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Staunton Spectator: March 3, 1863

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-Page 01-

Description of Page: Page 1 mostly ads. Poem col. 5. Cols. 6 and 7 Legislative and Congressional records.

List of Deserters from the 52nd Regiment of VA. Volunteers.
(Column 1)
Summary: List of deserters from the 52nd regment and their officers.
(Names in announcement: John L. Ayler, William Adolph, John S. Baylor, William Bosserman, J. D. Beard, W. G. Gwinn, David S. Hunter, John T. Hunter, James H. Lamb, Gideon Millstead, John D. Mooney, Richard Mooney, Julias Parish, Samuel Switzer, Charles Carter, Thomas Carter, J. D. Chandler, William Childress, Thomas J. Clark, William H. Evans, James F. Fretwell, Franklin Gardner, John F. Kraft, William H. Herndon, James G. Whitmore, Andrew Williams, A. R. Ross, J. W. Alexander, Alex Bridge, H. Dedrick, D. H. Gay, William Offrighter, Samuel Moses, William H. Clark, Asburry Myers, Gerard McDonaldson, William Diddle, W. Carpenter, D. T. Gale, R. T. Brooks, S. F. Cline, A. Curry, A. S. Fawber, B. Helm, J. Humphrey, William H. Jones, James A. Kershner, W. Miller, G. N. Rogers, Thomas Smith, John C. Sprouse, Samuel Slusser, James M. Vint, Samuel Bosserman, William Flick, E. S. Jones, N. Kerricofe, H. Michael, N. W. Moore, J. Daggy, T. H. Reems, R. Reeves, James Shipp, William Temple, B. J. Randall, John Armstrong, Joseph Cash, James S. Fisher, Robert Clarke, S. Dale, William P. Long, William N. Reed, Joe Lamb, Charles Allen, J. H. Chandler, J. Grant, J. Huffman, A. Knupp, D. Landes, S. Smith, J. Switzer, John Stover, J. Wenger, H. M. Wenger, D. N. Barger, George Clater, William Clater, J. B. Coyner, J. G. Hume, James D. Miller, James M. Marshall, John Pullens, Leonard Showalter, J. Shaner, H. C. Taylor, James Treadmarsh, James A. White, James E. Byrd, Jacob Cason, Patrick Condon, Lawson Campbell, Cornelius Denovant, Henry Elinger, Joseph Ingram, Jacob Jackson, James W. Livick, G. W. Taylor, Henry Wiseman, Henry W. Barracks, John Webber, James W. Swink, John H. Davis, E. P. Grim, Jonathan Hasher, L. B. Kenterson, J. H. Strickler, William N. Strickler, A. C. Stanton, A. M. Burns, H. M. Burns, Alex Curry, P. S. Curry, J. W. Garrison, W. W> Gillespie, J. A. Hupmas, Thomas Jones, J. A. Kesterson, J. M. Miller, J. M. Rider, Samuel Sneed, J. J. Thomas, Thomas Williams, Capt. Robert C. Davis, Lieut. A. J. Thompson, Joshua Joshua Coyner, Capt. A. Airhart, Capt. Thomas H. Watkins, Capt. James Bumgardner, Capt. E. Bateman, James DoldLieut., John M. Humphreys, Lieut Gillet)
Hopelessness of the North in this War.
(Column 5)
Summary: Article alleges that the North is growing tired and disillusioned with the war effort.
Origin of Article: Chicago Times
Full Text of Article:

The North is growing hopeless in this war--everyday shows it. The recent debates in Congress, and the discussion of the more influential of the radical press, show on the part of the North this lack of confidence in its ultimate success. The Chicago "Times," a strong conservative paper, taking this view, says:

The administration have no hope of conquering a peace. A part of the Cabinet never supposed the emancipation proclamation would have any other effect than to bring disaster and defeat. If any part of the Cabinet ever believed it would prove of any practical benefit in the war, they are now undeceived. They now know the utter hopelessness of the war under the proclamation.

Shall Union-loving men be required to give their treasure and blood in a crusade that is not only hopeless, but if the restoration of the Government be its object, is destructive of that object. When this administration acknowledge their defeat, when the abolition leaders in Congress confess that the nation is bankrupt, and success impossible, when the chosen newspaper organ of the party asks in despair for but ninety days more of trial, when the abolition pulpit announces that our destiny is not in our own hands, but in those of "God and the negro," shall we still pile the debt at the rate of $4,500,000 a day, and still send armies to new fields of slaughter.

