smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1862

less face death in its worst form
without a guiver ofa muscle, or the
tingle of q nerve. She was con-
stantly at his bedside, administer
ing consolation and whispering
words Of comfort in his ear
smoothing his pillow, cooling his
burning brow, and quietly pointing
him to q physician who healed the
.1cprosy and raised the dead. No
war-tfained veteran ever strobe
over the field of battle with more
courage than that meek woman
displayed in the presence Of that
dread messenger of death, in whose
grasp Col. Meredith lay struggling
for life. The most skillful physi-
clans were doing all that mortal
man could do to save the COL, but
still he continued to sink. When
all hopes of his recovery had failed,
he turned to his angel wife for
counsel. She kneeled down by his
bedside and prayed as only a Chris
tian wife could pray for a repentant
dying husband, and with his dying
blessing upon her head, and his
contrite soul imploring the for
giveness of his sins, he died in the
arms of his devoted, sainted wife.


TO BE CONTINUED.
Year: 1862

much of what is known by the city
minister, is just as we'll known by
the great bulk of his congregation;
and they have both the means and
the facility of acquiring knowledge,
which the people at large have not;
consequently, the preachers for the
people, are placed in circumstances,
in which a degree of general infor-
nation on their part is required,
which cannot, in the nature of
things, be more necessary for city
ministers, than for those in the
country. If town and city minis
ters would turn out and labour as
preachers for the people, as well as
ministers of select parties, they
would, in that case, needthe same a.
mount ofinformation as the preach
ers for the people ought to carry
about with them, as their intellec-
tual stock.
Year: 1862




SIR Inclosed you will find a
cursed Abolition document-it will
speak for itself-which the negro
worshipers are distributing among
the soldiers in large quantities.
Comment, if tits worth comment
and of course it isl leave you to
make. If 1 had time, I would
write a long article on the subject,
but have not. as I am but a private
end that is the reason I got the
document. Prlvates are supposed
to have no sense, or just sense
enough to be made to believe and
do anything; but the paper got into
the wrong hands this time. And,
further, I will say or ask, if such
papers are allowed to be distributed
among the soldiers so profusely.
when will this war end? This
much l would like to say to them;
I am not fighting to free negroes;
and if they want them freed, let
them do the fighting themselves
I will not. Iwould as soon shoot a
real Abolitionist as a Secesh. l
consider that they are as much the
instigators of this war as any man
in the South, and even more SO;
yet they claim to be Union men,
Such Union men ought to be in
purgatory. They now boldly de-
clare their purpose, and are dis
tribu ting their internal trash
among the ignorant soldiers, as
they suppose; but there are some
of them sharp enough to see what
they are driving at.


l am a native of Ohio, but not an
Abolitionist, by any means; and |
am fighting to put down rebellion,
not to free negroes. A SOLDIER,


Forty-fourth Ohio Regiment.
Year: 1862

LAURA MEREDITH What q floot
of sweet recollections and colder
memories flow back upon me al
the mention of that once magic
name. How it thrills the soul, and
makes the warm blood tingle in
every vein, and vibrate upon every
nerve, calling back to life and
light those tondly cherished remi.
niscences which cluster around the
Star of Maple Grove When
first looked upon Laura, she was
the embodiment of female beauty
and perfection. She was gliding
like a Sylph through the merry
mazes of ballroom dance. Hel
rich rosy cheeks were flushed with
exhilaration and excitement her
bright blue eyes sparkled with ex'
uberant delight; her voluptuous
mouth was wreathed with smiles;
her glossy auburn hair dangled in
heavy masses of golden clusters
around her neck and shoulders,
which looked as if they had been
sculptured out of alabaster. Her
finely chiseled features, her full
round form. her graceful move
ments, and her commanding look
gave her the prestige Of 'one born
to rule


