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Valley Spirit: December 3, 1862 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |

The Reign of Terror Ended
(Column 5)

Summary: The writers decry the Lincoln administration for its restrictions on civil liberties and for its pursuit of emancipation at the expense, as they see it, of white civil rights. The recent elections, they claim, have broken the power of the Republicans. The Democrats will now demand the restoration of all "constitutional rights and privileges of the States and citizens," including letting the South regulate slavery itself.

Origin of Article: Newark Weekly Journal

The Cause for McClellan's Removal
(Column 1)

Summary: The editors accuse the administration of trying to soften the blow of the news of McClellan's removal by releasing a letter by General Halleck the same day, as well as the findings of the Harper's Ferry commission. Despite Halleck's explanations, the editors do not believe that McClellan should have been obligated to move his army on a particular day chosen by political leaders--this has no parallel in military history, they claim. The real reason for McClellan's dismissal, they assert, was a purge by radical members of Lincoln's cabinet aiming to get rid of the conservative generals in the army.

An Original Genius
(Column 2)

Summary: The editors poke fun at an editorial in the Transcript and Repository, which claims that those who support slavery are "only rushing upon the thick bosses of Jehovah's buckler." The emancipation proclamation, the editors note, was issued by Lincoln with no claim of divine guidance, but perhaps, they assert, the President had talked to the editor of the Transcript and received the word "through the medium of our inspired neighbor."

The Negro Question--Everett and Webster
(Column 3)

Summary: Quotes Edward Everett and Daniel Webster to the effect that the war should not be fought to free the slaves, and that the national government has no right to interfere with this state institution.

Origin of Article: Patriot and Union

The Late Accident on the Cumberland Valley Railroad
(Column 4)

Summary: Reports that legal proceedings will be instituted against the Cumberland Valley Railroad by parties in Philadelphia who were injured by the accident on the Cumberland side of the river opposite Harrisburg. The train crashed with a load of Pennsylvania militia returning from guarding the border of the state. The president of the railroad states that they will pay reasonable damages to avoid a lawsuit.

Correspondence from the 'Army of the Potomac'
(Column 5)

Summary: A letter from a correspondent in the 126th Reg't Penn. Volunteers, writing from near Fredericksburg, Virginia, describing their march from Warrenton to Fredericksburg.
(Names in announcement: Capt. Reed, Lieut. Jeremiah Cook, Lieut. Hullinger, Colonel Charles T. Campbell)

Full Text of Article:

In Camp Near Fredericksburg, Va.,
November 25th, 1862.

We remained in Camp at Warrenton one week. During this time, Major-General Fitz John Porter was relieved of his command of our corps and Major-General Hooker was appointed in his place. The latter officer is also the senior in command of the Grand Centre Division of the army and ranks next to General Burnside. Monday morning the 17th we took our departure. About 4 P.M. we reached Warrenton Junction which at the time was a new base of supplies for the Army. Here our esteemed Chaplain, Rev. Mr. Niccolls took his departure for home, the period of his official engagement with us having expired. A large number of sick of the Division were forwarded also from this point to the hospitals in Alexandria. Tuesday we marched sixteen miles to a place near Richland Creek. Wednesday we came to within four miles of Fredericksburg where we remained until Saturday when we moved and encamped at this point after marching over a "curcumbendibus" route of eight miles.

The weather throughout the entire week was of the most cheerless and disagreeable character. From the time we broke camp near Warrenton until Friday noon it rained almost incessantly. The roads were rendered very nearly impassable, by reason of the mud, to either man or beast. The services of the pioneer force were almost constantly required in clearing new roads through woods, and building temporary bridges over rapidly rising streams. Our progress under the circumstances was considerably impeded though we managed to make our destinations each day. The boys suffered considerable from the cold and wet and many a wish was expressed for a rapid expiration of their term of soldiering. In camp, matters were no better. The rain pelted through the thin fabric of our shelters and blankets, clothing and haversacks underwent a complete soaking.

On our last day's march we passed the vestiges of a camp occupied last summer by the Pennsylvania Reserve corps. The whole arrangement was of a beautiful and attractive character. Shelters, square and semi-conical, made of green sod and with every appliance get-atable to make them comfortable, were ranged along the streets: arches, wreaths and festoons of evergreen appeared at various points handsomely arranged, and rustic seats were erected wherever they seemed desirable. No little genius and good taste had been expended in the execution of all this work. It certainly surpassed anything in the way of a camp we have every yet seen and I can imagine the hilarity and joy which prevailed among the Reserve boys in their beautiful embowered homes.

