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Valley Virginian: May 2, 1866 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

Stonewall Jackson's Way
(Column 07)

Summary: The paper prints a poem honoring the career of Stonewall Jackson.

Full Text of Article:

By J. D. Blackwell

The red-cross flag is set in night--
Its brief career is o'er;
And Jackson's sword that flashed in fight
Shall gleam in war no more.
His soul has bade the world farewell,
But long shall page of history tell,
Of each eventful day;
When in the light of morn displayed,
The banner of Stonewall's brigade
Waved in its proud array.

And now the stranger's musing eye,
Sees on each well fought field,
Where Jackson's men knew how to die,
But knew not how to yield;
The verdant grass luxuriant waves
In freshness o'er the soldiers' graves,
And vernal flowrets gay,
By nature's hand profusely shed,
Deck where the gallant heroes bled,
In Stonewall Jackson's way.

Oh, gentle be each warrior's sleep;
And hallowed be his rest,
Where softest dews of evening weep
O'er every dauntless breast.
Each sweet toned warbler carols there
A requiem on the stilly air,
At morn and close of day;
And [unclear] grandsires come to tell
Their children's sons of those that fell
In Stonewall Jackson's way.

A Sensible Negro
(Column 07)

Summary: The paper reports that a Meridian newspaper carried a story which stated that an "educated" and "respectable" African American made an address to "his colored friends, which some of them lacked the good sense to appreciate." The man said that they should not expect equality with whites, and that he had been discriminated against in his travels all over the world, including on New York street cars. He asserted that the Southern, not the Northern, whites were the best friends of the race. "This black educated man is a native of Kentucky, and in his boyhood was in the family of one of the Breckinridges, who assisted and encouraged him to acquire an education."

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: The paper reports that "emigrants to Mexico are numerous" and several steamers a day set sail from New Orleans.

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: The paper reports that a "negro burglar was shot in Manchester" on April 28th, "by Mr. James Vaughan, who caught him in the act of breaking into his store."

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: The paper reports that a military commission in Charleston, S. C., "recently convicted four highly respectable citizens, of that place, of murder, upon evidence, of that of negroes, which was generally believed to have been suborned. Two were sentenced to be hanged, and two to imprisonment for life. We are glad to learn the President has suspended the execution of the sentence."

Jefferson Davis
(Column 02)

Summary: The paper challenges the administration's decision to hold Jefferson Davis as a prisoner. The editors argue that since he has not been convicted of a crime, he should be released on bail until a trial might take place. His word should be sufficient, but the Governors of the South could pledge "their lives, their property, and their sacred honor," for his good behavior on parole.

Full Text of Article:

Why is ex-President Davis not released on his parole? Does not President Johnson know that his illustrious prisoner's word would bind him more securely than his prison walls and sentinels, to appear at any place or at any time to answer any charges which might be brought against him? For more than a year--a long dreary year--this great man has been punished; deprived of God's blessings of light, air and liberty; of communion with those nearest and dearest to him, and for what? Certainly not for any crime he has committed, for had he been guilty of any of the base acts which have been charged against him by his enemies; surely in this long time the bloody minded radical majority in Congress, would have easily overcome all obstacles to a trial, and satiated their vengeance by bringing him to an ignominious death. Every man in this country is presumed innocent until after a fair trial he is proven guilty, and when a trial cannot be had it is usual to release the accused on sufficient bail, until such time as he can be brought to trial. Such is the course in ordinary cases, and in this case where the head of a once mighty Confederacy of Sovereign States, is the subject of trial, why is it that our Government shows so little magnanimity? Why if Jefferson Davis cannot be liberated, as others on his parole, is he not released upon bail? Why do not the eleven Sovereign States, which placed him at their head, offer through their Governors and Legislatures to be his bail--pledging "their lives, their property and their sacred honor," for his appearance to answer all and every charge which may be brought against him. Should not the people in every State hold primary assemblies and offer the same? Every effort should be used to wipe off this disgrace to the country, this violation of the laws and Constitution, in keeping this great and unfortunate man in perpetual imprisonment without a trial.