1 thought then-I think now,
never gazed upon a human form
invested with such o profusion Of
personal beauty, as adorned the
person of Laura Mer edith at the
time of which I speak. She was
the star of that brilliant assemblage
of youth and beauty. All eyes
were bent in undisguised admira-
ton upon her. Noble looking men
bowed to her with the deterrent
submission of loyal subjects, while
dandies and fops stood aghast and
stared with greedy eyes upon the
peerless beauty, which was all the
more dazzling because it was be-
yond their reach. She was con-
stsntly surrounded by bands Of
ladies and gentlemen, all eager to
do honor to one so surprisingly
lovely, SO transcendantly beautiful.
At the piano she thrilled all hearts
with the rich melody which flowed
from the instrument and her voice
combined. But her mind was no
less brilliant and accomplished
than her person was beautiful
She was the daughter of the
wealthy and aristocratic Col. Mer-
edith, who lived in q style of
opulence and splendor unsurpassed
in the country. His noble mansion
was a stately edifice, constructed
upon the most approved plan of
architecture, and decorated and
adorned with all that a refined
taste could suggest, and an enlarged
liberality, coupled with the most
ample resources, could procure
His grounds were laid out in plats
and walks and parterres; and rare
and beautiful flowers in great pro-
fusion, and Of exquisite odors con-
stantly filled the atmosphere with
their delicious perfume. The i'll
Year: 1862

!
the Union and Christianity-glo-
rious co-workers in the progress of
civilization. The Union secured
liberty and good will to men and
the Gospel said, blessed are the
peacemakers, for they shall be
called the children of God But
you cannot serve God and Nam
mon. While the war exists the
Union will be tramplcd under foot;
for into a malicious soul wisdom
cannot enter. Wisdom is a loving
spirit ;-Love is ofGod,' and we
ought to love one another-and
you are commanded to Hove your
neighbor as yourself Again it is
written; But I say unto you love
your enemies Surely, without
love, neither the Union, nor Chris
tianity can live F; who ever said
they could?


But honorable men and pious
preachers have shown you another
way in which to 60. For many
years they have shamed their stolen
christian cloak by teaching you
how to hate your brothers. They
organized Northern sectional par
ty, and made platforms whose
principle is hatred to their equal
constitutional rights; and finally,
upon the same principle of hatred,
they elected the Hon. Abraham
Lincoln to the Presidency. Then
in a spirit of disunion, abolition
seized upon all the powers of our
Government, and now wields them
on the principle of deathly hatred
to your Southern brothers and
their institutions. In hatred they
have rejected all propositions for
peace and union. Even when the
friends of our Constitution every
where called fora peace conference,
what was their response? They
selected the most ultra abolition
lists as delegates, who met in that
conference, where they obstinately
refused to give their assent to any
measure that would insure peace
and a happy Union. Then, the
hateful rebellion sprung up, and
war followed; because it was pro-
voked by all the means hatred
could devise.


And with q hope that this ha-
tired might be turned aside, and
with a desire to sustain our gov
ernment for the sake of the Union,
loyal men, against their better
feelings, have given them aid with
all their soul, mind and strength.
But what good has it done? Abo-
lltion has only grown more intense.
The honorable men and pious
preachers now threaten in their
fury to wage this war for the pur-
pose of subjugating our Southern
brothers, and to destroy their labor
and their institutions, by the eman-
cipation of the negro. Their policy
is wicked, unchristian and ruinous.
Indeed their course thus far has
been marked by failure, corruption
and public ruin. 1t cannot in the
nature Of things be otherwise. By
pretence and lies they seek for re-
venge, and not for the restoration
of the Union. They thirst for
blood, and a feast of horrors, and
scenes of servile insurrection.


deaths ministers are they, who thus deal


death


Inhumanly to men, and multiply


Ten thousand fold tue sin of him who slew


His brother"


Listen no longer to their lies
They are enemies to our Copstitr-
ton, and foes to the race of white
men, because they expect to be.
come ricner by this war. They
would put money in their pockets
at the expense of the Union and
Christianity. They would reap a
golden harvest out of the hearts
blood Of their brothers. BRvTrs.
Year: 1862

preacher, and the promoter of the


physical and educational elevation
of the people, to all their other
works of faith and labours of love-


What they have tasted and felt oi
the divine attraction, the spiritual
life. the overAowing Joy, that they
Year: 1862

more and more Of an artist as he abandona those
time-dishonored usages which, while they catch the
inconsiderate fancy Of the multitude, degrade the
stage and turn dramatic ar, to shame
Year: 1862

EXCHANGE OF PRIsoNERs.-A proposition
has at last come from the Northern Government
for an exchange of prisoners, the cartel adopt
ed between the United States and Great Britain
in 1912. They also offer to exchange priva-
teersmen as prisoners of war, the surplus remain
ing on either side to be paroled. The Exchange
to be made at any point or points designated by
the Confederate States Government


The prisoners at this place are going off at the
rate of about 200 per day, to be paroled until
regularly exchange Hdtchman.
Year: 1862

GUN Boar FUND.-The following from Mrs.
Gov Ellis will be found interesting to those who
have contributed to the Gun-B Boat Fund:


SALISBURY, May 26, 1862.


