davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-09-04
Naval Academy.

What is the course of instruction.
ienStn OF course. discipline. etc. al,
me tni,ed States Naval Academy at
The course OF instruction runs four
years, and is in 20 main Inathema tical
ana professional. The principal sub.
jects are: Mathematics, English.
french. Spanish. drawing. natural and
experimental philosophy, chemistry
eeonomlcal physics. mineralogy. geol.
constitutional and military law. civil
ana military engineering. science OF
WaF' navigation. ordnance and gunnery
anu aflIl regulations ~ all arms of tae
service. The discipline is strict. and
me enforcement of penalties for Of
tenses is intiexible rather than severe
ABOUT one-fourth OF those appointed
iail to pass the prellm nary eXamina-
iion. and scarcely more than one-half
OF those accepted are graduated
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-09-04
Daily Queries and Ansuers

nought type now under course of con
struction are completed. the rank as
be: Great Britain, 81; Germany, II, and
United States, 10.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-09-04

The Golden Gate.
Please give the dimensions-length
at the entrance o; San Francisco mar
Dor ! r.
Length. five miles. The western end
Is two miles In width between Point
Bonita and Point Lobes and from this
1t contracts to less than seven-eighths
of a mile between Lime Point on tho
northern short and Fort Point on the
southern. The depth Increases from
twenty three fathoms at the western
end TO more than Sky fathoms near
the eastern end.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-09-04

StccI NH1.
What is the weight of railroad
steel rail-? p IT n
A rail meas uring from thirty to sixty
feet in length weighs from twenty-fiv,
to 100 pounds TO the linear yard. ac.
cordlnS to the amount OF traffic and
speed OF transportation, and the gra.
dents and curves OF the road
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-09-04

Abe Martin says: Theirs talk o,
ouiidIn' a home fer ole an indignant
consumers"
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-09-04
Navnl Strength,

What is the sank OF tho principal
nations OF the earth. from Me srapSl
po!rs of navies?
According to Pulsh ,r's Annual 70,
me fne eurren; year. they rank as fo-
Lows: ships-Great Britain. France
Germany. Russia. Japan. United STATES
Italy; large guEs-Great Britain. United
states. Germany. France. Japan. Rus
sla, Italy; tonnage--same rank as
guns When the vessels of the dread
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-09-04

Chinese and Jnpanese.
/. Can Chinese take out naturaliza-
ton papers and become an American
citizen?
=. Can Chinese born in the United
States vote?
8. Can Japanese become natural
lied and vote in tire United States?
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-09-04

Cd The naturalization of Chinese IS
expressly prohibited by section II,
utesl.
t2g Yes.
CA No
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-12-30

and went from that interview with au-
thority to begin action at once and not
wait for a contract, for that would be
sent on by mail. Before the contract
was signed the keel plates for the first
Monitor had passed through the roll
ing mill.
The closing week OF December was
free from exciting war enterprise
There was a skirmish in Kentucky and
another in Missouri. On the 18th of the
month at Sacramento. KY, Nathan
Bedford Forrest, famous Confederate
raiding chief. made his debut at the
head Of a cavalry column. At Mount
Zion, Mo-. the Third Missouri caval-
~ and Birge's sharpshooters defeated
a Confederate force estimated at 800
men.
Naval Victories Of 1851.
But for the navy the northern side
would have ended the year with little
cause for rejoicing over its martial
achievement up to that time. 1t began
to blockade the chief southern sesports
as soon as hostilities were declared.
All the ships in foreign waters were
ordered home for this purpose, but as
late as July the foreign governments
were disposed to claim that the block
ade was not as effective as is required
by international law. In other words,
the ports were lawfully opened to COM
merce If neutrals were 50 disposed. In
the United States congress itself the
right to blockade any seaports was Wig
orously disputed.
The south, Of course. claimed that
the blockade was a failure. Not hav-
ing a navy they made no serious at
tempt to make good their contention
In this respect. At Galveston, In Au-
gust, Confederate shore battery fred
into the blocka6er South Carolina. It
had no other result than to cause the
plucky commander OF the ship TO lay
closer to shore and toss shells at the
battery. regardless OF the town behind
II. IN October. however. there was a
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-12-30
Notice OF PubIIcafIor..

