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Valley Spirit: May 20, 1863 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

That "Simple Question" Answered
(Column 1)

Summary: The editors take up a challenge from the Transcript to explain how they can oppose the administration and support the government. They first argue that the creation of West Virginia from Virginia, the Confiscation bill, the suspension of habeas corpus and the abridgments of freedoms of speech and the press were all unconstitutional. If this is the case, they say, what does it mean to be loyal--to defend the Constitution, or the administration which has violated it?

The Administration vs. The People
(Column 3)

Summary: The editors argue that, at the beginning of the war, the Northern public and the army were unified behind the goal of preserving the Constitution as it is and the Union as it was. However, since then both the country and the army have become demoralized because the administration has politicized the war. With abolition as the goal of the war, the only solution would be the extermination of all the whites in the South and the annihilation of its industry. The Northern public outside New England, argues the writer, has rejected the administration's course, as the fall elections demonstrated.

Origin of Article: Louisville Democrat

[No Title]
(Column 5)

Summary: The editors claim that the Transcript quoted approvingly a report by the Richmond Whig that McClellan did not advance on Munson's Hill and Manassas in 1861 because he knew his men were cowards and he wanted to protect his reputation. The editors condemn "this vile slander on our brave volunteers."

Origin of Article: Transcript and Repository

[No Title]
(Column 6)

Summary: The Observer notes the dispute between Colonel McClure and the Spirit and Times over the paper's report of McClure's alleged chastising of Republicans for excessive partisanship and his alleged disavowal of abolition.
(Names in announcement: Col. Alexander McClure)

Origin of Article: Erie Observer

Coming Home
(Column 1)

Summary: The 126th Reg't Penn. Volunteers has been relieved of service with the Army of the Potomac in Washington, D.C. They will probably not arrive in town until next week, as they will stay in Harrisburg until they are paid and mustered out. However, a number have been visiting town already. The editors complain that an adequate reception has not been prepared for their return.

Full Text of Article:

The 126th Regiment arrived at Camp Curtin, on Thursday last, on their way home, having been relieved from service in the Army of the Potomac. The time of their arrival here is not positively known, but it will not probably be before the last of this or the first of next week, as they will be detained in Harrisburg until they are paid off and mustered out of the service. Many of "the boys" have already paid us flying visits, giving their officers "the slip" for a day or so; and they are all in the finest health and spirits.

It is a source of deep regret that a more general movement, on the part of the citizens, has not been made for their reception. The effort to give it a political complexion--which has been made by a few broken down politicians in our town--we can only characterize as the very depth of partizan littleness. It looks more like a movement in glorification of the "Union League" than in honor of the returning braves, who come to us "fresh from the fields of their glory."

But we feel confident these tricks of the little politicians will not prevent the people from giving their sons, brothers and friends such a greeting as they deserve. They will receive them in their own good way; and the warm grasp of the hand, and the few trembling and sincere words of gratitude and welcome, will tell those sons, brothers and friends far more than all the noisy professions of selfish politicians. The people will be on hand by thousands, without regard to politics or the politicians, and their reception, although perhaps not so gaudy as that of the "Union Leagues," will have at least the merit of sincerity.

Broke Jail
(Column 1)

Summary: Two prisoners broke out of the County Jail on Tuesday night. One was the "notorious" horse thief Joe Hooker, and the other was a deserter named Edwin P. Byers. Under instructions from Lieut. Ashmead, Sheriff Brandt had been treating the military prisoners leniently, and Byers was given the freedom of the jail. On Tuesday, Byers' cell was open. He broke the lock off of Hooker's cell, and the two broke through a wall and escaped. Byers was caught and brought back on Friday, but Hooker remains at large.
(Names in announcement: Joe Hooker, Edwin P. Byers, Lieut. Ashmead, Sheriff Brandt)

Another Military Arrest
(Column 1)

Summary: The editors note the arrest in Mercersburg of W. C. Baxter, who was arrested on Thursday and taken to Chambersburg on Friday by the Provost Guard. He was brought before Lieut. Ashmead, and was dismissed because there was no evidence against him. The editors call for an end to such arbitrary and unfounded arrests, saying they bring only ridicule upon the authorities.
(Names in announcement: Lieut. Ashmead, W. C. Baxter)

