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Valley Spirit: February 3, 1864 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |

The Constitution
(Column 1)

Summary: The editors explain that they reprinted the Constitution in this issue to remind readers of the clauses that they believe are being violated by the Lincoln administration. Among others, the confiscation act has deprived people of property without due process, the admission of West Virginia was not done with the consent of Virginia, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and freedom from false imprisonment have all been violated by federal authorities, the right of states to organize militias has been trumped by federal conscription laws, and military authorities have interfered with free elections.

A Bogus Senator
(Column 2)

Summary: The editors protest the attempt by Republicans to file a resignation for Major White, a Republican state senator who has been unable to take his seat because of his commission. White's resignation has not been presented to the proper authorities, claim the editors, and thus there is no legal ground on which they can hold a replacement election.
(Names in announcement: Major White)

Origin of Article: The Age

The Coming Financial Crash
(Column 3)

Summary: The editors cite a report by the Comptroller of the Currency that warns that the end of the war may bring an end to the "apparent prosperity" of the country. They accuse the Lincoln administration of misleading the country with falsely optimistic statements about the future of the economy.

[No Title]
(Column 5)

Summary: The editors note the call of the Repository to Congress to issue a ruthless conscription bill, one that will, in the Spirit's words, "gobble up every poor man as well as every man of moderate means, and force him into the army before spring opens."

How to Avoid the Draft
(Column 1)

Summary: The editors reprint a call by Governor Curtain for volunteers to fill up the 2nd and 9th Army Corps, under the command of Major Generals Winfield Hancock and Ambrose Burnside. The following Pennsylvania regiments and batteries are included. 2nd Army Corps: 53rd, 69th, 71st, 72nd, 81st, 106th, 116th, 140th, 145th, and 148th regiments, and Independent batteries C and F, and batteries F and G of the 1st Pennsylvania artillery. 9th Army Corps: 45th, 48th, 50th, 51st, 100th regiments, and Durrell's Independent Battery D. The editors encourage enlistment "thereby avoiding any necessity for another draft."
(Names in announcement: Governor Curtain, Major General Winfield Hancock, Major General Ambrose Burnside)

Another Draft
(Column 2)

Summary: The editors reprint an order from President Lincoln authorizing a draft for 500,000 men on March 10 for three years service. The editors note that this follows on the October order for a draft of 300,000. This order includes the 300,000, and assumes a volunteer rate of 2000 per day. The order credits any men who have been enlisted or drafted up to the 1st of March to the state's quota.
(Names in announcement: President Abraham Lincoln)

The Nine Months' Men to be Drafted
(Column 1)

Summary: The Senate has amended the conscription bill to exempt only those men currently in the service, or who have been in the service two years and have been honorably discharged, from the draft. This makes all those who served in the nine months regiment subject to the draft. These veterans do receive an additional bounty of $40 on top of the $362 for first-time enlistees.

A Row
(Column 1)

Summary: A fight among members of the troops stationed in town took place in front of the Post Office last Friday.

Full Text of Article:

On Friday night last, just after dark, considerable of a row was gotten up, in front of the Post Office, by some of the military now stationed in and near town. Several knock downs occurred; but we could not ascertain whether cavalry or artillery came off second best. Our country's gallant defenders appear so anxious for a fight, that, in the absence of rebels, in order to keep their hands in, they occasionally pitch into each other.--Such displays of the progress of our soldiers are not at all creditable, and no laurels are to be gained in such encounters, we would therefore suggest that they reserve their valor for the enemies of our country "away down South in Dixie."

United Brethren
(Column 2)

Summary: The annual conference of the United Brethren in Christ took place in Mechanicsburg on January 21. The following are the pastoral appointments for Franklin County: Chambersburg District, J. W. Burd, P.E.; Chambersburg Station, J. Dickson; Rocky Spring Station, J. M. Bishop; Orrstown Station, H. Y. Hummelbaugh; Big Spring Station, Z. A. Colestock; St. Thomas Circuit, S. Jackson; Greencastle and Alto Dale Circuit, J. C. Smith and W. Humberger; Path Valley Station, S. Young.
(Names in announcement: J. W. BurdP. E., J. Dickson, J. M. Bishop, H. Y. Hummelbaugh, S. Young, Z. A. Colestock, J. C. Smith, W. Humberger, S. Jackson)

Court Martial
(Column 2)