State of Illinois, Rock Island Coz,
ty-ss
In the Circuit Court. To the M.
term. 1912. In Chaneery No. sT12 4
Thenphil Bousson VS.. Emma BoussC
Affidavit OF non-residence of the abpys
named defendant. Emma Bousson, hav
ing been filed In the clerks office of the,
circnlt court Of said county, notice IL
therefore hereby given to the said nom.
resident defendant that the complainant
filed his bill of complaint in said court
on the chaneery side thereof, on thu
25th day OF December, 1911, and that
thereupon summons issued out Of said,
court wherein said suit is now pendsngm
retprnable on the first Monday IN fh
month OF May next, as Is by law re
Quired.
Now. unless you. the said non-resi1
dent defendant above named, Emnaj
Bousson, shall personally be and appear|
before said circuit court, on the sFstl
day OF the next term thereof to bel
holden at Rock Island. in and for sail
county. on the first Monday IN Ma
next, and plead. answer or demur 10 ths
said compiainants bill of complaint tb ,
same and the matters and things thett
In charged and stated will be takenjI
conf ssed, and a decree entered agaf
you according to the prayer of SAID H-,f
GEORGE w. GAMBLE. Clerf4 q
Rock Island, III. Dec. II. 1911. 81 4
II. A. Weld. complainant's SOLICITOR
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-12-30
Notice of Publication.

State of Illinois, Rock Island Coun-
ty-ss:
In the Circuit Court January Term,
A d. 1912.-In Chancery.
Bertha Baker VS.. Moses l. Baker
Affidavit that said defendant, Moses
L. Baker, upon due and diligent in
Quiry can not be found. having been
fled in the clerks office of the circuit
court of said county, notice Is there
fore hereby given to the said defend
ant that the complainant filed her bill
of complaint in said court, on the
chancery side thereof. on the 29th day
of November, 1911, and that thereupon
a summons issued out of said court,
wherein said suit is now pending, re-
turnable on the first Monday in the
month of January next as is by law
required.
Now, unless you. the said defendant
above named. Moses L. Baker, shall
personally be and appear before said
circuit court, on the first day of the
next term thereof, to be holden at Rock
Island in and for said county on the
first Monday in January next. and
plead, answer or demur to the said
compiainants bill of complaint. the
same and the matters and things there
| in charged and stated Will be taken as
confessed. and a decree entered against
you according To the prayer OF said bill
GEORGE W. GAMBLE. Clerk
| Rock Island. Ill. nov. 20. 1911
| Marion E Sweeney. compliments So
| Ifcifor.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-12-30

nous In the Federal navy as the Moni-
tor. 1t was Just 100 days from the
laying OF the keel plate OF the vessel
to her launching and christening.
Three OF the leading manufa curing es-
Adjustments Of New York were work
ing day and night on the different
parts.
Ericsson was an enthusiast. but had
had difficulty in getting the navy oti-
Gals to order him to build his novel
engine OF war. It was at first rejected
but by a trick Ericsson was brought
before the board and became so warm
ed up by objections Of the officials that
he exclaimed. Gentlemen, after what
I have said I consider it to be your
duty TO the country to give me an or
der TO build the vessel before leave
this room" He was invited to call
again at / o'clock. He did SO and,
after an hours argument, was again
dismissed and asked to call again at
o'clock. The amiable Swede did so
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-12-30
COURT HOUSE RECORD
RealEstate Transfers.


