davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-05-02

; strip has been taken from the west side mex
to the main channel of the river from five to
ten rods in width, and the entire length Of
the Island. Thus is the area of this once
beautiful Island of twenty acres reduced to
less than eight acres, and nearly all that re-
mslns is covered with layer of sand vary
ing in thicknes. from few inches to several
feet. In this manner has been irretrievably
ruined one of the most charming spots in or
adjacent to this village 1t is safe to predict
that this Island will never again become a
habitable abode for human beings. This Sc
we're loss bears with peculiar hardship upon
MIR Cabot, whose property was mostly in Al
ALBANIA at the commencement of the rebellion,
and which is probably nearly or quite all sa-
crificed. The house occupied by Mr. Bing-
ham, in the employ of Mr. Cabot, contained
when it was washed away nearly all the fur
niture, wearing apparel, &C., belonging to the
family. 1t was stranded in Vernon and some
of the goods will be recovered in damaged
condition. Frederick Yaw's house is total
wreck, but most of his furniture was saved.
His loss must reach nearly one thousand
dollars.
Fortunately throughout this whole affair
no life was lost and no person injured. With
the exception of the Island, which for all
practical purposes was part of our village,
but very little damage was sustained by cur
citizens individually.
We learn that quite a number of farmers
along the river suffered more or less damage
from this flood. A Mr. Shaw on Putney
meadows lost all his buildings. Mr. John
Stearns of Hinsdsle, about four miles below
this village, was obliged to remove his cattle
and grain TO higher land, and it is reported
that his family escaped from their house
through the windows. The bridge being de-
strOyed and the Hinsdale road for more than
mile under water, il is impossible to ascer-
tain the extent of the damage on that side
We however are informed that more than
half a mile Of the highway on the opposite
side Of the river, and near the Little bridge,
is washed entirely away as low as the bed of
the river. Mr. Ebenezer Howe of Vernon
has had washed away from his farm two a.
cres of valuable meadow or "interyale"
land.
The town of Brattleboro has suffered loss
in the destruction of West River Bridge.
which will require three thousand dollars to
replace
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-05-02
A Dyin. Soldier Prays for the President.

Never until we stood by tie grave of the
Green Mountain boys did we realize how
much stranger is truth than fiction. Your
readers will all recollect last summer pri-
vate was court-martialeG for sleeping on his
post out near Chain Bridge on the Upper
Potomac. He was convicted; his sentence
was death; the finding was approved of BY
the general and the day fixed for MS execu-
ton. He was youth of more than ordinary
intelligence; he did not beg for pardon, but
was willing to meet his fate. The time
drew near: the stern necessity of war
required that example should be made of
some one: his was an aggravated case. But
the case reached the ears of the president :
he resolved TO save him; he signed pardon
and sent it out the day came. Suppose"
reached him. The telegraph was called into
requisition; an answer did not come prompt
ly. Bring up my carriage" he ordered. |,
came. and soon the important state paper;
were dropped, and through the hot broiling
sun and dusty roads he rode to the camp, a
bout ten miles, and saw that the soldier was
saved.
He has doubtless forgotten the incident,
but the soldier did not. When the Sd Yer,
mont charged upon the rife pits. the eneuy
poured 4 yolley upon them. The first man
who fell, with six bullets in his body, was
VIM. Scott, Of company H. His comrades
caught him up. and as his life blood ebbed
away, he raised to heaven, amid the din oi
war, the cries of the diving, and the shouts OF
the enemy. prayer for the president, and as
/ he died he remarked to his comrsde that he
had shown he was no coward and not afraid
to die. He was inferred, in the presence o
his regiment.in little grove about two mile:
to the rear of the rebel fort, in the center of
group of holly and vines; few cherr,
trees, in full bloom, are scattered around tn.
edge. In digging his grave, a skull ant
bones were found. and metal buttons, show
Ing that the Identical spot had been used IL
the revolutionary war for our fathers who fel
in the same cause. The chaplain narrated
the circumstance to the BOYS, who stood q
round with uncovered heads. He PRAYED fo
the president, and paid the most CLOWN:
tribute TO his noble heart we ever heard
The tears started in their eyes as the cloi
of earth were thrown upon him in his marrow
grave, where he lay shrouded in his coat an,
blanket. The men separated; in few min
utes all were engaged in something aroun'
the camp, as though nothing had happene'
unusual; but tina: scene will live upon thei
memories while life lasts: the calm look q
Scot:'s face, the seeming look of satisfac
ton he felt. still fingered: and could the pre-
sident have seen him he would have felt tha
his act of mercy had been wisely bestowed
But the cannon's roar is TO be heard toward
Yorktown, and We must be off TO the scene
Cor Phil. Inquirer.
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-05-02
Emancipation.

