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

Fourth of July in Chambersburg!
(Column 1)

Summary: Reports a rumor of rebel invasion of southern Pennsylvania on July 3. The article describes the quick preparation, actions, and evacuations. The following day, the citizens were notified that the invasion was a false alarm and proceeded to celebrate independence day.

Summary Of War News
(Column 3)

Summary: Summarizes items of war news including the acceptance of black men as substitutes for white men, the efforts by firemen to obtain water for hospitals in City Point from the James River, a smuggler's unsuccessful attempt to fill a dead mule with ammunition and supplies, Sherman capture of about thirty iron works in the Altoona vicinity, the South's names for various battles, the successful efforts of Generals Hunter and Wilson to cut Lee's communications with the south and southwest;, and Grant's control of the situation at Petersburg.

Political Intelligence
(Column 4)

Summary: Reports political news including the Democrat Chicago Convention's suggestion to form a Western Confederacy, and elections in Nebraska for delegates to frame its constitution.

Financial
(Column 5)

Summary: Notes a "Special War Tax" enacted by Congress.

The Situation
(Column 6)

Summary: Evaluates and explains the recent movements by Grant and Lee. The author speculates on the weakness of the Confederate army forcing Lee east of Richmond.

Constitutional Amendments
(Column 6)

Summary: Notes the pending vote in Pennsylvania to ratify several amendments: the suffrage of soldiers and electors, limiting bills to one subject, and the prevention of the legislature's usurpation of the court's powers.

An Ugly Picture
(Column 6)

Summary: Reprints a Village Record article commenting on the Valley Spirit's report of Union defeats in Virginia. The Record requests a more truthful report from the Spirit.

Origin of Article: The Village Record

Washington
(Column 1)

Summary: Reports news from the Washington correspondent on the wounded in Union hospitals, the "gallant charge of Duncan's Black Brigade" on the outer works of Petersburg, and the Senate's passage of the conscription bill ending commutations and increasing the number of drafted men.

Full Text of Article:

The Shadows of War--The Hospitals--Heroism of the Black Troops--The Conscription Bill.

Correspondence of the Franklin Repository.

Washington City, June 24, 1864.

At the present time our city is almost devoid of any sort of attraction interesting enough to call strangers to it, unless it be the numerous hospitals in which at present, are so many thousands of wounded heroes--brave men who have sacrificed all the comforts and pleasures of home, endured untold hardships and privations in periling their lives for their country.

In passing through the hospitals and looking on the limbless and sick victims of this accursed rebellion, one's heart is filled with mingled pride and sorrow at the sight of the brave young men--the light and joy of many a home--cut down in the pride, strength and glory of all their young manhood. Yet it is wonderful to witness the uniform cheerfulness which they evince even while suffering from the severest wounds. In the hundreds of times that I have visited these hospitals, conversed with these patients and written letters dictated by them to friends at home, I have found no word of regret, but the same cheerful tone throughout, and in cases where death is inevitable, there is still the same satisfied look and expression which clearly shows their appreciation of the magnitude of the object for which they are sacrificing themselves.

Our hearts bleed for the mothers that bore noble men, for the young wives left desolate, for the sisters who will wait in vain for their return. Alas!

"No more return--
Till sisters, brothers all unite.
In another and a better world."

After the gallant charge of Duncan's Black Brigade on the outer works of Petersburg, who will stand up and say that "poor old slave" will not fight. As the blacks approached, the rebels stood upon their works with a black flag, taunting them to come on, with all the odious epithets which the genius of blackguardism has invented. Notwithstanding all this, the blacks rushed on undaunted, and after a terrible struggle, in which some rebel cannon were captured and immediately turned upon their late owners, and with the terrible bayonet dealt out death right and left, sparing none who fell in their way, taking not a single prisoner, they compelled the remainder to flee in utter confusion to the woods in their rear, and held the ground which to-day gives Grant a position where he can at any time lay Petersburg in ashes.

This heroic act of the colored soldiers has raised them very high in the estimation of our old veterans, and hereafter they will be found side by side in the hottest of the fight for their country and universal freedom, and so they will fight on, until no spot shall be saddened by the footprints of a single slave.

