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Staunton Spectator: November 12, 1861 Go To Page : 1 | 2 |

The Vote for Col. John B. Baldwin
(Column 1)

Summary: Announces that Col. Baldwin won Augusta County in his quest for a seat in the Confederate Congress. The article alleges that many admirers voted against him because they wanted him to remain in a military command position, which he will have to relinquish if elected. The article also announces that Col. Baldwin is sick with typhoid fever contracted in camp.
(Names in announcement: Col. John Baldwin)

E. C. Randolph Acquitted
(Column 1)

Summary: Announces the acquittal of E. C. Randolph on charges of murdering his wife. Mr. Randolph had entered a plea of temporary insanity.
(Names in announcement: E.C. Randolph, Henderson Bell, Chapman Johnson, H.W. Sheffey, Thomas Michie)

The Greenbrier Cavalry
(Column 1)

Summary: Item reports that the Greenbrier Cavalry was ordered disbanded due to rampant disease in the company.

Lieut. Col. Wm. S. H. Baylor
(Column 1)

Summary: Reports that Baylor did not see the call made upon him to declare for the election. He has since responded that he would not have accepted because of the commitment he made to the military.
(Names in announcement: Lieut. Col. William Baylor)

Official Vote of Augusta County Confederate Congress
(Column 2)

Summary: Table shows the congressional vote in Augusta county.
(Names in announcement: J.B. Baldwin, J.M. McCue, Kenton Harper)

The Army
(Column 2)

Summary: Reports the division of the state into military districts.

The Private Soldier
(Column 2)

Summary: Praises the sacrifice and patriotism of the average soldier.

Origin of Article: Richmond Dispatch

Retaliation
(Column 2)

Summary: Reports that the federal government convicted a Savannah privateer and gave him a death sentence. The Confederacy has promised to retaliate by executing a federal officer if the sentence is carried out.

Provide the Staff of Life
(Column 3)

Summary: Urges Southern farmers to grow food rather than cash crops.

Full Text of Article:

The Clarksville Chronicle, published in Tennessee, says that it seems to be a difficult matter for the people of the South to realize the heavy responsibilities which the war imposes upon them, and the absolute necessity for providing an abundance of those things that are indispensable for our support during its continuance. It can avail them but little to make large crops of cotton and tobacco with no market for either, and even if they could sell all they could raise, it could advance but little the cause of the South in the absence of an ample supply of meat and bread. These we can obtain from no quarter if we fail to raise them, and he is a true patriot who will enlarge his corn and wheat fields, and multiply his hogs, sheep and cattle, with an eye to the necessities of his country. No one can foresee the duration of the war, but any one can foresee the dire influence of a scarcity of food upon our ability to prosecute it; and to avert such a calamity, every tiller of the soil should make the amplest arrangements in his power to guard against it--taking into consideration, too, the probability of an unfavorable season. And whilst the farmer is doing this, his wife and daughters should set in motion loom and spinning wheel, remembering that every thread they spin and every yard they weave is a contribution to Southern liberty and independence. The soldier who hazards his life on the battle field and his health in the camp, looks to those at home to supply his wants, and none but the unfeeling speculator can turn a deaf ear to the voice of humanity appealing for food and raiment for our country's brave defenders. To the women, this appeal is never made in vain, and we trust they will labor unceasingly to infuse into the hearts of men a portion, at least, of their own noble spirit and self-sacrificing devotion. It is a sad commentary upon the character of some Southern men that such an appeal should be needed; but the indifference of some, the thoughtlessness of others, and the selfish rapacity of not a few, constantly remind us that all are not patriots who profess to be Southern in feeling, and all are not to be trusted who are loudest in their expressions of devotion to a cause which they appreciate only to the extent that it can be made to fill their pockets. It is to be hoped, however, that there are enough of the right sort who will look beyond self to country, and the present to a future that will repay every sacrifice in behalf of national honor and independence.

[No Title]
(Column 3)

Summary: Asserts that there is no longer any distinction between Secessionists and Union men in the South--all are united in the defense of the state.

Origin of Article: Richmond Dispatch

[No Title]
(Column 3)

Summary: Reports the election returns, including the election of John Baldwin.
(Names in announcement: James Baldwin)

To the Ladies
(Column 3)

Summary: Article entreats the ladies of the county to donate clothing and supplies to Col. Gilliam's regiment.
(Names in announcement: Mrs. William Campbell, Mrs. R.H. Phillips, Mary Gaitwill)

Railroad Bridges Burnt
(Column 3)

Summary: Reports the burning of some railroad bridges in Charlestown, Virginia and near Bristol, Virginia by Union men.

Retirement of General Scott
(Column 4)

Summary: Reports the retirement of Gen. Winfield Scott.

