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Valley Spirit: June 19, 1861 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

The Habeas Corpus Case
(Column 01)

Summary: Continuation of the opinion of the Chief Justice in the case of John Meryman.

Last Hours of Senator Douglas
(Column 04)

Summary: A description of Douglas's last hours, during which time he refused last rites and left a final message for his children to obey the Constitution and the laws of the land.

Origin of Article: Chicago Herald

Jeff Davis to the Maryland Commissioners
(Column 05)

Summary: Letter from Jefferson Davis to the Maryland Commission in which he rejects the suggestion that there be a general cessation of hostilities until Congress can meet and negotiate a peaceful solution. He states that the South desires peace, but that it "is at a loss how to reply without a repetition of the language it has used on every possible occasion that it has presented itself since the establishment of its independence."

A New Patent Canteen for the Army
(Column 05)

Summary: Many of the New York troops have been provided with a new canteen that works better than the old one. This design conforms better to the bottom and can also be used as a coffee and tea pot.

Origin of Article: N.Y. Commercial

The Town of Romney
(Column 05)

Summary: Romney, Virginia has been thrust into the limelight because of the recent battle fought there. It is in a village on the great Northwestern Virginia turnpike which runs from Winchester to Parkersburg. It is about 35 to 40 miles west of Winchester.

Positive Evacuation of Harper's Ferry
(Column 06)

Summary: The rebel forces evacuated their defensive works on the Maryland side near Harper's Ferry and then burned the nearby bridges. They then retreated from Harper's Ferry itself.

The Western Virginia Convention
(Column 06)

Summary: At the western Virginia Convention, the business committee reported resolutions for adoption that repudiated all allegiance to the Confederacy.

Another Exploit on the Eastern Shore
(Column 06)

Summary: Major J.S. Morgan, of the thirteenth regiment, Brooklyn, brought his troops to Annapolis. On the way, they were involved in a skirmish and captured 500 stand of arms.

Deserters Hung at Harper's Ferry
(Column 06)

Summary: Three members of the Boyd Guard were hung at Harper's Ferry for attempting desertion.

Movements Near Washington--The Confederate Forces at Fairfax Court House
(Column 06)

Summary: A scouting party that went to Falls Church, Virginia was welcomed by the residents, who want the village occupied by Federal troops. A man who escaped from the rebels stated that there are only 700 men at Fairfax Court House.

The Army Frauds
(Column 06)

Summary: The U.S. Grand Jury at Philadelphia has made a report relating to the army frauds in the state of Pennsylvania. They state that the evidence points to frauds having been perpetrated, but they have been so carefully concealed that the Grand Jury cannot bring any charges. The Governor has, however, appointed incompetent men to run the military departments.

Arrival of Gen. Harney
(Column 06)

Summary: Brigadier General Harney arrived in Philadelphia from St. Louis.

Origin of Article: Philadelphia Inquirer

Army Movements
(Column 01)

Summary: All the soldiers that had been encamped in Chambersburg have left. The Headquarters of the Generals has been shifted in Hagerstown. The rebels' retreat from Harper's Ferry disappointed the Union troops and led to a change in Union plans. In addition, it appears that a battle occurred at Falling Waters between the troops under Gen. Cadwallader and the Virginia forces.

Letter from Camp Curtin
(Column 02)

Summary: The McClure Rifles arrived safely at Harrisburg and marched directly to Camp Curtin. They haven't yet received their uniforms. Capt. Reilly "is determined never to let his company be disbanded while there exists a single ray of hope to get it into active service."

An Item for Business Men
(Column 02)

Summary: The Spirit encourages merchants to continue to advertise, even though the economy is troubled and consumers are panic-stricken.

Bridge Burners
(Column 02)

Summary: Southern troops from Leesburg burnt four bridges on the Alexandria, Loudon, and Hampshire Railroad.

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: The Harrisburg cotton factory will be closed for a few days, which will throw 300 hands out of work. The mill is shut because cotton is in short supply.

Pirates on the Chesapeake--Philadelphia Vessels Captured
(Column 03)

Summary: A privateer boarded four unarmed schooners in the Chesapeake, lowered the Stars and Stripes, and trampled it underfoot.

Affairs in New Orleans
(Column 03)

Summary: Discussion of economic conditions in New Orleans. Business has slowed greatly and prices have increased.