Great interest has been taken in "reconstruction," and President Johnson deserves the gratitude of the South for the brave stand he has taken for the Constitution and the right. Our people spare no effort, hold meetings, fill columns of newspapers on reconstruction and the reconstruction committee, negro suffrage, civil rights bills, Freedman's Bureau, et cetra; all of which is natural and right, but the greatest wrong inflicted on the Southern people--in the continued martyrdom of their honored and beloved Chieftain--excites but little comment in comparison. While we are attending to other matters he lies languishing in a loathsome prison.

Scraps From My Haversack
(Column 03)

Summary: The paper continues its history of Stonewall Jackson's campaigns.

[No Title]
(Column 04)

Summary: The paper reports that "the negro celebration in Norfolk wound up in the brutal murder of two white men, one white woman and a boy. One of the beauties of the civil rights bill, 'so-called.'"

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: The newspaper reports that either Judge Allen or Judge Johnson will be named by the governor to replace the late Judge Lucas P. Thompson on the Court of Appeals.
(Names in announcement: Judge Lucas P. Thompson, Judge Allen, Judge Johnson)

Another Negro Riot
(Column 02)

Summary: The paper reports on a riot, alleged to have taken place in Stafford County. The editors blame it on the Civil Rights Bill, and warn citizens of Staunton that African Americans "lured on to their own destruction by the low, mean and cowardly white wretches" might "seek supremacy in our midst."

Full Text of Article:

We understand a terrible riot occurred at Falmouth, Stafford county, on the 29th ult., between the negroes and the whites, in which fifteen negroes were killed outright and a large number wounded.

One white man is reported mortally wounded and others slightly.

The affair has created the most intense excitement.

Owing to the lateness of the hour, we are unable to ascertain, before going to press, the cause which led to the disturbances--but presume it the workings of the "Civil Rights Bill."

We warn our people to be prepared for each and every emergency. The negroes, lured on to their own destruction, by the low, mean and cowardly white wretches, we have among us; will in all probability, seek supremacy in our midst.

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: This letter describes a trip through the Valley. The author applauds the "industry" of the farmers in "reconstructing" their farms, and discusses the Mt. Jackson Soldier's Cemetery, cared for by veterans and ladies of the Valley.
(Names in announcement: T. H. Harris, Walton Farra, F. S. Pennybacker)

Full Text of Article:

For the Virginian

We were pleased to observe, on a recent trip down the Valley, the spirit of industry manifested by each and every farmer. They have been, and are still at work in earnest in "reconstructing" their farms. As a general thing, we believe they have put out a large crop of corn as was customary before the war. The wheat crop looks very promising, and we have no doubt it will make an average crop.

We passed a fortnight in Mt. Jackson, (a place noted for its pretty women,) and whilst there, visited the Soldier's Cemetery, North of the village, and were much pleased to see, that those who survived the ordeal which we have just past through, still cherish the kindest remembrance of the last resting place of our honored dead.

They sleep, but their deeds of devotion and heroism, will ever live in the hearts of their countrymen.

The Cemetery has been enclosed with a beautiful fence, leaving a space of twenty feet square in front, where it is the intention of the Committee to erect a suitable monument to their memory.

The gentlemen superintending the work, (T. H. Harris, Walton Farra and F. S. Pennybacker,) deserve much praise for their untiring energy. They were in "Stonewall" Jackson's foot Cavalry, where they learned, "where there was a will there was a way."

We believe it is the intention of the ladies, to observe annually, the 2nd day of May, to decorate the graves of our departed comrades, with flowers.

The "Virginian" is quite a favorite with the people, and is looked for with much interest. More Anon. R.

Marriages
(Column 02)

Summary: Francis B. Doran, of Clarke, married Miss Barbara E. Fairburn, of Augusta, on April 18th. The Rev. G. R. Jefferson presided.
(Names in announcement: Francis B. Doran, Barbara E. Fairburn, Rev. G. R. Jefferson)