davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1864-02-16
INDEPENDENCE.

Let us trust, says the Rac1naond Dis
patch, that, in severing The last link of
our connection with the United States,
we are entering career not only of no
minal, bnt OF real independence. We
must not be dependent hereafter upon
New England or Old En.land for any
production of human hands that human
necessities require. We must not dream
I Of giving even our carrying trade to
foreign powers. There was time
when, in our anxiety for friends abroad,
we were profering orr future commerce
to England or France, but they have
been deaf to all those Establishments
This, which some among us have con
| s,dered an evil fortune, may prove the
best of all fortunes. Certainly it will,
If it leads us to depend upon ourselves.
We shall have no friends to reward, for
the excellent reason that We have no
friends. We have been lett alone to
struggle with colossal foe, and alone
we should reap the fruits of that strug
gle. We have the greatest natural IA
ciEties for becoming q great CONNER
cial and manufacturing people. as well
well as mechanical labor. We must
learn to exalt ana dignity labor, and
make it honorable in every branch of
human enterprise. We must encour-
age more OF that genteol loafng and
laziness which impeded Captain John
Smith in the foundation IF the Virginia
colony. We should not import the de-
graded manufacturing labor OF Europe,
but raise up artisans among our own
people, manufacture Our own clothing,
furniture, and agricultural implements,
build orr own ships, and man them
with our own seamen. Congress aad
The State Legislatures should encourage
| Mechanics Institutes, like that which
was established in Richmond before the
war and similar associations in England,
which the ar:stocracy Of that country
have wisely assisted by their counsels
and means, and checred by their per-
sonal presence and cooperation at the
annual celebrations. We shall never
again have such war as this on our
hands if We learn to provide by our own
labor for our own wants. The sword
has achieved cur independence, but it.
is only the Industry Of the artisan and
the agriculturist which can mako it Sc
cnrS.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1864-02-16
THE ARMY AND THE sPECULAToRs

Some Executive papers were sent INTO
Congress on Wednesday last, which con
tanned letter from General Imboden,
explanatory Of his order prohibiting sup.
plies from being transported from the
district he commands in the Valley,
with reference to which proceeding the
House of Representative had adopted a
resolution of inquiry.
The report of General Imboden to the
Adiutant-General explains that the or
der was not general, and was only en-
forced to az extent deemed by him ab.
solutely necessary to prevent great suf-
fering in his own command. lie also
insists that the authority under which
he acted was conferred by Act Of Con-
gress, not the General Ord4rs OF the
Adiuant General Of March 10Th and
November 9th, 1868, authorizing and
regulating impressments.
He declares that without resort tc
impressment, it is not possible for him
to procure indispensable supplies for his
command at the authorized schedule
prices although there is no doubt t....a'
such supplies are in almost every part
Of the district in sufficient quantity te
be spared for the support of the army,
without distressing or sericusl y inconve
niencing the people. He says that a
the time of his referred to, bis men
who had not rested for ten days since
April, 1863, were in an almost starving
condition and that this was the heart
less infiiction of spectators. Eannai.
2ae1.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1864-02-16
IMpR EssMENT OF MEAT.

The House Of Representatives have
passed bill authorizing the impress
ment of so much meat as shall not re-
Iduce. the supplies. of any person below
-one-half of the duaHtit Eusually allowed
FOR the, support of himself, his, family
and dependents Tor one year, whenever
the President shall dcclarethat the pub
lie ezigencies render it necessary. Be
fore impressnlent, proper notice is ro-
quired to be served upon the owner
ofthe meat, whereupon the owner. shall
hold his meat subject to the claim of
the Confederate States, and shall be en-
titled to just COMPENSATION, and if the
necessity is declared BY the impressing
Officer to be urgent, he shall deliver the
possession to the impressi.g officer upon
his demand, who shall give receipt
Thereon. When the owner and the
limpresslng officer cannot agree as tothe
Quantity liable to impressment and Just
compensation for the same, each shall
appoint loyal and dis:nterested citizen
to act as assessors, who shall, upon oath,
ascertain the quantity liable to impress
ment, and the value of the same at the
date of the notice served upon the par
ty, which oath may be administered by
the improssing officer, and which ascer-
tainment of the quantity and value
shall be conclusive evidence thereof !;
and if the assessors cannot agree, they
may associate with them third person,
of like qualifications, to make said as
Sessmenis.
Whenever an impressment of this
kind shall be made, it shall be the duty
of the imprcssing officer to give an Off
cial certificate, showing the quantity ia
ken, the company, battalion, regiment
or other command, for whose use it is
required, the compensation to be paid,
the circumstances of necessity that ex-
listed, Which certificate shall be evil
dence Of claim against the Confeder-
ate States, and shall be promptly paid by
the discussing officer of the command
for which the meat was taken, or by
the chief Of the bureau having charge
OF disbursements tor similar objects.
AS ye mete out meat for the army.
so shall It be melted to you again.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1864-02-16
INTERESTING SERVICE,

