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Staunton Vindicator: May 31, 1861 Go To Page : 1 | 2 |

Proclamation to the People of the Confederate States
(Column 2)

Summary: President Jefferson Davis calls for a day of fasting and prayer for the people of the Confederate States on June 13th.

Duty of Good Citizens
(Column 2)

Summary: The Vindicator calls on all Virginians to stop grumbling and complaining about the military decisions of the Confederate authorities. The paper likens such complaining to giving "aid and comfort to the enemy."

Election: Official Vote of Augusta County
(Column 3)

Summary: Table of voting of Augusta County for the Senate, House of Delegates, Ordinance of Secession, and the Board of Public Works. The voters overwhelmingly supported the Ordinance of Secession--3130 people supported it while only 10 voted against.

The Election
(Column 3)

Summary: The vote for the Ordinance of Secession "exhibits a unanimity unparalleled in popular elections," according to the Vindicator. This was the largest vote ever cast in Augusta county.

West and Northwest
(Column 3)

Summary: The counties in the extreme Western and Northwestern parts of Virginia cast a larger vote against the Ordinance of Secession than anticipated. The paper blames this on the large number of federal troops stationed by the Ohio river, who intimidated many voters into opposing secession.

[No Title]
(Column 3)

Summary: Roughly 160,000 voters in Virginia supported the Ordinance of Secession while 25,000 opposed it.

Destructive Fire
(Column 4)

Summary: A large fire threatened much of the lower part of Staunton, although it was contained before it spread. It did destroy Thomas Shumate's stable and badly damaged Mrs. Barkman's house. The fire companies worked hard to control the flames and were aided by the Greenbrier Cavalry and the Augusta Lee Rifles.
(Names in announcement: Thomas Shumate, A.F. KinneyEsq., Miss Sallie Waddell, H.J. CrawfordEsq., Mrs. Barkman, B.F. PointsEsq., Capt. R.D. Lilley)

Telegrams Suppressed
(Column 4)

Summary: Gov. Letcher has given the order that telegrams relating to military operations should not be provided to the Richmond newspapers. The Vindicator supports this action.

Full Text of Article:

Telegrams Suppressed.

It appears that Gov. Letcher has given direction that the telegrams relating to the operations of the army which come to the Richmond office, shall be withheld from the newspapers of that city. We think this entirely right. The people are kept in constant excitement and suspense by the various announcements and contradictions which of late have been sent over the wires. The imposition has been cruel. It is better to be without information at all, than to be receiving so many false statements. We think the Governor has acted wisely and prudently in ordering the telegrams to be withheld.

Serious Accident
(Column 4)

Summary: Mrs. Gooch, of Churchville, was hurt last Wednesday when the horses attached to her carriage bolted during the dress parade at the military camp.
(Names in announcement: Mrs. Gooch, Col. D.S. Young, Dr. B.B. Bonaghe)

State Capital
(Column 4)

Summary: The Vindicator believes that Staunton may become the capital of Virginia now that Richmond has become the capital of the Confederacy.

Full Text of Article:

State Capital.

Now that the Capital of the Confederate States is to be removed to Richmond, the opinion seems to be almost universal that Staunton will be selected as the Capital of the State. We are sure no more desirable place could be found within the limits of the Commonwealth. Liberal inducements would be offered by our citizens.

President Davis
(Column 4)

Summary: President Davis arrived in Richmond on May 29th. This city will now be the capital of the Confederacy.

Lincoln, as Described by an Eyewitness
(Column 5)

Summary: Mr. Stuart described Lincoln to a crowd at the Court House last Monday. According to Stuart, Lincoln is a large and awkward man whose manners and appearance "clearly indicated that he was not accustomed to good society, but that he was a coarse, rude, and uncultivated man, with none of the qualifications essential to grace the position he holds." Stuart also criticized Lincoln's inaugural address as "insincere and double-faced." The Vindicator reminds its readers that when the paper similarly denounced Lincoln's speech shortly after the inauguration, it was "censured freely for our rashness and want of charity." The paper believes that history has proven it correct.
(Names in announcement: A.H.H. Stuart)

[No Title]
(Column 5)

Summary: Praises Maj. Harman, the Quartermaster and Commander at Staunton Encampment, for his "extraordinary exertions in behalf of the State and the Southern Confederacy."
(Names in announcement: Maj. M.G. Harman, Adj. H.M. Bell)

[No Title]
(Column 5)

Summary: The recent drought has injured the wheat crop.

Confederate Guards
(Column 5)

Summary: Capt. Skinner is in the process of raising a volunteer company that will be called the Confederate Guards.
(Names in announcement: Captain J.H. Skinner)

The Indian Nation
(Column 7)

Summary: A letter from the Indian Nation assures the Picayune that the Choctaws, Cherokees, Seminoles, and Creeks will give a kind reception to the Commissioners who have been appointed by the Louisiana State Convention to visit them. These tribes are slaveholders, so they support secession and the Confederacy.

Origin of Article: New Orleans Picayune

An Attack on Richmond
(Column 3)

Summary: The Tribune states that 30,000 federal troops are ready to march from Washington and capture Richmond. The paper believes that the first battle will be at Culpeper.

Origin of Article: New York Tribune