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

From The Richmond Examiner
(Column 6)

Summary: The author argues that, despite the "rash conclusion of some hot-headed old gentlemen, beyond conscript age," a universal conscription of all men into the service would be a disaster for the cause. Rather than seeking solely to increase the number of men under arms, the author advocates increasing the emphasis on the efficiency and competency of the armed forces.

Origin of Article: The Richmond Examiner

Contentment In Wealth
(Column 6)

Summary: After quoting Agar's plea to "give me neither poverty nor riches," the public is advised to find contentment in reducing their needs to fit their economic circumstances.

Gov. Bonham
(Column 7)

Summary: Governor Bonham of South Carolina advocates broadening the rules of conscription and questions the patriotism of any able-bodied young man who accepts an exclusion from military service.

Editorial Comment: "In our opinion it is shameful for any young man, in full possession of health and strength, to sink into these offices, instead of rising with the occasion and coming forth like a true patriot to fight for his country."

Message of Governor Milton, of Florida
(Column 7)

Summary: Governor Milton in a recent address to the legislature urges that all men not currently eligible for service in the Confederate army be enlisted as state troopers to be called out only to "repel invasions, and maintain suitable police regulations for the protection of the lives and property of citizens generally, and especially the lives and property of the families of those who are absent in the service of the Confederate States."

The Origin of the Names of the Days of the Week
(Column 7)

Summary: Discusses a museum display in Berlin that lists the various pagan gods after whom the days of the week are named.

The Greed For Gold
(Column 7)

Summary: Rev. Bishop Andrews attacks the greediness of those "rich planters" who, in hopes of greater pecuniary rewards, refuse to sell their crops to those who have had to flee the Northern invaders. The Reverend warns these unpatriotic and unchristian souls that God may "set his eyes upon us for evil, and cut off our hopes and prospects in coming times."

Origin of Article: Southern Christian Advocate

Full Text of Article:

The Rev. Bishop James O. Andrew, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, writes to the Southern Christian Advocate:

The accursed greed for gold is ruining thousands of our people for this world and the next. The past season has been unusually propitious. Our barns and cribs have been full to overflowing, and yet numbers of our planters refuse to sell corn at two dollars per bushel. Many of our friends and countrymen who have been forced to flee from their homes before the approach of our cruel invaders, have come among us, and many of our rich planters, whom God has greatly blessed, are unwilling to sell them corn at all for fear it will get higher, and they lose a few dollars in the sale. God has given us an abundant crop this year, and thus we show our gratitude to Him. Is there no danger that He will set his eyes upon us for evil, and cut off our hopes and prospects in coming time? May God reform and save us.

Getting A Family
(Column 7)

Summary: A small piece remarking on the remarkable fecundity of a German couple residing in Minnesota who have produced ten children in less than three years. Supposedly the father points "with pleasure to their company of German infantry."

Origin of Article: La Crosse Democrat [Minnesota]

A Heroine
(Column 7)

Summary: Miss Emma Sansom, who insured her fame by volunteering to guide Gen. Forrest through the most accessible fords of northern Georgia and northeast Alabama, a maneuver that resulted in the capture of the Northern raider Strait, is to be rewarded by the state of Alabama with a gold medal and a section of land.

From General Bragg's Army
(Column 1)

Summary: While reports are contradictory, it appears that the situation in Tennessee is not as dire as first feared. The recent engagement at Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge did require the Confederate troops under the command of General Bragg to yield the field of battle. However, the enemy losses in killed and wounded are believed to have been three times higher than those of the Southern forces.

From General Longstreet
(Column 1)

Summary: Another account based on despatches from Tennessee discusses efforts by Northern troops to capture General Longstreet.

Despond Not--Never Submit
(Column 2)

Summary: While a few Southerners may advocate surrender, the vast bulk of the population remains committed to the cause of independence and refuses "to give up the ship." The author reminds his readers of Patrick Henry's words: "There is now no submission but in chains and slavery."