La another column will be found no
tice OF the ordination of MI. John III
Taylor, son of our townsman Mr.. Simp
son +. Taylor. Young Mr.. Taylor has
enjoyed the benefits of good training,
has for two years been exercising his gifts
as licentiate, and is now ordained to
the full work of the Gospel Ministry
preparatory to assuming the Chaplaincy
OF the 35th Ga Regiment. The service
referred to will be interesting, 10th
from its intrinsic solemnity, and from
the presence of several eminent Di-
vines.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1864-02-16
ouTRAGEs OF THE SWAMP DRAGONS

The following facts in reference to
some OF the outrages committed by the
Smamp Dragons, company of traitors
composed of disioyal citizens and deser-
tiers, were communicated to us by re-
sponsible citizen Of Highland County.
On Sunday morning at 4 o'clock, the
18th day OF February, the notorious Capt
Samp. Snider and - Of his company
surrounded the house OF Mr.. Leonard
Harper, and demanded the person OF Mr..
VIM. Harper, southern scout, who was
-''ne on visit to his uncle. Mr..
at the ~daayered to effect his
VIM. Harper e..S-- .,dow and oot-
oscane bv hosting the VIM. ''A0 so'-
$50 $50 ont on the roof of the back porch.
The Swamps discovered and fired upon
him.wounjing him in the arn. lie es-
caped for a short distance, but they
caught and killed him, ard shot about
thirty balls through him as he lay upon
the ground. After enacting this horrid
deed, they returned to the house and
fred a pistol at the wife ofMr. Leon
ard Harper, an old woman about 70
years of age. The ball passed near her
head. They robbed the house of cloth
ing of all kinds & bedding & stole all of
their horses. They tore the pocket from
the dress of Mrs. IL. containing con
siderable sum of money. They took
the shoes of Mrs. Hannah FL. Trimble off
her feet, and took the horse and sad
die Of Mrs. James Trim bic. They stole
the horse Of Isaac Harper, G. W. Ry-
mer and others, and robbed their hous-
es. They stole Is horses, loaded them
with stolen property and returned to
their den. This party Of murderers and
robbers consisted of the following per-
sons:
Capt Samp. Snider and two brothers !;
Miles Heimic, and two sons, deserters
from Imboden's command George A.
bogast, deserter; two Ro~.
ters; John Har' o+ts dosor.
per ard : - con of 49, Hor.
three mulattoes.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1864-02-16

About O'Clock, on Thursday. evening. last,
The 18th inst, in the street opposite the bar OF
the Virginia Hotel, Lieut.. David N. Ream, OF
the 18th Va. cavalry, shot and killed Casper
Phenenger, a member of McClanahan's battery,
both parties belonging to tho Command of Genl.
Imboden. Lieut.. Ream, tseems, was under the
impression that Mr.. Phenenger was about to ride
his Lt. Ream's) horse away. He commanded the
deceased e. halt, and, as he did not obey i'm
mediateiy efed his pistol. The ball entered a
little to ting Jeff of the spine, passed through
the lung & lodged near the skin on heright side.
He fell from his horse, and in ten minutes was a
corpse. There seems cas- at present advised) to
have been so little provocation for this horrid
deed, that we forced to the belief that the
use of liquor was the primary cause.
When our present Town Councilmen were
elected, we expressed the hope that no Licences
for the sale of liquor within the Town would be
granted, and stated as reason that if the bars
were opened soldiers would become intoxicated
and similar scenes to that which terminated the
life of Mr.. Snyder would, in all probability, be
enacted. We warned them against the terrible
responsibility which, in such event, would rest
upon them and sincerely hoped that they would
never have ii TO bear.
For awhile they declined to grant licences, but
alas it was but short time before they grant
ed them, and in the untimely death of Mr.. Phen-
enger, we have the sad realization of our pre-
diction. How many more lives must be sacrificed
at the shrine of this Moloch? Cannot the foun-
tains of sliquid fire'' be sealed at least till the
war be over, and the country be again blessed
with peace and plenty? Shall oar brave SOL
diers pass the fiery ordeal of battle to fall at
the hands Of their friends in the streets of
StaUnton
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1864-02-16
PLoT TO ASsAssINATE THE PREsI-

