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Staunton Spectator: August 11, 1863 Go To Page : 1 | 2 |

The Pearly Gates Ajar
(Column 5)

Summary: Poem about Christ's sacrifice and the promise of Heaven.

The Morgan Raid
(Column 5, 6)

Summary: Describes General Morgan's exploits in Ohio. The article is based on a journal kept by Lt. Col. Alston, Gen. Morgan's Chief of Staff, and it provides valuable insight into the day-to-day existence of the troops on this ill-fated excursion into Ohio.

Origin of Article: The Kentucky Loyalist

Editorial Comment: "The subjoined is copied from the Kentucky Loyalist, of July 11. The Loyalist, we think, is published in Lexington, Ky. That paper says: "

[No Title]
(Column 6)

Summary: Describes the capture of a Union soldier in Tazewell County by a pair of heroic Southern maidens.

Origin of Article: Examiner

Full Text of Article:

During the retreat of the Yankees thro' Tazewell county in their late unprofitable raid on Wytheville one of their number fell behind on Bluestone, and was met in the road by Misses Martha and Nannie Hendrickson, daughters of John Hendrickson, a refugee from the county of Fayette. Miss Martha ordered the Yankee to deliver up his gun, which he refused to do: not in the least daunted, this brave young lady advanced upon him, and siezing [sic] his gun, gave him a peremptory order to surrender. This he did, and the two noble girls marched him to the house of the nearest neighbor, and kept him closely guarded for five and six hours, until some of our soldiers, in pursuit of the Yankees, relieved them of their prisoner.

Such is a plain, unvarnished statement of a fact that adds one more item to the long list of noble deeds performed by the daughters of the South in this war. After the pursuit of the Yankees was abandoned by our forces north of Abb's valley, John Marrs pursued them alone for several miles, killing two, wounding several, and capturing eight or nine horses.

To Colonel May, of Kentucky, and his brave men, the country owes a debt of gratitude for the bold and determined manner in which he kept up the pursuit from the beginning to the end of the chase. He pursued them steadily for seventy-five miles, without eating or sleeping, fought them twice, killing seven, wounding many more, capturing 27 prisoners, and over one hundred horses, without losing a man. --[Examiner].

The Industry Of Southern Women
(Column 6)

Summary: As part of a tribute to the industry of Southern women and their efforts to support the war effort, this article comments on the willingness of Southern women to work in the field and manufacture their own textiles.

Origin of Article: A letter from Lincoln County, Tennessee

Editorial Comment: "A letter from Lincoln County, Tennessee, says:"

Full Text of Article:

On the small farms throughout this section all is life, activity and industry. Many a woman who never before held a plow, is now seen in the corn-field--many a young girl who would have blushed at the thought before of handling a plow-line, now naturally and unconsciously cries, "gee up Dobbin," to the silvery tones of which the good brute readily responds, as if it were a pleasure to comply with so gentle a command.--Many a Ruth, as of old, is today binding and gleaning in the wheat-field, but, alas! no Bess is there to console or to comfort. The picture of the rural soldier's home is at this time but a picure [sic] of primitive life. Throughout the country, at every farm house and cottage, the regular sound of the loom, as the shuttle flies to and fro, with the whirl of the spinning wheel, is heard, telling of home industry. Cotton fabrics, of neat, pretty figures, the production of home manufacture, are now almost wholly worn in Tennessee, instead of calicoes.

To The Soldiers Of The Confederate States
(Column 7)

Summary: President Jefferson Davis's warns of the dire consequences of a Northern victory in the war. He assures his countrymen that "The victory is within your reach. You need but stretch forth your hands to grasp it."

Full Text of Article:

After more than two years of warfare scarcely equalled in the number, magnitude and fearful carnage of its battles--a warfare in which your courage and fortitude have illustrated your country and attracted not only gratitude at home, but admiration abroad--your enemies continue to struggle in which our final triumph must be inevitable. Unduly elated with their recent successes, they imagine that temporary reverses can quell your spirit or shake your determination, and they are now gathering heavy masses for a general invasion in the vain hope that by a despearte [sic] effort success may at length be reached.