The bill amendatory of the Enrolling-act was passed last night in the evening session of the Senate by a vote of 24 to 7. The Commutation clause is stricken out, and all drafts hereafter made are to be for such term of time as the President shall direct, not exceeding one year. Each district is to be allowed for the number of men volunteering up to the time of draft and that number deducted from the number to be drafted.

It is to be hoped that the House will yet acquiesce in this action of the Senate. The question is simply, shall the contest for the suppression of the rebellion be continued or abandoned? If it is to be continued, we must have the additional troops necessary to do so, and to get them the commutation law must be repealed. The cause requires the men, not money; and he who votes to exempt any drafted man capable of serving efficiently without furnishing an exempt substitute, simply votes to insure the eventual success of the rebellion.

The news from the front is still very encouraging. Petersburg can be taken at any time Grant sees fit. Grant is aiming at a deeper game than the taking of that town. One more move from the ground he yesterday occupied and Petersburg must fall without an attack on it.

S.C.

Trailer: "S.C."

Grant and Meade
(Column 1)

Summary: Provides a colorful description of General Grant and Major General Meade and their camplife.

Rebel Views of Our Nominations
(Column 2)

Summary: Links the candidacy of Lincoln and Johnson to the military situation. The taking of Richmond by a Union general would secure their nominations. The defeat of Grant would give hope to the Democrat Party.

Origin of Article: Richmond Examiner, June 13th.

The Army Bill Signed
(Column 3)

Summary: Reports Lincoln's approval of an increase in pay for soldiers. The article gives the new wages.

[No Title]
(Column 3)

Summary: Notes the Secretary of War's efforts to create a freedmen's village at the Arlington estate of General Lee.

Origin of Article: Washington Republican

Election Proclamation
(Column 5)

Summary: Announces an election on August 2, to ratify proposed amendments to the state constitution. The article provides a list of voting places including the following owned by private persons: the Public House of J. Taylor for the south ward of Chambersburg; the Public House of J. Gordon, for Hamilton Township; the Public House of M. Shoemaker, for part of Green Township; the house of J. Harvey, for part of Fannett Township; the house occupied by G. Anderson, for Quincy Township; the house of J. Adams, for Antrim, and part of Peters and Montgomery townships; at the school house on the land of M. Cook, for the Warren Township; the house of J. Mullen, for Peters Township; at the log house on the farm of J. Elliott, for the Welsh Run district (part of Montgomery Township); and the house of T. McAfee, in Mercersburg, for parts of Peters and Montgomery townships.
(Names in announcement: High Sheriff Samuel Brandt, J. W. Taylor, John Gordon, Martin Shoemaker, John Harvey, George Anderson, John Adams, Michael Cook, James Mullen, Jacob Elliott, Thomas McAfee)

Gov. Curtin
(Column 1)

Summary: Reports that Gov. Curtin's plans to speak at Gettysburg on July 4 were disrupted by the rumors of a rebel invasion. He returned to Harrisburg to confer with Gen. Couch.

The Military Situation
(Column 1)

Summary: Discusses reactions to the rumors of rebel invasion, suggests the exaggeration of the number of rebels attracted to large stores at Martinsburg, mentions that Gen. Couch's and other area forces are prepared for a rebel invasion, details recent Union movement by Gen. Wilson and Kautz that isolated Richmond from the south, and reports that Gen. Sherman forced Johnston to surrender Marietta and that Atlanta will be Johnston's last stand.

Resignation of Mr. Chase
(Column 1)

Summary: Discusses Chase's resignation as Secretary of the Treasury. The Repository criticizes his policy of contracting the currency to lower the price of gold and prices in general. The author believes his policy produced the opposite effect. Gov. Tod declined the position and Hon. William Pitt Fessenden, Senator of Maine, has been appointed. Upon the announcement of Chase's resignation, government securities rallied.

Bolstering Traitors
(Column 3)

Summary: Criticizes a recent article in the Valley Spirit that attributes military failures to Generals Stanton, Grant, and Hunter.

