smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1861

Doesticks, who claims to be an Ellsworth
Zouave, thus narrates the experience of bis
regiment after receiving their uniforms from
the Military Board:


"1he uniforms sent from New York were
the trashiest things possible; they wou ldn' {
stand the pressure-they wouldn't stand any
pressure. A gentle wind would blow a
mans coat into rags in half day while If
ne ventured out doors in stiff brceze, his
red breeches would tear out into long red
flags. and in ten seconds he would look like
walking flag staff, with the signal set for
"Never mind the Commodore, old fellow,
but sail in and fight on your own hook -
No man has had whole suit of clothes for
two months. We've gone on guard dressed
only in overcoat and musket, and we've done
SCOTT duty in the easy and elegant attire Of
a revolver and one pair ofshoes to three men.
When We wan;ed to dress extra for Sunday
service, we'd polish our muskets and tie q
red rag on each leg. The chaplain, for de-
cency's sakc-when he preaches- stands in
an empty pork barrel to hide his legs. ~.


| called on the Colonel yesterday. dressed
only in bayonet; and that considerate off,
cir admired my airy costume much, but said
I'd better kill a few seceshers, and when |
bagged one of my own size, might help
myself to his breeches. When our whole
company lately applied to him for clothes,
he said he hadn't got any for us, but he serv-
ed out fifteen rounds of bail cartridges to
each, and gave US leave Of absence for two
days, and told us to bury all the seceeshers
we could. so as not to lumber up the country.
Most of the fellers got good suits of clothes,
and Bob Brown was so uncommonly partic.
ular that he didn't suit himself till he had
killed five fellows. With my usual luck, l
couldn't find fellow my size--they were all
too short or too long When at last did
find fellow five feet nine, and had Just got
good aim on him, he raised his head and
disclosed the unwelcome fact that it was one
Of our own sergeants. just my luck --he
had on lovely suit of grey, which would
have fitted INC to.a hair, and ifI'd been hall
a second quicker on the trigger could have
had it, but couldn't decently shoot after
I'd seen his face. However, got a fair suit
Of blue cloth, and Bob Brown is on the look
out to help me to better my condition. He
wants to find fellow five feet nine, rather
slim in the waist, and with new and well
fitting suit, army blue preferred"
Year: 1861

a SAP rIcrU E-The following is an ex-
tract ola letter from an intel'i gent lady, r..
siding in one of tho border counties Of vir-
ginia in which the ravages Of secession have
made the strongest IMPRESSION


MAY God speak to the people Of both
sections, and, with his mighty voice. cay
unto them. Peace, be still : May the bless.
ed Savior, who came on earth, to establish
''peace and good win amongst men," have
mercy upon US, and give us all grace TO do
that which is right in His sight, so that VIC
may deserve His protection did not be,
lieve that should live to see this great and
highly favored nation in its present deplora-
BILE condition. Ny heart aches and my
spirit is crushed at the sight Of so much dis
tress. We have new made graves and desc
late homes and bleeding hearts in our midst;
and that is true of all parts of our unhappy
land, in which there should be justice, broth.
erly love and unity. May God help US ! for
have lost all confidence in men, especially
politicians. A fearful responsibility rests
somewhere. would not like to have even
feathers weight oft resting on my con-
science. The breaking up Of such Govern
ment as ours is no small sin. pray God
to bless you all and bring US out of this troub-
lie. He had exalted US above all other nations
in blessings and privileges. We must have
sinned greatly to bring upon US such .
heavy chastisement. We are sufferers in
every way by the fearful state Of things now
existing in our once happy and pros.
porous country"
Year: 1861

The Philadelphia North American says
"How man feels when in battle is aues


ton that our volunteers have doubtless fre.
quently asked themselves. We yesterday
stumbled upon volunteer on furlough, who
first smelt powder at Bull Run. During an
hours chat with him he gave us very good


general idea of the way in which man feels


when under an enemy's gun. Our friend
didn't claim to be especially courageous. -


He placed due value upon the integrity Of
the American eagle, but enlisted mainly be-
cause he had no other employment at the
time. He did camp duty faithfully, and en-
dured the hardships of long marches without
any special grumblng. That he dreaded to
confront the enemy he freely admits. While
willing at any time to kick bigger man than
himself under justifiablc provocaton, he dis
liked the idea of the sudden sensation i'm
parted by bayonet thrust in the abdomen.
while only second to this was his horror Of
being cut down with rife ball like an un-
suspectng squirrel.