Victorine and Peter Styvaert to
Charles and Clemence Colbert, lot 4.
block 5, Park Ridge addition, Moline,
81.
Cyrus V. Dart to H. H. Hubbard, lots
80 and 33, Hale's addition, Rock Is
land, 81.
Edward Wilke to Louis Pomrank, lot
5, block 2, Woodin's addition. Rock Is
land, $1,000.
Lucy Krider to Robert D. Taylor,
west two-thirds, northeast quarter,
northwest quarter, section IL, 16, CIV,
$500.
John II. Bertelsep to Edward M. Ell
lott, lot II, Goldsmith & McKees ad-
dition, Rock Island, $3.50.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-12-30
WEATHER CONDITIONS.

Snow or rain in the southern plateau
states and over most of the territory
between the Rockies and the Allegha-
MES has resulted from the southwest
ern storm which has decreased in in
tensity and overlies the west gulf sec
tons and the lower Mississippi valley
A rainfall Of 2.14 inches is reported
from Shreveport, La. The northwest
ern cold wave has extended to west
ern Iowa, where the temperatures are
below zero. The thermometer regis
tiers more than 20 degrees below zero
in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta
and eastern Montana, with the lowest
reading at Z a. m, 80 degrees below
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-12-30
LEGAL.
Executors Notice

Estate of Luvinia Bingham, deceased.
me Undersigned having been appoint.
ed administrator with the will an.
nexed of the last will and testament q
Luvinia Bingham. late of the county
Rock Island, state of Illinois, deceast
hereby gives notice that he will appe
before Hon. Benjamin Bell, Judge OF Il
probate court of Rock Island county,
the probate court room. in the city
Rock Island, at the March term, on tiy
first Monday In March next, at which
said estate are notified and requested u
attend for the purpose of having tn
same adjusted. J
All persons indebted to said este
are requested to make immediate =
ment TO the undersigned.
Dated this ed day of Decembeil
d. 1871.
CLARENCE ]. SCHROEDER
Administrator with VIII Annexe
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-12-30
Executors Notice.

Estate of Laura Kopp Feiies, de-
ceased.
The undersigned having been ap-
poitned executor of the last will and
testament of Laura Kopp Felles, late OF
the county of Rock Island, state of ILL.,
nois, deceased. hereby gives notice that
he will appear before the Hon. Benja-
min Bell, Judge of the probate court of
Rock Island county, at the probate court
February term, on the first Monday in
February next, at which time all per-
sons having claims against said estate
are notified and requested to attend for
the purpose of having the same adjust
ed All persons Indebted to said estate
are requested to make immediate pay
ment to the undersigned
Dated 18th day OF December, A. d.
1911 HENRY NAUMANN,
Executor.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-12-30
TOday's Market Quotations

$4,000; specie, increase $6.243, 0Ot
legals, increase $1,059,000 deposit
increase $16,262.O0O; reserve, increa:
$S,9o5,900; actual loans, increase $1l
100000; specie, increase s12,622, 90,
legals, increase S4,509.000: deposit
increase $42.oa1,o 900; reserve. incseaa
$7,35S,560
LOCAL MARKET CONDITIONS.
Dec. 0.-FoIlowing are the quota
lions on the local market today:
Eggs, Csc.
Butter--Dairy, soc; creamery, 43c.
Lard, 121sc.
Feed and Fuel.
Corn, per bushel, 72c.
Oats, SOC.
Forage-Timothy hay, $40.
Glover hay, SIS.
Wheat, SOC to S3c.
Wild hay. $14 to SIS.
Straw, IS.
New corn, 5Sc to COO.
Coal-Lump. per bushel. 15c; slack
Potatoes. SOC.
10c.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-12-30
LEGAL.
Executors Notice.

Executors Notice.
Estate of David Gruhl, deceased.
The undersigned having been appoint
ed eXecutrix of the last will and tesla
ment of David Gruhl. late of the county
of Rock Island. state of Illinois, de-
ceased, hereby gives notice that she
will appear before Hon. Benjamin Bell
Judge of the probate court of Rock Is
land county, at the probate room, in
the city of Rock Island, at the March
term, on the first Monday in March
next, at which time all persons having
claims against said estate are notified
and requested to attend for the purpose
of having the same adjusted.
All persons indebted to said estate are
requested 20 make immediate payment
to the undersigned.
Dated this 2Srd day of December, A.
d. 1911.
ANNA PAPENHAUSEN, Executrix.
Clarence ]. Schroeder, attorney.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-12-30
Notice of Final settIement.