Origin of Article: New Orleans Delta

Beauregard on Capt. Ball's Comp'y
(Column 03)

Summary: Capt. Ball and his company, who were recently prisoners, have been ordered to leave Virginia because they took an oath of allegiance to the Union. This oath was a condition of their release. General Beauregard criticized them for taking their oath, insisting that they should have remained prisoners to "induce the Government to regard disunionists captured in arms against the United States as prisoners of war."

Origin of Article: Washington Star

Lieut. Siemmer
(Column 03)

Summary: Lieut. Siemmer and his wife returned to Philadelphia. His wife's patriotism and devotion at the time of the rebel attempt to seize Fort Pickens attracted the admiration of the country. He is in poor health.

Senator Douglas's Successor
(Column 03)

Summary: The Governor of Illinois appointed Orville H. Browning to fill the seat of Senator Douglas. He was a Whig candidate for Congress. The Spirit is disappointed that a Douglas Democrat wasn't appointed as a sign that "there is no party now."

[No Title]
(Column 03)

Summary: The Spirit is critical of the "rage for relics of departed heroes." The flag which Col. Ellsworth seized before his death has been divided and the pieces carefully preserved.

Important from the South and West
(Column 04)

Summary: Gen. Beauregard may be planning on retreating from Manassas Junction now that Harper's Ferry has been abandoned. This would allow him to reinforce lines near Fredericksburg or Warrenton Junction, which would be much more difficult to attack.

Plan for a Western Attack on Richmond
(Column 05)

Summary: A semi-official source has told the Spirit that a plan exists for a western attack on Richmond. Men would be brought from Ohio, Indiana, and the Northwestern states and would arrive in Richmond by July 1st.

The Latest from Fortress Monroe
(Column 05)

Summary: Miscellaneous news from Fortress Monroe.

From Washington
(Column 05)

Summary: The rebel retreat from Harper's Ferry has greatly increased interest in what the rebels will do next. All attention is being directed at Manassas Junction.

From Harper's Ferry
(Column 06)

Summary: One messenger recently arrived from Harper's Ferry states that it is deserted of all military. Another messenger states that a large body of men are still there, stationed at Bolivar on the outskirts.

[No Title]
(Column 06)

Summary: All the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad buildings in Harper's Ferry were burned. The bridge over the Potomac had been damaged, but the bridge over the Shenandoah was still standing. The main body of the rebel troops that left Harper's Ferry has gone to Winchester while a smaller group has gone to join Henry Wise at Romney.

From Point of Rocks
(Column 06)

Summary: The obstructions on the Baltimore and Ohio railroad at Point of Rocks have been removed and the road to Harper's Ferry has been reopened.

A Privateer Captured
(Column 06)

Trailer: The schooner Savannah, a privateer, arrived in New York with the Stars and Stripes flying in triumph.

The Virginia Plan of the Campaign
(Column 01)

Summary: The Confederate army appears to have undergone a change in strategy. All eyes are turned toward Manassas Junction. Some Southerners believe that Alexandria was a feint to make important movements at Norfolk, Yorktown, or Aquia Creek. General Lee, however, believes that there will be a great battle at Manassas Junction.

Origin of Article: New Orleans True Delta

Editorial Comment: The Delta "has a very interesting letter from its special correspondent at Richmond. Though reaching us in such a round-about way, it is nearly as late as anything from newspapers sources which we have direct from Virginia. It is certainly as important, and reads as though it were reliable."

Grumbling at the South
(Column 02)

Summary: The Mercury criticizes the defensive strategy of the Confederate army. They ask why more men weren't stationed at Alexandria and why more aren't at Manassas now. They wonder if a third of the volunteers have been accepted into the army and assert that a large army could drive every Yankee across the Pennsylvania line.

Origin of Article: Charleston Mercury

Editorial Comment: "Grumbling at the dilatoriness of military movements is not altogether confined to the North. The Charleston Mercury, of the 2nd inst., is in a bad way, and feels itself highly aggrieved by the Fabian policy of the Confederate leaders."

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: "How very consistent it is in the Republican Journals to doubt the fidelity of men who have, all their lives, been Union men, and at the same time applaud the appointments of Corwin Burlingame, Banks, and others, men who have been praying for a dissolution of the Union for the last quarter of a century. Consistent, we say!"