When his regiment was drawn up in line
he admits bis teeth chattcred and his knee
pans ratified like pot-closet in hurricane.
Man, Of his comrades were similarly affec.-
ed, and some Of them would have lain down
had they dared to do so. When the first
volley had been interchanged, our friend in
forms us, every trace Of these feelings passed
away from him. reaction took place, and
he became almost savage from excitement.
Balls whistled all about him, and cannon
shot cut in half companion at his side
Another was struck by some explosive that
spattcred his brains over the clothes OF our
informant, but, 50 far from intimidating, all
these things nerved up his resolution. The
hitherto quaking civilian in half an hour be.
came a veteran. His record shows that he
bayoneted two Of his rebel enemies and dis
charged eight rounds of his piece with as de.
ciSive an aim as though he had selected
turkey for his mark. Could the entire line
of an army come at the same time into COLI
sion, re says there would be no running ex-
cept after hopeless defeat


The men who played the runaway at Bull
Run were men who had not participated in
the action to any extent, and who became
panic stricken where, if once smelling pow.
der in The manner above described, they
would have been abundantly victorious. In
the roar of musketry and the laundering
discharge Of artillery there is music that
banishes even innate cowardicc. The sight
Of men struggling together, the clash of sa-
bers, the tramp of cavalry, the gore stained
grass of the battlefield. and the coming
charge of the enemy dimly visible through
the battle smoke-all these, says our intelli-
gent informant, dispel every particle of fear,
and the vcriest coward in the ranks perhaps
becomes the most tiger-likc. At the battle
Of Bull Run the chaplain of one of the regi.
ments, man of small stature and delicate
frame, personally cut down two six feet gren-
adiers IN single combat If these things
are so and we incline to think they are
the best cure for cowardice is to crowd a
man into fight and there keep him. The
fugtives from Bull run were men who i'm
bibed panic before it could have reached
fham
Year: 1861

The Journal of Commerce Of Wednesday says:


at will be interesting to many OF our read
ers to learn that included in the cargo Of the
barque Magdslena, whose arrival from Aspin-
wall is reported in our marine list this morning,
are "a bales of Nicaragua cotton, the first
shipment that has been made to the United
States from that country. A second shipment
is now on the way to this port, and is daily ex-
pected by the barque Xantho. These two
parcels Of cotton were shipped at the port Of
Realejo, Nicaragua, by the steamers of the
Panama Railroad Company, and are brought
through to New York at u freight Of two cents
per pound"
Year: 1861

gzy- The Secretary of War has issued a
commission to Col. L. B. Platt, of Colchester,
Vermont, to raise a cavalry regiment in that
State, and have it ready for service as soon as
possible.


No State in the Union has better material
either in men or horses, and, with the well
known energy and ability Of Colonel Plat
no doubt regiment will be soon forthcoming,
creditable alike to that State aud The country
Year: 1861

MONEY IN PENNSYLVANIA. - The three
,million loan Of Pennsylvania has all been
taken at par. This, too, when the State
is nesriy forty million in debt, and her 5's
are selling at II. Her people have done
well They have the sineWs Of war, which
they are ready to pour out in defence Of
the Union. Good for the noble Keystone
State.
Year: 1861

The telegraphie announcement that Mr..
Russell, of the London Times, had been
subjected to the ordinary bad faith and
espionage which pervades the Southern
Confederscy, viii be received as one more
sign Of the inevitable result Of this busi-
ness. A community who begin by violating
the correspondence of their best friends,
need expect little ultimate favor from q
nation whose proud boast it is that opinion
and its publication is free to the uttermOst
in all her borders.
Year: 1861

As an indication Of the extent to which
the war has affected all classes and systems,
nothing is more striking than the fact that
q chair of military science has been estab-
lished in Yale College. The growing con-
viction among intelligent and far-sighted
msn is, that hereafter considerable standing
army viii be necessary to maintain the peace
of the country. This being the case, It is
important that men should be educated for it,
that the military character cf our service
may be equal TO that OF other nations.
Year: 1861

~ Did you ever have the Sick Headscbe' Do you
remember the throbbing temples, the evered brow, the
loithing and dgust at the sight Of food How totally
unfit you for pleasure. conversation study. One
of the Cephslic Pills would have relieved you from all
The suHrir which you then experienced For this and
other purposes you should always have box of them
hand to occasion requires.
Year: 1861

