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Valley Spirit: June 12, 1861 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

From Washington
(Column 01)

Summary: Miscellaneous news from Washington. The 1st Regiment of cavalry and the 2d Regiment of dragoons of the U.S. Army have been ordered to the Chambersburg area. The Pennsylvania troops have received their new uniforms and will hereafter be as well dressed as any of the other troops.

From Fortress Monroe
(Column 02)

Summary: Miscellaneous news from Fortress Monroe. The steamer State of Georgia brought the Tenth New York regiment of National Zouaves to Fortress Monroe. Gen. Butler has issued stringent orders to prevent depredations on private property. Those citizens of Hampton who had their property damaged had the amount of the damages refunded to them.

From Virginia
(Column 02)

Summary: Federal troops would have advanced from Alexandria and Arlington if the rebel forces hadn't also begun to move. A large force of Confederates is now centered at Manassas Junction. Gen. Beauregard has assumed command of these Confederate troops.

A Skirmish
(Column 03)

Summary: A skirmish occurred near Hampton between Col. Duryea's regiment of Zouaves and a party of rebels.

From Washington
(Column 03)

Summary: It is reported "upon high authority" that if England sides with the South, the Emperor Napoleon will side with the North because he doesn't want England to cripple her greatest maritime rival.

One of Our Foreign Ministers in Trouble
(Column 03)

Summary: The Board of Examiners, who have in their possession all of the manuscripts of the despatches seized in the different principal cities of the Union, have found that a prominent Minister gave intelligence to the Confederates. The Minister will be recalled immediately.

A Rebel Camp Dispersed in Kentucky
(Column 04)

Summary: General Prentiss sent two companies to break up a camp of secessionists at Elliott's Mills, Kentucky. They had already fled by the time the companies arrived. Col. Wycliff protested against this invasion of Kentucky soil.

Preparations for Hostilities with Great Britain
(Column 04)

Summary: The federal government has decided to bring all the available naval vessels into active service because of the threat of hostilities between Great Britain and the U.S. The British appear to be using their navy to aid the Confederacy,

Important Reports from Manassas Junction
(Column 04)

Summary: The Confederates appear to have between 14,000 and 20,000 troops at Manassas Junction. They are moving in men at a rate of three trainfuls a day.

The Affair at Phillippi
(Column 05)

Summary: More details about the skirmish at Phillippi.

Extracts from the London Press--The Uprising of New England for the Union
(Column 05)

Summary: Less than a century ago, Massachusetts and Virginia fought together to promote rebellion. Now, Virginia fights for another rebellion while Massachusetts supports the doctrines of legitimacy and toryism.

Origin of Article: London Times

The European Powers Will Soon Decide
(Column 06)

Summary: The federal government has notified the European powers that it will hold no intercourse with any state that recognizes the Southern Commissioners. This action will force every government that has diplomatic relations with the U.S. to make a decision on its future course.

Origin of Article: London Shipping Gazette

Independence of the Southern Government Acknowledged as DeFacto
(Column 06)

Summary: The recognition of the Confederacy by the European powers would give great moral support to the South. While the powers appear reticent to anger the federal government, they have also pointed out that de facto governments have the right to be recognized.

Origin of Article: London Post

[No Title]
(Column 06)

Summary: Mr. Seward is anxious to prevent the European powers from recognizing the South.

Origin of Article: London Telegraph

[No Title]
(Column 06)

Summary: The Standard holds itself aloof from both North and South.

Origin of Article: London Standard

Glad to Hear It
(Column 01)

Summary: Gen. Patterson has taken charge of the Telegraph Office in Chambersburg and has placed an operator there to supervise all the army-related dispatches. This action pleases the Spirit, which believes that it will "put an effectual stop to the lying sensation dispatches, and bogus news, furnished, from this point, by some hangers-on to the skirts of the army who call themselves 'Reporters' for the New York and Philadelphia papers."

More Troops
(Column 01)

Summary: The First Regiment, Rhode Island Volunteers, has reached Chambersburg.

News From Our Soldiers
(Column 01)

Summary: The troops that left Camp Slifer last Friday and Saturday are now encamped three-fourths of a mile north of Greencastle. Other troops that recently left Chambersburg are on the road leading to Hagerstown.

Something Wrong
(Column 01)

Summary: On Tuesday a number of companies from "Camp Chambers" rushed into town to procure food. They complained of the scarcity of provision and the poor quality of the food in camp. The Spirit intends to stand up for the rights of the volunteers and vows to expose any corruption in the procurement procedure if the conditions are not improved.

Full Text of Article:

On Tuesday morning a number of companies from "Camp Chambers," near this place broke the Guards and rushed to town to procure something to eat. These met appear perfectly reckless and desperate and must become utterly demoralized unless their wrongs are speedily righted. They complain bitterly of the scarcity of provision--the meat, they say, is frequently putrid and the bread never in sufficient quantity, and oftentimes none at all, which, they state was the case all day Monday and Tuesday morning. The hungry men would stand it no longer and made a rush to town for something to eat. We do not know whether it is "red-tape," or too much Whiskey, that occasions this shameful neglect of the men, but from whatever cause it proceeds, we hope to see it remedied speedily and effectually.--We intend to stand up for the rights of our volunteers and unless their condition is improved, and their necessary wants supplied, we will be compelled to make an expose that may occasion some fluttering among the "Brass buttons."

