davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-01-15
News Paragraph.

Navigation on the Ohio was suspended
during the late cold weather between C,ncin.
natl and Pittsburg, though the river was not
closed with ice. - s'l 3
The Army and Many Journal figures the
losses Of our armies during the year, In killed
missing, and wounded, at ninety-two thous-
and seven hundred and seventy men.
The colony of colored people taken to the
West Indies as an experiment, under the act
of Congress, has proved failure, and the
survivors have petitioned to be brought
back.
Chicago boasts Of being the greatest place
in the world for packing pork. The receipts
of hogs there last year amounted to l 900, $40,
which is an increase of 55l 1929 compared
with the previous year, sa.. a-s1 e
1t is reported that the unlucky creditors
of the steamship Great Eastern have decided
to dispose of that vessel by lottery. The
drawing is to take place at Frankfort-on-the
Main and there are two hundred shares. ran
ging from e250 to 100000. The winner in
this rattle will probably feel, with the huge
ship on his hands, like the victim in the east
whom bis sovereign punished by, presenting
him white elephant.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-01-15

~ It has been but few years since the
cultivation of tobacco was introduced to any
appteciable extent in the Northern States.
and now it has become source of much
wealth therein. The tobacco crop Of PENN
sylvania alone, during the last two years. has
amounted to millions Of dollars.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-01-15

~ Gen. Banks has established an indie.
pendent military command upon the Rio
Grande, called the District of the Frontier,
and Gen. Heron has been placed in control
of it. The General left New Orleans on the
9th ultimo, for Brownsville, where his head
quarters have been established for the pres.
ont
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-01-15

The richest individual in England is the
Marquis Of Westminster, whose daily income
is estimated at $4,000 The Rotchschilds,
four of them, are the richest house in Europe,
and their income is estimated at about nine
millions q year, or a thousand dollars an
hour.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-01-15

R- The General Land Office has author
lied the restoration of 1900 acres of land to
the State Of Iowa, as indemnity for the same
quantity Of swamp land sold as available.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-01-15

c. An expedition left New Orleans on the
3Oth ult., the ultimate destination of which is
supposed to be Mobile, although it will prob
ably remain at Pascagoula until the rainy
season is past. The rains have been very
violent on the Gulf coast, and New Orleans
has been almost flooded.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-01-15

- Benjamin G. Harris, Representative
in Congress from Maryland, died on Monday,
OF small pox. This disease appears to be
slarmingly prevalent at the National Capital.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-01-15

~ The statement recently made that
over fifty members Of Congress had signed a
petition for the removal of Postmaster Gen
eral Blair from the Cabinet is wholly untrue.
No such petition has been circulated.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-01-15

On the 7th inst. Senator Howe, Of Wiscon-
sin, offered joint resolution in the Senate,
providing for the enlistment and equipment
of ! ,0OO, 900 volunteers, to serve for period
of ninety days, unless sooner discharged, ito,
be employed to carry food and freedom to
every captive held in rebel prisons, and to
plant the flag Of the United States upon every
prison they occupy"
The resolution provides that Gen. Grant
shall command the expedition, and shall have
power to detail such officers and men now in
the service as he may deem necessary to fur
Their its design. It also provides that Con-
gress shall adjourn on the 4th Of March till
the 4th Of June, and each member Of Con-
gross under fifty years Of age shall enlist in
the expedition and serve without extra pay
until the expiration Of the period Of ninety
days.
The resolution was referred to the Commit
tee on Military Affairs What will be its fate
is now difficult to determine. The PROPOSE
ton, however, strikes US as practicable. The
inspiration of SO noble deed as releasing our
starving soldiers from loathsome dungeons
and at the same time striking death blow to
the rebellion would arouse spirit Of enthu-
siasm such as has never yet been felt in this
country. Let our Congressman take the lead
in this matter and the people will nobly Sec
ond their efforts
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-01-15
Ship Canal to the Mississippi.

