davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1862-04-18

FoRT PULAsKI.-Fort Pulaski, which
defends the mouth of the Savannah and the
approaches to the city, is a strong work
mounting flty-seven guns in all, VIZ: four ten
inch cOlumbiads, four twelve-inch mO-tars
1.-TWO on the ramparts and two on the ground,
in front of the fort } two riaed twelve-pound-
ers, and one rihed eight pounder; the balance
Of the guns being thirty-two and forty-two
Founders. The magazine OF the fort contains
fifty thousand pounds of powder, besides six
" rounds tor each gun. IL is situated on the
northeastern corner of COckspur Island,
which is separated from Tybee Island by the
creek or arm Of the sea already mentioned.
The Georgians, taking possession of the fort
about the time of the secession of the State,
commenced working upon it, completing its
deiences and mounting additional guns.
1t is "irregular pentagon, with the base
line, or curtain face inland, and the other
faces clsemated and bearing upon the ap-
prOaches. The curtain, which is simply ere
nellated, Is covered by redan, surrounded
By deep ditch, inside the parapet Of which
are granite platforms ready for the reception
of guns. The parapet is thick and the coun-
tersclrp IS faced with solid masonry. A
drawbrIdge afJrds access to the interior Of
the redan, whence the gate of the fort is ap-
preached across deep and broad moat,
which is crossed by another drawbridge- "
sand-bag traverses guard the magazine doors,
and everything is in excellent order. The
walls, built of hard grey brick, and upwards
of six feet in thickness, are OF great solidity
and strength.
The casemates and bomb proofs are lofty
and capacious. The fort is regularly garris-
oned with $50 men. The work is Intended
for l2o guns. There are three furnaces for
heating shot Norfolk Navy Yard furnished
the means for completing the Tort. The
channel into the Savannah river is very mar
row at this point, and passesd close to the
guns OF the fort. The fort is the outpost in
the de!ences Of Savannah seaward.
Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1862-04-18

Nobody can equal John Bull tor getting
a clear notion Of affairs in this country. The
London Post of March 9th. gives the iol-
lowing nc cunt of the battle between the
Merrimac and Monitor, and of size and con-
struetion OF the two vessels
The Monitor Ia, 5s,l constructed on n. sam,
priHeIptss fis Ms-rilae. and Is The hsavisr and
stronger rssssi Of The fie7. Obliged at length TO
cope with an antagonist Of equal mettle, the Mer-
rimac abandoned the n innesota and directed all
her energies against her formidable opponent
For many hours did these two vessels, like mail
clad knlshts charge each other with their pointed
prows. For hours did they discharge against each
other without visible effect, broadsides Of shot
which uld have sunk the stOutest wooden ship
that ever foatei. II all in vain, terrible
though this might prove in encounters with other
vessels, they proved harmless to each other.
At length. however, if We are to believe one &C.
count, shot, nor from he Monitor, 5nf from The
Errss0n battery @ took effect on the port side Of
the Merrimac, and she thereupon retired 10 Nor
folk harbor According 70 another and more
probable account, however, namely. the statement
OF Captain smith, VINO was present at the en-.
ga cement, it Is extremely doubtful whether the
Merrlmsc sustained any serious injury. Her
having been towed of 10 Norfolk haroor is con-
side ed by him to afJri n, proof that she was in
jured, as that course might have been adopted in
order either 60 save coal, TO entice the Monitor
into pursuing her.
Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1862-04-18

