davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1864-06-24
Terrible Explosion at the washington Arsenal.

WASHINGTON, Friday, June II. 1864.
A terrible explosion occurred at the Washing
ton Arsenal to-day, few minutes before II O.
clock. 1t seems that some red stars for fireworks
had been made and set out on black pans to dry
They could not stand temperature of more than
two hundred degrees, and under the hot sun soon
reached that. One of the stars ienited, which set
the remainder off, exploding the laboratory The
occupants of the building were all females. Upon
the explosion terrible scene was witnessed In
the yard there were about twelve hundred men
and three hundred women at work, anumber of
whom were burned and bruised ini the endeavor to
get away. The alarm was Immediately given, and
after the fire was extlnguished search for the
bodies was commenced.
Eight females were taken out Ill sad condition
and placed in the hospital
The scene at the yard was of the most heart trend
ing description.
The parents Of many of those at work In the
building and the yard rushed to the scene of the
disaster to make inquiries after the safety of their
children. but the names Of all who have persisted
cannot be assertained until call Of the rol can be
made and those who have been saved are assem-
bled together
Maj. Stebbins, Military Storekseper. was in the
building at the time with several other gentlemen
and states that after the powder on the benches
caught the FIRE spread down rapidly, binding the
girls and setting fire to their clothes. Many OF
eiASui ioii W ehS htuVuNS NIdpp0u Ill uai0eS anu
in this way communicated the FIR. to the dresses
of others. 5.a4
The nineteen dead bodies taken out we're so ter
ribly charredas to be almost beyond Identification.
Three more are mortally injured, and there are ff
teen or twenty severe contusions. Special care
was taken to prevent the fire from reaching the
large magazine, in which several tuns of powder
are constantly kept, for had the fumes reached the
building the loss Of life would have been fearful,
as several hundred persons were in the immediate
vicinity. While the fremen were engaged in pour
ing their streams upon the building in which the
explosion occurred, another explosion took place
in the ruins, but which only resulted in throwing
up into the air some of the burning timbers
Quite number were injured in jumping from
the windows but the majority Of those who esca-
ped in this way Immediately ran off in all direc-
tions which renders it difficult to tell who perished
and who escaped. One young woman has an arm
broken in jumping from the window Three BOYS
are missing, and it is feared they perished in the
building aa
sn s5sEAt sssssss7sF rSs1 q - etsfsf S
4mNess as Nza
Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1864-06-24
The President,s visit to PhiladeIphia.

Presidents Lincoln had very hearty reception in
Philadelphia Thursday, on the occasion of his
visit to the sanitary fair, with Mrs Lincoln The city
was gay with flags, and the president was everywhere
received with enthusiasm as he passed through the
streets He resisted all calls for Speech except at
the dinner in the fair rooms, where he responded
toast in his honor, remarking the suffering caused
by the war; and the benevolent efforts this suffering
had called out: -
1t is pertinent question, when is this war to end
do not wish to name day when it will end lest the
end should not at the given time. We accept
ed this war, and did pot begin it. Deafening APP
plause.1 We accepted it for an object and wheE
that object is accomplished the war viii end; and
hope to God it will never end until that object is ac
complshed. [Great applause. We are going
through with task, so far as concerned, if
it takes three years longer have not been in the
habit of INTERPRETATIONS but ! almost tempted
how to hazard one. | win. It is: that Grant Is
this evening in position, with Meade and Hancock
of Pennsylvania, whence he can never be dislodEed
bv the enemy until Richmond is taken. If shall
discover that Gen. Grant may be greatly facilitated
in the capture Of Richmond by rapidly sending to
him large number of armed men at the briefest
notice, win you go? (Cries of yes Viii you
march with him? (Cries of 'tyes, yes.Y Then 1
shall call upon you when it is necessary. Laughter
and applause, during which the president retired
from the table,.
Gen. Lew Wallace and Edward Everett also made
speeches. The president returned u Washington
on Friday morning.
Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1864-06-24

AN EFFORT TO START NEW PAPER.-An
effort is being made to start new paper in Bedford,
by Mr. David Over The old keqiarer, since it has
passed into the hands of B. E. Mcneil Esq. is 50
much improved in mechanical execution and editO-
rial ability we can see no occasion for another Union
paper in place like Bedford Better have one eff
cent organ than twoliving on half rations The ma
tura tendency will be to create divisions in the par
ty. Copperheads regard the new enterprise with
an approving smile Gettnsburn Star
Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1864-06-24


