| Dates | Augusta County, VA | Franklin County, PA | Virginia | Pennsylvania | National |
| 01-02-1862 | Stonewall Brigade & Union troops skirmish in Morgan Co., VA. | Gov. Curtin addresses PA legislature & reports PA has sent 109,615 men to the war. | |||
| 01-03-1862 | J.B. McClintock lectured about Shakespeare at Court Hall. | Battle of Murfreesboro, TN | |||
| 01-06-1862 | Capt. Hezekiah Easton passed through Chambersburg & showed off a saddle taken from a Confederate colonel. | ||||
| 01-07-1862 | Jailor of Augusta reported that in the past year 179 prisoners have been jailed for misdemeanors, 178 for drunkenness, 30 for felonies and larceny, 3 for murder, & 69 (Union men from western VA) for disloyalty. | Hope Fire Company met to commemorate death of William Seiders, who died in the war. | |||
| 01-09-1862 | Rev. Hiden, chaplain of the Wise Legion, addressed Baptist Church in Staunton. | ||||
| 01-10-1862 | Public Library Association met in home of William Heyser. | Battle of Middle Creek, KY | |||
| 01-14-1862 | Bolivar Christian, state senator from Augusta, proposes resolutions designed to increase the defense of western VA. | Simon Cameron, of Franklin, resigned his position as Secretary of War & appointed minister to Russia. | |||
| 01-15-1862 | P.S. Dechert & B.Y. Hamsher purchased Valley Spirit. | State Democratic Committee met in Harrisburg to smooth over divisions created by 1860 presidential contest. Edwin M. Stanton, of Philadelphia, appointed Secretary of War. | |||
| 01-19-1862 | Flag stolen from offices of the Waynesboro Record. | Battle of Mill Spring, KY | |||
| 01-21-1862 | Burglars steal $600 from home of A.N. Rankin. Brass band gave concert at Franklin Hall. | ||||
| 01-26-1862 | Franklin County Bible Society celebrated its 49th anniversary at Presbyterian Church. | ||||
| 01-27-1862 | Knife fight broke out between 2 Irish "trampers," who were subsequently sent to jail. | ||||
| 01-30-1862 | Union ironclad Monitor launched. | ||||
| Late in 01-1862 | Three men escape from county jail, including William Hicks, a deserter from 52nd VA Infantry. | ||||
| 02-1862 | Lt. William Burgess set up recruiting station in Franklin Hotel. | ||||
| 02-01-1862 | Henry Webster, TN soldier accused of murdering John Snider of Staunton, acquitted. | People's Party cancels plans for state convention. | |||
| 02-05-1862 | Valley Spirit announced collection boxes for sick and wounded soldiers have been placed in the postal and railroad ticket offices. | ||||
| 02-06-1862 | Union forces under Gen. Grant captured Ft. Henry, TN. | ||||
| 02-11-1862 | Spectator reports that estimated cost of completing temporary railroad line to White Sulpher Springs is $520,000. | ||||
| 02-12-1862 | Report from 77th PA noted that its soldiers sent home a total of $17,853. | ||||
| 02-15-1862 | A soldier at Camp Allegheny wrote to inform the citizens of Augusta not to send liquor to soldiers in camp. | ||||
| Mid 02-1862 | Chambersburg girl accused of suffocating her newborn in an outhouse. | ||||
| 02-16-1862 | Union forces under Gen. Grant captured Ft. Donelson, TN | ||||
| 02-17-1862 | Bells rung throughout Chambersburg to celebrate capture of Ft. Donelson. | ||||
| 02-18-1862 | Spectator reports that petitions have circulated around Augusta calling for govt. to make distillation of liquor from grain illegal. $80 reward offered for return of William Temple, who deserted from Camp Allegheny. | Isaac Kuhns, a laborer, found dead in a lime kiln. | |||
| 02-20-1862 | 5 of the 6 children of Henry & Mary Foutz die over the next month from scarlet fever. | ||||