Owing to the impossibility of building Gun
boat under present circumstances it is proposed to
devote the Gunboat Fund to some other object
equally connected with the honor of the State.
Several gentlemen have interested themselves and
kindly offered their views upon the subject, The
favorite plan with them is to appropriate the Fund
to tie relief of the Widows and Orphans Of our
Soldiers: it is a claim upon the women Of the
State that cannot fail to recommend itself to
every heart. The Fund, however, cannot be
diverted from its original purpose without the
consent of the donors. | have then to make
second demand upon the patriotism of the col
lectors. | earnestly beg that each collector will
ascertain, in the way most convenient to herself
whether the subscribers desire to recall or
tinue their subscriptions.


MRS. JOHN W. ELLIS
Year: 1862

RSy~ The vast amount of money expended by
the Lincoln Government in prosecuting the war
upon the South, is almost beyond conception,
and would alarm the Northern people we're it not
for the absurd notion they entertain Of making
the southern people foot the bill. The Army Bill
which passed the Lincoln Congress recently, ap-
propriates four hundred and ta0enty-ome millions
of dollars for the year ending June, 1868. Be-
sides this, ttco hundred and eight millions have
been voted for DEFICIENCIES for the fiscal year just
ending.


The North is now spending about four millions
of dollars per day, and the Government debt al
ready amounts to over thousand millions of dol
lars Are the southern people willing to pay this
immense debt?-are they willing to give up their
property to pay for their own subjugation, and
lose their privileges as freemen? If not, let them
continue to fight on until the independence of the
Confederacy is acknowledged. We had far better
lose property fighting for our rights than lose
it as subjects of Abe Lincoln.


TRUE.-The Memphis Appeal says: The South
has two kinds of enemies-frst, those who come
from the North as open foes, with guns in their
hands to subjugate US, boldly procaiming their
mission. Secondly, those in our midst, who, like
sneaking assassins, blatant with wordy professions
of loyalty and devotion, strike at our cause by re-
fusing to receive Confederate money.


Keep your eye upon the men who refuse Con-
federate money. They will be the first among US
to take the oath of allegiance to Lincolns Govern
ment to save their property.


Yes, We repeat keep your eye upon all persons
who refuse to take Confederate money. They are
opposed to the cause Of the South at heart And
keep your eye upon and remember the miserable
extortioners, who are holding large quantities of
the necessaries of life for higher prices-they too,
are enemies.
Year: 1862

GEN. GRANTS VIEWs.-Gen. Grant, who was
IN command of the federal army at Shiloh, ap-
pears to be an honest sort of old soldier, and
writes frank letter for publication in the Gin
cinnati Commercial, from which We extract:


"There is one thing feel well assured, and that
is that [ have the confidence Of every brave man
in my command Those who showed the white
feather will do all in their power to attract atten-
ton for themselves. | had perhaps dozen Off
GERS arrested for cowardice in the first days fight.
These men are necessarily my enemies. as to
the talk about surprise here nothing could be
more false little enemy had sent as acord aeten
and rhere they uould attack us, are could not hare
been better prepared.


Thus we have it from the highest official au-
thorty that the enemy fully prepared for our
assault at Shiloh but notwithstanding were driven
like chaf by the wind before the fierce assault of
our comparatively small force.
Year: 1862

The Vicksburg tMiss.) Wig says: A planter
informs US that be saw the negroes plantation
above the city shed tears when the cotton was
being fred II is very hard to destroy the labor
of whole year, but it is a necessity that cannot
be helped. There will, no doubt, be quarter of
a million of bales burnt on the Mississippi and
tributaries worth twelve million dollars at Srdina
~ prices.


