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Staunton Spectator: September 8, 1863 Go To Page : 1 | 2 |

Letter From Mr. Rives
(Column 5-7)

Summary: Provides an encouraging appraisal of the state of the war and draws on historical precedent to forecast a successful conclusion of the current hostilities. Especially interesting is the summary of the various advantages possessed by the Northern forces at the outset of the war.

Origin of Article: Richmond Whig

Editorial Comment: "We are permitted to make public the following letter from Mr. Rives to a well known gentleman of Lynchburg. It is as encouraging in its opinions and its historical citations, as it is elegant in style and noble and patriotic in sentiment. Its appearance, too, is fortunately timed, and it cannot be without the happiest effect on the public mind. It would be well if a copy of it should fall under the eye of every citizen of the Confederate States, and we are sure that our contemporaries of the Press will gladly aid in giving it the widest circulation:"

The Dark Days Of The Revolution
(Column 7)

Summary: Continuing the themes raised in Mr. Rives's letter, this article focuses on the lessons and morals to be gained from a study of the American Revolution.

Yankee Concern For The Negroes
(Column 7)

Summary: Reports on the dismal state of African-Americans behind the Union lines in the western theatre of the war. The article seeks to document a lack of concern for their well-being on the part of the Northern forces.

Editorial Comment: "A Yankee correspondent writing from Nashville, makes the following statement:"

Full Text of Article:

I regret to hear from trustworthy sources, that the contrabands in the Western part of the State within our lines, and especially those further down on the Mississippi, are suffering much from want of proper food, medicine and sanitary arrangements. The enlisted negroes are doing very well, but the negro camps of refugees--women, old men and children--are in a sad condition; disease and disorder prevailing, and the poor creatures dying by the hundreds. No one seems to have any supervision over or concern for them.

The Yankee Raid--How Defeated--Their Retreat And Loss
(Column 1)

Summary: Describes a series of military encounters that took place in Pendleton, Highland and Pocahontas counties in West Virginia. The article details the extraordinary efforts of the Confederate forces under the command of Col. Patton against a numerically superior force under the command of Gen. Averill. It also provides a running account of the skirmishes and compares the losses of the two forces.

Charleston
(Column 2)

Summary: Offers an encouraging report on the current situation at Charleston, South Carolina. The article claims that Union efforts to seize the city have been stymied and that Confederate ironclads will soon arrive to break the blockade.

From Tennessee
(Column 2)

Summary: Reports on the war in eastern Tennessee.

Origin of Article: Lynchburg Republican

Editorial Comment: "Military movements of great interest are now taking place in Tennessee.--Knoxville has been evacuated by our troops and is now occupied by the enemy."

From The Rappahannock
(Column 2)

Summary: Reports on recent efforts by Unions troops to regain possession of two of their gunboats, the Reliance and Satellite. These were recently captured by Confederate forces and dismantled at Port Royal on the Rappahannock River. Union attempts to recapture the boats led to a spirited exchange of artillery, but the efforts were ultimately unsuccessful.

Origin of Article: Richmond Whig

Deserters' Executed
(Column 2)

Summary: Announces the execution of ten deserters from company H, 3rd N. C. Infantry. These men were involved in the murder near Scottsville of Adjt. Mallet, who attempted to capture them. The article also mentions the recent execution of five substitute deserters from Meade's army on August 29th.

Relief Of The Poor
(Column 3)

Summary: Describes the suffering of the South's poor and criticizes those who "grind the faces of the poor" in pursuit of profits. The article recommends the enactment of a tax on the wealthy that will provide for the maintenance of the poor in their midst. There is an additional post script that announces that the Town Council has enacted the desired measure.

Full Text of Article:

In these times of high prices, speculation and extortion, the condition of the poor is pitiable in the extreme. We have unfortunately in our midst, as in all other communities, those heartless wretches who, to make money in haste, hesitate not to "grind the faces of the poor." Those who have nothing to sell and everything to buy are at the mercy of those who have the articles they need, whether they be provisions for clothing or fuel. The merchants and farmers can retaliate upon each other, but those who have nothing to sell are between the upper an nether millstone. Something should be done for the relief of this unfortunate class. There are many in it who, this winter, will be unable to supply themselves with the necessaries of life. We should not rely upon voluntary contributions, because they impose all the burden upon the kind and generous, whilst the close-fisted, though they may be much more able to give, do nothing for the relief of the poor.--The best way to equalize the burden is to impose a tax for the special purpose of relieving the wants of the needy, and to tax each in proportion to his means.

P. S.--Since the above was written, the Town Council, we are pleased to see, has taken such action as is recommended in the above. See ordinance published in our advertising columns.

The Legislature
(Column 2)

Summary: Discussion of the current extra legislative session, with special emphasis on the actions taken to expand the militia and broaden the pool of potential enlistees.

Mr. Rives' Letter
(Column 3)

Summary: Draws the attention of the public to Mr. Rives' letter of encouragement and describes the letter's author as a man of "talents and advanced age."

