davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Iowa) 1861-1864, 1862-05-15

This exhibits for the product Of wheat
in 1861, twenty bushels per capita, and
of corn, SS bushels. This would feed
q population of eleven millions for
one year. -. 1as re5 rl .aa
Let US see The proportion of impro-
we'd and unimprovcd land to each far
mer in the State. In 1856, the mum.
Der Of farmers reported was 6S, ,934 !;
the same relative proportion to the
whole number of inhabitants, gives in
1853, the number of S5,792 and for
1860, the number of 10000. The i'm
proved and unimprovcd lands owned
by these farmers, give for each in 1856
80 acres improved to 95 acres unim.
proved in 1858, SO is improved to
s5l unimproved in 1850, 40 improv-
ed to 50 acres unimproved.
The assessed value Of wild lands
for 1861 is somewhat over $2,75 per
acre, and the taxes for all purposes is
a fraction over one per cent. on the
valuation. This tax for unimprovcd
lands owned by residents, amounts to
1925 900 annually and as the aver
age cost Of these lands up to 1861
could not have been less than So, SO
per acre, the annual interest on the
Investment at 10 per cent. amounts to
81, ,000, 900 more, which should be CON-
Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Iowa) 1861-1864, 1862-05-15
Despatch From Gen. Mcclellan.
HEADQriR iRTERs OF THE ARMY OF THE ]

HEADQrARTERs OF THE ARMY OF THE
PoToMAC, May 4, 1861.
Hon. f. M. Stanton:
SIR Our cavalry and artillery
came up with the enemy's rear guard
in their intrenchments about two
miles this side of Williamsburgh.
A brisk fight ensucd just as my aid
left, Gen. Smiths division of infantry
arrived on the ground, and presume
has carried his works, though I have
not yet heard.
The cneury's rear guard is strong,
but have force enough up there t"
insure all purposes. All along the
lines their works prove to have beer
most formidable, and | am now fully
satisfied of the correctness Of the
course have pursued.
The success is brilliant, and you
may rest assured that its effect will.
be of the greatest Importance. There
shall be no delay in following up the
rebels. .-........
The rebels have been guilty of the
most murderous and barbarous con-
duct in placing torpcdocs within the
abandoned works, near wells and
springs, and near flag stats, maya!
zines, telegraph Offices, in carpet
bags, barrels Of -four, sc. Fortunately
we have not lost many men in this
manner, some four or five killed and
perhaps a dozen wounded. shall
make the prisoners remove them at
their own peril.
GEO. B. McCLELLAN,
Major General.
Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Iowa) 1861-1864, 1862-05-15

he has not the means to enter into any
one thing largely, if any fails, he
does not lose much. On the other
hand he cannot afford to devote even
half of his farm to any one crop. His
eyes are used to some purpose, by
which he learns the wants of the near
est market, and he produces that
which pays him best and is of sure
sale at fair profit. His stock of all
kinds is of the best, aud it will not
pay him to keep mary. When he
goes to town or his place Of trading,
he does not despise taking bnshcl
OF potatoes, some onions, a cheese or
two, cabbage, or even pumpkins, not
needed at home, and because not
needed considered worthless what
ever lie obtains for them is clear gain.
There are many instances of this class
of farmers, WHO hy thus making the
small things bring him something, too
small as considered by many, have
paid for their little farms which they
purchased entirely upon credit, and
made themselves snug homes thereby.
Those who "despise not the day of
small things" and "plow deep while
sluggards sleep" always have plenty
to live on and are never behind with
their pccuniary engagements. Taxes
are no especial dread to them, as they
are always ready to pay them. They
know that the aggregate of taxation
is made up by few mills here and a
few mills there few mills obtained
for this and for that deemed worthless
article, will more than meet them.
Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Iowa) 1861-1864, 1862-05-15
Duty of Directors.

