davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-12-27

The war news this week is interesting and
important. The capture of large body Of
rebels and stores in Missouri seems to be
confirmed. The skirmish on the Potomac
was quite little battle, in which the rebels
were dispersed. News from the South re-
ports a fight at Tybee Island, and also that
Burnside's expedition is under orders for en-
barkation-for what place is secret. The
rebels in Missouri have destroyed large a.
mount of railroad. doing immense damage.
y Characteristic trick of theirs.
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-12-27
The British Embargo on Arms and AM
munitiOm.

The prohibition of the export Of arms and
Saltpetre by Great Britain causes an uneaSi-
ness in this country. We can now make our
own arms as fast as We shall need them. and
they are vastly superior 10 any We get from
abroad. Indeed England is indebted for her
best muskels to the machinery with which
We generously furnished her. and TO our
workmen who instructed her own in making
them. The markets of the rest of Europe
are still open to us if we should need more
than WE can manufacture. which is not like
are equally independent, for our Parrot
guns are unqueStlonabv superior to the
Armstrong and Whitworth guns AS to
Sa!tpetre, it IS stated that our government
has on hand an immense supply. sufficient
for any possible emergency. Some of it has
been in store since the war cf 1872 Indeed
it is intimated that the stir in England as to
saltpetre was made by agents OF our gov
eminent. who were purchasing largely. with
the desire to call forth prohibition of the
expectations. and thus keep the scce>sionists
from obtaining surp}y,:a as they have hith-
erto done by vessels running the blockade
OF saltpetre we can get any quantity from
Mexico, if our own supply was Short and
our stoles of lead and iron are inexhaustible
Oar own government should now prohibit
the expectation of ship timber. for which the
British government is largely dependent or
US. and has now great quantities stored here
which it has recently purchased The block
ade of the Virginia ports has cut off our sup
ply from that quarter and ship-builders find
it difficult to obtain suitable material for
their work Under these circumstances il is
highly important to forbid all further expor-
tatlon OF the article
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-12-27
Washington Gossip.
NJ. J.. S.

A gentleman occupying high position in
Paris, writing to friend in Washington,
says that the impression was very general in
the best informed circles in France and Eng
land, that rupture between England and
the United States is inevitable
The efforts being made to abolish suffer-
ships in the army are bringing to light many
abuses. In some instances the appointment
of sutler has been given to whoever would
agree to contribute the largest bonus to the
regimental fund, which is under the control
of the regmental officers. Out of it is paid
a portion of the expenses of the band s: the
remainder is disposed of by the officers, who
also appoint the sutler. That this course re-
suits in injury to the interest of both suffers
and soldiers, who are, in many cases, thus
indirectly taxed to pay for wines, liquors
and cigars for the regmental mess.
Mr. Ely is expected to arrive from Rich
mond early this week. The exchange of
prisoners is proceeding Systematically, and
to the entire satisfaction Of the government
The government on Sunday received intel
ligence from Gen Scott, stating that he in
tended to take passage in the next steamer
for the United States. The general does
not state the object of his return, but he un-
doubtedly brings information to our govern
ment of important movements abroad. 1t
must be serious matter, or Gen Scot,
would not return SO speedily, for it is well
known that he had made arrangements to be
absent a long time.
The \. y. Tribune's Washington cores
pendent teegraphs, Sunday night: Lord
Lyons yesterday made his first official COM
munication to the secretary of state, who at
once set about the preparation Of a reply
The contents of the dispatches are known tc
( no one except these two, the president and
probably Gen Mcclellan. But the genera
opinion among outsiders near the otfica
barrier that guards the inner circle of dipl,
macy is that they do not present an ultima
tum, but leave room for negotiation. a.
regards the statement that the cabinet is de-
termined to yield to England. even to the
point Of surrendering Mason and Sl:dell
rather than fight her. It is utterly and mis-
clievouslv false. The truth is that, as we
have excellent authority for saving. there is
no principle laid down or intinlated in any
standard work on international law, b>
which nation can be required to give W
It's own property or citizens. 10 matter how
the last possession was acquired, 10 another
nation. Great Britain not having yet recog
nizrd the jeff Davis government. cannot con
slider its emissarieS as other than or citi
.zens."
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-12-27
Pertinent Inquiries.