Ship Canal to the Mississippi.
The Davenport papers are agitating the
subject CT extending the National Ship Canal
by way Of Lasalle, reaching the Mississippi
at the mouth of Rock River, four miles below
Rock Island. This is undoubtedly the most
feasible route that could be selected, and
would far better accommodate the Northwest
than the route ola Illinois river, to Alton
Immediate steps should be taken to press the
advantages Of the Rock Island route upon the
attention of Congress, which will soon take
the matter under Amusement, and will proba.
bly, make an appropriation for the construc.
ton of this great work.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-01-15

Our correspondent is the first person we
have heard speak of Mrs. Adams advertise
ment as matter worthy of serious consider
alton. Every one here who knew enough of
the circumstances to understand the drift of
her iucoherent language regarded her with
either pity or derision, in her effort to injure
the fair standing of Col. Hill. For our own
part, we pitied her, and advised her not to
publish the article, but she insisted strenu-
ously on putting it in as an advertisement
She declared that the war widows had about
concluded that the officers and rich men were
determined to Cypress the poor and had
bought up the newspapers to keep silent
After some hesitation, we thought it best to
crafty her by allowing the article to appear,
knowing that it would be harmless as a mis-
sive against COL Hill or anybody else. This
is our explanation. We have as high esteem
for Col. Hill personally as our correspondent
possibly can have, and feel US much interest
in the reputation of the s5th Iowa as any one
in Muscatine.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-01-15

The total number ofdeatbs in Philadelphia
last year was Is 1856. Deaths from consump-
ton numbered 1877,
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-01-15

WIL1sToN UTTER-Dear Sir: Company K
Sth Iowa Infantry, of which you were, 70,
about two years, member, and in which you
ever bore yourself CALAMITY and conspicuous
ly, having been wounded in three battles in
which the regiment was engaged, viz: Shiloh
Corinth and Brandon; and although the lat
ter was not stubbornly contested field, vel
it was of all the most disastrous to you, hav.
ing lost your right leg by the explosion of q
shell, while advancing upon the enemy, the
members of Go. K have requested me to send
you the enclosed fifty dollars, as partial to-
ken of their esteem and regard for your vel
fare. l also enclose the autograph signature
of each of your friends, together with the
amount subscribed by each, set opposite thei,
names, which, when added to the SUN allow.
ed by the government, i. is hoped will secure
one Of the best manufactured substitutes for
your lost member.
With the best wishes Of your many friends
and myself for your future welfare, close.
L. WEEKS,
1st Lieut.. commanding Company
CAMP NEAR MEMPHIS, Tenn.,1
Nov. 10th, 1868.
In view of the fact that Wiliston Utter, our
well beloved fellow-soldier, did, on the 18th
day of July, 1868, lose his leg by the explo
sion of shell from rebel cannon, near Bran
don, Miss, we, the undersigned, subscribe
the amount set opposite our names, to assist
him in purchasing an artificial leg, and as a
small token of the friendship entertained 70,
him by the members of Company X, 9Th
Iowa Infantry, who will ever hold him in re.
memhrance for his bravery and soldierly be-
havior while confronting the enemy Of bis
country
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-01-15
A Glorious Ctterance.


Beecher's last speech at Exeter Hall
showing that Slavery was the only cause and
whole cause of this gigantic and cruel war
how magnificent and how completely did it
sweep down all the sophistries and the whole
mass of rubbish with which secession had
cloggsd British thought And with what
sublimity Of utterance did he proclaim to
those Britons the spirit that animates the
hearts of true Americans in regard to main
tanning this war:
"Standing by my cradle, standing by my
hearth, standing by the altar of the Church,
standing by the places that mark the name
and memory of the heroic men who have
poured their blood and lives for principles,
declare that in ten or twenty years of war we
will sacrifice everything we have for principle
If the love of popular liberty is dead in Great
Britain you will not understand US, but if the
love of liberty lives as it once lived, and has
worthy successors of those renowned men
that were our ancestors as much as yours,
and whose examples and principles we inherit
to make fruitful as so much seed corn IN a
new and fertile land-then you will under
Stauu OUT uT't, luVluCiulc ueteTIuln1COIl-
deep as the sea, firm as the mountains, but
calm as the heavens above us-to fight this
war through at all hazards and at every cost. "
IMPORTANT DECISION UNDER THE HOMESTEAD
LAW. - The Commissioner of the General
Land Office at Washington has decided that
a homestead settler has net complete legal
right, but merely an inceptive title, liable to
be defeated for non performance of conditions,
and can therefore only use the timber for
fencing. building and repairs. Under the
bounty Of Congress he is permitted to acquire
homestead in the public domain for agricul-
tural purposes. on the condition of settlement
and cultivation for five years. Until this con-
dition is satisfied, he cannot commit waste
by telling the timber for market, as the land
reverts to the United States on failure to COM
ply with the terms of the law.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-01-15
Lettcr from the so.h iowa.