| ly defeated. At this juncture the gunboats
Lexington and Tyler open'd q tremendous
fire of shot and shell upon the enemy, and
kept 1t up every half hour during the night
Some of the shells set the woods on fire, and
many dead rebels were burned.
AT : O'Clock in the evening the firing had
generally ceased. About midnight the reb-
els attempted to plant a battery within three
hundred yards OF our siege guns, bat were
driven away by the gunbOats and siege guns,
supported by three regiments of Gen. Mitch
ellis division, which had arrived and crossed
the river about 9 O'Clock in the evening.
During the night the rebels were rein
forced b. Generals Van Dorm and Price,
from Arkansas, with very large force.
Gen. Lew. Wallace came up with the llth
and 23d Indiana, 4it1 Illinois, and SIh MIS-
souri,. and Wizards battery, and in the
morning fercely attacked the enemy's LETT
wing. They went into the fight at a double
qulck, with tremendous shouts, and did ter
nble execution. By 10 O'Clock they had
driven the rebels back two miles At about
10 O'Clock the rebels were reinforced, and
Tor few minutes our men were forced to
yield.
The other division Of Gen Buell's army
now appeared, aud at once became fully en-
gagged. For two hours all the destructive
clements OF the earth seemed b be striving
Ior the mastery on this ia.ll field, hut at
last the Southern chivalry br, ke and led in
all dlrecuOts. Gen. Buell Il owed the lv-
ing ioe with 1000 troops, m1stly cavalry,
smIiins without mercy those who would not
surrender The rebel troops were mostly
from Texas, Mississippi, and LOUISIANA, with
many from Georgia and Alabama.
Our niormants say that they could ride
through the battlefield where our forces
were posted, but the dead were 50 thick on
the enemY's lines that they could not do it
there. They assure US that the rebels oceu-
pied our camps on Sunday night, and took
care of our sick and wounded, destroying
nothing, expecting confidently to have our
entire army the next day. They thought
the battle already fought and won.
On Monday Gen. McClernand cut bis way
through the enemy that mad surrounded him.
Most Of his troops behaved with great GAL
llntry, bat the SD Ohio were ordered in tle
rear i0r refusing to fight.
zen. Bragg Is reported to have feen killed.
Provisional Governor johnson, OF kentucky,
IS wounded, and was taken prisoner.
IL Is stated that Gen. Prentiss escaped in
the confusion Of the rebels retreat on the
second days fight.
Our total loss Is about 900. This is the
estimate Of the military commanders who
in the engagement. OF this number about
1000 were taken prisoners, the balance are
killed and wounded in the usual proportions.
Gen. Wallace, OF Illinois, was reported
dead, as 1t was thought impossible that he
could live. lie was, however, living on
Wednesday, and improving He was shot
in the bacA of the ear, the bullet coming out
Of his nose.
Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1862-04-18

II The Eltors Of tSs Fres Press
An impression extensively prevails that taxes
are urjustly distributed in the town Of Buriiag-
ten,-that there is here is uo equality IL the bur-
then Of taxation. Vow if this be So, i; is an
evil which needs to DC corrected.
Whilst most men pay eheerfGlly and fair Just
portion OF the taxes, 10 man is willing TO pay
large taxes when his more wealthy and prosper
Gus neighbcr by some means or other escapes al
most wholly the urthen Of taxation.
The intention Of the law is that all shall pay
taxes according to their properly.
The farmer pays upon Lis stock ani his farm;
the mechanic upon Lis house, lis Gov; the day
llboFeT upon Lis poll; tue widow and the orphan
upon the little pittauce that tae kindness or prov
iience Of friends may have left !o- their scanty
support For these there Is no escape, because
their property is all visible.
How is it with the rich capitalist? the money
Ionder? the merchant? the banker Muea-in
some instances nearly all-ol their property is
out Of sight; they alone know its amount. What
certainty is there that this species of property is
listed at its true value or in many cases. that it
is listed st all ?
Il will doubtless be said that the Listers are
bound to ferret or. every dollar Of taxable prop
erty, and that the law gives them ample Towcr
for that very purpose. The law no doubt gives
the listers this power to considerable extent, but
do they always ereise il,
They should require disclosure on oath from
every one whose property is invisible. Merchants
should be required to exhibit inven,ory Of their
goods, their debts-and if they claim oGsets on
account of indebtedness-ol the amount Of their
indebtelnsss. 0.her men, wso claim Offsets on
account of debts due and owing, sho-ld be re-
quired to disclose uuier oath the amount Of their
indebtedness, and the parties to whom indebted.
The law gives the Listers full power to require
this. This, no doubt, would be an unpleasant du-
ty-many would complain. What Of that Is
that any reason why the Listers should be deliv-
cred from fearless discharge OF their duty No
man should accept an ofics unless be has energy
and courage enough to fulfil faithfully its duties
Our taxes are increased. The cause is well
known The burthen, no doubt, wi be seriously
felt; but ia all conscience let in this emergen
cy, if possible, have fair list Our present Lis
tsrs, VIC hope and trust, will do their duty, and
their whole duty, IN this behalf.
A TAx-PAYER.
Anil 1850
Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1862-04-18
FRoMTHE CAVALRY REGIMENT
DEATH OF COL. HOLLIDAY-THE
VERDICT OF THE COURT OF IN
QUIRY.
tFrom the Worlds c CorrespOndence. ]
EpENBrRG. Va. AprIl

