davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Litchfield enquirer., 1864-12-08

l" He showed me his limbs. They were not larger toward the ankle than mans thumb. It was touching as we'll as amusing to the by standers to hear their remarks as they came of the boat. One man when he reached the wharf, coming from the gangway, jumping up and stamping with his feet, uttered the excla- nation, and as though it came from his very soul, God bless the piece of land that I'm now on.' Another Thank God I'm in his country once more,' Others would utter like exclamations of joy and gratitude, such as 'Oh, what blessed hour is this r Hurrah for the Union, Pm once more in it!' Fourteen months in Dixie, but never a uay more!' An irishman, as he walked of said, Sure this is the happiest day since iver came to Ameri- ky"
Litchfield enquirer., 1864-12-08

Considerable excitement and consternation were caused in New York city, on Sunday among natives of the Southern States now resident there, and others supposed to have some knowledge of the recent extensive incen. diary plot, by the arrest at the principal hotels under orders from General Dix, of some si xty of their number. They were all marched to headquarters, and required to give an account of themselves. Some, after an examination were released, but the majority were detained and it is expected that they will be sent to Fort Lafayette.
 Another official order has been issued from the War Department. in reference to the orga- nizatlon of the veteran First Army Corps, to be commanded by Major General Hancock Men wishing to enlist in the corps, can do so, by making application to the provost marshal of the district in which they reside, when, if they successfully pass examination, they will be fur nished with transportation to Washington Recruits will be credited on the military quo tas of the districts in which they have their homes.
 Rebel newspapers say that the Union forces have evacuated Cumberland Gap, East Tennes- see, and withdrawn to Knoxville that an or der has been issued by General Sherman for the devastation and abandonment of East Ten neesee, and that the citizens of Knoxville have remonstrated with him against it, but without effect.
 Mir. Ould, rebel Exchange Commissioner has issued an order, declaring exchanged all rebel soldiers delivered by the Union authori- ties at any place within the rebel lines, prior to the 25th ult. All the men captured at Vicks- burg who reported at any parole camp prior to the lst alt.. are also declared to be duly ex- changed.
 So fearful is the panic in Georgia, and so sorely are the rebels pressed to make show against the advancing columns, that the Gov ernor has pardened the convicts in the State penitentiary. armed them, and put them in the military service.
 A rebel private writes to the Richmond Dis patch from in front of General Buffers lines, complaining that he has received no pay for nine months. is really in need of clothes, and has to sleep on the cold ground at night with out any blanket, and that his comrades are in the same condition.
 The accounts of the Metropolitan Fair have finally been closed, and the balance sheet struck. The net results of the fair have been enc mil lion, one hundred and eighty thousand and ninety-one dollars anG twentY-seven cents ($l,. 1SO,91.27.)
 Nearly nineteen hundred men were recruited in Connecticut during the month of November Probably not one half of them will ever be of any service to to the army.
 Hon. James Speed of Kentucky, has been rendered the office of Attorney General.
 It is estimated that the receipts during the present year from the internal revenue, will exceed two hundred and sixty-Ave milllons of dollars.
 There are now forty-four sick and wounded Connecticut soldiers at hospitals at Winches- ter, Ta.. fsom shesidan's army.
Litchfield enquirer., 1864-12-08
GENERAL HEADQUARTERS, STATE OF CONNECTICUT.
 ADJuTANT GENERALS OrSrcn. Hartford, Nov. II, 1864.

,,,, {. Hartford, Nov. II, 1864.
 Notice is hereby given to all persons inter- ested that the record of service of Q deceased Connecticut Volunteer will be furni-hed the pc rson applying for the same, or if desir d by the widow or near relative will. together with the evidehce necessary to procure back pay, bounty and pension due. be forwarded from this office direct to the proper office at Washington, and if the application be approved, the amount received paid over to the persoh or. persons entitled by law to receive 1t, without dkduetjoti or charge for service.
 All the aid practicable will also be given to discharged Connecticut VolgAteers who desire to apply for back pay or Invalid pension. ! By order of the War Department, the wive( of soldiers who are prisoners of war. may draw portion of the soldiers monthly bay, during their imprisonment. The proper certificate of settice and capture will be given upon appli: cation to this office, and if desired. forwarded to the proper Paymaster with application for payment.
 Persons making application by mail. will ad- dress Capt Redfeld Duryee, Asst. Adiutang General, stating clearly what they dssirE. whether bounty and back pay, or pen SionS.' and for what person.
 By order of the C6ihmaudetlhCkief, 31t3 HORACE J. MORSE, Adj. Geii:
Litchfield enquirer., 1864-12-08