/ - -
|. For Several days pasEthe Government
has been in possession Of facts that hin
ted, beyond a doubt, to the existence Of
| a.secret organization of disloyal men,
having for its object the forcible release
of the Yankee prisoners held at the Lib
by and on Belize Isle, the assassination
Of the President, and the destruction of
the Government buildings and work
shops located here.
To Captain Macubbin, CHEZ of the de-
tectivc corps, was assigned the duty of
penetrating the m, s!eries of the case,
and threading the details through the
llabyrinths of rumor to their head and
source. That Official put the matter into
the hands Of two Of his most experienced
detectives, Messrs. Reese and Mitchell,
who Immediately set to work, and, on
Saturday night, they arrested, at his
house, on Seventeenth street, between
Main and franklin, German named
A. W. Heinz, baker, upon the charge
OF being a prominent member Of the
REASONABLE association, He was fur
thermore charged with melting Confed-
crate soldiers to matiny and the assassin
alton of the President. The detectives
seized, along with Heinz a great num-
Der of the most important papers, inclu-
ding the roll of membership OF the or
ganization, and documents of such a
character as to leave no doubt of Lis
crime, and the criminality Of others
The documents were taken possession
of yesterday by General Winder, who
ordered Heinz, to be placed in secure
quarters at Castle Thunder, and to al
low him no communication whatever
with any outside parties.
Heinz, the reputed ringleader, has al
ways been looked upon as disloyal
man, and his associates in treason arc all
pretty much OF his own character and
social standing.
1t is possible that other arrests will
follow, as the treason will be probed to
its depth, no matter whom it effects.
Eranaiae2. OF. the Sth inst.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1864-02-16
MARRIED.

On the 4th of Feb by tie Rev. w. T. Price, Private
CHARLES THOMPSON, 18th Va. Cavalry, and Miss
SALLY NJ. DAVIS, of Highland county. Va
On the 18th of JAN, BY the Rev. W. T. Price, Capt.
J. N. STUBBS of l2ta Ga, Battalion, and MISS LOU
ISA c.. daughter OF James Meyers of Highland CO.,
Virginia. s
Richmond papers please copy.
On the 2Sth of January, by the Rev. c. Beard, Mr.
JOEL Y. WHEELER and Mrs MARGARET A. PAT
TERSUN.
In Fort Delaware, January 2, 1864, Mr. WILLIAM
II ROLLINS, of Lexington, Va, IN the 10th year Of
his age. ~. ft..t
:, On the morning Of the 3rd of February, 1854 Of
Pneumonia, MARY CATHERINE SCOTT, inian
daughter of j. G. and L. Richardson
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1864-02-16

EMTeRATToN OF HUeuENors TO V1RGIN-
IA.-Rev. VIM. Fl. Foo'e, D. D., has
been preparing, during his exile from
home, a volume concerning tho emf
grafton Of tie Huguenots to Virginia.
Persons having documents ard records
concerning Manakintown, or any French
refugees to America, will confer favor
by a communication on the subject to
the Editor Of the Central Presbyterian,
or to the Rev. w. Henry Foo.e, Wolf
Trap, Halifax county, Va, to the care
of Col. Z. S. Flournoy.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1864-02-16
NToN sEKcTAToR And GENERAL ADYFRT1s'ER
For THE SPECTATOR

A book is now opened at the Valley Bank for
contributions to the Relief Fund for the family
Of the late DR.. Wright, of Norfolk. They have
been forced to leave their home, and seek pro-
lection and support among the people for whose
cause they are now widowed and fatherless.
Among the dark deeds of the enemy, his name
will ever recall the darkest of them all and
must awaken in every heart the desire to express
such sympathy for those whose lives have been
saddened by it, as will at least keep from them
the shadow of want.
That none may be denied the privilege of aid
ing, and with the hope of making the contribu-
tions general throughout the town and county,
they will be limited to $500. x.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1864-02-16

ARREST OF DEsERTERs.-The Raleigh
Confederate states that among the Yam
kee prisoners taken below Kinston last
week, there were forty-fivc desertcrs
from Ncthercutt's Battalion. They
were in full Yankee uniform, and will,
of course, suffer the penalty SO eminent
ly due the base crime Of desertion to
the enemy. One deserter from the Sth
regiment, caught in Yankee uniform,
was shot on Thursday week, with several
others.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1864-02-16
ESCAPE OF FEDERAL PRISONERS.