Every life sacrificed in such a war is a murder by those who carry it on. Under no circumstances can any people be required to give life and treasure in support of a hopeless contest. We have sacrificed enough of blood--we have brought upon ourselves enough of desolation--there are enough of homes where light has gone forever--and our efforts should now be directed where they may reach the purpose for which the war was begun.

We must enforce the will of the people--the obedience due to the constitution--the demand for peace.


How to Meet Lincoln's Negro Army
(Column 5)
Summary: Article reports the Confederate intention to re-enslave any Negroes taking up arms against the South.
Full Text of Article:

On the 10th inst., in the House of Representatives of the Confederate Congress, Mr. Hodge, of Kentucky, obtained leave to introduce the following preamble and resolution:

Whereas, Information has reached this Congress of the passage by the Congress at Washington, D.C., of a bill for the enlistment of negroes, as soldiers, in the armies of the United States, which armies are to be engaged in the further invasion of the Confederate States of America; and, whereas, the Constitution both of the Confederate States and the United States recognize Africans and their descendants as property; and, whereas, we cannot consent to any change in their political status and condition: Therefore,

Resolved, That the Committee on the Judiciary be instruced [sic] to inquire into the expediency of bringing in a bill providing the proper forms for the disposition of all negroes or mulattoes who may be captured from the enemy, in such manner that those of them who are fugitives from their masters may be returned to their rightful owners, and those for whom no master can be found shall be sold into perpetual bondage, for the purpose of raising a fund to reimburse citizens of this confederacy who have lost their slave property by reason of the interference therewith of the enemy.

Mr. Hodge addressed the House in favor of his proposition, afterwhich it was agreed to.


For the Spectator
(Column 7)
Summary: Letter writer praises the benefit concert held at the Presbyterian Church.

-Page 02-

Description of Page: Various battlefield reports. Various items of national news, North and South. Previously tagged religious notice. Col. 7 ads and notices.

Conscription of Three Million
(Column 1)
Summary: Item reports that a conscription bill that will raise an army of 3 million has passed the Yankee Senate. Writer expresses hope that the people of the North will have the courage to resist such a bill.
Concert by the Band
(Column 1)
Summary: Item reports that the Staunton Band will perform a benefit concert in Staunton.
Soldier's Ball
(Column 1)
Summary: Item reports a successful benefit ball held in Odd Fellows Hall on the previous Wednesday.
The Sacred Concert
(Column 1)
Summary: Item reports that $400 was raised by the concert at the Presbyterian Church.
The Impressment of Supplies
(Column 2)
Summary: Item reports that the Confederate military has been impressing food supplies at prices greatly below market value. The Spectator questions the legality of such impressments.
Full Text of Article:

We understand that the military officers have been impressing the grain, meat, & c. of the farmers of this county, and have been allowing them prices greatly below the market value. We do not know that there is any legal authority for such impressments at all, as we know of no provision having been made by Congress for such impressments. We do not believe that persons should be allowed to hoard a surplus of supplies when they are needed for the subsistence of our army, nor do we believe that they should be taken from the owner without allowing him the local market value of them. Any man who has more than is needed for his own family, and who refuses to sell to the Government for the market value in his locality, should have his surplus supplies impressed, and the Government should allow him full and fair compensation. If the Government would do this, there would be no objection to impressments properly made by the proper authorities, and it would be seldom necessary to resort to impressment, for the great majority of farmers would rather sell their supplies to the Government than to private individuals. Let the Government adopt this policy, and there would be no necessity to resort to impressment, except in reference to those who hoarded their products with the view of obtaining a higher price at a future day, and for such there would be no sympathy, and no dissatisfaction with the Government officials created in the community. If the farmers shall have a guarantee that the fruits of their hard labor will not be taken from them at less than a fair compensation they will cultivate as much land as possible, but if they are to be subject to impressments which will not allow them half price for their products, they will not cultivate more land than is necessary to supply their own families. We hope that Congress will pass an impressment bill which will guarantee to the farmers their rights, and we hope, as we believe they will, that the farmers will use extraordinary efforts to raise an increased quantity of all the supplies necessary for the subsistence of our gallant army. The farmers have a great and patriotic duty to perform as well as the soldiers.