Capt. Reed and Lieut. Jeremiah Cook returned to their command on Friday. They received a very kind and cordial reception. In their absence Lieut. Hullinger had charge of the company and devoted himself closely to its interests.

We had the pleasure of shaking by the hand on Saturday the brave and gallant Col. Charles T. Campbell, of the 57th P.V. His command is encamped a mile or so from here.

The Grand Army of the Potomac have been moving to this point for some days. At present its base of supplies is Acquia Creek about 12 miles from here.

Fredricksburg is occupied by the Rebels. Their and our pickets occupy either side of the Rappahannock. There is nothing new astir and I do not see any indication of hostile operations shortly.

SHENANDOAH.

Trailer: Shenandoah

News Summary
(Column 5)

Summary: Encapsulation of the week's war news, including details of the build-up of troops near Fredericksburg.

Regimental Officers
(Column 1)

Summary: The drafted militia encamped near Chambersburg have elected the following officers: Colonel, D. B. McKibben; Lieut. Col., E. S. Troxell; Major, Martin Hale (of Cumberland County). The editors praise the selections and note that Col. McKibben served in the 14th U.S. Infantry as a captain.
(Names in announcement: Col. D. B. McKibben, Lieut. Col. E. S. Troxell, Major Martin Hale)

The Grand Jury
(Column 1)

Summary: The Grand Jury of Lehigh County, in a report to the Court, recommended that the county commissioners provide support for the families of drafted men in destitute circumstances, as they do for enlistees. The editors urge Franklin County to adopt such a policy.

Counterfeit Greenbacks
(Column 1)

Summary: The editors warn of counterfeit five-dollar treasury notes in circulation. They note that they are well-made and not obvious to a casual glance. However, they are slightly longer, made of harsher paper, the signature shows more plainly, and the shading of the engraving is darker.

Highly Important to Drafted Men
(Column 1)

Summary: The editors reprint an order from the adjutant general commanding all drafted men to their camps of rendezvous, noting that their service will commence when they arrive at camp. It also states that any draftee or substitute who has left the camp of rendezvous without permission will be considered a deserter.

Thanksgiving Day
(Column 2)

Summary: The editors commend the local citizens for their respectful and sober celebration of the holiday.

Full Text of Article:

It gives us much pleasure to record the fact that this day was observed in an appropriate manner by our citizens. The stores and places of worship and returned thanks to the Almighty Ruler of the Universe for the many blessings He has bestowed upon us as a nation, and as individuals. Through the efforts of the ladies connected with the different churches, the sick and wounded soldiers in the Hospitals, were provided with a sumptuous thanksgiving dinner, and it was pleasant to behold the way in which the gallant defenders of our country disposed of the good things furnished.

It has been the case too frequently, heretofore, that days of this kind have been desecrated by scenes of drunkenness and riot, but the last thanksgiving day is a cheering indication of improvement in this particular. It is gratifying to be able to chronicle the fact that not a single instance of drunkenness or disorder occurred, and that the day was observed by all in a proper manner.

Important to School Teachers
(Column 2)

Summary: Superintendent Thomas H. Burrows has issued a notice to all county superintendents to notify him if they insist upon holding school on Saturdays. Many superintendents, the story notes, have been demanding of their teachers twenty-two or twenty-four days a month, preventing them from attending District Institutes. The teachers need the exposure to these institutes, the editors claim, in order to improve themselves and thus their students.
(Names in announcement: Thomas H. Burrows)

Thanksgiving at the School House Hospital
(Column 2)

Summary: Reports that the Thanksgiving dinner given to the inmates of the two military hospitals in the area was a success. Many families went without for their own meals in order to supply the soldiers with a feast. There was so much food that it took care of the soldiers' needs for the rest of the week. The soliders wrote a card of thanks to the "Ladies of Chambersburg," signed by the above men plus 75 others who were not listed in the article.
(Names in announcement: John C. Levis, M. D. Nathan, B. Jordan, John Monnes, Frank B. Ripley, George W. Beckwith, Isaiah F. Walker, James Carnell)

Franklin County Educational Association
(Column 2)