Estate of Frederick w. Molier.
ceased.
Public notice is hereby given tn
the undersigned. administrator of I'll
estate OF Frederick w. Moller. deceas9 |
settlement as such in the probate coui
of Rock Island county. and hearing d.
said report has been set for Jan |
persons interested may appear an
r1ake objections thereto. and IL no OBJ
trcttons are fled, said report will bz
approved at that time. and the undo x
signed will ask for an order of distri-
button, and will also ask to be dis
charged.
Rock Island. ILL.,, Dec. II. 1911
MABEL G. MOLLER
Administrative of the Estate of Freder-
fck w. Moller. deceased
H A Weld. attorney
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-12-30
LEGAL.
N7-|->-"-N-~-~-~~--
Executors Notice.

Estate of George NJ. Hastings. de-
ceased.
The undersigned having been APP
pointed executrix of the last viii and
testament of George NJ. Hastings. late
of the county of Rock Island state of
Illinois, deceased, hereby gives notice
Benjamin Bell. Judge of the probate
court of Rock Island county. at the
probate court room. in the city of Rock
leland, at the March term, 1912 on the
first Monday In March next, at which
time all persons having claims against
said estate are notified and requested
to attend for the purpose of having the
said estate are requested to make inn
mediate payment 10 the undersigned
Dated 22nd day of December, A. d.
zs11. MATILDA A HASTINGS,
George C. wenger. attorney.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-12-30
Executors Notice.

Estate of Mayer Rosenfeld. deceased.
The undersigned having been ap-
pointed executors OF the last will and
testament OF Mayer Rosenfield, late OF
the county Of Rock Island, state of ILL
nois. deceased. hereby give notice that
min Bell, Judge of the probate court of
Rock Island county. at the probate
cour. room. In the city Of Rock Island,
at the February term. on the first Mon
day IN February next. at which time ali
persons having claims against said es-
tate are notified and requested to at
tend for the purpose of having the same
adjusted. An persons indebted to said
estate are requested to make Immediate
payment TO the undersigned
Dated 9Th day OF December A d.
1911. CLARA r. SHERMAN.
JOSEPH ROsENFIELD.
Executors.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-12-30
The War Fifty Years Ago

Victories of 1861 on Land and Sea--First Christmas
In Camp 49, End Of the War With England Scare
Specie Payments Suspended by the Leading Banks
of the North---The Country Drained of Coin by the
United States Treasury For War Purposes - John
Ericsson. Builder Of First Monitor. Tests His New
Craft at New York---Mlitary Situation at Close of
1861--Federa Naval Triumphs on the Carolina Coasts.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-12-30
~ Captain esoRes I KLsrER. Late

By csptnin GEORGE L KTLrTER. Late
Y. S.V.
Tcoryright By American Press Associa-
ton. 1s11-1
0N Dec. Is, nfty years ago, the
Federal troops IN front Of
Washtngts%, celebrated their
. FIRST Christmas in camp. Many
Of the tents were uncovered with ev-
ergreens. War prisoners OF both con-
tending armies were anxiously await
ing the result Of negotiations on foot
for their exchange. This was the first
general holiday by the troops on either
side. Thanksgiving IN 1851 was not a
national holiday IN the north. The
governors Of Maine aud Massachusetts
had issued a Thanksgiving proclama-
ton and the day was observed in the
usual way By the Maine and Massa-
chusetts troops In the field. In 1881.
however. soldering was such q new
experience that the men were not in a
mood TO make merry in camp. An
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-12-30
Executors Notice.
Estate of Cynthia N. Cronk. deceased
The ,n6erstzned having haan an

