davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-02-28
The Victory at Fort DOnelscn,
\ TERRIBLE AND ALMOST FATAL MISTAKE

The Chicago Trbune's correspondent, in
giving description of the battle at Fort
Done.son, says that when Col Crafts brigade
which had been ordered to reinforce Gen
McCIernand, came up in the rear of the 3Oth
and 3lst Illinois and the 10Th Kentucky,
these regiments were lying down and firing
over the crest of hill. They rose, and not
knowing whether the force in their rear was
friend or foe, the 18th kentucky supposing
them to be rebels, poured in raking volley
Oh them which did terrible execution and
was sufficient to throw the entire brigade in
to disorder at once, which was almost a pan
ic. Some threw down their guns and equip
ments ana fled Immediately. The woods
were filled with straglers, some even fed to
Fort Henry. The enemy improved the op-
portunity ard advanced upon Schwartz and
Dresser's batteries, capturing five guns and
taking possession of Gen McClernand's head
quarters, driving our forces nearly mile and
a half. Instead, however, of adhering to
their supposed intention to escape, the rebels
resolved to follow up their advantage by
pursuit. At this juncture, Gen Wallace's
division was thrown in front and took po-
sition on ridge with Ta! !lor's battery in
the center of the road The rebels formed
Oh the ridge which Gen McClernand had oc-
cupied, and, flushed with success, moved for
ward. As soon as they came in range Tay-
lor opened on them with grape, canister and
shell, causing the rebels to quail and come
to a halt, and as the infantry advanced they
began to fall back, and We recovered the
ground previously lost.
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-02-28

almost without officers. They fell in heaps
of dead and wounded. Companies were be-
reft of captains and lieutenants, and captains
were almost bereft of companies
The other three regiments did their duty
nobly. Coils. Oglesby, Marsh and Logan
dashed along the ranks, waving their hats
and cheering their men to the conflict
"Sutter death men" cried Logan, "but dis
grace never. Stand firm and WELL" They
needed him, and many were killed and
wounded, and among the latter were Col Lo-
gan and Lieut. Col White. Oglesby's and
Marsh's regiments fought desperately, losing
like other regiments an undue proportion of
officers. Col Oglesby displayed coolness
and courage that have elected the highest
praise, and served we'll in stimulating his
men.
Never, perhaps, on the American CONT
nent has more bloody battle been fought.
An officer, who participated and was wound
eu III the hShl, says the scene beggars de-
scriptlon. SO thickly was the battle field
strewn with the dead and wounded that he
could have traversed acres of it stepping at
almost every step upon PROSTATE body
The rebels fought with desperation. Their
artllerists welded their pieces with most
fearful effect. On either side could be heard
the voices of those in command cheering on
their men.
The four Illinois regiments held their
ground full three hours. Nearly one-third
had been killed and wounded, yet the bal
ance stood firm. Finally, about o'clock,
our right wing turned the rebels left, and
they fell back into their Notifications, and
our flag was planted upon the position occu-
pied by their left wing, and for time the
slaughter ceased
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-02-28
The Rebels at the Worlds Fair.

\ portion Of the ground selected for the
Grand Industrial Exhibition Of 1862, has
been appropriated to the so-called Confede-
rate States Even if the latter should have
the means of transportion, it puts the imag-
ination on the stretch to conceive what spec
linens of Southern industry would be sent
to these rebel acres.-N. \. Times.
Bless your simple soul. it requires no a.
farming "stretch" of "imagination" to con-
ceive the contribution with which Secessia
may adoln its niche in the great Industrial
Exhibition. We will indicate few "articles"
of Southern handicratt which appropriately
appear for the deectation of the sight-seers
of the Old World list, a brace of Virginia
niggers, manacled and appropriately branded
with hot iron, got up for the Louisiana Slave
market: I'd, \ pair of bloodhounds used BY
"Southern gentlemen" in fugitive hunting
excursions Sd, Model of a Charleston slave
trader, with the rattlesnakc flag flying at the
mast head 4th, Specimens of Southern
hemp with which Methodist ministers have
been strung up for the edjtication of the den
izens Of that Sovereign State 5th, 4 few
gross of revolvels and bowie-knives with
which the "chivalry" handy compliments at
social gatherings and political meetings 9th,
Specimens OF Mississippi Repudiated Bonds
with the portrait of jeff Davis etched on
brass ,th, the tools with which Floyd pick
ed the lock of the Treasury vault. and car.
ried off millions Of public funds for the pur.
pose of laying the financial cornerstone o
the Confederate States; Sth, Portrait Of
Tuombs, haranguiDg the Senate and crying
Il have prayed for war with England for sc
years :" 9th, Specimens of southern literature
comprising De Eows Reriew, elegant ex
tracts" from the Charleston Mercuy, and ;
fac simile of the original draft of the Fugi
tive Slave Law, by Mason, the rebel ambas
sador; 10th, Relics of John Brown, consist
t ing Of the rope with which he was hung, an,
| pieces of his hide neatly tanned and preserv
ed in glass case.
> Other productions OF the sunny South
equally novel and equally unique, might b
: mentioned but the above will indicate tn
affiuence Of that favored region in industris
e albany Erening Journal.
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-02-28
Thrilling Account of the Fight Oh Satur.
The following is an account Of Saturday s
fighting at Fort Donelson:

The following is an account of Saturdays
fighting at Fort Donelson:
On Saturday morning the battle was re-
sumed with unusual Vi gor and determination.
The Sth. 18th, 10th and 3lst Illinois regi
ments occupied position above the fort. They
were about preparing little food, when the
rebels opened upon them with fire of mus
kerry. A line of battle was at once formed,
and the storm of leaden hail retured, percept-
IDLY thinning the rebel ranks. The rebels
from their advantageous position sho"ered
upon our ranks most murderous voleys Of
musketry, grape and canister killing and
woundng our men almost by companies, at
every round; yet every man stood his ground
braveiy and determinedly, without fnching.
These four regiments held their ground,fght
ing against appalling odds and in face of eve
~ disadvantage. The 18th regiment seems
to have resisted the severest storm. Against
their ranks the rebels directed their heaviest
fire; but instead Of falling back they advanc
ed to the very face of the enemy and there
stood in the ve.y jaws of death, with scarcel!
prospect that single man would escape
for three hours.
These regiments, numbering scarcely 300(
ulen, held their ground against the whole
rebel garrison. At one time the 18th, being
PARTLY fanked, was expo sed to a cross fir,
of both nusketry and artillery, but our righ
wing securing the rebels left, at once reliev
, ed them. At this critical moment Col Law
! Ter fell, and Capt. Bush, acting leutenan
e colonel, assumed command, but was 500,
: wounded. Capt Cruise was shot dead, Go
: Lawler was nortally wounded, Lieuts Mans
: ford and Thompson killed, and Captains Dbl
d lon and Wilson and Lieuts Kelly and Scar
e Ian wounded, SO that the daring Egyptian
regiment stood before an overwhelming fo
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-02-28
The Social Circle of the White HOuse.

1here IS evidently an unfrlendly feeling in
/ Congress towards certain class of adven-
tW ers who have the run of the White House
and get influence with the executive. con-
tracts at the departments, and information
OF state secrets, through the favor they en-
Joy with the wife Of the president. This un-
! frlendness is evidenced in the repeated at
taeks Of the Senate upon Col Lamon, the
marshal of the district, its rejection of the
appointment of Mr. Watt, the gardner and
head waiter at the White House, as a lieu
tenant in the army, the exposure by the Pot
ter investigating committee of the disloyalty
OF the same person, and last, and perhaps
most significantly, by the relish with which
the House last week arrested and locked up
that noted Bohemian, Cheveler Wikoff. who,
as secret correspondent of the New York
Herald, had furnished that paper with an ad-
vance account of the presidents message,
and refused to tell the source of his infor.
nation when arraigned by the judiciary COM
mttee. 1t was well understood that his in
formation came through his intimacy at the
White House, and this was why the House
was more persistent in its demand ard
determination to expose the disgrace
tul association. After enjoying close
quarters with the sergeant-at-aIms for q
hours, the chevelier's White House friends
Watt, VINO still remains in employ at that
establishment, Gen Dan Sickles, who is a pet
beau Of the lady Of the mansion. and even
Mr. Lincoln himself-lnteryened in his behalf
before the committee, and told the story as
to the manner in which the surreptitous in
formation was gained. Watt confessed that
he stole an abstract Of the document from
the presidents table, and thus directly, or
indirectly through Mrs Lincoln, Mr. Wikof
and the Herald obtained it. The House
having probed the secret, and exposed the
relations Of Wikotf at the White House, and
the character of Watt, anew, dropped the
matter, and Wikotf was released We hope
the president will now have the good sense
and tirmness to take hint from congression.
al public opinion, and purge his home-the
home of the chief executive of the nation
of such contemplate and diSgraceful asso
Citations Neither he nor Mrs Lincoln, fresl
from Illinois, could be supposed to know al
first the real character Of these men. nor th,
history cftheir lives but now that they have
: learned what was notorious in eastern cities
it is to be presumed they will hasten to res
cue their own reputation and that Of The
: country from SUCH personal intimaces. Wi
koff has long been known, both in this coun
try and Europe, as personal and political
intrisuer has been largely employed to dc
the secret and dirty work of the Herald ant
some years ago, it may be remembered, ht
prosecuted an English heiress on the CONT
nent so outraseously with his attentions anc
] almost forcible seizure that he was arrested
and thrown into prison by the English au
thorites. No lady who knows him and re
spects herself, would endure his acquaiutanc
or accept his attentions for a moment
e Springfield RepuJljcan.
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-02-28
From the Butler Regiment.
CAMP HOLBRoOK. Brattleboro, !
February IS, 1852. !