| 02-22-1862 | Chambersburg residents celebrated birthday of George Washington with parade & burning of a Confederate flag. | ||||
| 02-25-1862 | Lincoln signed Legal Tender Act, providing national paper currency. Federal troops occupy Nashville, TN. | ||||
| 03-01-1862 | Democratic delegates in Guilford Township met at New Franklin Schoolhouse to form ticket for town elections. | ||||
| 03-06-1862 | Battle of Pea Ridge, AK, began | ||||
| 03-08-1862 | Democrats in Green Township met in Scotland to nominate a ticket for town elections. | ||||
| 03-08-1862 | Confederate ironclad, Merrimack, destroyed 2 Union ships near Hampton Roads, VA. | ||||
| 03-09-1862 | 77th PA participated in skirmish just south of Nashville, TN. | 1st battle between Confederate Merrimack, & Union Monitor ended in draw. | |||
| 03-11-1862 | Spectator printed letter that denounces speculators who use the war as an opportunity to make high profits. | Gen. McClellan relieved as Union commander. | |||
| Mid 03-1862 | Militia from Augusta ordered to report to Gen. Jackson at Winchester. | ||||
| 03-13-1862 | US War Department issues orders prohibiting return of escaped slaves to Confederate owners. | ||||
| 03-14-1862 | Union forces occupied Newbern, NC. | ||||
| 03-18-1862 | Augusta citizens vote in favor of ratifying the Confederate Constitution. | ||||
| 03-19-1862 | 72 Tunkers & other pacifists from Augusta and Rockingham counties are arrested as they attempt to flee to Union lines. | Democrats of Chambersburg's South Ward met at the house of D.W. Beaver to nominate a ticket for next election. | |||
| 03-21-1862 | Confederate War Department revokes all furloughs and leaves of absence. | ||||
| 03-23-1862 | 2 slaves named Thorton & David run away from Daniel Forrer at Mossy Creek Iron Works. | Battle of Kernstown, or Winchester, VA | |||
| 03-25-1862 | Spectator reports that many Augusta citizens have petitioned Pres. Davis to declare martial law in the county so that disloyal citizens can be arrested and the sale of liquor halted. | New recruits from Chambersburg arrived safely at camp of 77th PA. | |||
| 03-28-1862 | Spring elections held in each Franklin County township. | Over 100 former slaves arrived in Philadelphia, PA. | |||
| 04-1862 | US Congress abolished slavery in Washington, D.C., with financial compensation to former slaveholders. | ||||
| 04-04-1862 | Union Army of the Potomac arrived in the Chesapeake Bay area and started heading toward Richmond. | ||||
| 04-05-1862 | Augusta citizens met in Staunton to organize companies of "Free-Fighters," that will defend the Valley from invaders. | Seige of Yorktown, VA, began. | |||
| 04-06-1862 | Battle of Shiloh, near Pittsburg Landing, TN, began. | ||||
| 04-07-1862 | 77th PA participated in Union assault on Pittsburg Landing at Shiloh. | ||||
| 04-08-1862 | Spectator reprints ordinance submitted by Mayor Trout which would impose a fine of $2-$20 on persons found trespassing or vandalizing the Thornrose Cemetery. | ||||
| 04-09-1862 | Rev. J.H. Thomas, chaplain of 77th PA, visited soldiers' families in Franklin. | ||||
| 04-12-1862 | Military recruiting stations in Chambersburg closed by order of the US War Dept. | ||||
| 04-14-1862 | County Democrats held meeting in offices of Valley Spirit to select delegates for the state convention. County court session commenced. | ||||
| Mid 04-1862 | Staunton holds its local elections. | ||||
| 04-16-1862 | Confederacy passes 1st American conscription law. | ||||
