davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Abingdon Virginian. [volume] (Abingdon [Va.]) 1849-1883, 1863-02-20

can. shall endeavor to speedily stop the ex-
tortion and speculation that has almost ruin
ed the poor class Of our Southern people, that
has been struggling hard in the battlefield for
nearly two years, for our liberty and indie
pendence, / for one feel the weight Of the al
most damnahle crime. IF there ever was .
time that men should feel his brothers care,
it is certainly now. know, gentlemen, that
this sentiment is calculated to render me un-
popular with the extortioner, and if it does,
it will have to 60 for what it will bring. Z
am aware that every man who is q true friend
to his country, will agree with me- shall
endeayor to put down every thing to price
that will be in the reach Of the poor widowed
women and orphans, whose husbands and
brothers bones now lie bleaching on the bat
tlefeld. There are many such in the coun-
try, and starvation now stands at the thresh-
hold. shall endeavor to reduce not only the
farmer, but mechanics Of all kind, the mer-
chant, &c, every thing that is to eat and
wear. / need not say that / am friend to
the soldier, fce / am soldier myself.
If am the choice Of the people for their
Representative, / will faithfully be at my
post and do every thing in my power to pro-
mote the cause Of the Southern people.
know not at this time who will be my OPP
ponent, or how many there may be. will
ljust say to the people that do not expect to
have an opportunity to canvass the county, as
am in the service Of my country, and fur
loughs can not be given, therefore leave my
cause ip your hands, while / am engaged in
our one common cause Of freedom Ind liberty.
In order to arrest the evil, let each Of the
States pass general laws, allowing certain
per cent. to be charged upon the peace prices
of all the leading articles which enter into
general use and consumption, then add the
same to: the products Of the mechanics, manh-
facturers, and the same to pay off the private
soldier, then add clause Of the law making
| it penal offence for any one to transcend
these prices add another clause to the effect
that all persons transporting goods pr other
articles from one State to another, shall be al
lowed q reasonable profit on prime cost-say
fifty per cent. Let Congress pass a law Of a
like character, thus you will place much the
| larger portion Of the people upon. a footi & Of
equality. This would give the farmer two dol.
lars per bushel for wheat, one dollar per
fbnshel for corn, and every thing else at the
same rates.
| feel well satisfied that there il no consti
tutional difficulties in the way Of such laws
II is not my purpose or wish to array one class
Of people against another, but the truth is
many are growing rich BY the cruel and IN
just and inhdmane war, whilst thousands are
fighting, suffering and growing poorer. Dur
ing the whole time have been in the service
! am happy to say that / have not made the
first speculation. Instead Of taking money
from the soldiers, have give them my owr
money to buy them nourishment at hospitals
With sentiments Of regard,
remain, gentlemen,
Your true friend,
ALEX. R.RUSSELL.
The Abingdon Virginian. [volume] (Abingdon [Va.]) 1849-1883, 1863-02-20
COnscrfrtion,

Maj. Terry's Court, engaged in the work o.
examining, enrolling and exempting cor
scripts, after session Of four days, closed it,
labors in this place on Saturday evening last
In the main, We believe, the decisions Of the
Board we're correct, though errors doubles,
occurred. Some were discharged who should
have been enrolled, and some were enrolled
who should have been discharged. To have
done otherwise was an impossibility under
/. the circumstances. There were, we under.
stand, 800 conscripts enrolled in this county,
but how many Of these will report themselves
is yet to be ascwtained. Il is hoped, howev-
er, that, in this trying crisis, but few will
submit to the degradation Of arrest. As a
general thing, We have better opinion OF
conscripts, than to believe that want Of pa
triotism has kept them out Of tho army, or
will prevent them from reporting promptly to
the enrolling officers. In many instances, the
claims Of home and family are deemed abso-
lutely imperative. Various causes Of do
mestic character may justify some in their
own minds from promptly marching up to du-
ty, but that the great body Of them will re-
port, we have not doubt.
Our own opinion Of the exemption law is
that it is miserable humtug, and fagrantl5
unjust, except, perhaps, in cases Of undoubted
physical disability. Because man is q tam
ner or shoemaker, or blacksmith, or 2
printer, or what not, is no reasop at all that
he should be excused from. military service =
True, we must have leather, shoes, plougbs,
wagons, &C., but the manufacturers Of these
should be detailed for the purpose. As it is,
thousands adopt mechanical yocations, and
certify themselves to be skilled, who know no,
more about the business they assume to fol-
low. than they do Of the vocation Of the man
in the moon. For instance, there are men
now pretending to be shoemakers. . pair Of
shoes from whose hands would present as
much the appearance Of having been made up
on sugar-trough as . last, and tanners who
couldn't tell a dog skin from kip after the
hair was Of. and whose practical knowledge
has never informed him whether the process
Of tanning requires six days, six weeks, Or SIX
years.
tt is necessary, indeed, Indispensable, that
we.should have an adequate number Of me-
chanics at work at their various callings, bat
all Of the proper ages should first be required
to enroll themselves. and then be detailed.
This would not only be just to all parties. but
it would prevent the terrible wave Of extor-
tion that is rolling over our country. drown
ing sensibility, quenching the fires Of HUMANE
ty, and carrying starvation to the hearth
stones Of the poor.
The Abingdon Virginian. [volume] (Abingdon [Va.]) 1849-1883, 1863-02-20

