davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-05-23
The blockade Removed.

Now, that the blockade has been removed
from three of the leading Southern ports, un
less England and France are determined t.
have war with US they will henceforth holt
their peace. In the opening of New Orlean.
to the commerce of the world, the provision:
of the old treaty with France, guaranteeing
that no interruption of the trade between that
country and Louisiana should take place
have been fulfilled.
1t will not b, long, probably, before Nor
folk and number of other Southern ports
will be thrown open to the flags of every
nation. n
Whether the European cotton manufactur-
ing nations will be in any way benefited by
the removing of the blockade we are unable
to state. If they are not, however, it is none
OF our fault, and they may thank the rebels,
whom they have all along petted and carressed
By the provisions of the Presidents proc
lamation. issued on the 18th inst, the ports
of Beaufort, North Carolina Port Royal.
South Carolina and New Orleans, Louisiana,
are to be open for foreign vessels by the first
day of June next. Every thing but contra
band articles of war may be brought and
taken from these ports the same as if the
blockade had never existed. Any violation,
however, of the conditions imposed by the
Secretary of the Treasury will result in the
forfeiture of the vessel and cargo, and prohibit
ot the United States during the continuation
If the war.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-05-23


,CoNr1soAT1oN.-Gov. Sprague, of R. l.,
who is also serving in the army, has just re-
turned to Washington from Norfolk. He
says that having made himself acquainted by
personal observations, with the barbarous
character of the warfare waged by the rebels,
and their general. brutality, his opinions, as
to the mode of conducting the war, have un-
dergone radical change. He is now in IA
vor of severe measures, and stringent con-
fiscation bill. This will have decided ef-
feet on Congress. II the honest members OF
that body, who are in favor of rosewater
policy, would take personal observations, aa
Gov. Sprague has done, they wonld stop their
talk against confscation. e
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-05-23
1t Won't Go Down.

The conservative Democratic dodge, over
which the doug ghfaces in Iowa are making so
great stir, promises to fzzle out completely
in the Eastern States A scheme which
owes its existence to such men as Tom VAL
andigham and "Lazy" Powell, will not go
down even with the Democrats of the New
England and the Middle States.
Such is not the case in Iowa, however.
Led by the Dubuque Herald and halt score
Of other full-blooded secession papers, the
conservative Democracy of this State are ripe
for anything that their masters bid.
The traitor Jones, of Fort Warren celeb
rity, with his half dozen aiders and abettors
IN every town and village, is busy at work
for the cause orr organized Democracy, j. e.,
opposition to the government. Ea.a
When any steps are to be taken to protect
the interests of the rebellious slave owners,
the chief wire pullers Immediately raise the
banner Of conservatism and at once every
miserable little sx-by -nire Democratic paper
in the land is in full cry.
A year ago last winter conservatism dis
played itself in numerous Boo hoo meetings
in which all sorts of promises of future good
behavior were made by the pro-slaveryites
and weak k-kneed Bell men. A few months
later it manifested itself in peace meetings
where white flags were raised and resolutions
allowing the South to secede were passed Il
now appears in the shape Of re organized De
mccracy, intent On saving the property o.
Southern rebels from being appropriated il
part payment of the expenses of the war
What the next form It will assume will b
God OILY knows, but if this last plan proves
a failure Ike its predecessors, it will not taxi
long for the active brains Of the secession
sympathizers to study up some new pla'
! Whereby they can benefit the waning caus
of the rebellion. II 4bA
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-05-23
The Conservative Democracy.


