smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1863

March 81, 1863.


DEAR DocroR IL am experimenting
amid the beauties, delicacies, harmonies
and virtues Of barrack- life, and, truth to
say, bat'ng few drawbacks, it pleases
me we'll. OF course rough stable-like
shanties, which were whte-washed some
two years ago, do not present such exter-
nal comeliness, nor quite that internal CO.
syness possessed by Judge Browns gothic;
but the quarters are pretty comfortable
after all, especially when we think how
soon they may be exchanged fer shelter
tents, or the storm cloud.


So far as have become acquainted with
the officers of the 9th. like them well.
| do not think that their elegant manners
would win the admiration Of romantic
misses, but they appear to carry their
hearts in their right places. Some of them
affect TO think themselves TO be too far
gone TO be benefited by their Chaplain,
yet they profess themselves anxious that
he should do all he can for their men,
The Proclamation is fast filling up the
reduced companies with the returning
Shenanigans, and many amusing facts
have exposed the flimsy and false preten-
ses upon which some Of them attempted
to obtain forgiveness for past desertion,
and discharges from further service.


One day / was in the hospital, when a
robust young man, in citizens clothing,
presented himself as an absentee from the
Regiment since June last, and "a an ap
plicant for discharge, because the mus.
cles of his leg had become so contracted
that he could not move his knee joint, nor
straighten his lee. 4 glance at the boot
he wore showed that although he who
now had it on hobbled painfully upon his
toes, it had been worn, and that recently.
by some person who had trod firmly upon
his heel. The Doctor examined the knee.
and amid chorus Of groans gave the leg
several quite lusty pulls, and then order
ed the Steward to bring the chloroform.


The fellow at first declared he would
not submit to the operation; but the
Doctor assured him that resistance would
be worse than useless; with evident re-
luctance he lay down uoon a bed and the
chloroform was administered, when the
rigid muscles relaxed. and the shortened
limb became as long as its fellow. OF
course he was ordered TO report himself
for duty Immediately. and the Doctor
gave him the comforting assurance that
his pay would be stopped from the day he
first left the Regiment.


We expect to co down the river, but
are, with what patience we can, waiting
to see the pleasant features Of the man
who distributes the grecn-backs.


a. l..
Year: 1863

READING AND THINKING.-lt
is good to read, mark, learn-but
it is better to inwardly digest.
1t is good to read, better to think
better to think one hour than
to read ten hours without think
ing. Thinking is to reading ut
the book read have anything In
it,) what rain and sunshine are to
the seed cast into the ground, the
influence which maketh 1t bear
and bring forth, thirty, forty, an
hundred fold, To read is to
gather into the barn or store
house of the mind; to think IS to
cast seed corn into the ground 10
make it productive. To read IL
to collect information; to think Is
to involve power.
Year: 1863

preceding fever is at its hight. and Just before
the eruption sppears, tha chest is mhbsd with
cTolon oil and tsrtaTic ointment This causes
the whole Of the eruption to appear that part
Of the body, to the relief Of thu rest. Il also
secures a full and complete erupti0 aad thus
prevents the disease from attacking The internal
organs This is said to be the established mode
of treatmenFin the English army in China By
general orders, and is regarded as q perfect sue
Year: 1863

We trust that the era of the highest war
prices has passed. Our exchanges come to us
laden with intelligence indicating q steady and
decided decline in most Of the leading articles Of
speculation. The Redmond Sentinel ssys


The news which We are publishing Of the con
dition of the crops in The South is highly grasi-
flying Il tells Of bouniiful year, and tie near
approach Of the harvest is q warning 10 spscu-
lators and eugTossers that the time is at hand
when they must throw their boards upon tie
market for what they win bring. The people
will soon be luxuristing in the new crop, while
the weevil and mildew win attack the aceumu-
lations of those who persist longer in the at
tempt to extort enormous prices from the pres
ent necessities Of the people.


