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Staunton Spectator: May 7, 1861

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-Page 01-

Description of Page: Column 1 ads. Columns 2 and 3 fiction. Various items enjoining Virginians to resist Lincoln's "mercenaries." Various military orders. List of naval resignations.

Virginia, God Bless Her
(Column 5)
Summary: Praises Virginia's commitment to fight the tyranny of Lincoln.
Full Text of Article:

We are prouder than ever of the land of our birth. Virginia gives this day satisfactory assurance to the world that she has not "lost the breed of noble blood." Her long patience and forbearance under wrongs and injuries will not henceforth be construed into timidity or a time serving policy, by the world, or by any portion thereof. She has defined her position in characters of living light. At the first open declaration of hostilities on the part of the Northern aggressor, she defiantly displays in his presence her time-honored flag, with its motto so suggestive to all Tyrants.

Her sons, from the sea-shore to the mountains, come forth with unexampled enthusiasm to uphold "that standard sheet" at the risk of life, fortune and sacred honor. The moment Virginia calls upon her sons to come to her rescue, the voice of party and of faction is hushed, to be heard no more till her battle shall be fought and her victory won. The call of Lincoln for 2,300 troops from this State, to assist him in reducing our sisters of the South to subjugation, will be responded to by forty times that number, if need be, to assist in teaching him and his councilors a lesson of humility which they will never forget. The spirit of patriotism which animated our forefathers in the days of '76, still burns in the hearts of their sons! God bless the old Commonwealth!--Enquirer of April 23rd.


Another Proclamation
(Column 5)
Summary: Lincoln announces a blockade of the ports of Virginia and North Carolina because of their seizure of Federal Property and arrest of Federal officers in the exercise of their duty. These blockades are in addition to the blockades already effective on the ports of the other seceded states.
Extract From Gov. Hicks' message
(Column 6)
Summary: Excerpt relates Gov. Hicks desire to have Maryland remain neutral, having not instigated the conflict on either side. He wishes that Maryland not be a theater of war and that his people not be asked to kill brothers on either side.
Address to the People of Maryland
(Column 6)
Summary: A message from the Senate and House of Delegates of Maryland assuring the people that they do not intend to precipitate secession unless a popular vote is consulted to gauge the desire for such.
[No Title]
(Column 6)
Summary: Reports that Commander Lloyd B. Newell of the U.S. Navy committed suicide at the Merchant's Hotel in Philadelphia by shooting himself in the heart with a Colt's revolver. He was a native of Georgia.

-Page 02-

Description of Page: Various articles urging unity. Various reports of troop movements in other states. Column 7 ads.

Affairs at Harper's Ferry
(Column 2)
Summary: Gives details of the Virginia raid on Harper's Ferry.
Gen. Harney's Arrest
(Column 1)
Summary: Outlines the role Augusta Guard volunteers played in the actions at Harper's Ferry.
Ladies' Soldier Relief Associations
(Column 1)
Summary: Article notes that the ladies of Augusta are hard at work sewing military apparel.
Augusta Lee Rifles
(Column 1)
Summary: Announces the formation of another volunteer company in Augusta.
The Place of Rendezvous
(Column 1)
Summary: Announces that volunteer companies from Augusta, as well as other counties, should rendezvous at Staunton.
Stand United
(Column 2)
Summary: Urges Virginians to remain united against Lincoln in spite of the disagreements of policy up until this point.
Full Text of Article:

This is not time for crimination and recrimination. All discord is as, as it should be, avoided, and the whole band performs in perfect harmony. Men stand shoulder to shoulder in one common cause. No question need be made as to what road individuals took to arrive at the point where all stand, it is enough to know that we are a unit. None have stood firmer for the Union than we, while we believed there was the least shadow of hope of a reconstruction and preservation; but, alas, the day of hope is past, the die is cast and our once happy Union is broken beyond the possibility of repair.


[No Title]
(Column 2)
Summary: The Baltimore Sun, the article reports, has abandoned its support of secession because, should Maryland secede, it would "instantly become the blasting theater of war and carnage."
Command at Harper's Ferry
(Column 3)
Summary: Article lists the command at Harper's Ferry.
(Names in announcement: Gen. Kenton Harper, Brig. Gen. W.H. Harman, Col. Bolivar Christian, Maj. John Harman, Maj. William Tarna, Dr. B.B. Donaghe)
[No Title]
(Column 3)
Summary: Governor announces that he is relieving Gen. Harper of his duty for the present. Control of the troops at Harper's Ferry will pass to Col. T.J. Jackson. Item also includes several letters enumerating changes in the command chain at Harper's Ferry.
The State Convention
(Column 3)
Summary: Article announces that the Convention has gone into recess until the 12th of June. Included is a congratulatory letter from the Richmond Whig.
Military Appointments
(Column 3)
Summary: Announces military appointments confirmed by the Convention.
(Names in announcement: John Baldwin, Kenton Harper)
Letter from Bolivar Christian, Esq.
(Column 5)
Summary: Mr. Christian says that, while he is not declaring himself a candidate, he would be honored to serve if called by the people of Augusta.
To the Voters of Old Augusta
(Column 5)
Summary: Reminds the voters not to forget about the election coming up in the face of the crisis that is now at hand and wishes to nominate Stuart, Christian, McCue, and Massie to be Augusta's delegation to the State Legislature.
(Names in announcement: Alex Stuart, Bolivar Christian, J.M. McCue, N. Massie)
Trailer: One of many voters
[No Title]
(Column 5)
Summary: John T. Harris, under the circumstances, withdraws his intention to run for the U.S. Congress. Since there is yet no provision for the election of members for the Southern Confederacy, he is waiting to announce on that subject.
Trailer: John T. Harris
[No Title]
(Column 5)
Summary: Writer wishes that Bolivar Christian announce himself as a candidate to the Senate of Virginia.
(Names in announcement: Bolivar Christian)
Trailer: Many Voters
[No Title]
(Column 5)
Summary: Letter writer wishes to draft Massie, Young, and Wilson to stand for election to the State Legislature.
(Names in announcement: N. Massie, D.S. Young, T.S. Wilson)
Trailer: Many Voters
The Constitution Subverted
(Column 6)
Summary: Accuses Lincoln of ignoring Constitutional necessities in his call for troops and acts of war against the South.

-Page 03-

Description of Page: Advertisements and Staunton and Richmond Market listings

Meeting of Congress--Message of Davis
(Column 1)
Summary: Praises the valor of the people of the Confederacy and notes that the establishment of a Confederate infrastructure is progressing well.
Old Augusta
(Column 2)
Summary: The editor of the Farmville Journal, A.M. Cowan, praises the patriotism of Augusta in the defense of the State.
(Names in announcement: A.M. Cowan)
Origin of Article: Farmville Journal
[No Title]
(Column 1)
Summary: The Boston Courier advocates an amiable separation, noting that military coercion cannot produce allegiance in the seceded states.
Origin of Article: Boston Courier

-Page 04-

Description of Page: Advertisements