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Staunton Spectator: September 3, 1861 Go To Page : 1 | 2 |

A Favorable Sign
(Column 1)

Summary: Asserts that the Republicans have attempted to stifle the expression of dissent in the North to such an extent that the people of the North will soon realize the tyranny of Lincoln and his followers.

Full Text of Article:

The outrages committed in the Northern States in the violent efforts to suppress any expressions of sentiments in the opposition to the tyranny of Lincolnism, by the demolition of such presses as know their rights and dare to maintain them, furnish the most conclusive evidence that there is a feeling of opposition to the farther prosecution of Lincoln's unholy war pervading the masses of the people of that section which inspires as much dread in the minds of the tyrants at Washington as the masked batteries of the "rebels," the very thought of which makes their knees knock together with more violence than did those of Balthazzar when he read his doom in the mystic handwriting on the wall. They tyrants know that the rights of the people have been ruthlessly violated, that the constitution has been trampled underfoot, that the most sacred bulwarks of freedom have been destroyed, and that they would be justified in rising in the majesty of their strength that they might crush the tyrants who would enslave them, and consequently they fear and tremble and very properly deem their only means of safety consists in a wanton and destruction of such presses as persist in remaining true to the sacred rights of the people. The freedom of speech and the freedom of the press must be destroyed, else the masses of the outraged people will rise in mutiny. The tyrants feel that they are standing upon the crust of a volcano through which the compressed fires of freedom may any day burst forth, and involve them all in total and irrevocable ruin. It is not the presses they dread, so much as it is the response with which their free expressions meet in the hearts of the masses of the people. If the sentiments of these presses did not find an echo in the hearts of the people they would remain unmolested. The fact that they have destroyed such presses as oppose their policy, furnishes conclusive evidence that they are conscious their policy will not bear the test of criticism. They, themselves, affix the brand of conviction of wrong-doing upon their own brows--by their own conduct they stand self-condemned in the pillory of public opinion.

Mr. James Lightner Killed in Missouri
(Column 1)

Summary: Alleges that James Lightner, a native of Augusta County, was murdered in Lexington, Missouri by Lincoln's troops "while their prisoner was unarmed and totally at their mercy."
(Names in announcement: James Lightner)

To the Ladies of Augusta
(Column 1)

Summary: Item encourages the ladies to establish "Soldier Aid Societies" for the purpose of collecting items for the war effort.

Trailer: "Without the ladies we would not have a country worth defending."

The President's Proclamation
(Column 1)

Summary: Reports that President Davis has issued a proclamation notifying those in the Southern Confederacy who do not recognize its authority that they have forty days to depart or they will be treated as alien enemies.

Full Text of Article:

President Davis, in accordance with an act of Congress, has issued his proclamation notifying all of the Southern Confederacy, who do not recognize the authority of the same, to leave within forty days from the date of the proclamation, or they will be treated as alien enemies. The proclamation and the law, we publish in another column for the benefit of all whom they may concern, and advise them to shape their course accordingly. The distance to abolitiondom is short and the coast clear, and the man who is not loyal to the Southern Confederacy has no business in it. This is no time to harbor the disaffected, every one of whom has it in his power to do mischief by acting the spy. All may not do it, but all have it in their power, and should, therefore, be removed beyond our limits. Ours should be a harmonious and homogeneous people.

Mechanical Nursing Swing
(Column 1)

Summary: Item announces the invention of the mechanical nursing swing by Dr. Hopkins of Augusta County.
(Names in announcement: Dr. S.D. Hopkins)

War News
(Column 2)

Summary: Various reports of battles and skirmishes.

The Blockade Broken
(Column 2)

Summary: Reports that the blockade has been broken at Beaufort, North Carolina and an English ship landed carrying contraband. This is taken as a harbinger that the blockade will prove ineffective and that the European powers will be able to trade with the South in a matter of months.

Origin of Article: Richmond Examiner

Impending Doom
(Column 2)

Summary: Alleges that two pro-South ladies have been arrested in Washington by the Lincoln government.

The Complaints of "Phil"
(Column 3)

Summary: Addresses the complaints of a writer from Rockbridge named Phil who complains that Augusta is receiving a disproportionate amount of recognition in the way of appointments and accolades in the 52nd Regiment. The writer implies that appointments are heaped upon the already titled and wealthy of Augusta.
(Names in announcement: Col. John Baldwin, Michael Harman, Major Ross)

Full Text of Article:

Some Rockbridge man, under the signature of "Phil," in the last Lexington Gazette, in a vein of facetiousness, complains that justice has not been done Rockbridge county in the appointment of field officers of the 52d Regiment, to which that county has furnished three companies. He complains that Augusta county is receiving many honors, and Rockbridge none at all. The Governor should not overlook the merits of "Phil," who would no doubt wear the "shoulder straps" with dignity and grace. The following is an extract from the somewhat lengthy jeremaid of "Phil:"

