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Staunton Vindicator: August 12, 1864 Go To Page : 1 | 2 |

[No Title]
(Column 2)

Summary: The next session of the Augusta Female Seminary will open the middle of August and will close the middle of June. Miss M. J. Baldwin is Principal, and Miss Agnes McClung is manager of the boarding department.
(Names in announcement: Miss M. J. Baldwin, Miss Agnes McClung)

What the War Has Cost--Appalling Loss of Life
(Column 7)

Summary: The New York Daily News reports that the three-year war has involved 1,775,000 Northern soldiers, with 500,000 in the field currently, and with about 375,000 discharged because of wounds, sickness, or disability or deserted, leaving about 900,000 dead and buried. By comparison, Northern soldiers have freed about 100,000 slaves, many of whom are worse off now than when they were with their masters. The projected war debt already stands at four billion dollars. The article concludes that the costs far outweigh the gains of the war.

Origin of Article: New York Daily News

Singular Battle Field Incident
(Column 7)

Summary: The Petersburg Register tells of a slave who had run away from Alabama, was fighting for a Northern regiment, and recognized his former master in battle. The former slave threw down his musket, ran up to his former master, threw his arms around his master's neck, and ended up shielding a shot intended for the Confederate soldier. The soldier and slave were carried off the field, and the slave's wound was attended to. Many other former slaves were killed in battle that day, July 30, 1864, but this particular former slave was safe because of his decision to protect his former master.

Origin of Article: Petersburg Register

War News
(Column 1)

Summary: The editor summaries developments in the war in the past week, concentrating on Petersburg, the lower Valley, and the burning of Chambersburg.

Full Text of Article:

War News.

Since the little affair of Friday last, in which Gen'l Beauregard tried his hand in springing a mine, the situation in front of Petersburg remains unchanged. The "Express" states that the object of the explosion of our mine on Friday was to blow up a sap which the enemy was running towards an important position on our centre. This was effectually done, as it is known that the enemy's gallery ran very close tot he point at which the mine was sprung. The result will, it is believed, completely check further mining operations on the part of the Yankees at this point, and render them exceedingly cautious elsewhere. The loss of the Yankees was, no doubt, small as the mine did not extend quite to their breastworks. The explosion had however the effect of causing a panic among the enemy, and at the same time gave them to distinctly understand that this interesting game of mining is one in which two cam play, the decision of which, is not always in favor of the one who institutes the game. It is also reported that Grant is sending away his troops, and that he is removing his heavy guns from the front, which indicates an evacuation of his present position. If the sequel should prove this report to be correct, there will be no more fighting of any magnitude around Petersburg. The next grand battle between Lee and Grant may probably be fought on northern soil.

From the army in front of Atlanta Gen. Hood reports the repulse of two assaults on different portions of his lines on Saturday with some loss to the enemy. Since then nothing additional has been received from that point, but we are nevertheless satisfied that all is well in front of the Gate city, and when the battle is joined no tears need be entertained as to the result.

From the lower Valley we learn, through the Northern papers--that a portion of Gen. Early's command occupied Hagerstown on the 4th, another portion estimated at 7000 strong were in the neighborhood of Harpers Ferry, whilst Gen. Early with the remainder of his command, was at Bunker Hill guarding the trains of plunder and grain moving up the Valley. The Harrisburg papers, in commenting upon the situation, say that the force of Gen. Early is now very large, having been recently largely reinforced, and predicts that an incursion into either Maryland or Pennsylvania will be successful. What position Gen. Early at present really occupies, we are not informed, but feel assured that he is not inactive, but in due time will turn up at the right place.

A report has reached here, within the past day or two stating that Bradley Johnson's forces, attached to McCausland's command, were surprised, having 4 pieces of artillery, and 300 men and horses. We trust when we receive a correct account, it will not be so bad as at first represented.

The burning of Chambersburg by McCausland meets with the universal approval of the Confederate press. Just retaliation, though long delayed, has commenced at last, and will continue to be practiced until the corrupt dynasty, which rules at Washington, shall direct its minions in the field to cease their Vandalism, and return so that mode of warfare practiced by all civilized nations.

Escape of a Supposed Murderer
(Column 1)

Summary: Several months ago a man named McQuain, traveling from Pendleton County to Harrisonburg to invest his money in Confederate bonds, was murdered. The suspects, named Lake and Harney, were arrested. While being conveyed to Pendleton, Willoughby Harney escaped from the guards at Lebanon White Sulpher Springs in Augusta County on August 1. He has not been captured. The other suspect, Lake, appeared before court in Pendleton County and is now in jail in Augusta County.
(Names in announcement: Willoughby Harney)

The Reserves
(Column 2)

Summary: The Reserves of the Valley District assembled on August 9 and organized into five battalions. Each battalion elected its commanding officers. The First Battalion, composed of men from Warren, Page, and Shenandoah Counties, organized into four companies and elected William A. J. Miller of Page County as its commanding officer. The Second Battalion, composed of men from Rockingham County, organized into four companies and elected Ar. Taylor of Rockingham as its commanding officer. The Third Battalion, composed of men from Augusta County, organized into four companies and elected Samuel McCune of Augusta County as its commanding officer. The Fourth Battalion, composed of men from Rockbridge, Bath, Highland, and Alleghany counties, organized into five companies and elected James J. White of Rockbridge as its commanding officer. The Fifth Battalion, composed of Reserves (Boys) from Rockbridge, Rockingham, and Augusta counties, organized into four companies and elected George Crisman of Rockingham as its commanding officer.
(Names in announcement: Samuel McCune)

Some Tomatoes
(Column 2)

Summary: Mrs. W. H. Peyton presented the editor with a gift of thirty-one tomatoes, all large and ripe, growing on the same stem in a cluster, looking from a distance like a single tomato, and weighing ten pounds. The editor encourages other friends to treat him so kindly and to share their curiosities with him.
(Names in announcement: Mrs. W. H. Peyton)

[No Title]
(Column 2)

Summary: The editor alerts readers to the advertisement in another column from the committee appointed by the town of Staunton to purchase wheat. The committee proposes to pay for the wheat with bonds of the Corporation of Staunton, and the editor claims these bonds are good investments since the town is not in debt.

Great Inconvenience
(Column 3)

Summary: The editor states that the conflict between the Postmaster General and the President of the Virginia Central Railroad has caused everyone a great inconvenience because it has stopped delivery of the mail. Wherever the fault may lie, the editor protests the situation, asserts that the people of the area are the ones suffering, and calls for the delivery of mail to be resumed.

Notice
(Column 5)

Summary: An Executive Committee composed of Thomas J. Michie, Kenten Harper, H. M. Hill, and N. K. Trout announces that an assistant surgeon in the room of Dr. Davis at the Central Lunatic Asylum will be elected on the first Saturday in September. Interested candidates should submit applications before August 25.
(Names in announcement: Dr. Davis, Thomas J. Michie, Kenten Harper, H. M. Hill, N. K. Trout)

Staunton Gas Company
(Column 7)

Summary: Joseph A. Waddell, President, of the Board of the Staunton Gas Company, announces a meeting of stockholders to be held at the store of Garber and Price on Monday evening, August 22, 1864, at 7 o'clock to make arrangements for the management of the works since the lease of Waterhouse and Bowes has expired.
(Names in announcement: Mr. Garber, Mr. Price, Mr. Waterhouse, Mr. Bowes, Joseph A. Waddell)