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Semi-Weekly Dispatch: November 01, 1861 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

Pennsylvania: Her Force in the Field for the Union
(Column 3)

From the Upper Potomac
(Column 3)[No Title]
(Column 4)

Summary: Reports information that suggests the army will not go into winter quarters but instead will engage in "a forward movement."

Origin of Article: Bulletin

Halloween
(Column 1)

Summary: Complains of the behavior of "rude, uncultivated" boys the previous evening, in their celebration of Halloween. Notes that the boys shelled with corn and thumped doors with cabbage.

On a Visit
(Column 1)

Summary: Reports that "our young friend" Jas. Gilmore is on a visit to friends in Chambersburg. Mr. Gilmore is Superintendent of the government's telegraph lines
(Names in announcement: Mr. Jas. Gilmore)

An Aged Patriot
(Column 1)

Summary: Relates that a 71-year-old man, Dr. David Tschudy of Hagerstown, recently enlisted in the First Company of the Fourth Regiment of the Potomac Home Brigade. The Herald reports that Dr. Tschudy leaves at home a young wife and two small children.

Origin of Article: Hagerstown Herald

The Firemen
(Column 1)

Summary: Announces at the urging of a Friendship Company member that the Company had 40 members in the three months' service and currently has 21 fighting for the Union.

Mittens for the Soldiers
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Summary: Asks at the suggestion of an officer from West Point that all who can should help to knit the five hundred thousand pairs of mittens that will be needed by the army for the coming winter.

The Incendiary
(Column 1)

Summary: Reports that the "desperate character," Race, has been sentenced to nine years and six months in the Eastern Penitentiary for stealing a pair of boots. Race has a number of prior offenses and was at one point confined for ten years in the Penitentiary.

Incurable
(Column 2)

Summary: Disparages the vendors who set up shop near the court house when court is in session in an attempt to sell various remedies to "credulous but afflicted" buyers.

A Letter from Camp Palmer
(Column 2)

Summary: Gives one soldier's account of general conditions and normal routines in Camp Palmer, near Washington.

Editorial Comment: "We are permitted to make the following extracts from a letter received in this place by a young lady from her brother, a member of the Cavalry Company partially recruited in this place by Captain (now Major) Stetzel, and which is attached to the Regiment known as Harlan's Cavalry. It will be interesting to many as going to show what the duties of Camp life are among the Soldiers."

Full Text of Article:

We are permitted to make the following extracts from a letter received in this place by a young lady from her brother, a member of the Cavalry Company partially recruited in this place by Captain (now Major) Stetzel, and which is attached to the Regiment known as Harlan's Cavalry. It will be interesting to many as going to show what the duties of Camp life are among the Soldiers:

CAMP PALMER, near Washington, Oct. 27.-- * * * * We are just through inspection. On Sunday morning every man must come out with his clothes clean and his shoes blackened, when the officers go around and inspect the general appearance of every soldier. Our company was the cleanest on the ground this morning.

We have had very bad weather; mud is over shoe-top, and on the road to the creek it is above the horses knees. The other day when I was returning from watering the horses, there was an ambulance in front of me, containing a sick man and the horse which was attached to it, sank in the mud until we could but see his back. After working a great while they got him out safe.

We get very good provision, fresh meat three times a week, and plenty of bean soup and coffee and tea. We found a potato patch about a mile from Camp, from which only one half of the pototoes [sic] had been taken, and one day last week we dug out about three bushels. Yesterday we had boiled beef, bean soup, fried potatoes and onions, for dinner.

We have a board floor in our tents. Our Cupboard consists of a box sunk into the ground, the top even with the floor, and covered with a lid, and two holes dug in the center of the tents serve as a cellar for our potatoes, &c., the middle board of the floor being left loose, so as to have easy access.

We have some trouble to get horse feed, as it has to be hauled from such a distance. We passed a foraging party of our men yesterday, who were returning, each of whom had a bundle of hay, which was as high as his head, tied to his saddle. You could scarcely see the men for hay.

