Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-04-09
W o R c E S T E R:


De interesting 10 our IeduclS' Inc iV'ui"S
editorial is devoted to consideration of the
fact that ''the fate OF the confederacy now
trembles in the balance" The editor pre-
sents this as fact that should engage atten-
ton To make it plain he takes survey of
the military situation, and shows that the fed
eral government sis marshaling all its pow
ers for the grand assault He hopes for the
best but fears grave disasters. Speaking OF
Charleston, he says Though the strength
of its defenses has doubtless been eXaggeral-
ed. there can be but little doubt that it is more
strongly fortified than any other place on the
continent" lie suspects that the federal at
tack, after menacing Charleston, will fall sud
denly on Wilmington and 'obtain an easy
victory"
1t appears that Gen. Hill has been censured
for failing to capture Newbern when he at
tackled that place, the other day. The Stand
ard defends him, processes that 'there was no
attempt TO take Newbern," says Gen. Hill
merely marched out after supplies Of corn
and bacon" the rebel troops being very desti-
tute of such supplies, and then discourses on
the subject as follows -
in fact we suppose, strongly fortified as
Newbern is, there will be no attempt to storm
the place. 1t would cost many valuable
lives, and if taken ii is doubtful whether it
could be held and if held it could be of no
essential service, for fort Macon, IN posses
sion OF the enemy, commands the ocean. We
do not wish to see the town destroyed and
as for the miserable contrabands in the place,
bn Of
for all of them. Let them go. We have con-
idence in the judgment and energy of Gen.
Hill"
We have had brief account of the bread
riot set on foot by the women of Richmond.
1t appears that food riots have been prevalent
throughout the south of late. The Standard
gives an account of one that had just taken
place near Raleigh. A company of women,
most of them soldiers wives, ''went to the
store of William WEIGH, at High point, rolled
out several barrels of molasses and divided
it." The Standard remarks on this occur
renee :-"W elch is a great war man, and IA
vors general impressment of supplies by the
army. How does he like the principle OF inn
pressment as applied in his case?" Severa.
accounts of food riots are given. The follow
ing reference is made to one that had occurred
in Georgia: =
''We learn from the Atlanta papers that on
the 10th instant, a number of women of that
place, the wives and daughters of soldiers
one of them armed with revolver, went to a
store and seized some two hundred dollars
worth of bacon, for which theowner asked one
dollar and ten cents per pound. The Con-
+l,sf 6
erty, says it is no worse than the impressment
recently made in that quarter by the govern
ment."
Referring to these riots editorally, the
Standard says "Bread riots have commenced,
and where they will end, God only knows"
A letter is copied from another North Carroll
ma paper, giving an account of a riotous out
break of the women at Salisbury, in that
state, place with which some of our soldiers
have become acquainted. The letter is dated
March 10, and says
''There was mob raised here yesterday,
consisting mostly OF soldiers wives, and led
on by hunger, ! suppose, and hatred against
spectators, armed themselves with hatchets,
and cOngregated at the depot for the purpose
of breaking in, ii necessary, for the purpose
speculator. But the idea struck them that
Mr.. NJ Brown, who has bought more -four
than any one else in the place, and perhaps
has been the means through which flour has
taken such rise III the last few days, had
good deal On.hand, they marched through the
street to his store and demanded TO be let in;
but the door was closed, and they went to work
In good earnest to break it down. Mr.. Brown,
to satisfy them, told them he would give
them ten barrels if they would leave and let
him alone. They finally agreed to it and sent
Tor dray to haul 1t to the market house, for
the purpose of making an equal division of it.
Next IN order, they visited DR.. j. Ii. En-
MSS, who had bought some flour few days
ago for his own use. He asked them in and
gave them three barrels. Next, they said they
must have some molasses, and straightway
they proceeded to Sprague & Bros, and made
their demand known, when Sprague & Bros.
gave them all the molasses they had, which
was little over half a barrel. The mob then
repaired to the market house, when, it being
TOO late to make out the share of the i'm
pressment, they moved it to w. NJ. Bakers,
where theY are now dividing the spoils among
themselves.
''There is nothing else talked of TODAY be-
side the operations OF the mob, nor has there
been since 1t occurred, and nothing short of a
terrible conflict with the Yankees will stop it
Tor several days to come. | do not think that
they proceeded right. The town authorities
or the magistrates Of the county ought to have
taken the $4,000 that were appropriated, and
bought up corn, and flour, and meat, and have
rented house and put it in it, and have hired
some one to sell it at a uniform price-that to
be at cost. II they had bought several months
ago, they could have bought very CHEAP.
Another thing | think ought to be stopped,
and that mmediately-that is, all speculations
in the necessities OF life, and let pers ons who
have things to sell divide and sell to all alike
81 had forgot to state that the mob repair
ed to the depot, when it was closed ON them,
and demanded admittance; the agent refused,
but finally agreed to let three of the women
in, and said if any more got in they would
have to walk over him, when large, stalwart
woman made at him with Ratchet. He
backed, and they rolled out ten barrels of
flour that was bought by man in Charlotte,
and had it hauled up. They met Thos. l. Eos
ter on the street, and said they wanted some
salt. As he had several sacks sent him on
consignment, he gave them one sack and
twenty dollars in money. They next in turn
got after David Well when he got off by buy
ing sack Of salt for them. So ended the
nrst woman mob it has been your correspond
ems luck to witness, and God forbid that |
snouiu ever nave to report similar proceed
ing in Salisbury"
1t is admitted that the lack of provisions
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