little Editor Of Tie Coiedonian:
Dear Sir Surely, events thicken, and
;.r battle goes hravely on. The hearts of
10 patriotic everywhere are doubtless great
= rroced by the two important items of
,.ws which yesterday were sent over the
,gury on the lightnilg's wing,-the cap
ere Of Fort Donelson with fifteen thousand
:r3r. troops, and the capture Of Savannah by
u.H Sherman.
O.s first intmation in camp of the num-
rr> taken at Fort Donelson was officially
received from Col Thomas, by whose order
Te were halted while on very interesting
"...Cs-'o the dinner table-and formed on
'.e ;.yaGr ground. At the announcement
...,l after cheer made the welkin ring a.
-,s, and wnen the colonel followed the an
..4a,tmcnt Of the news with the declaration
- VT mast be diligent in order to have
~, hand in the settlement of the business
lie renewed cheers that went up with tre-
,v...LS hrartness from a thousand throatS,
EI.rd that our boys We're eager for the
award march 10 the battle field in season
BE- IN a, the death of the monster Seces-
n.A possible
u 5 Just now quite bustling time with
- - camp, as we are expecting to be in
''',,yt for the |. $. service to day, mustered
Z. Tomorrow, and paid off the next day. The
me o: our departure is yet uncertain, but
We are expecting TO leave some time next
"e'N Tor Ship Island, as we suppose. We
''i.'.'e our experience of camp life in this
t-" !, much the same as that of thousands
u -.@rrS, II other camps. We have here, as
,., great world. mixed assemblage Of
t.'l> and lmpious persons, with their varl
..' Influences, for good and evil. There are
'-r VINO love PRAYER, and others who love
".,Aey; some who love Jesus, and other:
""' delight in cursing and bitterness;
>N~ "@o preach the gospel, others who
r:'eN.e vice; so that singing and and pray
& Card playing and profanity, vulgarit!
80 refinement, Wit, wisdom and folly, drills
N''""N ana sermons, are strangely mixed VI
q, ,-e society Of our miniature world. And
~ The world at large, We have to TAX
...:.-' As We find them, 50 here; vet, we ar
''' "'trN Of seeing an Improvement in tn
',''~ Of society, and We are using means fo
...s tat, while humbly trusting in the grac
''e omnipotent One to make those mean
":'yraa..
y l!ceum has been organized on III
ground, IN tie barracks of Co. B. Its fourt
meeting, ! believe. comes off tonight Th
question for discussion this evening is, ar
''.'ec' tha. the press is mightier in its inf
'"ce 'oF good than the clergy That di
'1sSe" at The last meeting was, "Resolve
mat slavery is the elementar, cause of Il
present rebeuio!..'
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-02-28
srlttttd Poetry.
THE HEARTS CONFESSIONAL.