Singular as it may appear, in the late ad
dress of the Democratic members of Con
gress to the people of the loyal States, not one
word, expressed or implied, can be found
which favors the vigorous prosecution of the
war against this rebellion. AS a political
document, it is one continued discourse
against the Government, which it ISLANDERS
and abuses in every possible manner. The
Republican party is stigmatized as an aboli-
ton organization, and the strong but neces-
sary measures adopted by the Federal Govern
ment to protect itself, are abused as outrages
upon American liberty. Ignoring the fact
that every department at Washington at one
time swarmed with traitors, who betrayed
every plan to the rebels, it calls the efforts
of the Government to rid itself of these
spies centralized despotism." While it is
prolific IN denunciation of the loyal Republi-
cans, it treats treason very much in the same
manner as kind hearted school girl would
treat pet canary. e- -..-e 0l-.r
Yet, what more could be expected from
a mutiny wherein such me1 as Lazarus w.
Powell, of Kentucky, have any influence
This gentleman was the colleague of the trai.
tor Breckenridge in more respects than one.
In every question that came up last session,
the votes of John j. Breckinridge and Laza-
rus W. Powell stand recorded together on
the side o. treason. The only difference be-
ween the two Kentucky Congressman, is hat
he former took the field in favor of secession,
while the latter, believing that he could serve
Jeff. Davis better by acting as check upon
he Government, and aiding the re organizs-
ion Of the Democratic party, remained in his
eat. Voorhies, of Indiana, and Valandig-
lam and Cox, Of Ohio, were also among the
lumber of those who are bent on the re-or-
anization Of the Democratic party. If the
eople Of Iowa, wno have sacrificed so much
n favor of the Union, the blood of whose
ons has flown like water On many a well
ought field, will be humbugged into support
ng party re-organized by SUCH men as Pow
II, VOORHEES, and Vallandigham, they have
sss acuteness than it is generally supposed
ne free thinking and shrewd western men
ossess.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-05-23

FREEDOM IN THE TERRIToRIEs.--Ita appears
that the modification made in the measure
of Messrs. Arnold and Lovejoy, making
'freedom national and slavery sectional,
limits the provisions of the bill to the Terri
tories only. The clauses in reference to
Government dock-yards arsenals, forts, &C.,
were stricken out
The Committee on Territories in the Sem
ate reported back the bill with mere change
of the language to that of the ordinance Of
1857, so as to- make 1t read as follows:
"Be 1t enacted, &c, That from and after
the passage of this act there shall be neither
slavery nor involuntary servitude in any of
the Territories of the United States now ex-
isting or which may at any time hereafter
be formed or acquired, otherwise than in the
punishment of crime, whereof the party shall
have been duly convicted"
The modification by the Senate sends the
bill back to the House, where it will proba-
bly, be concurred in.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-05-23

PASSAGE OF THE HOMESTEAD BILL.--Congress
has at last passed the Homestead bill, and it
has gone to the President for his 81 snature.-
The Committee of Conference have agreed on
bill which met the views of the two Houses.
1t gives every head of family twenty-one
years of age 100 acres of land, provided he
remains upon it and cultivates the land for a
period of five years. The bill also gives every
person who has been in the military or naval
service of the United States during the pre-
sent war all the benefits Of the homestead act
without regard to the limitations elsewhere
in the bill in regard to residence. There is
no doubt but this bill will receive the sigma
ture of the Pes ident, and thus become law
Ithas been pending in Congress for ten years
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-05-23

MOBILE 70 BE TAKEN NExr-Oom. Farra-
gut informs the War Department that he is off
for Mobile with his squadron. There is moth
ing to require. his further presence at New
Orleans-Gen. Butler having occupied the
city, and his force being amply sufficient for
''all the contingencies" The energetic Com
modore can therefore push through the k'go'
lets towards the second commercial city on the
Southern seaboard. Fort Pike is the only
work that obstructs the route to the Gulf, and
it is by no means formidable defense. We
expect to hear of tho arrival Of Farragut in
Mobile Bay, before many Gays. s
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-05-23

Now, from the above there should be de-
Quoted ten or fifteen per cent. for soldiers in
the hospitals, at home, on furlough, and dis
charged, for physical incapability, leaving a
total of 100000 men capable Of doing duty.
The exact number if the exact truth were
known, may not exceed 1000 efficient men.
Scores Of regiments that marched from home
1000 strong, can muster now only 800 to SOC
men, and few regiments number more than
700 to 800, rank and file. The rebels have
suffered the same degree of shrinkage and
perhaps worse. g.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-05-23
blowing Up of the s'NIerrimac.'
[Corres pondence of the Philadelphia Inquirer.1


