davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1864-08-05
Letter from Boston:
ROSTON. July 30. 1861.

Boston, July 30, 1864.
! FRIEND SEONE In former letter, some
time since, some account was given of the
improvements going on in the city in spite
of war and its unavoidable and disastrous
consequences. 1t was stated that three
tifths of the city was made land, and since
then so much has been added that to reckon
/ three-fourths of the land as redeemed from
the sea, would not be unreasonable My
own hired house was then situated with
IN few rods of the ebbing and flowing tide,
and now more than a mile must be added to
the distance between US and the same ebb
and fow-some half-dozen streets-Arling-
ton, Appleton, Berkley, Commonwealth Ave-
nue., and several others, having done their
share to increase the extent of the interven-
ing territory, and to prove the truth of the
doctrine that distance lends enchantment to
the view"
Perhaps if We were to say word respect
. ing the changes in reference to the churches.
as an evidence of local prosperity during ar
time, it hight be interesting. The mum er of
new churches has already been alluded to-,
and it may be sufficient to state that several
of the old ones have been sold to the ca,ho-
lies, and new ones erected in a new locality.
The Winter street society have sold their
building for little over one hundred thou
sand, and will remove under Mr. Todd, to a
southwest location, where they have erected
another building for their accommodation
lhe Bodowin street church,, have mostly
gone with the society of DIR. Kirk, which is
near by, and the church is disposed of to an
other body of christians. The Universalist
society in Warren street have sold their
church edlhce to the Jews, and purchased an
other further up town.
II seems little strange that the ancient
covenant people should so far forget their
hostility as to occupy building once owned
by the unclrcumcIsed, but even here there il
some progress, Our next door neighbor, by
whom We have lived nearly ten years. this
being the German quarter of the city, recent
ymade an engagement with beautiful and
accomplished young lady, and, as be was
in affluent circumstances, he concluded to be
married in church by Bishop Eastburn, and
have things in a respectable and somewba,
snowy style. Here came in the influence OF
patriarchial usage. The mother, who i. a
widow, gave the descendants to understand
> mat she was the embodiment Of all the pa.
'f,Afchlal authority which had ever belong
ca 10 the family, and though the young man
1ao redeemed the house from pecuniary
oonoase' Inc customs of their creed must be
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1864-08-05

observed. 1t was bad enough she though,
that her son should marry a christian in a
private manner, though she Was ready to be
a little more public in her display of all her
accumulated authority, though little better
than a comnlnn scold
The churc:l ;nterprize of the Rev. E. B.
Webb, who is esteemed as second to none
here, though he would be the last to claim
anything n this respects the most success
full of any in the city, as with only some
twelve or thirteen thousand owned in the
former house, they have erected new and
beautiful building, in excellent taste, at an
expense of about eighty thousand dollars
and last, though not least, are without a
debt.
The ravages Of war seem to leave our
northern cities free from the calamities of SO
many less favored places in many parts OF
our bleeding country; and when we see the
estate of the Hancock family, near the state
house, sold for over ore hundred thousand
dollars, and two elegant mansions, worth
twice that sum, erected upon the premises
in the midst of the greatest rebellion the
world ever saw, We cannot but wonder at the
perseverance of the Yankee race.
The return of the old regiments here is
greeted by the public in becoming manner;
and the other day gentleman from neigh.
boring town was in the store looking for his
son, who had just arrived. Although filling
the office OF adjutant, perhaps the most dam
gerous position to be found, in many instan-
ces, yet, after going through twenly-six bat
ties, he found himself without scratch.
though he had enjoyed the excitement of
having balls pass through his clothing.
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1864-08-05
IMPORTANT AND LATEST FROM PETERSBURG
The Works Captured on Saturday Reta.
ken by the Rebels.
D E T A I LED ACCOU Mt