Summary: At a Court Martial held in Chambersburg last November, presided over by Gen. O. S. Ferry, U.S. Volunteers, Private Isaac Fishel, 166th Reg't Penn. Militia was convicted of desertion and giving intelligence to the enemy, which finding was approved by the Major General commanding. Fisher was ordered to be shot by musket on Friday, March 18. Joseph Fisher was tried and found guilty of spying for and giving intelligence to the enemy, and was sentenced to be hanged. The finding and sentence were approved, but the sentence was commuted to imprisonment for 10 years in the state penitentiary.
(Names in announcement: Isaac Fishel, Joseph Fisher)

The Academy
(Column 2)

Summary: The editors call attention to the advertisement of the Chambersburg Academy in this issue and praise the school and the "efficient and energetic management" of its principal, Mr. Kinney.
(Names in announcement: Mr. Kinney)

How to Treat Frozen Limbs
(Column 2)

Summary: The editors pass on some advice on thawing out frozen limbs. They recommend encouraging internal circulation at the same time as applying external heat.

Public Lecture
(Column 2)

Summary: Rev. John A. Warner of Gettysburg will give a lecture in Chambersburg on the battle of Gettysburg, to benefit the Ladies' Aid Society. Warner was an eyewitness to the battle, and he should command a full house.
(Names in announcement: Reverend John A. Warner)

Full Text of Article:

Rev. John A. Warner of Gettysburg has consented to deliver a lecture in this place on some evening next week in aid of the funds of the "Ladies Aid Society."

The subject, the battle of Gettysburg, is an intensely interesting one to all and the well established reputation of the Rev. gentleman, who was an eye witness of the battle; as a speaker, in connection with the laudable object in view, should, and not doubt will, attract a full house. The time of the lecture will be duly announced.

The 77th Regiment Pa. Vols.
(Column 2)

Summary: Reports that nearly every member of the 77th Reg't Penn. Volunteers re-enlisted for three years.

Full Text of Article:

We understand from private sources, that the members of this gallant Regiment which covered itself with laurels on the hard-fought fields of the South west, have almost to a man, re-enlisted for three years, and are now on their way home on a furlough of thirty days. The gallant men of the 77th deserve a cordial welcome and high honors.

School House Burned Down
(Column 2)

Summary: The Mount Rock School House, in Southampton Township, was entirely consumed by fire last week. There is no information on the source of the fire.

Married
(Column 3)

Summary: William Harmony and Regina Baine, both of Chambersburg, were married on January 28.
(Names in announcement: Rev. M. Wolf, William Harmony, Miss Regina Baine)

Married
(Column 3)

Summary: Clarkson Starliper of Montgomery Township married Elizabeth Steffy of Peters Township on January 28 at the residence of the bride's father.
(Names in announcement: Rev. I. G. Brown, Clarkson Starliper, Elizabeth Steffy)

Married
(Column 3)

Summary: James B. Culbertson and Margaret Stewart (daughter of Davis Stewart), of Amberson's Valley, were married on January 21.
(Names in announcement: Rev. William A. West, James B. Culbertson, Margaret Stewart, Davis Stewart)

Married
(Column 3)

Summary: James G. Haymaker and Adele E. Skinner (daughter of William Skinner, Esq.) were married near Chambersburg on January 27. A "large and delicious cake" to which "all hands did ample justice" accompanied the wedding notice.
(Names in announcement: Rev. S. J. Niccolls, James G. Haymaker, Adele E. Skinner, William SkinnerEsq.)

Died
(Column 4)

Summary: George Franklin Schaefer, son of Jacob and Catharine Schaefer, died on January 26, aged 4 years.
(Names in announcement: George Franklin Schaefer, Jacob Schaefer, Catharine Schaefer)

Died
(Column 4)

Summary: Michael Cantner, son of Michael Cantner, died on January 19 in Greencastle, aged 4 months.
(Names in announcement: Michael Cantner)

Died
(Column 4)

Summary: Levi Hawbecker died on January 23 in Greencastle at age 48.
(Names in announcement: Levi Hawbecker)

Died
(Column 4)

Summary: Levi Bonebrake died on January 25 near Waynesboro of typhoid fever [age obscured by tear in paper].
(Names in announcement: Levi Bonebrake)

Died
(Column 4)

Summary: John Hennicle, son of Henry Hennicle, died on January 24 near Waynesboro [age obscured by tear in paper].
(Names in announcement: John Hennicle, Henry Hennicle)

Died
(Column 4)

Summary: Bartholomew Mullnix died on January 23 in Chambersburg, aged 63 years.
(Names in announcement: Bartholomew Mullnix)

Died
(Column 4)

Summary: James Kerr died on January 29 in Chambersburg, aged about 87 years.
(Names in announcement: James Kerr)