sT Yesterday was the day appointed by law, for the Electoral Colleges to meet at tile Capitals of their respective Staiea and. cast their votes for President ard Vice President of the Uuited States, for lour years from il.e 4th of March next, he votes thus Cast. will be carried to Washington by special messen- gers, aud formally counted by Congress dur ing the second week in February, and the re- suit announced by Vice President HamliD. It is safe to Say that ABRAHAM LINCOLN and AN DREW JOHNSON will be then declared duly and legally chosen President and Vice President, for the term above mentioned.
Litchfield enquirer., 1864-12-08
OUR RETURNED PRlsoNERs.-A letter from Annapolis, in the Philadelphia Inquirer, says:

OUR RETURNED PRlsoNERs.-A letter from Annapolis, in the Philadelphia Inquirer, says:
 "Frem twenty-eight hundred to three thou sand of our men imprisoned in Georgia have already beeen brought here The steamers Blackstone, the Atlantic. Livingston. the Wey- bossett and the Sedgwick have all arrived, loaded with those blessing God for deliver ance from rebel inhumanity. majority of the men look compat atiyely we'll, but nearly all have the scurvy. Their appearance is no evidence of their real condition. Many of them are mere wrecks of hale. hearty men, and, no doubt. will soon sink away. One man whom saw when he came into the ward. looking as though he would soon be about as well as ever, yesterday at noon sat up and eat his dinner; was lively and chatted about the bogus Confederacy, but at five o'clock in the afternoon he was carried out corpse.
 One poor fellow, who was as full of life as though he had just come into the possession of gold mine, had suffered long from the scurvy. He was 30 happy to be once more among friends that, as he expressed it while he eat on the wharf waiting to he removed, I think my mind has all left me, for now have a strange fancy that I'm in Gods country, and yet I'm 10th to believe it. asked him what kind of country he had come from or had been in. He replied, sAh, and be sure, my friend. if the devil reigns anywhere or owns foot of sile in Gods world, it's in the Con- fsdsraoy, It'a surely 0sd torsafsn tsssito- IT. s.
Litchfield enquirer., 1864-12-08

pJ The Southern villains, who endeavored to set fire to the New York hotels, on the 25th. ult., ct bat little comfort from their fellow rebels at home. Had their success been diff ferent their reward might have been greater.- The Richmond Erami,aer of Saturday last dis. courses thus: "We are glad to see all South ern refugees register themselves. If General Dix will hang them, he will do service to our cadse. A set of cowardly sneaks who deserted their country, are not above burning hotels We hope Gen. Dix will hang every mother son of them.h
Litchfield enquirer., 1864-12-08
Gefal a,,o Gountp NeDs.

There has been, for the one hundred and forty-two years last past, burial place for the dead in this aheient and goodly town of Litch6eld. It lies about one mile southwest of the village, and more than threeseore years ago. as the writer we'll remembers, it was called, by way of distinction, or because of it's antiquity, the :. Old Burying Ground" It WAS even than supposed to bs about julI- Still. two generations of the living. whose an cestors had been there buried. have tried, af- turbing the bones and ashes of the long since departed, to lind room, or te make it, for con- tinued interments down to the present time.- We are however glad to know that the Select men of the town have recently purchased field containing three acres, adjacent to the old cemetery, and most desirable ond suita- ble spot, capable of being made beautiful to almost any extent. for .:he purpose of burial We understand that this new ground has al ready been fenced and graded, and is now laid out by survey in marked and humbered lots of proper sizes. aid that town meeting will be called at an early day, for deciding upon the manner, either by assessment or sale, or by some other equitable mode, by which the lots thay becone the property of those who may wish to obtain suitable place for the burial of their dead
 The work thus far seems to lave been well planhsd, and it now remains for that portion of our citizens who are personally interested in the matter, or may be hereafter, to attend at the time of distribution, and allotment of the fields.
 MT. B. P. Cheney of this town, has been appointed by the Electoral college of this State messenger to carry the official result of the Presidential vote te Washington.
 A sad accident occurred on Tuesday in the tool shop of Messrs. Seeley & Holmes, Milton Society grindstone over which Mir. Holmes was at work, burst, and one of the pieces struck him in the head, stunning him and intlicting severe but not fatal injuries. We have learned no further particulars.
 SUPERIOR COURT The Court has been occu pied during the week with the trial of Court Cases. The case of Moulthrop ps Morgan, action of trover for COW and heifer, decided for defendant to recover his costs. Chitten- den for Prff. Graves for Delft. In the divorce case of Benedict Us. Benedict reported in our last, decree re-opened and alimony reduced from $500 to $20o. Graves for respondent. A number of other cases have been tried, but not yet decided.
Litchfield enquirer., 1864-12-08