p6r We learn from q member Of General
Marshalps staff, that there was 4 great deal
Of sickness among bis forces while at Jones-
Wills, and that they had suffered severe loss
ii the death Of DR.. Parrish, the able Surgeon
Of the 5th Ky.
Gen Marshall, we understand, 10 now con-
centratiDg his forces near Big Moocasin Gap.
Scott county, and his headquarters are q
HoIston Springs.
The Abingdon Virginian. [volume] (Abingdon [Va.]) 1849-1883, 1863-02-20
The negro Detail.

We understand that the 40 negroes-this
county,s proportion for working. on forti6ca-
tons Id Eastern Virginia. will all leave here
this week. They are, We believe, to meet at
Goodson. Abingdon and Glade Spring. We
presume that some suitable person viii be
chosen at each Of these points to take charge
Of and deliver them to the proper authorities.
The Abingdon Virginian. [volume] (Abingdon [Va.]) 1849-1883, 1863-02-20
Circular.
El5oso- Citizens of Lee eonnty

Having been in tie service Of the Confede-
rate army for about eighteen mopths, and my
health having become delicate, offer myself
asea candidate 70 represents you in tho next
Legislature Of Virginia. !.
H - q. fortunate % to be the choice Of
your sovereignty. I pledge myself, to repre-i
sent ycu honestly and faithfully the best I
The Abingdon Virginian. [volume] (Abingdon [Va.]) 1849-1883, 1863-02-20
TI,e News.

The movements in the Northwest are sig
nifcant Of an early uprising Of the people Of
those and other States to relieve themselves
Of the responsibilities Of the present unholy
war Of the Federal Government against the
South. The South, though, must not antici-
pate an early peace, or cessation Of aggres-
si1e movements on the,part Of the enemy.
One terrible effort win yet be made BY the
Lincoln dynasty, and it therefore becomes the
country to nerve itself to meet the terrible
shock.
The resolutions Of Mr.. May, which we give
in another column, may be the initiative Of q
Congressional movement that may result in
something favorable to an early armistice OF
cessation II hostilities, but we have but little
hope of any thing permanent coming Of it.
The subject Of the Intervention Of France is
still on the tapis, but when it occurs, we'll
have more confidence in It than now.
A Man Shot.
For man to be shot these days, when they
are falling BY hundreds in every direction,
scarcely arrests thought If an instance
such as we are about to record had occurred
in this region two or three years ago, Che
whole country would be in. . blaze Of excite
ment. Some three months ago, man BY the
name Of Robert Barker, in Russell county,
who was reported to have given information
to Confederate soldiers bringing under suspi-
sion certain individuals in his neighborhood,
was caught and sevs1e'y whipped by some IA
men in disguise, who, on releasing him, warn;
ed him TO leave the country in . given time,
OF he would be killed. He failed to leave,
and the rumor is, that he still continued to
give information that certain persons in the
lower end Of Russell were Union men and
bushwhackers. We, of course, know nothing
about the truth or falsity of this. but on
Thursday. the Sd inst, as Mr.. Barker was
passing on or near Copper Ridge, in Russell
county. he vas fred on from ambush BY some
10 or 10 persons. several balls taking effect.
When last heard from he was lying in cri-
teal condition, and can hardly survive his in
juries.
We understand that Mr. Barker knew two
Of the assassins, but refuses to reveal their
names. Why be does 50, is . mystery to u.s.
particularly if he is q true anu innocent man,
and those who attempted to murder him are
Lincoln bnshwhackers. Under these circum-
stances. prudence suggests Difference to future
The Abingdon Virginian. [volume] (Abingdon [Va.]) 1849-1883, 1863-02-20
For, tho virginian.