\ communication in the London News
SAYS:
Nobody has decided, and nobody seems
to care. up to this moment. whether. in carry
ing Mcs>rs Slideli and Mason, the Trent
rjolpted hr neutrality or not SO that if you
90 to war with the United States as matters
now stand, it will be. according 20 Your own
showing, to avenge simply an error in pro-
cedurc-an error, let me remark. which has
caused vastly less Inconvenience and loss.
both to the owners of thu ship and the pub
lie in general, than strict regularity would
have done.
You propose to wage a bloody war, to be
directly instrumental in establishing politi-
cal organization based on slavery, and to
revive and perpetuatc in the hearts of pow
erful and kindred nation the hatred which
was first bred by your tyranny and wrong
doing-not for a substantial wrong, for that
YOU do not say YOU have suffered, bat for a
vice of form. How will this look in histo-
ry?
10 rest a challenge to fight the United
States under present circumstances upon any
thing but the fixed conviction of the govern
ment and the people, not only that Captain
Wilkes's proceeding was irregular but that
the Trent was in her right in carving the
Commissioners. is something which | am
certain most Englishmen will be ashamed of
twenty years hence. The point raised by
the Law Officers furnishes certainly fair
ground for remOnstrance and negotiation,
but sure Y not for an ultimatum drawn up
after two days consideration"
The writer might have added that no ma
ton was guilty of a more wanton and coward
ly act than that of sending challenge to the
United States at a time when her energies
are fully engaged, after having sedulously
avoided quarrel when the chances were
more equal.
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-12-27

"SolD AGAN."-The newspaper publish
ers were badly sold by II. c. Spalding of
glue and pill notoriety. The very thoughts
Of Cephalic Pills create "slight Nashua at
the stomach as Mrs Darlington used to say.
But Spalding is an honorable man. He
now proposes to pay his debts in printers
ink, # the printers will send him the frs,
cost of the ink in money. o. J. Wood, the
chair preventive man, \. J. Green, and a
host of Others have left their country for their
country's good, all owing the printer. Bat
how mum their creditors are.
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-12-27

Root CROPS.-The attention of farmers is
given more and more of late wears to the
cultivation of root crops for feeding to stock.
We believe this crop will continue to grow
in favor with agliculturists and stock rasers.
and that on farms where now twenty bushels
of carrots, turnips and beets are raised, in !,
few Years will be grown one hundred bushels.
The rapid increase Of these crops makes a
cheap and efficient root cutter deSiderotum.
The root cutter advertised in our columns to-
day, for which Mr. Dean has Just secured a
patent, is simple, effective, and cheap; can be
attached to any lever hay-cutter at a trihing
expense and works to charm. The prac,i-
cal workings of it can be seen at Dickinson
warehouse.
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-12-27
L. An incident occurred at Washing

L. An incident occurred at Washins:on,
the other day, going to prove that in spite q
all vigilance, the secession spies often suc-
coed IN escaping detection. \ horsemaa,
clad IN sort of cavalry costume. with 4
heavy overcoat and slouched hat, had been
noticed for some time dashing about the o!'y
IN rather suspicious manner \; last tae
authorities felt themselves warranted in AZ
resting him; and accordingly one morning
when trottlng down Pennsylvania avenrr
he found himself suddenly surrounded BY >
file of soldiers, and was carried off 10 prison.
But the funniest part was to come. The IT
vestlSatIon that followed resulted not ony
IN the discovery of certain important papet''
but also of the fact that the gallant clVa..rF
was woman. How lcng she had been a
the game it is impossible TO guess.
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-12-27
SQUARE YOUR ACCOUNTS

u, ,r0ud yemihd orr subscribers, and all IN
dc5ted to MS. that an early l,aymeat Of Their dues
/, i,aportanf. THE omo"m Of eg"h Of them Is
small. hut he o4yrcgote Of these small amounts
IS ht5'4cto rs. II is agre0t So"rceot conrentence
10 hqre II No~om2h settlement Of oil accounts at
Lns on.c ycm. Same ~ho edreHise ruth as,
a:.d a fteot maHy rho take or paper. hare tail-
e. 10 sq~arr their acro",d up to the first ot jan
,uyg. 1851 As IRE meal ali oar dies to enab/e as
tod,s,hosge o"r obl,qatjo"s promptly, ~e cal up
~ all t1 make an earIy sentiment.
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-12-27

O. The n. Y. Tribune has information
from good authority in London, that agents
Of Col Samuel Colt of Hartford, Ct, are ac-
lively engaged in England in aiding the man
utacture OF revolvers for the southern reh-
els. These pistols are paid for in cash on
delivery, and the Tribune's correspondent
states that he saw quantities of them the
other day going on board British steamer,
to be struggled into Charleston"
DIR George +. Gale of Brattleboro, has
been appointed and commissioned as sur
geon of the sth Vermont regiment, Col
Stephen Thomas commanding. DIR II. IL.
G'llet OF Corinth, has been appointed assist
ant surgeon of the same regiment. He was
member of the House of Representatives
at the late session.
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-12-27
The ENGLISH PRESS on THE SCOTT LETTER.
The London News, although at first bellige-

