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

Franklin Repository: September 7, 1864 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

Important Laws
(Column 4)

Summary: Reports the passage of a bill which sets the procedures to enact the amendment allowing suffrage to Pennsylvania soldiers. Soldiers would vote in polling places set up at the quarters of the commanding officers. Soldiers prevented from attending the election at the company poll would vote at any poll most convenient. Soldiers unable to vote with a company would vote by proxy by sending their ballots to an elector at home.

Full Text of Article:

The adoption of the amendment to the constitution conferring the right of s[u]ffrage upon our soldiers in the field, necessitated the enactment of a bill with proper provisions to carry out this important and just feature of our organic law. The legislature has passed a voluminous act providing in detail for taking the soldiers' vote. It provides that all soldiers, who are legal votes at home, shall vote, whether in the State or in the field, and the right of suffrage shall not be effected by the soldier having been credited to any locality, other than his actual residence. The polls shall be opened in the day of election in each company composed wholly, or partly of Pennsylvania soldiers, at the quarters of the company officer, and all members of the company who are within one mile of the officer's quarters, and not prevented by orders or the proximity of the enemy from attending, shall vote at such poll, and at no other place. Soldiers detached, in hospitals or otherwise unavoidably prevented from attending the election at the company poll, shall vote at any other poll most convenient; and where ten or more soldiers are detached they may open a poll of their own at such place as they may select, and certify their returns. The polls shall be opened not earlier than 7 A.M., and remain open at least three hours, and may be kept open until 7 P.M., if the judges find it necessary to poll the full vote. Before opening the poll, the electors present at each place of voting shall elect viva voce three persons present at the time as judges, and the judges shall select two clerks, who shall constitute the election board, and shall be duly sworn to a faithful discharge of their duties. All elections shall be by ballot, and when doubt exists as to the right of a soldier to vote, the officers shall examine the applicants under oath and determine the right. Separate poll books shall be kept and returned for each county, and they shall name the company regiment and place at which the election is held. Provisions in detail are given for counting and preserving the ballots for each county, so that access can be had to them in case of alleged fraud. Tally-lists shall also be kept for each county.

After the votes are counted and the returns made out in conformity with law, a poll-list, tally list and return of each city or county together with the tickets, shall be sealed up and transmitted through the nearest post office or express as soon as possible, to the Prothonotary of the proper county; and the other poll-book, tally-list, returns &c., shall be delivered to the State Commissioner, if he shall call for them within ten days--if not, they shall also be mailed or expressed to the Secretary of the Commonwealth. The return judges of the several counties are required to meet on the second Tuesday of November, to add the vote of the soldiers to the proper returns of the counties, and certify the result in the usual manner as ascertained by the united home and army vote. The Secretary of Commonwealth is required to have an abundant copies of the law, together with necessary portions of the general election laws of the State and all the needed forms to be supplied to the army and the others holding the elections in the field. The Governor is authorized to appoint competent Commissioners not exceeding one for each Pennsylvania regiment, who shall be sworn to discharge their duties faithfully and whose duty shall be to deliver the necessary laws and blanks, and to receive the proper returns. Such Commissioners shall be deemed in the military service, and may vote at any one of the polls they attend. No election of soldiers shall be invalidated by the failure of commissioners or other officers to supply the forms or discharge their duties. When any number of soldiers less than ten shall be members of companies of other States, or for any other legal cause shall be separated from their commands and unable to attend the election at the proper quarters, they may before the day of election deposit their ballots in sealed envelopes, together with a statement of the name and residence of the voter and send it to a qualified elector at home, who shall cast such sealed ballot at home for the soldier, and it shall be opened by the election officers when the returns are counted. The statement of the soldier voting thus by proxy shall be certified to by his commanding officer, some commissioned officer, or by some other creditable witness if an officer is not accessible; and there shall also accompany such ballots an affidavit of the voter stating that he is a qualified voter in the election district in which he proposes to vote; that he has not sent a ballot to any other person; that he will not attempt to vote at any other poll; that he is not a deserter; has not been dismissed [from] the service, and stating also where he is stationed. Officers of election refusing to receive such ballots, when presented in proper form, shall be deemed guilty of misdemeanor and punished by fine and imprisonment. The assessors are required to assess a county tax of ten cents on each non commissioned officer and private in the service, and such soldiers shall be exempt from all other personal taxes while in service. The payment of such tax shall entitle all soldiers, otherwise qualified to the right to vote.