We the undersignedsolicit Joseph 7. Camp
i belr Esq. of the Town Of Abingdon to be-
come . candidate at the ensuing election in
May next for ! seat in the House Of Delegates
in the General Assembly Of VA--and We
pledge to him our votes and our influence
Thas. E. Dunn, j. G. Scott,
Thos. E. Gardner, Isaac Hocket,
William Roberts, JAS. McNew, Esq,
Jnnas s. Kelly, j. IN. Logan,
J. G. Smyth, Geo. McNew, Senr.
Saml Heron,
The Abingdon Virginian. [volume] (Abingdon [Va.]) 1849-1883, 1863-02-20

nG- Our thanks are due to Col. S. Bassett
French, A. D. G. TO Gov, Letcber. for copy
Of Gov. Letcher's Communication transmit
ting Sundry Documents relative to Freedom
Of Slaves" and
To Col. D. G. Dunn for the .'Governor's
Communication transmitting his Letter to
President Lincoln, and for ''List Of Officers
! Of the Virginia State Line"
The Abingdon Virginian. [volume] (Abingdon [Va.]) 1849-1883, 1863-02-20

,nGr Owners Of slaves that have been i'm
pressed for work on the Notifications at Rich
n,ond. will notice the action Of the Court pub
lished in another column.
The Abingdon Virginian. [volume] (Abingdon [Va.]) 1849-1883, 1863-02-20
To Conscripts.

The attention Of tagging Conscripts is espe-
cially directed to the notice of Messrs. Brans-
com and Clark. These gentlemen mean what
they say, and it is hoped for the credit Of those
citizens who hare been onscribed. they will act
as men and report themselves without delay.
The Abingdon Virginian. [volume] (Abingdon [Va.]) 1849-1883, 1863-02-20

pGr The bridge over the Watauga to sup
ply the place Of the one burnt during the late
Yankee raid into East Tennessee, was com
plcted some twelve days ago. and the one over
the Holston at ZollicofFer is in rapid state Of
forwardness.sIt will Be completed BY the first
Of March It is thought.
Washington telegraph., 1863-12-23

PRopucB.-L-t every one who can be spared
go 10 the army. That is the first great duty.
For those who cannot, the next is to produce.
Our fields, our workshops, and the labors Of
our women, must support the army. The
''plougb, the loom, and the anvil" are all
implements of war and must be piled.
Begin clearing up the fields, repairing the
fences and preparing for as large a crop of
grain as you can possibly put in, by all the
help Of the women and chillren. If We can
eat we are safe. The fighting may be depended
upon. . ...
And, soldiers, remember that every fence
you destroy strikes blow at our national
strength. Every hen roost you rob weakens
She Confederacy. Every and brood SOW
you kill, cuts off our resources of beef and ba-
con. Every mule and horse you unawfully
Impress stops plough in the furrow. Every
outrage is blow at the goose which lays
golden eggs. By the farmer and mechanic
alone can you be supported. Aid and assist
them in their labors and in saving their re-
sources. Let general feeling of patriotism
rise above all selfish considerations of the mo
ment.
For Gods sake let there be no iders or
drones in the Southern hive. Fight or pro-
duce If you do neither, you are Improbable
servants of liberty.
Washington telegraph., 1863-12-23

WE Offer for sale the well known STORE
w HOUSE formerly occupied by Us in this
place, and the DWELLING on same block Of
lots. We also offer for sale FINE TRACT
OF LAND on the waters Of Nine Greek, con-
tanning about 900 acres. some $50 Of which
are in high state Of cultivation. with good
Frame Dwelling and out buildings on same,
all Of which We offer at . bargain for Confed-
crate money.
We also have an excellent tract Of Black
Land, with 80 acres in a high state Of culti-
vation, with excellent new frame buildings
thereon, well watered, &C., which we will rent
on good terms. Apply to
ID. & II. BLOCK.
Washington. Dec 20. 1868. asa
Washington telegraph., 1863-12-23

16H Hon. C. B. Mitchell, our c. S. Senator,
has been in this department for ten days or
more, busilv engaged at headquarters, and is
now at home. 1t may well be supposed that
his object in coming back from Richmond at
this time is no trifing one. He has under
taken 8 very important mission at the request
Of the President-one of great difficulty and
responsibility, and which will enure vastly to
the good Of Arkansas and the department.
The Doctor works with all his heart wherever
he may be called by his highest duty, and al
though we regret his absence from the councils
Of the nation, we can assure the peop.s of the
State that be is performing even better service
IS 1t is.
Washington telegraph., 1863-12-23
S3O REV ARD.

