Valley of the Shadow: Civil War-Era Newspapers

Staunton Vindicator: April 17, 1863

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-Page 01-

Description of Page: This page also includes a poem, a reprint of the tax bill recently adopted by the state legislature, proceedings from the Confederate Congress, and various war news.

A Losing Game
(Column 1)
Summary: Assesses the Mississippi River campaign and, drawing upon a balance sheet from the Natchez Courier, asserts the superiority of the Confederate forces there.

Copperheads
(Column 4)
Summary: Describes a breastpin from Ohio that has the head of the goddess of Liberty on it. The article notes that liberty must mean little to Northerners, who oppress the South.

Origin of Article: Lynchburg Virginian
A Good Idea
(Column 7)
Summary: Passports are now issued in Augusta County at a cost of twenty-five cents each. Proceeds go to the Augusta Purveying Association for the benefit of the city poor.

-Page 02-

Description of Page: This page includes a editorial on the attack on Charleston, a report on fires in Rockingham County, some medical remedies, a reprint of "Remarks of Mr. Russell, of Va., in the House of Representatives, Upon his Motion to Except Virginia from the Bill authorizing Elections for Members of Congress to be made by General Ticket," assorted war news, legal notices, advertisements, a calendar, and reprints of lists of deserters from Staunton Artillery and the 52nd Regiment of Virginia Volunteers, plus a short list of deserters from Rockingham County from the 12th Virginia Cavalry.

Confederate Loan
(Column 2)
Summary: Discusses the response in Europe to Confederate bonds and asserts that their popularity reflects the perception that the young Confederacy is stable. The editor surmises that the purchasers were more than just supporters of the Confederacy but instead recognized the wise and safe investment in buying the bonds.

Connecticut Election
(Column 3)
Summary: Notes that the recent elections in Connecticut and Rhode Island resulted in Republican victories and thus show that the people of each state have endorsed the war. Northern Democrats, the editor contends, had expressed hopes of an early peace, but they were defeated.

For the Vindicator
(Column 3)
Summary: This letter invites Augusta citizens to assemble in Staunton on April 27, the next meeting of the county court, in response to the President's proclamation urging people to increase production of grain.

Trailer: Many Citizens

[No Title]
(Column 3)
Summary: The wheat crop of Augusta County is not as bad as was supposed earlier, as the warm weather this month has improved it considerably. The farmers are preparing to plant large crops of corn.

Married
(Column 5)
Summary: Lieut. M. C. Reger of the 25th Virginia Regiment married Miss Sue H. Johnston, formerly of Upsher County, in Augusta County on April 14, with Reverend J. C. Dice officiating.
(Names in announcement: Rev. J. C. Dice, Lieut. M. C. Reger, Miss Sue H. Johnston)
$2,000 Reward
(Column 5)
Summary: George Talbot, about 22 or 23, with very open teeth; Archy Gower, about 36, very black, with a little bald spot; Nancy Ashby, mulatto girl, very fine looking; and Sarah Gaskins, brown skin, very fine looking, ran away from near Staunton on Saturday, April 4. Their owner, William J. Shumate, suspects they will try to make their way down the Valley, where he purchased them. He offers $500 each or $2000 for the return of all four.
(Names in announcement: George Talbot, Archy Gower, Nancy Ashby, Sarah Gaskins, William J. Shumate)
Notice
(Column 5)
Summary: By order of the surgeon in charge, Chief Steward J. W. Morgan wishes to hire thirty African-American men and twenty women as cooks and nurses at the General Hospital in Staunton. The pay will be $20 per month for the men and $12 for the women.
(Names in announcement: J. W. MorganChief Steward)