From the engineer on board one of our
picket boats, which are always stationed in
the Roads at night, beyond the Monitor, to
learned the following particulars in regard to
her last moments
She remained all night in her old position
this side of Craney Island and in the channel,
watching the movements of the troops at this
point, and also an opportunity to escape
either up James river or out to sea. At A
o'clock this morning my informant thought
he saw and unusual direction of the Merrimac,
and upon closely inspecting it with his glass,
he concluded that she was on fire. Her crew
had doubtless been apprised of the evacuation
of Norfolk and its possession by our troops,
and finding no way of escape, they concluded
to dig the 'slast ditch for their favorite. The
fire continued 10 burn slowly, sometimes
streaming from her port holes, and at others
belching from her smoke stack. 1t soon
seemed to glare all over as if her iron plating
had bscone entirely heated through, and at
five o'clock her smoke stack fell with dull
crash, sending up volume Of sparks and jet
ting fame. Anxiously the spectators awaited
the explosion, and from the fact that the fire
continued so long, it was thought there could
not be much powder aboard. At fifteen min
utes past five o'clock, her black hull was lifted
up as it were by some giant hand huge
volume of fame and fireworks, rivaling the
skill of a pyrotechnist, filling the air, and .
dull report coming across the water told us
that the Merrimac, which had caused such
| wonder in the Old World, and anxiety in
| this. ignoriously sunk, amid the scenes of
her former conflict. Thus has the great ques-
| ton, which is the best vessel, the Monitor or
Merrimac, been left unsettled, and, the pres
| tige which our navy might have gained by
the capture of the rebel iron clad has been lost
beyond recovery. While every one feels re-
lieved that the Merrimac is not coming, still,
a general desire has always exis.ed that she
should have been either captured or sunk by
our feet. Immediately upon the dccease Of
the Merrimac our feet steamed up the cham
mel, and entered the Elizebeth river the Mon
itor leading the van. The citizens of Norfolk
will now have an excellent opportunity to
inspect the "Cheese-box."
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-05-23
How Large is Dur Army?

There seems to be great doubt as to the
effective strength of our volunteer army.
The pay rolls show 100000 men; the War
Department can't find more than 10000 /;
and Senator Wilson, Chairman of the Military
Committee, believes we have not to exceed
$4,000. Where are the other 100000 or
100000? 1t was suggested in the House,
the other day. that fraudulent pay rolls have
been forwarded to the Department. Here is
a good subject for an Investigating Commit
tee. We believe in Senator Wilson's figures,
and they seem to be based upon an estimate
lko this.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-05-23

~ The statement so confidently made in
the address of the peace Democrats, to the
effect that the public debt now amounts to
one thousand millions OF dollars, is declared
by the authorities of the Treasury Depart
men. to be monstrous falsehood.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-05-23
TINE DIFFERENCES IN THE UNITED STATES

TINE DIFFERENCES IN THE UNITED STATES.
Boston time is, Of course, considerably
faster than that of all the leading cities of the
United States. The figures given below indi-
cate how many minutes slower the time is in
the cities named than in Boston: New York,
II minutes; Philadelphia, 16; Baltimore, %;
Washington, "a; Richmond, 26 Charleston,
80 New Orleans, 76 Buffalo, 80; Cleveland,
~; Detroit, 4s; CINCINNATI, 50; indianapolis,
Louis, 7s; St a Paul, u' S. s. San Franc Fraueiseo'
207. ! This difference of time is quite impor-
tant inthese days when the telelegraph is 90.
generally used. aea., ,s.s5t
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-05-23

sN~The political campaign has opened in
I.dana Ex Senator Bright is ready for vig-
orous campaign, as the representative of the
"peace" party. Many of the Democratic
journals refuse to recognize him.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-05-23

tYT The New York World says, "Oh, God!
it is all over' was the exclamation of Lord
North, when he received the news of the cap
ture Of Yorktown by Gen. Washington. Can
somebody tell US what was the exclamation
of Jeff Davis when he heard of the capture of
Yorktown by Gen. Mcclellan?
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-05-23