All school directors have taken a
solemn oath to discharge faithfully
the duties of their Office, and yet how
few realize fully the intent of the law.
We will instance one point-the duty
Of visiting the schools in their sub
districts. The law is imperative, it
does not simply suggest that it would
be good plan for directors to visit
their schools ; that during rainy day,
when time hangs heavily, they might
successfully kill time by visit to the
school-room, but we frequently hear
remarks of like import neither does
the law say that they may, nor should
its language is, he shall visit the
schools in his sub-district nj least trioe
during each term of said school. !"
The design Of tho law evidently is to
afford directors an opportunity to
judge intclligcntly of the standing of
the schools. the proficiency made, and
the capabilities of the teachers. The
intelligent director also may do much
to improve both teacher and pupils,
by judicious hints, made, not in cen
serious but in a friendly manner, which
will always be received thankfully by
every teacher worth y of the name.
If a director can visit the schoo |
only "twice," by attendance at the
beginning of the term and again near
the close, he will be better able to
know how much improvement has
been made, than by visits made near
or together. ........s
While on this subject, we will also
remind parents that although the law
docs not make il obligatory upon
them to visit the school, yet it is new
erthcless their duty. Parents cannot
expect their children to be interested
in anything for which they do not care
and If the children know that their pa
rents care nothing about the school
they will soon learn to do the same
while on the contrary, if they see tina,
their parents are interested in the
school it will have a corresponding
influence upon them. 1t morcove,
gladdens the heart of the teacher tc
be thus reminded that he has the sym
pathy Of his patrons lie is thereby
encouraged to put forth extra cxer
tions to merit their confidence and cs
: teen,
Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Iowa) 1861-1864, 1862-05-15
d(estbarb tbs Goarse of empire takes its dolap.'
ARLEs CITY, FLOYD COUNTY, IOWA. THURSDAY, 15 1862

Verona was sunk. The rebel loss is
not ascertained.
The Verona and the rebel iron clad
steamer Webster had a brilliant en-
gagement-the Webster running into
the Verona and sinking her, but be.
fore going under, the Verona's crew
fired a vollcy of eight guns with such
crushing and destructive effect that
both vessels went down together
The chains across the river were re-
moved by our gunboats. The rebels
foatcd firc-rafts down the river among
our feet, but they did little damage.
One set fire to the Hartford, but the
fire was speedily cxtinguished. Small
boats sent to the RATS towed them out
of the way, and they were thus rem
dercd harmless. " "A. ...
Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Iowa) 1861-1864, 1862-05-15
The Newspaper as an Educator.

Singularly enough there are some
who regard the newspaper as at best
an expensive luxury, very well in its
way, but very oftennot worth its price
But reading a paper, like advertising,
though it sometimes may not bear a
retail test, is sure to pay on the whole,
sale. Thus we learn from contem
porary that schoolmastcr, who has
paid attention to this subject, had as
certained that children Of both sexes
who were familiar with newspapers
at home could read, spell, pronounce
and define words better and more un
dcrstandingly than those who had not
They obtained knowledge Of geog
raphy in almost half the time it re,
Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Iowa) 1861-1864, 1862-05-15
The Capture Of New Orleans.

The successes of our army and ma.
Wy at the mouth of the Mississippi riv-
er may be regarded as among the
greatest strokes of the war. The cap
ture of New Orleans will tell power
fully abroad, and serve to dispel the
fallacy that the Federal Government
will consent to a separation from the
Union of any portion of its members
The loss to the rebels of that city, con-
sidering its geographical and CON-
mercial Importance, cannot by them
be repaired. With New Orleans in
our possession, Mobile will speedily
fall, and the rebel forces under Beau
regard will have decidedly blank
prospect before them, pressed by Hal
leck in front, and the principal cities
Of the Gulf under the Union flag. Like
their Indian allies, they will find it for
their comfort to remove West of the
Mississippi. New Orleans has fur.
nished the rebels with the sinews Of
war in large measure. The most pop
ulous and opulent city of the South, ii
has furnished men and money for the
purpose of carrying out the schemes
of the traitors, to such an extent, that
the cutting off Of this source Of sup
ply will severely cripple the rebel Gov
ernment. The specie reserve of the
city has been a matter Of boast with
the Confedcrates. Where the millions
of coin went to when General Butler
came that way, is now an interesting
question to finaciers.
Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Iowa) 1861-1864, 1862-05-15