You know too well, my countrymen, what they mean by success. Their malignant rage aims at nothing less than the extermination of yourselves, your wives and children. They seek to destroy what they cannot plunder. They propose as the spoils of victory that your homes shall be partitioned among the wretches whose atrocious cruelties have stamped infamy on their Government. They design to incite servile insurrection and light the fires of incendiarism whenever they can reach your homes, and they debauch the inferior race, hitherto docile and contented, by promising indulgence of the vilest passions as the price of treachery. Conscious of their inability to prevail by legitimate warfare, not daring to make peace lest they should be buried from their seats of power, the men who now rule in Washington refuse even to confer on the subject of putting an end to outrages which disgrace our age, or to listen to a suggestion for conducting the war according to the usages of civilization.

Fellow citizens, no alternative is left you but victory, or subjugation, slavery, and the utter ruin of yourselves, your families, and your country. The victory is within your reach.--You need but stretch forth your hands to grasp it. For this and all that is necessary is that those who are called to the field by every motive that can move the human heart, should promptly repair to the post of duty, should stand by their comrades now in front of the foe, and thus so strengthen the armies of the Confederacy as to ensure success. The men now absent from their posts would, if present in the field, suffice to create numerical equality between our force and that of the invaders--and when with any approach to such equality have we failed to be victorious? I believe that but few of those absent are actuated by unwillingness to serve their country; but that many have found it difficult to resist the temptation of a visit to their homes and the loved ones from whom they have been so long separated; that others have left for temporary attention to their affairs with the intention of returning, and then have shrunk from the consequences of their violation of duty; that others again have left their posts from mere restlessness and desire of change, each quieting the upbraidings of his conscience, by persuading himself that his individual services could have no influence on the general result. These and other causes (although far less disgraceful than the desire to avoid danger, or to escape from the sacrifices required by patriotism,) are nevertheless, grievous faults, and place the cause of our beloved country, and of everything we hold dear, is imminent peril. I repeat, that the men who now owe duty to their country, who have been called out and who have not yet reported for duty, or who have absented themselves from their posts, are sufficient in number to secure as victory in the struggle now impending.

I call on you, then, my countrymen, to hasten to your camps, in obedience to the dictator of honor and of duty, and summon those who have absented themselves without leave, or who have remained absent beyond the period allowed by their furloughs, to repair, without delay, to their respective commands; and I do hereby declare that I grant a general pardon and amnesty to all officers and men within the Confederacy, now absent without leave, who shall, with the least possible delay, return to their proper posts of duty; but no excuse will be received for any delay beyond twenty days after the first publication of this proclamation in the State in which the absentee may be at the date of the publication. This amnesty and pardon shall extend to all who have been accused of, or who have been convicted and are undergoing sentence for, absence without leave or desertion, excepting only those who have been twice convicted of desertion.

Finally, I conjure my countrywomen--the wives, mothers, sisters and daughters--of the Confederacy, to use their all-powerful influence in aid of this call, to add one crowning sacrifice to those which their patriotism has so freely and constantly offered on their country's altar, and to take care that none who owe service in the field shall be sheltered at home, from the disgrace of having deserted their duty to their families, to their country, and to their God.

Given under my hand, and the seal of the Confederate States, at Richmond, this 1st day of August, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three.

SEAL.

[No Title]
(Column 1)

Summary: Warns of a possible invasion of the Valley.

Full Text of Article:

There is considerable excitement here in anticipation of a visit from the Yankee in considerable force from the West. Preparations are being made to meet them.

Stragglers and Deserters
(Column 1)

Summary: Alerts the public to President Davis's call for all soldiers to return to their regiments and criticizes the disloyalty of soldiers who shirk their military duty. The article also notifies the public that anyone who claims to be on a furlough (unless a sick furlough) is probably a deserter or a straggler.

