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Valley Spirit: February 26, 1862 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |

War News--Fort Donelson Victory
(Column 1)

Summary: Four different accounts of the final day of fighting at Fort Donelson in Tennessee, where Union forces overran a strategic Confederate fort. Several articles discuss the Unionist sympathies of many Confederate soldiers. The paper also reprints the exchange of letters between Confederate General S.B. Buckner, left in charge of Fort Donelson, and Union General U.S. Grant, commander of the troops attacking the fort. Buckner proposes discussion of terms of surrender, and Grant replied that "No terms except an unconditional and immediate surrender can be accepted. I propose to move immediately on your works." Buckner surrenders, though noting Grant's "ungenerous and unchivalrous terms."

Origin of Article: Chicago Tribune, St. Louis Republican, St. Louis Democrat

From Washington
(Column 4)

Summary: A short paragraph reprinting a letter from Lincoln's cabinet noting that the President is in mourning over the death of a child.

Cheering News From Richmond
(Column 5)

Summary: A Union prisoner reports that Union sentiment is strong in Richmond and that the Confederate capital is weakly defended.

Object of the War
(Column 6)

Summary: A letter from Amos Kendall to President Lincoln, defending Northern Democrats and attacking abolitionists. He argues that while Northern Democrats were willing to compromise in the interests of peace, once war became inevitable they rallied around President Lincoln's leadership, and will spare no sacrifice to defend the Union. Abolitionists, on the other hand, sought to divert the military strength of the country from a fight to save the Union to a fight to free the slaves.

Origin of Article: National Intelligencer

Remarks of Mr. Cox of Ohio, in Defence of Gen. McClellan
(Column 2)

Summary: Congressman Cox of Ohio replied to Congressman Gurley's criticisms of General McClellan, noting that Gurley, a minister "whose thoughts have been more on the dove than the eagle," was presumptuous in criticizing the military strategy of McClellan. Rumors of McClellan's unpopularity with his troops were unfounded, Cox went on to argue.

Cameron and Wilmot
(Column 1)

Summary: Reports a rumor that Simon Cameron, former Secretary of War and now envoy to Russia, and Senator David Wilmot, both of Pennsylvania, are discussing switching positions if the Pennsylvania legislature approves. The Valley Spirit on one hand thinks it might be a good idea to rid the country of a troublesome political influence (Wilmot) and to prevent Cameron from tarnishing the country's image through his corruption. But ultimately, even though they think it would embarrass the Republicans, the editors decide that having Cameron in the Senate would be even worse.

The Spirit Vindicated
(Column 2)

Summary: The editors refer to a recent exchange in which "would-be Union sliders" took issue with the Valley Spirit's publication of statistics showing the amount of cotton produced in South Carolina--in an effort by the Spirit to argue that the South was of vital economic importance and should be kept in the Union. These opponents disputed the Spirit's statistics, but the editors in this piece produce another report of South Carolina's produce, and use it to argue that the abolitionists are deliberately distorting the truth.

No Compromise With Traitors
(Column 3)

Summary: The editors wonder how those who decry any compromise with the South will make up for lost federal tax revenues.

Full Text of Article:

This is the cry with which the Republican hungerers and thirsters after plunder put down the Crittenden Compromise. They did not want our troubles settled peaceably, for a peaceable settlement would not have filled their pockets. Well, we got no compromise, and what is the result? We have five thousand traitors now to every single traitor we had when the patriotic Crittenden plead for compromise; and we have a war which, no matter how soon it may end, will leave on our shoulders a debt of at least one thousand millions of dollars. This is the lowest amount we can escape with. The interest on this debt, at 7.80, the present treasury rate, will be seventy-three millions per annum. If the country is kept together and the Southern States are made to pay their proportion, Pennsylvania will have about one-tenth of this sum to raise--say seven millions of dollars a year. If the South gets off, Pennsylvania will have about one-sixth of it to make up--say twelve millions of dollars a year. Can the people of this State stand the grinding of additional taxes out of them to the amount of twelve millions per annum? Can they pay even seven millions over and above their present State, County, School, Borough and township taxes? We don't see how it is to be done. Perhaps those who would have "no compromise with traitors" can tell us.