MUsN'T TALK SAUcY.-Gen. Burnside re-
Gently issued the following order to the people
of North Carolina:
"Whoever, after this order, shall. within
the limits to which the Union army may ex-
tend in this Department, utter one word
against the Government of the United States,
will be at once arrested and closely confined.
1t must be distinctly understood that this
Department is under martial law, and treason,
expressed or implied, will meet with speedy
punishment. 1sH a71
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-05-23
IL EP POR TED CAPTURE OF
STAUNTON, VA.
How Hunters Proclamation Is
Received atVV VashingtOn-Indig.
nation of the l1resident-PrOb.
able Disruption Of the
Cabinet.
Capture of Pensacola
Important from Virginia = A
Town Captured and Recap
tllred Mcclellan Advancing.

PROGRESS OF THE SEIGE OF SAVAN-
NAH - EXPECTED SLAVE INSUR-
RECTION AT CHARLESTON.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-05-23
important from TT. Pillow
Gen. Mitchell has $500 Pris.
OnerS,
GENERAL HUNTER TO BE
REMOVED. ....
NORTH CAROLINA REFUSES FUR
TIER AID TO THE REBELLION.

Especial Dispatch to the Chicago Tribune.l
CAIRO, May IA.
The Division Of Gen Mitchell has formed a
unction with Gen. Pope, and now forms the
xtreme left of our line.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-05-23

From Pittsburgh Landing Rebels Driv-
en- back after two Days Skirmishipg.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-05-23
JUNCTION OF POPE'S AND
MIICEIELL'S DIVISIONS.
SOUTHERN NEWS
FROM MEMPHIS PAPERS.

Return Of S55 Union Prisoners =
had Treatment from the Rebels
"A Member. of the 9TH Iowa
Turn, Traitor.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-05-23

II Is SAID Tie President viii be waited on,
thus evening, by gentlcm n, to ascertain under
what authority Hunter is acting. s3 a
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-05-23
'TELEC RAPHIC.

- In N ~ IL 1s &NuV
: iREroRrED EXPRESSLY THE JoussAL.l
THE REBELS EVACUATIN(
RICHMOND.
Gen. Hunter PrOclaims Freedom
to Slaves In his Department.
NARROW ESCAPE OF GENERAL
MCCLELLAN.
REPORTED CAPTURE OI
STAUNTON, VA.
How Hunters Proclamation 1.
Received atvN shington-Indig.
nation Of the Presidenf-PrOb.
able Disruption of the
Cabinet,
Capture of Pensacola
3H - -.
Important from Virginia = A
Town Captured and Recap.
tllred mcclellan Advancing.
PROGRESS OF THE SEIGE OF SAvAN-
NAH - EXPECTED SLAVE INSUR-
RECTION AT CHARLESTON.
From Pittsburgh Landing Rebels Driv-
en- back after two Days Skirmishipg.
JUNCTION OF POPE'S AND
MITCEIELL'S DIVISIONS.
SOUTHERN NEWS
FROM MEMPHIS PAPERS.
Return Of Sj5 Union Prisoners =
had Treatment from the Rebels
"A Member of the 9TH Iowa
Turn, Traitor. ...
important from Ft. Pillow.
Gen. Mitchell has $500 Pris-
OnerS.
HUNTER TO BE
REMOVED.
NORTH CAROLINA REFUSES FUR
Their AID TO THE REBELLION.
CAIRO, May IA.
The Division Of Gen Mitchell has formed a
junction with Gen. Pope, and now forms the
extreme left of our line.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-05-23