The Laurel and Myrtle - War and Love
(Column 2)
Summary: Item calls attention to a personal ad from two of Gen. jackson's soldiers who are looking for female companions.
Full Text of Article:

It will be seen by the communication published below that there are at least two of Gen. Jackson's "tried soldiers" who seem to be anxious to entwine the myrtle with the laurel which decorates their brows. They represent themselves as "good looking, intelligent, refined and tried soldiers," and "expect" their fair correspondents to "possess similar qualifications." This county contains a great many fair and lovely ladies who possess the first three qualities mentioned, but we do not know that it contains any who are "tried soldiers." But these young candidates for matrimony need not be discouraged, for whilst the ladies are not "tried soldiers" they may be willing to try soldiers, for a very general impression prevails that ladies have no power to resist the fascination of military buttons. These "tried soldiers" should remember that, in matrimony, the ladies are never volunteers, but always require to be enlisted and pressed into service. Though they never volunteer, they make the most faithful soldiers, for they never desert.

Camp Winder, Caroline County, Va.,
February 20th, 1863.

MATRIMONY. Two young gentlemen, who are both good-looking, intelligent, refined and tried soldiers of Jackson's army, are desirous of commencing a correspondence with any young ladies who may have a view to matrimony after the adjustment of existing difficulties. Of course the lady is expected to possess similar qualifications.

J.J. SIBERT,
JAS. K. POLK,
Company I, 5th Va.


Burglary and Robbery
(Column 2)
Summary: Item reports that the store of the late Thomas Burwell was robbed.
(Names in announcement: Thomas C. Burwell)
The Exemption Bill
(Column 3)
Summary: Article outlines the provisions of the new exemption bill.
Full Text of Article:

The Exemption Bill was passed by the Senate, on Wednesday last. As it is quite lengthy, and has to undergo the revision of the House of Representatives, we deem it unnecessary to occupy space by publishing it in full. Its provisions differ from those of the act of last session in sev-particulars [sic]. The clause relative to the exemption of those unfit for service in the field provides that their bodily incapacity shall be "ascertained by a surgeon of the army who is not a resident of the part of the country from which those he is called upon to examine may have come." It also provides that persons so examined and declared unfit for duty "shall not be afterwards subject to be again examined and enrolled." How many times have they been examined already?

The clause exempting the judicial and executive officers of the State Governments specifically exempts the Judge of the Supreme, District, Superior, Circuit and Probate Courts, the Chancellors of State Courts, and Sheriffs, and excludes Justices of the Peace.

Persons appointed by the officers of the Executive Departments, since the 16th April, 1862, and who were liable to military service when appointed, are excluded from exemption.

Presidents or conductors of any railroad company, or train, who fail, neglect, or refuse to furnish seats or drinking water to sick and wounded soldiers, not to be exempted.

"One editor of each newspaper now being published, and such journeymen, printers, engineers, pressmen, stenographic reporters and mailing clerks as the editor or proprietor thereof may certify upon oath to be indispensable for conducting the publication," are to be exempted.

Manufacturers of various classes specified, are exempted on condition that the Manufactured articles shall not be sold at a net profit not exceeding thirty per cent. per annum on the net capital invested.

Two new clauses relative to the police of slaves, and to the protection of families not less than ten in number on any farm, are embraced in the bill.

These are the principal changes made in the Exemption Act passed in the last session.


The Radicals on the War
(Column 3)
Summary: Item reports a speech of the ultra-Republican Mr. Conway of Kansas favoring an immediate end to Northern hostilities against the South as well as recognition thereof.
Northwestern Virginia
(Column 4)
Summary: Item reports that the Pierpont Government on West Virginia is in disarray and many of the formerly Unionist West Virginians are agitating against Northern continuation of the war.
Lo the Poor African
(Column 5)
Summary: Item alleges that Negroes carried away by the Yankees in Mississippi have run away and returned to their masters complaining of mistreatment at the hands of the Northerners. Item also reports that the Yankees in Port Royal are conscripting Negro soldiers.
Married
(Column 6)
Summary: Marriage of Rev. Phillips daughter, Agnes, to a Lieutenant from Baltimore.
(Names in announcement: Rev. R. H. Phillips, Rev. Latane, Agnes Gray Phillips)
Married
(Column 5)
Summary: Marriage of John Tisdale and Ann Powers.
(Names in announcement: Rev. C. S. M See, John W. Tisdale, Ann S. Powers)
Married
(Column 6)
Summary: Marriage of Samuel Lotts and Margaret Corby.
(Names in announcement: Rev. Joshua R. Wheeler, Samuel Lotts, Margaret C. Corby)
Marriage
(Column 6)
Summary: Marriage of George Leech and Martha Parr.
(Names in announcement: George V. Leech, George M. Brady, Martha V. Parr)
Died
(Column 6)
Summary: Death of George Paris.
(Names in announcement: George Paris)
Died
(Column 6)
Summary: Death of Alice C. Birch.
(Names in announcement: Lewis Bumgardner, Alice C. Birch)