Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1912-02-21
DC
CIVIL WAR
FIFTY YEARS AGO
THIS WEEK
February is, 1862.

We're appointed having power to re-
assemble the convention if the new
state is admitted into the Union by
congress.
The tone of English speech regard
ing the United States was different
this day. John Bright made strong
speech in Parliament denouncing the
attitude of England in the Trent af-
fair, and Earl Russell explained the
case of Mr. Shaver, a British subject
in prison at Fort Warren, sustaining
the action of the American govern
ment.
Flag officer Goldsb6rough and Briga-
der General Burnside issued a proc
lamation at Roanoke Island inviting
the inhabitants Of North Carolina to
separate themselves from the malign
influences of the bad men in their
midst anS 20 return to their alleg-
lance.
The first session of the congress of
the permanent government of the Con-
federate states was opened at noon in
the capitol at Richmond, Va.
February 10, 1862.
The Memphis Appeal rumored the
evacuation of Columbus, KY, by the
Confederates. General Polk issued
orders yesterday that the track of the
Memphis & Ohio railroad should be
torn up and the bridges burned, which
order was obeyed, and by this time
the work of destruction is complete on
a great part of the road,'' says the is
sue of this date. "a rumor prevailed
on the streets this afternoon that Gen
eral Polk was preparing to evacuate
Columbus tomorrow, remove all the
guns, etc., and demolish the fortif1ca-
tons. The forces at New Madrid and
Fort Pillow, together with the Column
| bus troops, are to report to Memphis
at once, and make stand, making an
army of $4,000 men,"
President Lincoln issued the follow
ing proclamation: 'It is recommended
to the people of the United States that
| they assemble in their customary
places for meeting for public solemn
ties, on the twenty-second day of Feb
ruary. and celebrate the anniversary Of
/ the birth of the Father of His Coun-
try, by causing to be read his immor-
tai Farewell Address,
The electoral votes for president and
vice-president of the Confederate
States of America were counted in the
| Confederate congress at Richmond, Va.
! The total number of votes CAST was
| 100. They were cast unanimously for
Jefferson Davis and Alexander H.
! Stephens, respectively.
The city of GAINESVILLE, on the Cum
berland river, in Tennessee, was oc-
cupied by the Nationals under Flag
Officer A H. Foote, U. s. N.
February 20, 1862.
The loss of Forts Henry and Donnel-
son, and the strategic retirement of
! General Johnston to a point in the
rear of Nashville, Tenn, caused alarm
among the Confederate sympathizers
throughout the state. The state gov
eminent was transferred from Nash
vile to Memphis. The transfer was
| ordered by resolution Of the assembly.
Isham G.. Harris, governor of Ten
nessee, made complaint Of the diff
Guilty he had experienced in organizing
! the militia for defense, and asked for
a remodeling of the militia system. A
monster defense meeting was held in
! Memphis to act on his suggestions.
The stores in the streets were closed,
| business was suspended, and the pop
ulace turned out to see what might
be done, so imminent seemed the ap-
proach Of the Union troous.
The United States steamer Stepping
! Stone, accommodating in the Occoquan
creek, in Virginia, in company with a
/ launch and boats crew from the
Yankee, were warmly handled by a
masked battery that opened on them
as they were descending the creek.
The fire was hot on both sides until
the Union vessels passed out of
range.
Winton, N c., was burned by the
Federal forces under General Burn
side. The troops, with gunboats,
/ assembled the Chowan river, where the
Confederates opened fire Oh them.
The national troops landed and de-
stroyed the town in retaliation.
A cavalry raid by troops under Gen
eral Mitchell in the vicinity of Rus
seville, KY, netted IL Confederate
prisoners.
February Fl, 1862.
The Richmond Wing deplored the
proposition made by Governor Letcher
of Virginia to call out for organiza-
ton and drill all male inhabitants be-
tween the ages of sixteen and sixty.