Full Text of Article:

Though clouds should darken our horizon, though no ray of light should penetrate the gloom, yet we should not despond, but hope confidently for the rising of the sun of freedom to dissipate the gloom and gild with the brightness of happiness the thousands of homes now darkened by bereavement and sorrow. Though the storm should beat violently, and the "Ship of State" be tossed by surges mountain high, though the ocean should yawn and threaten to engulf the vessel, yet the firm determination of all should be, "not to give up the Ship," but to labor earnestly and hopefully to enable it to withstand the fury of the tempest, that it may be brought safely into port and anchored securely in the peaceful haven of independence. There may be a few, who, not understanding what their condition would be, sometimes think that it would be as well to submit as to continue the struggle with all of its trials and sufferings increasing daily in number and intensity; but there are just enough of these exceptions to establish the rule that our people have no idea of submitting to Yankee domination.--Those who are willing to be treated in even a worse manner than the Israelites were by the Egyptians may be ready to bow the knee and kiss the rod which afflicts them, but those who desire to avoid such a fate, and who would rather die freemen than to live slaves will never, never submit. In the language of Patrick Henry, "There is now no submission but in chains and slavery." Submission to the Yankee domination means humiliation, disgrace and worse than Egyptian bondage.

Horse Thieves
(Column 2)

Summary: The widespread problem of horse theft in Augusta County indicates that either the number of horse thieves is higher than anybody believed, or that they are well organized into a band that operates according to a plan. The public is urged to do their part in eradicating this problem by being prudent in their purchase of horses.

5th Va. Regiment
(Column 2)

Summary: A listing of the wounded and ill soldiers from the 5th and 52nd Virginia regiments recently dispatched to the Chimborazio Hospital in Richmond.
(Names in announcement: H. L. Hamrick, C. H. Jones, A. M. Money, John Owens, W. H. Danson, C. Donaho, B. F. Whitmore, A. C. Ramsey, G. P. Sherer, L. H. Lyder, C. Young, G. L. Berry, W. H. Reed, J. H. Wills, F. Whitmore, J. C. Keiner, J. Tisdale, H. C. Hemp)

Sabbath School Exhibition
(Column 2)

Summary: The Sabbath School of the Baptist Church will be giving an exhibition on December 9th to aid in securing clothing for poor children. The Spectator urges the public to support such a worthwhile goal.

Congress And Legislature
(Column 2)

Summary: Now that the Confederate Congress and the Virginia legislature have both convened in Richmond, the Spectator recommends that they devote their attention to devising and implementing a plan to deal with the worsening financial straits facing the Confederacy.

The College Monthly
(Column 2)

Summary: The Spectator has received the first edition of a new publication entitled "The College Monthly," which is put out by the Danville Female College. The Monthly is described as being a "neat and interesting paper."

Gen'l Morgan's Escape
(Column 3)

Summary: Using two spoons, General Morgan and a number of his men have managed to burrow their way out of the Ohio penitentiary and make good their escape to Canada. One member of the squad, Capt. Hines, is a mason and was in charge of the plan. He not only accomplished the goal, but managed to leave a note for the warden containing the phrase "La patience c'est amer mais soufruit est doux." (Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.)

[No Title]
(Column 3)

Summary: A measure introduced in the South Carolina legislature would reduce the amount of Confederate currency that finds its way into the North. This will be accomplished by crediting the "sequestration" fund with the amount of the bank's circulation held in the North.

Hardee
(Column 3)

Summary: General Hardee has managed to win a number of victories in battles that went to the North. For example, at Murfreesboro, General Hardee, in command of the left wing won "as brilliant a victory, as there is on record. Unfortunately, the center and right did not do so well."

No More Exchanges
(Column 3)

Summary: Since the South is unwilling to enter into the exchange of black troops for their soldiers held by the North, the Union has decided to suspend all exchange of prisoners.

Army Letters
(Column 3)

Summary: The Post Office Department has established a new post office to be called the "Northern Army of Virginia." This new post office will follow General Lee's army wherever it may go, thus expediting the delivery of letters to men serving in this force.

John Minor Bott's Letter
(Column 4)

Summary: In a very strong letter to the Richmond Examiner, John Minor Botts argues that he has done nothing traitorous in regards to his country. Rather he has said that he wants "a Government that has the will and power to protect my person and my property against all abuses; and that I would prefer living as I did before the war, to living as I have done since the war, is beyond all question, and I would be a madman or a fool if I were to pretend otherwise."

Origin of Article: The Richmond Examiner

Full Text of Article:

New York, Nov. 23.--John Minor Botts' letter to the Richmond "Examiner," under date of October 18th, has been received from the correspondent of the Associated Press with the Army of the Potomac. Mr. Botts denies the charge that he, in an interview with an Indiana Major, proclaimed himself a Union man without any ifs or buts. He had no such interview and used no such language. He denied having said that he wished the Federal Generals knew half that he knew of the rebels and their resources and intentions. He is not in the confidence of the Government or the Commanders of its forces, and therefore of its intentions he is as profoundly ignorant as of their resources.