THE ENGLISH PRESS On THE SCOTT LETTER.
The London News, although at first bellige
rent, thus comments on this letter:
General Scott has not simply contradic
ted mischievous report-he has given
deliberate opinion, worthy Of his high reputa-
ton and Of the services he has rendered his
country. He says st is necessary that the
good relations between England and Ameri-
ca should be preserved 1t is most unlikely
that he would have been at the trouble to
say this if he had become accustomed to
different sentiments and opinions within the
circle of the government which he has just
quilted at Washington. The veteran discus
ses law like soldier, and evidently has no
lasts for the precedents of Hautefeuille or
Phillimore. But although the matter cannot
be disposed of exactly as the general mag
ines,we may confidently say that, if the Wash
lngton government is prepared to treat the
affair of the Trent in the candid and straight
forward spirit of its most illustrious officer,
it ought not to be difficult to arrive at a re-
suit which shall spare us war from which
We instinctively recoil, deliver us from the
horrible necessity Of subscribing the slave
cause which we abominate, and enable the
two governments to settle the law of the sea
on basis more in accordance with the needs
of the extended commercial Intercourse of
our times. This would be better issue
of the Trent dispute than the finest list of
ships burnt, sunk and destroyed, and at pre-
sent We see no reason to despair of such an
agreement
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-12-27
"OvER SUPPLIED. The following tells i

"OvER SUPPLIED The following tells its
story:
HEAD QUARTERS Sd RECT Vt. Vols.
CAMP GRIFFIN. Va, Dec Ii. 1861.
Gen GEO. F. DAVIS, QUARTER MAsTEs
GEN: Yours of the 10Th relating to articles
Of clothing, &C., is at hand. With the excer-
tion of mittens. believe the regiment is fair
iy over supplied with the articles you mca-
toned, viz: quilts. blankets. seeks. and Hos
pital stores. The fact is, the generosity Of
the people of Vermont actually outrun> tie
srumbling of the soldiers. most sincerely
advise that no more be sent the men for th,
present, as, # We move, all the extras vii fal!
into the hands of the secesh inhabitants @.
the vicinity. The Government Will 10.
transport extras.
Very Respectfully,
B. y. HYDE, Col Sd Res't. Vi. Vols.
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-12-27

STUDENT AND SCHOoIMATE.-We consider
this the best juvenile monthly published in
New England. 1t contains great variety
of instructive and amusing reading. In adj
dition to usual reading matter, it has eacl
month page Of new music, dramatic exer-
eises and Dialogues enigmas, etc Published
by Galen James x Co., - Cornhill, Boston,
at sl.oo per year, single copy, but at extra
ordinary low rates to clubs. The publishers
are this year offering valuable premiums, full
particulars of which are given in the January
number which is now ready.
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-12-27

F We give upon the outside short BIZ
ographical sketch of Thomas Chittenden, the
first governor Of Vermont. The Rutland
Herald, from which We copy, says this will be
followed by sketches of the other prominent
men of our state down to the present time
We may take occasion to copy many of them,
as We believe the public will now be interest
ed in the history of those men who have been
prominently connected with the growth Of
our state.
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-12-27

The ECLECTIC MAGAzlNE.-The January
number of this "cream of the monthlies" is
received. 1t opens with double plate en-
Enlistment, executed by Sartan in his best
style. The one is the wife of Bunyan, inter
ceding for his release from prison, and thu
other the battle of Bunker Hill, both very
fine pictures. The first article is life and
Times of Count Cavour," followed by other
articles of value. The Eclectic is published
by W. II. Bidwell, 3 Beekman street, New
York. See advertisement in this paper
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-12-27

u There is pe,t;coat at Washinstll
taken from i she secesh. that weighs H.
pounds. The garment is apparently qa.I-
ed one. but instead of the usual filing. Il
thickly wadded with the finest quality Of =
ing silk of asserted colors, the skeins beng
carefully arranged in layers. Ii is provided
with straps by which the weight may be sup
ported by the shoulders. Sewing silk IS ole
of the articles most needed, next TO qulnlne'
in the South.
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-12-27