WASHINGTON, June 18th, 10 O'Clock P. M.
~ Nojor GsAsfaf Dlr, Ees York.
The following dispatch from General Grast, ds-
ted yesterday at Ill O clock A. NJ, at City Point,
has been received at this department
The Ninth Corps this morning carried two
more redoubts forming part Of the defences 9i
Petersburg, capturing 450 prisoners and four
guns.
s0ur successes are being followed up.
Our forces drew out from within fifty yards Of
the entertainments at Cold Harbor, made flank
movement of an average ofabout fifty miles march,
crossing the Chickahominy and James riyirs--the
latter being 1000 feet wide and 81 feet deep at
the point OF crossing-and surprised the enemy i
rear at Petersburg
This was done without the loss of wagon or
piece of artillery, and only about one hundred and
fifty stragglers were picked up by the enemy.
: In covering this move, Warren's Corps and
Wilson's cavalry had frequent skirmishing with
the enemy, and each losing from fifty to sixty kill
ed and wounded, but infiicting an equal if not
greater, lose upon the enemy
|, THE Eighteen Corps fSmith' 81 were transfer
red from White House TO Bermuda Hundred by
water moved cut near to Petersburg on the night
of their arrival, and surprised, rather captur-
ed, the very strong works northeast of Petersburg
before sufficient force could be got in them by the
enemy to hold them.
sHewas Joined, the night following this capture,
by the Second Corps, which in turn captured
more of the enemy's redoubts further south, and
this corps was followed by the Ninth with the re-
suit above stated.
All the troops are now up except two divisions
covering the wagon trains aud they will be up to-
night.
THE enemy, in their endeavors to reinforce Pc
tersburg, abandoned their entertainments in front
of Bermuda Hundred They no doubt expected
troops from the north side of James river to take
their places before they were discovered. Butler
took advantage of this, and moved force at once
upon the railroad and plank road between Rich
mond and Petersburg whichI hope to retain pos
session Of
Too much credit cannot be given to the troops
and their commanders for the energy and forti-
tude displayed theslast five days Day and night
has been all the same, no delays being allowed on
any account
Later unofficial dispatches show that at eight
o clock this morning the enemy still occupied. Pc
tersburg
Major Morton was killed in an assault yester-
day.
EDWIN NJ STANTON,
Secretary of War
Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1864-06-24
EDWIN NJ. STANTON,
Secretary of War.
WAsHINGTox, June 1911 0


To MAJOR General Dir, Neio YorE:
Dispatches from General Sheridan have Just
been received. He reports victory over the enc
my at Trevillian Station; ON the Virginia Central
Railroad. q few miles south of GordonSville where
General Lee, few days ago, reported Rebel
victory.
The enemy $ loss was very heavy They lost
the following named officers iii killed and wound
ed Colonel McAlaster commanding a regiment,
killed; Brigadier General Roaser, commanding a
regiment, wounded Colonel Custer, commanding
a regiment, wounded
IS My loss in killed and wounded will be about
FIVE hundred and seventy five OF this number
four hundred andainety were wounded brought
off in my ambulences three hundred and seventy
seven-al that sould be transported
The remainder were, with number of Rebel
wounded that fell into my hands, left behind -
Surgeons and attendants were detailed, and re-
manned in charge of them.
II captured and have now with me three hun
dred and seventy prisoners of war; including TWEEN
ty commissioned officers My loss in captured will
not exceed one hundred and sixty. They were
principally from the Fifth Michigan Cavalry.
This regiment gallantly charged down the
Gordonsville road, capturing fifteen hundred hor-
ses and about eight hundred men, but were finally
surrounded and had to give them up.
when the enemy broke they hurried between
General Clusters command and Colonel Gregg s
bridge, capturing i've cassions of Pennington S
battery three of which were afterwards recaptur-
ed, leaving in their hands two caissons
A more detailed report will be made hereaf-
ter. EDWIN NJ STANTON,
Secretary Of War
Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1864-06-24
WAR DEPARTMENT, june I9-s,45P P. NJ