CURED othcrs-a very obvious though
curious fact, since no places are fixet
so readily in the memory as those Of
which we have heard before, and the
newspapers familarizc even the dul.
lest with the most important places on
the globe.
The great variety Of style in news
paper, from common advertisements
to orations and poetry, has been found
to have very remarkable effect in
making scholars good grammarians
and in enabling them to comprehend
the meaning Of text and to analyze
its constructions matter leading, of
course, to writing better compositions
and using clearer and more refined
languagc-the characteristics in all
schools Of the best writer's Of compo-
sition. This command Of language
and the mastery Of the general infor-
nation contained even in the poorest
papers, invariably trains the leaders
in debating socicties-and it is from
these societies that the country has
its orators.
If we were to answer where our So
called self-educated statesmen got
their education we should not hesi.
tate to say, from the newspapers"
Quietly, but effectually, the newspaper
is always educating its tens of thou
sands. 1t is not long since we heard
of teacher who introduced ncwspa.
pers as substitute for reading books.
He found that examining the boys on
their contents gave them vast
amount of general knowledge and
made them quick-wittcd. We do not
doubt it. There is many worse text
book than a newspaper in many a
school.
The printing Office has proved a
better college to many boy, has grad
uatcd more useful and conspicuous
member of society, has brought more
intellect out and turned it into practi.
cal, useful channels, awakened more
minds, generated more active and Gle.
vated thought, than many of the lite
rary colleges of the country. A boy
who commences in such school as
the printing office, will have his tai,
ents and ideas brought out and if he
is a careful observer, experience in
his profession will contribute more
toward an education than can be OBJ
tanned in almost any other manner
Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Iowa) 1861-1864, 1862-05-15
NUMBER 20.

As to hosting any other a,g thar
that of our adoption and allegiance
let me say to you, that the man lives
not in our midst whose hand and heart
would not be paralized at the mere
thought Of such an act, ncr could l
find in my entire constituency so dcsE
pcratc and wretched a renegade as
would dare profane with his hand the
sacred emblem of our aspirations:
Sir, you have manifested sentiments
which would become one engaged iIl
a better cause than that to which YOU
have devoted your sword. / doubt
not they spring from a noble though
deluded nature, and | know how to-
appreciate the emotions which inspir-
ed them. You have a gallant people
administrate during your occupancy
of this city---a people sensitive to all
that can in the least affect their dig:
nifty and self-respect. Pray, sir, do
not fail to regard their susceptibility.
The obligations which | shall as
sumo in their name will be religiously
complied with You may trust their
honor, though you might not count OH
their submission to unmerited wrongs.
In conclusion, beg You to under
stand, that the people ct New Orleans
while unable to resist your force dT
not allow themselves to be insulted
by the interference of such as have
rendered themselves odious and con-
temptible, by their dastardly descrtion
of our cause in the mighty struggle
in which We are engaged, or snch as
might remind them too forcibly that
they are the conquered and you tho
conqucrors.
Peace and order may be preserved
without resort to measures which |
could not at this moment prevent.
Ionr occupying the city does not
transfer allegiance from the govern
ment of their choice to one which
they have deliberately repudiated.
yet they yield the obedience which
the conqueror has right to cxtor,
from the conquered. Respectfully,
JOHN T. Monroe, Mayor
Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Iowa) 1861-1864, 1862-05-15
Interesting Revelations.

