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Franklin Repository: May 25, 1864 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |

Condition of Returned Prisoners
(Column 6)

Summary: The Committee on the Conduct of the War reported to Congress that the "Rebel authorities have determined to subject our soldiers and officers who fall into their hands to physical and mental suffering impossible to describe, many presenting now the appearance of living skeletons, literally little more than skin and bones, some maimed for life, and some frozen by lying without tent or covering on the bare ground at Belle Isle." The Committee went on to report that the testimony indicated that "the treatment received at Columbia and Dalton was far more humane than at Richmond," and they "cannot resist" concluding that this inhumane treatment of prisoners is a predetermined policy to ensure that their prisoners are never fit enough to return to the field.

Full Text of Article:

The Committee on the Conduct of the War, has made a report to Congress, on the condition of the Federal prisoners, returned from Richmond, who have arrived at Annapolis. From an examination made at the request of the Secretary of War, it is proved beyond all doubt, in the estimation of the Committee, that the Rebel authorities have determined to subject our soldiers and officers who fall into their hands to physical and mental suffering impossible to describe, many presenting now the appearance of living skeletons, literally little more than skin and bones, some maimed for life, and some frozen by lying without tent or covering on the bare ground at Belle Isle. The general practice is shown to be the robbery of the prisoners, as soon as they were taken, of all money, valuables and good clothing. The food allowed was totally insufficient to preserve the health of a child. It consisted usually of two pieces of bread made of corn and cob meal, badly cooked, with about two ounces of meal, badly cooked, with about two ounces of meal, unfit to eat and occasionally a few black, worm eaten beans.

They were obliged to sell clothing received from home to buy food to sustain life. Those in the hospitals were little better fed. Worn and neglected wounds remained for days undressed. One witness, when asked if he was hungry, replied: "Hungry? I could eat anything in the world that came before me." They were submitted to unmerciful and murderous treatment from those in charge of them. They were shot and killed for violating rules of which they had no knowledge. When they arrived at Annapolis their clothing was so filled with vermin that it had to be destroyed, and repeated washings failed to relieve their heads and bodies of the pests. They are now dying daily, and the physicians in charge entertained no doubt that there [sic] emaciation and death are directly caused by the brutal and merciless treatment received while prisoners of war.

The testimony shows that the treatment received at Columbia and Dalton was far more humane than at Richmond. The Committee say that they cannot resist the conclusion that these inhuman practices are the result of a determination on the part of the rebel authorities to reduce our soldiers by privations and exposure to such a condition that they never will be able to render effective service in the field--the result, like the massacre of Fort Pillow, of a predetermined policy. They deem it evident that the rebel newspaper statements, claiming for the prisoners the same treatment received by their own soldiers, are glaring and unblushing falsehoods; and say no one can for a moment be deceived by such statements who will reflect that our soldiers, who, when taken prisoners, were stout, healthy men, in the prime and vigor of life, have died by hundreds under the treatment they have received.

The Washington Republican adds this statement: "We learn from Conversation with one of the members of the Committee that the scene witnessed by them at Annapolis beggars description. Of the four hundred men returned--officers and privates--who arrived at Annapolis a few days since, one hundred have since died of rebel starvation, and one hundred more, it is believed by medical men, cannot live. So emaciated are many of the men that photographic artists were employed by the committee to take pictures of them, for the purpose of showing their actual condition and appearance to both Houses of Congress."

Washington
(Column 1)

Summary: S. C., Washington D.C. correspondent to the Repository, reports on the scandal precipitated by the death of Miss Maggie A. Duvall, who had been an employee at the Treasury, and allegedly engaged in "criminal intercourse" with fellow employee Lewis. A post mortem showed no evidence of a pregnancy or attempted abortion, but Lewis cannot be found, another woman is in prison, and the capitol in an uproar.
(Names in announcement: Miss Maggie A. Duvall, Lewis, S. C.)

Origin of Article: Washington City

Trailer: S. C.

Married
(Column 6)

Summary: J. Clinton Gordon and Miss Mary Henneberger were married by Rev. Apple on April 25, 1864 a the residence of the bride's father, near Shady Grove.
(Names in announcement: J. Clinton Gordon, Miss Mary Henneberger, Rev. Apple)

Died
(Column 6)

Summary: Mrs. Hannah Fitzgerald died on May 17, 1864 in Guilford, at the age of 75.
(Names in announcement: Mrs. Hannah Fitzgerald)

Died
(Column 6)

Summary: Joseph Negley died near Clay Lick Hall on May 15, 1864, aged 82 years, 6 months, and 4 days.
(Names in announcement: Joseph Negley)

Died
(Column 6)

Summary: Mary Adaline Cowan, only daughter of William and Rebecca Cowan, died on May 14, 1864, aged 1 year, 3 months, and 2 days.
(Names in announcement: Mary Adaline Cowan, William Cowan, Rebecca Cowan)

Died
(Column 6)

Summary: William Augustus Harbaugh, son of Frederick and Catharine Harbaugh, died in Waynesboro on May 12, 1864, aged 1 year, 4 months, and 16 days.
(Names in announcement: William Augustus Harbaugh, Frederick Harbaugh, Catharine Harbaugh)

Died
(Column 6)

Summary: John Witherow, Esq., died at his residence in Fannetsburg, after a short illness, of "Disease of the Heart." He died on May 18, 1864, at the age of 69.
(Names in announcement: John WitherowEsq.)