At present New York prices the cotton would
have been worth three times the above amount to
the yankees; but the planter would not have got
q cent FOR it.
Year: 1862

Under the recent Proclamation of the Cover
nor of Virginia calling the militia into service
no additional enlis,ments of persons liable to
militia duty can be received in Virginia until
after the militia have been regularly mustered in
to the service of the Confederate States. After
that time persons in the militia, who volunteer
into existing companies, or into companies al
ready authorized to be raised for the war, will
be accepted, and will be discharged flom the
militia as soon as the company in which they
volunteer is full and ready to be mustered; but
no new companies will be authorized until the
Quota Of the State has been completed.


With reference to volunteer companies al
ready organized in Virgipis and rendered to the
Confederate States War Department, these vii
still be accepted 1t is also Understood that al
authorities al eady granted by the Department
to raise companies will not be revoked.
Year: 1862

Gen'l Kenton Harper has issued an address in
the form of a handbill appealing to the people
of the Valley to raise regiments of free fighters,
who will go to meet the enemy and aid in dri-
wing him from our State. These regiments, il
raised, will be governed 10y their own rules, use
their own arms, and, If need be, eat their OWL
meat and bread. They will be composed Q.
persons who are not liable to military duty, bu
who are willing, nevertheless, to volunteer il
defence of their homes and fresides. Those who
are not able to endure tie fatigues of the march
will be mounted on horseback. There are many
men over the age cf forty five years who are
able and willing to strike an effective blow in
defence Of their country.
Year: 1862

the citizens of the South to furnish their planta
ton bells to be moulded into cannon for the de-
fence of the South. Many have responded very
patriotically by giving up their bells for that
purpose. 1t was not expected that that call for
bells would reach this mountainous country
where large plantation bells are not used, but
the ladies of the Presbyterian Church of this
place, desiring to contribute to the supply OF
metal to be moulded into cannon, have given
their Church bell weighing between foar and
five hundred pounds. The ladies of this place
and this county cannot be excelled in patriotism
and devotion to the cause of the South.
Year: 1862

A number of our citizeus have petitioned the
President to proclaim martial law in this place,
for the purpose of preventing the sale of ardent
spirits, and to secure the arrest of persons WHO
are disloyal to the Oonfederacy, if there be such
in this community. We hope there is not dis
loyal man amongst us, bit if there be, he should
be placed where he would be unable to do the
Southern cause any injury. We do not believe
there is traitor in this community.


Many who signed the petition for martial law
have doubtless done so without rejecting upon
the character of it--they looked alone to the
evils which they knew it would Immediately
remedy, without looking to the greater evils
which it would infict upon the community BY
tie suspension of all civil law and the sacrifice
of all personal liberty-it suspends the writ OF
ha6eas corpus which can only be justified in Ca
ses of the EXTREMIST necessity, and is total sur
render of all liberty into the keeping of whoever
may be appointed Provost Marshal. 1t would be
re-enactment of the folly of the frogs in the
fable when they exchanged ng Log for King
Stork, and we would probably rue 1t as bitterly
as they did, LIE: the civil authorities perform
Their duties, ard there will be no use for Martial
law.
Year: 1862

ew On Saturday last, the Senate passel a
bill fixing lie same penalty as is now ATTACHED
to the crime of deserton, to any attempt to evade
dra.t or enrolment or the part of any person Ii
able to military duty. The bill has yet te be
acted on by the House.
Year: 1862

