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Staunton Spectator: September 22, 1863 Go To Page : 1 | 2 |

General Assembly
(Column 5, 6, 7)

Summary: Details a series of actions taken by the Virginia legislature, including War Resolutions, Resolutions of Inquiry, Joint Resolutions, and Bills read and passed.

Chinese Sugar Cane
(Column 7)

Summary: Describes the characteristics and potential of Chinese Sugar Cane as a substitute source of sugar. The author deems it acceptable if harvested at the optimum time.

The Female Lieutenant
(Column 7)

Summary: Records the arrival in Richmond of "Lieut. Harry Buford," nee Mrs. Williams, the woman who donned male clothing to participate in a number of battles. The article describes her continuing adventures, her divorce from her husband fighting on the Union side, her subsequent remarriage to Mr. Jeruth DeCaulp, and her recent commission as a Captain in the Confederate army.

Full Text of Article:

The public will remember the numerous paragraphs published concerning one "Lieut. Harry Buford," nee Mrs. Williams, with a history romantic in war as that of Joan of Arc. Last summer the Lieut. got into Castle Thunder, her sex not corresponding with the dashing uniform she wore. She was released, and went from Richmond to Chattanooga, where she joined Gen'l Bragg's army, got upon the staff of General A. P. Stewart, and for a time was emyloyed [sic] in the secret service, effecting important arrests of spies, and doing some very daring things.

The other day she visited Richmond again, not as the gay Lieutenant, but in the garments more becoming her sex, and bearing the name of Mrs. Jeruth DeCaulp, she having, in the interval, married an officer of the Confederate States Provisional army of that name, first obtaining a divorce from her first husband, Williams, who is in the army of Gen. Grant.

In consideration of her services, the Confederate Government has commissioned Mrs. DeCaulp with the rank of Captain, and, since her arrival in Richmond, she has drawn $1,600 back pay.--She is now at the Ballard House, en route for Georgia, and the home of her new husband.

The heroine of this sketch is a native of Mississippi, and a devoted Southern woman.--[Examiner.]

Negroes At Vicksburg
(Column 7)

Summary: Discusses the dismal conditions faced by free blacks under Union supervision at Vicksburg. The author describes their unhappiness and disillusionment with their present state and adds that "the knowledge comes too late to help them."

Origin of Article: The Mississippian

Surrender at Cumberland Gap
(Column 1)

Summary: The author bemoans the recent surrender of Confederate troops at Cumberland Gap. He recounts how, despite a refusal on the part of General Frazier and his officers to accept a proposal for surrender on the part of the Union Army, General Frazier ordered his troops to surrender and told an officer to "tell General Jones that I have gone up the spout." The article does commend the Virginian troops (64th Va.) involved in the battle for their refusal to surrender.

A Successful Dash Upon the Enemy
(Column 1)

Summary: A report of a successful surprise attack launched by Confederate forces under the command of Capt. John McNeill in Hardy County that resulted in the capture of 147 prisoners. The article also contains an order by a Union commander to surprise the Confederate force camped at Moorefield. This resulted in the two armies attempting to launch surprise attacks at the same time. However, since the Confederate forces had already left camp when the Union forces arrived there was little left for the Union forces to do but attempt to harass the enemy and recapture their prisoners, an attempt that ultimately failed.

Remarkable Phenomenon--Interpretation Suggested
(Column 2)

Summary: A particularly bitter interpretation of a strange phenomenon in which a number of individuals in Greenbrier County saw what appeared to be a procession of men dressed all in white marching in military formation across the countryside.

Origin of Article: Richmond Whig and the personal account of a "gentleman of Lewisburg."