In our own State (Virginis) the season is
backward, but it is coming at last. The wheAt
is stretching its jenis and lifting itself up to the
breezs; buds aud grass and flowers sra growing,
and coon the forest viii put on its summer
Year: 1863

A REMEDY FOR SMALL Pox-The German
Reformed Messenger has received letter from
friend in China, in which It is stated that great
discovery IS reported tohsve been recently made
by surgeon Of the English army In China, in
the way of an efeetus' cure for small pox


The mode Of treatment ID as follows; When The
Year: 1863

The Military Bill introduced in the
House day before yesterday, by Mr.. Han
ma, is in every material feature gross


violation Of the Constitution of the State.
It's purpose is to wrest all military pow
er from the hands of the Governor and
place it in the hands of the Democratic
party The Military Board is establish
ed without being named as such. The
appointing power for all general officers,
except Adjutant, Quartermaster and
Commissary Generals, is vested in the
Auditor, Treasurer, Secretary and At
torney General of the State, and it is
provided chat written appointment exc
cuted by these four officers shall confer
authority in the absence off commission
from the Governor This is in direct


contravention Of the 9th section of the


18th article Of the Constitution; but this
Year: 1863

is unimportant, as the whole bill is in de-
fance of that instrument The Adiu-
tant, Quartermaster and Commissary
Generals, whom the Governor may ap-
point, have little or nothing to do, but
the powers which properly belong to
them, including the custody of the arms,
are vested in officers of the same name,
to be placed on the staff of the Major
General, who is appointed by the Military
Board.


In day or two we intend to stake up
the bill and show its enormties, section
by section We will notice but one 9TH
er point now and quote the 18th section:
"The Militia, or any portion thereof, may
be called out to execute the laws, on tn
warrant of the Judge, Mayor ola city, or
Justice of the Peace, whose authority has
been defied, the warrant to be served On
the Military Commander most conven-
lent to the place where resistance may
be offered or threatened, or upon Brig
adler General, the Major General or the
Governor At such time the officer COM
manding the forces so called out shall be
subject to the direction of the civil officer
requiring this aid :"


1t will be perceived that the Judge,
Mayor or Justice Of the Peace is to be
the judge whether his power is defed,
and is authorized to issue his warrant re-
quiring the Governor to call out the Mi
litia, and when called out they are to be
under the command of such Judge, May
or or Justice of the Peace This makes
each Justice of the Peace COMMANDMENTS
Chief of the Militia of the Township in
which he lives, and places the Governor
under his command Should the Mayor
of indianapolis get it into his head that
his power has been defed, he may order
the Governor to call out the Militia to be
under his command during his pleasure
Oh, astute and incomprehensible Hanna
Like ancient Dogberry, you are calling
upon all the world to write you down all
ass, and all the world that has read your
Military Bill and witnessed your opera
tions in this Legislature will hasten to
comply with your request Should the
bill pass it will be an act of revolution
and will be so regarded by the people of
the State.-Indianapolis Journal
Year: 1863

FROM NORTHERN VIRGINIA.-Information received
justifes the impression that the demonstrations
made BY the enemy on Sunday, at Morton and Rae
coon Fords, were only inaended as feint to cover
their real designs which seem to be the transfer Of
the main body Of their army to the lower fords Of
the Rapidan, near its junction with the Rappahan
mock.


Itwas asserted yesterday morning at Gordons-
ville and generally credited, that the greater por
ton of Meades forces were moving along the north
side of the Rapdan in the direction of Germanna
Ford and it was conjectured that attempt at that
point would be made to cross the river.