On Tuesday night last, one hundred
and nine Yankee prisoners (all officers
escaped from Libby prison. The num-
Der c9mpsehends eleven Colonies, seven
majors, thifty-seven captains and fifty
nlne. Ienter ants, including the infamous
Col. a. u. Streight, of the Goth Indiana
cavalry, captured with his command,
about a year ago, by Forrest in North
ern Georgia.
They were confined in the second sto-
ry, and effected their escape by cattin 9
apertures through two floors and dir
ging tunnel three feet in diameter and
fifty feet in length. The work on this
tunnel must have cost weeks Of patient
and energetic labor. The fortunes of
Gen. Morgan and Col. Streight arc very
similar. Both command cavalry, and
have been engaged III very daslling and
daring raids, both Rave had most of their
commands captured, both have been i'm
prisoned, and botL have escaped from
prison by digging a tunnelfro beneath
their prisons TO the outside world
Whether the parallel will be continued
by the success of Col. Streight in getting
safely back to his country to be lionized
remains to be seen. Col. Streieht has
gotten out OF a strait, and is now en-
deavoring to go straight to Yankeedoo-
dledom, but if he don't walk very
straight he will find himself i'll stroite
ed circumstances bcf@H~ --svn-
destination --v.e ne reaches bis
Z. S.-Since the above was written,
forty three Of the escaped prisoners
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1864-02-16
DIED

On Friday. the 18th instant, at the residence of his
father, near Deerfeld, Augusta county, Va, WILL
LIAM JAMES, son of J anies N. and Amanda E. Kin
caid, aged years, months. and 10 days, after an
illnsss of two weeks with that fatal dsease-Dyphe-
RE. He bore stiffness with great patience, never
marmur. Always when he asked, show he was, -
he would say, ,'bettcr" He retained his senses and
speech until nearly his last breath He was remark
able for his business capacities and knowledge OF
things Lis fond parents looked forward with antic-
ipation that he would bs aid aud comfort to them
but God saw tit to take him 10 himself In heaven He
was sprghtly and intelligent, and obedent and If.
feconate. Many hearts beside those of his bereaved
and afflicted parents will be stricken with the loss of
Little Willie Many shall miss his sweet smiles and
lovely countenance; but it is their duty say, stthe
will of the Lord be DONE" The Lord gave hi.a and
be hath taken him away. What do thou knowest
not row, but thou shalt know hereafter.
Sweet little Willie, now a. rest
Christ took sucn ia his arms and blest
Z, "a And said. to such it shall be given,
For of such is tie kingdom of heaven.
Weep not, dear friends, he's gone before,
To Canaan's peaceful, happy shore,
HIS body changed again shall rise = /.
10 join his soul above the skies.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1864-02-16
THE ENEMY's FORCE AT WILLIAMS
RIJRG.

A captured Yankee, belonging to the
One Hundred and Thirty-ninth New
York regiment, gives a distinct account
OF the enemy's force at williamsburg.
He says that General Wister is in com :
mand. There are three regiments in
the advance: the One Hundred and
Eighteenth New York, and the Ore
Hundred and Forty -eighSn New York.
There are SO two s'colored' regiments,
the Sixth Maryland and fifteenth Penn.
sylvania. Colonel Underdonk is in
command of tho Yankee cavalry, which
consists of six regiments. The enemy
has sixteen pieces of artillery-6-poun-
ders-Colonel Speer's in command -
The total Yankee force at Williamsburg
is said to be ten thousand men.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1864-02-16
THE WAR INFLORrDA.

The following dispatches were received by
Adjutant General Cooper on Friday last:
g CHARLESTON, February IL, 1864.
" To General s. Cooper:
ssGeneral Finnegan has repnlsed the enemy
force at Lake City-details not known.
sISgnedl G. T. BEAUREGARD.
CHARLESTON, February I'LL A. M
To Generals. Cooper !:
&C General Finnegan's success yesterday was
very creditable-the enemy's force being much
superiour to his own. His reinforcements had
net reached here, owing to delays on the road.
Losses not yet reported.
s[Siguedl
G. 7. BEAUREGARD."
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1864-02-16
THE wool INTEREST OF VIRGINIA

The bill introduced and supported
with So much zeal by j. Marshal. Nc
Cue, Esq, of this county, has pecome- a
law.
The act prohibits the sale of sheep
for mutton, as well as the bntcherine
at home with view to sending the
meat to market, under a penalty of S5l
for each sheep killed. The owner of a
dog which, upon proof before magis.
trate, has killed his neighbours sheep, is
made responsible to such owner for the
loss sustained. The master is response
Die, when his slaye'sdog has killed an
/ other's sheep.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1864-02-16
PACKAGE WANTED.