oil the Halt OF the HOUSE Oh Representatives,
rendered by resolution of the Legislature,
and met there at four P. M.
Special to Tribune
CAIRO, May Is.
When Gen. Mitchell joined his forces with
Gen. Popes Division he brought with him
$500 prisoners They will be sent to Cairo
as soon as transportation can be obtained.
In the battle of Farmlngton one rebel Gen.
eral officer, supposed to be Bragg, was killed.
Times special.l
New YORK, May II.
Hunters proclamation excites- scarcely any
interest in Washington, no one attaching any
importance as to its efficacy to produce the
end desired. Martial law is only enforced
bv marital power, and Hunter has 10 force
al his command adequate to enforce this
proclamation His declaring freedom to all
the slaves in three States, when he has no
power to free a single one outside Of his
camp, is regarded in Washn gton as an act oi
qualification, highly discreditabie to any one
holding the rank of General, supposed to have
ordinary intelligence. Ifthe military is with
drawn from Hunters Department before his
proclamation is executed throughout those
States. it is conceded that the civil power
ill not complete or countenance what mar
tial law proclaimed, but did not practically
execute
The Presidents policy is supposed to be
authoritatively set by his action in Frcmont's
case, in which all his Cabinet concurred-
Fremont freed, by proclamation, the slaves o
all men engaged in the rebellion. Hunters pro
camation frees the slaves of all men in thre,
States, whether they have engaged in the re
bellion or not, Furnishing loyalists as well a!
traitors, and all because he has declared mar
tal law where ne has confessedly no ability t,
4 execute. It is understood that Hunter took n,
specific instructions from the President in re
gard to the management OF matters of his de
!, partment, but was left, as other military com
manders have been, to his own discretion il
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-05-23

Gen. Hunters proclamation, it can be posi-
lively stated, was issued without tic author
ity or knowledge OF the President, whom it
took entirely by surprise What viii be done
with it l. n question yet to be settled. There
was no Cabinet meeting TO day and IL i; not
probable that any deteIminat OF w,ll be def
nitely made until the three IN m:mbers Of the
Cabinet Secretaries Seward,snd w elles and
Attorney General Bates, who arc still at Fl
Monroe-return, which will not be until Mon
The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1862-04-14

Washington, April II. There is much specu-
lation here as to whether the President will sign
the bill aboshing slavery in the District Of
Columbia, or refer it back to Congress for
amendments. That slavery will be abolished
here without delay, no one doubts.
WASHINGTON, April II. At the request of
Gen. Mcclellan the shipment Of suffers stores
to places occupied by his army has been stopped.
The city is fast being cleared of false, bogus
officers Scores Of them have been arrested and
shorn of their feather.
The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1862-04-14
FROM FORTRESS MONROE.

BALTIMORE April 10. The Old Point boat
arrived at clock yesterday afternoon. The
,lerrimac was in the same position she assumed
elrly in the morning. Other reoel vessels are
abott. bit she remains quiet, and it is the opin-
ion that she is aground, as Che tide is quite low,
hui this i. only IL surmlse. At o'clock in the
afternoon the Mcrrimac still remained off Craney
Island, and from the cluster of tugs around her
it is pretty certain that she is aground
Washington, April 49, 4 report from Gen.
Wool to the Secretary of War at 5 o'clock, P
NJ saws all is quiet The weather is fine. The
az; despatch received at $50 this evening is as
follows:
The Merrimac has not made her appearance
to-day. Her object, ! think, is simply to pre-
vent interference with renlorcements being
made from Norfolk to Yorktown. Two deser-
ters came in, last evening, from the rebel camp,
who reported reiniorcements TO the rebels from
the direction Of Richmond and the Rappahan
mock. JOHN E. Wool.
The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1862-04-14

FIRE.--At about hall-past l O'Clock last
Friday morning, the alarm OF fire was given in
the streets, and numbers Of our, citizens turned
out to witness the destruction of the Old Has
kins House " SO called, set by an incendiary,
since it has had no pants for some consider
able time. About one week before it was also
fired, but some one having strong affinity for
nuisances, stayed the progress Of the flames by
o dash Of water.
The building was an old one OF almost worth
less appearance, and had Tor some time been re-
garded an eye-sore to the looks OF the village :
and ~ the insurance is said 60 be amply enough
TO cover all incident loss and damage probably
the beneiecion peace to its ashes - Will Not
be much out Of place. IL was insured III the
Farmers Insurance Company, Montpelier
Bennington Banrer.