Full Text of Article:

We would invite the attention of the public generally, and of stragglers and deserters from the army particularly, to the appeal from their posts of duty, to return immediately, and avail themselves of the pardon granted to all who will return to their commands by the 20th of this month. All who return by that time will be pardoned, and those who refuse to do so will be punished as deserters. All who are in confinement will be released and returned to their respective commands. Those who were confined in Castle Thunder in Richmond, 1080 in number, have been released, and sent rejoicing to join their commands in the field. To stragglers and deserters, the time between this and the 20th instant, is a period of jubilee, in which their bonds are broken and the stigma of disgrace erased from their characters, if they return promptly, as they should to their commands. To those who fail to avail themselves of the privilege thus granted, but little, if any, mercy will be shown. If there be any stragglers or deserters in this section of the State, we would appeal to them, as they value their characters, love their country, and dread ignominious punishment, to return at once to their posts of duty. There are soldiers improperly absent from their commands, perhaps quite a number, who do not see or read the newspapers at their homes, and if left to that source of information alone, will not he informed of the President's address; or, if they are, will hear of it too late to respond fully to the appeal, by returning to their respective commands in time to avail themselves of the pardon, which it proffers.

We would, therefore, in the language of a correspondent of the "Sentinel," suggest "that the old and influential citizens of the country, who take the newspapers, or who become otherwise informed as to the character and terms of this address, proceed without delay to make it known in their respective neighborhoods throughout the Confederacy. Let them, as a sacred duty, give the information to every soldier and officer improperly absent from the army whom they may see; and, if necessary, make it their special business to seek such soldiers at their homes, to read to them the address, urge on them its importance, and to furnish those who may need it (if any) with the means of transportation to rejoin their commands. If this be done at once, in every neighborhood, not only will these soldiers get this information with certainty and in proper time, but the influence and weight of character of the old men of the whole community, will be brought to bear practically in aid of the President's address.

Stragglers and deserters take advantage of the universal sympathy of our people for the soldiers, and impose upon them. An Aid of one of our distinguished Generals, in writing to the editor of the "Enquirer" upon the subject, says: "Let the people be warned that in feeding any straggling soldier, they may be aiding desertion, certainly encouraging a vice nearly as bad practically--that of straggling. Let them be informed that no matter how plausible the tale of the straggler, it is always false; and designed to deceive the unwary.--No good soldier is ever separated from his command, unless from sickness, or on furlough, or under orders. When from the first cause, provision is made for the transportation of such as are unable to walk; and if any are found away from the army, and not in charge of the persons designated to take care of the sick, be assured that absentees are stragglers. In the second case, no man ever straggles when going home on furlough; and, besides, no man gets a furlough now; so that any soldier who pretends to have a furlough (unless a sick furlough) is probably a deserter, certainly a straggler. In the third case, (absence under orders) the orders will show why the soldier is absent; and when thus absent he is nearly always accompanied by a commissioned or noncommissioned officer.

From The Valley
(Column 1)

Summary: Notifies the public that the enemy has left the lower portion of the Valley and pays tribute to Capt. McNeill's ability to come off a winner in every game he plays with the Yankees.

News Of General Morgan
(Column 1)

Summary: Presents further information on the fate and general circumstances of General Morgan and describes the visit of Gov. Todd and Gen. Mason to the General during his transit to the Ohio Penitentiary.

From Lee's Army
(Column 2)

Summary: Reports on the high morale and preparedness of Lee's army and notifies readers that there have been few recent skirmishes. However, the article assures the public that, if and when Meade decides to engage General Lee, he will be soundly defeated. "Our boys are now on Southern soil and are determined to avenge their repulse at Gettysburg."

Full Text of Article:

With the exception of the skirmishes which occurred on Saturday week and Tuesday last at Brandon, in Culpeper, in which the enemy were repulsed, there has been no news of interest from the army of Gen. Lee. The Lynchburg Republican reports the substance of a letter from a very reliable officer in Lee's army which contains the gratifying intelligence that the ranks of our forces are being daily filled with returning volunteers, that the spirit of the troops is first-rate, and that shoes and clothing are being furnished those deficient in such articles in abundance. He thinks that Meade is not yet in a condition to give us battle, and that when he does venture upon that experiment, Lee will whip him badly.

