Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-11-29
- STANTON SPECTATOR AND GENERAL ADVERTISER
Char,estown Intelligence.
Correspondence Of the Baltimore Aaersca
CHARIRsTowN. Nov.

CharIestown Intelligence.
TGorrespondence of the Baltimore Ameracan.l
CHARLEsTowN, Nov. %.
Editors american - Yesterday was another
busting day in this village, now the centre OF
excitement, and although no actual or probable
demonstration was made against the peace the
dignity. and the honor OF the glorious old Com
nOnwealth, yet there were men enough to nave
renelled an assault of the most formidable char
aoter.
Gov Wise, accompanied by his staff, good
looking but inexperienced body Of officers, left
In tle m morning train for Harper's Ferry, where
he remained until to-day. Before leaving he
made known the contents of a despatch received
by him from Governor Packer, of Pennsylvania,
in which that official rendered the services Of
10 600 men, and also offering to station guard
along the dividing line, between the States of
MARYLAND and Pennsylvania. Governor Wise, in
his reply. thanked him for the kind offer ofhelp,
but is still confident that Virginia will be able
TO maintain her honor in any emergency.
Nothing of interest transpired during the
morning. Acting Colonel Wyatt M. Elliott Wis.
tied each company belonging to the First Regi-
ment and read them the rules governing officers
and soldiers in the United States army, inform.
ing them at the same time he would exact strict
obedience to them. He also addressed them q
few appropriate remarks, telling them the eyes
of the country were upon them, and that it was
at least possible they might have to undergo ar
duous and perlous duty. He felt sure that the
First Regiment would do honor to itself and Vir.
ripia, and If our venerated old Commonwealth
should be invaded that they would wipe out the
stain attempted to be placed upon her.
The remainder of the day until O'Clock in the
afternoon was occupied by the soldiers in various
amusements. Some would form group and re-.
hearse tragedy from ancient and modern dramat-
ists Others would add to their and the citizens
pleasure by singing choice musical selections in
manner Infinitely amusing if lot on scientific
musical principles. Again number would gath.
or around the wagon of the daguerreotype man,
and have their 'phizes" taken for the dear ones
thew had left behind them. Another party form
ed o regular cotlion in their barracks, and had q
CAV time generally. All seemed grati6ed that
permission had been granted them to stay, and ap
pesred perfectly at home. At four o'clock dress
parade of the First Regiment took place, much
to the qualification of the citizens, after which
they were dismissed apd wandered about in va
rious directions, none seeming to apprehend an
attack.
sentinels were posted at six o'clock, after
which time it is impossible to pass the outposts
without the oountersign. Gov. Wise, whilst on
his way out to Mr.. Hunters on Monday night,
was hailed, and had to remain with the sentinel
some time before he could pass, although the
man knew him WELL A great many citizens
grumble at this, as they argue, needless precau
ton, but the men only obey orders.
About niue o'clock last night an alarm was
sounded through our streets, the sentinel on one
of the outposts having fred bis gun. Military
orders were sounded from one end Of the town
to the other, and the panic amongst women and
children, and indeed amongst some Of the men,
whose nervous systems have become much dis
ordered by late events, was very great, and win
dow shutters were closed and lights extinguish-
ed in shorter space of time than is usually the
case amongst our people, The cavalry COM
panies, armed with old rusty swords, which look
! as If they mad not been polished for centuries,
formed in the Western section of the town, and
really frightened great many people by their
unearthly yells. On inquiry as to the cause OF
such CONSERVATION, was informed by one gen.
tleman that the sentinel had mistaken post for
| an enemy, whilst another friend informed me
that it was COW quietly grazing by the road
side that had excited the suspicious of the vigi-
liant sentinel. The cow not coming to halt,
vigilant sentinel blazed away, but did not hurt
the cow much.
The fears of our people having been once more
Quoted, large number sought their homes and
embraced that "sweet restorer, balmy sieep,'
which has been much interrupted for few
nights. But they were again aroused about
two o'clock in the morning by the firing Of guns.
A sentinel from the outskirts of the town rushed
in and reported he had been shot at three times
by the same number of men, and that, too, after
giving them the command to halt. SCOUTS were
Immediately sent out, but nothing in the shape
of man could be found where reported
! Whether it was really three men or three goats
the sentinel saw will probably be determined to-
day.
These constant alarms and the lack of disci-
pine among the military, are beginning to be re-
garded as serious evils, and it is to be hoped
that measures will be taken to prevent them in
future. Yours, ID. ID. b.
A despatch from Harper's Ferry on the 2Srd
says:
Major General Taliaferro arrived here by the
express train last evening from Gloucester coun-
ty, and has assumed by the direction of Gov.
Wise the command of all the forces. Gen. Tall
iaferro does not supersede Col. Davis, but was
entitled by rank to command the whole Of the
forces. Col. Davis has been disfranchised under
the anti-duelling act from holding any office,
civil or military, in Virginia. He has acted
here as an advising officer.
There are now about one thousand troops in
arms here. A rumor was afoat to-day that
there were party of outlaws in the mountains
near Cherry Run, bIt it ia not credited, The
sentiuels at Oharlestown are reported to have
been fred On last night. 5
Gov. Wise exhibits no sort of fear of a rescue
being attempted. He thinks it best to have q
good force out. To reply to gentleman, this
morning, he said that be never had the least fear
on the subject, but considered it the finest OPP
portunity ever offered to put the State in militia.
ry training. / can now, he said, teach my boys
how to carry biscuit in their knapsaoks and to
arrange bullets in their oartridge-boxes. ;
Valley Railroad.
On the 18th of October, the citizens of Roam