The late message of the president on the
subject Of emancipation, in connection with
the act setting free the slaves in the District
of Columbia, cannot be without effect upon
the slavehoiding communities of the border
states. We have watched with much inter
est for the responses to the presidents policy,
and particularly for the effect of the deed of
freedom Cor the District. There were many
who honestly doubted whether the time had
come for these movements, ts,-whether they
would not tend to re,ard the restoration of
peace and union. SO far, nothing appears to
indicate that they were premature. On the
contrary, there are indications that they will
form the basis Of new party that will spring
up in all the border states. having for It's end
and aim the emancipation of the slaves in
those states, and the consequent emancipa-
ton of those states from slavery. \ letter
in the New York Evening Post from Louis
vile represents that since the emancipation
action in Washington considerable number
of presses in the border states have taken on
new tone, and are now speaking of the in
Stitution of slavery as transient" and ex-
pressing desire to be rid of the BURDEN
In Franklin county, Mo-, one of the hotbeds
of slavery, public meeting has recently been
held which passed resolutions asking for the
gradual extinction of slavery. Ex-Gov Stew
art of Missouri has publicly committed him.
selfto the emancipation policy. In Maryland
party is rapidly sprinsing up which sus-
tains the policy of the president. and demands
either the gradual extinction of slavery or the
immediate purchase of the negroes. In Ken
lucky, the loyal masses admit that the poiti-
cal power of slavery has passed away. Men
are talking about the matter freely. In Hen-
lucky, Missouri and Maryland. the slavehold-
ers themselves are talking freely on the sub
! ject. \ STAKEHOLDER in Prince George county
Md, who owns forty slaves. expresses him.
self in favor of the universal abolition of sia.
very throughout the country, since the presi-
dent signed the district emancipation act
He says the measure is death blow to slav.
erv in all the slave states.
I There can be little doubt that We are en-
tering upon new era in slavery agitation
1t seems evident, Judging By the signs of the
times, that the whole iniqaity has eliminated
and that the history of the next twenty year.
will embrace the decline and extinction o
slavery in this country. It is possible that i
will die in this war,-die in blood and fam,
and awful retribution, but it looks less like i
than year ago. 1t seems more probabl,
that slavery, having ceased as politica
power, will seek safe extinguishment ii
some form of compensated emancipation.-
The question will occupy northern mind les
and southern mind more. There will be
great southern agitation, and one of unprece
dented bitterness. Whatever of anti-slaver,
: sentiment may exist will undoubtedly seeI
to ally itself with political power in the North
The scepter of power once departed from tn
accursed institution it can never be re-pos
sessed.-Spriagfeld Republican.
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-05-02

E By order Of Gen. Mcclellan the camp
in front of Yorktown has been named Camp
Winfield Scott.
e The correspondent Of the Chicago
Times, describing Gen Pope's capture of the
flying rebels from Island 10, says "Our uncle
has drawn another elephant this time-a
mate to the one he found at Donelson-for
these soldiers came to him not having eaten
anything for two days, and as hungry as the
defenders of that fort were when they gave
themselves up on that beautiful Sunday NOR.
ming"
a The Scythe Factory in this place,
owned by Wesley Alexander was entirely
destroyed by fire, on the llth inst.-LtHls'
ton Journal
q Gov Morgan has nominated Col
Michael Corcoran, now a prisoner at Rich
mond, for one of the New York harbor
masters.
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-05-02
Appointments CT t.e Vermont Conference
Of the VI. f.. Church.
DaNVlLLE DISTRICT.

4. 7. Builard, Presiding Elder.-Dan-
vile, \. McMullen, I. Drew; l'eacham, ].
LeBarron: Groton, X. Hadley; Newbury,
VIM. ID. Malcom; McIndoe's Falls, to be
supplied; St Johnsbury, H. z. Cushing; St
Johnsburv Centre, Peter Merrill; East S,
Johnsbury, Abner Howard Lyndon and
Kirby, z. \. Granger, y. NJ Granger; Lu-
nenburg. NJ. Bullard; Bloomfield, to be sup
piled; Holland and Morgan, Ems ID. Hop
klns; Derby, d. $ Dexter; Westfeld and
Troy, 5. Chamberlin, one to be supplied;
Barton and Glover, L. Hill, one to lie sup
Piled; Barton Landing and Browllington,
Z. y. Granger, 2d; Irasburgh, {. Liscomb;
Albany, IL. L. Jones: Craftsb1ry, Caleb
Fales; South Hardwick, Daniel FELL; Wal
den, ]. W. Bridge; Cabot, F. f. King
Marshheld, G. II. Bickford Eas, Burke and
Sutton, {. ID. Ingraham: Victory, to be sup
piled.
E. W. Parker, Missionary to India.
Silas E. Quimby, Teacher at Newbery
Seminary.
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-05-02