EDENBURG, Va, April 6.
That which to-day enlists the attention of
most, Is the melancholy suicide Of Col. JON
as p. Holiday, Vermont Cavalry, who this
morning shot himself upon the bank of the
Shenandoah, Arriving at the stone bridge,
which | alluded 10 in my last letter, which
crosses q narrow creek few miles this side
ef Strasburg, no turned away from the road
down the creek to the river, tied his horse to
bush, went to the rivers brink, drew the
fatal weapon, sent bullet through his fore
head, and fell into the ter, where his ad.
iutant. Edgar Pitkin of Burlington, Vt,
found him buta few moments before his
last breath was drawn.
His connection with the regiment had
been short-not more than month; but he
had so attached to himself the sympathies
of his men in that time, that they are now
cast into deep gloom, not only from per-
sonal attachment TO their colonel, but
for the fear that in this important crisis
which DOW seems pending, they NAV not
find another who will FL the place Of the
one they have lost. The act was the resul
of melancholy-of insanity, perhaps; for the
lamented colonel had on several recent occa-
sions, shown that strange condition Of mind
which is often the premonitor of such deed;
and upon the very night before, his chap
lain. Rev. j. III. Woodward, had remarked in
him the most singular bearing which he had
ever witnessed in any man.
So great was the anxiety which he had
manifested for some tune past, that some OF
the officers were not surprised at this sad
calamity. Upon the previous evening there
was occasion for some one to notify farmer
VINO lived four miles away, of their intended
departure upon the following morning, to
enable him 10 secure his receipts for ibrage
which had been taken; as there would be
some danger in the undertaking, Ashby's
cavalry having been seen in that direction
during the day, the colonel was in dilem-
ma between exporting his own men to danger
and the farmer to the loss of dues. Chap
lain Woodward, volunteered himself for the
service, and with two soldiers, started through
the darkness. This seemed TO be q cause Of
anxiety to the colonel, who said that he had
acted contrary to his Judgment. For some
time past his mind has been in this sensitive
condition, which rendered him a victim to
this act Of self-destruction.
lie was born in Central New York, was
graduated at West Point in 1851, where he
took high position, and thoss who knew
Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1862-04-18

The surrender of Island Nc. 10 by the rebels
is an event of the first importance. The po-
sition Of the island, the labor expended in
its fortifcation and the confidence felt that
it had been made impregnable, render the
defeat of the rebels SO much the more over
whelming. Upon the defense of this po-
sition they relied to secure the Mississippi riy-
er, and having lost it, Memphis is at our mer
cy, and the river mostly clear to New Orleans.
The rebels called Island No. 10 their Sebas-
topol-Sebastopol is taken Some sur
prise has been felt that 80 long time
should have been required TO reduce
the place. Undoubtedly it might have
been taken before, but at a great cost
of life. Com. Foote preferred to lombard
the rebel batteries at a distance, until he
could cut passage through the peninsula
and send boats across to Gen. Pope at New
Madrid Then sending two gunboats past
the rebel batteries. under cover OF night and
a storm, to protect the transports while Ter
rying across the river, and having sent Col.
Buford with his forces to the left, he WAS
ready to execute the plans which he had been
for twenty three days contrEing. \ COIL
bined assault by land and river would have
been made on Tuesday, if the rebels had not
surrendered at daybreak.
There were apparently not many OF them
left in their Notifications by that time, as
we took prisoners only about 700, including
the sick whom the rebels lie behind in their
| haste.
For several weeks the rebels have kept a
feet of steamboats, stationed close to
Obionyille. below New Madrid, with
steam up ready to take them down
the river at moments notice
Those who could not 20 off this way went
by land and were pursued by Gen. Pope's
forces. Five thousand Of them were captured
and four Generals, Major Gen. Mccall, and
Brig. Gems. Gault, Walker and Schauu.
The amount of supplies, ammunition and
guns captured, was immense Eighty heavy
guns, thirty pieces of light artillery, 5000
stand of arms, So 600 solid shot, a great guam
tity of powder-the magazines were found
all full-2O0 hogsheads of sugar, several
hundred barre's Of molasscs, and an immense
amount of other stores, and huge piles Of
blankets and clothing of all sorts, fell into
our hands.
Never were greater results accomplished
With less loss Of life. The long range firing
caused but few deaths, while the crossing OF
Gen Pop, tie occupation Of four batterie,
and his safe entrenchment behind the enemy
were accomplished without the loss Of sin.
Gle man Well might Secretary Wele:
send the letter OF thanks which he addressed
to Com. FoO.e and his brave associates.
Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1862-04-18
PRoCLAMATIONO OF 4 NATIONAL
THANKSGIVING.
WASHINGTON, April 10, 1867