The law is quite voluminous but in the main fair in its provisions, and leans as strongly as possible in favor of the soldiers, so as to prevent him from being defrauded out of his vote by legal quibbles. It was passed by the Union men of the legislature--having been opposed by the Democratic legislators because of its ample provisions for giving the right of voting to our gallant soldiers in the field.

A supplemental bounty bill was passed at the extra session of the legislature, which gives boroughs, wards and townships full authority to levy bounty tax and collect the same when the county commissioners neglect or refuse to do so. The districts may levy and collect the tax by their authorities or board of election officers; but the bounty so collected shall not exceed $300 for each recruit. The bill is also curative in its provisions, and ratifies all loans created or taxes levied by the action of the people of districts in any way that met the sanction of a majority of the citizens. In such case the constituted authorities or board of election officers are required to carry out in good faith the collection of such taxes. It provides also that persons who have furnished substitutes credited to the proper townships, the principals shall receive the bounty toward the payment of his substitute. No tax exceeding two per cent of the last adjusted valuation of property for county or State putposes [sic] shall be levied in one year. A per capita or poll tax may be levied by the commissioners, school directors, supervisors or road commissioners, or the proper authorities, not exceeding $5 per head to be applied to bounty purposes; but persons in service, or disabled in service shall be exempt; and the property of widows and minor children, and widowed mothers of soldiers who died in service, is exempt from all taxation under this bill. The act was approved on the 25th of August, 1864.

Retaliation A Rebel Lie
(Column 4)

Summary: Disputes the rebel excuse that the burning of Chambersburg served as the retaliation for similar Union offences. "Fair Play" notes the great difference between a few straggler Union soldiers causing damage and an official order from rebel officers to burn Chambersburg. He suggests the burning of Warrenton, Virginia, as a "fitting retribution."

Trailer: "Fair Play"

Special Message
(Column 5)

Summary: The Repository reprints Governor Curtin's report to the Pennsylvania legislature on his efforts to remove Colonel Gibson from the 2nd Pennsylvania Artillery, to secure commissioned surgeons for the 2nd Pennsylvania Artillery, to restore the 187th Pennsylvania Volunteers to provost duty within Pennsylvania.

Union County Committee
(Column 1)

Summary: The Repository lists the men on the Union County Committee for the year: Chairman--T. J. Nill; North Ward, Chambersburg--A. D. Cauffman, W. Gelwicks; South Ward, Chambersburg--G. J. Balsley, T. J. Earley; Antrim--W. H. Davidson; Fayetteville--J. W. Barr; Greenvillage--Dr. Maclay; Dry Run--Lieut. Mackey; Guilford--A. Stotler; Hamilton--A. McElwain; Letterkenny--W. W. Britton; Loudon--W. Burgess; Lurgan--J. Saltsman; Mercersburg--T. Grove; Welsh Run--Dr. Angle; Metal--J. Flickinger; Orrstown--S. Knisely; Quincy--W. Fleagle; Peters--J. Patton; St. Thomas--J. R. Tankersley [illegible]; Washington--G. W. Walker; Warren--J. H. Thomas; Concord--S. H. Hockenbery; Mt. Rock--T. Fuller; Sulphur Spring--P. Shearer.
(Names in announcement: Thomas Jefferson Nill, A. D. Cauffman, William Gelwicks, George Balsley, Thomas J. Earley, William H. Davidson, John w. Barr, Dr. C. T. Maclay, Lieut. W. Mackey, Andrew Stotler, Andrew McElwain, W. W. Britton, William Burgess, John M. Saltsman, Thomas C. Grove, John S. Angle, Jacob Flickinger, Samuel Knisely, William Fleagle, James Patton, J. R. Tanke[illegible], George W. Walker, John H. Thomas, Samuel H. Hockenbery, Thomas R. Fuller, Peter Shearer)