w An EEfAhIAENI, uue 1S--S-f L. VI.
To Najor General Dir, Nsp York
This evening dispatch from City Point, dated
at nine o'clock this morning, reached the Depart
ment 1t reports that our forces advanced yes
terday to within about mile in front of Peters
burg, where they found the enemy occupying a
new line of entrenchments, which, after success
i've assaults, we failed to carry but hold and have
entrenched our advanced position. From the for
ces of the enemy within their new line it is in
ferred that Beauregard has been reinforced from
Lees army.
No report has been received by the Department
concerning the casualties Of our army in its ope-
rations since crossing the James river except the
death of Major Morton, mentioned yesterday
General Sherman reports to-day that the enc
my gave way last night in the midst of darkness
and Storm and at daylight our pickets entered his
line from right to left.
The whole army is now in pursuit as far as
Chattahoochee. / start at once for Marietta"
No military intelligence from any other quar-
ters has been received to-day.
f.. NJ STANTON,
Secretary of War
Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1864-06-24

THE proprietors of the Franklin Repository are
going to publish campaign paper entitled The
Old Flag The first number win be issued on the
2lst of July, and be published weekly until after
the Presidential election The Old Flag, we
presume will be edited by Mr.. Mcclure, so well
known as the old editor of the Repository. 1t
viii undoubtedly do goo d service in good cause.
Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1864-06-24

In Sweden, man who is seen four times drunk
is deprived of vote at elections.
If such rule were enforced in this country we
know a certain place where the Democratic vote
would be somewhat reduced
Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1864-06-24

SATURDAY, June Is.
SESATE.-The House resolution continuing for
one year the present contract of the Government
with the Overland Mail Company was adopted after
receiving amendments providing that for eight
months Of the year the trips shall not exceed sixteen
days. and for the other four months twenty days. and
that the compensation shall not exceed the amount
paid for carrying printed matter by water than
$4,000
HoUsE.-The House adopted the Conference Com
rnitees report on the bill increasing the pay of pfi
vate soldiers to sixteen dollars per month and non
commissioned officers in proportion. The joint res
oution for the release of Capt John Ericsson from
certain portions of his contracts with the Government
for iron clad vessels of war was brought up and af
ter long debate, adopted by 65 to 36 votes.
II turns over 70 the Government for completion, at
her present valuation, the iron clad Dictator bus
leaves the Puritan still in the hands ofCapt. Ericsson,
to be finished according to the terms agreed rp0n
with the Government. The bill establishing Navy
Yard, for the construction and repair at New Lon-
don Conn.,, was reported by the Naval Committee,
and its consideration postponed till next session
by a large majority The majority of the Committee
favor League Island in the Delaware River, as the
site of the proposed Navy Yard. The House took
up aud adopted the joint resolution reported by the
Naval Committee authorizing the President to give
notice to the Government of Great Britain that it is
the wish and intention ofthe Government ofthe Uni
ted states to terminates the end of six months, the
treaty arrangements of 1917 relative to naval force
on the lakes. A joint resolution reported from
the Naval Committee for the establishment Of Navy,
lard ON the Western waters after discussing which
for some time, the House adjourned.
--------e- -san-s----------
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1864-12-27

Mr.. A. H. Layard, NJ. p, Under Sc
cretary for Foreign Affairs, made speech
to his constituents on december |. in
the course of which he referred to Anne
ric topics as follows:
He did not believe it possible that any
liberal government would now engage
in foreign intervention or enter into an
other Holy Alliance. But to abstain
altogether from foreign politics was quite
another matter. We could not hold
aloOt from Europe-remaining apart from
all that occurred on the contlnent-re-
iusng to mediate when our mediation
might lead to peace. Ii that was what
was intended by the advocates Of non
Intervention, then it was that interven-
ton would be most dangerous to this
country. We must, however, always
exercise that intervention with caution,
and due consideration for Others as well
as ourselves, He denied
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1864-12-27
THE EXCHANGE Or PRISONERS.