We are kept pretty busy. The roll is called at 5 o'clock, A. M., after which we attend to our horses, which takes an hour; then we have breakfast. This over, we drill on foot from 9 1/2 till 10 1/2 o'clock; after drill, we water our horses, then get dinner. After dinner we get ready for drill on horseback, which lasts from 2 until 3 1/2 o'clock; we then feed and water our horses; by that time it is dark. On Saturdays we have no drill, but clean up ready for Sunday.

Yesterday was my wash day. I made myself a washing machine out of a pine board, across which I cut grooves with my penknife and it is a real good machine.

* * * Love to all the friends. Write soon to
THY BROTHER.

Trailer: Thy Brother

The Court Proceedings
(Column 3)

Summary: Reports the results of court proceedings that had begun the previous Monday. Samuel Kelly was convicted of "surety of the peace" on the oath of Simeon Kroh. Charges against William Hazelet for surety of the peace were dismissed, despite the oath of Miss E. Clemm. Jacob Perry was convicted of adultery and granted a new trial. The case against Charles Kelso, charged with fornication and bastardy, was continued until the next term. Jacob P. Barr pled guilty to the charges of fornication and bastardy, on the oath of Miss Coner, and his sentence was deferred. George Gelwicks was found not guilty of assault, despite the testimony of Miss Mary E. Henry. Andrew Jones "(col'd)" was convicted of assault and battery on the oath of Mary Jackson "(col'd)" and sentenced to pay a fine of one cent and costs of prosecution, and to serve ten days in jail. The charge of assault and battery against William Hartman was ignored, as were unspecified charges against Jacob Wilderson, Hiram Wilderson, and Samuel Wilderson. Samuel Dysert's case for "rescue from an officer" was continued until next term. The bill against Andrew Meades, "col'd," for receiving stolen goods was ignored. George W. Race was found guilty on one of the seven bills against him for burglary and larceny. Race was sentenced to nine years and six months in the Eastern Penitentiary. David Anderson was sentenced on the charge of surety of the peace to pay prosecution costs and put up $100 to ensure his "future good behavior." Anderson is to remain in custody until he complies with his sentence. Robert Miller was convicted of "maliscious mischief" and sentenced to pay $10 and court costs. John Kreigel was found not guilty of burglary. Nicholas Best was found not guilty of assault and battery, and Jane Piper was ordered to pay court costs. The court found in favor of J. H. Lane, the plantiff, in a case against William Elder to "recover for labor done to Defendant's Tannery," and ordered Elder to pay $82.10. In the case of John Barnitz vs. John Frey, "an action in Trovor," the court found for the defendant. The case brought by J. H. Shireman against Geo. Tritle to recover the value of a new reaper and mower was continued. The article remarks that this will be the last court session over which Judge F. M. Kimmel will preside.
(Names in announcement: Samuel Kelly, Simeon Kroh, Wm. Hazelet, Miss E. Clemm, Jacob Perry, Charles Kelso, Jacob P. Barr, Miss Coner, George Gelwicks, Miss Mary E. Henry, Andrew Jones, Mary Jackson, m. Hartman, Jacob Wilderson, Hiram Wilderson, Samuel Wilderson, Samuel Dysert, Andrew Meades, John Shiffert, George W. Race, David Anderson, James Gillan, Robert Miller, John Kriegel, Nicholas Best, Jane Piper, J. H. Lane, Wm. Elder, John Frey, John Barnitz, J. H. Shireman, Geo. Tritle, John Hartman, Reuben Hawk, Judge F. M. Kimmel)

Marriages
(Column 4)

Summary: Mr. Walker Shearer of Strasburg and Miss Catharine Warden of Chambersburg were married on October 24.
(Names in announcement: Miss Catharine Warden)

Marriages
(Column 4)

Summary: Mr. Merrick Aug. Stoner and Miss Mary Ann Lian, both of McConnellsburg, were married in Chambersburg on October 19.

Marriages
(Column 4)

Summary: Mr. Jacob B. Mentzer and Miss Amanda Hawbecker, both of Washington County, Maryland, were married in Chambersburg on October 29.