Fill Up Our Brave Armies
(Column 1)

Summary: The Repository urges loyal men to enlist and defeat the Confederacy.

Full Text of Article:

Loyal men! Atlanta, the last inland stronghold of Treason in the Cotton States, has fallen! The victorious legions of the heroic Sherman now rest in that stubbornly defended citadel of crime, after a march and series of battles unexampled in the history of modern warfare. Their noble sacrifices and brilliant achievements hurl back in confusion and shame the driveling cowards who proclaim the war a "failure," and give earnest promise of a speedy, honorable and enduring Peace.

But one vital point of Treason remains, and that is wasting in strength under the tireless energy and unfaltering courage of the great leader and soldier of the Army of the Potomac. They ask for one hundred thousand men promptly to enable them to consummate their great work and preserve to us and to posterity the blessings of Free Government.

Let their shattered ranks be filled, and filled at once. Let every district waste not one day, nor one hour, until its quota is filled. Brave men are not wanting to respond to the call if citizens but do their duty generously in providing for the wants of themselves and their household gods. This is the work of every patriot, of every christian, of every friend of humanity, of order and of government: and let it be done with hearty, ceaseless energy until it is completed; and our gallant armies, whose heroism and victories stand unparalleled in history, will soon return to us honored, and honoring a Nationality that has swept treason to perpetual infamy, and given to the world a beneficent government, an enduring monument of Civil and Religious Liberty!

The Chicago Nominees
(Column 1)

Summary: Lists the Democratic nominees for president and vice president as General George B. McClellan and George H. Pendleton. The Repository criticizes McClellan as a weak leader and Pendleton as a strong support of Vallandigham.

Rebel Press On Chambersburg
(Column 2)

Summary: The Repository excerpts articles from three Richmond newspapers which celebrate the burning of Chambersburg as sweet revenge for Union atrocities and support for the Peace movement in the North.

Origin of Article: Richmond Sentinel, Richmond Dispatch, and Richmond Enquirer

Threatened Revolution
(Column 3)

Summary: Calls attention to the New York Herald's prediction of McClellan's defeat. The Herald, "McClellan's earliest and most devoted military organ," fears that rebel sympathizers will revolt upon the re-election of Lincoln. The Repository urges readers to dismiss the Herald's fears because Union victory appears promising.

Hear Our Noble Chief!
(Column 3)

Summary: Reprints the Secretary of War's official request for more soldiers.

The Democratic County Convention
(Column 4)

Summary: Lists the nominees chosen at the Democratic County Convention: J. McDowell Sharpe for legislature, General A. H. Coffroth for Congress, Kimmell for judge, and John Armstrong for commissioner. The Repository criticizes the candidates for weak and inconsistent support of the war and the Union.
(Names in announcement: Hon. J. McDowell Sharpe, Gen. A. H. Coffroth, Judge Kimmell, John Armstrong)

Gen. McClellan
(Column 4)

Summary: Ridicules McClellan's acceptance speech for not mentioning support for the Union and praise for the Union army.

[No Title]
(Column 4)

Summary: The Repository argues that Sherman's victory at Atlanta contradicts the Democratic Convention's claim of the Union's "Four years of failure."

[No Title]
(Column 4)

Summary: Recounts Union successes and progress in the war including Union control of large areas formerly under Confederate control.