| 04-22-1862 | Spectator suspends publication and was not reissued until Oct. 5, 1862. | Dr. George Keyser of Pittsburg discusses the benefits of Lindsay's Blood Searcher for curing cancer and diseases of the skin. | |||
| 04-25-1862 | Surrender of New Orleans, LA to Union forces. | ||||
| 04-26-1862 | Peddler's wagon robbed at the Franklin Hotel. | ||||
| 05-01-1862 | State committee of the People's Party met. Festival began at Franklin Hall to benefit the Brass Band. | ||||
| 05-04-1862 | Confederates under Gen. Magruder evacuated Yorktown, VA. | ||||
| 05-05-1862 | Bells rung throughout Chambersburg in honor of Gen. McClellan's victory in Yorktown, VA. | ||||
| 05-07-1862 | Stonewall Jackson's men arrive in Staunton. | Franklin County Teacher's Institute held meetings in Strasburg. | |||
| 05-08-1862 | Jackson's men defeated Union forces in McDowell. | ||||
| 05-10-1862 | Union forces under Gen. Wood occupied Norfolk, VA. | ||||
| 05-11-1862 | Crew of Confederate ironclad, Merrimack, destroyed it during evacuation of Norfolk, VA. | ||||
| 05-12-1862 | PA reserves dispatched to western branch of the coal region in response to miner's strike. | ||||
| 05-13-1862 | Farmer's & Mechanic's Industrial Association of Franklin County elected new officers. | ||||
| 05-14-1862 | Union army stops 6 miles short of Richmond. | ||||
| 05-20-1862 | Lincoln signed the Homestead Act, giving 160 acres of public land to western settlers after 5 years residence on their claim. | ||||
| 05-21-1862 | District of Columbia provided for the education of African-American children. | ||||
| 05-24-1862 | Battle of Hanover Court House, VA. | ||||
| 05-26-1862 | Chambersburg residents formed new companies of volunteers upon hearing of Confederate defeat near Front Royal, VA. Over 100 contraband slaves arrived in Franklin and settled in Wolffstown. | Gov. Curtin calls PA men to arms. | |||
| 05-27-1862 | Citizens gathered at courthouse to devise plans to care for sick and wounded soldiers. County Democratic Committee held meeting at Montgomery's Hotel to select delegates for state convention. | ||||
| 05-31-1862 | Twin battles of Seven Pines and Fair Oaks, VA, begin and continue through June 1. | ||||
| Early in 06-1862 | Hope Fire Co. met to select officers. | US Congress banned slavery in the western territories, without compensation to former slaveholders. | |||
| 06-01-1862 | Rev. Samuel Spreecher, formerly of Chambersburg, spoke at the Lutheran Church. | Gen. Robert E. Lee appointed commander of the Army of Northern Virginia. | |||
| 06-03-1862 | Carlisle Presbytery met in Presbyterian Church in Chambersburg. | ||||
| 06-08-1862 | Battle of Cross Keys, VA. | ||||
| 06-09-1862 | Battle of Port Republic, VA. | ||||
| 06-14-1862 | Franklin Railway House struck by lightning. | ||||
| 06-15-1862 | 400 Confederate prisoners passed through Chambersburg on special train heading for Camp Curtin. | ||||
| 06-19-1862 | United States forever forbid slavery in the western territories. | ||||
| 06-24-1862 | More Confederate prisoners passed through Chambersburg on way to Camp Curtin. | ||||
| 06-26-1862 | Chambersburg Female Seminary gave a Grand Vocal & Instrumental Concert in Franklin Hall. | ||||
| 06-26-1862 | Seven Days Campaign began, pushing Union forces away from Richmond. Battle of Mechanicsville, VA. | ||||
| 06-27-1862 | Battle of Gaines's Mill, VA, began. | ||||
| 06-29-1862 | Battle of Savages's Station, VA. | ||||
| 06-30-1862 | Battle of Glendale, VA. Battle of Frazier's Farm, VA. | ||||