BALTIMORE, Aug. Ill A. NJ. Later ad
vises from Fortress Monroe state:
Later news here shows we were unable
to hold all the ground taken in the assault,
Saturday. it being mostly commanded by ar
inner line, and that the works taken by oul
forces were recaptured by the enemy. We
captured 800 prisoners in the assault. Los:
on bota sides considerable, probably from
1000 to $780,
HEADQUARTERS Army of the Potomac, Ju
ly 800 P. NJ. After the explosion early
this morning everything betokened a bril-.
liant victory, but soon after matters assum.
ed different aspect, part of the attacking
force having given way, thus exposing the
balance to enflading fire from both artillery
and infantry.
The program was as follows: Mine to be
exploded al O'Clock in the morning; batter.
les to open at once along the entire line i'm
mediately after the explosion; and the 9Th
corps to make charge supported by the
Ism corps, Ayres' division of the 9TH corps
and I'd division of the I'd corps.
Inc greater part of the arrangement was
carried out as ordered, although the COM
ment ment was at later hour than desgna-
ted, on account of the fuse going out twice.
the explosion took place at precisely four
o'clock. The roar of artillery that immedi-
ately followed was deafening.
At half past five charge was made and
the fort With part of the line on each side was
carried in most brilliant style. The second
division, which was in the center, advanced
and carried second line a short distance
seyond the fort and rested, holding the
ground with the utmost determination.
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1864-08-05
Great News from Grant.
ASSAULT ON PETERSBURG.
A LARGE REBEL FORT BLOWN UP.
First Line of the Enemy's Works Car
RED.

The siege of Petersburg opened in earnest
Saturday morning. At daylight our forces
blew up one of the principal rebel batteries
consisting of sixteen guns and had carried
three tiers of earthworks of the rebels before
the mail steamer left City Point Saturday
morning.
A dispatch dated headquarters of the army
of tire Potomac, July 80. 10 o'clock A. NJ,
says the great event so long anticipated,
namely the explosion of mine under the
rebel tort In front of the 9th army corps,
came OF this morning at 40 minutes past 4
O'Clock. Picket firing was kept up all night,
and IN fact at the time the match was applied
to the mine. the skirmishers were still en-
gagged on both sides. The volume of dirt
thrown up was immense, rising over three
hundred feet in the air, and resembled an
immense fountain of earth more than any
thing else. The 9th corps at once charged
the works, driving the rebels to their second
line OF entertainments ard taking,a number
of prisoners, some of whom were dug out OF
the dirt badly bruised. These rebel priso-
ners state that only about dozen remain in
their regiment, South Carolina one. AS
soon as the explosion took place, hundred
and twenty guns Immediately opened on our
front, while the musketry blazed in one con-
tinuous line of fire along the front of the
9th, and part of the 9th and 18th corps.
The scene was ore long to be remembered
by those who witnessed it. The smoke from
the guns soon obscured the view, and the
first particulars of success were cleaned from
those who came in with prisoners. The
prisoners say We completely surprised those
in their front, they being mostly asleep at
the time. The prisoners also state that there
we're four guns in the Notifications, which of
course were buried far out of sight. One of
the prisoners stated that they were busy
mining under our works, and that in two
days more they would have been ready to
blow them up. We got the start of them.
however, and it is hoped that long ere this
reaches you Petersburg will b. in our pos
session.
Reports from headquarters Saturday af-
ternoon say tina: we have possession of the
entire first line of rebel works with a large
number Of prisoners. Our loss in the charge
was severe as our men had to cross an opea
field within reach of the rebels. The troops
engaged We're the 9th corps, with the 18th
supporting them, the I'd and 9TH being in
reserve. Firing IS still going on with great
fury, consisting principally of musketry.
Gems. Grant and Meade with the corps gen
erals were at the front watching the progress
of affairs,
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1864-08-05
Bad News from Petersburg.