,.,>, together underneath the trees,
Ia, dropped their shadows down the grave
,.; when the leaves bowed to the pleasan,
We uoyc ,heir plaintiyc rustling in our talk
l..orc us. stretching downward Der the hill.
Tie. .ultcu wheat waved calmly in the night,
W...c dreams swept DER it peacefully and still.
A! from our lips they plumed themselves tc
a.z.:.
", talked in tones made tender by the sight
%: the palc moonlight sleeping on the earth,
~ typc> and plans luSt struggling into light
e. which our actual life had given birth
". n.hcI of eycryday'S most quiet hours,
Il a IA. they Tilted from our grasp away-
Il ~ quietly we ,a, among the flowers
Aaa accded not the passing of the day.
A.. then pause slipped in amongst our words,
Ala. then We said, "Ilow sweet the sounds to
u.IAt.
i..r melody dropped off the wings Of birds.
A, ,.cy hy upward to the fields Of light
IS, sd, How calm the blessed moonlight lies
Upon 'hc white waves Of the distant lake
l.! vs. sill, the stars o'erlook US with sad eyes,
i, patiently they watch the evening break"
A.. 10, silence came with measured steps,
Aat >at between US with is soothing ways
W..r thought Of love grew large upon our lips,
IaJugh still they struggled for conventional
phrase,
Wen, Ike u rivers swift resistlcss course,
''' low" l"rpcd into words that from, his hear
lam, pouring on each other with such force
.ac tone, Jared through them like soun'
apart.
Al as on eager blossoms falls the dew
; fell his love on me-with passionate will
Kopljug the whole length of my nature through
Leaving no current undisturbcd and still.
u. blessed memory Of that sweet light,
When We, beneath the watchful, rustiing trees
brow from the wine Of love its ruby light,
ind drained the chalicc Of is bitter lees
O.. quiet hills and lake that silent lay.
G,.ard we'll the memory that leave TO you,
For o c7 is crave the dead leaves fall away,
Wilhcrcd for want Of light and dew
o., !caf-lppcd trees through which the shadow
shift,
Murau1 again those words so sweet to hear,
That may gather where lifeS waters drift,
Over the sands, one jewel bright and clear.
LOutSriHe JOurl0l
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-02-28
Wednesday, 10Th.

About seven companies of our regiment
including the battery company, were sworn
into the |. S. service yesterday. The bal
ance are to be sworn in to-day. It's expect
ed that the paying off process will commence
immediately thereafter. The camp report
now is, know not on what authority, that
we are to leave camp this week on Saturday.
| think it rather improbable, however. Large
bodies are proverbia!ly SLOW, and business
cannot always be done in trice.
Nothing more of especial interest occurs
to me now, and as am not yet practiced in
manufacturing beforehand. by way of proph-
ecy or invention, | subscribe myself
Yours truly, A. We.
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-02-28


When the Fire Zouaves first wen, picke--
ing in Virginia, last summer, they used 10 re-
ceire a great deal Of attention from the rebel
lOus citizens in the vicinity of their outpos,s,
especially after nightfall. Lurking around
the neighborhood in the daytime, the would
be assassin was accustomed to get the spot
where the picket could be found after dark
pretty well located in his mind, and so creep
up to him, rife or knife in hand, to dispatch
him. On one occasion, a Zouave, who was
picketing on the Centerville road, suspect
ing that this sort of game was to be tried on
him that night, secreted himself short dis
lance from the spot his comrades had occu-
pied during the day. As he expected, his
adversary, failing TO find him at The usual
spot, commenced to 'feel him uut," by throw
ing stones in various directions, wherever
he presumed the picket to be- Having been
Concluded On Fourth Page
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-02-28
From the n. y. Post.
LIFE IN THE ARMY.
Scenes at the OutpG>ts.
PICkETING AND ITS DUTIES.


10 shoot your enemy or to be shot by
him is only choice YOU have in picketins," !"
said sergeant one night to picket he was
posting. "Here you are, here, and there are
the rebels, there. If you get a crack at them
first, all right; but if they get shot at you
first then look out for thunder" The ambigu-
Gus declaration of consequences aside, the
remark of the sergeant reveals the whole phi
losophy Of picketing. To avoid being shot
Or surprised, and, perhaps, to shoot or sur
prise his reLellious neighbor opposite, is the
basis of all the pickets cunning stratagems,
sly watchings, crafty sneakings, and other
manHuvres. His entire service is rendered
under the stern law of meum rs. tuum, with
his life at stake.
THE LINE OF OCTPOSTS.
The principles of picketing are the same
throughout our entire army, SO that the prac'
tice which obtains in Virginia and Missouri
holds good in Tennessee and South Carolina
As in a forward movement into the enemy
country, the commander throws out a body
of skirmishers in advance of his main force
so in permanent encampment does he throw
out line of pickets, posting them: singly ol
in groups, Immediately in front of the foe, t
watch his movements, or at least SO far il
Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-03-26