Whither Goeth Democracy?
(Column 4)

Summary: Celebrates the downfall of the Democratic party.

Circulate the Old Flag
(Column 5)

Summary: Encourages a wide circulation of the campaign paper, "The Old Flag." Notes the desire to supply soldiers with "cheap and useful political news."

Lincoln's Acceptance
(Column 5)

Summary: Reprints Lincoln's acceptance of the nomination of the Baltimore Convention.

The Spirit
(Column 5)

Summary: The Repository criticizes a Valley Spirit article that accuses Lincoln of needlessly protracting the war and that cites Jefferson Davis as its witness. The author accuses Davis of treachery and perfidy.

Editorial Comment: "A bad cause seldom commands credible witnesses, and as the cause, the organ and the witness in this case seem to be in happy sympathy, we commend alike the enterprise and the logic of our neighbor."

[No Title]
(Column 6)

Summary: Notes the close of the Great Philadelphia Fair. The article includes a list of the gifts and awards to be given to favorite generals and their wives.

Hunter's Campaign
(Column 6)

Summary: Describes General Hunter's destruction of the Virginia and Tennessee Railroads.

Gov. Curtin
(Column 1)

Summary: Lists the men that Gov. Curtin sent to care for Pennsylvania soldiers in hospitals across the country.

Mr. Stewart
(Column 1)

Summary: Reports that Stewart, the chairman of the Union County Committee, called a meeting. The Repository urges the Union ticket to start canvassing after harvest.
(Names in announcement: Mr. Stewart)

Congress
(Column 1)

Summary: The Repository provides the specifics of the conscription bill including drafts of one, two, or three years, with bounties of $100, $200, and $300 respectively; the end of commutation; the allowance of substitutes for draftees ; and a fifty day notice before enforcing the draft.

[No Title]
(Column 1)

Summary: Disputes the contention that Andrew Johnson abandoned his mother in her old age to live in poverty. The Repository reports that his mother died seventeen years ago surrounded by family.

[No Title]
(Column 1)

Summary: Reprints a quote Andrew Johnson reportedly said to Jefferson Davis as the secessionists left their posts: "If I were the President I would arrest you as traitors, try you as traitors, and hang you as traitors!"

[No Title]
(Column 1)

Summary: Relates the Sentinel's praise for Gen. Koontz and support for his candidacy for Congress as a Union man.

The Carlisle Herald
(Column 1)

Summary: Reports that J. M. Markley joined Rheem as joint proprietor of the Carlisle Herald.
(Names in announcement: J. M. MarkleyEsq., Mr. Rheem)

[No Title]
(Column 1)

Summary: Reprints a letter printed in the Middletown Press that describes the hard fighting and army life for Gen. Grant's soldiers.

Origin of Article: The Middletown Press

Succor Our Wounded
(Column 3)

Summary: Reprints Gov. Curtin's appeal to send supplies to aid soldiers in the hospitals.

Death of Capt. McDowell
(Column 3)

Summary: Announces the death of S. McDowell, son of J. McDowell of Chambersburg. He was promoted to Chief of Artillery of his division. He died soon after, during Sherman's unsuccessful assault in Chattanooga. He was buried at the national cemetery. He is the fourth commander of a battery from Franklin County to die, joining Capts. Easton and Kerns on the peninsula and Stevens at Chickamauga.
(Names in announcement: John M. McDowell, Capt. Samuel McDowell, Easton, Kerns, Stevens)

Casualties In The 77th
(Column 3)

Summary: Reports that Capt. Walker, Co. A, 77th Pa. Volunteers, provided a list of casualties from various counties: Co. A: Killed--D. Neely and J. Colter from Washington; Wounded--A. Stark, in the breast, from Dry Run; P. Troutman, in the foot, from Chambersburg; P. Hardsock, in the arm and side, from Funkstown.
(Names in announcement: Pvt. David Neely, Pvt. James Colter, 1st Lieutenant Albert G. Stark, Pvt. Peter Troutman, Pvt. Peter Hardsock, Capt. John E. Walker)

To Friends Of Soldiers
(Column 3)

Summary: Urges that citizens send onions and other supplies to the Union soldiers. The soldiers need vegetables and the onion is "most invigorating."