to any who should retreat; and then stoo1
ing down, he took cartridge after cartridg
from his friends box. and killed his man wit
every fire.
Among the phenomena of the fight wa
the condition of the uniform of Capt Bennett
of Co. X of the Sd. 1t had eight bullet hole
in it.
The sharp-shooting was marvellous. Tel
men, with the telescope rife, kept the rebels
two hours away from their largest gun. Il
was utterly useless for that long time. Tn.
rebel commander had finally to drive up an
entire regiment to the piece and man it by
superiority of numbers-more gunners than
could be killed. 1t was fired thus four times
when shot from kennedy's battery dis
mounted it. The value Of sharp-shooters is
demonstrated fact of the greatest military
Importance.
| have told you that only two companies of
tke 9th succeeded in crossing the creek, and
they were almost compelled, and l am told
ordered, to come back. In their retreat Cor
poral Cox of Co. A, noticed one of his mess
mates wounded on the bank Of the creek
tie Immediately returned and assisted him
over, but seeing another, also wounded, some
distance up the bank towards the earth
works, he returns the second time to assist
his brother soldier. Just as he was in the
act of raising the wounded man two rebels
seized him by the arms and led him up the
bank, asking all manner of insulting ques-
tions. They had not gone far, however, be-
fore w-h-i-z comes bullet and rebel No.
falls. In less than minute there is another
w-h-i-z and Nc. . sleeps with his companion.
Cox then creeps toward the creek, the bullets
Of the enemy and the shells of his friends
flying all around him. He crossed the creek
silently, and remaining concealed till after
dark, Ee makes his way up to our pickets
and gets safely into camp, where he could
hardly tell his story for weeping. That
brave and noble soldier cried like a child
after the danger was all over.
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-05-02
sslttted Poetry.
DIR LITTLE ONE.

..sa fresh little mound meath the willow
.,1on a, evening | wander and weep,
re-, dear, vacant spot on my piiio"
.,rerc {. sweet little face used 70 SieeP'
" 20 Wv we're pretty black eyes. but they slumber
Hence beneath the dark mould (;
NE little pet lamb Of our number
IA, zone TO the heavenly fold.
rir,am. when in sleep behold her
~. 4 beauty so fresh and divine,
.oclo.e in my arms | enfold her,
~ feel her soft cheek upon mine:
:, loving those gentle eyes glisten
.,, nv vision is lost in my tears,
'miilcrcd, enraptured. | listen
, voice from the spirits bright spheres.
50 silence in par.or and chamber,
,.,,'. a sadness III every room;
.,au that the Father hath claimed her,
y., All things seem burdened with gloom,
,,' NOT be a comfortlcss mOurner,
,oorcr brood over my pain,
know where the angels have borne her
.. soon shall see her again.
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-05-02

q Every day new barbarities. perpetra-
ted by the rebels, come 10 light. This week
two soldiers, who had struggled from the
march from Manassas to Catlets, were found
BY the roadside with their throats cut from
ear TO ear.
e. The following is a correspondent S
account of an interview with contraband:
ave accosted one whose very immense
blackness commended him as genuine,
unadulterated scion of Africa. Where do
you hail FROM 'Culpeper Court House,
sah.' what news do YOU BRING Nothing
massa, 'cept dars man lost mighty good
niger dar dis mornin', and l guess lie dun
lose some more fore night"
C. Col Corcoran sent word to the presi.
dent that if he could best serve his country
in southern jail he was contented to remain.
Gallant soui-true Irishman.
q During the temporary absence of Vice
President Hamlin, Hon. Solomon Foot OF
Vermont acts as the presiding officer of the
Senate. His promptitude, fairness and
thorough experience in that difficult position,
challenge universal admiration.
~ A letter from a soldier at Newport
News relates the following incident. giving a
slave woman's account of the capture of the
rebel batteries on Gen McCleIlan's advance
upon Yorktown :-"The attack on the batter.
les cannot be better described than in the
words of an old contraband whom fell in
with while on scout to Young's mills the
day after the capture. She was secesh, and
took US to be.ong to the same accursed race
On asking her il there was much fighting al
the battery, she replied why. lordy, you
won't blebe me, massa, but de Yankee he
fire jest one round, den commence hollerine
like de debbel, and frew rite ober de breast
works; but dey couldn't ketch our folk.
(seceshl dey run so fast
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-05-02
The Battles of d Year.