snow, but this soon disappeared in three or
four days of fox and rain, and then followed
some of the most lovely weather, mild and
pleasant as April, while the roads were al
most dusty. Ard so it remains. Farmers
are blowing.
NJ
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-12-27
4 Battle near I.pe>burc.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20. This morning. at
6 O'Clock portion Of Gen McCall's division
proceeded in the direction of Drainesviile on
a toraging expedition, ana for the purpose
of making Il reconnaissance in that locality.
Drainesvlle is about midway between Gen
McCall's headquarters and Lee>burgh. On
arriving in that vicinity they encountered the
enemy. who had four regiments Of infantry
South Carolinians. AlabamianS and kentuck-
ians. with battery of six pieces and resi-
merit of cavalry, under command of Gen
Stuart.
The OILY troops On our side that engaged
in the ali il were Gen Ord's brigade. the LIST
Rifles. Az E.Stons battery of four guns
AT 4 ol.cc>. after the action, Gen Mccall
Sent two Ulcers 10 count the rebels k!llet,
and W, and =. when il was ascertained tha;
they left Oh ,..e field ). killed and 20 wound
ed. Three of the latter died on being re-
moved. making their loss 60 killed and Is
wounded. and they, no doubt, carried of
many M re
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-12-27

e. 1t is said that Col Corcoran, of the
\. \. Goth, who has been a prisoner in the
hands of the rebels since the battle of Bull
Run, made his escape from Charleston at the
time Of the great fire there. We hope it is
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-12-27
PARTICC LARS OF THE BATTI T.,

The federals killed in TIE battle at Drains
vile, include two men of the 9th PennSylvan-
ia regiment. Col Jackson. The major of this
regiment had his horse shot under him. and
one captain Robert Galway and 10 men
were wounded. In the 9th PENNSYLVANIA
regiment. commanded during the action by
Capt Ent, If men were wounded. In the
Buckfail rifles, Lieut. Col Kane, commanding.
was wounded in the cheek, three men were
killed. one captain Oh. f. Nile>) and five
men were severely wonderland several other
slightly wounded. In the 18th PENNSYLVANIA
regiment, Col Tagsart commanding. only one
man was wounded.
Col Tom Taylor, commanding the Ken
lucky rebel rifles, was killed, and lis saddle
brought away by Col Easton. Col Taylor is
the man who occasioned much excitement at
the commencement of the war by suddenly
appearing at Arlington with flag of truce.
and by being brought to our headquarters
bhndtoided and afterwards conveyed out
side our lines-the object of his mission tan
exchange of prlsoners) being unaccompish-
ed.
The detachment from Gen McCall's divis-
ION Wnlch LOOK part IN the cattle, did not ar
rive at Dransville until about noon and re-
manned until about p O'Clock, when the enc
my appeared in force, coming from the d.
rection of Centervile. Previousl, to this.
Gen Ord had placed his forces in position to
repel an anticipated attack. The fire was
first opened by the rebel battery throwing
solid shot, shell and canister. This was
Immediately responded to by Easton's bat
terry with marked effect.
The infantry on each side soon engaged in
the conflict, and at times they were not more
than 60 yards apart. After fighting for al
most an hour, shell from our side exploded
in the ammunition of one of the rebel Gals
sons, making fearful havoc; three of the reb-
els had their heads completely blown off, and
others were terribly mutilated. At this time
the enemy wavered and showed a dispose
ton to run, when Gen Ord gave the COM
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-12-27

The New YORK TRlBUSE.-We call atten-
ton to the prospectus of the Tribune in an
other part Of this paper-and vet it is hard
" necessary as every body in Vermont takes
the Tribune.
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-12-27

Ii would be quite amusing, if it were not
SO serious. to witness the buster of the pa
perS in Canada in regard to our troubles with
England. Public meetings are being held.
rifle companies formed. and great amount
Of talk made, and necdlessly too. we believe.
Some of the papers talk just as though an
invasion by Yankees was imminent; and
most stirring appeals are made to the people
TO immcdiately fortfy and be prepared to
defend themselves. They must have an ex-
allied idea of this little rebellion we have got
here to think we are going off "on ramp
age" into Canada in quest of more territory
No. Mr.. Frenchman We have got big Job
in the fighting line at home still we think
England had better not drive US to the wall.
E~ The United States Government NAV
send. as they threaten to do, an army of one
hundred and tittv or two hundred thousand
men into Canada they NAV overrun a con-
siderable portion Of our territory, but if as
sisted. As we are assured we shall be, by the
whole power of England, the result cannot
be doubtful. - Shetbrooke Gazette, Dec. 81.
We would respectfully ask the editor Of
the Gazette w4en the United States Govern
ment threatened to send into Canada an ar
my of one hundred and fifty or two hundred
thousand men >" We think he must have
drawn hard upon his imagination, or perhaps
taken the rawlings of some reckless newspa-
per writer for the sentiment of our govern
ment; probably the latter. We think too
much faith is put in the say Of certain prom.
lnent newspapers. When the London Times
h!urted out its spleen against the North in
the present rebellion, MANY believed it the
continent of the English nation. We believe
no such thing and We dislike to have our
English and Canadian brethren read the
New York Herald. or any other paper. and
think they are getting thereby the views Of
the administration or our people.
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-12-27