The good news flom Petersburg Monday
night was sadly damaged by the accounts Of
Tuesday. The grand movement against the
works of the enemy on Saturday after the
mine was fired and which gave promise of
such great results seems to have ended in a
severe repalse. The rebels seem to have
had such force on inner lines of defence as
to drive our assaultng column back with
great slaughter. Many Union officers were
killed Or captured, among the latter, Gen.
Bartlett of Massachusetts, together with
most OF his staff, The rebels appear to have
regalned all the ground they lost. The
losses are reported heavy, ou. .h1 "ur..Ie. 40
not known.
This news will have worse effect than its
rea! value to the enemy is worth. 1t is al
most the first move Of the Army Of the Po-
tomac after long time of rest and quiet.
1t is Just at the time that large rebel raiding
parties are making their incursions into the
free states, plundering, numbering and burn
ing. /, is, we believe, the first time in this
campaign of dozen hard battles in which
the army of the Potomac has been obliged
to fall back. Although it has failed some
times in carrying the enemy'S works, it has
never before been drGea from works already
within its grasp.
Over three Years of war have laugh: this
people that its fortunes are varied. Unln-
terrupted succ- SIS has never been the lot Of
any army. A campaign that is generally
successful is all that VT can expect. Such
an one is the present against Richmond, and
we have fan. 10 believe Gen Grant will sue
coed, for We have the testimony of his wife
that he is q very obstinate nan :" and the
soldiers under him never will be whipped.
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1864-08-05
LATEST FROM THE RAIDS.
THEY BEAT A HASTY RETREAT.
AVERILL IN CLOSE PURSUIT.

We place the following dispatches before
the reader in addition to those above. II
will be noticed that they are somewhat con-
Trajectory, but indicate that there are now
no raiders in Maryland and that the force
which has been in Pennsy lvania is retreatlng
HARRISBURG, July 81. When Gen. Aver
i'll reached Chambersburg the flames had OBJ
tanned such Roadway that it was Impossible
TO stay Them. The rebels hurried over the
ST. Thomas road toward McConnelsburg,
but the rear of the retreating column could
not fail to distinguish the approach of Gen
Ayerill. SO they were prevented from conn
hitting any deeds of violence. Gen. Aver
i'll went laundering after them, he enter ing
one side of Johannesburg while the invad
ers left at the other side.
1t is stated in official circles that the reb
els, after having been severely punished a
Johannesburg, pushed toward Hancock
where they effected crossing. This make
it certain that there are no rebels. at least OF
the column that moved from Williarispor'
last week, Row in the state.
The enemy has recrosse6 the Potomac
and no force of rebels are in Msryland.
BALTIMORE. Aug. l. Reports from Get
,ysourg and Emmettsburg represent panii
there. The people are sending of theil
stock and valushles, and are hurrying alon.
the pike in crowds, believing that the rebel
are approaching in large force.
The mornings train from Frederick cam,
in as usual, bringing report that great ex
element prevails there on account of Gen
Hunters order for the expulsion of South.
ern sympathizers beyond the Federal lines
PHILADELPHIA, Aug. L. The Inquirer hs
a dispatch from Harrisburg which states
that there are now no rebels in Pennsylvanis
We are in communication with McConnels
burg and Bedford. The rebels were driver
across the Potomac at Hancock. There ha
been no heavy force of rebels employed il
the raid.
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1864-08-05

Excepting at Saratoga and Niagara + all s
great falling off is reported in the number
of visitors at the watering places and gener-
al routes of travel. Nobody but the rich
and reckless can now afford to travel much
except for health and business.
Army pies are so terribly tough that the
soldiers call them leather pies. A poor fell
low of Grants army whose arm had Just
been amoutated, was being carried past q
stand the other day where an old woman was
selling pies, when he raised himself in the
ambulance and called out, l say, old lady,
are those pies sewed or pegged9"
The New Hampshire Mirror. says the Man.
chester Mills Print Works have declared
a dividend Of 20 per cent, and that is the
fourth 20 per cent. six months dividend, of
so per cent. i'll two years.
How are the mighty fallen. En- CLAN =,
once mistress of the seas, now tender to a
pirate. Once champion of the ring, now
" bottle holder in fight between B rother
Jonathan and rebel.
Five millions of U. S. 52O bonds were
ordered on foreign account and sold on the
2lth at 81 ,0S ii in New York.
The hundredth anniversary Of the settle
ment Of Ticonderoga was celebrated on the
Fort grounds at Old Tie ON Monday, The
25th inst.
Three rebel Brigadiers were killed at the
battle before Atlanta on Wednesday of last
week, namely: Gems. Stephens, Weather
stone and Long.
Cyrus W. Field has gone to Newfoun1.
land, on British sloop-of-war, to select a
place for tie landing of this end of the At.
lantic telegraph cable.
Press of other business has caused Moses
Taylor to decline the appointment of assis-
tant treasurer at New York, in place of Mr..
CISCO This is general disappointment.
Several of the mechanics who recently
went from Hartford and vicinity to Nash
vlIie' to engage in government work, have
returned, sick of their bargain. AS to being
sobbled up by guerrillas, they say they we're
the gobblers.
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1864-08-05
THE LATEST.

