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

Mr. John B. Snider Killed
(Column 1)

Summary: Item reports the murder of John Snider by Henry J. Webster, a soldier belonging to the 1st Tennessee Regiment, while Snider worked in Mr. Beck's restaurant.
(Names in announcement: John Snider)

Full Text of Article:

On Wednesday night last, at ten o'clock, Mr. Jno. B. Snider of this place was killed by Henry J. Webster, of Murray county, Tennessee, a soldier belonging to the 1st Tennessee Regiment, Colonel Manning commandant. Mr. Snider was employed in Mr. Jno. Beck's restaurant, where he was attending to his duties when Webster entered with his pistol in his hand and asked for oysters. He was informed by Mr. Snider that he could not furnish them as his supply was exhausted. Webster, in a very peremptory manner, demanded that he should get him some. Mr. Snider told him that he did not know where any could be obtained at that time. Webster swore that he should get them, aimed his pistol and shot Mr. Snider in the head. The ball entered above the left eye and penetrated the brain. He lived from 10 to 3 o'clock. He was a very deserving young man, possessed a good character, and had a social, kind and accommodating disposition. He leaves a young wife and child to mourn his sad and untimely death. The jury of Inquest held over the body of the deceased rendered a verdict of willful and malicious murder. The prisoner had his examining trial on Thursday and was committed to the county jail. There was very great excitement on the morning after the commission of the dreadful deed among the friends of the victim, and a very strong disposition prevailed to take the prisoner from the hands of the authorities and execute him by the summary process of Lynch law.

Obituaries
(Column 1)

Summary: The Spectator encourages those who send in obituaries to include the names, ages, and residences of those who are deceased. Also requested is a ten-line limit on obituaries.

Collection of the War Tax
(Column 1)

Summary: Suggests that Virginia take advantage of the discount offered to any state that takes the collection and payment of the war tax into its own hands, thus dispensing with the Confederate bureaucracy.

Getting Their Eyes Open
(Column 1)

Summary: Asserts that the Lincoln Administration has become aware that a much larger force will be needed to subdue the rebellion than previously thought.

Shoes with Wooden Soles
(Column 1)

Summary: Advocates the use of wooden-soled shoes to save leather.

Reorganization of the Militia
(Column 2)

Summary: Explains the details of the new militia reorganization law.

Staunton Artillery
(Column 2)

Summary: Notice of the location and services of the Staunton Artillery by a Richmond Dispatch correspondent.
(Names in announcement: Capt. John Imboden)

Origin of Article: Richmond Dispatch

Full Text of Article:

"Bohemian," the regular correspondent of the Richmond Dispatch, writing from Occoquan makes the following notice of the location and services of the "Staunton Artillery," commanded by Capt. John D. Imboden:

"Close by the town, lying under 'Rose Hill,' and almost in the shadow of the haunted house, is the camp of Capt. Imboden, whose battery did such good service in the battle of Manassas Plains. The gallant soldier is now very busy with Gen. Wigfall in examining the country around him, and in selecting locations where his guns could be used should the enemy advance. I have already spoken of an erroneous map of the battle field, upon which Gen. Ewell has a false position. It was even worse with Capt. Imboden, for in places where he fought like a tiger, and where his battery did the best service, the credit is given to another corps of artillery. Frequently on the 21st I saw his battery working as well as the best General could wish, but until late did not know whose guns they were, or who the gallant officer was who aimed them. Capt. Imboden is now under Gen. Wigfall, and will have a prominent place in the fight by the Occoquan, should one occur.

[No Title]
(Column 2)

Summary: Report from England that the Gladiator is sailing from Nassau with arms for the Rebels. The item also asserts that the capitalists and aristocracy of England sympathize with the South.

Snow
(Column 2)

Summary: It snowed two inches in Staunton on December 2nd. Had the ground been colder the accumulation would have been around 5 inches.

A Singular Incident
(Column 3)

Summary: A story about a Southern gentleman's pre-war visit to friends in Vermont and the subsequent outbreak of war, in which he killed his friend's brother.

Where is the Cumberland Gap
(Column 3)

Summary: Provides geographical information about the Cumberland Gap and explains its importance.

[No Title]
(Column 3)

Summary: Item reports that Hugh Sheffey will be in Staunton the day after Christmas and at the January Court to pay off the property certified for the support of the families of absent volunteers.
(Names in announcement: Hugh Sheffey)

The Arrests of Messrs. Slidell and Mason.
(Column 4)

Summary: Item reports the arrest of the Confederate ambassadors in England.

Expression of the English Press
(Column 5)

Summary: Excerpts from various English papers in defense of the Southern cause.

Interesting Letter from Col. Cogswell
(Column 5)

Summary: Transcript of a letter from Col. Cogswell to his brother. Col. Cogswell is a Northern prisoner who was drawn by lot to act as a hostage pending the outcome of the execution order for captured Southern privateers.

Soldier Shot--Court Martial
(Column 5)

Summary: Article reports the execution of James Miller for shooting John Henderson, the captain of his company.

Proclamation of the President of the Confederate States of America
(Column 6)

Summary: Davis's proclamation recognizes the secessionist government of Missouri and grants it admission to the CSA.

The Provisional Government in Kentucky
(Column 6)

Summary: Reports the imminent arrival of the Commissioners of the Kentucky secession government in Richmond.

Origin of Article: Richmond Examiner

Hon. Daniel C. Dickinson on the War
(Column 6)

Summary: Excerpts of a speech by Daniel Dickinson, once considered a friend of the South, but now a supporter of the Northern war effort.

For the Spectator
(Column 7)

Summary: Writer wishes to thank those who have donated items to the Baltimore company stationed in Staunton.
(Names in announcement: Mrs. Walter Davis, Mrs. E.C. Davis, Miss Carrie Morehead, Miss Lydia Myers, Mrs. H.M. Ball, Mrs. William Brown, Miss A. Wheat, Miss Lucy Gait, Mrs. J.C. Wheat)

Trailer: R. M. Phillips

Contributions from Soldiers
(Column 7)

Summary: Lists contributions to Augusta soldiers.
(Names in announcement: Mrs. A. Patterson John, Mrs. D.V. Gilkeson, Mrs. F.A. Harris, Miss Elisa Shoots, Mrs. S.A. McCutchen, Mrs. William Patrick)

Trailer: W. G. Campbell

Bread and Whiskey
(Column 7)

Summary: Denounces the conversion of bread to whiskey when the maintenance of a food supply is so critical.

Full Text of Article:

A Southern contemporary denounces in terms of just but strong reprobation the extensive distillation of the staff of life into one of the most prolific fountains of misery and death that ever was let loose upon an unhappy race. In the present condition of the South, when it is absolutely necessary that all the grain we raise should be converted to its legitimate purposes, the distillation into whiskey should be restricted to such limits as are required for medicinal purposes, and the moderate supply which is necessary for the army. Anything beyond this is a wanton, criminal, and treasonable waste of articles essential to the support of our soldiers and the comfort of our population.

Died
(Column 7)

Summary: John Frenger died on November 14 at age 52 near Greenville. He died of typhoid, which he appears to have contracted from his son in the army.
(Names in announcement: John Frenger)

Died
(Column 7)

Summary: Willie White died on November 10 at age 4.
(Names in announcement: Willie White, M.M. White, S.M. White)

A Furious Fighting Parson
(Column 1)

Summary: Anecdote about a soldier in Tennessee.

Origin of Article: Montgomery Advertiser

To Tax-Payers
(Column 2)

Summary: Instructions to tax payers regarding payment of taxes.
(Names in announcement: John Grills, Samuel Harper)