General Butler issued the following order, Nov. 23th:
 David B. White ,ltae Major of the 8lst New York Volunteers. who has left the service, cannot be eectd as sutler in this department Field officers leaving the service voluntarily, cannot take the place of boot blacks here If they have no more respect for the service which they have left they will find that officers here have. David B. White will at once leave the department.
 By command of
 Major-General BUTLER.
Litchfield enquirer., 1864-12-08

SALISBURY. At town meeting, holden on the 26th ult., it was resolved to appropriate $13,8OO to procure soldiers in case another call for men by the Government is made. It is said that this runs up the war debt of this town to over $40, ,000.
 The wrought iron cannon made by Mir. Ames at Falls Village, after having been fired 700 times to test its strength with such i'm mense charges of powder and balls and shells, that Gen. Gilmore, it is said, stated that it was the most severe test any gun was ever subject to. without exploding, is to be tested still further. It is said the Government agents have purchased the gun for the purpose of exp erimenting upon. They intend first to bore out and enlarge the calibre; this. of course, will tend greatly weaken the gun, and also to admit still greater charges. Should it then stand the tests which they design to apply, they think of dissecting the animal by cutting the entire gun into thin slices. by means of powerful machinery which is estimated to cost 5 .O,000- these slices to be closely examined with magni6er for the purpose of finding whether there are any unveiled spots or flaws in the construction D of the gun, and also to find if the severe tests which have been applied, have caused any slight cracks or even separa- ton of the particles of iron which might not be visible on the outer or inn surface. Mir. Ames has completed some 10 or l2 other guns like the one above alluded 10. which arsto be tested this week near his foundry. Ttis said that the Gov ernment has contracted for them. andthat they are to beput to immediateus use. Jeff Davis will then probably have something he won'tlike. !
 The iron of which these cannon are made is the pure sSalisbury Iron,'' and was smelted from the ore of Messrs. Landon Botsferd & Co. at their snelting furnace at Chapinpille in this tOHa and fs~hatis known among irsn dsalsrs. &e-, as "oold bla charcoal iron,'' ~ssa raa
Litchfield enquirer., 1864-12-08
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