Summary: The Franklin County Educational Association met from Wednesday, November 19, and continued through Friday, November 21, at the Washington Street Courthouse. D. S. McFadden was appointed President pro tem and Joseph Eckhart, Secretary. T. M. Richards opened with a prayer. Messers. T. M. Richards, P. M. Shoemaker, and Miss Kate Wilson were appointed a committee to report presiding officers for the meeting. The program then began. Shoemaker and Richard made remarks on written arithmetic with Richards illustrating on the board. A. McElwain opened the evening session with a prayer, and vocal music was given by several young ladies and gentlemen. The committee on officers reported Rev. J. Dickson, president and D. S. McFadden and George M. Stenger, vice presidents. Remarks were made on arithmetic by A. McElwain; remarks on Geography by J. M. Andrews, and remarks on Grammar by Eckhart. Thursday Morning--McFadden occupied the chair; prayer by Mr. Dietrich. J. S. McElwain exercised the teachers in grammar by the correction and analysis of sentences. Rev. J. Dickson then appeared and took his seat. A. McElwain lectured on Penmanship, and J. W. Coble remarked on the same subject. Thursday Afternoon--Prayer by Rev. J. Dickson. A. McElwain made additional remarks on Penmanship, followed by G. B. Miller on the same. A. B. Wingert exhibited his method of teaching common fractions. S. D. Stach gave his view on classification, his method of giving recitations, and of solving and explaining questions by analysis. The body then endorsed a resolution passed by an educational association in Harrisburg requesting area preachers to preach a sermon on education in December. Thursday Evening--Prayer by Rev. Mr. Smith. On motion of P. M. Shoemaker, the chair appointed a committee to report officers for the ensuing year: Shoemaker, J. S. McElwain, J. L. P. Dietrich, W W. Hockenberry and S. D. Stach. A. McElwain read from a religious newspaper which complained that the public schools did not provide religious training for pupils; McElwain commented to the effect that "religious inculcation of religious creeds is very properly left to others, instead of the Common Schools teacher." Essay read by Miss Virginia Reilly on music, and by Miss Annie Walk on orthography and reading. Mr. Richards exercised the teachers in mental arithmetic. Friday Morning--Committee on officers reported Joseph Eckhart as Recording Secretary; J. L. P. Dietrich as Corresponding Secretary; John W. Coble as Treasurer; and as the Executive Committee, A. McElwain. S. D. Stach, J. W. Kuhn, J. M. Andrews, and S. Gelwicks. Resolutions passed included an expression of sorrow for those who have fallen fighting the "demon Rebellion," and one decrying the irregular attendance of students at school. J. S. McElwain, P. M. Shoemaker, J. W. Kuhn, A. McElwain, and Rev. F. Dyson all remarked on Mental Arithmetic. A. McElwain and P. M. Shoemaker reported on Algebra. Friday Afternoon--Prayer by H. C. Phenicie. D. S. McFadden read from the committee on orthography and reading. J. W. Kuhn, from the same committee, by request, "uttered the Elementary Sounds, as they are practiced in the Lancaster County Normal School." Mr. Kinney from the Academy, by invitation, gave some remarks on reading.
(Names in announcement: D. S. McFadden, Joseph Eckhart, T. M. Richards, P. M. Shoemaker, Miss Kate Wilson, A. McElwain, Rev. J. Dickson, George M. Stenger, J. M. Andrews, J. S. McElwain, John W. Coble, G. B. Miller, A. B. Wingert, S. D. Stach, Rev. Mr. Smith, J. L. P. Dietrich, W. W. Hockenberry, S. Gelwicks, Miss Virginia Reilly, Miss Annie Walk, J. W. Kuhn, Rev. F. Dyson, H. C. Phenicie, Mr. Kinney)

From the Army of the Potomac
(Column 5)

Summary: A report on the movement of Jackson's forces from Winchester toward Richmond.

Died
(Column 6)

Summary: Mary R. McCleary, daughter of George and Mary McCleary, died on November 27, in Quincy Township, aged 8 years, 3 months and 13 days.
(Names in announcement: Mary R. McCleary, George McCleary, Mary McCleary)

Situation Wanted
(Column 6)

Summary: Robert B. Smith of Orrston, a miller, advertises his desire for a position.
(Names in announcement: Robert B. Smith)