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Semi-Weekly Dispatch: May 02, 1862 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

The Capture of New Orleans
(Column 4)

Summary: Expresses the hope that the information that New Orleans has been taken, which has been learned only from Southern sources, is correct. Also points out that the taking of New Orleans would likely be the most important event of the war.

Origin of Article: Philadelphia Press

The President and Republicanism
(Column 4)

Summary: Relates that the President recently told the Minister of Salvador that if the Union is preserved, the United States will have demonstrated that Republicanism can preserve the state against factionalism.

Hon. A. H. Reeder
(Column 5)

Summary: Praises the party leadership and exceptional character of Governor Reeder.

Origin of Article: Erie Gazette

Their Situation at Corinth
(Column 5)

Summary: Predicts that a battle at or near Corinth is inevitable.

Death of Mrs. Lincoln's Brother
(Column 5)

Summary: Article of four lines in length that reports the death of Samuel B. Todd, the brother of Mrs. Lincoln who fought for the South. He died from wounds he incurred at Shiloh in the action of April 7. The Dispatch does not comment further.

Iron Is King
(Column 1)

Summary: Points out that iron will eclipse cotton in importance for the world, as the Monitor and the Merrimac have demonstrated.

Origin of Article: Philadelphia Bulletin

Navy Supplies
(Column 2)

Summary: Lists the amount of supplies that is estimated will be needed by the navy for the coming fiscal year. Includes three million pounds of biscuits; 600,000 pounds of rice; and 150,000 gallons of whiskey.

The Latest from New Orleans
(Column 3)

Summary: Confirms the preliminary reports that New Orleans was captured by Union troops under the command of Captain Porter. Also prints the dispatch from the Southern force that fled the city.

From Gen. Halleck's Army
(Column 3)

Summary: Offers further confirmation of the fall of New Orleans.

The May Festival
(Column 1)

Summary: Notes that the May Festival in Chambersburg, held the previous evening at Franklin Hall, proved "a very pleasant and attractive entertainment."

Sudden Death
(Column 1)

Summary: Regrets the death of Mr. Jacob Weaver, aged 67 years, who died suddenly on the previous Monday night in his residence in St. Thomas township.
(Names in announcement: Mr. Jacob Weaver)

The Flag of the Seventy-Seventh Pennsylvania
(Column 1)

Summary: Reports that Governor Curtin presented the flag of the 77th Pennsylvania, which was torn from the bursting of a shell in the battle of Shiloh. The troops then departed for Kentucky. Thirteen men in the regiment were wounded, and ten are expected to recover.

Pennsylvanians at Pittsburg Landing
(Column 2)

Summary: Publishes the official report to Governor Curtin of the actions of Pennsylvania troops in the battle at Pittsburg landing (aka Shiloh).

Full Text of Article:

Official Report.

Head-Quarters Fifth Brigade,
Battle-field near Pittsburg Landing, Tenn.
April 12th, 1862.

Honored Sir:--I embrace the first moment of time allotted me since the terrific battle of the 6th and 7th inst., to inform you that the old Keystone was represented in the battle of the 7th inst., by the 77th regiment.

We were 28 or 30 miles from the scene of action from the scene of action on Sabbath morning the 6th inst., when we distinctly heard the cannonading, and, of course, made all possible haste to reach the battle field. Leaving our transportation we marched forward 22 or 23 miles, over roads almost impassable, to Savannah on the Tennessee river, where we arrived at 7 o'clock P.M., and after standing in the street under a most drenching rain for eight hours, we embarked on board a boat at 3 o'clock A. M., on the morning of the 7th, and landed at Pittsburg Landing at 6 o'clock the same day, when, after a hasty cup of coffee and a cracker had been disposed of, we were ordered forward into battle. The 77th was held in reserve for the 5th Brigade from 6 o'clock to 11 o'clock A. M., under a galling fire, without being allowed to fire a gun, when we were ordered to support the 4th Brigade, commanded by Gen. Rosseau, which they did till about 12 o'clock, when the Regiment was detached by order of Gen. M'Cook, for the purpose of flanking three regiments of the enemy, which the 77th nobly did, and also in the meantime fired upon and silenced one of the enemy's batteries by killing all their horses and many of their men. Just here a considerable body of rebel cavalry charged down upon us, but were repulsed with severe loss. Again they came and again the 77th repulsed them, when they retreated in confusion. Our Regiment took many prisoners that day, among whom was Colonel Battles, of the 2d Tennessee infantry.

Suffice it to say that all the officers and men of the 77th fought cooly and bravely that entire day. I am especially indebted to Lieut. Col. Housum and Maj. Bradford for distinguished services during the battle.

Our loss is quite meagre--only two or three mortally wounded, and some five or six seriously and slightly. This, I apprehend, is on account of our loading and firing lying on the ground.

The loss on the Federal side is very heavy, but nothing to compare with the loss of the Rebels.

The ranking officers of our brigade all being wounded, I find myself in command of the Brigade, and I may add it was the Brigade on Monday.

Trusting that you will pardon this incomplete and badly written epistle, written on a drum head,

I am, dear sir,
Your obedient servant,
F. S. Stumbaugh.

To his Excellency, A. G. Curtin, Governor of Pennsylvania.

The Rebel Outrages at Manassas
(Column 2)

Summary: Prints several excerpts from the report made by the Committee on the Conduct of the War that give examples of the "rebel outrages" that were perpetrated at Manassas.

Full Text of Article:

Washington, April 30.--The committee on the conduct of the war, made a report today, on the subject of the barbarities committed by the rebels at Manassas, on the bodies of the federal soldiers, who fell at that battle.

The committee give ample evidence to sustain all the previous allegations. The report shows that the most inhuman acts were perpetrated by the rebels. The committee say:

"The outrages on the bodies of our dead will revive recollections of the cruelties to which savages subject their prisoners. Our soldiers were buried in many cases naked, face downwards."

In other cases, the testimony shows that the bodies were left to decay in the open air. Their bones were dug up and carried off as trophies. Drinking cups were made of their skulls, &c.

The testimony of Governor Sprague is extremely interesting.

One of our men, who was taken prisoner, testifies that five of his comrades were shot by sentinels. The murders were prompted by other rebels.

Dr. Honiston, Surgeon of the New York Fourteenth regiment, testifies that the rebels brutally refused him permission to aid the wounded who were under his charge on the field. He avers that he saw rebel Surgeons unnecessarily and inhumanly operate on our soldiers. Some of our wounded were left lying on the field at Bull Run, through one rainy and one sultry day, and when they were at last brought in, their wounds were completely alive with larvae deposited by flies.

Gen. Richetts testifies that the rebels threatened to knock his brains out as he lay on the ground, wounded: that they stripped his first lieutenant and left him naked on the field. Also, that our soldiers who died at Richmond were buried naked along with negro corpses.

Deaths
(Column 3)

Summary: Mr. John Highlands, aged 75 years and 11 months, died in St. Thomas township on April 25 after a lingering illness.
(Names in announcement: Mr. John Highlands)