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Staunton Spectator: March 15, 1864 Go To Page : 1 | 2 |

To the Farmers of Augusta County
(Column 2)

Summary: Announces intention to purchase wheat, flour, corn, rye, and wood on behalf of the corporation for the relief of the families of volunteers.
(Names in announcement: J. W. Crawford, W. B. Kayser, J. C. Wheat)

Full Text of Article:

The undersigned, a Committee appointed to disburse the funds of the Corporation for the relief of the families of Volunteers now in the field are prepared to purchase wheat, flour, corn, rye, and wood. They sell to the above families at about one half prices, and they earnestly request those farmers who have the above articles for sale to give them a call before disposing of them else where.

J. W. CRAWFORD.
W. B. HAYSER.
J. C. WHEAT.

November 3--tf.

Trailer: J. W. Crawford, W. B. Kayser, J. C. Wheat

Supplies for the Soldiers
(Column 2)

Summary: Announces that a car will leave Staunton every Friday morning to send supplies to soldiers from friends in Augusta County.
(Names in announcement: Major & Q.M. H. M. Bell)

Trailer: H. M. Bell, Major & Q.M.

$100 Reward
(Column 3)

Summary: Reports that Kit, a slave woman belonging to the Waynesboro estate of Jacob Harnsberger, ran away on February 28.
(Names in announcement: George HarnsbergerEx'or, Jacob Harnsberger, Kit )

Trailer: Geo. Harnsberger, Ex'or

The Legislature
(Column 4)

Summary: Reports on recent proceedings of the Confederate Congress, including consideration of bills that would provide relief to indigent soldiers and their children.

For the Spectator: A Card
(Column 6)

Summary: Turk declines the offer to become a candidate for sheriff.
(Names in announcement: R. Turk)

Trailer: R. Turk

Applications for Exemption or Detail
(Column 6)

Summary: Outlines process involved in obtaining an exemption or detail from service.

Mr. Sheffey's Address
(Column 7)

Summary: Prints copy of speech delivered by Hugh W. Sheffey, Speaker of the House of Delegates, that expresses optimism about the future of the Confederacy.

Watery Potatoes
(Column 7)

Summary: Offers suggestions for drying out watery potatoes.

Change
(Column 1)

Summary: Asks patrons of local businesses to bring small bills when making purchases.

Home Soldiers
(Column 1)

Summary: Expresses astonishment at reports that men exempted from service for religious reasons are not assisting the army in other ways, such as the production of food.

Full Text of Article:

In several issues of the "Rockingham Register," the Editors stated that they had been informed that there were some of the members of these churches, the members of which are exempt in consequences of religious faith and the payment of five hundred dollars, who did not intend to raise any more produce than would be necessary for their own families. We were astonished at the statement, and thought that there must be some mistake about it, and are pleased to learn from the last issue of the "Register" that our confidence in the loyalty of that class of citizens was not misplaced. Those who will do all they can to raise supplies will perform as efficient service as if they were in the field, for it is necessary to plant corn as to plant batteries, and as necessary to reap wheat as to reap victories. The enemy is now making war upon our means of sustenance, and every one is efficiently defending his country who is engaged in increasing the supplies of subsistence. The "Home Soldier" wields the peaceful implements--the plough, the shovel, the hoe--whilst the soldier in the battle's front uses the gun, the sabre, the bayonet--the former laboring to save, whilst the latter strives to destroy life; yet both are using means for the accomplishment of the same end--Liberty and Independence. The soldiers in arms will do their duty and we hope those at home will do theirs also. We are pleased to hear that more ground than usual has been already ploughed, and that the prospect for planting a large crop of corn is very flattering.

Negro Genius
(Column 1)

Summary: Reports on the creation of a wooden steam engine by Bob, a slave of Mrs. Margaret A. Crawford. The author says that this indicates "genius" on Bob's part and he argues that Bob should be given work in a machine shop.
(Names in announcement: Mrs. Margaret Crawford, Bob , Mr. William B. Kayser)

Full Text of Article:

Some time since, a colored boy, "Bob," 15 years of age, the property of Mrs. Margaret A. Crawford, went to the depot where the Engine, "H. D. Whitcomb," was standing. A gentleman observing that he seemed interested in the engine, asked him what he thought of it. He replied, "pretty big work, Master, but I think I can make one like it." The gentleman addressed laughed at what he conceived to be the absurdity of the negro boy's presumption. The boy went home with his mind full of the project of vindicating the truth of his assertion, and, sure enough, with no tools but an axe, hammer, saw, knife and gimblet, he made in wood an exact counterpart of the Engine, complete in all its parts. This model can be seen at the Law office of Mr. Wm. B. Kayser of this place, where it has excited the admiration and wonder of all beholders. They all agree that "Bob" must be a boy of remarkable mechanical genius. Such genius should be cultivated, and "Bob" ought to be placed in some good machine shop where his genius can be made serviceable to the country. "Bob" would be as happy in a machine shop, as a "common nigger" would be at a dance or "shucking."

