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Valley Spirit: May 22, 1861 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

From Washington
(Column 01)

Summary: Two large army camps have been proposed, one at Staten Island for troops going to the Atlantic Coast and one at Harrisburg for troops for the Southwest and Pennsylvania. Also, the long bridge that connects Washington with Virginia is being heavily guarded.

From Boston
(Column 01)

Summary: Miscellaneous war news from Boston.

From Baltimore
(Column 01)

Summary: Three Baltimore merchants were arrested for riotous conduct because they obstructed the track of the B&O Railroad and blocked the movement of the troops that were headed for Washington.

Suspension
(Column 01)

Summary: "The bank of the Capital suspended this morning. The notes are all secured."

Crops at the South
(Column 01)

Summary: "In Alabama the wheat crop . . . has been struck with the rust, and there is great scarcity now, with a worse prospect ahead."

Origin of Article: Louisville (Ky.) Democrat

From Washington
(Column 02)

Summary: Discusses spies in Washington, the federal government's approach to Missouri, and the increasing number of place seekers in the new administration.

Arrest of a Suspected Spy
(Column 02)

Summary: A man named Wood, from Newark, was arrested as a spy.

Stoppage of Express Matter
(Column 02)

Summary: General Mansfield ordered the telegraph agent to send no more express matter south of Washington.

Interesting from Annapolis
(Column 02)

Summary: Miscellaneous war news. There are reported to be 8,000 troops in Harper's Ferry, many of whom are Unionists who enlisted because of a false report that another John Brown raid was to occur.

Reported Prizes--Orders to Build a New Sloop-of-War
(Column 03)

Summary: The Philadelphia Navy Yard received orders to build one of the seven sloops-of-war.

The Kentucky Legislature
(Column 03)

Summary: The legislature suspended specie payments by the Kentucky banks. The House passed a resolution that Kentucky should remain neutral and approved a resolution forbidding the state from furnishing troops to the federal government.

Programme of the Campaign
(Column 03)

Summary: The federal government's "programme of the military campaign" is being developed. The army will not move forward or in an offensive manner until the troops are better trained. The Administration will try the "slow but sure process of exhausting the rebels by the delays and privations which always destroy a weaker power."

The Baltimore and Ohio Railroads
(Column 03)

Summary: A letter from W. P. Smith to C. W. Peweil states that the reports in the papers that the bridges on the B&O Railroad have been destroyed are untrue. Someone did attempt to harm the small culverts near Point of Rocks, but they failed.

A Reign of Terror in Memphis
(Column 03)

Summary: Compares the situation in Memphis to the "days and doings of Danton and Roebespierre." Thousands of pro-Northern Memphis citizens have fled from the "reign of terror." The citizens of Memphis are especially worried that a slave insurrection will occur.

Important from Cairo
(Column 04)

Summary: Another spy was arrested in Cairo, Illinois. The Army is blockading the Mississippi near Cairo. However, they are very worried because a very strategic point, named Bird Point, Kentucky, is controlled by the secessionists. They could attack Cairo and thus make it difficult for the North to control the river.

Arrest and Imprisonment of Ross Winans, Esq.
(Column 05)

Summary: Details the arrest of Ross Winans for treason.

Origin of Article: Baltimore American

Discharge of Ross Winans, Esq.
(Column 05)

Summary: Details the honorable discharge of Ross Winans.

The Latest! A Brush with the Rebels
(Column 06)

Summary: A Northern Coast Guard steamer went ashore at the mouth of the Potomac and was attacked by an armed propeller from Richmond. The rebels were repulsed. Four U.S. soldiers were killed.

Origin of Article: Evening Post and Commercial

Vigorous Measures of the Administration
(Column 06)

Summary: Major General Butler was ordered to go to Old Point Comfort with nine regiments. The administration has decided to begin aggressive operations.

The Advance of Troops into Virginia
(Column 06)

Summary: Brigadier Mansfield will take command of the corps d'armee that will be advanced into Virginia from Washington. General Patterson and his staff are in D.C. to receive instructions concerning the movement of troops from southern Pennsylvania into Virginia.

President Lincoln Visits the Rebels
(Column 06)

Summary: President Lincoln made a reconnoitering trip around Washington, including a visit to Great Falls. He crossed the Potomac and passed the pickets on the Virginia side. They didn't capture him, however, since they "did not know so valuable a one was within their grasp." A separate report states that the Confederate Congress has decided to move the capital of the Confederacy to Richmond.

How the Government will Collect the Revenue
(Column 06)

Summary: The federal government "has determined to appoint collectors for the different Southern ports and is engaged in selecting men of energy. . . adapted to fulfill the important functions confided to them. The duties will be collected in the decks of men-of-war, whatever may be the opinion of legal authorities here or elsewhere on the subject."

The Very Man They Want to See
(Column 06)

Summary: Rev. Henry Ward Beecher will be leaving to become chaplain for a company formed of members and ex-members of Plymouth Church. The Spirit believes that "If Beecher does dare to go he will show more pluck than Greeley, Raymond, Giddings, and the rest of them."

The Crops
(Column 06)

Summary: The wheat crop should provide an abundant harvest.

Preaching at Camp Slifer
(Column 01)

Summary: "The Rev. Mr. Hunt, chaplain to the 8th Regiment, held divine services at Camp Slifer in the fore and afternoon, on Sunday last."

Fort McGrath
(Column 01)

Summary: "A couple of soldiers were quartered at Fort McGrath on Sunday last, for breaking into the Sutler's Shop--an 'institution' at Camp Slifer which seems to be in bad odor with the men."