No Quorum
(Column 4)

Summary: Notes that last week the Senate was unable to achieve a quorum with which to conduct its business. The Journal attacks Congress for abandoning the responsibilities of pressing the prosecution of the war and securing the finances of the country.

Origin of Article: Journal of Commerce

The Georgia Manifesto
(Column 6)

Summary: A recent manifesto in Georgia attempting to steel the resolve of Georgians demonstrates the fear of its authors more than the strength of the Confederacy. When Georgians realize that the object of the war is to preserve the Union and not to interfere with slavery, then they will realize the folly of secession.

Origin of Article: Patriot and Union

The Twenty Second
(Column 1)

Summary: Describes the events celebrating Washington's Birthday in Chambersburg.
(Names in announcement: Capt. John Jeffries, Capt. John Doebler, Rev. Harden, W.S. EverettEsq.)

Full Text of Article:

One hundred and thirty years have elapsed since the birth of Washington, and the importance of commemorating his natal day, by every suitable evidence of joy and congratulation, never seemed so forcibly felt, or the celebration so generally participated in, as at the present time. Every heart appeared warmed anew with patriotic zeal, and fresh determination to merit, maintain and improve the glorious legacy transmitted to his countrymen by the great and good Washington. Our citizens were not behind in celebrating the day in an appropriate manner. A Procession was formed in the Public Square, composed of the Military and Firemen, under the Marshalship of Capt. John Jeffries, which paraded through the principal streets of the town and made a very fine display. The Military company was made up of the three months men under command of Capt. John Doebler. They marched and maneuvered with great regularity and precision, and their firing could not have been surpassed for accuracy and rapidity. The Band accompanied the Procession and discoursed its choicest music along the route. The apparatus of the respective fire companies was decorated in the most tasteful manner with evergreens and flowers. The scenic effect of the Procession was still further increased by a handsome display of flags and Banners. After parading the streets the Procession returned to the Public Square where a beautiful new flag--the Stars and Stripes--was raised on the liberty pole erected in the centre of the Diamond. Washington's Farewell Address was then read in a very impressive manner, by Rev. Harden, to an immense crowd collected in front of the Franklin House. This was followed by an eloquent and patriotic discourse delivered by W.S. Everett, Esq. The programme for the day wound up with some excellent music from the Band, and splendid singing by the ladies on the veranda of the Hotel. In the evening a grand display of Fire Works was given in the Diamond that afforded much gratification to all classes of our citizens. The celebration of the day was conducted by our citizens in a manner becoming freemen who are proud of their liberty and their country, and who glory in the name of WASHINGTON who established for them the best form of government the world ever beheld.

Old Folks Concert
(Column 1)

Summary: The entertainment given in Franklin Hall last Friday raised $300 for "benevolent purposes." The "Old Folks" of Franklin County dressed up in antique clothing for the concert, and played to "immense" audiences. Special recognition was given to George B. Ayers for his management of the occasion.
(Names in announcement: George B. Ayers)

Gratifying
(Column 2)

Summary: An article preceding a letter of thanks from a soldier in the 46th Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers for mittens brought by Rev. Rebaugh of Greencastle. The editors had not heard of any boxes being sent to the 46th and ask if this letter is correct.
(Names in announcement: Rev. Rebaugh)

Sad Casualty
(Column 2)

Summary: Isaac Kuhns from near Orrstown died on Saturday "under circumstances of the most distressing character." He was quarrying stone near a lime kiln on Thursday when the embankment fell in and covered him. He was not found until the next morning, but was fatally injured and died soon after. He left a wife and two small children.
(Names in announcement: Isaac Kuhns)

Infanticide
(Column 2)

Summary: A Chambersburg girl is accused of depositing her newborn child in a privy.