This movement lessons the probability of gene
raj engagement for the present. but much of course
depends upon the activity Of the Yankee commah
der. If he should attempt to cross at Germanna
or United States Ford decisive fight will doubt
less result in the vicinity Of the old Wilderness bat
tie field


The Central train last night brought down some
twenty prisoners, captured near Morten's Ford on
Sunday.-RichmOnd Dispatch Of No7. I8h
Year: 1863

HIGHuANDED IMPREssM ENT.-We learn that the
Quartermaster at Weldon has ordered the farmers
of Northampton to drive in onetenth of their cat
tle This If true andwe suppose it is, for our in-
formation comes from reliable source, is overreach
ing the authority conferred upon them by the law,
and is a matter that requires attention. As well
ask for the tenth horse ontenth of the land, house
hold goods, kitchen furniture, &C., as onetenth Of
the milch COWS, calves, &c:-Progreas.


What means that provision Of the tax law re-
quiring the people to give in the number Of their
cattle to the Confederate ASSESSOR Is it intended
merely to tar the CATTLE or is it the object of the
government to ascertain the number, so as TO equal
ize the impressment of lhem2


We heard day or two since that Confederate
quartermaster in a neighborng County had i'm
pressed for the government quantity Of corn which
had just been bought for the families of soldiers in
a certain neighborhood. What has been done with
this corn? Are we to have the impressment law
and the tithe law upon us at the same time? 1t
seems so. Aud is forced loan to follow? We
fear so. God save these Confederate States from
the recklessness and wrong headedness of officials
The Destructives, who hold the rens Of power, have
shown themselves utterly incompetent to conduct
the affairs of great people; and If those affairs ap-
pear to be in bad condition. it is not the fault Of
the people, but their fault.
Year: 1863

We make the following extract from letter dated
LewisVille, Forsyth County:


"The Standard is almost universally read and
its views endorsed IN my neighborhood, yet not
single deserter shows his head here. There has not
been one seen in my Captains district except pass
ing through by night, for long time and IN fact
they are rare IN all the Western part Of this Coun-
ty; and yet the people take the Standard, the re-
puted cause and motive power of assertions gene
rally"


This agrees with statement made to US by an
intelligent friend some time since, that in the whole
range Of large circulation in his County there
was but ore deserter in all the families that SUBJ
scribed for the Standard.


The truth is, the charge that the Standard has
encouraged deserton, that its tendency has been
that way, is the result Of political prejudice-and
prejudice, it is we'll known, "squints when looks
and lies when it talks"
Year: 1863

DEAR SIR:-I am afraid you will find me too
troublesome am on the beg again. This cold
weather has reminded me that l am sadly in need
of two blankets, which if you procure for me |
will be under many obligations. l have one blank
ct but that is not enough the few past days have
proven to me. did not sleep wink last night
and fear that shall not have time to sleep any to-
day.


No one can imagine our sufferings who has not
been with US and witnessed them. Last night one
poor fellows suferngs were great that his mind
gave way, and he is now a bowling maniac Poor
fellow, his shrieks make the heart shudder and the
soul grow sick. Ny mess would take as many
as six blankets and pay for them.


Yours, JOHN.
Year: 1863

FIRE IN WILMINGToN-The last Journal says that
the fire broke out at o'clock upon Saturday night
last in warehouse on Water street. next to the
Custom House, and belonging to o. G. Parsley,
Esq. There were one hundred and fifty bales of
cotton in the building belonging to the State and
other parties besides two bales of bagging and five
barrels of machine oil, also owned by the State
The building and its contents were entirely con-
sumed. The latter were valued at $4,000 The
cause of the fire has not yet been ascertalned and
as buildings inspected after dark that night
and no signs of fire of discovered, there has been
explanation of the matter. sentinel posted at the
point where the fire originated first gave the alarm
by firing his gun. The night being rainy the
tames did not spread, although the Custom House
Stooda severe test the freproof iron shutters being
heated redhot, melting the panes of glass within.
The loss of the building is the heaviest as it cannot
be replaced.
Year: 1863

Our thanks to W. R. Albright Esq, of Alamance,
for some of the best sugar cane molasses or syrup
we have tasted the present season. We learn that
the product of syrup this year has been large 1t
will aid materially in supplying the absence of other
necessaries of life. We do not see why even after
the war is over, our people should not make their
own molasses from the Chinese sugar cane.