Horses Stolen
(Column 01)

Summary: Several horses were stolen last week near Mercersburg. It is thought that they were taken into Virginia and sold to the Confederate army.

Don't Like It
(Column 01)

Summary: A few Republicans are "very much exercised lest the Democratic Party should reap any eclat in the present war."

Seventh Regiment
(Column 01)

Summary: The Seventh Regiment, commanded by Colonel Irvin, has decided to accept the three years' enlistment.

Large Funeral
(Column 01)

Summary: The funeral of Dr. William D. Senseny was the largest ever witnessed in Chambersburg.

Movements of Southern Troops
(Column 01)

Summary: Nine hundred Confederate troops appear to have moved from Harper's Ferry to Williamsport, Md., presumably to seize flour stored in the homes there. The Spirit doesn't understand why the 7th Regiment isn't moved to protect the property of the Williamsport residents.

McClure Rifles
(Column 02)

Summary: The members of the McClure Rifles took a vote on re-enlisting for three years. One half the company seceded. Capt. Reilly, the commander, "is quite sanguine that he will have his ranks filled up with good and true men in the course of a few days."

A Quiet Sunday
(Column 02)

Summary: The previous Sunday had "the appearance of one of our old fashioned Days of Rest." The Spirit hopes that Sundays continue to be calm and holy days. "We cannot chime in with the belief that being a soldier releases a man--a Christian--from his moral obligation to 'remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy.'"

Governor in Town
(Column 02)

Summary: Gov. Curtin arrived in Chambersburg last Saturday on the 11 o'clock train. He reviewed the troops and returned to Harrisburg in the evening. Although his reception was polite, it was hardly enthusiastic. The Spirit is not surprised at this, since "it could hardly be expected that our soldiers would have heart enough to cheer, dressed up in the degrading uniforms provided for them by the Head of State."

Arrested
(Column 02)

Summary: Judge Mason, a prominent Maryland citizen, was arrested in Chambersburg on suspicion of being a secessionist. He was arrested by General Williams and released by Judge Chambers, who knows Judge Mason. The Spirit believes that spies should be dealt with "as the law provides."

Pennsylvania Volunteers
(Column 02)

Summary: Since there has been some confusion in understanding the manner in which Pennsylvania volunteers were mustered into the Army, the Spirit explains the process that occurred.

Union and Disunion
(Column 03)

Summary: Enumerates the reasons that South Carolina ratified the Constitution and argues that "every one of the reasons here enumerated holds good at the present day."

The Swindle
(Column 04)

Summary: A letter from a soldier stationed at Camp Scott describes the poor clothing provided to the troops.

Origin of Article: Philadelphia Press

Editorial Comment: "The defenders of the Curtin Dynasty have all along been asserting that no specific charges could be made of mismanagement by the State authorities. . . . In the equipment of our troops the soldiers have been shamefully treated and the citizens robbed."

Tribute of Respect
(Column 05)

Summary: A meeting of the Physicians of Chambersburg offered tribute to the memory of Dr. Wm. D. Senseny and adopted a resolution stating their sympathies to the family.
(Names in announcement: Dr. Wm. Senseny, Dr. J. Suesserott, Dr. S. Culbertson, Dr. S. Lane, Dr. Richards)

Army Correspondence--Letter from Camp Scott
(Column 05)

Summary: Letter from J.S.K. in which he says that the troops at Camp Scott "have been held in readiness to move at a moment's warning for two days past--where, no one knows."
(Names in announcement: Bruce Lambert, D. Rowe, Capt. Elder, Harry Fortiscue)

Speech of Gen. Butler
(Column 05)

Summary: Text of speech given by Gen. Butler. In it, he stated that, while he loved his state, "we love the Union and the country with an equal devotion. We put no State rights, no State pride, no love of the old Commonwealth of Massachusetts before, above and beyond our love to the Union."

Hand-Book for the U.S. Soldier
(Column 06)

Summary: A handbook published by J. B. Lippincott & Co. of Philadelphia explains "the formation of a battalion on parade, the position of the officers, &c, &c." The Spirit advises every soldier to have one so that he can understand the organization of which he is part.

Visit of the Northmen to America Before Columbus
(Column 01)

Summary: Prof. Paul Q. Sinding, who has written a book on the history of Scandinavia and the discovery of America, is visiting Chambersburg.

The Stay Law
(Column 01)

Summary: The Stay Law, which passed at the extra session of the Pennsylvania legislature, "is second only in importance to the Loan Bill." The Spirit includes the text of the law.

Married
(Column 02)

Summary: Married on May 14th in Greenvillage.
(Names in announcement: Rev. J. Bard, Samuel Hoover, Sarah Strock)

Married
(Column 02)

Summary: Married on April 18th..
(Names in announcement: Rev. B. Long, E. Winger, E. Stover)

Married
(Column 02)

Summary: Married on May 6th.
(Names in announcement: Rev. S. McHenry, Abraham Cearfoss, Jona Venerick)

Died
(Column 02)

Summary: Died on May 6th at 25 years of age.
(Names in announcement: Mrs. Mary Reed)

Died
(Column 02)

Summary: Died on May 7th at 41 years of age.
(Names in announcement: Henry Mohler)

Died
(Column 02)

Summary: Died on April 29th. He had been the minister of the M.E. Church for 25 years.
(Names in announcement: Rev. Robert Nixon)

Died
(Column 02)

Summary: Died on May 17th at 74 years of age.
(Names in announcement: Mrs. Elizabeth Myers)