Contribution
(Column 3)

Summary: The Repository acknowledges the receipt of $58.20, collected by Misses A. M. and Maggie E. Sharp, in Green Township, for the U. S. Christian Commission at Philadelphia.
(Names in announcement: Maggie E. Sharp, A. M. Sharp)

Episcopal Notice
(Column 3)

Summary: Announces two sermons by Bishop Stevens on Sunday morning and evening.
(Names in announcement: Bishop Stevens)

Accident
(Column 4)

Summary: Reports that Michael Fitzpatrick cut off several of toes by accidentally stepping on mower blades while working on Strock's farm in Cashtown.
(Names in announcement: Mr. Michael Fitzpatrick, Mr. Strock)

Col. Boyd
(Column 4)

Summary: Reports that Boyd gradually recovers from his bullet wound.
(Names in announcement: Colonel Boyd)

Rev. H. Reeves
(Column 4)

Summary: Reports that H. Reeves, the principal of the Female Seminary, will leave Chambersburg after the session to go to west Philadelphia.
(Names in announcement: Rev. H. Reeves)

Concert
(Column 4)

Summary: Announces a concert by the Female Seminary pupils on June 30 to benefit the Christian Commission.

J. R. Kinney, Esq
(Column 4)

Summary: Reports that J. R. Kinney, former principal of the Chambersburg Academy, left for a professorship in California.
(Names in announcement: Esq. J. R. Kinney)

Call Accepted
(Column 4)

Summary: Announces that Rev. Carnahan, of Fayetteville, has accepted the call of the Presbyterian congregation of Gettysburg.
(Names in announcement: Rev. Mr. Carnahan)

[No Title]
(Column 4)

Summary: Reprints an article in the American congratulating Maryland for adopting an amendment to their constitution to abolish slavery.

Origin of Article: The Baltimore American

[No Title]
(Column 4)

Summary: Notes the Democrats' "sad blunder" in their postponement of the Chicago Convention.

Origin of Article: New York Journal of Commerce

The Pirate Alabama Sunk
(Column 5)

Summary: Describes the sinking of the pirate Alabama by the U. S. gunboat Kearsaye. Nine rebels were killed and 20 wounded in the engagement.

Wilson and Kautz Safe
(Column 5)

Summary: Details Gen. Wilson's engagements. The article mentions raiding parties, severe fighting, Union losses, the destruction of property, and the murder of blacks by the rebels.

Hunter's Command at Charleston, W. Va.
(Column 5)

Summary: The Repository mentions the actions of Hunter's command in Charleston, West Virginia including his great raid, his accomplishments, and his prospects for another movement. The article reports five successful battles and the destruction of $5,000,000 in government property in the Shenandoah Valley.

Great News From Gen. Sherman
(Column 5)

Summary: Reports news from Gen. Sherman including the capture of Kenesaw Mountain and the occupation of Marietta.

Married
(Column 5)

Summary: On June 26, in Chambersburg, by Rev. Davis, W. Fulmer married Rebecca Knisely.
(Names in announcement: Rev. P. S. Davis, Mr. William A. Fulmer, Miss Rebecca S. Knisely)

Married
(Column 5)

Summary: On June 14, in Allegheny city, by Rev. Swift, J. Needy, of Waynesboro, married Mary Graham, of Allegheny city.
(Names in announcement: Rev. E. Swift, Mr. Jacob Needy, Miss Mary A. Graham)

Married
(Column 5)

Summary: On July 4, by Rev. Dyson, J. Briggs, of Philadelphia, married Hellen Rhoads, of Chambersburg.
(Names in announcement: Rev. F. Dyson, Mr. J. Clemson BriggsEsq., Miss Hellen S. Rhoads)

The Old Flag
(Column 2)

Summary: Advertises the weekly campaign paper, "The Old Flag," "devoted exclusively to the election of Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson." The paper will include maps of battles and battlefields and portraits of Lincoln and Johnson. The Repository urges the creation of clubs to promote its circulation.
(Names in announcement: McClure, Stone)