1t is the peculiar good fortune of North Carolina
to be able to produce nearly every thing which is
produced by the other States of the former Ameri-
can Union.
Year: 1863

Tho Sherids were to have met again on Wednes-
day last to compare the final returns of the soldiers
votes. From what we have learned we think there
is good ground for entertaining the belief that Col
Yelowley is elected
Year: 1863

A FAITHFUL SLAvE.-We heard day o. two
since from a reliable source, of negro slave who
has been within the snemy's lines in the Eastern
part of the State since the fall of Newbern who has
paid to his mistress the sum of three thousand
dollars, the proceeds of his own labor having re-
served only enough to pay his own expenses This
servant is an honest man, and has established
character for fidelity which would putto the blush
many white person.
Year: 1863

The cat d printing paper before the war was
ten to twelve cents per pound Now it is forty
cents and viii soon be fifty, owing to the advance
in eetfon ont of which it now for the most part
mannfacsnrsd. If the war and the blockade con-
tnue the probability is that printing paper will be
ssventy fye cents to one dollar per pound by the
hfstof August. A rsam of the paper on which we
print the Standard weighs thirty.four pounds
This, at forty cents, is thirteen dollars and sixty
cents; at Rfty cents seventeen dollars Before
the war . ream cost US about three dollars and
seventy Eve cents Our readers will see from this
statement how greatly our expenses have been in
ceeased y The item Of paper alone. At fifty cents
Pr 2cued the paper used for . weekly subscriber
fosAyear, win cost nearly two dollars. We do
not see>how We can furnish our paper much longer
stths present prices if indeed we shall be able to
procure paper at all during the summer and fall
Owing to the recent destruction by fire of the Bath
paper mills. near Augusta, Ga, the Augusta Con:
stitutionatist, the Southern Field and Fircsids,
and the Charleston Courier are thfeatened with
suspension. As the Wilmington Journal Says


"Messrs. Conrad and Reagan need not war so
desperately against the press of the South. 1t will
soon be pretty we'll weeded out without their as
sistance. Even now it is an uphill business. What
it will be shortly, we are unable to say


While on this subject we would urge our people
generally to save their rags and send them tosthe
two paper mills in this County. These mills are pay


ing eight to ten cents per pound for rags Send them
in and thus aid in sustaining the newspapers while at
the same time you make something for yourselves.
If the mills obtain rags in abundance, they will
be able to reduce the price of paper.
Year: 1863

BAD FAIrn.- 1t is greatly to be regretted that
the disregard Of solemn business Obligations among
the people, which is more marked now than heTcto-
fore in history, should be encouraged by the
government itself in its own business TRANSACTIONS
The following instance we had noticed but have not
thus far directed attention to in our columns Hon
esy and good faith constitute the basis of public
credit. When these are deregarded, and that tco
deliberately and by special enactment We cannot
expect our credit to he maintained. The Fayette-
vile O6serrer thus refers to this instance of bad
faith on the part of our government:


"Another recent instance of disregard Of the OBJ
legation of contracts has originated in Congress,
we sorry to say. That body ordered the issue Of
man, millions Of Confederate Treas ry Notes which
expressed upon their face that the holders might at
any time exchange them for bonds bearing per
cent. interest. But the same Congress has deemed
it expedient TO declare that after certain date these
same notes shall not b. exchanged for bonds bear.
ing more than Z per cent. interest So that after
that date tnow almost at handy man who holds one
of these notes finds upon its face the words Fun
dable in per cent stock or bonds of the Confede-
rate States Of America and on applying at the
Treasury which gave him this pledge he is informed
that he Cali have per cent bonds, but not what
the note promises.


This is great mistake, as we'll a wrong, for it
will have lasting and most injurious effect upon
the fair fame Of the Confederacy."