General Coffroth
(Column 5)

Summary: The Repository responds to General Coffroth's comparison of Republicans and Tories. The Repository suggests that Coffroth must be mad or drunk.
(Names in announcement: General Coffroth)

Every Voter
(Column 5)

Summary: The Repository responds to the Shippensburg Sentinel's claim of Democratic strength in Capt. Coffey's company. The Repository believes that facing traitors on the battlefield will make the company loyalists at the polls.

The Atlanta (rebel) Register
(Column 5)

Summary: The Repository calls attention to an article in the Atlanta Register stating that the actions of the Peace Democrats and the rebels benefit each other.

[No Title]
(Column 5)

Summary: The Repository points out that the Democratic presidential and vice presidential nominees both vote in Ohio, a violation of the rule that running mates must be from different states. The editors deem this much worse than the 1860 Republican ticket with two Northerners, Lincoln and Hamlin.

Gov. Curtin
(Column 5)

Summary: The Repository provides details on the Pennsylvania State Guard formed by Governor Curtin. Organizers prefer veteran soldiers not subject to the draft.

[No Title]
(Column 6)

Summary: Relates the confidence of a soldier in the Army of the Potomac with the initials P. D. B. of Franklin County in the condition and prospects of the army.
(Names in announcement: P. D. B.)

[No Title]
(Column 6)

Summary: The Repository informs readers that Rev. B. S. Schneck penned an account of the burning of Chambersburg, soon to be published by Lindsay and Blakiston, in Philadelphia.
(Names in announcement: Rev. B. S. Schneck)

The Chicago Convention!
(Column 6)

Summary: Describes the events at the Chicago Convention including the demand for a "humiliating" peace, the declaration of the war as a failure, the demand for the immediate cessation of hostilities, the nomination of General McClellan for president by Vallandigham, and the nomination of Pendleton for vice president.

Rats Deserting The Ship!
(Column 7)

Summary: The Repository calls attention to the New York Herald's rejection of the Chicago Platform as dictated by Jefferson Davis and the rebels. The Herald demands the substitution of the Chicago platform with McClellan's own.

Origin of Article: New York Herald

Editorial Comment: "The New York Herald, long the apologist, defender, and organ of Gen. M'Clellan, both as a military and political leader, squarely deserts the sinking Chicago ship and gives notices to M'Clellan himself to stand from under the crash to come upon the craven Peace-mongers who controlled the Democratic National Convention. Hear the Herald of Saturday last, in its editorial leader reviewing the political situation:"

About The Draft
(Column 1)

Summary: The Repository provides details on the draft, including information on the time, volunteers, exemptions by commutation, substitutes, crediting substitutes, application to strike names, non-reporting conscripts, adjustment of quotas, the one hundred day men, a warning against swindlers, and the collection of bounties.

Remember Our Suffering
(Column 2)

Summary: The Repository urges the people of Franklin County to donate food, bedding, or other needed item to those hurt by the rebel invasion.

Bank Of Chambersburg
(Column 2)

Summary: Reports that the Bank of Chambersburg only lost its building in the rebel invasion because "all its notes, securities, specie and other valuables were out of rebel reach." The bank temporarily operates from the house of D. K. Wunderlich.
(Names in announcement: Mr. D. K. Wunderlich)

Democratic Convention
(Column 2)

Summary: The Repository provides a detailed report on the Democratic County Convention held in the Public School House on August 30. The article lists the following officers and nominations: J. Armstrong--President; Sibbet and Gilmer--Vice Presidents; A. Burgess and J. Orr--Secretaries. Assembly--Sharpe of Chambersburg; Commissioner--Armstrong of Chambersburg; Director of the Poor--Skinner of Fannett; Auditor--M. Martin of Lurgan; Coroner--Dr. Miller of Antrim. Congressional Conferees--Douglas, G. M. Stenger and DeHaven; Judicial conferees--Duncan, Orr and Croft; legislative conferees--McAllen, Johnston and Shoemaker. Sharpe and W. S. Stenger gave speeches.
(Names in announcement: John Armstrong, H. M. Sibbett, Joseph Gilmer, Andrew Burgess, John G. Orr, J. McDowell Sharpe, David J. Skinner, Mont. Martin, Dr. V. A. Miller, George M. Stenger, J. W. Douglas, J. W. DeHaven, Gen. A. H. Coffroth, C. M. Duncan, John Croft, R. W. McAllen, W. Johnston, P. M. Shoemaker, W. S. Stenger)