our times This would be better issue
of the Trent dispute than the finest list of
ships burnt, sunk and DESTROYED, and at pre-
sent We see no reason to despair of such an
agreement
From the Regular Army.
PORTAGE CITY. Wis.
Dec. II, 1861.
To the Editor Of the Cale}0nian:
If you have carefully conned Secretary
Cameron's last report, YOU will thus have ca
silly learned an important fact, which your
correspondent has learned at the expense Of
much tramping, riding, and patriotic talking,
VIZ: that the enlistments in the regular ar
my are unexpectedly slow. Young men-al-
most all men even-prefer to go in compa-
MES otiicered by their friends and acquair,t-
anccs, regardless of their military qualities
tons.
But in this state. the men able to do mill
tary duty have been closely cu.led, and the
remaining ones are crippleS. old men, men
with families. and some of those valiant lo)
Young fellows who prefer to stay in the home
wy 7''''' '''' "
guards" jim Lane aptly SAYS: They are IN
~h...,: .,l. ' ~, way
81 '''' ''' 'N''
-. '''''' 90 '''N'
,.':.~ ~ '.'' ",'" 49,
j, i''
=, ''o ~ ''''P VI
''''' ''''' :! ''''N
=, "''''' ~ ~ ~ wal
,v:r %u.' ' 'e' u"'''i"!
., '"'4 '"A
80, '''"'
-
inc. ,ha g.. g .-i
Tbev a., w;,I;,o 70 tall, IS ,;. ,u. -,
=,
,.o1 49,. 49,. $780,. ~ '' ''.
cr,,dn,oon,. ho,s 80, p,o. III ..~1
.,-,.,~,,
Sc ,han,, ~ - '''''N
Tbo
of ~. ,r;n,;1, ns;oas - 49,. IT, =:
-.
Ill.,. o,,,. ~ ~
lI.. ..',;.,., ....: =, ', ''''.'
oh.rc. 90 -. s,...',.. =, '''> "
''''''' ~ ''''' "
:. .,.~-,
,n -,
=,
..S.:~,. " ~ '''. ,''' o' '', "''.''
-. ,""' ""''''S
!, :. '""s' VI ''"
''.'o ~ MS o'''''
:, '''' 80, ""'''" '"'''''" ''''
9,"' ''' '"'' '""',S'''' was S'u'lpeo'
"'''''u y!
:, =, .'Fi',." ,o"'i'os''o'>
"e'''e' u h''
" 90 81" 90 ~ ''S.u 'o'' N"o" not
' ,'''' i 10 '''''S ""'S paper appears
n-,.,
'''''I'''s III
''''' occurrence III
.o'''p'''! was l"'s'o
WV 49, :. ''' III, ''"'' '''l'e Slnce' ana a
NV, ~, '''''','' p',"'''' was e'ee'eo captain
IN N'.e'N 'e .'' -'o"' ''!s' "nen you
-, ,' '''' just "a! ''e "ofo'
~ ""e 'o"'se o' TIME Tue
,'''' .''''p anu VT captain De-
vas "'''''' 10
=, '''''' - ~, .'' '''''' III ''''' 10 res'sh' lie
-,',c N so' VI Il petition 10 '"e
:, captain . 'en'o''i' Inc cap
~~.,, g., ''@' vi, r,"@''' ~ '''e 'o.-
-. ,ho,. ,o,o av wv AZ '"'0' "'u'o-
~ ~, -, '"'! "ouiu 'o'e
'o'e VA ~ anu ~ ou' Vi
''''' nam. ""' N"p'''' nc WIS
- a,..,,., '',''"' al"
,, YAK '''"' "' "',"e'' - near
onJ ho ,eu,, p, =, ,"p'"'''
of -, WV ~ VII.
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-12-27

e They are burning corn for fuel in lo-
gan county, Illinois, and corn for cents per
bushel is cheaper than coal at 20 cents. IL
is the great favor with the boys, as it does
not require to be sawed OF split.
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-12-27

two great people are conided act upon high
er responsibilities and with better lights, and
you may rest assured that an event so mu-
tually disastrous as war between England
and America cannot occur without some 9TH
er and graver provocation than has yet been
given by either nation.
WINFIELD SCOTT.