1859, then being thirty-six years old. His
nrst great achievement after his arrival, was
the building of the United States steam frigate
princeton, the first vessel that steam was ever
introduced into with the works below the
water line. She proved complete success.
ABOUT the same time he planned the French
irigate Pomone, fifty guns, which is at present
IN our waters; she also proving great success.
captain Ericsson after the completion of these
vessels, gave his whole time to his fayorite
work, the completion of the caloric engine,
which he has since brought to great perfection
though on small scale. His next undertak-
ing was the planning and invention of the
steamer Ericsson, which is familiar to all our
readers. He did the whole work from the
time her keel was laid to the nome mt that her
paddles were first turned, in the brief space of
seven months. Although not answering all
that was commercially expected of her, she
was an entire mechanical success, speaking
more than words of the great genius of the in
ventor, and marine structure she has
never been equalled much less surpassed.
The name of Captain Ericsson has been COM
paratively unheard of for some time past, un-
til the commencement of another new idea of
his, as illustrated so satisfactorily in the new
noble steam battery Monitor. He signed the
contract for her construction on the 5th day
OF last October, and on the 3lst of December
being period of two months and eight days
her steam machinery and propeller were put
into operation, and on the one hundreth aud
first working day, she was launched. This is
a celebrity which has never been equalled In
this country in England.
Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-03-26
THE MAN OF STEEL

In days when old Democracy
Ruled in place of powers tnat 0e'
Tbere lived a Minister OF war
Wbose fame as been recorded Tar
A man <f stc1I, q hero great
A for Mt home, q knave in Stats,
With ready hand TO operate,
And much from little to create,
And cunning to conceal.
A man with weighty cares annoyd
Was that great schemer, John B. Floyd,
He hngered light at the public purse
And then went on from bad 10 worse
Stole U. 5. arms and many a keel
Robbed the mints ofthe Comm monweal
Robbed all with whom he had to deal,
And when he had no more to steal,
He stole himself away
Then straight to Dixie's Land he went.
With wrathful mood and soul intent,
To bear Secessia's battle brunt-
Tn invader = onset to confront.
But war he found to be no sport
When death around him held its court,
And cannon belched their loud repor.
That Donelson was not his forte,
And 50 he stole away.
Whittier has fed the gallant ~ Floyd
Is he by richer spoils decoyed,
Or would he prove his instinct true,
And cheat the hangman of his due
ferchance he thinks. as well he may,
Iperserting thus the minstrel lay,)
That he who steals himself away
May live TO steal another day,
And thus his hand improve
Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-03-26

PURSUIT OF A TRAIN OF CARs.-In one OF
the published accounts of the results of Com
Dupont's secret expedition to the Florida
coast, the following particulars of an exciting
chase occurs As the fleet approached the
fort, train Of cars were seen leaving Fernan.
dina, and as the track runs some miles along
the shore of the sound, Com. Dupont sent one
OF the gunboats in pursuit of it. An exciting
race took place. The steamer threH shells
at the flying train. and some of them falling in
such close proximity that some of the fleeing
rebels jumped from it and took to the bushes.
Among the latter is said to have been the late
Senator Yulee, of Florida, accompanied by
his servant. The train, of course, ou trun the
gunboat and escaped.
Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-03-26

BAD PLACE TO PUr MoNEY.-Thc Easton
Express says that few days ago rich farmer
of Mount Bethel, had nine hundred in notes
that he did not know exactly where to place
for safety, but at last concluded to put it in a
stove in,his house that was very seldom if ever
used. A short time after he had deposited It
there, one of the females of the house made
fire in this same stove. while the old man was
absent. when the money was burned up, the
girl not being aware of its having been hidden
there, and in very few minutes the old man IS
nine hundred dollars were in ashes. This is
said to be fact. The name of the farmer
was given to us. He will probably never put
money in a stove again for safe keeping.
Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-03-26

REBEL 1NTERMESTs.--A special correspon-
dent, writing from Manassas, says: sOne
visitor made thorough examination of head
boards which uniformly mark the graves of
the numerous rebel soldiers who died in camp
Our Government is now for the first time adj
vertising for headboards. Each slab at Ma
nassas andCentrevile tells the name of the de-
ceased, his State, his regiment, and tie day
of his death. But six States were represent
ed in these extensive cemeteries. The highest
numbered regiment from Virginia the for
ty-seventh. The highest from Georgia, which
came next was the twenty-sIxth. The other
Gulf and Atlantic states appeared to have no
regiment numbering above twenty. The
Western and South Western States, except
Mississippi, were not represented. On the
whole, according to the data of these grave
yards, there were at no time one hundred and
eighty regiments at Manassas and Centrev ile."