Estate of Cynthia N Cronk. deceased
The undersigned having been ap-
pointed executors of the last will and
testament OF Cynthia NJ Cronk, late OF
the county of Rock Island, state of Iili-
nois. deceased. hereby give notice that
they will. appear before the Hon. Ben
jamin Bell, fudge OF the probate court
OF Rock Isalnd county, at the probate
court room. IN the city OF Rock Island,
al the March term, on the FIRST Monday
in March next, at which time ali per-
sons having claims against said estate
are notified and requested to attend for
the purpose OF having the same adjust.
ed All persons indebted 70 said estate
are requested TO make Immediate pay
ment to the undersigned
Dated zSth day of December. A. D.
Ia1l ALFRED SKINNER
MINNIE kII.I-NER
Executors.
Jackson. Hurst . STAFFORD. attorneys
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-12-30

be Zero
WILLIS l. MOORE. Chief

at Prince Albert. Another storm CEN
ter, attended by rising temperature
and light precipitation, is appearing on
the north Pacific coast. Owing to the
eastward movement of the southern
disturbance and the continued ap-
proach of the northwestern high. snow
lis indicated for this vicinity tonight
and Sunday, with a cold wave.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-12-30
OBSERVATIONS.

Cows 2.O0Q6.40. Westerns 4.60@6.60.
Calves 525@S.00.
Sheep steady Native 275Q4.50.
Lambs, native 4.25Q6.50. Westerns
2.00@650. Lambs, westerns 4.75@6.50.
Yearlings 4.6595.60.
Close of Market.
Hogs closed weak at opening prices.
Light 5.70@6.10 Bulk 5.95@615.
Mixed 5.S0@6.20. Heavy 5.S5@6.25.
Rough 5.S5@6.00.
Cattle steady. Top $50.
Sheep steady. Top 4.50. Lambs $50.
Western 1--we Stock
Hogs. Cattle. Sheep.
Kansas City $500. 5000 200 -.
Omaha -. 1850. 5,400 80. 49,.
Estimated Chicago Tomorrow.
HOGS Cattle. Sheep
Chicago -. $3.50. $4,000 10000 $4,000
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-12-30

Brockton. Mass. Dec. s0.--In order
TO save the farm HIS father n no
longer able TO work. Rev. Ira z. Davis,
pastor OF the wealthy Albert Memorial
church here. win quit the ministry
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-12-30
BOARD OF TRADE TRANSACTIONS.

BOARD OF TRADE TRANSACTIONS
Wheat.
December, f4A, 94%, OPS, SO.
May, $685.. $685., 9S5s, SO.
July. 94A, 94k, 94%, s4A.
Corn.
December, 64A, 6S1s, 64A, 6S.
May, e31s, 63%, 6Sss, 63as.
July, 63h, 635s, 633s, $685..
December, 467s, 471a, 461s. 461s.
May. Ats, AIS, Az, 47a.
July, 43A, 4Sai. 1885, 1875.
Pork.
January, 15.40,. 1885, 1910, 15.45.
May, 1890, 1906. 1890, 1895.
Lard.
January, go, 900, go, 915.
May, 9.35, 9.42, 9.35, 9.37.
Ribs.
January. S.27, s.35, s.27. sS2.
May, S.57. s62. s.55, $50.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-12-30


this was changed the second year. and
Christmas especially was celebrated
heartily on both sides OF the line.
On the 26th w. n. Seward, Lincoln's
secretary Of state, announced that the
! Confederate commissioners. Mason and
Sndell, who were confined at Fort
Warren. would be set free. The news
put an end TO public agitation over q
threatened war with England This
decision had long been awaited. and
the people OF the north felt relieved.
as this problem was settled at last.
About this time q project for laying
submarine telegraph along the south
Atlantic and gulf coasts TO connect
the Federal army and navy posts was
under consideration in Washington.
Submarine telegraph was In its in
fancy. Short stretches were working
satisfactorily on both continents. but
the long cable under the Atlantic had
ceased to transmit soon after It was
laid In 1868. Cyrus Fields idea was
chung to In spite OF his faflure to con-
meet America and England with the
cable which failed In 1865.
Dec. 30 was q day to date from in
the finances Of the north. The banks
In New York, Boston and Philadelphia
suspended specie payment owing to
heavy loans In coin made TO the United
States treasury for war purposes. The
crisis led to the issue Of United States
legal tender notes and fractional cur
rency In denomination from 8 cents up
ward. those under 81 being called
'-shinplasters." The immediate cause
OF the suspension was the insistence
by the United States treasurer that
all the loans made to the government
10 carry on the war must be paid in
coin.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-12-30

