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Valley Spirit: July 31, 1861 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

A Graphic Description
(Column 1)

Summary: Account of the Federal retreat from Manassas.

Origin of Article: New York World

Confederate Account of the Battle of Manassas
(Column 4)

Summary: A Southern view of the battle.

Origin of Article: Baltimore Sun

Gen. Scott and the Cabinet
(Column 5)

Summary: Reports that Gen. Scott had advocated a less aggressive policy to defeat the Confederacy. He argued that the North should rely on the blockade to weaken the South and should attempt to control the Mississippi and the Gulf before moving on Richmond. However, his advice was not heeded by the Cabinet.

The Returned Volunteers
(Column 6)

Summary: Complains of the Government's delinquency in the paying of Pennsylvania volunteers. The terms of a number of volunteer regiments expired, and the members of these regiments waited in Harrisburg to be paid. When no pay was forthcoming, the men hung a paymaster in effigy and almost started an armed riot.

Origin of Article: Harrisburg District

Home Again
(Column 1)

Summary: Reports the return of 3 month enlistees to Chambersburg.

Full Text of Article:

On Sunday afternoon last our town was thrown into quite an excitement by the unexpected announcement that the Franklin County companies, belonging to the 2nd Regiment, were at the Depot. As soon as the news of their arrival spread our streets were crowded by a dense mass of people all eagerly rushing to the Depot to welcome them home. The companies were marched from the Depot, followed by a vast concourse of people, to the Public Square, where they were dismissed. The men have all, without an exception that we noticed, improved in personal appearance, and the full number that left here come back in excellent condition. They have performed a good share of arduous service during their three months enlistment, but, with a few slight exceptions, all have enjoyed remarkably good health, and return to their homes in fine spirits. Quite a number of the men say that they are ready to re-enlist for three years, and many would have entered the service at once, at Harrisburg, had it not been for the outrageous treatment they there received. We are satisfied, from the feeling among our people that a full regiment could be raised in this county, in less than a month, if the men could be assured that the bad treatment our soldiers have been subjected to would not be repeated. As it now stands, few, if any, would be willing to risk another enlistment for so long a term.

Another Awful Panic
(Column 1)

Summary: Reports that Greeley has admitted that "an awful panic has seized upon him," and he has promised that he won't open his mouth about the war again.

Sunday Battles
(Column 1)

Summary: Asserts that battles fought on Sunday always result in the defeat of the attacking Army.

The London Times on the War
(Column 2)

Summary: The Spirit quotes the London Times in a criticism of the strategic competence of the Northern officers.

Origin of Article: London Times

Dangers of the Hour
(Column 2)

Summary: The New York Observer criticizes the disregard for civil liberties shown by many politicians and journalists. The paper castigates those who would allow the Constitution to be "trampled upon in order to carry on and carry out this war."

Origin of Article: New York Observer

Editorial Comment: "It would be well for all sects and parties to take the same view of the dangers that now beset our country before their liberties are 'clean gone forever.'"

How to Know Them
(Column 2)

Summary: Asserts that those who most loudly denounce the South and praise the war are the least likely to join the Army.

Democrats Sustaining the Union
(Column 2)

Summary: Alleges that most soldiers are Democrats and sights in-camp votes to support this claim.

J. Allison Eyster
(Column 3)

Summary: Reports that Eyster is a prisoner of the rebels in Virginia, having been captured while on business in Winchester.
(Names in announcement: J. Allison Eyster)

Full Text of Article:

It is with no ordinary feelings of regret that we announce to our readers that our esteemed fellow townsman, Mr. J. ALLISON EYSTER, is a prisoner in the hands of the dastardly rebels of Virginia. Mr. Eyster visited Charleston, a short time ago, for the purpose of looking after some business matters, and while there accompanied a friend, a Virginian, to Winchester. While in Winchester he was not, we believe, molested, but shortly after leaving that place, to return home, he fell into the hands of some rebel scouts and was arrested by them and taken back and lodged in the Winchester jail. Several acquaintances of Mr. EYSTER, at Winchester, made efforts to have him released and had hopes of being successful, but before they could accomplish it he, with several other prisoners, was removed to Richmond where he is now detained in the hands of Jeff Davis' minions. We look upon the arrest of Mr. EYSTER as a most wanton outrage. He was not in arms against them, or in any way connected with the army, and is too honorable man to act in the capacity of a spy. There was no charge brought against him--nothing to warrant his arrest, or to justify or palliate, in any way such an outrage on an unoffending citizen of Pennsylvania. Mr. EYSTER has many friends in Virginia and we have no doubt, as soon as his ease is brought to the attention of the proper authorities, that he will at once be released and sent home.

More Arrests by the Rebels
(Column 3)

Summary: Reports that other Franklin County citizens not connected with the Army have been imprisoned in Virginia. The Spirit asks that these men be freed and threatens to retaliate by seizing prominent Virginians if the Franklin men are not released.
(Names in announcement: W.H. Brotherton, G. Walker, L.B. Kurtz, Joshua McCumsey)

Killed by Lightning
(Column 3)

Summary: Reports that John Asway's colt was killed by lightning and Mr. Grossman's barn was also hit and burned.
(Names in announcement: John Ashway, Grossman)

Thanks
(Column 3)

Summary: Thanks those who have begun subscribing to the Spirit.

Laid Over
(Column 3)

Summary: The Spirit takes issue with the constant attacks from the Times, which has become the "Lincolnites' ally."

Sesesh Help
(Column 4)

Summary: Reports that Buchanan County, Virginia has been renamed Stephens County by the Secession convention because of Buchanan's support of the Union.

President's Message
(Column 4)

Summary: Criticizes Lincoln's message, in which he said that it remains for the people "to demonstrate to the world that those who can fairly carry an election can also suppress a rebellion." The paper believes that this is a deliberate insult to Northern Democrats. The article alleges that the army which does his bidding is disproportionately Democratic.

Origin of Article: Columbia Democrat

Direct Taxation
(Column 4)

Summary: Reports on the proposed tax bill now before Congress. The bill proposes to raise $30,000,000 by taxing all lands, lots of grounds, dwelling houses, chattels, slaves, and stills.

Stupendous Swindling in Beef
(Column 4)

Summary: Bemoans the poor quality of the beef purchased for the Pennsylvania volunteers.

Noble Sentiments
(Column 5)

Summary: Suggests that those who write in support of the war should join the Army and fight it, lest the public suspect their fervor is reserved for those battles that others fight.

The Right Talk
(Column 5)

Summary: Transcript from a Republican journal which praises the Democrats for putting party issues aside on the battlefield and saving party conflicts for other arenas.

Origin of Article: Boston Journal

A Few Plain Questions
(Column 5)

Summary: Proposes a few questions regarding Sunday's panic over soldiers' payment.

Origin of Article: Philadelphia Enquirer

One of the Effects of Civil War
(Column 5)

Summary: Report of a New York soldier and a Virginia soldier who were college friends meeting in the midst of battle and not killing each other.

First Congress of the Confederate States of America
(Column 6)

Summary: Reprints the report to the Confederate Congress of the Southern victory at Manassas.

Origin of Article: Richmond Enquirer

Died
(Column 2)

Summary: Died in Southampton twp. on July 26 at 69 years of age.
(Names in announcement: Mrs. Elizabeth Russell)