"But a word or so about this new Regiment. It will be seen that in the appointment of officers, Augusta fares well. Inspector General Baldwin is the Colonel. This is regarded as a good appointment, for Col. Baldwin has the intellect to carry him through any position that may be assigned him. But why double honors when there are still a few Augusta men without any military titles? Col. Baldwin is Inspector General. Surely that is enough. But it don't stop here. Augusta must be treble loaded with rank and titles. The Lieutenant Colonel is Michael G. Harman, who, by his flaming proclamations, has made himself familiar as household words to all the people of West Augusta and a thousand other Western places besides, under his stirring appeals and over his flaming signature of "Quartermaster and Major Commanding." It appears that in the roaring tide of his affection for Augusta, the Governor can find more titles and offices for that favored county than he can find men to wear them. He had doubled Baldwin's, and when it comes to his especial favorite, Mike, two ain't enough, he must give the "Quartermaster and Major Commanding," a third, so that Mike can rise in his stirrups, mount a new shoulder strap and equestrianize through the thoroughfares of Staunton with Ostrich feather streaming out behind and a longer title floating out before, so that we may all know that Mike, in addition to what he was as Quartermaster and Major Commanding is now also Lieutenant Colonel. Originally it was M.G. Harman, "Quartermaster and Major Commanding," ex officio Governor of Western Virginia; now with the rank and increased dignity of Lieutenant Colonel, why cannot Mike also be know and revered as Lord of Augusta and Duke of Staunton? In view of the double and treble burden of rank and title which the Augusta Colonel and Lieutenant Colonel of this new Regiment have to bear upon their physical constitutions, we would suggest that about six or a dozen additional surgeons be appointed from Augusta (or the more favored because more loyal Northwest) to this new and prodigally titled regiment, as special guardians of the health of the two Colonels with five titles, to say nothing of the ranks and degrees that belong to their ex officios.

But what shall we say of the Major of this titulary Regiment? Well, we don't know what. Just Major Ross, and nothing more; for he doesn't come in with a long array of titles and ex officios. He represents Rockbridge, but from what county he is from we don't know, and refer the inquisitive reader to Gov. Letcher, who possibly may know from whence he hails. "Know then this truth, Enough for us to know,"

he is duly labelled and credited to Rockbridge. Let us be thankful for what has been intended for our brave and gallant county, although she hasn't got anything. We will take the will for the deed, and be grateful to the Governor for what Rockbridge ought to have but what she has not got."

The editor of the Gazette, in reference to the article of "Phil," says:

"Our correspondent, "Phil," in speaking of the field officers of the Regiment composed of the volunteers out of the militia of Rockbridge and Augusta, does injustice to perhaps all of the gentlemen. As to the first, Col. Baldwin, no better appointment could have been made, and we regard it as a noble act in him in leaving a higher position and going into more active service in a lower position. Indeed we regard it as pure patriotism for him to take any military position. For our part, we would prefer the fame that John B. Baldwin has as a lawyer, to the military fame of any of any man in Virginia. If, therefore, Col. Baldwin estimates real greatness as we do, he has no reason to aspire to any military position. None can elevate him above the position which he has attained by the brightness of his own genius.

We know nothing of Mr. Harman as a military man.

In respect to Mr. Ross, we have always taken him to be an admirable gentleman, and we believe that he stood well as a tactician at the V.M. Institute.

Harness and Wagon Makers
(Column 3)

Summary: Reports that Harman is seeking to contract the labor of Harness and Wagon makers for the Confederate army.
(Names in announcement: M.G. Harman)

Battle of the Oak Hills
(Column 4)

Summary: Official C.S.A. report of the battle of the Oak Hills.

Plenty of Lead
(Column 4)

Summary: Reports that the Southern victory in Missouri has given the South access to a rich lead mine.

The Federal Blockade
(Column 4)

Summary: Item reports a law passed by the C.S.A. that allows ships to dock anywhere they are able to dodge the blockade. This eliminates established points of entry and allows ships to pay duties at the nearest port.

Proclamation by the President
(Column 5)

Summary: Proclamation outlines Davis's intention to expel from the Confederacy all who claim allegiance to the United States.

Extract of the Letter of a Lady of Bangor, Maine
(Column 5)

Summary: Extract from a letter allegedly found on one of Lincoln's soldiers at Manassas from a woman in Maine whose sympathies lie with the South.

A Touching Incident of the Battlefield
(Column 5)

Summary: A copy of a letter received in New York from Atlanta about finding the body of a young boy dead on the battlefield at Stone Bridge.

Penetrating the Nether Regions
(Column 5)

Summary: A humorous anecdote about a Western Virginia oilman who was having his slaves bore for oil at night by firelight when they struck upon a vein of gas that ignited the fire.

[No Title]
(Column 6)

Summary: Writer suggests that office holders who are exempt from military service should tithe to the Confederate cause from their salaries.

Trailer: A Son of Virginia

Southern Soldiers' Song in the Mountains of Virginia
(Column 6)

Summary: Pro-Confederate poem.

Patriotism in the South
(Column 6)

Summary: Article tells the story of a man with a large family who left to serve in the military, demonstrating the patriotism of Southerners.

Silas Karacole Killed
(Column 6)

Summary: Item reports that Silas Karacole died after getting caught in a threshing machine.
(Names in announcement: Silas Karacole)

Died
(Column 7)

Summary: Hallie died on August 18 at age 1 year.
(Names in announcement: Hallie Poage, Robt. T. Poage, Sallie A. Poage)

Died
(Column 7)

Summary: Cyrus Strickler died in Charlottesville on July 26 from a wound he sustained at Manassas.
(Names in announcement: Cyrus Strickler)

Died
(Column 7)

Summary: Mrs. Harris died at the home of her mother, Mrs. Rosenbarger on August 8. She was a member of the Lutheran Church.
(Names in announcement: Eliza Rosenbarger, Mrs. Eliza J. Harris, Dr. James Harris)

Died
(Column 7)

Summary: B.F. Shuey died on July 22 at age 26 from a wound received at the Battle of Manassas.
(Names in announcement: Benjamin Franklin Shuey)

Notice, By the Governor of Virginia
(Column 1)

Summary: Governor presents a plan for obtaining clothing for the soldiers.