Enrolling Officer Colonel Peyton
(Column 1)

Summary: Notes that Colonel Peyton has been transferred from Lynchburg to Staunton to act as enrolling officer.
(Names in announcement: Colonel Peyton)

Dwelling Burnt
(Column 1)

Summary: Reports that the Middlebrook home of Joseph A. Miller was destroyed by an accidental fire on March 7. Only two feather beds remain, and the loss is estimated at $10,000.
(Names in announcement: Mr. Joseph A. Miller)

Mill Burnt
(Column 1)

Summary: Suggests that the recent fire that destroyed the mill of Thomas McCormick on March 5 was set by a traitor.
(Names in announcement: Mr. Thomas McCormick)

Lt. Gov. Samuel Price
(Column 1)

Summary: Prints portion of a speech given by Lieutenant Governor Samuel Price that urged those at home to contribute to the war effort.

Loss and Gain
(Column 2)

Summary: Reports on the loss and gain of horses, livestock, and slaves in seven Virginia counties between 1860 and 1863. According to state figures, Augusta County had 4,708 slaves in 1860 and 4,515 in 1863. Staunton had 909 slaves in 1860 and 749 in 1863.

Lauadble [sic] Conduct
(Column 2)

Summary: Praises a Shenandoah County man for turning down speculators and instead selling his wool to his poor neighbors. Urges Augusta County residents to show a similar spirit of benevolence.

A Detective Detected
(Column 3)

Summary: Reports on the arrest of a Confederate detective on charges of treason.

Decision of the Court of Appeals
(Column 3)

Summary: Summarizes recent court decisions that declared constitutional the law of conscription and the law against the exemption of men who employ substitutes.

A Brilliant Affair
(Column 4)

Summary: Reports on the recent success of the 5th Virginia Cavalry in surprising a Yankee picket in Northampton County and destroying its supplies.
(Names in announcement: Captain Thadeus Fitzhugh)

Speed the Plough
(Column 4)

Summary: Argues that in producing food and supplies for soldiers, farmers and planters have an important responsibility in ensuring the success of the Confederacy.

Origin of Article: Richmond Whig

J. Marshall McCue, Esq.
(Column 4)

Summary: Notes that J. Marshall McCue, state delegate from Augusta County, was among those who successfully repelled General Dahlgreen's column.
(Names in announcement: J. Marshall McCueEsq.)

[No Title]
(Column 4)

Summary: States that General Ross killed fifty-five black soldiers while in pursuit of General Sherman.

Look to your Gardens!
(Column 5)

Summary: Urges readers not to delay in planting their gardens with vegetables.

[No Title]
(Column 5)

Summary: Chastises those who are not giving their excess harvests to the army.

Full Text of Article:

Let our people plant early and largely of vegetables. Let every one who has a perch of ground tax it to its utmost. Let us economise in consumption; and especially, let us deny ourselves meat that the army may eat. There are many who are indulging their families, white and black, with unabated profusion. There are thousands who, stimulated by the cry of scarcity, have put away as "supplies for the year," unaccustomed amounts. These things are very wrong. The army is suffering while gluttons are surfeiting and negroes wasting, and while timid providers are watching their swollen hoards. We must economise that we may have to spare; and out of what we have, whether much or little, the army must be supplied.

To the People of Augusta
(Column 5)

Summary: Joseph Ryan announces his candidacy for clerk of the superior court of law and chancery.
(Names in announcement: Joseph N. Ryan)

Trailer: Jos. N. Ryan

To the Voters of Augusta
(Column 5)

Summary: A.F. Kinney announces his candidacy for the office of clerk of the circuit court.
(Names in announcement: A. F. Kinney)

Trailer: A. F. Kinney

[No Title]
(Column 5)

Summary: J.C. Matheny announces his candidacy for clerk of the circuit court.
(Names in announcement: J. C. Matheny)

Trailer: J. C. Matheny

Religious Notice
(Column 6)

Summary: Announces that Reverend J. H. Davis will preach in the Lutheran church in Staunton next Sunday.
(Names in announcement: Rev. J. H. Davis)

Married
(Column 6)

Summary: Lieut. James A. Dold married Mattie E. Brooke, daughter of John Brooke, on February 23 at the bride's residence.
(Names in announcement: Rev. William T. Richardson, Lieut. James A. DoldC.S.A., Miss Mattie E. Brooke, John Brookedec'd)

Married
(Column 6)

Summary: Colonel David W. Coiner married Fannie D. Young on March 10 at the home of Mrs. Bryan, near Arbor Hill.
(Names in announcement: Mrs. Bryan, Rev. J. D. Shirey, Colonel David W. Coiner, Miss Fannie D. Young)

Died
(Column 6)

Summary: James Henry Reach, a 27-year-old private in Company D 2d Regiment Virginia Infantry, died on February 19 after a six-week illness. Author notes that this is his family's second death since the war began.
(Names in announcement: James Henry Reach)

Trailer: A Friend

Died
(Column 6)

Summary: Mrs. Rebecca Layman died at home on February 3, at the age of 62. The obituary notes that she had been a strong supporter of the Confederacy and even opened her home to Southern soldiers.
(Names in announcement: Mrs. Rebecca Layman)

$50 Reward
(Column 7)

Summary: Offers reward for return of Hartwell, a slave hired out to J. R. Timberlake to work in wood chopping.
(Names in announcement: E. J. Baker, Hartwell , J. R. Timberlake)

Trailer: D. & H. Forrer

$25 Reward
(Column 7)

Summary: Offers reward for return of Henry, a slave hired out to J. R. Timberlake, who may be with his wife in Staunton.
(Names in announcement: Henry , J. R. Timberlake)

Trailer: D. & H. Forrer