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Staunton Vindicator: March 27, 1863

Go To Page : 1 | 2 |

-Page 01-

Description of Page: This page also includes a reprint of President Davis's proclamation on a day of fasting, a poem, reports from the Confederate Congress and the Virginia legislature, and various war news.

The System of Impressment
(Column 2)
Summary: Reprint of letter from Honorable John B. Baldwin to Honorable James A. Seddon, Secretary of War and of reply from J. A. Campbell, on behalf of Seddon, on the issue of impressment. Baldwin complains about the "repeated seizures of private property" in his district and argues that the acts have no legal basis. Further, he calls for just compensation. Campbell's reply states that the War Department does not deem a discussion of the legality of impressments or of just compensations important, in light of "the extraordinary and anamolous [sic] conditions that now exist." He hopes Congress will address the situation.
(Names in announcement: Honorable John B. Baldwin)
Impressments
(Column 2)
Summary: The editor accuses the Secretary of War and the Commissary Department of usurpation by practicing impressment without legal backing and of taking it upon themselves to make laws. Only Congress has the power to enact legislation, as stated by the attorney general.
Origin of Article: Richmond Whig
Market Price of a Grievance
(Column 2)
Summary: The editor wonders where the "widespread and bitter dissatisfaction" Baldwin refers to may be found regarding impressment and states that the only hateful government is the Northern one.
Origin of Article: Enquirer
A Good Hotel Story
(Column 4)
Summary: Relates the story of a military officer who stayed at an Atlanta hotel and thought his bill at the end was too high. His complaint made the owner so mad that he whipped three African-American minors to vent his hostility.
Origin of Article: Atlanta Confederacy

-Page 02-

Description of Page: Also on this page are the text of a Confederate currency bill, advertisements, and notices.

To Our People
(Column 1)
Summary: The editor notes that he has become aware of families that, no matter their hard work, are not able to supply their families sufficiently and may be too proud to ask for assistance. He calls on farmers to distribute their crops at reduced rates or free to these people and on all people to look out for one another so that husbands and fathers in the field may know their loved ones are not suffering unnecessarily.
[No Title]
(Column 1)
Summary: The editor reports that General W. H. Harman read a letter from General Imboden at the adjournment of county court on Monday night. The letter relayed the news of ten destitute families in Pendleton County. The few people in attendance contributed $350 and provisions, and Samuel H. Bell offered to buy enough wheat to supply the families.
(Names in announcement: Genl. W. H. Harman, Genl. Imboden, Mr. Samuel H. Bell)
Our Neighbor
(Column 2)
Summary: The editor chastises the editor of the Spectator for criticisms of the Vindicator. The editor of the Spectator had accused the editor of the Vindicator of silence on issues such as war bonds and impressment and had faulted him for his positions on reunification and northwestern Virginia. The editor of the Vindicator responds to each of these criticisms.
Proceedings of the Baltimore Annual Conference
(Column 3)
Summary: The Baltimore Annual Conference of Preachers met in Churchville, Augusta County, for five days beginning March 19. Reports from daily business are included. A list of appointments to the conference of persons from Augusta County includes J. S. Martin, Churchville District; Thomas Hildebrand and J. A. H. Moore, Churchville; G. R. Jefferson and W. D. Rippetoe, West Augusta; J. C. Dice, Staunton; H. A. Gaver and J. L. Snyder, Augusta; R. Smith, Mt. Sidney; and W. S. Baird, Principal, Wesleyan Female Institute and Member of Staunton Quarterly Conference. L. W. Haslip is a member of the Augusta Quarterly Conference.
(Names in announcement: J. S. Martin, G. R. Jefferson, W. D. Rippetoe, Thomas Hildebrand, J. A. H. Moore, J. C. Dice, H. A. Gaver, J. L. Snyder, R. Smith, W. S. Baird, L. W. Haslip)
[No Title]
(Column 4)
Summary: Col. M. G. Harman has sent loads of wood to poor families in town, as have other local farmers. J. Wayt Bell sells his flour locally at a rate lower than what he could get if he shipped it elsewhere.
(Names in announcement: Col. M. G. Harman, Mr. J. Wayt Bell)
Ball at the Odd Fellows' Hall
(Column 5)
Summary: A ball to be held March 31 will benefit soldiers' families. The committee planning the ball consists of J. M. Hardy, J. C. Marquis, D. C. McGuffin, and N. K. Trout.
(Names in announcement: J. M. Hardy, J. C. Marquis, D. C. McGuffin, N. K. Trout)
Impressment
(Column 6)
Summary: Points readers to the letters and editorials regarding impressment and calls on readers to see both sides of the question.
(Names in announcement: Hon. John B. Baldwin)