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Staunton Spectator: November 11, 1862 Go To Page : 1 | 2 |

Prepare for Incendiaries and Plunderers
(Column 5)

Summary: Warns that plundering may soon become standard practice among Northern troops in the war. Advises that Southerners in the areas where the enemy is to pass should "leave nothing for the enemy to commit robbery upon." Implores generals to protect the property of the South and civilians to do their part in keeping that property from falling into enemy hands.

Origin of Article: Richmond Enquirer

Full Text of Article:

The county Courts ought to appoint patrols of some guards in every neighborhood. Neighbors ought to organize themselves and be ready to render such assistance as exigencies may require. All that is wanted besides is a little vigilance, but vigilance and organization are not to be dispensed with in such times as the present. We trust these intimations will be received as a word to the wise.

There are other subjects that deserve much attention at this time. The enemy are changing their system of war. The plundering that was occasional and sporadic before, depending somewhat on the character of the commander, is probably to become universal. The country through which they may pass is to be despoiled. The citizens are to be indiscriminately robbed in the latest despatches which have come to us through the enemy's papers, touching the operations of McClellan's army, we find the following:

"General Pleasanton is now seizing all horses to be found for the use of the Government, without reference to the opinions of the owners."

Now, so far as possible, we ought to leave nothing for the enemy to commit robbery upon. At all events anything that has legs, like a horse or a beef, should be driven away before he comes.

The negroes whom he has heretofore seduced, he will probably hereafter constrain. They should be kept out of his way as far as possible in the districts which have been ravaged by the war, these removals will be difficult for the owners to effect for want of transportation and other facilities. We entreat therefore, our Generals in command in the various localities, and those who have the direction and management of affairs to make it a prominent idea in their plans subordinate only to the exigencies of important military operations to afford every possible facility and protection to the citizens in removing their property out of the enemy's grasp. We know that it is the policy of the Commissary Department to draw its supplies from the exposed localities first; and that arrangements have been made to effect this. We entreat all connected with the transportation service whether in a civil or military capacity, to bend their energies to the promoting of the same end. It is a high duty of patriotism, because it is an important patriotic service. We shall thus save our citizen from plunder, deprive the enemy of this source of supply, and secure to ourselves the benefit of all our resources.

Let the citizens themselves be active in effecting the removals we have mentioned. Government should do all it can, but cannot do all it may wish. Take command of your own ingenuity and energy, and act without unnecessary delay.--Richmond Enquirer.

The Abolitionists in West Tennessee
(Column 6)

Summary: Reports that the Union Army is liberating slaves in west Tennessee and is using them to harvest crops for Northern use.

The Augusta Grays
(Column 7)

Summary: Lists the men from the Augusta Grays who have been killed or wounded since the war began.
(Names in announcement: Lieutenant J. W. Wilson, R. F. Grass, T. A. Supple, Corporal N. F. Quarles, Nimrod Weeks, G. W. Wiseman, Corporal Lafayette Campbell, John W. Hays, William H. Apple, Robt Anderson, L. H. Plunket, Corporal Sam'l Hays, Sergt. J. J. Dempster, Sergt. J. S. Lightner, Sergt. Samuel Hays, George Glen, James Ramsey, David Campbell, D. S. Houser, J. H. Hight, C. N. Moran, A. C. Rubush, T. A. Supple, James Taylor, R. F. Weeks, Wm. J. Abney, Wm. A. Helzer, R. S. Hight, Wm. N. Harris, J. W. Brand, J. H. Bradley, Wm. H. Hanger, A. J. Roberts, F. P. Thomason, J. W. Newton, Lieut. L. Grills, Sergt. J. M. McFarland, H. M. Allen, Wm. L. McComb, C. G. Miller, G. M. Britton, T. J. Campbell, L. A. Moran, Lieut. C. W. Grills, Corporal John Armentrout, T. A. Brownlee, J. B. Helzer, J. H. Shultz, J. M. Meek, L. C. Taylor)

Casualties in Company H, 52nd. Va. Reg't.
(Column 7)

Summary: Lists the dead and wounded of the Augusta Pioneers, Company H of the 52nd Virginia Regiment.
(Names in announcement: James A. Steele, Serg't. Jacob S. Greaver, Alexander Ingram, George A. Swartzle, Private J. P. Woodward, Private Wm. Zimbrow, Wm. F. Dold, Wm. F. Baskins, H. D. Welch, Jacob C. Almarode, Lieut. J. A. White, Sergt. John Zimbrow, John J. Dunlap, T. A. Howard, D. C. Moneymaker, W. H. Malheny, William Swink, J. P. Woodward, Corporal John Lee, Wm. H. Smith, Capt. John D. Lilley, Corporal John C. Thomas, John Sprouse, Wm. Christopher, John N. Talliaro, Joseph Harris, D. W. Glass, T. H. Collins, J. M. Ochiltree, Reuben Wise, Wm. G. Miller)

Northern Elections
(Column 1)

Summary: Reports that in Northern Congressional elections, the Democrats carried New York, New Jersey, Illinois, and Michigan and received large minorities in Massachusetts and Wisconsin. Lists the congressmen elected in New York and admits that the effects of the election are uncertain.

What Lincoln has done for Freedom
(Column 2)

Summary: Charges that Lincoln has done nothing for the United States except to destroy freedom and the Constitution. Predicts that if Lincoln does accomplish abolition in the South, then the Southern states, which formerly provided immense monetary profit for the country, will be worth nothing.