In the performance CT our duties as journal
ist for a number of years we have had TO record
many disasters and unfortunate casualties, but
though we have mentioned many that have been
occasoned by cars running off the track, the
explosion of powder magazines, the bursting OF
boilers en- Steamboat and Railroad engines. the
falling ct houses, volcanic eruptons, earthquakes
and all the ''moving accidents of flood and field"
yet we have never been called upon to record
such number of persons disabled by any or all
of these agencies combined as have been caused
by an occurrence which recently happened in
this State. The 10th of March marks an epoch
in the history of this State, for on that day a
countless host of disabled men were evoked from
the bosom of this State, AID it was made mani
fest that our good old mother had a vast number
of weak, enfeebed, diseased, crippled, deformed,
and sickly children-many shaky in the knees,
weak in the back and faint hearted. If our
weakness be our strength, and our host of disa-
abled men cur sLield of defence, our State is in
deed invincbe. Some may think that Gov
Lecher is guilty of treason in giving 'aid and
comfort to the enemy by exhibiting, by his
proclamation of the 10th irst., the disabled con-
dition of our people, but the second sober
thought will convince them that he has doubt
less deferred the enemy from advancing any far
ther into our State by showing them the danger
of attempting to occupy a country which is so
sickly as TO have SO many thousands OF diseased
and disabled citizens. If the climate be SO un-
healthy to natl se citizens, they will naturally
and reasonably infer that it must prove fatal to
unacclimated invaders, and will avoid its sill as
they would house of pestilence. We would
not be surprised if the Governor woald issue a
proclamation publishing the number, Ct the emu
neration table could furnish number sufficient
ly large) of disabled exempts, for the purpose of
expelling the enemy from the State. We think
if he would do so that the enemy would do what
Lincoln commanded US 10 do-"disperse and go
to their homes"-tl.ey would leave the State in
ssdouble>quick, ard fly from it as from city
of the plague.


Some from the counties of Rockingham and
Augusta not physically, but politically diseased,
having, it is surmised, the plague spot of treason
upon their souls, in very unpa ,rotic and unmili-
tary style marched off with tie view of leaving
s'Dixie's land" where they should have taken
their "stand," and getting within the lines of the
enemy. Before reaching the lines of the enemy,
however, they were taken in charge by the
Confederate pckets and escorted to Staunton.-
As their cases VI ere so bad, as to be beyond the
skill of the rural disciples of Ksculapius they
were sent on to the Metropolis where the proper
treatment adapted to such desperate cases could
be administered 1t may be possible that they
were mere rash than brave, and Iatriotic be-
yond the limits of prudence were too impatient
to meet the enemy to await the word of COM
mand. They could not wait till they reported
to Genl jackson and then march to the conflict
but ran to meet the enemy at the nearest point
Year: 1862

Financial operations OF much importance have Just been
arranged between the French government and Eng
lh capitalists foremost among whom Messrs. Ba-
ring The object is TO sustain the Paris Bourse and to
facilitate the proposed conversion OF tho AZ per cent
stock 7he French eoremcnt, IL is stated zire 10 Jorross


sum ranging occording 20 different reports La,ceen f,co
aud four millions sterling, but believed to be the former,
from London capitalists the security of French rentes
for period Of three months, with option to the ten
derers OF an extension 10 SIX months The rate Of interest
TO be paid Is four per cent which three months loan
would be equivalent TO six per cent and Is stipulated
that If the bank minimum should the interval be put
up to four per cent an additional per cent is TO
paid from that day


The London Times city article says there can be little
doubt the whole amount will be speedily furnished Tho
effect this side Is expected TO be much more than
TO prevent tho anticipated reduction OF the OF dis
count to two per cent unless the total should prove to 10
1000 0O0 and be drawn rapidly instead of gradually;
and even this would only lead 10 an approximation be-
tween the rates cf the Bank OF England and the Bank OF
France, which at present are respectively 2h ana AZ
per cent. Our capitalists, instead OF making two per
cent by their balances will make six per cent owing 70
this sudden Paris demand, and trade will be saved the
consequence of imitation.
Year: 1862

WoMAN's TRUE BEAUTY.-It is low and
degrading idea Of that sex which was created
to refine the joys and soften the cares of hu-
manity by the most agreeable participation, to
consider them NEARLY as objects of sight
This Is abridging them of their extent OF power,
to put them upon level with their pictures
How much nobler is the contemplation of
beauty heightened by virtue and commanding
our esteem and love, while it draws our OBJ
servation. Colors artiully spread upon can
vass may entertain the eye, but not the heart
and she who takes no care to add to the nat
ural graces of persons an excelling qualities.
may be allowed still to amuse, as a picture,
but not to triumph as a beauty. When Adam
is introduced by Milton, describing Eve in
Paradise, and relating to the Angel the impress
sions he felt upon seeing her like Greecian
Venus, not by her shape or features, but by the
lustre OF her mind which shone in them, and
gave them the power of charming:


Grace was in all her steps. heaven in her eye


In aiher gestures dignity and love.