Died
(Column 6)

Summary: Mrs. Elizabeth Fordney, wife of William Fordney, died in Burlington, Iowa, on May 13, 1864, aged 42 years. She was a daughter of Jacob Grove, dec'd, of Chambersburg.
(Names in announcement: Elizabeth Fordney, William Fordney, Jacob Grove)

Local Items
(Column 1)

Summary: The editors indulge in an extended critique of public transportation, one of their favorite butts. This time it is the omnibus on Broadway in Manhattan, and (among other things) they compare the torture of being wedged between a fat and a thin woman to the delights of being between "two plump, pretty lassies." In the latter scenario, "every jolt of the stage sways him to and fro like a spoon between two pyramids of blanc mange." They then switch gears and urge the community to contribute to the Fair that will be held in June to benefit the Christian Commission: "If there is a farmer who can spare but one egg, and but one potato, let us have it."

Rebel Spy Shot and Captured
(Column 2)

Summary: Mr. Latshaw, the enrolling officer for Franklin township in Adams County, apprehended a "suspicious looking character on the road," and arrested him. In the company of Mr. Slonaker, Latshaw started for Chambersburg to deliver the prisoner to Capt. Eyster. When the prisoner attempted to escape, Latshaw shot him in the shoulder and the hip. Thinking he was dying, the prisoner said his name was Lloyd, and confessed that he was a rebel spy. Although presently in the Chambersburg Hospital and in the custody of Gen. Couch, Lloyd will be sent to Fort Mifflin once he has recovered sufficiently.
(Names in announcement: Latshaw, Lloyd, Capt. Eyster, Slonaker, Gen. Couch)

Full Text of Article:

On Friday last, Mr. Latshaw, the caroling officer for Franklin township, Adams county, met a suspicious looking character on the road, and questioned him as to his residence. He answered that he resided in that township, but when interrogated as to the name of his neighbors, had found that Mr. Latshaw was likely to detect him and he said he had made a mistake--that he resided beyond Mercersburg. From his confused and unsatisfactory statements, Mr. Latshaw felt it his duty to arrest him, and he did so. The prisoner made no resistance, but proposed to walk back to New Salem; but on the way he took the first favorable opportunity to jump the fence and run away. The officer pursued, and was joined by the people of the neighborhood; and after a chase of about three hours, he was recaptured without being injured. Officer Latshaw then bound his feet together, and started for Chambersburg to deliver the prisoner to Capt. Eyster, the Provost Marshal. Latshaw and the prisoner were in a single seated buggy, and Mr. Sonaker rode behind on horseback. When in the South Mountain, the prisoner managed quietly to get his feet loose, and when opposite a dense thicket of laurel, he sprang from the buggy into the bushes. Mr. Slonaker fired at him and lodged a ball in his shoulder, making a slight wound, but it did not arrest the prisoner. Latshaw immediately jumped from the buggy and rushed into the thicket after him, and called to him twice to halt or he would fire; but the prisoner continued to get away as fast as possible. Latshaw fired and struck him in the hip, shattering the bone badly, and of course arresting his progress. He at once called out that he was mortally wounded. Mr. Slonaker went up to him, while Latshaw pursued his horse, and the prisoner told him that he was fatally injured--that he could not live long, and at once admitted that he was a rebel spy, and had met a just fate. He gave his name as Lloyd, and stated that he had been in this section making observations for the benefit of the rebels.

He is a man of about forty years of age, stoutly built, with dark hair and goatee, is quite intelligent, and has evidently not been a laboring man. It is more than probable that he is a rebel officer. On his person was found a belt with nearly $100 of gold, and he had Chattanooga and Virginia rebel money, and a little Pennsylvania currency. He represents himself as a native of Lee county, Virginia, but says that he has lived in Missouri for some years, and was about to return to Lee county. He had a letter, with the date and place where it was written torn off, which refers to a journey to be undertaken, and certain information to be conveyed; but it furnishes no clue to parties in complicity with him. He had also a Cincinnati paper of the 28th ult. in his pocket from which we think it probable that he passed through that place several weeks ago. He was in this town a few days before he was arrested; tried to sell some gold at the Bank, and very carefully scanned a map of the county hanging in the Bank.

His thigh wound is very serious, but not necessarily mortal, and his recovery is altogether probable. Had his wound been less dangerous, it might have been difficult to gather sufficient evidence to warrant holding him as a spy but when he was shot he supposed he was about to die, and he admitted his purpose and business frankly. He is now in the Hospital in this place, in the custody of Gen. Couch, and will, we learn, be sent to Fort Mifflin as soon as he recovers sufficiently to be removed. Great credit is due Officer Latshaw and Mr. Slonaker for his arrest and delivery to the authorities at this place. We presume that Lloyd came into our lines through the Cumberland mountains, came East by way of Cincinnati, and meant to escape through the Shenandoah Valley.