About last June, soldier, Mr.. H.
w. Chambers, left package contain
ing clothing, dental instruments, &C.,
with family in this place. The per
son in whose possession they We're left
viii confer a favor and be compensated
by delivering the package at the "Spec.
tatorv Office
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1864-02-16
TARLEAU.

A Tableau will be given at Union
Hall, Thursday Evening, the 18th inst.
the proceeds to be appropriated TO the
liquidation Of the debt on the NJ. E..
Church OF this place.
Admission So.
Tickets to be had at the Stores of G.
a. Armentrout and ?. N. Powell, and
at the door.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1864-02-16
VICTORY NEAR CHARLESTON.
The following despatch was received at th
War Department on Friday last:

\. Inc FOLLOWING despatch was received at the
War Department on Friday last:
CHARLESTON, February u, 1864.
ssGeneral Wise CALAMITY repnlsed the enemy
last evening at Johns Island. He is, to-day,
in pursuit. Our loss very trifing. The force of
the enemy is about two thousand ours about
one half.
ss[Signedl G. 7. BEAunEGARD.''
This victory, and that in Florida, are we'll
timed and important occurrences. It may be
stated now, that some days ago, General Beaure-
gard had indicated the belief that the enemy was
meditating an attack on our coast lines, from
Charleston to Florida their design in the latter
State extending to the capture of Tallahass Co.
It now appears that he has been repulsed lin
each direction. General Wise commands dis
trict, as does Finnegan in Florida, and in each
case it must have been an affair of important
numbers.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1864-02-16
The sale of moro furniture. &C.. at

The sale of moro furniture, &C., at
the Virginia Hotel, wild take place on
Monday next, as viii be seen by the
advertisement Of the Proprietor. A
mong other articles, there viii be sold
a quantity of sugar. This indispensable
article isnow quite scarce, and rapidly
on the rise in price. Those who desire
to continue the indulgence in the saoeets
of life would do well to attend the
sale.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1864-02-16
n EW ADVERTISEMENTS.

NJ ELSON COUNTY, to wit /: TO THE CLERK
In OF THE COUNTY COURT OF NELSON Co.
We. Jacob Crist. Henry Doom and Daniel McCiain.
three free holdersof the said county do hereby cert
fy that by virtue of warrant directed by J~hn W.
Dickinson. a Justice of the said county, we have
this day On our Ca.h. viewed and appraised horse
taken up by James w. Carter on his land as an es-
tray and the value OF the said estray at Thu
Hundred Dollars. The said horse is believed to be
seven years old this Spring; color, bright sorre
intermixed with gray hairs, but which would not be
noticed unless you We're close to him, small star in
the forehead marks of saddle his back and has the
appearance of being used as cavalry horse, very
low IN order and somewhat SCARED about the fore
legs and tail sorrel No other marks or brands
about the horse. Gwen under our hands this I'd day
of February, 1894. JACOB CRIST, .
Feb 16--3t HENRY DOOMS, A
DANIEL McCLAIN.
copy--teste
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1864-02-16

AversW .1Ssci'ag for another Roid.-
Tie Charlottesville Chronicle Of Satur-
day, has information from an intelligent
and reliable citizen of Bath county, that
Ayerill, who is at Petersburg, in Hardy
county, is preparing fora grand raid on
some important point. His force has
been increased to 5000 effective men,
and the Chronicle says the impresson is
that his aim is Lynchburg, via MilIbo-
rough and Lexington.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1864-02-16

AMONG the resolutions adopted by the
Virginia Senate on the Goth of January,
was one protesting against the conscrip-
ton of persons under IS and over As
years of age, as unwise and most inju-
Ilious in its effects, and favoring the or
ganization Of such persons under State
laws. The Virginia Senator's and Rep
resentatives We're requested to use their
utmost efforts to prevent the passage
ofsuch law by the Confederate States
Congress.