For the Soldiers
(Column 2)

Summary: Reports that a farmer from Augusta proposes to be among one hundred citizens who are donating $500 each to relief for Confederate soldiers. Urges ninety-nine other residents of the county to follow his example.

In Spite of the North the End will yet come
(Column 3)

Summary: Speculates on the reason that the war might eventually come to an end without the North accomplishing the submission of the South. Suggests that the Northwestern states may withdraw from fighting, or that European nations might intervene on the side of the Confederates. Entreats readers to persevere and to do all that they can to support the cause so that the end may come as soon as possible.

Full Text of Article:

The Richmond Whig maintains that the North will continue the war as long as it is possible for them to do so, for the reason that upon its termination, without the accomplishment of the end for which it was waged, the North would be utterly ruined--the mob would be the only Government, and confusion and anarchy would reign supreme. The "Whig" concludes its article as follows:

It is to avoid such scenes as we have pictured and such a doom as we have traced, that the Northern people will continue the war as long as possible.--They may realize many of its horrors, but they must feel that for them the peace that would result from defeat would be more horrible still. They have the wolf by the ears and dare not let him go.

Is there, then, to be no end to the war? Yes. War cannot last always; and where neither party has the power to subjugate the other, it requires only the constancy that becomes a good cause and a brave race to wear out the party in the wrong. Financial prostration or physical exhaustion will end the struggle in due time. And this, if no accidental cause should bring it to a speedier termination. Of such accidental, or, we might better say, incidental cause, there is a chance in the possible withdrawal of the Northwestern States after a while. They do not profit by the war as do the New England States.--They are not urged on by the demon of fanaticism as are the New England States. They have nothing to fear from the return home of their soldiers, as have the New England States. Reason and interest may, therefore, lead them to dissolve the unholy and unnatural alliance, and withdraw from the bloody and bootless crusade. This would give us peace. The intervention of the Great Powers of Europe is another circumstance to which we may look with reasonable hope. Some time or other, if the war continues, it will come. It may not be as soon as we desire. It may be long deferred. But we have faith--the faith of just deduction from immovable facts--that it will come. And when it comes, it will be potential, all the more for the delay.

From all points of view, our duty is clear. It is to bear resolutely up against all trial; to husband all our resources; to bring every energy to bear; to give all that we have, if needed, and all that we are, to the cause; to make it the burden of our prayers, and the business of our lives, never doubting that success, final and glorious success, will be awarded as when it seems well to the Great Ruler of Nations.

Small Pox--A Dialogue
(Column 3)

Summary: An alleged conversation between a "Town Darkie" and a "Country Darkie" about the presence of small pox in the town.

A Soldier Accidentally Killed
(Column 3)

Summary: Item reports a Confederate officer from South Carolina died after being thrown from his horse in the army camp near Staunton.

The Washington Contrabands--What Will Be Done with Them This Winter?
(Column 4)

Summary: Relates the story of a slave who escaped from his master and appeared at the door of the Washington correspondent for the Express looking for a job. The correspondent implies that the man would be better off in slavery and inquires of the abolitionists what should be done with the contrabands now that winter is approaching.

Origin of Article: New York Express

Bothered About the Negro
(Column 5)

Summary: Reports that even Governor Andrew has refused to take the "contrabands" from Fortress Monroe into his state of Massachusetts.

Origin of Article: New York World

European Recognition
(Column 5)

Summary: Reports that last week's hope that the nations of Europe would recognize the Confederacy is now extinguished. The British now say that they will recognize the Confederacy only after the United States does. The article also states that recognition would do the South little good in any case.

Must Rely upon Ourselves
(Column 5)

Summary: Argues that the South must rely on itself now that the promise of European involvement in the war has not been fulfilled. Urges Southerners to devote all their time, their energies, and their resources to fighting the war.

The Poor of the Town
(Column 6)

Summary: Reports that only two people have responded to the call for a donation of $50 to aid the poor of Staunton. Points out that one of those two people was a "lady," and suggests that if the women of Staunton attempted to elicit donations from the men of the town, a hundred contributors would be found easily.

Married
(Column 6)

Summary: James Lewis and Mary Louisa Palmer were married in Port Republic on October 26. Mary Louisa was the daughter of R. W. Palmer, deceased, of that place.
(Names in announcement: James Allen Lewis, Miss Mary Louisa Palmer, R. W. Palmer)

Died
(Column 6)

Summary: Francis C. Steele, aged 19 years, died near Harrisonburg on May 4. She was the daughter of David Steele, deceased.
(Names in announcement: Miss Frances C. Steele, David Steele)

Died
(Column 6)

Summary: Isaac Burke, aged 78 years, died near McGaheysville on October 3.
(Names in announcement: Isaac Burke)

Died
(Column 6)

Summary: George A. Fair, of Company B, Third Regiment, died in Rockingham County. No cause or date is given.
(Names in announcement: Lieut. George A. Fair)

Died
(Column 6)

Summary: Sophronia Wright, 56 years of age, died on October 30 in Augusta County. She was the consort of Absolom Wright.
(Names in announcement: Sophronia Wright, Absolom Wright)

Died
(Column 6)

Summary: Lieutenant William G. Dudley died on August 28 in the battle of Manassas. He was 24 years of age.
(Names in announcement: Lieutenant William G. Dudley)

Died
(Column 6)

Summary: Captain Edward V. Garber died in the battle of Manassas on August 29. He was 27 years of age and had fought with Company A of the 52nd Virginia. He died leading his company in a charge against the enemy.
(Names in announcement: Captain Edward V. Garber)