| Early in 07-1862 | Counterfeit notes of the Bank of Chambersburg found in circulation. | ||||
| 07-01-1862 | Battle of Malvern Hill, VA. | Internal Revenue Office created. Lincoln issued call for 600,000 additional volunteers & signed bill incorporating the Union Pacific Company. | |||
| 07-02-1862 | Commencement of the Young Ladies' Seminary held in Franklin Hall. | Morrill Act signed by Abraham Lincoln. | |||
| 07-03-1862 | George Washington Masonic Lodge met & passed a resolution in honor of deceased member, Hezekiah Easton. | ||||
| 07-04-1862 | Democratic State Convention held in Harrisburg to select candidates for auditor general & surveyor general. | ||||
| 07-08-1862 | Medical board arrived in Harrisburg to examine candidates for surgical posts in the army. | ||||
| 07-11-1862 | Maj. Gen. Henry W. Halleck named commander of the Union armies by Lincoln. | ||||
| 07-12-1862 | Congress authorized the Medal of Honor for noncommissioned Army officers and privates who exhibited supreme gallantry in action. | ||||
| 07-14-1862 | Maj. Gen. John Pope took command of the Army of Virginia. | US Congress passed act raising tariff duties temporarily. | |||
| Mid 07-1862 | 50 Franklin men signed up for a new company being formed. The Columbus Lodge of Odd Fellows met & devised plans to raise money for sick & wounded soldiers. | ||||
| 07-16-1862 | Sheriff begins arresting suspects in connection with a Chambersburg counterfeit ring. | ||||
| 07-17-1862 | Congress authorized use of postage as currency to supply the deficiency in small change. | ||||
| 07-19-1862 | "Deserter" stabbed an unidentified man near Waynesboro. | ||||
| 07-21-1862 | Gov. Curtin called for 21 new regiments from PA, including 5 from Franklin. | ||||
| 07-22-1862 | Lincoln informs his cabinet his intentions to issue an emancipation proclamation. | ||||
| 07-23-1862 | Citizens met at the courthouse to devise plans for raising Franklin's quota of troops. | Gen. Pope ordered to arrest all disloyal citizens within the limits of his command. | |||
| 07-25-1862 | Columbus Lodge of the International Order of Odd Fellows gave $25 to the Ladies Aid Society. | Lincoln notified Confederates of the provisions of the Confiscation Act. | |||
| Late in 07-1862 | Board of County Commissioners voted to pay a bounty of $50 to each volunteer. | ||||
| 08-01-1862 | Confederate Govt. issued order declaring Gen. Pope & his officers not entitled to prisoner-of-war status. | ||||
| 08-02-1862 | Fayetteville Union Sabbath School held annual picnic at Heintzleman's woods. | ||||
| 08-03-1862 | Lutheran Church collected $300 for sick & wounded soldiers. | ||||
| 08-04-1862 | Newly formed Chambers Infantry left Chambersburg for Camp Curtin. | US called 300,000 men to serve for 9 months. | |||
| 08-05-1862 | Ladies Aid Society held benefit concert in Franklin Hall for sick and wounded soldiers. | Battle of Baton Rouge, LA. | |||
| 08-06-1862 | Habeas Corpus suspended by Lincoln. | ||||
| 08-09-1862 | 5th VA Infantry fights at Cedar Mountain. | Battle of Cedar Mountain. | |||
| 08-16-1862 | Harrison's Landing evacuated by Army of the Potomac. | ||||
| 08-18-1862 | Sioux uprising began, led by Chief Little Crow. | ||||
| 08-19-1862 | US forms Dept. of Ohio. | ||||
| 08-25-1862 | US Military Gov. of SC sea islands ordered to enlist black volunteers as soldiers. | ||||
| 08-28-1862 | Bureau of Engraving & Printing created to design & print financial papers of the Federal Govt. | ||||
| 08-28-1862 | 5th VA Infantry, 52nd VA Infantry, & Staunton Artillery begin to fight at Second Manassas. | Second Battle of Manassas. | |||