The exchange of prisoners, which has
ceased at Charleston, is to commence in
James river in day or two A letter
from Annapolis, Maryland, says:
Colonel milford leaves in the New
York, on Tuesday next, for Richmond,
gt4 James river, TO settle up his business
with the Confederate authorities and con-
fer with Commissioner Ould as to the
basis of a further exchange. The New
York brings no late news from General
Sherman. Colonel Mulford reports Savan-
nah closely invested, and its occupation
by Sherman simply question of little
time. Sherman dined at Port Royal with
General Foster on Friday last, and made
arrangements with him (Foster) for the
transfer OF a number of siege guns, am
munltion, etc. .n
The truce has existed in Charleston
harbor for fourteen days, during which
time between eleven thousand and twelve
thousand prisoners were exchanged. -
Previous to the truce, Charleston and Fort
Sumter had been steadily bombarded for
live hundred and seventeen days. During
the truce, silence reigned on both sides,
bat the attack is now resumed with yigor
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1864-12-27
MISCELLANEOUS.

The highest legal tribunal of Scotland,
not long since, decided that, according
to the Scotch law of marriage, consent
is the essence Of the contract, and is suf-
ficient to constitute marriage without
any ceremony or publication, or even
without the parties living together; that
if the parties seriously and actually con-
sent to be man and wife, from that time
forth they are man and wife, in Scotland.
Miss Brand, who is called the Miss
Nightingale of New Orleans" has Just
made her appearance in England. She
Is reported to have spent three years in
attendance upon the sick and wounded
Confederate prisoners in that city, and
to have been, at length, expelled BY Gen
eral Candy.
Tom Thumb" and his family have,
at last, gone to Paris. The General bc
came diSgusted on account Of the u5liC
exhibition of n new fat boy little chap
only ten years old, and already neatly
five feet high, and weighing about two
hundred and sixty pounds.
Thacheray is to have bust in West
minister Abbey among the great men OF
England 1t is to be placed close by the
etligy Of Addison.
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1864-12-27
INTERESTING FROM EUROPE.

The European mails give some intelli-
gence OF interest.
DEATH OF Mr.. DAYTON.
A letter from the Yankee consul at
Paris to Mr. Thurlow Weed thus an
nounces the death of Mr.. Dayton:
PARIS, December 6, 1864.
Ny Deor Nr. Weed Our friend, Mr.
Dayton, died about 10 o'clock this morn
ing while visiting at the Louvre Hotel.
He had called upon Mr.. Nanderpool, but
not finding him in, went to the apart
ment Of Mrs. Eckles, (widow of Jud ge
Eckles,) asked for seat, and soon com
planned of feeling dizzy. lie became
alarmed about his symptoms, and begged
her not to leave him. He died there
upon the sofa in a very few minutes. -
His funeral will take place on Tuesday.
This event has spread cloud over US
all. have been 50 occupied with pre-
parations for the funeral that have but
u moment to devote to this letter.
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1864-12-27

copy of the application Of U. S. Grant
for the Office Of county engineer of St
Louis county, which is dated August 15
1859, and is marked rejected"
In the Supreme Court at Cincinnati a
few days ago, in an action brought by a
negro man, named John J. Taylor, against
Charles Lyle and Joseph 4. Sawyer, for
! illegally rejecting his vote at the last
election, the jury returned veroict for
the plaintiff
a competent authority calculates that
between $4,000 and $50, 900 yearly is
expended in New York upon the religious
music Of its churches.
General Butler has changed the SEN
tence u the s0ldier who was to work two
years on the Dutch Gap canal to impr-
sonment for life.
The grade Of vice eadmiral has been
created in the Yankee navy, and Farra-
gut appointed to fill it. His rank, com
pared with the land service, equals that
OF lieutenant general.
Thermometer at Burlington, Vermont
fifteen degrees below zero.
Only five Revolutionary pensioners are
now living
United States Senator Carlile from
West Virginia. does not reside in the
State he pretends to represent.
Mrs. llutchins, recently sentenced to
five years imprisonment in the Fitch
burg (MassachuseIts) House of Correc-
ton for attempting to send a sword to
Major Harry Gilmore, has been released
by order Of Lincoln and arrived in Bal
tmore.
William J. Fish, of the First Connec-
ticut cavalry, late proyost-marshal of
Baltimore, who was sentenced to the
Albany penitcntiary for one year, and to
pay fine of 1000, has also been re
leased
The Potomac is, covered with ice and
the channel is completely closed up, so
that navigation is suspended and boats
do not attempt either to approach or
leave Washington. The ice is, at most
places, between two and half and three
inches thick, Several boats, with troops,
which lett yesterday, are ice bound be
low Gieshorough.
Admiral Porter reports that, within the
last fifteen days, the blockade fleet off
Wilmington captured or destroyed So
900, 600 worth Of the enemy's property
in blockade runners, about twO-thirdA of
which covers captured property.
\ dispatch to Boston paper says that
Colonel Baker, detective, at Washington,
was convicted, III the District supreme
Court, on y ednesday, OF false imprison-
ment i'll the Old Capitol prison, and was
sentenced to three years in the peniten-
tlarE.
The Navy Department yesterday re
celyed intelligence Of the death of Acting
Master Charles Thatcher, Of Maine, com
handing the Gazette, attached to the
Mississippi squadron. He was wounded
by guerrlllas.
The blockade-runner Petrol was driven
ashore by the gunboats at New inlet on
the 10Th; was fired upon, sunk, then
broken up by the gale. Cargo of arms
and ammunition gone.
y dispatch from Washington, under
the heading ef "Mosby killed once
more" says The pleasant intelligence
that the pest Mosby was shot yesterday
near Piedmont and Killed was
brought here to night by soldier.
Gold was quoted in New York on
Friday at .!2l i.
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1864-12-27