The following statement has reach
ed Washington:
A colorcd man came in to-day May
4th) from the other side Of the river.
and represented himself as jeff Davis
coachman. From an examination of
him this is probably the truth. He
reports scraps of conversation he
overheard whilst driving Mr.. and Mrs;
Davis in their carriage, and between
Mr.. Davis and those who came to see
him. ....
Mr.. Davis and Gen. J. +. Johnson
had some heated discussions about
the latter's retreat from Manassas
Davis disapprovcd of it. and ordered
johnson to make a stand at Gordons-
vile. johnson declined to do this,
aud offered to resign, and was even
indisposed to go TO Yorktown. Mrs.
Davis. ..said she thought this very bad
in him, johnson to be unwilling to-
help Gen. Magruder.
The coaehnan overheard a conver-
sation between Johnson and the wife
of Davis, the former saying that if
he had not left Manassas Mcclellan
would have come out against him and
cut him all to pieces.
Mrs. Davis read an article from the
Examiner to her husband, saying that
it wasthe Yankees plan that Gems.
Banks and Mcdowell were to form q
junction in Louisa or Carolina county
and move down on Richmond. Davis
remarked that he thought that was
so, but his Generals would take
care of them. The coachman over.
heard conversation between Davis
and DR.. Gwinn, formerly United States
Senator from California. Davis said he
had sent Gen. j. II. Anderson Of North
Carolina, to arrest the march of the
Fedcrals from fredericksburg, and
delay them long enough for him to
see the probable result of the contest
before Yorktown SO that if that was
likely to be unsuccessful Inc would
have time to eXtricate his army from
the peninsula and get them into Rich
mond and out of Virginia, otherwise
they would all be caught.
The coachman represents that Mrs:
Davis said that the Confedcracy was
about played out" and that if New
Orleans was really taken she had mo-
longer any interest in the matter, as
all she had was there that il was a
great pity tlrat they had ever attempts
ed to hold Virginia and the non-grow-
ing cotton States and that she said
to Mrs. DR.. Gwinn, daughter Of Col,
Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Iowa) 1861-1864, 1862-05-15
The Great West.

The Great West may we'll be proud
of its part in the present war. 1t has
preserved the States of Missouri, Ken
tucky and Tennessee from falling into
the hands of jeff. Davis and his crew
of armed conspirators, and has set an
example of intrepidity and dash which
has infamed, with generous emula.
tion, the heart of every private in our
great army Of the Potomac. At Fort
Donelson it inflicted a blow on the re-
bellion which Gen. A. S. Johnston ad-
mitted to be disastrous, and almost
without remedy" And the victory
at Fort Donelson was not due to any
special skill on the part of Gen. Grant,
who commanded the Union forces, but
to the valor, the constancy, the power
of endurance, of the hardy private
soldiers that the West had sent out
from its cities, villages and log cabins,
to defend the cause of liberty and law,
of civilization and constitutional gov.
ernment.
At Pittsburg the Western soldiers
won a still bloodier victory, with
every advantage Of numbers and skill
on the side of their desperate antago.
nists. When the history of that battle
the severest that has ever been Tough,
on this continent, comes to be fairly
written, grave charges will be made
against some general officers of the
Union army, but the great and i'm.
pregnable wall of human bcings,-rc
fusing to break though pierced fol
fifteen hours by incessant discharges
of cannon and musketry.-out-genc
rallied but un.intimidatcd and refusing
to fy,-will be held in honorable re
membrance.
Every private. as he stood to hi
post that day, knew that his intrepid
ty would gain him no individua
glory,-that his valor would onl,
cover the defects Of his general, ant
perhaps gain the latter an undescrve,
ovation. Yet he had spirit whicl
welcomed death, if by dying he coul,
give but the faintest aid to the caus
he had enlisted to advance and defenG
These obscure heroes, whose name
history will not mention, are the rea
noblemen Of the West. They know
enough of the art Of war to know tha
the force which is strongest in poin
of numbers should not he weakene,
at the point Of attack but wher
through the negligence or unskilful
ness of their generals, they were as
sailed by superior numbers. they e,
hibited the martial resolution by whic
theoretical defeat is converted int
practical victory. If any general
ever. on military principles, deserve
success, Johnston and Beauregard d.
served it at Pittsburg. That they di
!. not obtain it was owing to the indon
) table hearts and sturdy frames of tn
p brave Weste rn soldiers on whom the
!. hurled the best regiments Of the South
Q ern army.
9 Marshal Marmont lays it down a
an infallible maxim that victory is d,
n cided, not by the number of nc
q killed, but the number of men frigh
/ ened. At Pittsburg, on the first da,
Il !. every possible element of fright wa
II in perfect operation. The Wester
: soldiers were surprised. outnumbere,
directed by inferior skill, exposed ,
Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Iowa) 1861-1864, 1862-05-15
Yottrp.
For the Charles City Intelligencer

NJ MISS E,IzABETH J. COLE.