| Early in 09-1862 | John Snyder badly injured by a bull just outside Mercersburg. | ||||
| 09-01-1862 | Battle of Chantilly, VA. | ||||
| 09-02-1862 | Gen. McClellan placed in command of the troops defending Washington, D.C. Martial law declared in Cincinnati, OH. | ||||
| 09-04-1862 | Draft quotas announced, Franklin told to raise 2,485 troops. | Confederate forces under Gen. Lee began crossing Potomac River into MD. | |||
| 09-08-1862 | Representatives from Franklin & Fulton counties met to nominate Democratic candidates for the assembly. | Gen. Lee issued a proclamation upon entering MD. | |||
| 09-09-1862 | Draft commissioners begin hearing local applications for draft exemptions. Democrats selected slate of candidates for county elections. | ||||
| 09-11-1862 | Business suspended & martial law declared in Chambersburg after rumors surfaced of an enemy invasion into the North. | ||||
| 09-14-1862 | Battle of South Mountain, MD. | ||||
| 09-15-1862 | Train arrived in Chambersburg carrying 50 to 60 Confederate prisoners, including a Franklin County man. | Gen. Jackson captured Union arsenal at Harpers Ferry, VA | |||
| Mid 09-1862 | 2nd & 3rd floors of Franklin Hall converted into a hospital for sick & wounded soldiers. | ||||
| 09-17-1862 | 5th VA Infantry, 52nd VA Infantry, & Staunton Artillery fight at Antietam. | Democratic County Convention passed resolution reaffirming their support for the Crittenden Compromise of 1861. No Valley Spirit published due to Confederate invasion. | PA state Democrats meet to celebrate anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution. | Battle of Antietam near Sharpsburg, MD. | |
| 09-18-1862 | Confederates begin retreat back to VA. | ||||
| 09-20-1862 | Draft postponed until today to give Franklin men additional time to fill draft quotas. | ||||
| 09-22-1862 | Lincoln issued Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation. | ||||
| 09-23-1862 | Sioux badly defeated by Col. Henry Sibley at Wood Lake, Minnesota. | ||||
| 09-26-1862 | Empty freight train collided with a train carrying 20th PA Militia near Harrisburg Bridge. | ||||
| 09-30-1862 | Retaliatory resolutions introduced into Confederate Congress in response to the Emancipation Proclamation. | ||||
| Early in 10-1862 | Samuel Price & Rev. John Brown, citizens of Augusta, captured at Charleston, WV. | Rev. Edward McKee, former pastor of Catholic congregation of Chambersburg, appointed chaplain of 116th PA. | |||
| 10-03-1862 | Battle of Corinth, MS, begins. | ||||
| 10-04-1862 | Edward McPherson presented a flag made by the ladies of Waynesboro for the 126th PA. | ||||
| 10-07-1862 | Spectator reports that over 100 local soldiers have died in the war thus far. Thousands of soldiers wounded at Antietam continue to arrive in Staunton. | ||||
| 10-08-1862 | Battle of Perryville, KY. | ||||
| 10-10-1862 | Confederate troops raided Mercersburg, burned buildings and caused the surrender of the town. | ||||
| 10-11-1862 | Gen. Wood assumed command of PA troops at Harrisburg. | ||||
| 10-14-1862 | In a letter to the Spectator, "A Farmer" urges Augusta citizens to revive soldiers' aid societies. | ||||
| 10-15-1862 | General Synod of the German Reformed Church met in Chambersburg. | ||||
| 10-18-1862 | Confederate prisoners at Palmyra, Missouri shot by order of Gen. McNeil. | ||||
| 10-28-1862 | Day of Thanksgiving in PA, by order of Gov. Curtin. | ||||
| Early in 11-1862 | Officers opened recruiting station in Chambersburg. Draftees camp on farm of Mr. Harcleroad, 2.5 miles south of Chambersburg. | ||||