One year ago, the 10Th of April, occurre
the first action in this war. Ten thousan
rebels opened fire upon seventy loyal soldier
in Fort Sumter. Since then there have bee
fought twenty-five battles, besides numerou
skirmishes. The following list will show tn
years work:
l. Fort Sumter, South Carolina, April -
l3, 1861.
?. Big Bethel. Va, June 10.
}. Carthage, Mo-, July j.
+. Rich Mountain, Va, July -.
). Carricksford, Va, July II.
6. Bull Run, Va, July 2l.
I. Springfield, Mo-, August 10.
s. Lexington, Mo-, September 20.
8. Santa Rosa Island, Florida, Oct. @.
10. Balls Bluff, Va, Oct. 81.
IL. Fredericktown, Mo-, Oct. 2l.
II. Port Royal. South Carolina, Nov. 4.
l3. Belmont, Mo-, Nov. s.
ii. Drainsville, Va, Dec. 20.
II. Mill Spring, ky., Jan. -, 1862.
l6. Fort Henry, Tenn, Feb. 6.
Il. Roanoke Island, North Carolina, Feb
IS.
10. TUT DOUelSOI, ienll., TeO. lo-lb.
10. Nalverde, New Mexico. Feb. 2l.
20. Pea Ridge, Ark, March 6-S.
q. Hampton Roads, Va. March 50.
22. Newbern, n c., March IA.
%. Winchester. Va, March 23.
"A. Pi,tsburg Landing, Tennessee, April
6-7.
%. Surrender of Island No. 10, April ..
26. Surrender of Fort Pulaski, April IL.
Of these actions, eight, occurring in 1861,
were defeats for us. and six victories; bu,
since New Years day the list shows an unin-
terrupied series of splendid successes .or the
Union arms. Leaving out the battle of Pitts
bBrg Landing, our losses during the war have
been-in killed, 2I00: wounded, 1896: pris-
oners, l440: total loss, exclusive of deaths in
camp b; disease. Sl26. The rebel loss has
been. in killed and wounded, Io,I29: prison
ers, 23,.01: besides which the rebels have
lost enormous stores of provisions, not less
than $50 cannon. and at least nine generals
killed.-N. Y. Post
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-05-02

q Parson Brownlow ma lie Sl4OO by
four OF his recent western eetmes. He
takes wonderfully With the people.
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-05-02
Incidents of the Charge at Warwick
Creek.
4 YOUNG HERO.


Many, not detailed, but volunteering
through impulses of soldierIy devotion and
personal affection, dashed into the stream a
gain and dragged out the wounded who were
clinging to the trees, and sitting with their
heads just out of water. Julian A. Scott of
the Sd Vermont, Co. f, under sixteen wears
of age, was one of these heroes. He pulled
out no less than nine of his wounded COM
rades. He twice went under fire away a.
cross the stream, and brought back from the
slope Of the rifle pit John C. Backum of his
own company, who was shot through the
lungs. Ephraim Brown, who was helping
him, was himself shot through the thigh in
the inside, and disabled. Scott waded back
like the boy-hero he is, and brought him safe.
" over.
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-05-02
OTHER INCIDENTS.

Among the incidents of the fight was the
recovery from fever of Sergeant Fletcher of
Co. f. Sd Vermont, on the sick list. and ex.
cused from duty, and the use he made of his
temporary health. He crossed the stream
and went through the fght-then, en- his re-
turn, was among those who went back and
rescued the wounded. On his return to
camp he went into hospital and resumed his
fever, with aggravation.
John Harrington, beardless orphan boy
of seventeen, unarmed, went over and res
cued out of the riAe-pit disabled COM
rade.
Lieut. Whittemore commanded Co. E,
which is without captain for some reason.
lhls officer, with his revolver, covered Har-
rington in his hazardous expedition, and
killed several rebels who aimed their pieces
at the boy. His intimate friend in the COM
pany, Private Vance, had been killed in the
riae-pit. Whittemore, enraged with sorrow,
burst into tears,and seizing the dead soldiers
musket, stood over him, and threatened death
New-York daily tribune., 1862-04-24
battery with side.trscks to tho several down