The TribIne's Washington dispatch says
1t is stated that the ground in front of our
lines near Petersburg is literally covered
with our dead ard wounded, where they lay
Sunday morning under the rebel guns, less
than 300 wards from our lines fostering in
the sun. The affair was most excellenlly
planned, but most mlserably managed or the
assault would have been successful but for
somebody's laundering.
The Times Washington dispatch says
The failure before Petersburg will stop large
military operations for some time in Virginia.
The main interest of the war Is nog before
Atlanta, that Poin, once gained and securely
intrenched vii! give disposab.e force for
operations in eastern quarters.
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1864-08-05

1t was at this time that the colored division
under Gen. WI e vas pushed forward and
ordered to charge aid carry the crest OF the
hill, which would have decided the contest.
The troops advanced in good order as far as
the first line, where they received a CALLING
fire, which checked them, and, although quite
number kept on advancing, the greater
portion seemed 10 become demoralized, part
taking refuge in the font, and the balance
running to the rear as fast as possible.
They We're rallied and again pushed fer
ward, but without success. the greater part
of the officers being killed or Wounded
During this time they seemed to be without
any one to manage them. Finally they fell
back to the rear, out of range of the voleys
of canister and musketry that were piowing
through their ranks.
A dispatch from headquarters dated Sum
day morning says q" all is quiet to-day"
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1864-08-05
Substitute Brokers.

The class oc persons called substitute
brokers, who have sprung up since the war
commenced, are as a general thing a most
vlllanous SIT of beings. They are usually
men ho scruple at 10 means to secure the
desired end-this end being the sale of an
individual 10 represent another in the army.
This traffic is attended by enormous profits
10 the broker, very small share of the price
paid ever being received by the substitute.
There is all the chance in the world for these
INSCRIPTIONS men TO cheat the ignorant, es-
pecially the poor blacks whom they buy OF
steal III the border states or Canada, and
bring them North where they dispose of them
at from $500 to $500 apiece
these brokers' congregate about the towns
where the Provost Marshal has his headquar.
tiers. They are getting to be such nuisance in
some parts OF our state that town meetings are
being held devise means to get rid Of them
At one Just held in Burlington q committee
OF twenty was appointed to suppress subst;.
tute brokerage and cooperate with the so,so,
men in filing the quota of the town.
These brokers are also swarmine abor,
Windsor, compelling Men who wish to pu
subs. in the field TO submit to their extortion
as they have "ring" and pick up ever
available man. They take pains to insul
every decent man who comes in their way
and do not hesitate to use violence if thei,
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1864-08-05
The Last Raid.

The readers will find lengthy account of
raid into Pennsylvania in the paper this
week. However humiI;atins these raids may
be there is no help fol them only as states
keep up an organized militia and mete out
such punishment to the p.underers as they
deserve; then they viii soon get sick of their
raids. The most exaggerated accounts are
forwarded OF the numbers and doings Of these
rebels. 1t was first stated that the force
that sacked Chambersburg was at least 3d.
0Oo-it is now said they did not number ov-
er 200, and they have already departed, no
one knows whittier.
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1864-08-05

The statue of Washington, recently cap
tured by Gen. Hunter at Lexington. Va. ar
rived on Saturday evening at Wheeling. Va
i. IS the first bronze statue ever cast o
Washington. A bronze tablet accompanie:
me static on which is the following inscrip
ton: " ne general assembly of the com
monwealth If Virginia have caused this stat
ue to be erected as monument of affection
nd gratitude to George Washington. who
uniting the endowments of the hero. the
virtues of the patriot, and exe-tins both in
establishing the liberties of his country, has
endeared his name to his fellow-citizens ant:
s.ver to the world an immortal eximple of
true glory. Done in the year of Christ IFS
and Ia the Year of the commonwealth the
18th"
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1864-08-05