A free school for female negroes was
recently opened in Baltimore, in the lee.
tnre-room Of the Bethel Church, Sarato.
ga street, under the auspices OF the
American Missionary Association. As "a
mark of esteem for Lincoln, the author
OF the proclamation of emancipation, and
the deep interest he has manifested in the
welfare of the "colored people" the
parents and friends of the children
who attend this school decided to call it
the Lincoln School,"
The Fenians Irish nationalists they
call themselyes) are to have grand con
vention at Cincinnati on the Eth of Ja-
nuary. They want to get together fund
OF ) 900, 900, and the Fenians every
where are busy making collections there
for
The Missouri Democrat publishes a
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1864-12-27
THE WEED OPDYkE LIBEL SUIT.

This celebrated libel suit, now pro
crossing in New York, furnishes some
rich matter for the papers there A New
York letter says;
The most noteworthy feature of the
Weed Opdyke libel suit, to-dSs, was the
evidence OF General Fremont, who was
on the stand for several hours. Part Of the
libel, you willrcmember, was that Opdyke
had eXtorted large amount of Fremont ;
California mining stocks in considera-
ton of aiding to make him a candidate
for the Presidency. But the evidence of
the General gave contradiction to all
that. He went into d very minute his
tory of his mining operations in Caliior-
MA explained the embarraSsments of
the Maiiposa estate, and admitted trans
ferring twenty-five thousand shares to
Messrs Opdyke, ketcham d Hoey in re-
gular course OF business.
lion. Thomas Z. Fields, lawyer; Philip
Illilnghast, commission merchant, and
T.. brown, machinist, gave testimony
touching Mr.. opdyke's gun factory, his
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1864-12-27
4 PLEA ron THE DOtTOTg
DECEMBER q, 1864.

DECEMBER Il, 1Sb4.
To the Editor Of tie Richmoad DtsputcA,
VIII you be so good as to impress it
upon our authorities that the action it is
reported they are about to take relative
to physicians ought to be left to the
peopte of each district to say what ply
sician they preferred to employ in their
families. The age OF the physician, in
very many cases, has nothing in the
world to do with the qualifications. |
know village i'll which there are four
physicians, one Of them quite a youhg
man; yet he is considered by far the
best physician; and is hard student
The oldest man Of the four is not much
employed, and stands low as to qualfica-
tions. Now, Mr.. Editor, would our au-
thorities wish to force upon the people
physician they had no confidence in and
would not employ, and take from them
the most skillful of the four because he
was the youngest, and a very sober man
at that. Not residing near the village,
never employ either Of the four We
have, in our district, two physicians, both
Of whom are skilliul one of them is
considerably younger than the other, yet
he would be rery much missed, as the
practice is large and very laborious-more
than any one man could possibly attend
say again, Mr. Editor, urge our authori-
ties to let the people select their own ply
sician. a FARMER.