To the Ladies of Augusta and Rockbridge
(Column 4)

Summary: Article thanks ladies for their donations.
(Names in announcement: Mrs. Taylor, Mrs. Campbell)

[No Title]
(Column 4)

Summary: Reverend Phillips has grown a 10.5 pound beet.
(Names in announcement: R.H. Phillips)

An Early Advance from the Potomac Probable and Desirable
(Column 5)

Summary: Reports a rumor of an impending Union invasion across the Potomac and contends that the Confederate presence along the Potomac is crucially important to maintaining the respect of foreign powers for Confederate independence.

Full Text of Article:

The Cincinnati Enquirer of the 27th ult., has the following:

The New York Times, in its issue of Monday, tells us that an early advance from the Potomac, by Gen. McClellan, is now highly probably. It learns that our army is now complete in all its parts--in number, infantry, artillery, cavalry, in discipline, and in its commissariat--all is in perfect order, and is now ready for active and efficient offensive operations.

We are pleased to learn that such is the condition of the Federal Army, and that there is a prospect of an early advance by it from the Potomac. Indeed, it can no longer afford to be on the defensive. The continuance of its present attitude would be as injurious to our Government, with foreign Powers, as a defeat would be. The United States and Confederate States stand before the world in very different attitudes. It is for the former to show that it has power to put down the rebellion within a reasonable time. It is for the Confederate States to demonstrate that they can sustain themselves. It is not necessary for them to show that they can conquer the North, but to show that they can prevent us from conquering them. This last they can do as effectually by maintaining their position on the Potomac as by an advance.

The Confederate States, by maintaining their position on the Potomac, demonstrate that they are a power with ability to preserve itself. That is all they need to show to command, according to the acknowledged and universal law on the subject, the recognition of their independence by civilized nations, which is what they are at present striving to obtain. But when, besides showing their ability to maintain themselves, they flaunt their flags within sight of the Federal Capital, erect their batteries within cannon shot of the President's mansion, and daily invite an attack by provocation, menace and insult, foreign powers cannot but regard them as of equal force with the United States and equally as capable of maintaining their independence.

We consider, therefore, that our character, as the superior power, is sullied by allowing the Confederate forces to occupy any longer their position near Washington. We rejoice to hear that Gen. McClellan is now ready, that his army is just as he desires it to be in all its departments, and that he is prepared to act upon the offensive instead of the defensive. We do not want him to move before he [is] ready; but move he must, before long, if he expects to uphold the credit of the Government with foreign nations. It will not do to allow the Confederates any longer to threaten Washington under its very walls, and defy our army to move from their entrenchments. The Confederates accomplish their whole purpose by keeping their position, we lose our prestige and character by not being able to move forward. As everything is now ready, we expect to see Beauregard driven, at least, from the neighborhood of Washington.

Religious Notice
(Column 6)

Summary: Reports that a service will be held on the 15th at the Hebron Church to honor President Davis's declaration of a day of prayer.

Died
(Column 6)

Summary: Jacob Speck .
(Names in announcement: John Speck, Jacob Speck)

Died
(Column 6)

Summary: Death of Mrs. Mannan
(Names in announcement: Mrs. Mannan, John Basdell)

Died
(Column 6)

Summary: Death of Cornelia and Samuel Beauford.
(Names in announcement: Cornelia Beauford, Samuel Beauford, Laura Wilson)

Died
(Column 6)

Summary: Death of brothers Joseph, William, and James Firtig.
(Names in announcement: Joseph Firtig, William Firtig, James Firtig)

Died
(Column 6)

Summary: Death of John Baskin
(Names in announcement: John Baskin, Rachael Baskin)

Died
(Column 6)

Summary: Death of James Quarles.
(Names in announcement: James Quarles, Jonathan Brown, Peter Quarles)

Died
(Column 6)

Summary: Death of Sgt. John Hawpe
(Names in announcement: Sgt. John Hawpe)

Office of the Confederate States--War Tax
(Column 7)

Summary: Table lists war-tax collectors for each county.
(Names in announcement: J. Baylor, A.B. Cochran, R.W. Burke)

Speech from Gen. Jeff Thompson
(Column 1)

Summary: Laudatory article about Gen. Thompson's exploits.

Cheap Blankets
(Column 1)

Summary: Asserts that newspapers are being used as blankets and are quite satisfactory for that purpose, given the necessity of thriftiness during the war.

How Far the Federal Army will Reach
(Column 1)

Summary: Asserts that if the Army of the Potomac marched en masse down a narrow country road travelling four abreast with artillery and wagons the column would reach 150 miles in length.

The Heroes of the Revolution--What they Endured
(Column 1)

Summary: Item from a letter of General Nathanael Greene exposes the hardships of war.

A Splendid Galaxy from One County
(Column 1)

Summary: Words of Mr. Chrichter of Westmoreland commenting on the illustrious names born in Westmoreland.