PocAaoNfAs, Tenn, Jan. LIST, 1864.
Mr. EDITOR OF JOURNAL A was looking
over your issue Of the 10th of December,
found therein an article signed by Mrs. Ad-
ans, accusing our Colonel of cowardice.--
This, we, Is members of the 35th regiment Of
Iowa volunteer infantry, consider base SIAN
der on the whole regiment and on our Colonel.
Now, as have been with the regiment on
every march know him to be q good
Colonel and brave man and as regarding
his absence at Vicksburg that has been ex-
planned to you by the General of this Divis-
ion when the question was asked him by Mr..
Stein regarding the Colonel, the 22d Of May.
He, in his answer gave Mr.. Stein to under
stand that it was q false report. Now if the
General saw no cowardice, why should you
up there in Iowa? l know that it is base
lie and SANDER on the regiment, and
not only on the Colonel but on every one that
belongs to the 35th regiment.
As for firing of guns without orders, it is
not allowed in the army, There was an Or
der issued that if any one was caught in the
act of firing off his gun he should suffer for
lit. If a non-commissioned officer, he should
be reduced to the ranks, and if private be
fined for the offence. This was the order and
Col. Hill was obliged to enforce it or he would
be liable to be courtmartialed. He is obliged
to obey his orders as well as we subordinates.
Now, MIR. Editor, we blame you for it in
some respects-that is for giving it room in
your paper, especially when you well knew
that it would be q SANDER on the regiment
As for the old woman, we can look over her
madpess and folly, but we feel like having on
explanation on the article by you for giving it
room in your paper. We have been looking
for comment on the article ever since we
saw it in your issue Of the 18th of December,
but we have not seen any yet. Now, Mr..
Editor, We have always taken you to be a
friend to soldiers, especially your paper, but
the article signed by Mrs. Adams has injured
our reputation as an Iowa regiment, for we
always tried to keep up the name of the Iowa
soldiers, but you have slandered us in pub
fishing that article; and then to think that
the regiment is mostly made up Of your own
county boys. The boys think hard of it,
Now, Mr.. Editor, if you intended it for a SLAM
der on the regiment let US know or give US a
comment on the article, and as soon as this
comes to hand please give room in your paper
for this letter from a member Of Co. F. S5th
reg 'ment Iowa volunteer infantry, and oblige
yours, JOHN WEAVER.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-01-15

our duty now, to insist upon the Union as it
should be. and as our fathers Intended it.
My ardent wish is that this desoating war
may speedily close, and the insurgent States
resume their political rights in the Union.
That we may properly understand the
theory of reconstruction, it is important to
AVOID misapplication of the term TIE re.
bellion having failed of success. the Union is
not dissolved, and, therefore, the disyoganized
States, only, require to be re-constructed.-
Had they succeeded in achieving their eepar-
aration, the Union, to that extent, would have
been dissolved, and the question of recon
struction have presented different aspect,
Having, by treason to the General Govern
ment and the inevitable consequences of civil
war, accomplished the destruction of their
local organizations, and not their observance
from the Union, they stand in the attitude of
states, with their Government subyerted and
overthrown. Reorganization, therefore, be-
comes an indispensable pre- requisite to the
resumption of their powers and privileges as
sovereign States in the Union. Without this
they have no appropriate medium through
which their constitutional rights can be Sc
cured or exercised. They cannot choose
Senators or Representatives to Congress, par
tic;pate in the election of President, or en-
joy any other regulation designed for the
common benefit Of the States. And it is only
by means Of State Governments that they can
perform the functions of States, and discharge
the various obligations and duties they owe
to the General Government. Until then, the
people of these disorganized States, must,
from necessity, depend for protection upon
fb, To- nopf ~ &c ~,
military power But this theory by no means
implies that these States must be reduced to
a territorial condition, maintained, during
their territorial minorage, under . Govern
ment provided for then at the expense of the
National Treasury, and be re-admitted into
the Union as States. It simply means, what
is obviously true, that they have State limits.
territory and people, without the essential
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-01-15


