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Semi-Weekly Dispatch: July 16, 1861 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

Message from Jeff. Davis
(Column 1)

Summary: Argues that the dispatch supposedly from Jefferson Davis demanding that the North surrender cannot be authentic.

Origin of Article: Philadelphia Inquirer

The Chivalry Returning Home
(Column 1)

Summary: The Dispatch scoffs at members of two South Carolina regiments who returned home after their enlistment expired. The editor remarks that South Carolinians, largely responsible for starting the war, should not abandon "their friends."

Full Text of Article:

We see it stated that two South Carolina Regiments, who were in Virginia, have returned to their homes, their term of enlistment having expired. If the rebel soldiers from any of the seceding States ought to see the fight through with, it is those from S. Carolina. After striving for 30 years to produce a collision between the Northern and Southern sections of our country, and when at last they have succeeded, they should at least have manliness enough not to desert their friends, whom they have dragged into the conflict, right in the midst of their difficulties. We should be glad to hear form them when they re-inlist [sic] for of all others of the rebel troops those of South Carolina we desire most to see thoroughly thrashed. If they are half as chivalorous [sic] and brave as they would have the world believe them, let them return to the field and seek earnestly to meet the Northern "mud sills" as they have contemptuously styled our working men, and whose courage they have so persistently impugned, or for ever after hide their faces. As the Valley Spirit has been the peculiar defender of South Carolina, we hope it will institute an inquiry as to this mean, dastardly conduct of its friends, and report.

Col. Kelley
(Column 1)

Summary: Reports that Colonel Kelley is recovering from his injuries and will be able to resume at least some of his military duties shortly.

Origin of Article: Wheeling Intelligencer

Is It Right?
(Column 2)

Summary: Disputes the argument that because certain former Unionists have come out in favor of secession, it is futile to oppose it any longer. Asserts that the question should be whether secession is right or not.

Origin of Article: Knoxville (Tenn.) Whig

Synopsis of the Secretary of War's Report
(Column 2)

Summary: Summarizes the speech of Secretary Cameron, in which he pointed out that instead of being embarrassed for lack of forces to put down the rebellion, the government is in the position of being overwhelmed with volunteers. Over 188,000 volunteers have enlisted, making a total of 230,000 men when the regular army is included.

Rebel Prisoners
(Column 1)

Summary: Reports that five rebels were conveyed through Chambersburg via rail the previous morning on their way to Philadelphia.

Resigned
(Column 1)

Summary: Announces the resignation of the Honorable Wilson Reilly of his commission as captain of the McClure Rifles due to health reasons.
(Names in announcement: Honorable Wilson Reilly)

More Troops
(Column 1)

Summary: Reports that a regiment of the reserve corps of Pennsylvania volunteers passed through Chambersburg to Greencastle, where they have camped. A second regiment passed through the same night.

Died
(Column 1)

Summary: Reports the death of Mr. Jason C. Woolslare, a volunteer from Pittsburgh and member of Company I of the Second Regiment. Woolslare was in the care of Mr. Trostle since the hospital was moved to Hagerstown. He died of brain fever.
(Names in announcement: Mr. Trostle)

Trophies
(Column 1)

Summary: Relates that Captain Girard, Lieutenant Enright, and fifteen men of the Seventh Regiment captured three men, three horses, two rifles, one musket, two revolvers, one horse pistol, and other items when they went on "a scouting expedition" from their quarters near Martinsburg, Virginia. Notes that one of the revolvers, a clasp off a sword belt, and an inkstand were left at the office of the Dispatch so that anyone who wishes might examine them.

The Trogan [sic] Horse in the South
(Column 1)

Summary: Commends Congress for admitting loyal members from the states that have declared their secession. Remarks that this policy offers added incentive to Southerners to remain loyal to the Union.

Niggerless Individuals
(Column 1)

Summary: Anecdote involving Colonel Frank Blair, in which Blair tells a slaveholder from Missouri that the federal government doesn't object to slave ownership. If slaveholders attempt to take Missouri out of the Union, however, they will shortly find themselves without their slaves.

Full Text of Article:

The preponderance of the slaveholding interest of Missouri is decidedly for the Union. The large slaveholders seem to realize a great truth which Col. Frank Blair recently announced to one of them. He was in his quarters at the Arsenal, when a gentleman from Lexington came in, and was introduced to him. "I am a Union man," remarked the visitor, "but I'm pro-slavery; I own niggers." "Well, Sir," replied Col. Blair, with a faint suggestion of a smile upon his grim face, "You have a right to be. If a man likes negroes, we don't object to that; but if you gentlemen who own negroes attempt to take the State of Missouri out of the Union, in about six month you will be the most 'niggerless' set of individuals that you ever heard of!"