Turn not away the beaming eye
When suffering fellow man draws nigh !;
Withhold not thou the bounteous hand,
But answer the divine command.
Lift up the sad, the breaking heart,
OF thine abundance oft impart;
Turn not in coldness from the poor
Who ask for kindness at your door.
Be not content in thy bright home,
But in the dismal by-ways roam
Seek out the weary broken heart,
Whose lamp Of life would fain depart.
Turn not away, though erring ones
Would seek for sympathy in thee,
Console the broken spirit now,
Decking with smiles the faded brow
Turn not away from loving hearts,
Yearning for bliss that love imparts,
Kindly extend the cordial hand,
And bid them welcome to your band.
Turn not away, but kindly greet
The high, the low, you chance no meet f;
Let kindness mark the hallowed road,
Which leads to glory and to God.
Prairie Glen, Nay 5, 1862.
Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Iowa) 1861-1864, 1862-05-15
A. B. +. HILDRETH.
General Land Agent

CHARLES CITY, FLOYD CO., ........ IOWA,
Will attend to buying, selling and selecting
ands on Commission, Sc Town Lots bought
land sold, money loaned, and the business OF
conveyancing and payment ofTaxes promptly
attended to. Friends at the East, as well as in
this State, are requested to make application
to my agency. Satisfactory references given
Ii required.
Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Iowa) 1861-1864, 1862-05-15
American Hotel.

MAIN S7REE1, NGREEOR IOWA.
wM. II. HARDING, PROPRIETOR
Having again opened this well known Ho-
tel, the proprietor takes this means to inform
the Travelling public and the rest of mankind.
that he intends to make it worthy the pat.
ronage of travellers, and if attention to the
wants Of guests, good fare and low prices are
any inducements, he hopes to have his share
of business.
In connection with the Hotel is the largest
Barn in town, which is under the charge of an
experienced Ostler, and teamsters can depend
upon having their teams well cared for. This
house being the Stage Office, Railroad Ticket
Ohice, American Express and General Freigh,
Once, presents more advantages than any
other can show in the city, and all Iask Of
my friends, is to try me once, and ii not salts
ned, will not ask them to come again.
McGregor, July 1860.
Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Iowa) 1861-1864, 1862-05-15
THEODORE MIX,
ARCHITECT AND BUILDER
CHARLES CITY IOWA

CHARLES CITY, IOWA.
Designs. Plans, Estimates and Specifications
furnished for Public Buildings, Stores, Town
aud Country Villas, Cottages, SC. Detaildraw
iggs OF snperintendence given when required
on reasonable terms.
Mr.. Mix is architect Of the Court House, Ma.
sonic Halland other buildings i'm st. Charles
With his experience he is confident of giving
satisfaction to all who employ him. Jobbine
done ut short notice at his workshop.
ST. Charles, Sept. l. 1857 5wtf
Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Iowa) 1861-1864, 1862-05-15

puted as n clear loss by the farmer
who has SO much difficulty in making
his ledger show balance on the
right side. In ten years, if left unim-
proved, the original Investment will
DC absorbed in interest and taxes.
Would not the owner of unimproved
lands do better to rent the land for
the taxes than to permit it TO lie idle,
or sell it now for half the cost and in
vest the proceeds In needed improve
ment on the cultivated land, where he
would realize from so to 100 per cent.
annually? There can be but one re.
ply to these queries when applied to
the whole State. There arc doubtless
some who will cavil at these conclu-
sions and contend that as the i'm
provements on land enhance the val
ne of the wild lands contiguous thereto,
the persons making the improvements
should have, as far as possible, the ad-
vantage Of that advancement. OF
what benefit can it be to such when
they are unable to sell or cultivate
them, and may not for years. Bet
ter to cultivate thoroughly what they
are able to manage by their labor and
means, and thus increase their pro-
ducts. than to rely upon supposed ad-
vantages in the far off future. In
stead of cultivating 100000 acres
of corn to produce an average Of on
ly forty bushels to the acre, cultivate
half million of acres less, and pro-
duce the same quantity. This can
be done of other crops as well, as is
demonstrated every year, and for
which the following reports under
their appropriate headings also test
ify.
Notwithstanding our lands are not
cultivated as they should be, and
made to produce all their richness
would induce us to believe should be
produced, the general aggregate for
the year 1861, as near as can posi-
bly, be estimated is not less than is
exhibited below #.. -..