By steadily adhering to these principles, as
| trust we shall, we may succeed, after much
wandering and great tribulation, in bringing
this Government back to its ancient and safe
land marks of universal freedom and perpet-
ual unity. .......
cannot close this communication and fore
go the opportunity presented to congratulate
the General Assembly and the people upon
the suspicious condition of the State. A kind
Providence has blessed us with adequate har-
vests, and full measure of prosperity in all
our und. rtakings. By His mercy we have
been enabled to pass through the trying
scenes now drawing to close, with honor
and success. All efforts, by bad and reckless
men, to obstruct the execution of the laws and
disturb our domestic peace, have been
promptly thwarted. Our obligations to the
National Government have been faithfully
performed, and our people, whether at home
or in the field, have nobly indicated their
devotion to the Union. The financial affairs
of the State were never in sounder condi-
ton. Notwithstanding the extraordinary ex-
penditures, rendered unavoidable by military
operations, the revenue on hand and due from
the several sources, exceeds, by many thous-
and dollars, the total indebtedness of the
State. Without hazard to our credit, we may.
challenge comparison with any other State in
the Union. For this, much credit is due, and
should be awarded to the outgoing Executive
who has administered the affairs Of the State
with marked economy, ard discharged his
onerous and complicated duties with an abll.
ity and patriotism deserving of the highest
cemmendation. ~ 7olI 13L 81
Entertaining implicit confidence in your
intelligent and patriotic regard for the public
and conscious of no motive on my
own part inconsistent with their advancement,
shall indulge in the hope that our mutual
counsels and joint labors, may be productive
of good to the commonwealth.
With humble faith that God will continue
to bless our young State, and in His own
good time deliver our common country from
the calamities of cruel war, let as enter upon
The discharge Of our respective duties.
,..,.es., W. NJ. STONE.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-01-15

in the Council Chambers of the Nation, Hol
plot their treason beneath the dome of its
Capitol. Let us pray to righteous God tina
suc1 scenes may never stain the coming an
nails of the Republic, and if need be, that tn.
havoc of bloody, desolating war, may abat,
not until the day of regeneration shall come
The events of the hour, grand and irresst
able in their course, are rapidly fastening t.
their legitimate results. He who disposes
while man struggles, and proposes, has pro
nounced his imperial decree.
Those who hesitate now to yield an unre
served support to the Federal Government, O,
fail to sustain its constituted authorities
Enthusiastically array themselves on the side
of its enemies, and will be so recorded in the
history of the times. If treason is crime. te
sympathize with traitors is also clearly Grim.
inal. While there is treason in the heart, the
man cannot be truly loyal, and we know moi
how soon his hesitating courage may nerve
him to commit the overt act. The line of de.
narration between loyalty and treason, is
plainly defined and exceedingly narrow.
Obvious as these considerations are to all
discerning minds, it IS painful reflection
that there exists q faction in the Northern
States which has persistently opposed the &C
ton of cur Government in its efforts to SUBJ
due the rebellion, and clamored for peace
upon any terms. While protesting to be
loyal, the members of this faction have given
strength and courage to traitors, and by their
conduct proved themselves the most insidu
Gus and dangerousfoes OF the Union. Recent
events, however, have demonstrated the con-
tinued attachment Of the patriotic masses of
all parties to the perpetuisy Of our free insti-
tusions; and shown that they cannot be de-
ceiyed by mere pratences OF loyalty, or misIed
by the cry Of peace, when there is no honora-
bic or permanent peace short Of vigorous and
successful war.
Systematically opposing every measure yet
devised for successful prosecution of the
war, and having no mode of their own for an
solution of existing troubles, these
seek to justify their course by
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-01-15