Editorial Comment: "We publish in this issue two account of the remarkable phenomenon which was witnessed in Greenbrier county--one furnished to the Richmond Whig by an intelligent officer, and the other furnished to the "Spectator" by a gentleman of Lewisburg, whose intelligence, character and veracity we can endorse to the fullest degree. The characters of the witnesses, who say they saw the phenomenon described in these communications, are endorsed by those who have known them intimately for many years. That these witnesses saw a remarkable spectacle there can be but little doubt. What is the proper interpretation of this procession due North of white bundles followed by figures of men robed in scanty apparel of the same color? We suggest the following:"

Full Text of Article:

The white bundles represent the cotton bales which the weak-kneed secessionists of Mississippi are now sending North, and the fringe of green--the emblem of that color being "forsaken"--indicates how green these planters are for having forsaken their country, and the figures of men marching North at a rapid pace in the scanty garb described, represent that these traitorous cotton sellers should be reduced in their dress to a cotton shirt fastened on their "tight hides" by a plaster of tar, and be made to march North at a "double quick."--The absence of arms and equipments represent that they belong to that, numerous class of "men of war" who, before the war, were so willing to spill their "last drop of blood," but since the war have shown an unconquerable dread of spilling the "first drop."

A Strange Phenomenon
(Column 2)

Summary: A description of a remarkable vision witnessed by a number of people in Greenbrier County, in which what appeared to be a countless multitude of men dressed in white traversed a field measuring several hundred yards in length and rapidly ascended a mountain at the end of the field. The vision is alleged to have lasted for over an hour and the witnesses were described as being highly credible.

Origin of Article: Richmond Whig

Full Text of Article:

On the afternoon of the 1st instant, a strange phenomenon was seen in Greenbrier county by Mr. Moses Dwyer, Mrs. Pearcy, two other ladies, a youth nearly grown, and a servant girl. These respectable witnesses state that they saw what seemed to be a countless multitude of men, dressed in white, marching in column, on the ground through an open field, up the mountain slope at a rapid pace, quicker than double quick time, the columns only separated by a few feet. The witnesses state that they could see the men not only as a whole, but the individual parts--their heads, arms, legs and feet. Occasionally one would lag a little behind, and could be distinctly seen to quicken his pace to regain his position in the line. They were passing for an hour or more, and, it is thought, numbered thousands upon thousands.--The field over which they passed is several hundred yards in length, and they covered the entire area in passing.--Their general appearance was white, and they were without arms or knapsacks.

An officer, of intelligence and character, in writing to the Richmond Whig concerning this story, in a private note, says:

"I put myself to some trouble to ascertain the facts, and questioned the witnesses separately. They are above suspicion. I have given all the material facts, except that the so called men were marching north or northwest, right thro' the mountains. They were of all sizes, and as much like men as if they had been real flesh and blood."

A Destructive Fire in Richmond
(Column 2)

Summary: A description of the fiery loss of Congress Hall in Richmond. Congress Hall was used as the Confederate States District Court, and with the exception of a handful of books, all the records were consumed in the flame. The fire is believed to have been the work of a group of friends of a counterfeiter whose trial was scheduled to begin in the next week.

From Tennessee
(Column 2)

Summary: A report on numerous rumors from Tennessee, including a report of a battle between Bragg and Rosecrans, with the victory going to the Confederate forces.

Yankee Raiders Captured
(Column 2)

Summary: While alerting the readers to the capture of sixteen raiders apprehended in Smythe County, the author editorializes that "[s]uch wretches ought never to be taken prisoner, but should be shot down as spies wherever found."

[No Title]
(Column 3)

Summary: A report based on the accounts of recent arrivals to town announces a recent battle on the Rapidan that has necessitated the removal of wounded from Charlottesville to Lynchburg.

Emancipation In Maryland
(Column 2)

Summary: Notes that Gov. Bradford of Maryland has called for a State Convention to urge slaveowners to emancipate their slaves rather than following the advice of Judge Bond and enlisting them.

The Old Issue
(Column 2)

Summary: Mentions that Richmond banks have decided to rescind a previous resolution and once again accept old issues of the Confederate Treasury as legal tender.

Christian Observer
(Column 3)

Summary: In announcing the recent decision of the Richmond Observer to raise its yearly rate to $5 per annum, the author points out that compared to the inflation of other prices, a newspaper remains a good bargain.

[No Title]
(Column 3)

Summary: New titles are being considered to honor the extraordinary exertions by civilians and soldiers in the current conflict.