Educational
(Column 2)

Summary: A report of the Franklin County Educational Association, which met in Waynesboro on May 11. The group was organized by electing Joseph Douglas President and D. B. Russell and Joseph Eckhart Vice Presidents. The Rev. Mr. Krebs addressed the "extremely sparse audience," and the new President offered encouraging words to the teachers who were there. Thirty to forty teachers did attend, amounting to only about one fifth of the teacher population in the county. Discussion touched upon many topics, including "'Object Teaching' which is now being freely discussed particularly in the more Eastern States," and teachers maintained that they wanted to test new theories before adopting them.
(Names in announcement: Joseph Douglas, D. B. Russell, Joseph Eckhart, Rev. Mr. Krebs, J. S. M'Elwain)

From the 11th Penna. Cavalry
(Column 3)

Summary: This is a general summary of various reports about "the gallant boys of this famous Regiment" and their raid, under General Kautz, on the Peninsula. The article ends with the news that George Elliott, son of Marion Elliott of Chambersburg, was killed by bushwhackers during the raid.
(Names in announcement: George Elliott, Marion Elliott)

Delegates Elected
(Column 3)

Summary: Franklin and Adams Counties share one District Delegate to the National Convention, and they formed a committee to elect the delegate. Benjamin Chambers, Jno. E. Crawford, and H. S. Stoner represented Franklin County, and presented John Stewart, Esq., for delegate. On the 20th ballot, Stewart was chosen over Col. E. G. Fahnestock, the Adams County man.
(Names in announcement: Benjamin Chambers, Jno. E. Crawford, H. S. Stoner, Col. E. G. Fahnestock, John StewartEsq.)

A Splendid Establishment
(Column 3)

Summary: Messrs. Burkhart and Henshey have opened their "splendid" new Confectionery and Fruit Store and Ice Cream Saloon, located on the west side of Main St. near the post office, and "one of the most extensive of its kind in this part of the State."
(Names in announcement: Burkhart, Henshey)

Contribution
(Column 3)

Summary: "We have received from Mr. Geo. Sprecher a contribution of $6.45 for the Christian Commission."
(Names in announcement: George Sprecher)

Deserter Escaped
(Column 4)

Summary: "A deserter named Field, from one of the Western States, was arrested by the Provost Marshal last week, and placed in the Hospital in consequence of serious injury to one of his feet which rendered it impossible for him to walk. He is a scienced deserter, having deserted from four regiments, and would doubtless have been punished severely and probably shot had he been tried. On Thursday night he made his escape, and as he could not walk, the query is a grave one as to the means by which he got away. He must have been aided by persons in this place, and taken off on horseback or in a buggy. Can any of our copperheads guess as to how he escaped?"
(Names in announcement: Field)

Centennial Anniversary
(Column 4)

Summary: 1864 is the first centennial anniversary of the laying out of the town of Chambersburg in 1764 by Col. Benjamin Chambers, who had first settled there in 1730, and the author wonders if there should be "proper recognition" of the anniversary.
(Names in announcement: Col. Benjamin Chambers)

Repository Contribution
(Column 4)

Summary: The Repository donated the cash receipts received last Wednesday, totaling $133.55, to the Christian Commission.

Narrow Escape
(Column 4)

Summary: W. H. Brotherton, of Waynesboro, narrowly escaped drowning when he missed the right fording on Pipe Creek, swollen from recent rains. He was able to cut his horse free from the buggy and ride to shore, but he lost the buggy and his "carpet sack, clothing, papers, etc."
(Names in announcement: W. H. Brotherton)

[No Title]
(Column 4)

Summary: "It is requested that persons having taken sewing for the Ladies Fair, for the benefit of the Christian Commission will return the same by Tuesday, May 31st, so that the committee may prepare it for sale at the Fair. This notice refers to such article[s] made from muslin, linen and flanel."

A Fair
(Column 4)

Summary: "The ladies of Waynesboro' and vicinity" have decided to hold a Fair in that town for the benefit of the Christian Commission.

The Draft Ordered
(Column 4)

Summary: "Capt. Eyster has received orders to proceed to draft for the deficiencies under the late calls without delay, and he will be ready to commence on Monday next. He will not reach Franklin county for two weeks. The men drafted will be reported in our columns."
(Names in announcement: Capt. Eyster)

Payment of the Militia
(Column 4)

Summary: "Maj. Wm. S. Stryker, Paymaster, will be in Chambersburg on Friday next to pay the militia companies of 1862 remaining unpaid. The members of the companies will facilitate the matter by calling on the Captains before that day and signing the rolls."
(Names in announcement: Maj. William S. Stryker)

Church Dedication
(Column 4)

Summary: "The United Brethren in Christ will dedicate their new Church edifice, in St. Thomas, on Sunday, the 15th of June next. Ministers from a distance are expected to be in attendance."

Acknowledgment
(Column 4)

Summary: "We have received $132.83 from the Ladies' Aid Society of Fannettsburg, to be forwarded to the Christian Commission."