Sad Mistake
(Column 3)

Summary: Bemoaning a "sad mistake," this article details the sinking of the steamer Sumpter from friendly fire.

Lincoln
(Column 3)

Summary: Discusses a letter written by Abraham Lincoln that asserts that there are only three ways to secure peace: by force of arms; by giving up the union; and by compromise. The letter goes on to rule out the latter means, since "no propositions of compromise have been made by the Confederate authorities."

Home Defense
(Column 3)

Summary: Announces the organization of companies for home defense at Fisherville, Mint Spring, and Middlebrook. The article recommends that companies be formed immediately and elections of officers be delayed until the next Court day.

Full Text of Article:

A company for Home Defence was organized on Saturday last, at Fishersville, in the Waynesboro Magisterial District, and also one on the same day, at Mint Spring, in the Greenville Magisterial District, and also on the same day one at Middlebrook. This county, we think, will soon have a regiment.--Roll on the ball that the regiment may be organized by the next Court day.--Riase [sic] the companies at once and let the officers on next Court day elect regimental officers.

Post-Offices
(Column 4)

Summary: Complains of poor service at Post Offices and attributes the problem to "too many keepers to be well kept." This bloated workforce not only reduces the number of men available for military service, but also increases the possibility of mismanagement.

The Northern Draft
(Column 4)

Summary: Members of New York's German community criticized the draft as "a cruel and inhuman measure." A mass meeting held on August 27th decided to travel to Albany, N.Y. in hopes of receiving relief from Governor Seymour.

Died
(Column 4)

Summary: Announcment of the death of Mary Ann Kinney at her son's residence on August 27, 1863 after a weeks' illness. She was the daughter of George Fisher of Richmond and the widow of N. C. Kinney.
(Names in announcement: A. F. Kinney, Mary Ann Kinney, N. F. Kinney, George Fisher)

Died
(Column 4)

Summary: Byron Miller died of diphtheria at the home of Mr. D. D. Koiner near Waynesboro. Byron Miller was the son of Lieut. Ira Miller and Susan E. Miller and died just short of his eighth birthday.
(Names in announcement: Mr. D. D. Koiner, Byron Miller, Lieut. Ira Miller, Susan E. Miller)

Died
(Column 4)

Summary: Mary Elizabeth Ball died at North Garden, Albermarle County, on August 5th at just over nine years old. She was the second daughter of Charles H. and Harriet Ball.
(Names in announcement: Mary Elizabeth Ball, Charles H. Ball, Harriet Ball)

Died
(Column 4)

Summary: Announces the death of George Ella Ball, the third daughter of the same parents mentioned previously, at the age of six years, seven months, and twenty-five days on August 11th.
(Names in announcement: George Ella Ball)

Died
(Column 4)

Summary: Announces the death of Kate Ellen Ball, the youngest daughter of the same parents mentioned previously, at the age of four years, six months, and five days on August 25th.
(Names in announcement: Kate Ellen Ball)

Died
(Column 4)

Summary: Announces the death of Charles H. Ball on August 16th. He was the father of the children mentioned previously, and he also died of dyptheria. He was the son of Mr. Samuel Ball of Richmond.
(Names in announcement: Charles H. Ball, Mr. Samuel Ball)

Died
(Column 4)

Summary: Announces the death of Henry Briscoe Stofer of consumption at Kingsport, Tennessee on June 10th, although it is noted that he was "late of this place." He died at the age of thirty-two years old and left behind an "affectionate wife to mourn his loss."
(Names in announcement: Henry Briscoe Stofer)

Died
(Column 4)

Summary: Announces the death of William Thompson at his residence near Greenville, of consumption, in the sixty-seventh year of his life.
(Names in announcement: Wm. Thompson)

Died
(Column 4)

Summary: Announces the death of Ann Eliza Lawrence, the infant daughter of Thomas and Sarah J. Lawrence of Staunton. The obituary also includes a poignant poem which advises the deceased daughter to "Haste from this fearful land, Where flowers so quickly fade."
(Names in announcement: Ann Eliza Lawrence, Thomas Lawrence, Sarah J. Lawrence)

Died
(Column 4)

Summary: Announces the death of Mrs. Mary Hunter at his residence on Christian's Creek, of Cholera Morbus, on August 26th in the fifty-eighth year of her life. She is described as the "relict" of Matthew T. Hunter.
(Names in announcement: Mrs. Mary Hunter, Matthew T. Hunter)

Obituary
(Column 4)

Summary: Announces the death of Simeon Fitch at Greenville on August 17th in the 62nd year of his life. It is noted that "he was converted to God in Ohio in his 19th year, and joined the M. E.. Church, of which he lived a consistent member for 43 years."
(Names in announcement: Simeon Fitch)

Editorial Comment: "He endured his protracted suffering with Christian patience and resignation. His end was peaceful and triumphant. Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord, for they rest from their labors."