Origin of Article: Richmond Examiner

Full Text of Article:

The Richmond Examiner says:

Society in the South is being upheaved by the war, and, with our independence, will be re-established on new orders of merit. The republic will give new titles of greatness. The honours of State, the worship of society, the rewards of affection, will be for the patriots and soldiers of the revolution that will date our existence, while property will be a despised thing, fortunate if it is not taken as the mark of the extortioner, and the reward of infamy. Such are the great prizes, intertwined with that of independence, which put wealth to the blush, stir our people and army with noble desires, and beckon them to victory.

[No Title]
(Column 3)

Summary: While conceding that there may have been a diminution in spirit due to the travails of the war, this article asserts that the most faint-hearted supporters of the war have been the wealthy. While the rich ardently supported secession before the war, they have become the primary enemies of continuing the struggle through trying times.

Origin of Article: The Richmond Examiner

Full Text of Article:

The Richmond Examiner says:

"We owe one confession to truth in in [sic] this war. There may have been some diminution of spirit in the South since the commencement of this struggle; but it has been on the part of those pretentions classes of the wealthy, who, in peace, were at once the most zealous secessionists, and the best customers of the Yankees, and who, now in the war, are natually [sic[ the sneaks and tools of the enemy."

A Good Example
(Column 3)

Summary: An enthusiastic endorsement of the patriotic example of Mr. Jas. Lyle of Augusta County who chooses to sell his apples for one dollar a bushel to his neighbors rather than sending them to distant markets and reaping six dollars a bushel.

Full Text of Article:

We have been informed that Mr. Jas. Lyle, living near Millboro, in this county, has a large quantity of apples for which he could get $6.00 her [sic] bushel, but that he sells them to his neighbors at $1.00 per bushel and refuses to sell to distillers at any price, however great.--This is an example worthy of being followed by others.

[No Title]
(Column 4)

Summary: Mr. W. E. Logan, salt agent for Augusta County, has announced that the next allotment of salt to the citizens will be reduced from twenty to fifteen pounds per inhabitant.

Postponed
(Column 3)

Summary: Because of a lack of space, the editor is forced to postpone publication of a number of articles and announcements until next week.

Deserters Shot
(Column 3)

Summary: Two brothers named Saul have been apprehended and executed as deserters in Franklin County, Virginia. In addition to the charge of desertion, these two brothers are also believed to have been responsible for a number of acts of vandalism. These acts finally caused the inhabitants of Franklin County to seize the brothers and summarily execute them.

For the Spectator: Remarkable Phenomenon
(Column 4)

Summary: Letter provides another account of the mysterious sighting of the men dressed in white.

Full Text of Article:

LEWISBURG, Sept. 15, 1863.

Mr. Mauzy--I drop you a few hastily written lines, hoping they may not be altogether uninteresting to you and the readers of the "Spectator."

Whilst great and wonderful events are occurring in our political world, apparently stranger things are going on in the physical world. But as we have no good Daniel, in these degenerate days, to tell us what they mean, every one must become his own interpreter. Whether what I am going to relate is a good or a bad omen to the cause we are defending with all our energies, and which we all love so much; whether it means peace or a longer continuance of this bloody struggle, or is a mere delusion, who can say?

A remarkable phenomenon was witnessed a few miles west of this place, at the house of Mrs. Pearcy, on the first day of this month at about 3 o'clock, P. M., by Mr. Moses Dwyer, her neighbor, who happened to be seated in her porch at the time, as well as by others at or near the house.

The weather was quite hot and dry, not a cloud could be seen, no wind even ruffled the foliage on the surrounding trees. All things being propitious, the grand panorama began to move.--Just over and through the tops of the trees on the adjacent hills on the South, immense numbers of rolls resembling cotton or smoke, apparently thousands of them, and were, perhaps, an hour in getting by. After these had passed over and out of sight, the scene was changed from the air above to the earth beneath, and became more intensely interesting to the spectators who were witnessing the panorama from different stand points. In the deep valley beneath thousands upon thousands of [apparently] human beings [men] came in low traveling in the same direction of the rolls marching in good order, some thirty or forty in depth, moving rapidly--"double quick," and commence ascending the sides of the almost insurmountable hills opposite, and had the stoop peculiar to men when they ascend a steep mountain. There seemed to be great variety in the size of the men, some were very large whilst others were quite small. Their arms, legs and heads could be distinctly seen in motion. They seemed to observe strict military discipline and there were no stragglers.