The Difference
(Column 01)

Summary: A Republican "neighbor" lauded the Rhode Island Regiment that recently arrived in Chambersburg as being "among the best equipped troops." The Spirit points out that their uniforms cost $8 while the miserable clothing of the Pennsylvania Volunteers cost $17. The Spirit asks what "our neighbor [has to] say in extenuation for this sample of Republican management of our State military affairs?"

The Troops
(Column 01)

Summary: Sixteen regiments of Pennsylvania Volunteers, plus nine companies of regulars, are encamped in or have recently left Chambersburg on their way to the enemy lines.

Movements of Troops
(Column 02)

Summary: Almost every day and night trains are arriving in town loaded with horses, provisions, and ammunition. The troops continue to arrive and depart.

Southern Papers
(Column 02)

Summary: The stoppage of the mail from the Southern states has cut off the Southern press. However, the Spirit doesn't believe that this is a great loss since these papers didn't report on troop movements or any other army related information.

More Disgrace
(Column 02)

Summary: The Spirit is outraged that incompetent men are being appointed to command the Pennsylvania troops. They direct the readers attention to the article in column 4, "Appointments not fit to be Made," in which a Republican paper makes the same complaint.

A Good Sign
(Column 02)

Summary: "All experienced writers upon arms for soldiers denounce the use of pistols for privates and ridicule the idea of knives." The volunteers should instead rely on their bayonets in a close fight.

The Coming Election
(Column 03)

Summary: In the excitement over the coming of the war, everyone has forgotten about the coming election. The Republicans have urged voters to forget about party. The Juniata Democrat believes that this is a ruse to add strength to the Republican party, which can no longer win voters with their sectional doctrines. They urge every Democrat to "stand up for his country in its hour of trial, but still cling to Democratic principles."

Origin of Article: Juniata Democrat

"No More Party"
(Column 03)

Summary: Two or three weeks ago, the Republicans insisted that party issues had been set aside in favor of unity. Now, however, it appears that Republicanism has been resurrected as the party members call conventions and make nominations.

Origin of Article: LaSalle Standard

[No Title]
(Column 03)

Summary: The Western Reserve of Ohio, a well known abolitionist region, has "thus far responded but feebly to the call for troops." The governor attempted to hide this low turnout by "preventing the mustering into the service of the United States of regiments raised in other quarters of the State, in order to give the abolition corner a chance." However, the War Department ordered him to stop this practice.

A Scoundrel
(Column 03)

Summary: Charges have been made to the Secretary of War that one of the largest contractors for the Pennsylvania Quartermaster General has also sold saltpetre to the South. An investigation has been ordered.

Origin of Article: New York Sun

Appointments not fit to be Made
(Column 04)

Summary: The Inquirer is outraged that incompetent men are being appointed to command regiments. They believe that the Secretary of War is using the War Department to benefit his followers.

Origin of Article: Philadelphia Inquirer

Affairs at Harper's Ferry
(Column 05)

Summary: An extract from a letter written by a Southern volunteer encamped at Harper's Ferry. In it, he discusses camp life and the fear that, if the Union captures Manassas Junction, Harper's Ferry will be completely cut off.

Origin of Article: Louisville Courier

A General Bankrupt Law Proposed
(Column 05)

Summary: A petition is circulating in Philadelphia that asks Congress to pass a general act of bankruptcy similar to the one passed following the panic of 1837. The text of the act is included.

Tobacco
(Column 06)

Summary: Kentucky and other tobacco growing states will gain great advantage by not seceding because they will not have to face the blockade. While the American government doesn't tax tobacco, the European governments place heavy duties upon it and receive a tremendous amount of revenue from tobacco sales.

An Interesting Table
(Column 06)

Summary: The Spirit reprints a list, drawn from the 1860 census, of the number of white males between the ages of eighteen and forty five who live in the free states, border slave states, seceded states, and territories.

The Passage of Troops over Railroads
(Column 06)

Summary: A convention of officers of various Pennsylvania railroad companies agreed to make an abatement of 33 percent of the usual charge for carrying troops or provisions of war. However, all the railroads of the state have in their charters a provision that states that troops and munitions of war shall be carried at fifty percent of the usual rate. The editor questions who makes the remaining seventeen percent.

Origin of Article: Philadelphia Inquirer

Funeral of Senator Douglas
(Column 06)

Summary: Senator Douglas's funeral was held in Chicago and drew a large crowd.

War Estimates
(Column 01)

Summary: Estimates how much the war will cost the government.

Beauregard's Farewell to Charleston
(Column 02)

Summary: Beauregard bids his farewell to Charleston and assures the Carolinians that the South will be victorious.

Origin of Article: Charleston Courier

Died
(Column 02)

Summary: Anna Sowers died on May 16th at 23 years of age.
(Names in announcement: Anna Sowers, Hiram Sowers)

Died
(Column 02)

Summary: Died on June 7th at 28 years of age.
(Names in announcement: B. Frank Frey)

Died
(Column 02)

Summary: Edward Reed died on June 6th at 22 years of age.
(Names in announcement: Edward Reed, E.D. Reed)