Full Text of Article:

We learn that another case of supposed infanticide has occurred in this moral community. A girl residing near the upper end of Main Street gave birth to a child, a few days ago, and deposited it in the vault of the privy. This is becoming a very fashionable way of disposing of these little responsibilities, and unless an example is made of some of the unnatural mothers, we may be shocked by hearing of crimes still more horrible, if that were possible, being committed among us. If we keep on at this rate old Herod won't be a circumstance to some of our modern gals in the matter of slaughtering infants.

A Good Idea
(Column 3)

Summary: Firemen in the Washington's Birthday parade dragged a Confederate flag behind them and burned it at the end of the parade.

Full Text of Article:

A feature worthy of note in the Fireman's Procession, on the 22nd inst., was a rebel flag trailing in the dirt, attached to the Hope apparatus. After the Procession passed around town the rag was burnt in the Diamond, and the "Stars and Bars" vanished into smoke in the same manner the "Confederacy" of which it is the insignia is soon bound to disappear.

Democratic Meeting
(Column 3)

Summary: The Democrats of Greene township will meet in Scotland on Saturday March 8 to nominate a ticket for the spring election. A meeting will also be held that night in Fayetteville to complete the ticket.

Married
(Column 4)

Summary: Mr. P. Dock Fry and Emma C. Scheilbe (daughter of J. G. Scheible, Esq.), of Chambersburg, were married on February 19th at the Lutheran Parsonage.
(Names in announcement: Rev. J. Steck, P. Dock Fry, Emma C. Scheible, J. G. ScheibleEsq.)

Married
(Column 4)

Summary: John F. Heater and Margarette Ebert, both from the vicinity of Fanettsberg, were married on February 13.
(Names in announcement: Rev. G. R. Z?ickarias, John F. Heater, Margarette Ebert)

Married
(Column 4)

Summary: John D. Boggs and Susan E. Baughman, both of Fayetteville, were married on February 6.
(Names in announcement: Rev. Dr. Schlosser, John D. Boggs, Susan E. Baughman)

Married
(Column 4)

Summary: Salisbury O'Neal and Maria Barny, both of Greenvillage, were married on December 25 at the residence of the bride's aunt.
(Names in announcement: Rev. L. A. Gotwalt, Salisbury O'Neal, Maria Barny)

Married
(Column 4)

Summary: Henry Hefelman and Abigail Rosenberger, both of the vicinity of Chambersburg, were married on February 13 at the home of Rev. D. F. Good.
(Names in announcement: Rev. D. F. Good, Henry Hefelman, Abigail Rosenberger)

Married
(Column 4)

Summary: Casper Lindeman and Martha Siders, both from the vicinity of Waynesboro, were married on February 19 at the home of Abraham Frantz, Esq.
(Names in announcement: Casper Lindeman, Rev. J. F. Campbell, Martha Siders, Abraham FrantzEsq.)

Died
(Column 4)

Summary: Sarah Elizabeth Flood, "consort" of David Flood, died near Newton Hamilton, Mifflin County, on December 20, age 28 years, 3 months and 7 days.
(Names in announcement: Sarah Elizabeth Flood, David Flood)

Died
(Column 4)

Summary: Hannah Plough died in Chambersburg, on January 16th, age 43 years, 2 months and 3 days.
(Names in announcement: Hannah Plough)

Remarks of the Hon. John P. Hale in the Senate of the U.S.
(Column 1)

Summary: Hon. John P. Hale spoke to the Senate on the subject of the Secretary of the Navy's employment of his brother-in-law for five months at the rate of $70,000. Hale accused Republican senators of hypocrisy, arguing that if it had been a Democratic cabinet member, "the whole vocabulary of Grecian and Roman classical invective would have been exhausted by the Senator from Massachusetts."

The Late Victories
(Column 2)

Summary: This article argues that on the strength of recent Union victories, and with some evidence of counter-revolution in states like Tennessee, a well-timed appeal from the Administration in the spirit of conciliation may be enough to end the war.

Origin of Article: Journal of Commerce