rs TRAYED from the subscriber on the 18th
& inst, Iron Gray Mare. years oid' 10
hands high, and had small cotton rope around
her neck Also, Light Bay Horse, years
old, l5I hands high, star in the forehead, and
branded with HR, joired tcgether-part Oh
the II laving been broke off, makes the brand
look like IR. The above reward will be PAID TOT
the delivery Of said horses TO me at Pralrie
d'Roan, Hampstead CO, Ark ,-
Dec. "A, 1868. 4'-ZW
Washington telegraph., 1863-12-23

LETTER FROM Hon. Il. W. JoHNsos.-We
take the liberty of publishing few extracts
from q private letter of our Senator, Colonel
Johnson addressed TO ourselves. The letter
vas not intended for publication, and contains
the sincere opinions of the writer. 1T is dated
Richmond, Nov. 18th.
n reference to the return of Dr. Mitchell.
he uses this language:
'sThe object is of incalculable value to our
people, and must outweigh 10y far all the ser
vice that he or could render here in the halls
of legislation; and it makes me happy TO see
that he thinks not of himself, but is all life,
spirit and cheerfulness in the cause OF Arkan-
sas' redemption. You will all hail him with
Joy and ought to, as am sue you will, do hun
honor" 4
OF our prospects, he thus writes:
''Of the result final there is no doubt Here.
This session is to be one Of great energy.
Our finances and currency will bc restored
just as that of the enemy is crushed TO the
earth, and whilst their system of volunteering
is dead-their conscription n total failure and
dead, and no system left to fill their armies,
which will lose half its numbers next spring
and summer; and whilst their great political
contest is raging, embittered by commercial
and financial convulsion, and rum reaching
every class; Just thea we will be reaping the
benefit of laws that will draw forth all the idle
population of these old States.
Thus in the next spring, as their warfare
lenguishes and their forces decrease, we will
ba prepared with crowded ranks to press for
ward on them and drive them from our land
and even from the old States of Missouri and
Kentucky, whose population will be electrified
with Joy and rush in arms t. join US. If our
legislation is what expect, and shall advocate
with all my soul, Europe may withhold
her intervention, and we will conquer peace
before next fall Or winter. l am better and
better satisfied of the certainty of the ultimate
triumph Of the South and Southern indepen-
Once."
Washington telegraph., 1863-12-23
NOTICE.
Dec. a, 1863

WILL hire to the highest bidder at the
| q ,urt- House door in the. town Of Washing
Ton, on the first Monday in January nekt. the
slaves, consisting OF Men. Women and Boys,l
I,aI,ngin- To the estate of $. IL. Eggers, de-
oe.sa'i Terns made known on day OF hiring:
NJ T. HOLT, Admir-
December 3. 1855. 4o-2w
Washington telegraph., 1863-12-23

Our CAUsE.-No one gains any additional
credit by professions of sincerity. Therefore
We take the usual risk of being thought candid.
or to speak for effect.
Never at any time haze We felt more as
sured confidence in the success of our cause.
We do not hope for foreign Intervention. We
will succeed without it, and retain the proud
consciousness of freedom from obligations.
Nor do We have any firm assurance of any
great ard decided victories to be acquired ~
our arms, such as will open the way 20 our tri-
umphant advance into the extreme border
States. We conquer by battling their plans OF
subjugation. Every check although defeat
to ourselves in military parlance; is in effect 2
victory, if it cost the enemy largely. Our hold
ing Vicksburg, SO long hurt the enemy terribly.
We will weay them out, and are doing it, The
signs are unmistakable. Delay to them is sal.
vation to us.
We do not see single army they have in the
field superior to ours. Bragg can old his own.
We can here in this department. Lee is doing il
in Virginia. Charleston laughs the siege Il
scorn. Magruder does not fear advance
into Texas with any force they have there
Where is their m ghty power?
They weaken every day. Their draft has
Proven failure. They return again TO the
old system of volunteering. 1t will not do
Their armies will melt away. Their currency
depreciates. Everywhere the decadence ap-
pears by signs that cannot err.
Let us be firm and true. Do all and sacri-
fee every thing. Our star begins to be in Me
ascendant. The morning dawns. Only let Us
be true and all is sure.
Washington telegraph., 1863-12-23
IkDhAED
MARRIED.

