The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1861-07-31
The Sunfsh Affair.

Mr.. EpIroR: An almost indescribable
dulness seems to hang over our dusty, ru-
raj village. If I mistake not, it is uri.
versal over our county, and is referable to
the incidents and events of yesterday.
Then all was life, excitement, alacrity and
self. willed determination; moso dulness
and gloom proportionate to the excite
ment of yesterday, seems to afflict our
people; but we can assure your readers
that we are doing our divinest to shake
off the sloth, and drive dull care away,
which we hope eventually we shall be able
to do.
While seated at the dinner table yes.
terday; attending to the "wants of the in
ner man." we were suddenly interrupted
by messenger who announced the indis.
criminate slaughter of about SO Of the
Inhabitants of Clarington, by the hands
of q prowling band of secessionists,
amounting in namber to about 800.
You may be sure that the heavy tramp
of secession soldiery on the soil of Ohio.
would a:ous, q sentiment lolg our
people.
The news spread like wild6re, and was
as soon communicated to the citizens OF
the village and surrounding country, and
but few moments elapsed ere the public
haunts were filed with an excited popu-
lace. eagerly demanding the particulars
Of this invasion, which was rohearsed again
and again by the bearer of dispatches.
People were soon seen coming in from
the country, and the excited look and firm
demeanor, indicated settled determine
ton ito do or to die"
In an incredibly short space of time, all
the firearms of the village passed through
the ordeal of rigid scrutiny, and from
the amount of guns firing, you would
have thought the bombardment of our
devoted city" had commenced.
A number of our citizens mounted their
barbs, and we're soon on their road to
the seat of war, determined to know the
facts in the case.
The boys we're rushing through the
streets with bars of lead, intent on sup
plying the fighting population, with mate
rial for war. and / was informed by an in
telligent blacksmith that he was of the
opinion, that not less than 1000 bullets
were cast in his shop during the day.
The gist of the matter was, we were o.
the opinion that detachment of the Sc
cession troops were already coming ur
Achisons' Run, and that they would soor
plant their batteries and commence shell
ing our village, and by these means com
pei us 10 beat an inglorious retreat, Of
ignobly surrender our forces, neither o
which we were not inclined to do, henc'
the sctive preparations for giving them ,
warm reception. 5s ~
We were determined not to yield uI
our wives, our .sweethearts' and our col
ors, without o struggle.
"What! while our arms can WELD these blades
Shall we die tamely! die alone!"
Our company of Home Guards in
creased to about IS men, were on parad,
during the evening, armed with as man.
different kinds and characters of weapons
as there were diversities of opinion rela
tive to the matter.
We were all q. unit, men, women ant
children. The men were armed with ri
fes. q. s. muskets. with and withou
bayonets; shot guns. single and doubl
barreled; carbines and blunderbusses
The women were doubtless ready will
their broomsticks, brickbats, and the es
sential pre- requisite. courage to use them
The children with torpedoes, popgau
and gingerbread, all united on the ab
sorbing topic; all Of one mind.
eve 'ba.e ne breath, we curb no thong hit,
Come what may come, we falter not.'
Il But alas! our expectations were frus
trated by the arrival of our scouts, wh,
informed us with the news that the CIar
ington affair was all hoax-a bloodles
v;ctory-a 'goak.'
4 Revenge was sworn on the originates
of the report, and many were dissatisfied
that some Of the 'secesh' people we're no
really in Ohio. 1 heard one man (wh,
had come from distance, and was 'spi
lin for fght,') say that he hated to b.
disappointed. and expressed wish to g
into Virginia and engage Henry A. Wise
command.
! 1t was remarked by q number of on
citizens that q more pleasant time had 40
been Witnessed for q long period. and ou
neighbors were thanked kindly, in re
marks that were made by few Of our cit
izens. for their promptitude in volunteer
ing to assist neighboring village in ex
pelling plundering band of invaders
but fearing l will trespass upon your col
umns. dssist writing more<
PHILO.
! BeaAsviue, o.. July %. 1861.
rive received other communications OF
hthe same subject, which are crowded on,
En- I