The truth is, no man and no government can pay
eight per cent interest andprosper. Great Britain
pays three per cent on her funded DEBT: The Con-
federate States.cannot afford to pay more than six
We predicted twelve months ago, that the financial
policy of the administration and the extravsgance
and reeklessncss Of its quarermasters, commssares
and contractors, would result in reputation. We
roundly abused for thispredicon by ha,r brain
ed Destructives but that did not affect the fact
The fact is now before u.s. The administration has
repudiated its own notes.
Year: 1863

Gov. Bonhaul, in his special message to the Leg
islature OF South Carolina, now in session, says:


ut is much to be feared that while your act to
limit the production of cotton to three to the
full hand will restrain such as having overfiowing
granaries contemplate withholding their grain from
market and planting cotton almost exclusively, it
has yet induced many. as am informed, who pur-
posed planting little if any cotton to- plant the full
number OF acres allowed by law. And this is iust


fed upon the ground that yoCr statute is equivalent
to an anpouncement by the chosen Representatives
of the people that such course is not unpatriotic
IL this feeling prevails extensively will be readily
perceived what must be the result All fertilizers
will be pnt on the cotton lands, to stimulate them
to the highest production while the corn lands will
be thus proportlo1:ately impoverished In my first
message, in January last, in commencing to your
favorable consideration the Georgia law, recon.
mepded reduction of the number of acres below
three With the lights now before me, l recon-
mend an amendment of your act SO as to prohibit
the planting over half or at most one acre to the
full hand and that the hands to be enumerated shall
only be such as work in the crop"


The Governor condemns in severe terms the spirit
ofspeculation and avarice now SO prevalent. What


contrast between the character Of our people at this
tms and eighteen months ago! Then every thing
almost was in common and,States wed with each
other in sending volunteers to the field; but now
our men have to be conscrpted and avarice dghtcns
The fingers and locks almost every heart Is pes
sible that We arc destined to "work out our owO.
destruction with grcediness ?" In all countries the
planters and farmers are purest in character, and
most above temptation. Is il SO with US nows We
believe it is, but many Of then it seems have Joined
ia the chase for money. What will your Confede-
rate bills be worth, if the cause should fals
Year: 1863

The present spring is unusually backward The
weather has been very cool for the season. Conse-
quenty the wheat and oats are not SO promising in
appearance they havegenerally been at this period
of the year; but have heard it said by intelligent
observers that it frequently happens that wheat is
best after hard winter and that wheat which looks
badly during the cold days of March and April
nearly always produces we'll Taking this view Of
the matter-for the wheat does not lock we'll at
present-we may expect good crop. A full yield
from the seed sown will probably give half crop.
little more, in this State. In some parts of the
State, we learn, it will be no easy matter for the
force left behind to harvest the crop.


The frequent freezes during the winter have ben
Gifted the soil Our farmers will be necessarily late
in plansiag their corn, hut BY deep ploughing and
thorough cultivation they may hope for good crop.
The cold season has been protracted that we may
expect warm weather to come apon us at once. The
corn will, therefore, grow rapidly and make up for
lost time. Plant every grain you can.


We arc not at all concerned about cotton and to-
bacco.


We well recollsct that nineteen years ago when
Mr.. Clay was in this City the anniversary Of his
birthday, to wit the l1th of April the leaves on the
oaks in Capitol Square were nearly half out and
the elm trees were in full foliage. Now, the oaks
and vegetation generally give but little sign offspring


DR.. WARRES's Practical SURGERY-We are in
debted to DR.. Edward Warren, of this City, for a
copy of his work just published-"An Epitome of
Practical Surgery for field and hospital" This is
volume of some 400 pages, and will no doubt be
useful to the profession. We are not competent to
judge of the merits Of the work; but may safely
say, from the distinguished reputation Of the au-
thor in his profession that it is superior in every
| respect The first edition will soon be exhausted