Battery with side-trscks to tho several down.
town Ferries. A traveller arriving on the cars
at the Jersey City Ferry may ride thence d.
recty to the Dry Dock for few cents; but, il
he wants to be taken with his baggage to q
Broadway Hotel, he must pay ifty cents to
two dollars. II is not the interest of the peo'
ple that this should cOntiDue-nay, they can
not afford to have il continue. We beg the
broadway men to look into this matter with
their own eyes and act as their interest de-
mands. They ought TO plan and build and
own aud run the Railroad that must at On
early day run up Broadway; and if they per-
sistently refuse, Others will atep into their
shoes. If they stubborply stand in their own
light, they must not expect the sun thersioSe
to refuse to shine.
The Albany and Susquehanna Railroad bill
was killed by yetO-for the third or fourth
time. That Road will yet have to be made,
and the State will have to help some; but
public burdens sre about to be so heavy that
the Governor may well bavo shrunk from
incurring q new one at this moment. be
patient
All attempts to reform (or deform) our EI-
cise Law were baGled. The law stands as it
has been.
This Legislature included many able men.
Three of the new Members-Senator Murphy
of Brooklyn, Messrs. StetsOn Of Clinton
and Prngls of Genesee-bad been Members of
Congress. Senstor Cook of Schuyler was form
erly Canal Commissioner, and very able one.
Messrs Raymond, Hulburd, Ogden, Alvord, and
several others. were Members Of former Legis.
latures, though not of the last. Messrs. Pierce.
RediDgton, aud Angel (now Senator) were lead
iug members Of the preceding Assembly. Among
new Members, Messrs. Rice of Cattaraugus,
Tracey of Tioga, Coddinston, Phelps aud Me-
Leod Of this city, McMuen of Kings, Pryne
of Wayne, Ganson (Senator) Of Erie, and Low
(Senator) of Sullivan, have borne n conspicuous
part in the deliberations Of the Session. On the
whole, the talent embodied in this Legislature
was greater than has been usually exhibited
since our new Constitution took effect, though
not greater, We think, than was averaged when
our AisembIymen were chosen by counties, ard
it was deemed necessary to pat one strong man,
# 10 more. at the hsad Of the ticket. But,
take it all in all, we would willingly compound
for Legislatures for the next fifty gears US able
and honest as that Of 1862.
New-York daily tribune., 1862-04-24
bo ovorthrown by Rebellion, We much prefer
that the shareholders shall be the rebels.-l Ed.
4" sHODDY.n

The late Legislature of this State, soon after
its orpaoization appointed Committee to in
ye.tiqats the doiDgs Of the State Military Board
charged by the Legislature of 1861 with the
duty of organizing aud fitting out our States
quota of the Volunteers required by the Presl-
dents Proclamation Of April 18th last. The
Committee applied itself to its task with more
zeal than discretion, and 10 due time presented
Report. which was for more damaging IN
what It surmised than in all il proved. Some
irregularities aud errors were proved against
the State Board; some outsiders were snown
to have tried hard, though with indifferent
success, to make the public exigency contribute
to their personal advantage; aud some ningS
we're INDUCED which the testimony did not
warrant.
Among others upon whom the Report re-
aected was Col. VIM. A. Jackson, late
Inspector.G General of our State, but who
resigned his office last May to engage in the
War, and died of typhoid fever at the head OF
the 18th Regiment on the Potomac. Before
resicning the Inspector .Generalship, it was his
duty to inspect the uniforms made for the
State By Brooks Brothers Of this city; and, Us
il appeared that he procured clothing OF that
firm to the amount of 800 about this time, the
inference was rather insnuated than drawn In
tho Report that be received this clothing as
brbe or douceur for some sort Of piiancy, III
his official bearing toward the Messrs. Broohs'
Further investigation shows, however, that
he bought his clothes of the Brookses as he
would of anyone else, was regularly charged
their price, aud bill duly transmitted to him
for the amount, which his father has since
paid. Mr.. McMuIlen, Chairman Of the Com
m,ttee, who states these facts in Supple.
meulary Report, adds tie following retrsctIon
of tie charge, in his former Report, That
undue salaries had been paid TO tho Governor 8
staff:
"1e statements p.ov!ousy mate, 10 the salaries piid
irstobef u the T. srrnol'- Misy ssn we're oasd upon
inoAiiru -sceised and which grew ous OF msunf-
.tsld "a. o. tie Controllers Office.
10 hehalf AMI by o-dcr Of The Committee
"EDGAR MchULLEN, Cielfasn-
" Albany April TO- lS64'