We think it will be some time before Meade will throw down the guantlet [sic] for battle to Gen. Lee, and we confidently believe that when he shall do so that he will be defeated. Our boys are now on Southern soil and are determined to avenge their repulse at Gettysburg.

From James River
(Column 2)

Summary: Describes the resistance offered to defend the James River against the incursion of a Union flotilla that attempted to navigate the river. The article presents vivid details of the action (including the use of a torpedo) and the eventual repulsion of the enemy.

The Ladies Forever
(Column 2)

Summary: Describes the prodigious efforts of the women of Greenville, who have furnished the sick and wounded soldiers with large supplies of provisions. The article pays tribute to women and declares that "This would be a poor world without the kind ministration of the ladies."

Editorial Comment: "This would be a poor world without the kind ministration of the ladies. The poet has truly said:"

Full Text of Article:

"The world was sad, the garden was a wild,
And man, the hermit, sighed till woman smiled."

The good ladies of Greenville and vicinity have, upon several occasions, furnished the sick and wounded soldiers in this place with large supplies of provisions, such as bread, pies, bacon, chickens, honey, butter, vegetables, &c., &c. These articles were all of the very best quality, and such as to make some of the well almost wish they were sick or wounded that they might partake of some of them. It has been so long since some of us have tasted chicken that we have forgotten whether they are fish, flesh, or fowl.

The Yankees
(Column 2)

Summary: Alerts readers to the behavior of the Northern troops moving through the Valley. The article also mentions that more than 50,000 runaway slaves are currently in and around Washington and that Lincoln is enrolling them for service in the war.

Full Text of Article:

The Yankees are reported to be burning the wheat and destroying everything in the line or reach of their march. They are arresting citizens, and many are fleeing leaving their wives and children. Meade's Headquarters are said to be at Catlett's station and Sedgewick's at Warrenton.

A gentleman from Washington, Wednesday, says that 50,000 runaway negroes are around the city. Lincoln is enrolling the negroes, free and slave, in Maryland.

Our Heirs Forever
(Column 3)

Summary: Disagrees with the sentiment of the Enquirer, which argued that, at the worst, the Southern states would have to go back into the Union as it was and with the Constitution as it is. In rebuttal, the author cites an article in the New York Times that states that an act that would legalize the confiscation of Confederate property is about to be considered by the Congress.

Full Text of Article:

If any short-sighted Confederates, of feeble knees and pallid livers, says the Enquirer, have been deluding themselves with the idea that in case of subjugation by our enemy, the worst that could happen to us would be merely to go back into the "Union as it was," with the "Constitution as it is," &c., it is time for them to awake from that dream. For us, in case of being overcome in the field, there is to be no Constitution and no law. The entire possession of the whole Southern country, with every house and estate; the absolute fee-simple of all the land, with its "woods and waters, mills and fishings, to have and to hold unto Yankees, their heirs and assigns," this is the prize for which our enemy fights, and without the prospect of which he would not strike another lick. To fully attain this, it will be necessary for the Yankees to abolish the Constitution entirely, so far as regards us Confederates. We must be left without rights, without legal remedies, an inferior race creeping on the face of our own land. To make all ready for this sweeping operation (which they think they will be in condition to enforce some time next winter) the Yankee legislators, it seems, are preparing an ingenious law. The design of this law is thus explained by the N. York "Times":

"The Confiscation Act.--The question of an amendment to the Confiscation act, so that the property of traitors once confiscated shall pass from them and their heirs forever, is being discussed by Congressmen, and will be brought up early in the next session. The law is now construed that after the death of the traitor, the estate reverts to his heirs, which renders the intended working of the act practically void."

Engagement On James River--Explosion Of A Torpedo
(Column 4)

Summary: Provides further details of a series of military engagements on the James River in which Union vessels came under heavy fire from the shore. The Union ships were struck by two Confederate torpedoes, which caused them to beat a hasty retreat.