In reply to the charge of the "Examiner" that he abhorred the Government, but loved its money, he says: "Whatever I may think of the Government, yet I never felt myself entirely at liberty, in this land of freedom to say half as much against its Administration as I have read in your own editorial columns; but if I have never made profession of devotion to the Government, I have not ceased to feel a warm interest in the welfare of the people of Virginia, with whose prosperity and freedom my own are entirely identified, and I will take occasion to say here, what I said to General Meade, and have said to all, that my earnest prayer is that this revolution may result in whatever may contribute most to the permanent peace and happiness, prosperity and freedom of the people of Virginia. These are the blessings of a good Government; this is what I suppose is desired and armed at by al, unless the selfish politician and the corrupt speculators in and out of the army may constitute an exception. They care not what sort of a Government they live under, provided they fill the high places and have their pockets well lined.

"We may differ possibly, and perhaps honestly, as to the best means of attaining these desirable ends. If it is by the success of the revolution may it succeed; but if by the restoration of the Union, then I hope the Union may be restored. What I want is a Government that has the will and power to protect my person and my property against all abuses; and that I would prefer living as I did before the war, to living as I have done since the war, is beyond all question, and I would be a madman or a fool if I were to pretend otherwise."

Mr. Botts denies having done anything of which the Confederate Government can complain, unless it be that he has not become Democratized, and made no concession to Democracy. On the other hand he complains, First, "that the power of the legislative branch of the Government has been especially directed against him." Second, that the power of the executive branch of the Government has been executed against him when under this detstable [sic], unwritten and unknown code called martial law.

Upon no charge preferred which they dared to present before the Court of inquiry, they had him arrested in his bed and hurried to a filthy negro jai, where he was kept in solitary confinement [sic] for eight weeks, when, with all the vigilance and use and the search of their numerous detective they could find nothing upon which to hinge a charge, and now comes a second arrest without a charge, whilst the [illegible] itself has been turned loose upon him, to destroy his property by design and by the orders, of officers in high command, and but for a squad from the headquarters of General Lee, none can tell to what condition he would have been reduced. Mr. Botts says, "have I, then; Mr. Editor, had much reason for attachment or devotion to a Government by which I have been thus treated!

"You complain of the treatment Mr. Vallandigham has received at the hands of his Government. He made many violent speeches, in which he took active and strong grounds against his Government; for this he was sent amongst his friends, as they supposed. But I have done nothing, taken no part, but maintained firmly and consistently, as I shall continue to do, my own private opinions, and the conviction of my best judgment, which has not been controlled by any considerations of selfishness, ambition or fear.

"I want no better vindication for having withheld my approval of this war than is to be found in the fact that there is not one of those who aided in bringing it on that would do it if, with their present experience, it had to be gone over again, or if they could have foreseen what has followed, all of which I did foresee and foretell." Mr. Butts denies that Gen. Meade took dinner at his table, yet [illegible] known that he invited him to do so, and regretted that his constant engagements prevented his acceptance, and should he return to the vicinity, the offence would be repeated. The truth is, he has entertained freely and hospitably the officers and gentlemen of both armies whose acquaintance he has enjoyed, and shall continue to do so so long as he is master of his own lands.

"Hitherto I have been silent", says Mr. Botts, "as to the wrongs, injuries and indignities that have been heaped upon me, but I am not a spaniel, to lie down and crouch at the bidding of any master, nor lick the hand that smites me; and if I am thus to be selected as a particular object of persecution, and can find no protection from the law, then will I protect myself. This I cannot do against the Government or against an army, but I can and will do it when the law, military and civil, both fail me, against any one man that this Confederacy can boast.

"I cannot be induced to swerve one hair's breadth from the line of conduct which my own judgment and conscience may dictate, which my own judgment and conscience may dictate, which is to take no lot, part or share in the responsibility that rests upon those who have brought this whirlpool of desolation and ruin upon my unfortunate country, but if to adhere firmly and consistently to the opinions and principles that I have maintained for thirty years, and if to prefer living as I did before the war, to living as I have done since the war makes me a traitor, then a traitor's life let me live, or a traitor's death let me die."

A Judge On Public Affairs
(Column 4)

Summary: Judge Cochran of Alabama, in a recent pronouncement from the court, argued against those who have given in to negative feelings and yearn for a reconstruction of the Union. He also compares those individuals "who willfully or through neglect did not produce the greatest amount possible of necessary supplies for the army to the deserter of his country's flag."

