mr. William M'Dowell, formerly of this county, was killed while skirmishing with the rebels near Dalton, Ga., on the 25th ult. He was a native of this county, and moved to Tazewell county, Ill., with his father in 1857, and there entered the service about 18 months ago, in the 115th Illinois Regiment. He was about 30 years of age. He was buried in a church-yard about four miles North of Dalton."
(Names in announcement: Sergt. James T. M'Dowell, William M'Dowell)

Town Extension
(Column 2)

Summary: Ground has been broken for new houses along Second Street, and Catharine Street will most likely be extended through Dr. Schneck's "beautiful" lots.
(Names in announcement: Dr. Schneck)

Our Citizen Prisoners
(Column 2)

Summary: "Letters have been received from our citizen prisoners as late as the 4th inst. They are all in good health, Messrs. Culbertson and Hamilton have been returned to Richmond,--for what purpose is not known. One of our prisoners in a late letter says: 'I was very glad to learn that enlistments were going on so fast in the North. I hope that the people are fully aroused to a sense of duty and determined to crush out this wicked rebellion at once. It makes up feel as if something was going to be done and for the first time we lose sight of our own condition and feel like somebody again.'"
(Names in announcement: Culbertson, Hamilton)

Dr. S. G. Lane
(Column 2)

Summary: "Dr. Lane has been appointed Surgeon to the Board of Enrolment, and has resigned his position as Surgeon of the 5th Reserves. He will be here in the course of a week or ten days. He has justly attained the reputation of being one of the most faithful and skillful Surgeons in the army, and there is eminent fitness in his appointment to the new position. He will be widely welcomed to his old home."
(Names in announcement: Dr. S. G. Lane)

Col. Stumbaugh
(Column 2)

Summary: "The Baltimore American and several other journals have announced the death of Col. F. S. Stumbaugh, late Colonel of the 77th Penna. Vols. We read the notice to Col. Stumbaugh and he positively denies the ghostly impeachment. He was confounded with Col. Stumbaugh, an old politician of Lancaster, who died recently."
(Names in announcement: Col. F. S. Stumbaugh, Col. Stumbaugh)

Personal
(Column 2)

Summary: "Lieut. Col. Stetzell of the 11th Pa. Cav., was home on short furlough last week looking in excellent health. He returned to his regiment on Saturday."
(Names in announcement: Lieut. Col. Stetzell)

The Spring Election
(Column 3)

Summary: "In the North Ward, Hamilton, Antrim, Greenvillage, Loudon, Peters and Montgomery, the Union men elected the Judges of Election. The Democrats carried the South Ward (by 4 votes,) St. Thomas, Quincy, Lurgan, Washington, Welsh Run and Letterkenny. The rest of the districts we have not heard from."

Graduated
(Column 3)

Summary: "Among the graduates of Bellvue Hospital Medical College, N. Y. a few weeks since, were Daniel W. Bonebrake and John A. Royer, of Waynesboro'. Both, we learn, passed an examination highly creditable."
(Names in announcement: Daniel W. Bonebrake, John A. Royer)

A. F. Smith
(Column 3)

Summary: "A. F. Smith, Esq., formerly Superintendent of the C. V. [Cumberland Valley] Railroad, and now Superintendent of the Hudson River Railroad, arrived in town last week and is spending a few days with his old friends."
(Names in announcement: A. F. SmithEsq.)

Married
(Column 3)

Summary: Emma Crossan, daughter of Thomas Crossan, dec'd, of Mercersburg, was married to John A. Craig of Bucyrus, Ohio, by Rev. Thomas Creigh on March 15, 1864.
(Names in announcement: John A. Craig, Miss Emma Crossan, Thomas Crossan, Rev. Thomas Creigh)

Married
(Column 3)

Summary: Henry G. Wharton and Miss Barbara E. Woy, both of Wells township, Fulton County, were married at Montgomery's Hotel by Rev. S. J. Niccolls on March 17, 1864.
(Names in announcement: Henry G. Wharton, Miss Barbara E. Woy, Rev. S. J. Niccolls)

Married
(Column 3)

Summary: Miss Lila Taylor, daughter of Ex-Sherrif Taylor of Chambersburg, married David Felker of Mt. Morris, Illinois at her father's house on March 22, 1864. Rev. S. M'Henry performed the ceremony.
(Names in announcement: David Felker, Miss Lila Taylor, Ex-Sheriff Taylor, Rev. S. M'Henry)