F The President communicated his annual Messa ge to Congress on Tuesday. We re- ceise it too late for publication this week, but give the following brief abstract of its more important poirts. and shall publish it in full in our next issue.
 This message is plain. straight forward business document, like all those which emab- ate from the present executive. It is mainly taken up with comprehensive review of our domestic affairs, which are shown to be in a healthy .and satisfactory condition, notwith- standing the bea " drain upon our resources both of men and means. The undiminished strength of the country in respect to adult males. the ftst necessity in war, is forcibly shown in the returns of the recent election, which exhibit, total of 5000 more votes than were thrown in 1860, without including the 90,O00 soldiers who could not vote, or the largely augmented population in the Ter ritories.
 The public debt on the lst of July last, amounted to $l,740,690, ,4s9 49. Should the war continue another year, this amount may be increased not far from i've hundred millions. It is recommended that Congress provide that limited amount of some future issue of pub lie securities, may be held by the bona'6de pur. chases free from taxation or seizure by iebt A further increase of taxation is also recom- mended; to maintain our national credit.
 The abolishment of Slavery by constitution al amendment is again recommended to the present Congress. If it fails to do so, it is on. ly an act postponed, as it is certain to be done By tie Congress As slavery lis to go at all events, may We not agree that the sooner the better !"
 With regard to the "peace question:" the President stands by his past record, which the people have triumphantly endorsed. While he declines to negotiate with the leader of the in. surgents, who has distinctly avowed he will ac. cept of nothing short of complete recognition of the Southern Confederacy and the disn,em. bermeut of the Union, yet the door is still open to his misguided followers, "who can at any moment have peace, simply by laying down fieir arms, and submitting to the national au- thority under the Constitution"
 In conclusion, the President says :-
 GIn presenting the abandonment of armed resistance to the national authority on the part of the insurgents, as the only indispensable con dition to ending the war on the part of the Govetnment, retract nothing heretofore said as to slavery. repeat the declaration made a year ago, and that while remain in my pre-. sent position, shall not attempt to retract or modify the Emancipation Proclamation. No, shall return to Slavery any person who is free by the terms of that proclamation, or by any of the acts of Congress.
 1.-the people should, by whatever mode of means, make it an. Executive duty to reenslave such persons another, and not 1, must be thei instrument to perform it.
 In stating single condition fpeace, I meal simply to say that the war will cease on tht part of the Government whenever it shall have ceased on the part of those who began it"
Litchfield enquirer., 1864-12-08
THE WAR NEWS.

We are still dependent upon the rebel papers for our news from Sherman's army, but by their reports we shall have to wait but short time longer before we hear news direct from the gallant General at his new base on the At lantic. The last news reports him within forty miles of Savannah, on the 30th ult., and it is generally admitted now that he must reach the coast without serious opposition. The rebel boasts of annihilating Sherman" have mostly subsided into growls about what might have been done, and review not at all cheerful or satisfactory, of the situation" It is also ad- mitted by the rebels that Gen. Foster has been makina.a cooperative movement from Port Royal, up the Broad river, and is reported to have captured and held the Pocotaligo bridge. If Savannah or Beaufort is Sherman's objec- tion point, he is thus, doubtless. ere this, in communication with Gen. Foster.
 Taking it for granted, then, that Sherman ac- eonplishes the rest of his magnificent march successfully, while it demonstrates the truth of Gen. Grants statement that the Confederacy is mere shell, (since that an army of forty or hfty fhodsand men can march unobstructed through an enemy's country shows how meagre the boasted strength of the "Confederacy," !" outside of its main atmies). we may be assured that his march is productive of vastly more important results than the burning of towns and devastating the snemy's country. Having gained-a new base on the Georgia coast, his >next move undoubtedly will be northward, and while he threatens the whole of North Carolina, Ais final march will be toward Virginia and the rear of Lee. Gut off thus from re-inforcements, and surrounded on all sides, the rebe. General will be forced to fight his last fight against overwhelming odds. and thsiast army of the "Oonfederacy" will De efdshed between the two milLstones that alreads hang about it's neck, GRANT and SHERMAN.
 h this view we make little or no account of the rebel movement in East Tennessee, because we believe the rebel Gen. Hood to be held snf acielt'y in check by Gen. Thomas, and because the latest news ve have from that quarter shows that the rebels have been forced . abandon their attempts to hold the line .f tha East ,Tennessee and Virginia railroad. With Gen. 6hsrmans suecass. therefore, Lees army sssnstO be practically isolate,l and cut of from ssisfsfeensnts, ADl the complete sahjssatiea
Litchfield enquirer., 1864-12-08
GENERAL HEADQUARTERS STATE OI CONNECTICUT.
ADJUTANT GEN sRAL's OFFICE, | HARTFORD, Nov. 2Sd, 1864. [


