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Valley Virginian: May 22, 1867 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

The Heroes of America or Red Strings. Secret Radical Organization in the South. Terrible Oaths and Stringent Charges to the Red String Knights!!
(Column 05)

Summary: The paper publishes some of the secret ceremonies and charges of the Red String Knights, also known as the Heroes of America. The fraternity allegedly sprang up during the war in Virginia and the Carolinas, and was dedicated to the preservation of the Union. Now the editors assert that it is supporting the Radical Republican agenda.

Episcopla Council
(Column 01)

Summary: The seventy-second council of the Protestant Episcopal Church, Diocese of Virginia, met in Staunton on May 15th. Many topics were discussed and measures accomplished including: replacing the word "Confederate States" with "United States" in all prayers, discussion of financial matters, and reporting on education efforts. Statistics for the preceding year were issued: Baptisms, "white and colored," 721; Communicants, "white and colored," 6,522; Confirmations, 631; Marriages, 481; S. S. Scholars, 4,855; Teachers, 817; Contributions, $45,183.46.
(Names in announcement: Rev. Dr. Pendleton, Rev. Dr. Norwood, Rev. C. W. Andrews, Bishop Johns, Rev. T. G. Dashiell, Baskervill, John H. Tyler, Rev. John P. McGuire, D. Lee Powell, Rev. Henderson Suter, Gen. Lewis, Tazewell Taylor, Major Page, Rev. J. H. Wingfield, Rev. Joshua Peterkin, Gibson, Andrews, Whittle, Pendleton, Dr. Andrews, Rev. John Johns, W. C. Butler, Macgruder Maury, Edward S. Pegram, Col. Charles Dimmock, Gray, Rev. C. J. Gibson, Cazenove, Major Covel)

Registration of Voters
(Column 04)

Summary: General Schofield issued instructions for voter registration establishing registrars in each district and outlining guidelines for registering and recording those eligible.

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: The paper complains that despite frequent marriages in Staunton, no one is paying the paper for publishing their announcements.

Our Soldiers Cemetery
(Column 02)

Summary: The exertions of the Ladies Memorial Association have greatly improved the Cemetery and its appearance. They plan to give a fund-raising dinner at the June session of the court to finance future work.

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: The paper is glad to report that Staunton followed its advice and established a Building Association. They are being formed throughout the Valley.

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: The editors applaud efforts being made in Montgomery, Alabama, to establish schools for the freedmen. "This should be done throughout the South, and instead of importing teachers, secure those who are known in their respective sections and the general result would be better."

[No Title]
(Column 03)

Summary: The $4000 payroll for the detachment of the U. S. Burial Corps stationed near Staunton just received their pay, to be received regularly thereafter. "A large portion of this money is left in our town. We are glad to say that the bearing of this part of the Corps have been gentlemanly and up to this time nothing has occurred to cause the least bad feeling."

The Red Strings
(Column 03)

Summary: The editors urge other papers to print their "exposure" of the "infernal order" of the Red String Knights, which is alleged to be a Radical Republican organization. They call on the governor to use military force to break it up, and allege that some men are tricked into joining. "Northern people should remember that such an organization, in the hands of the Radical party, endangers their lives and liberties as well as ours. We have heard of a few in the Valley and will attend to them at the proper time."

Marriages
(Column 04)

Summary: R. T. Phillips, of Baltimore, and Miss Fannie S. Tams, daughter of William Tams of Staunton, were married in Staunton's Trinity Church on May 21st by the Rev. R. H. Phillips. "We wish the lucky groom and his handsome bride a safe voyage o'er life's tempestuous sea. May peace, happiness and prosperity ever attend them."
(Names in announcement: R. T. Phillips, Fannie S. Tams, William Tams, R. H. Phillips)

Marriages
(Column 04)

Summary: Henry Cupp and Mrs. Mary Jane Cupp, both of Augusta, were married on May 18th in the Augusta County Clerk's Office by the Rev. J. L. Clarke. "May their cup of happiness be full."
(Names in announcement: Henry Cupp, Mary Jane Cupp, Rev. J. L. Clarke)

Marriages
(Column 04)

Summary: P. H. Trout, of Staunton, and Miss Olivia Benson, of Baltimore, were married on May 15 by the Rev. Dr. M. Mahan.
(Names in announcement: P. H. Trout, Olivia Benson, Rev. Dr. M. Mahan)

Marriages
(Column 04)

Summary: John Hill and Mrs. Mary Kelley were married in Waynesboro on May 16th by the Rev. W. E. Stringer.
(Names in announcement: John Hill, Mary Kelley, W. E. Stringer)

What We Have to Do.
(Column 01)

Summary: This article from the Mobile Register argues that southern whites must fight Reconstruction by "rescuing" black southerners from the influence of the Radical Republicans.

Full Text of Article:

The Mobile [Ala.] Register, does not mince words in the following truthful article. The purpose of the Sherman bill was to radicalize the South and make it what Massachusetts is. The accomplishment or failure of this scheme depends upon ourselves. A sluggish cowardice and inaction will ruin us. A bold and manly confronting of the danger will give us a mastery of the situation. Two things are necessary. First, to rescue the black race, armed with the tremendous weapon of suffrage, from the domination of a clique of scoundrels who aim to make their passions the chess-men in their game of lucre and ambition, and to exercise the legitimate influence of old association and present and future interest held by the white man over the newly enfranchised race. It will be a crying shame if a nation of intelligent men, who stand in relation of employees to this people; upon whom all their hopes rest for the meat and bread of life, allow a handful of alien adventures to step in and not only sever their bonds of influence, but set them in deadly hostility to their best friends and safest counsellors.

And not only do we owe it to ourselves, but to the unfortunate black race, who have been thrust, all unprepared for it, upon freedom and self-support, to save them from the hands of the leeches and incendiaries who are sucking their poor present substance and leading them to their future ruin.

The State of Alabama must not be given up to Radical dominion; and it will be unless every man who loves his country and values the happiness of himself and his family takes an earnest and active part, in the elections to be forced upon us by the Sherman bill.

Are We a Conquered People?
(Column 01)

Summary: This article alleges that the military governors of the South are guilty of violations of civil liberties such as censorship of the press, suspension of habeas corpus, imposition of stay laws, and forced reverence for the American flag.