The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1911-10-19
The War News of 1861,
As it was Published in Belfast from April
23rd to June 21st.

u. L
tunity to look over file of The Pro-
gressive Age Evening Bulletin, issued
daily from April 23rd to June %, 1861. 1t
is single sheet, Is inches long by 1-2
inches wide and with few exceptions
both sides are printed, the matter set
three columns to page. The sheets
are now yellow with age but otherwise
are we'll preserved after the lapse of half
a century. First in order is --latest by
Telegraph" then "Despatches to the
MorAing Papers" and miscellany. The
issue of April 23d contained also pro-
ceedings of the Maine legislature. which
had organized April 22nd. Gov. Wash
burn delivered brief, pointed and
patriotic address, which was received
with the utmost enthusiasm and "Mr
Gould of Thomaston, one of the leading
Democrats of the house, introduced a
resolution pledging the entire resources
of the State to the vigorous support of
federal authority The resolution was
unanimously adopted by "rising as one
man. Brief kilograms announced a
general uprising and the raising of
money and troops to aid the govern
ment. April oath it was reported that
Fort McHenry had been reinforced, that
the rebels were erecting batteries on
the Potomac and orders had been given
to dislodge them at all hazards; that
Gen. Scott had been offered a commits
sion as c0mmander-in -chief of the Con-
federate army, which he had Indignantly
declined. In speech at Newburyport
Hon. Caleb Gushing said that his fortune
and services were at the disposal of his
country. The States, north and south,
were calling for troops, anu Missouri
had begun to furnish her quota tor the
Union army.
April 9th North Carolina was report
ed as about to secede, and the secession
ISIS had threatened to hang ex-Gov.
Gilmore who had resisted the tide of
passion. A deputation from MARYLAND
and Virginia had waited or President
Lincoln and demanded the cessation of
hostiliries until after the session of Con-
gress. The presidents answer was
prompt and decided One of the party
said that 5000 Marylanders would con-
test the passage Of troops over her soil,
to which the PRECEDENT replied that he
presumed there was room Oh her soil to
bury 1000.
Capt. H. W. Cunningham's company,
comprising 10 privates, vas organized in
Belfast April p, 1861. Geo. Gum of
Searsmont was elected LIST Lieut.. and
Richard S. Aver of Liberty End Lieut..
The company paraded in Custom House
square and were addressed by several
citizens and afterwards marched through
number of the streets. The ladies of
the city met in Pierce's hall that after
noon to make arrangements for furnish
ing garments for the company. Mrs. N. |
T. Monroe was chairman and Mrs. ]. G.
Dickerson secretary of the meeting,
Mrs. Wm. H. Burrill was chosen presi
dent Of the society with the following
ladies as committee of the whole: Mrs.
H. H. Johnson, Mrs. L. D. Wardwel, /
Mrs Capt Dyer, Mrs. Cakes Angler.
Mrs. Daniel Harden, Mrs. Daniel Lane. !
Mrs. Cyrus Patterson, Mrs. Charles
Field, Mrs. Susan White.
Books of enlistment had been opened
at the armory of the City Gravs, and
the company was filling up rapidly.
April 29th the Governor of Ohio was
sending troops to protect the Union men
Of Virginia. Large number of troops
were arriving at New York from the
south. The President was to prorul-
gate proclamation extending the block
AIDE to the ports of Virginia and North
Carolina.
April Goth, Secession had been defeated
IN the Maryland legislature; an entbus-
lastic Union meeting had been held in
West Baltimore; Western Virginaswas
applying for arms; more southernstroops
were moving north. The LIST Maine regi-
ment was about to leave for the front
and three more We're to go within a
week.
May 1st. Gov. Pichens in addressing
the South Carolina volunteers said:
Hold yourselves in readiness to march
to the tomb of Washington and swear
that no Northern Goths or Vandals shall |
desecrate its sacred precincts; and that
you will make it an American Mecca to |
which the votaries of freedom and indie |
pendence of the South shall make pill |
grimage" The Confederate Congress
met in Montgomery, Alabama, and Davis
IN his message announced the ratifca- /
ton Of the constitution and said it only
remains for the election of officers to |
administer the government. He said |
Virginia had united with the Confed- |
eracy and he had satisfactory assurances
that other Southern States would follow.
Three Belfast vessels, commanded by
Capt. William Shute, Capt Thomas
Shute and Capt. Foss, We're reported de-
tanned by the authorities up one of the
rivers in the interior of South Carolina,
i i