atrOclouS CTlIue tuey nave COmmlCteQ. NO
other people or nation upon the face of the
earth, could have committed so high crime
against this Government and its flag. And
now, while standing as the fragrant, deadly
enemies Of the Constitution, with their hands
uplifted at the nations throat, we are told
that their constitutional rights are unimpair-
ed, and as substantial as when they were law.
abiding and peaceful subjects of the Govern.
ment Thus we are asked to give immunity
to crime, by exculpating the criminal.
AS euemies and belligerents, to what rights
are theinsurgent States sentitled? The Con-
stitution being entirely silent upon this SUBJ
ject, we must resort for information, to the
laws of war, as established and recognized
among the nations of the world. The emf
nent writers upon this subject agree in say
ing, that in war we may Go any act not for
hidden by humanity or the laws of nature,
which may harrass or weaken our enemy.
We may confiscate his property of every
kind, and appropriate it to our own use, for
the double purpose of diminishing bis strength
and augmenting our own. We may capture
and detain his soldiers, and take their lives
if we can. in legitimate combat. All this
we are allowed to do, because it is right
Wu-SA UCiOuSo " VSSAy A"saoA ~ wal 10 w
rived from and attaches to state of war.
These we'll established and fundamental prin-
ciples, have been recognized by our Govern.
ment in its intercourse with other nations,
sustained by repeated decisions of the Feder-
al Courts, and never denied or doubted, ex-
cept during the present war, by certain
northern politicians, who have throughout,
manifested more interest in the rebellion than
love for the Union of these States. And it is
proper here to remark that the character of
belligerents, has been given to the insurgent
States by the legislative snd executive de-
partment s of the Government; that we have
so treated them during the entire war, and
that this action has been sustained by late
we'll considered opinion of the Supreme
Court of the United States, in a case fully
and fairly presented. This question may,
therefore, be regarded as settled, so far as the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1864-09-09

A CHILD BORN TO THE DwARPs.-The New
York correspondent OF the Boston Post Ia re-
sponsible for the following:
a very important physiological question has
been set at rest; although the circumstances
has been kept unusually quiet, and those hor-
rible tell-tales, the newspapers, have, through
their ignorance, been as silent as the most fas-
tinious reader could desire. After this dignf-
He'd and solemn pr9mial, which I have dis
creetly introduced by breaking the news gent
~, suppose am at liberty to say bluntly that
Mr.. and Mrs. Tom Thumb have got baby-a
real, genuine flesh and. blood chip OF the old
blocks, and three months old at that Those
who have seen the "blessed brat" describe 1t
AZ neither q worlds wonder nor q worlds
fright, but little, cunning, crying doll Of q
thing, and in no respect peculiar or remark
able, except In the promise 1t gives Of being q
full sized child, and, If 1t lives, Of becoming as
big again as either Of its Immediate ancestors.
Not being seventh son of q seventh son, I
won't pretend to enter into the scientific ques-
tons involved in this lusus nature farther than
TO congratulate the happy parents and Grandpa
Barnum upon this addition to the happy fami-
ly at Bridgeport; even If it does not contribute
An added curiosity to the great snowman's stock
in trade,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1864-09-09

THE TAX ON CIGARs.-The Cigar manufac-
lures Association of New York held another
meeting on Wednesday. Mr.. Schroeder, the
chairman Of the executive committee, who
went to Washington to confer with Commits
sioner Lewis, in regard to the operation OF the
Internal Revenue law on the trade, reported
that they presented their grie vances In regard
10 the various and different rulings Of asses.
sors in carrying out the law. After second
interview, the Department stated that the SUBJ
Ject of stamping stock on hand would be taken
into consideration, and rulings would be given
upon the subject. 1t was further stated that
the rulings weuld probably prevent the posi-
bilIty of any unstamped cigars being sold after
q certain date. The committee urged the ne
cessity of stamping all stock on hand, and So
licited a uniform ruling on different points
involved in the law.