| 11-02-1862 | Buglar breaks into grocery store owned by Samuel Hartley of Staunton, stealing 50 lbs. of sugar, $10, Hartley's coat, and some brooms. | ||||
| 11-03-1862 | William S. Stenger sworn in as attorney general for Franklin. | ||||
| 11-04-1862 | Spectator reports that smallpox has appeared in Augusta. | Gatlin gun, designed by Richard Gatlin, patented. | |||
| 11-06-1862 | Over 200 Union prisoners pass through Staunton on their way to prison in Richmond. | ||||
| 11-09-1862 | Man arrested in connection with production of counterfeit Chambersburg Bank notes. | ||||
| 11-11-1862 | Spectator complains that only 2 people have responded to call for donation of $50 to aid the poor of Staunton. | ||||
| 11-17-1862 | Half session of the Chambersburg Young Ladies' Seminary commenced. Samuel Brandt commissioned as sheriff of Franklin. | Jefferson Davis ordered retaliation for the execution of 10 Confederates in Missouri. | |||
| 11-18-1862 | False rumor of a Confederate raid spread through Chambersburg. | ||||
| 11-19-1862 | Franklin County Education Association held meetings. | ||||
| 11-25-1862 | Orphan's Court opened session. | ||||
| 11-27-1862 | Gov. Curtin declared this a day of thanksgiving. | ||||
| Late in 11-1862 | John Reese, a deaf man educated at the Deaf & Dumb Institution in Stauton, robbed & beaten to death in Lynchburg. | ||||
| Early in 12-1862 | Men drafted in Franklin formed into 158th PA. | ||||
| 12-02-1862 | Spectator threatens to publish the names of those who do not pay their subscriptions on time. | ||||
| 12-05-1862 | Jacob Plough of Green Township showed off a cow weighing 1,800 lbs. to onlookers in the public square. | ||||
| 12-07-1862 | Battle of Prairie Grove, AR. | ||||
| 12-11-1862 | Mr. Fulton won election for House of Delegates seat from which William Tate resigned. | 120 wounded soldiers transferred from Chambersburg hospitals to Philadelphia. | |||
| 12-13-1862 | 5th VA Infantry, 52nd VA Infantry, & Staunton Artillery fought at Fredericksburg. | 126th PA fought at Fredericksburg. | 1st Battle of Fredericksburg, VA. | ||
| Mid 12-1862 | Col. Charles Campbell of 57th PA & Col. F.S. Stumbaugh of 77th PA rewarded for bravery with brigadier's commissions. | ||||
| 12-15-1862 | 2nd Regiment of Partisan Rangers, consisting of 10 companies, organized under Col. Imboden. | ||||
| 12-16-1862 | Gen. Banks assumed command of the Dept. of the Gulf. | ||||
| 12-17-1862 | Gen. Grant expelled Jews from his department. | ||||
| 12-18-1862 | Court exonerates Quartermaster M.G. Harman of all charges of corruption. | ||||
| 12-23-1862 | Spectator lists the men in the 52nd regiment who would like their overcoats sent to them from home. | Proclamation issued by Jefferson Davis ordering military retaliation against Gen. Benjamin Butler. | |||
| 12-25-1862 | Lutheran Congregation of Chmabersburg presented new clothing to its pastor and his wife. Barn of John Sollenberger, near Mount Alto, consumed by fire. | ||||
| 12-27-1862 | Slaves sold at auction in Greenville, Augusta County, at high prices, prompting Spectator to argue that slavery is stronger than ever. | Straw house & sheds belonging to Mr. Lambert & Mr. Huber consumed by fire. | |||
| 12-30-1862 | Spectator reported that Staunton Artillery is need of shoes. Widow of William Curry, who was killed at Antietam, expressed her thanks for $142 raised on her behalf. | ||||
| 12-31-1862 | Union ironclad Monitor sank in a gale off Cape hatteras, NC. Battle of Mufreesboro, TN. |