For The Spectator
(Column 5)

Summary: In a letter to the editor, the author argues that the militia bill must be strengthened to include members of certain religious sects who do not use their pulpits to support the war effort.

Full Text of Article:

Mr. Editor:--Since the organization of the home guard in Augusta, we have the strongest evidence of a necessity of a stringent militia bill yet presented since the beginning of the war.--In every neighborhood, whilst their companies were forming, and the bid was pending in the Legislature, there was an APPARENT interest taken in the movement by a large class, that abated instantly, the bill was lost, and, in many instances, they did not care to trouble themselves to muster, as they were not now COMPELLED to do so. They even jeered at and taunted those more patriotic than themselves. You can select large districts in the county where this NON-PATRIOTIC spirit seems to exist. Indeed you will hear persons boldly declare that in some neighborhoods you will find the feeling seems to be confined to certain churches. And this view of the case gains strength, when you find that there are some among us, and the number is LARGE, that do not say one word of encouragement in their churches either in the pulpit, at the prayer meeting, or on communion occasions, towards the prosecution of the war. An intelligent gentleman said to the writer of this a few days ago, that in his neighbohood [sic] where one of these sects was numerous, it had become a common subject of remark, "THAT NO ONE HAD EVER HEARD IN A SERMON OR A PRAYER, ONE SINGLE WORD OF SYMPATHY OR ENCOURAGEMENT FROM ANY ONE, FROM THE HIGHEST TO THE LOWEST OF ONE OF THE SECTS OF THE COUNTRY." If they have had a chaplain in the service any where, or for a day in the South, the writer does not know it, and would gladly give them credit if he did." At a communion service a year or more ago, where several of their preachers were present, a gentleman who had been attending the meeting prepared a respectful request in writing, asking the prayers of the clergy present upon our struggle for all that freemen hold dear, and laid it on the bible in the pulpit, before service. NO NOTICE WAS TAKEN of it whatever, and no word invoking the strength of Him, without whose aid we fight in vain, was uttered during the meeting. This too in the presence of many of their hearers, not members of their church, whose sons and brothers were then periling their lives, and many writhing in pain, from wounds received in battling for the rights and liberties of this people. Is it strange Mr. Editor that such a course on their part will make them amenable to criticism? Much more could be said on this subject, but enough has transpired to convince all, that the Legislature must pass a stringent militia bill and impose heavy penalties to make all who ought to be

HOME GUARDS.

Trailer: Home Guards

For The Spectator
(Column 5)

Summary: "Enquirer" writes of his concern about the government's practice of impressing farmers' produce. He offers the alternative of selling surplus stocks of whiskey and brandy and using the income generated to pay for the upkeep of destitute soldiers and their families.

Trailer: Enquirer

Anti-Repudiation
(Column 5)

Summary: At a recent Bank Convention at Augusta, Senator B. H. Hill of Georgia, asserted that there wasn't a single member of Congress in favor of the repudiation of the public debt of the Confederacy.

[No Title]
(Column 5)

Summary: Since Tennessee has furnished 112,000 troops for the Confederacy, she is entitled to the appellation of the "Volunteer State."

[No Title]
(Column 5)

Summary: Reports that over two thousand members have been added to the Methodist Church in one district in South Carolina in the last six months.

Married
(Column 6)

Summary: Mr. Cyrus Grow of Waynesboro married Miss Mary E. Murray of Staunton on November 26th.
(Names in announcement: Mr. Cyrus Grow, Miss Mary E. Murray)

Married
(Column 6)

Summary: Mr. William E. Robinson married Miss Mary D. Hague on December 3rd. The service was conducted by Rev. William E. Baker.
(Names in announcement: Mr. William E. Robinson, Rev. William E. Baker, Miss Mary D. Hague)

Married
(Column 6)

Summary: Col. James Cochran, 14th Va. Cavalry, married Miss Nannie Crawford, daughter of Benjamin Crawford, Esq., both of Staunton. The wedding was held on December 1st, and the service was conducted by Rev. J. A. Latane.
(Names in announcement: Col. James Cochran, Miss Nannie Crawford, Benjamin CrawfordEsq., Rev. J. A. Latane)

Obituary
(Column 6)

Summary: On November 4th, Josiah G. Fix of Augusta County died of typhoid fever at age 46.
(Names in announcement: Josiah G. A. Fix)