There was uniformity of dress, loose white blouses or shirts with white pants, wore hats and were without guns, swords or anything they indicated "men of war."--On they came through the valley and over the steep hill crossing the road and finally passing out of sight, in a direction due North from those who were looking on.

The gentlemen who [illegible] this is a man with whom you were once acquainted, Mr. Editor, and as truthful a man as we have in the county, and as little liable to be carried away by "fanciful speculations" as any man living.--Four others (respectable ladies) and a servant girl witnesses this strange phenomenon. W.

P. S. On the 14th that., the same scene almost identical, was soon by 8 or 10 of our pickets at Bunger's Mill, and by many of the citizens in that neighborhood; this is about 4 miles east of Pearcy's. It was about the hour passing.

Trailer: J.G.R., Capt. P.A.C.S.

Obituary
(Column 6)

Summary: William Humphreys died on July 5 from wounds he suffered at Gettysburg on July 2. He was a member of Carpenter's Battery of Allegheny.
(Names in announcement: Wm. Humphreys, Mary Humphreys, Meredith Humphreys)

Married
(Column 7)

Summary: Maj. Gen. George Pickett, "the hero of Gettysburg," married Miss Corbell in Petersburg on September 14.
(Names in announcement: Rev. Platt, Maj. Gen. George Pickett, Sallie Corbell)

Married
(Column 7)

Summary: Married on September 17.
(Names in announcement: Rev. R.C. Walker, Wm. L. Van Lear, Miss R. Miller Cochran)

Married
(Column 7)

Summary: Married on September 17.
(Names in announcement: Rev. Martin Garber, Jacob T. Hawkins, Mary E. Wampter)

Married
(Column 7)

Summary: Married on September 13.
(Names in announcement: Rev. Martin Garber, Jacob Coffman, Harriett D. Henderson)

In Council for the Town of Staunton
(Column 7)

Summary: The Mayor of Staunton presented a petition signed by Robert Bickle and ninety-two others that asked the town to pass an ordinance that would double taxes on Staunton residents in order to raise a fund to provide food and supplies for the families of soldiers.
(Names in announcement: Robert Bickle, Rev. James C. Wheat, James W. Crawford, William B. Kayser)

Full Text of Article:

September 5th, 1863.

The Mayor presented a petition signed by Robert G. Bickle and ninety-two others, praying the passage of an Ordinance for the increase of taxation on all taxable subjects in the Town, for the purpose of raising a fund to provide supplies of Flour, Meat and Wood for the families of soldiers.

Whereupon, on motion of Col. Harman, the following resolution was adopted:

Resolved, That an ordinance by passed doubling the taxes imposed by the Ordinance, passed the 9th of June last.

And thereupon, the Mayor submitted an Ordinance, which was passed in the words following, to wit:

Be it ordained by the Council of the Town of Staunton, that the Ordinance passed on the 9th of June last, imposing taxes for the Town of Staunton be amended, by increasing the amount of taxation on all subjects therein named, one hundred percent for the purposes expressed in the petition aforesaid.

And it is further ordained, that to facilitate the collection of the Town Taxes, the Chief of Police be and is hereby authorized to endorse the word "DOUBLE" on the face and back of his tax tickets, and collect and account for the same accordingly, and, that for all taxes on licenses granted, issued and collected since the 24th day of April last, the Chief of Police is hereby required and authorized to make out new tickets for the amounts of such taxes, and collect and account for the same accordingly, and for all licenses which may be granted and issued between this date and the 24th of April next, that he make out tickets therefor, in pursuance of the spirit and intent of this Ordinance, and collect and account for the same accordingly.

Rev. James C. Wheat, and Messrs. James W. Crawford and William B. Kayser were appointed a Committee to disburse the fund to be raised under the above Ordinance.