W AsHINGToN, Apul TO- leO-
BIZ tfe President of the Uared States Of
Ameyiod-a Proclamation.
I; has pleased Almighty God to vouch-
safe signal victories to the land and naYal
forces engaged IN suppressIng an internal re-
bellion, and at the same time to avert from
our country the dangers Of foreign interven-
tion aud invasion. 1t is Therefore recon-
mended to the people Of the United States
that at their next weekly assemblages in their
accustomed places of public worship which
shall occur after the notice Of this proelAma-
tion shall have been received. they especially
acknowledge and render thanks to our
Heavenly Father for these inestimab.e bles-
sings that they then and there implore
spiritual conso,a,ions IN behalf of all those
who have been brought into aiIliction by the
casualties and calamItles OF seditlOn and
civil war and that they Ieyerently invoke
the Divine guidance for our national couu-
sels to the end that they may speedily re-
suit in the restoration of peace, harmony
and unity throughout our borders, and hast
en- the establishment Of fraternal relations
among all the countries Of the earth.
In witness whereof l have hereunto set my
hand and caused the seal Of the United
States to be affixed. Done at the city Of
Washington this the 10th day of April, in
the year of our Lord one Thousand eight
hundred and siz;y-two, and of the Indepen-
dance Of the United States the S6th.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
By the President
wv. II. SEWARD, Secretary of State.
Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1862-04-18

CoUNTERFEIT MoNET.-A large quantity
of counterfeit bills made their appearance in
Boston Friday upon the Tolland County
Bank, Conn, which, though an excellent
imitation Of the genuine bill, proved to be
one Of those bold and successful c1untcrieiting
operations upon the old New England Bank
plate which have been two or three times 50
successful in plundering the community.
In the present case the Suffolk Bank has
received and returned about $1,000, and
probably other banks have received an ad-
diuonal amount. The paper Of TIE bill Is
said to be rather darker than that generally
used by the bank. and there is also some dii-
ference in the signatures.
At St. Louis on Thursday the Police broke
up an extensive counterieiting establishment
and seized about S25,OOO in bogus L. S,
Treasury Notes and some 10000 in counter
feited notes on the State Bank Of Indiana,
together with II bank note plates and an as
sortment Of implements and materials used
by bank note engravers.
An adroit counterfeit note engrayer,
named Harvey Wilkes alias Hill, and a num-
Der of suspicious characters known to have
been heretofore engaged in the sale and pass
ing of counterfeit bills. were arrested.
Gen. Halleck having been applied to for
permission for chaplain serving IN Price 5
army, to return home or for his wife to 20
out to see him, replied as follows
"In answer to your inquiries have to state
that persons in arms against the United States.
under General Price, be received only as pris-
oners of war and that they will be treated in the
same kind and lenient manner as others have been
who are willing to abandon a hopeless n unh DIV
cause take the prescribed oath Of allegiance, and
give satisfactory security for their failure good
conduct.
Any one who voluntarily takes the oath, and
gives his parole of honor, and afterwards violates
il by aiding or abettins the enemy, will most cer-
tanly be executed. man who violates his mill
parole commits the most serious Of all militia
oGsnses, and L will pardon TO one who is guilty
of that crime.
In regard to the wife Of the Reverend Captain
Chaplain, in General Prices army, who wishes to
visit her husband, please inform her that no such
permission can be granted. Nearly all the Seces-
sionists of this State who have entered the rebel
service, have left their wives and daughters to the
care Of the Federal troops. There Is scarcely a
single instance where this confidence las been
abused by US. But what return have these ladies
made for this protection! In many cases they
have acted as spies and intormers for the enemy,
and have bcea most loud-mouthed in their abuse
Of our cause. and most insulting in their conduct
towards those who support it, Under any other
Government they would for such conduct, be ex-
PEELED from the country, or coufued within the
walls Of prison
Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1862-04-18