On the 9Th inst, BY Rev. y. r. Moore. Miss
Carrie NJ. Peoples, Of Arkaieiphia, 20 Captain
q. s. PolIeys, Z. s A., OF Tyler, Texas.
At the same time and place, by the same
Miss Ernest Peoples to Lieut.. PharfT-, >. A.,
or Marshall, Texas. 80. ---
On the 10th Nov, by Rev. Mr.. Beattie. M iss
Caddo Barkman TO Capt. John MeCabe, q. ). A..
all Of Arkadeiphia. I.,r--7
Washington telegraph., 1863-12-23
Sl5 REWARD

STRAYED, on Sunday, the 18th inst, from
y this place. a large, Light bay HORSE,
about Is hands high, years old, short name.
knot on fore leg. Twenty-Five dollars re-
ward will be paid for the delivery Of said
horse to US in this place.
ID. v. BLOCK.
wosh;p1ton Dec 23 1863 49,.
Washington telegraph., 1863-12-23
OFFICE POST DEPARTMENT,
FuLTox, ARK Dec. 18th, 1866

0N MONDAY the 2Sth December, 1868,
" will sell to the highest bidder lot Of Gov
ernment property, consisting Of the following
articles:
y HORSES, 6 MULES, 6 SADDLES.
Time of sale, II o'clock. Terms-Cash.
W. WARREN JOHNSON,
4s-lw Capt. sud A. Q. NJ, O. s. A.
Washington telegraph., 1863-12-23
1854,
ALMANACS.
NOTICE.

4 Ii persons are hereby otifed not to trade
n for uote of haHd given by me to Mark
Thomas lor the sun Of $40 in Confederate
money, as he has not complied with his con-
tract, and VII not pay the same unless com
peAed by law.
PETER GOSNELL.
December 90, 500. 4s-3w#
Washington telegraph., 1863-12-23

SALE OF GovERSMEST PRoPERTY.-See ad-
vertisement of W. Warren johnson. Capt. and
A. @. NJ. at Fulton. .4
Washington telegraph., 1863-12-23

Fp64 LITTLE ROCk.--By courtesy Of Major
Eyfng Of Gen. Marmaduke's stab, We have the
--fNational Democrat" from Little Rock NJ She
5th inst. II does MT keep well posted in Fed
eral affairs II contains no news from over the
river later than the 18th. What's the matter.
Anything happened over there?
IL Meador and Fishback arc quarelling now.
THE latter introduced into that celebrated club
resolutions proposing an alteration in the State
Fconstituiion, so as TO allow emancipation. Mca-
dor denies the necessity Of the change and says
that slaves are already emancipated by the
proclamation throughout the State. They be-
gin to get waspish.
We see the name Of new fellow in the club.
Mr.. A. +. Dyer. We know nothing about him,
but congratulate the club being able to dis
play new member in their reports. They will
soon have q dozen citizens if they continue.
All the orators were outsiders. The club was
addressed by army men. Col Steele Col. Man
ter, and Gen. kimball. Native talent has all
gone secesh. Where's CAN'T? We thought that
club would have been his glory. lie did ad-
dress il once, without startling effect, and q
friend Of his rot a resolution through. 10 have
Meador publish a portion. Mcador didn't do it,
and the club never mentioned Il any more
r Meador says we take back what We said
about his being a tool Of Gen. Steele. That's
a mistake. We said he might be in earnest,
but he was nevertheless used By Steele as 4
tool to impose on our people the idea that by
submission they could regain their peace and
security in the Union. Steele knows better
jIf Meador does not he Is not only tool but dupe
When we said that Mea1or had always been
Union man and consistent, we had not learned,
Nas we since have, that he once made applica-
ltion for a surgeons commission in the Con-
ffederate army. Of course We will take that
back now: but no doubt his Federal masters
have forgiven the temporary detection, and ~
ecannot hurt him to expose it.
NORTHERN NEws.-We have the Memphis
Bulletin Of the 2Sth ult. aud the Chicago Times
Of The Sd inst. 1t is remarkab lie that neither
Of these papers contains any news Of the army
Of Grant later than the 25th, the last day Of
the battle We know that they met with a
terrible reverse near Ringgold. aud hear Of
still greater misfortunes to their army since
The silence is very encouraging to our hope
of good news from side. Such interesting
items we can find room for will be found IN
another cou We are entirely satisfied
from the despatch hes that Meade has again been
sDundly thrashed by Lee. Tney would not
have retreated across the Rappahannock after
such light fighting as they pretend. II reads
much like the gloss of . defeat
Washington telegraph., 1863-12-23

S for thnsa nreiniicaA
Washington telegraph., 1863-12-23

VALUABLE PROPERTY FOR SALE.-See adver-
tisement of Messr.. D. & V. Block.
Washington telegraph., 1863-12-23
Confederate Money Wanted

Washing ton. Dec %. 1863. 49,.
Washington telegraph., 1863-12-23

I L LLNDhxEpI- !. .l,!'I.,'.:!E