(By wire from E. w. Wagner & Co..
Grain, provisions, stocks and cotton
Local offices at Rock Island house. Rock
Island, Ill. Chicago office, 9S-99-10O.
Board of Trade. Local telephones No.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-12-30
THE GRAIN MARKET.
Chicago Cash Grain.

Wheat-No. 96@97, No. 8 r 94@
90, No. INV $4,000, No. INV 94G9S,
No. 1 ms 105@109, No. ms 100@107,
No. 8 ms 97@104, No 96@102, No.
s $4,000, No $685., VIC 900
104, durum 90@102.
Corn-No. COZ @61, No. W 611aG
81, No. y old 20, No. 61@61k,
No. 571 @581a, No. W 5911 @6O,
No. 5s@591a, Sym 55& @5S, sgy
missing.
Oats-No. 2 W 4SA@4S%, No. 8 As,
No. W 4794SA, No. 4 W 44q47h,
standard 4SH
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-12-30
EricssOn's Naval Wonder.

On the last day Of the year the en-
CINE and propeller Of John Ericsson's
ironclad marine wonder were tested in
New York and worked satisfactorily.
THIS little vessel afterward became IA
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-12-30

Bank Statement.
New York, Dec. 30.-Clearing house
members average loans. increase ST.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-12-30

c. Il. Sheriff., former American
minister to Argentina, Is in Lonoon
recovering from a physical break
down which compell-1 him to leave
the diplomatic service. He COM
mented causticany upon RidgeIey
C&rter's refusal to ,-ccept the Ar
genttna pest on the ground that he
couldn't afford It
1T took re four months to find
the kind OF house I wanted In
Buenos Aires" he said, ''and then
1t cost me exactly the amount of
my salary to INT it"
Sheriff. Is warmly In favor of the
plan to nave America own the
houses OF her foreign representatives.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-12-30
Primary Movement.
LIVE STOCK MARKET.
OPENING of Market.

Hogs $4,000. Left over 1922. Pros
poets are 10c lower than yesterdays
average. Light 5.75G610. Mixed SIS
Q6.25. Heavy 5.s5q6.25. Rough SIS
@600.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-12-30

and become a tiIler of the soil. The
farru Is located in onarga, III.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-12-30
NEW YORK STOCKS.

New York, Dec 0.-Following are
quotations on the market today:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-12-30
The Armies In Winter Quarters.

The closing week of 1851 found the
contending armies Of the civil war In
winter quarters, Federal and Confed-
crate facing each other or prepared
to do SO.
The Confederates were everywhere
on the defensive. fighting on their own
soil. 1t was policy for them to play a
waiting game The enemy must at
tack them In order to prosecute the
war. On the other hand. the policy
OF the Federals was aggressive. except
around washington. The capital must
be kept out of the hands of the Con-
federates at all cost. An extensive
chain OF forts was built on the Vir-
ginia side Of the Potomac, inclosing
Washington in a semicircle. These
forts were built by the troops lying In
camps around Washington and Alex
andria. The troops were kept under
constant drill. In the west the troops
In the great camps were also drilled.
with q view to assuming the offensive
at days notice. The leaders Of the
brigade and divisions were nearly all
officers Of the regular army. The lead
ers in the Confederate army were also
officers trained at West Point, most of
whom had seen service In Mexico.