The munIfcent donation OF Ma. Oh lRGE
PEABODY, the eminent American merchant Of
London, for the benefit Of the poor in Lon
don, is another striking instance of his gen
erJsity. \ native Of Danvers. Mass, be a
few years ago gave liberal sum Tor the
foundation and support Of public library
in that town. lie also founded in the City
Of Baltimore, where be spent 20 years Of his
business life. an Institute on "a lafge scale,
devoted to science and the arts. with Tree
library. The building was gun in ISIS, g,
and is now ompleted-though It's dedication
is in abeyance, in consequence OF the present
trCublous times. Having been in business
in London for p years, and met with great
succ, IS and been a constant recipient Of cur
tesv, kindness anu conf lcncc, hc now apYrg-
pirates tljO,O00 tnear.y S7aO,OOOl 70 ame-
liorate the condition of the poor and needy
of that great metropolis and 10 promote their
comfort and haTpiness. Ils commits the
trust to His Ezcel.ency ChaIles Fraucis Ai-
ans, United States Minister in London q.
Right Hon. Lord Stanley, N. P; Sir james
Emerson Tennant, X C.. 5. L. l.. c., 6c.,
London c. VI. Llmpson, Esq, London; j.
;. Morgan, Esq London with power TO
fill vacancies and add to their number, the
L. ). Minister for the time being to be one
Of the Trustees. lie intimates that the con-
struciion Of suitable dwellings for the POOR
will be beneficial Application Of the money.
The poor of London, OF good moral character
and conduct, irrespective Of peculiar religious
belief or political bias, are to be objects Of
the charity.
Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1862-04-18

him bear warm testimony to his excellent
| qualities rs a man and as a soldier. He was
| thirty-fve years Of age. and gave promise of
/ prominence and usefulness. So short time
connected with the First Vermont Cavalry.
he had gained firm hold upon the hearts Of
officers and soldiers, and was held IN the
universal regard and respect Of the whole
regiment, who mourn the loss ola man whose
place they fear will not be easily filed. This
Is particularly felt by them now. believing
as they do, that they are Just on the eve Of
action.
The following verdict was rendered by the
court Ol inquiry, to inquire into the cause
aud circumstances attending the death:
THAT the decelse1. J. P. Holiday, late
Colonel First Vermont Volunteer Cavalry,
came 10 his death from a bullet wound made
by some person or persons unknown, but
from the evidence adduced the urt is Of
opinion the act was committed by his own
hand JOEL B. ERHARDr,
Judge Advocate.
"Wm. d. Collins, Major First Vermont
Volunteer Cavalry Capt. ;. G.. Perkins.
First Vermont Cavalry; Capt. F. Moore,
First Vermont Cavalry"
y detachment of Co. \, commanded by
Lieut.. Erhardt, were detailed t1 accompany
the body to Winchester as an escort, where
It will be placed upon the cars and taken t.
New York in charge Of Cap. E. B. Sawyer,
Company |.
There has been another sd affair in the
first battalion Of Michigan cavalry. Aiju-
tant Phelps shot himself accidentally while
assisting in moving a hand-car upon the
railroad. This was Sad. but the seqIel was
treacherUHs and inhuman Ten men. on th3
assurance that if they were unarmed they
SHOULD proceed without mOlestation to the
next town to procure q coffin, were seized
and retained as prisoners of war BY the reb-
els. This is of piece, however, with the
many acts which our unnatural enemy is
constantly perpstrsting not only here but in
many otheE divisions Of the army.
Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1862-04-18

IyCmES1s.-The following actual Incl
tents wIl. show how the abolition of slavery
in the District Of Columbia, now regarded as
certain, Is beginning to work even in BIlti-
more. y slave older was reading Nc. Nor
nils bill, Just passed the Senate. at break
fast, in the hearing of two Of his slave boys
about twelve years o; age, The one said to
the other, loud enough to be heard Let's
60 to Washington we be free them"
Alter breakfast neighbor came in 10 talk
about the subject, and, as usual. be was
much excited, though he was not a slave
holder. The master took it very cOolly, To
the astonishment OF his angry neighbor. No
amount Of abuse Of the Republicans could
disturb the Shareholder. At last, the non
Shareholder burst out ado you think = ue-
gro's testimony as good as white mans ?'
"1here's many a negro whose word | would
take in preferences % sJme White mn 5
oath. - ''I'm done with YOU, said the slave
less interlocutOr-''yOu are a good enough
abolitionist for me- whats tlat to you?
am an abOlitiOnist Nov make the must Of
it.'i-NaC York PO0.