The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1862-01-02
The New Year.

Before the present number shall have
reached the most of our subscribers, new
year will have dawned upon wicked and
wayward world. How fondly do some of the
acts of the past year cling to our memory,
that shall ever, as year by cal is passed,
be held green i'll our memory, as though but
an event of yesterday. Fond associations
have been kindled, perhaps, which, with
but one cruel stroke of the next year, would
be smothcred forever, to the intense sorrow
and affliction of the survivors. During the
old year past, what errors that we formerly
successfully to correct? What evil and
indecent habits that bound us. have we
earnestly striven to rclinquish Happy
are they who can number even one bad
trait erased from their character,-one bar
to the securement of Heavens blessings,
broken down.
When the sun arose on the morn of the
first day in the year 1861, the country pre-.
scntcd happy and prosperous exterior. 1t
is true that some at that time, possessed of
keen susceptibiities, predicted frightful and
strange times, from the threatening appear
ance of certain dark but distant clouds in
the horizon. Yet, like a storm at sea-when
everything looks calm and serene as the
moon, but few short hours suffice to rem
der it comparable to the pitch darkness of
hell. Only four months had elapsed in the
then new year, when the terrible storm broke
upon us. The tiresome boastings of the
Southern Chivalry was replaced by the
Haunting of banners, the bclching of Cannon
and the drawing of swords. Into what
fearful suspense was the nation cast, in the
stormy days of April, when the intelligence
went abroad that the rebels against the
American Government were marching upon
the Capital with force invincibc by any
force that could be congregated there with
in week. Then the aforementioned Bal
timore riot created intense excitement. Then
it was that the nation half arouzed from its
lethargy. The $4,000 volunteers called for
were twice offered in two months. The
march on Alexandria gave decided earnest
appearance to the war-leaving the nation
to mourn brave and patriotic, as well as
talented young officer. After this, the VIC
tories in Western Virginia attracted the
attention of the people likewise the bold
actions Of Capt afterwards GEM Lyon in
Missouri. The great battle of Manassas
was finally fonght, with protestations of un-
intention on the one side, and of necessity
tba 9th 1s.t L.
however, resulting in the greater part of
our forces being seized with panic and
retreating to Washington let the blame
rest on whomsoever it may Then Gen.
Mcclellan was called away from his sue
cesses in Western Virginia, to take charge
of the Army of the Potomac. Everything
it was reported was to be reinstated entire-
ly e.; and it was stated at the time, that, as it
would take some time to get the army about
Washington in complete trim, an advance
need not be expected before the middle of
October. About these tines there arose
great hue and cry against Gen. Fremont,
which ultimately resulted in his being su
perceded just OH the eve of battle which
uofci was louSHt 4nen henJucKy came
wheeling into the ranks of the Union, with
her full quota of men, and resolved to bear
the taxes Of the war. The great victory at
Beaufort clated the whole North, as it was
the rstimportant and decided naval victory
of the war Since then numerous naval
expeditions have been outfitted And thus
we find the dawn of 1862. We are in the
midst of devastating civil war, but we
earnestly hope that The New Year will
smile on our arms so that when delivering
us over into the next new year, we shall be
living together in peace, prosperity and
unison. Welcome, New Year Although
we know not whether you bring more
pleasure or less pain than the one just past,
yet we welcome thee as one who will help
us to become better. Conscious that thou
hast no power in thyself, thou art Gods
gift, and thou wilt be to each and all of us,
just ,ohat our hearts aud our hces shall
make Of thee.
From the 2lst Regiment.
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