Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-10-12
FIFTY YEARS AGO
In The STAR

Much interesting information regarding
the state OF things in tho Confederacy
was obtained during war
Lees Official time from the Richmond
cA.44 papers, which were freely
.OtateMe0t. passed through the lines
In The, Star OF Octoher-5. 1856. Is brief
extract OF q three-column synopsis. print
ed In the. Richmond Dispatch. Of Gen.
Lees official' report on the Pennsylvania
campaign, eliminating in the battle of
Gettysburg. The reasons for undertaking
the campaign are thus summarized:
''The position occupied by the enemy
tthe Union army opposite Fredericks-
burg being one in which he could not be
attacked to advantage, twas determined
to draw him from it. The execution of
this purpose embraced the relief Of the
Shenandoah valley from tho troops that
had occupied the lower part OF it during
the winter and spring. and, IL practicable,
the transfer OF the scene Of hoetilities
north OF the Potomac. 1t was thought
that the corresponding movements on the
part Of the enemy, to which those con-
templated by US would probably give rise.
might offer q fair opportunity to strike
a blow at the army therein commanded
by Gen. Hooker and that. in any event,
that the army would be compelled to
leave Virginia, and possibly to draw to
its support troops designed TO operate
against other parts Of the country. In
this way 1t was supposed that the enc
my's plan of campaign for the summer
would be broken UP and pars OF the sea-
son of active operations be consumed IN
the formation of new combinations and
the preparations that they would require.
In addition to these advantages 1t was
hoped that other valuable results might
be attained by military success"
The problem Of the high cost Of living
became severely acute In Washington
during the civil war, al
Consumers though there was no
~ o shortage Of food. One
= VtSaAAAo' result Of the high prices
was the organization of a Consumers
Protective Association In The Star OF
October 6, 1853, is a report of meeting
of this association. Stephen Prentiss'
tina president and business agent, report
ed that he had visited Harrisburg, Phila-
delphia and other points to learn the
state of the market, particularly with rel
erence to coal. At the same time propo-
sails were solicited personally and by ad-
yertising, and several propositions were
received. among which was one from
nartv in Pennsylvania who proposed to
furnish the association with coal at their
doors at 50 q ton. The same party aiso
proposed furnishing flour, butter and
other provisions and freighting the same
on their own cars thro1gh 10 ssn1
ing a central and suitable location, out
they had the promise OF suitable place
and until 1t was obtained they would use
a. storeroom on Louisiana avenue. Az
this place they can furnish members with
potatoes. -four, etc. and are now ready
to receive orders. From ~ TO iUO eohs
OF coal was hourly expected, which, on
its arrival, would be delivered to NIL Or
derss left with the secretary. After the
reading OF this report several speeches
were made. One speaker stated that an
ARA nrenient had been made with a. gen
;tieRaan. OF large experience and Capita
who came to this city on business sDy
us the privilege Of selecting from his
stock. Whatever he buys We do pot
want he has the privilege OF selling az nis
own profit. The speaker he'd peen asKeu,
What has become of your aSsooiafaoA.
Heard 1t had gone up!" 1t had not& gone
up. It had some seventy-flve Of eighty
members, and they can purchase
saving Of their stock, contributions cvery
;month provided they take but one snare.
1t had been slow work. but he had R9t
t9een OlSHedICSieus d.io "AA.S 500 ~
colleagues had not always thought 80, ne
believed that they would finally succeed.
True 4phen he sees one class Of clerks
Who have always purchased at q dis
tannss 10 ;Aadvantage-another who. by
srea51e borrowing. have not
canfs E1tfNhkm at payday. and yet a
third: WkoTa.e standing off. waiting to
see IL the project will succeed. he felt
little discouraged. but he had no fears OF
the ultimate result.
. So. sSssrt <,isst,s ~ Sk.s->
paragraph printed In The Star OF DC
tober Z, 1853 is illustrative of wartime