Origin of Article: Mercersburg Journal

Election of Officers
(Column 1)

Summary: The stockholders of the "Farmers and Mechanics Industrial Association of Franklin County" of Chambersburg met on Tuesday May 12 to elect officers for the following year. Elected were: President, John Ruthrauff; Vice Presidents, Jacob S. Nixon, G. W. Immell, James C. Eyster, G. R. Messersmith; Secretary, W. S. Everett; Corresponding Secretary, J. P. Culbertson; Treasurer, Emanuel Kuhn; Managers, Wm. Bossert, B. F. Nead, J. W. Craig, W. W. Skinner, H. B. Davidson, Wm. McClure, J. G. Elder, S. Myers, H. C. Greenawalt, A. B. Wingert, A. Davidson, Josiah Besore.
(Names in announcement: John Ruthrauff, Jacob S. Nixon, G. W. Immell, James C. Eyster, G. R. Messersmith, W. S. Everett, J. P. Culbertson, Emanuel Kuhn, William Bossert, B. F. Nead, J. W. Craig, W. W. Skinner, H. B. Davidson, William McClure, J. G. Elder, S. Myers, H. C. Greenawalt, A. B. Wingert, A. Davidson, Josiah Besore)

Astounding Developments! Unmitigated Treason!
(Column 2)

Summary: David Lawson of Montgomery Township was arrested for treason and "sent over the lines." His arrest came out of papers found on the person of Solomon Helser. When Lawson was taken to Baltimore for a hearing, it was found there was no evidence against him and he was discharged. The "important note" found on Helser was apparently a note in payment for a horse. Yet, "all the Pharisees" had judged Lawson guilty merely because of his arrest.
(Names in announcement: Solomon Helser, David Lawson)

Tribute of Respect
(Column 2)

Summary: The members of Company C, 126th Reg't Penn. Reserves, issued a tribute of respect to their compatriot, Nicholas C. Trout, who was killed at Chancellorsville.
(Names in announcement: Nicholas C. Trout, Capt. James P. McCollough)

Paroled
(Column 2)

Summary: The editors report that Lieutenants Fletcher and McCauley, of the 126th Reg't Penn. Volunteers, who were listed as missing after the battle at Chancellorsville, were paroled a few days later and are now at the parole camp near Annapolis. Twenty or thirty privates of the 126th were also captured and paroled, but their names are not available.
(Names in announcement: Lieut. Fletcher, Lieut. McCauley)

Married
(Column 2)

Summary: Miss Virginia Reilly, daughter of Hon. Wilson Reilly of Chambersburg, and Rev. Thomas X. Orr, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Allegheny, were married in the Presbyterian Church in Chambersburg on May 14 by the Rev. Samuel J. Niccolls, assisted by the Rev. Prof. Wilson of Allegheny Theological Seminary.
(Names in announcement: Rev. Samuel J. Niccolls, Rev. Prof. Wilson, Rev. Thomas X. Orr, Miss Virginia Reilly, Hon. Wilson Reilly)

Ready for Work
(Column 2)

Summary: The board of enrollment in this congressional district under the conscription bill consists of: George Eyster, Esq., of Chambersburg, Provost Marshal; Dr. R. S. Seiss of Littletown, Adams County, Surgeon; J. S. McIlhenny, Gettysburg, Commissioner. John M. Gilmore and Barnet Early of Chambersburg have been appointed clerks. The board is now ready to commence operation.
(Names in announcement: George EysterEsq., John M. Gilmore, Barnet Early)

Editors of Spirit and Times
(Column 3)

Summary: The writer notes that the editors of the Village Record have called his attention, as borough constable, to a law making it his duty to arrest all hogs running wild. He assures the editor of that paper that he will do so, but if a law exists for arresting jackasses then the editor had better watch out.
(Names in announcement: Pius Z. Zindorf)

Trailer: Pius D. Zindorf

Died
(Column 3)

Summary: Wise Albert Sheilds died on May 8, aged 8 years, 7 months and 20 days.
(Names in announcement: Wise Albert Sheilds)

Died
(Column 3)

Summary: John Sheilds died on May 14, aged 2 years and 4 days.
(Names in announcement: John Sheilds)

Register and Recorder
(Column 3)

Summary: George P. Eichberger announces his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for register and recorder.
(Names in announcement: George P. Eichberger)