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Staunton Spectator: March 31, 1863 Go To Page : 1 | 2 |

Legislature
(Column 5)

Summary: Legislative records make mention of a motion made by Bolivar Christian.
(Names in announcement: Bolivar Christian)

For the Editor
(Column 7)

Summary: Letter from Lieut. James A. Dold.
(Names in announcement: Lt. James A. Dold)

Trailer: James A. Dold

For the Spectator
(Column 7)

Summary: Item thanks Augusta ladies for donation.
(Names in announcement: Mrs. Mary A. Koiner, Mrs. A. V. Seig, Col. J. H. S. Funk)

Trailer: J. H. S. Funk

The Impressment Bill
(Column 1)

Summary: Item calls attention to and comments on the Impressment bill, which legalizes impressment but gurantees just compensation.

Concert at the Presbyterian Church
(Column 1)

Summary: Item reports that the Concert at the Presbyterian Church was a success and raised $450 for the war effort.

The Vindicator Says
(Column 2)

Summary: The Spectator responds to charges made by the Vindicator regarding the strength of the Spectator's opposition to Reconstruction.

The Virginia Hotel
(Column 2)

Summary: Notice calls attention to a change in proprietorship at the Virginia Hotel.
(Names in announcement: William H. Peyton, T. P. Peyton, Eugene Peyton)

From Arkansas
(Column 2)

Summary: Article reports on a letter written from Arkansas to her sister in Staunton regarding the alleged massive desertion among Northern troops in Arkansas.

Sentenced to Death
(Column 2)

Summary: Item reports that Capt. Webster commissioned under the Pierpont Government in West Virginia is sentenced to hang for violating his parole.

Physicians
(Column 2)

Summary: Item reports that Physicians have raised their rates.

Proceedings of the Baltimore Conference
(Column 4)

Summary: Item reports proceeding of the Baltimore Conference held in Augusta Co.

An Act to Regulate Impressments
(Column 5)

Summary: Transcript of the Impressment Act.

Full Text of Article:

We publish in this issue the Impressment Bill as it passed both Houses of Congress, and congratulate the producers on having a law passed which guarantees to them "just compensation" for whatever may be impressed. We would advise all concerned to preserve this copy of the "Spectator" containing it, as they may wish to refer to it at a future time. Now that Congress has passed a bill legalizing impressments, and guaranteeing "just compensation," it becomes the duty of producers to yield cheerful compliance with its requisitions, and to prepare to raise as much of all kinds of products as possible for the subsistence of the army and the people generally. We hope every farmer will now do his duty, by raising as much corn and oats, and as many potatoes, beans, and vegetables of all kinds, as possible. He should, also, raise as many cattle, sheep and hogs as he can. Let there be a generous and active rivalry among our farmers, each striving to excel the other in the amount of his products. There is now every reason why the farmer should raise all he can. The motives of interest, patriotism and humanity all combine in urging him to use his best efforts to produce an abundance of all the necessaries of life. It is his individual interest to do so, because he will receive "just compensation" for all his products that may be impressed, and that will guarantee to him a good price. There never was such an opportunity offered to farmers before to make money. If they do not make a great deal of money out of the next crop, it will be because they have neglected to raise one. They have nothing now to dread at the hands of impressment officers, and by raising good crops they will advance their own interests and soon have the pleasure of handling nearly as much money as a Quartermaster. Patriotism invokes the farmers to raise a plenteous harvest; for the soldiers in the field, who are fighting for the liberty and independence of our country, must be supplied with a sufficiency of food, and for this supply they are wholly dependent upon the farmers.

Humanity appeals to the farmer to speed the plough and increase his crops; for widows and orphans, whose husbands and fathers have sacrificed their lives upon the altar of their country's defence, must have meat and bread, and unless the farmer raises the necessary supplies, gaunt famine will cross the thresholds of many houses, and inflict suffering inconceivable upon innocent women and children.

There is no reason why there should be even scarcity, much less want, in this country of genial climate and productive soil. If there shall be not only a sufficiency but an abundance, in this country [illegible] be the fault of the farmers who work the land, but fail to use the means to make it fruitful. They will be unprofitable servants who buried the talent which had been confided to them. A great responsibility now rests upon the farmers, and we hope and believe that they will acquit themselves as they should. We look to the farmers with hope and confidence.

Announcement
(Column 6)

Summary: Item announces John B. Baldwin's candidacy for Congress for the eleventh district.

Died
(Column 6)

Summary: Death of Margaret E. Lucado.
(Names in announcement: Capt. Roberts, Mrs. Margaret E. Lucado, Capt. P. O. Palmer)

Died
(Column 6)

Summary: Death of Lt. George H. Mitchell.
(Names in announcement: Lt. George H. Mitchell)

Not a Deserter
(Column 6)

Summary: Robert Eddins objects to his being listed among the deserters of Capt. Garber's company.
(Names in announcement: A. W. Garber, Robert Eddins)

The Opening Campaign
(Column 7)

Summary: Item asserts that the upcoming battles are going to be desperate and decisive.