Origin of Article: The Richmond Enquirer

A Raid Prevented
(Column 4)

Summary: Facing a numerically superior force preparing for offensive measures, Col. Wm. L.Jackson initiated a successful attack on the enemy and would have captured the Union forces if a calvary unit, equal in number to Jackson's whole command, hadn't arrived on the scene. Despite having to withdraw, the Southern forces managed to extract a heavy cost on the enemy with minimal losses. These losses were reported as nine killed and wounded, including Liut. Wm. Harris.

Origin of Article: Richmond Sentinel

Mississippi
(Column 4)

Summary: Reports on the claim from Alabama that "some Yankee officers . . . with a gang of negroes" whipped a woman named Mrs. M. R. Fort for four hours "to make her tell where her money could be found. Despite her protestations that she had no money the beating resulted in her death."

Origin of Article: The Montgomery Mail

Editorial Comment: "Two gentlemen from Canton, communicate the following instance of Yankee barbarity to the editor of the Montgomery 'Mail.'"

Treasury Notes
(Column 4)

Summary: Reports on the increasing reluctance of some individuals to accept Confederate Treasury notes issued before December 1st, 1862. The article encourages the holders of these notes to discount the actions of a few persons, "who ought to know better and act more wisely," and to continue to use these notes in good faith and confidence.

Full Text of Article:

Since the 1st August, the Treasury notes issued on and before December 1st, 1862, (generally known as "old issue,") have been refused by a number of persons, who formerly received them. The only reason for this refusal is the fact that the said notes ceased to be fundable on the 1st inst., and, furthermore, because some of the brokers had stopped buying them; but holders should remember that they are as "good" for paying taxes due to the Confederate Government as any other money, gold not excepted. Therefore, let no one be alarmed by the rejection of those notes by a few persons, who ought to know better and act more wisely.

Reported Resignation of Gen. Price.
(Column 4)

Summary: Reports on the resignation of General Sterling Price from his command in Arkansas. The article alleges that the General resigned because he was unable to receive from President Davis the position to which he was entitled by his military service.

Origin of Article: The Montgomery Mail

Yankee Admissions
(Column 4)

Summary: Cites a report in an unnamed New York paper that states that Union forces lost at least sixteen generals at the battle of Gettysburg. In addition to the officers, the Union army appears to have lost twice as many men as the South did.

Full Text of Article:

A New York paper admits the loss at Gettysburg of 16 Generals, and according to some accounts 18, killed, wounded or prisoners, and that the aggregate losses on both sides were about equal, say 25,000 each. This is equivalent to an admission of double our loss. An officer writes, that of the 1st Minnesota regiment, 87 out of 220 are left; and that of the brigade of 2,100, only 400 rations were drawn after the battle, and that was more than were needed.

Camp In The Field
(Column 5)

Summary: This letter from a soldier requests that all able-bodied Commissaries, Quartermasters, Clerks and public agents be called to active service. Their places should be filled by maimed soldiers and men over the age of 45.

Full Text of Article:

[From the Richmond Sentinel]

As we need soldiers just at this time, allow me to suggest the propriety of calling into service the thousands of able-bodied Commissaries, Quartermasters, Clerks and public agents, generally, who are snugly and profitably (to themselves) out of harm's way, and let their places be filled by maimed soldiers and men over the age of 45. I suppose there are not less than 30,000 able bodied men now employed in this way, who are under as much obligation to carry a musket as we are; and who could be as well spared. Among them are many who were real "blood and thunder" gentry just before the war opened, but have taken remarkably good care of their precious bodies ever since. many of them are also distinguished for criticising our military movements, and volunteering suggestions to our military authorities, as to what should be done in in [sic] certain contingencies. They are also famous for urging aggressive movements, such as invasions, storming of strong positions, and the like, well knowing that they will be in the rear while there is danger, but taking good care to go to the front when the enemy is routed, and pick up the nice spoils that we have fought for and won.

Let them be brought out, Mr. Sentinel, let them be brought out; justice demands it.

A SOLDIER.

Soldiers vs. Deserters
(Column 5)

Summary: While praising the loyal soldier who continues to shoulder his heavy burden in defense of the nation, this article castigates those soldiers who are shirking their responsibilities. The author also argues that "Those who feed them, harbour them, or who, knowing of them, do not promptly inform the proper authority, partake of their crime, and stab their country."