Credit To Whom Credit Is Due
(Column 2)

Summary: The Repository notes that the citizens of the county should thank K. S. Taylor, Franklin's Prothonotary, and Harry Strickler, Franklin's Register and Recorder, for saving the court house records.
(Names in announcement: K. S. TaylorEsq., Harry StricklerEsq.)

Rebel Prisoners
(Column 2)

Summary: Describes the extra train from Hagerstown that came through Chambersburg, carrying 56 rebel prisoners captured by General Averill's forces in the Shenandoah Valley.

A Rabid Disloyalist
(Column 2)

Summary: Details the "rabid" disloyalty of Eli Smith, from Taneytown, Maryland. Smith declared himself a rebel and expressed regret that the whole town had not burned. Smith was promptly arrested.

Mr. James R. Gilmore
(Column 2)

Summary: The Repository notes James R. Gilmore's recent visit to Chambersburg. He serves as the chief of the Military Telegraph Corps in North Carolina.
(Names in announcement: Mr. James R. Gilmore)

Soldiers Killed
(Column 2)

Summary: The Repository relates the news from the Waynesboro Record of the deaths of John Mickely and Emanuel Burkett, of Capt. Kurtz's company. Mickely and Burkett were killed near Martinsburg on August 29 during General Averill's fight with the rebels. Burkett's body remains missing.
(Names in announcement: Captain Kurtz, John Mickley, Emanuel Burkett)

Dr. Wm. C. Lane
(Column 2)

Summary: Announces the appointment of Dr. William C. Lane, of Upper Strasburg, as surgeon of the Enrolling Board of this district and the appointment of Dr. Samuel G. Lane as Assistant Surgeon General of Pennsylvania.
(Names in announcement: Dr. Samuel G. Lane, Dr. William C. Lane)

Atlanta Fallen!
(Column 3)

Summary: Details the fall of Atlanta including the retreat of General Hood, the death of rebel General Hardee, the actions of the 20th Corps, the surrender of Fort Morgan, the capture of 600 prisoners and 60 guns, the imminent fall of Mobile, General Averill in the Valley, General Early's retreat to Winchester, Sheridan's pressure on the rebels, and Grant's possession of the Weldon Railroad.

The Veteran 107th
(Column 3)

Summary: Reports that in the battle of September 19, on the Weldon Railroad, the 107th captured the battle flag of the 18th North Carolina. The color-bearer Hattenstein, of Company C, captured the flag.
(Names in announcement: Pvt. Hattenstein)

Lt. Col. Geo. Stitzel
(Column 3)

Summary: Reports the arrival of Lt. Col. George Stitzel, of the 11th Pa. Cavalry, in Chambersburg on a short leave of absence.
(Names in announcement: Lieutenant Colonel George Stitzel)

On A Visit
(Column 3)

Summary: Reports the visit of former townsman Robert Early, now a 1st Lieutenant and Quarter Master of the 136th Regiment Indiana Volunteers, in Chambersburg.
(Names in announcement: 1st Lieutenant Robert EarlyEsq.)

Lieut. M. W. Houser
(Column 3)

Summary: Announces the arrival of M. W. Houser, of the 57th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, at his home in Chambersburg. He was wounded twice in the battles of the Wilderness last May and he rejoined his command when only partially healed.
(Names in announcement: Lieutenant M. W. Houser)