 Circular No. Fl
 Selectmen, civil and military oficsfs. towx committees, patriotic and influential eitixsns and persons liable to be drafted into the milita, ry service of the United States are hereby i'm vited to appear before the Boards of Enroll ment in the several Congressional Districts to examine the rolls and suggest such corrections as will secure an equitable assignment of quo tas to the several sub-districts under any call for troops, which may be made by tke PreNi- dent.
 It is the duty of the Boards of Enrolment t0 have copies of the lists open to public examinh- tiOn, to revise and correct the same, and to make frequent returns to the War Departments. The quota assigned to each sub-district will be passed upon the returns made next previous to the assignment and in proportion to the nun' Der of men enrolled. An assignment may be made simultaneously with call for men. hsncS the necessity of making immediate c6frections. It is for the interest of the residentS Of 6aek sub district to have stricken from the Et alt names improperly enrolled, because afk excess of names incfeasss the quota called for from such sub-district. It is for the interest of ev. cry enrolled man to have placed upon the list the names of all persons liable t6 military duty. because the greater the number to be drawn from the less the chance that any particular person will be drafted.
 The Boards are authorized to erase the nanies of persons who hsve enlisted into the military or naval service, or who have served two years during the present war and been honorably discharged, ulse, of those who are not liable tS duty on account of alienage, non residence, average, or permanent physical disability They are required to add to the enIollment al- ready made the na ies ot those who have ar rived at the age of twenty years, Of those who have taken up thtir residence in the sub-dis.' trct, of all who have been in the military, or naval service les than two yenrs during the present war, and all foreigners who have re- gently been made electors or declared their intention to become citizens. This duty If correcting the enrollment is urged in order to' secure, in the event of another call for troopa, a just share of service from men legally liable,' and to relieve any town from furnishing more than its equitable proportion of men.
 By order of tho Com Chief,
 HORACE J. MORSE,
 s3st. Adjutant General.
Litchfield enquirer., 1864-12-08

BETHLEHEM. Mr. Editor For the first time sicce the war began, we have been called to follow to the grave the remains of de
 ceased soldier, a native of this town. Lewis Ludington, the only son of MT. Frederick Ludington, entered the service of the United States last January, as volunteer, and joined the 2d Conn. Heavy Artillery. He was with the regiment in the battle o. Spottsylvania, and Cold Harbor, where Col. Kellogg and some seventy others of this regiment fell, fighting for their country. The regiment was afterwards transferred to Sheridan's army
 and the last battle in which he was engaged was on the 18th of September last, near Win chester. It is said by comrade that in this fight, he fired his musket about fifty times. when the piece became too hot to hold in his hand, and he threw it away and took up another. He passed through all these hard fought battles unhurt, except slight bruisc on the shoulder from a fragment of broken shell, from which he soon recovered. But from over exertion on the 18th, he was soon pros trated with typhoid fever, of which he died in hospital, at Baltimore, Oct 20tb, aged thirty three years. His remains arrived in town, last Friday, and the funeral services were held at the Congregational Church, on Sab
 bath afternoon. The coffin was placed near the pulpit, and draped in the folds of the Uni ted States flag A very interesting discourse was delivered by our pastor, Rev. Mir. Wright, from John 18th, part of the 56th verse" If my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight" The most prominent thought of the sermon was, that fighting in defense of good civil government is Chris tian duty and in accordance with the teach ings of the New Testament, inferring the great guilt of those who opposed, or refused to cooperate with the Government in putting down this great and most wicked rebellion The choir sung with marked effect the hymn "God speed the right" when the remains were removed to their last resting place in our o.d buryipg ground. The deceased leaves a widow and two children. B.
Litchfield enquirer., 1864-12-08

s9- We learn that the Boston, Hartford & Erie Railroad Comrahy have leased the New York and Boston Air Line Road, and that a meeting of the Stockholders of the two Corpo- ration is to be held next week to conclude the contract. This will ensure the building of the B., H. & Erie through to Fishkil. It is now probable that the upper route through New Milford will be the one built, as it has been found by recent surveys to be much shorter and less expensive. If this route is adopted We suppose that an application will be made to the next Legislature for charter to extend the Danbury & Norwalk Railroad to New NJ il- ford. With the Danbury & Norwalk road ex- tended to New Milford, passengers from that section of Litch6ed County could during the whole year leave home at seasonable hour in the morning, have nearly al their business DOT tion of the day-in New York, and be home again the same evening.
 Norwalk Gazette
 Where's our correspondent |" Pomperaug 2"