Full Text of Article:

On the real soldier the country should, and will, shower its blessings and rewards. But he must be the real soldier; he who remains at his post; he who asks few furloughs, and is never absent without leave; who never straggles on the march; who does not skulk from the fire; who is seen in the ranks of the army or in the hospital, but never at home, never in the wayside house, never in the cities, unless with a broken limb. To him be honor and reward, the first places of the nation will be his by right when his work shall be finished--not before and not otherwise.

But what is the due of those wretches who straggle to rob and beg, who skulk or are sickly at every pinch, who are visible here, there, and everywhere, except in their companies when the roll is called? Are they entitled to any part of the consideration due to their comrades in the camp? Is it not a cruel robbery of the brave and true to call them soldiers? Their name is deserter, the vilest of malefactors! As such they should be treated, by every man and every woman, and every child, every civil and every military functionary. The house that gives such a one shelter is disgraced. Those who feed them, harbour them, or who, knowing of them, do not promptly inform the proper authority, partake of their crime, and stab their country.--[Examiner.

Married
(Column 5)

Summary: John H. Johnson, of Co. G 22d Georgia regiment, and Miss Eliza A. Johnston, of Staunton, Virginia married on August 4.
(Names in announcement: Rev. Mr. Dice, John H. Johnson, Miss Eliza A. Johnston)

Married
(Column 5)

Summary: John H. Crawford, of Augusta County, and Mrs. Emily C. Zirkle, of Shenandoah County, Virginia were married on August 3.
(Names in announcement: Rev. Dr. John P. Hyde, Rev. Dr. Julius Stirewault, Liut. John H. Crawford, Mrs. Emily C. Zirkle)

Married
(Column 5)

Summary: Mr. Joseph P. Caldwell, of Richmond, and Miss Mary E. Day, daughter of John Day of Staunton, were married on August 9.
(Names in announcement: Rev. Geo. B. Taylor, Mr. Joseph P. Caldwell, Miss Mary E. Day, Mr. John Day)

Married
(Column 5)

Summary: Mr. John A. Durgin, of Richmond, and Miss Cornelia Day, daughter of Mr. John Day of Staunton, were married on August 9.
(Names in announcement: Rev. Geo. B. Taylor, Mr. John A. Durgin, Miss Cornelia Day, Mr. John Day)

Married
(Column 5)

Summary: Mr. William W. Humphreys and Miss Mary E. Layne were married in Staunton on August 10th.
(Names in announcement: Rev. S. D. Stuart, Mr. William W. Humphreys, Miss Mary E. Layne, Mr. John Day)

Married
(Column 5)

Summary: Mr. John H. Newcomb, C.S.A., of Stokes County, N. C., and Miss Mary C. Burford, of Augusta County, were married on August 6th by Rev. William E. Baker.
(Names in announcement: Rev. Wm. E. Baker, Mr. John H. NewcombC. S. A., Miss Mary C. Burford)

Died
(Column 5)

Summary: Charlie, infant son of Joseph N. and A.J. Woodward, died on July 27th of pneumonia at age 4 months and 10 days.
(Names in announcement: Charlie Woodward, Joesph N. Woodward, A. J. Woodward)

Died
(Column 5)

Summary: Marshall, son of F.M. and M.S. Young, died on August 2nd at age 7 years and 7 months.
(Names in announcement: Marshall Young, F. M. Young, M. S. Young)

Died
(Column 5)

Summary: James Hamilton, youngest son of James and Sarah Joseph, died on the 4th of July of cholera infantum at age eighteen months.
(Names in announcement: James Hamilton Joseph, James Joseph, Sarah Joseph)

Died
(Column 5)

Summary: Baily Shumate died at his home near Parnassus on November 1, 1862. He was seventy-four years old, and no cause of death is listed.
(Names in announcement: Baily Shumate)

Died
(Column 5)

Summary: John B. Shumate died at his father's home near Parnassus. He was twenty-three years old, and no cause of death is listed.
(Names in announcement: John B. Shumate)