Married
(Column 3)

Summary: William Armstrong of Chambersburg married Elizabeth A. Keplinger of Hagerstown on March 21, 1864. Rev. Thomas Barnhart performed the ceremony.
(Names in announcement: William Armstrong, Miss Elizabeth A. Keplinger, Rev. Thomas Barnhart)

Married
(Column 3)

Summary: Thomas P. Parmer and Miss Sarah E. Bickley were married by Rev. J. Dickson on March 17, 1864.
(Names in announcement: Thomas P. Parmer, Miss Sarah E. Bickley, Rev. J. Dickson)

Married
(Column 3)

Summary: William S Gearhart, of Antrim township, and Miss Mary Ann Clorin, of Quincy township, were married by Rev. Dr. B. S. Schneck on February 25, 1864.
(Names in announcement: William S. Gearhart, Miss Mary Ann Clorin, Rev. Dr. B. S. Schneck)

Married
(Column 3)

Summary: Miss Rebecca Lawrence and William Weston, both of Franklin County, were married by Rev. Dr. B. S. Schneck on March 20, 1864.
(Names in announcement: William Weston, Miss Rebecca Lawrence, Rev. Dr. B. S. Schneck)

Married
(Column 3)

Summary: Miss Emma C. Hart of Chambersburg married Isaac P. Keene of Scranton, Pa., on March 20, 1864. The Rev. William M'Elroy performed the ceremony in Fayetteville.
(Names in announcement: Isaac P. Keene, Miss Emma C. Hart, Rev. William M'Elroy)

Died
(Column 3)

Summary: Mrs. Anna B. Caufman, wife of A. D. Caufman, Esq., died on March 19, 1864.
(Names in announcement: Mrs. Anna B. Caufman, A. D. CaufmanEsq.)

Died
(Column 3)

Summary: Thomas Creigh, son of Hon. John D. Creigh, died in San Francisco on March 14, 1864, at the age of 31.
(Names in announcement: Thomas Creigh, Hon. John D. Creigh)

Died
(Column 3)

Summary: Walter R. Gillan, son of James B. and Martha L. Gillan, died in Chambersburg on March 21, 1864, at the age of 4 years and 5 months
(Names in announcement: Walter R. Gillan, James B. Gillan, Martha L. Gillan)

Died
(Column 3)

Summary: Jacob Lutz of Company A, 77th Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers, died in the U. S. Hospital at Nashville, Tennessee, of wounds received at the Battle of Chickamauga.
(Names in announcement: Jacob Lutz)

Died
(Column 3)

Summary: Thomas James Boyd, son of Capt. Robert Boyd, died at Upton on March 17, 1864, aged 7 months and 15 days.
(Names in announcement: Thomas James Boyd, Capt. Robert Boyd)

Died
(Column 3)

Summary: Sarah Rebecca Shirk, daughter of Jacob G. and Rachel M. Shirk, died in Orrstown on March 16, 1864, aged 1 month and 17 days.
(Names in announcement: Sarah Rebecca Shirk, Jacob G. Shirk, Rachel M. Shirk)

Died
(Column 3)

Summary: Mrs. Jane Bradley, wife of John Bradley, dec'd, died in Mercersburg on March 14, 2864, at the age of 61.
(Names in announcement: Mrs. Jane Bradley, John Bradley)

Died
(Column 3)

Summary: Albert Gregg Taylor, son of Joseph and Mary Taylor, died near Bridgeport on March 23, 1864, aged 6 months and 17 days.
(Names in announcement: Albert Gregg Taylor, Joseph Taylor, Mary Taylor)

Died
(Column 3)

Summary: Jane E. Everett, wife of W. S. Everett, Esq., died in Chambersburg on March 9, 1864, aged about 28 years.
(Names in announcement: Jane E. Everett, W. S. EverettEsq.)

Glanders in Horses
(Column 1)

Summary: The author seeks to educate the public about the glanders, which is much like consumption. This dread disease is "insidious," "incurable," "contagious," and may be contracted by people. Many of the army horses have it, and the author warns against purchasing government stock that may then infect existing stock.

Popular Prejudices
(Column 2)

Summary: The author observes that "there is a class of farmers who seem to think that they have already attained perfection in their way," and that they generally are the ones "whose fields are least productive and most untidily kept." He urges these men to improve their farms by improving themselves, and exhorts them to "dig up those deep-rooted prejudices which fill your minds."