Maryland free press., 1863-02-27
For the "F1'ee Press"
fiisIovaIty and its Reward.


yond the first American Revolution. Hstor-
cal "reminiscences can be adduced as evidence.
Then, as mere "local habitation," it was no.
ted for its rebelliors propensitics; and it would
seem that with the rise and progress OF our
country that propensity has not diminished;
but on the contrary the rcbclious spirit 'hTt
characterized the inhabitants in ''old times,"
seems to have grown with Sts growth, and
strengthened with its strength; orin the pres
ent "affair" the town is nototiously disloya'.
This assertion is easily proved. A glance at
the cold unterrifed" might be 81 Efficient; but
for particulars we will enquire within"
Nearly all the young men capable of car
ing garms are to be found in the 2nd Virginia
Regiment, Rebel Tolunteers The cold folks
at home" are open and avowed, though inactive
rebels; and the women-I never write the word
but thrill penetrates my whole framc-are
uncquivocally rebcllious, and lose no opporA
tunity to exhibit their feelings, They have
contributed no little to their favotite ''cause"
in sundry and divers ways. Early in the ac-
ton they organized formidable Club known
under the euphonious title of the Ladies' Be-
nevolent Soldier-clothes association" and by
their combined efforts furnished considerable
laid and comfort" to Mr.. Davis ragged tater-
demalions. After the great battle of Antie-
tam, Shepherdstown became the receptacle o
nearly all the rebel wotnd,d; every private
house was hospital, and then it was that the
WOMEN displayed their zeal and devotion in
ministering to the wants of the suffering SOL
ders. They were unremitting, untiring, in
their attentions; more SO, by far, than the Cor
federate Surgeons, who duly appreciated their
assistance and rewarded young crinolniy fot
her trouble by excessive gallantry and atten-
ton which should have been bestowed upon
the patients. Indeed, it is said, had it not
lcen for tie women the poor, helpless soldiers,
would have Jared i'll, as the rebc. authorities
here seemed to care little for item.
Besides these facts, speak the truth wien
/ tell you that every baby born within the last
year land there are quite numbor-all boys
-)is Rebel JdJy! Nearly every "mung,
puking infant" in town is jeff. Davis; a
Stonewall, or an Ashby baby, named in honor
of the mothers favorite. This is not only an
active and passive, Lut crying disloyality.
And. their is no help for it, unless Mr.. Lincoln
enacts the part Of the Jewish King and orders
The death of every male chld,-as n military
necessity" Davis once said that, if it
was necessary, lie could carry on the war in
Virginia for twenty years arc these rebellious
motllct's acting on that hint ? II so, Mr.. Lin
coin holds a constitutional right to choke Il c
life out of these precious little ones, as being
'contraband of war;"
All tie Ii tie children are tantal zrg'y dis
loyal: the girls sing secession songs and tn
hoys have innumcrable military companies;
and it is really divirting to witness their sham
battle.
But tle..-:he CT i cns-layc richly mcrited
tile reward of all these "disloyal practices" "
Tie Potomac has been rgidly blockaded III
restrictions imposed on trade have annoyed
and deprived them of many Of the ncccssarics,
and all the accuston cd luxurics of life. The
tJwn has withstood several frigltful, thou. Ii
unauthorized, cannonados: it was once vast
charne!-house of dead and dying Confeds; and
the citizens wercimposcd upon by their friends
the thousands of haf-starvcd stfagclcrs oc
Lees army, who almost rat us out of "housc
and home" This was considered right good
coke" OIL cur women, who were so anxious to
see "our men,"
The consequences Of disloyalty, Ind the cf-
fects of the war arc plainly discernable in the
aspect of local affairs. Once upon time the
cold unterrifed" WIS all life, hustle and busi-
mss. Now every thing is "hat, stale and un-
profitable" In short she is "played out
Before the war six or eight stores were in full
bloom, driving an extensive tradc-all that
remains of that active capital is one establish
nent unworthy the name of a wcll-furnishcd.
''first-class retail country store:'-Instead of
tlourisbing confectionery, and the pride of
the place, where something good" could be
"taken," "Silly" has substitute, and offers
for sale cakes and cider, tobacco and pipes
for Maryland money! Only one apothccary
survives, with ia beggarly account of empty
boxes"
Instead of three Hotels, We now have "na,y '
one, soit is almost moral impossibility to OBJ
tain entertainment for man or beast must re:
mark that there is very little travelling at pres
ent, except by northern men and they generally
carry their commissary and quartcr-master
supplies with them. This noted place con-
tains some five or six church. edifices, and the
citizens are reputed chucrh-going people; but
only in three Of them are services regularly
held. The gospel, which is said to be "prcach-
cd for dollar or two" is dispensed ,ciM at
the other two places of public worship. How
ever, to make up i'll part for this deficiency,
the american citizen of African descent reg
ularly hold nocturnal meetings at their private
residences, where the services are conducted
with more noise and enthusiasm, than the
spirit and the understanding"
I .,..n 4 l,..L