We invite attention to the following es-
tract from letter from one of the secretaries
of the Sanitary Commission:
1t is desirable that the energies of the
women OF the country should be diverted. Il
possible. from the making of jellies TO The
preparation of dried fruit. We have come
10 the conclusion that in most ca.es dried
fruit may be made 10 take tie place of jelly
and II Is hardly necessary for NE to advert
90 the great advantages for purposes OF
transportation of the former over the latter
and the immense expense, and trouble, and
disappointment that could be saved BY the
change. Al kinds of dried fruit are r.quir-
ed, such as apples, peaches, plums, cherries,
currants; and this viii be particularly the
case If jsllies are dispensed with. Ii seem,
hardly possible that We could have a surplus. >
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1864-08-05
C. g. P. B. r. R.-..Annual Meeting.

The annual meeting of the Conn. & Pass.
Rivers Railroad Company was held at New
port the 2Sth ult. The attendance was I'M
usually large, the spacious hall of the Mem
phremagog House being we'll filled with
stockholders of the company. The old board
CT directors was reelected, as follows: Hen
ry Keyes, Newbury; E. Cleveland, Coventry
E. B. Chase, Lyndon; Josiah Stickney, VIM.
Thomas, Emmons Raymond, B. P. Cheney,
Thomas Upham, F. S. Carruth, G. C. Brown
Boston; John Gilman, Albert Knight, Stan
stead, and Benjamin Pomroy, Compton.
A resolution was offered by MIR. Raymond
of Boston, and passed, granting the holders
of the old, unpreterred stock the privilege of
prete'r'ng the same by the payment to the
treasurer the SUN of $50 per share, on or
before the lst of October next. 1t was also
resolved to authorize the directors to sell
not exceeding 1000 shares of preferred stock
at public auction or otherwise, after the LIST
of October, TO raise funds by which to ex-
tinguish the sinking fund, to increase tine
rolling stock, and the sooner to enable the
company to pay cash dividends-provided,
means are not received from holders of the
old stock, agreeably to the former resolution.
In table annexed to the directors report
is given comparative statement of the bus
mess, expen ses and earnings of the road for
fifteen years, ending May 81, 1864; from
which is taken the following: Total receipts
FOR the year ending May, 1862, 1854, 7644O'
total expences SS6,Ol4.7S, net earning $751;
1852. For the year ending May, 1863, re-
ceipts .S20S, S67.05 expenses SlOO,794.95 ;
earnings SlOS,O12.l0. For the year ending
May, 1864, receipts S3OS,s5O.O7 expenses !;
Sl4l ,42O.lS; earnings Sl67, 429. SO, -exhib-
i,ing very good evidence of the success of
the road.
The report closes by saying that the in
creased business furnished by Orleans and
Stanstead counties since the extension of the
road to Newport, fully confirms the opinion
heretofore expressed, tina, when the road is
completed ard northern connections made,
the earnings must be sufficient to pay salts
factory dividends; in fact, the earnings the
past year are all that the warmest advocates
of extension ever predicted, until through
connection was made.
The road being nearly completed to its
northern terminus, Canada line) it is very
important that We have connection with
northern railroads. Assurances have often
been given of being met at the bourdery
line; but circumstances probably beyond
their control have prevented, and our termi-
nus Will be ~ miles from the Grand Trunk
railway by the Massawippi route, and about
10 miles to Waterloo, the present terminus
of the Stanstt ad, SheFord and Chambly rail-
road. Charters are secured for both routes,
and when either or both roads are built, it
will materially add TO the income Of all the
lines between our northern terminus and
Boston and New York and it is very desir
able that such aid should be rendered by all
interested as will at an early day give us a
through connection with Montreal and Que
bee. |. W.. s.
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1864-08-05
Union COUNTY CONVENTION.

county, without regard TO past political differ
euces, will be held a the TOWN HALL IN ST.
JOHNSBUKY, ON TUESDAY, AUG. lG 1864
at 10 O'Clock \. NJ, for the purpose of nominating
are in favor Of sustaining the government in its
Efforts 10 suppress TIE rebellion and of maintain
lng tie union in its integrity by means Of the
principles promulgated by the Convention held
at Baltimore On the 18th day of June, are cordially
invited TO attend.
By ORDER or COUNTY COMMITTEE.