GREAT DscOvERY.-Among the most important OF oil
the great medical discoveries this sge may he consd
cred the system of vaccination for protection from Small
Pcx the Cephalc Pill for relief of Headache and the
use OF Qunine for the prevention Of Fevers, either Of
which iS specific, whose benefits will be experienc-
ed by suffering humanity long after their dscoverers
forgotten.
Year: 1861

The Charleston Mercury of the 29th indul
ges in the following calm reflections:


At this moment, the army and navy are
both demoralized; and with half a dozen States
to be sRbdued, the Federal despotsm will have
its hands full and the Treasury empty
But the problem is to be worked Ogt, q IL
Scott, by due reference to Jackson's policy
and Webster's speech Our ports are to be
blockaded The Constitution and the Mae
DOMAIN, and the Wyoming, and the Br0o6iyn
and possibly score besides, are to hang about
our ports, and the duties which are all our
loving brethren want at our hands-mouey-
tribute-not love, nor felIowship-these are to
be collected at the entrance Of our harbOrS
We will pay no tribute


Let the ports be blockaded Charleston and
Savannah, and Mobile, and New Oreaus-
We will form goodly fellowship when cur
ports are bockaded. We bid you welcome to
the simple fare of an agricultural people. We
have provisions enough on every homestead
in South Carolina to last a year-hog and
hominy in abundance. We will buy no more
Northern hickshaws. We will make our own.
BY next August G God will give to our grauaries
a good corn crop. In September we shall be
gathering from millions of acres of cotton
We have much cotton on hand now, which
the world wants What Great Britain and
France will 60 for cotton, with our ports
blockaded, we can't exactly say ; bat we suS-
pect that they will find a way to bring US Eng
liSh and French cloths and cassimeres and
negro cloths, in place of those rascally, shaggy
and worthless stuffs, with which the Yankees
have been cheating US year after year We
will wear those cloths, be sure, and Great Brit
ain and France may get our cotton as they
can


The bully programme, for it is nothing more
will soon cure itself. Up to the very moment
when our shot smote the Star Of he UeI in
her cheeks these scoundrelly asses Of the
Northern press were telling the miserable
mornings whom they have guled to their ruin
that ours was the bullying game that we
were not in earnest; that all they had to do
was to hold on, and they would see US, cap in
hand, begging to be received to favor. They
Judged of other people by themselves. They
have been playing the thimbe-rigging, the
Dragging, and the bullying game ali their lives
and as each best measures his neighbor'S corn
by his own false bushels,so these people would
measure ours. But there must be finish some
day to all games and the thimble-riggers are
likely to find themselves at last ia the hands
Of the constable. We shall play out our game
honestly, as we begun it, and fling our shot
into the faces of the bullies whenever they ap-
pear.
Year: 1861

From the Richmond (Ya) Examiner we
make these extracts:


1t is certain that the city of Richmond
stands in very great danger. Here in Rich.
mond there are those who would not have
the fact alluded TO-, lest the enemy's atten-
tion should be attracted to it. But, while
we play this ostrich part, the eyes of the
whole North are fixed on this one point,
Among all the newspapers received in the
last few days from the foreign and hostile
countries banded against as on the other side
of the Potomac, there is not one that does
not urge the sending of twenty thousand
the city. Here, says the Northern press in
chorus, here is the civil, military, political
and financial center, of the great State I;
seize Richmond and she will, for time, at
least be paralyzed in all her members, and
our submissiOnists will take advantage of
the panic to cause the rejection of the 0rdi-
nance of Secession, SO that,Virginia shall be
ours, after all. While we talk of the occu.
patton of Alexandria, the defense of Har-
per's Ferry and Norfolk, they think only Of
Richmond, and, if they strike at all, il Is
blow at the heart.


And if they come to Richmond, we may
be well assured that they will come the
same way that the enemy came before the
British-by York River, and by no other
way. There is the asssilable point; the
map shows that; experience and history
have made the fact public to all the world
except ourselves "A march by land from
Alexandra, through difficult country, and
over the most warlike population of the
Continent q dreamed of by nobody But
ourselves. The, route by = Aqua Greek can
be cut short at Fredericksburg by a few
hundred pounds Of poWderunder the bridges
Of the Rappahannock,o to look no farther.
Nor did the enemy come.up the narrow and
imperfect channel of the James when they
came before, noFwill they come up it now.
But they will do as they did, and will
always do in future, sailor steam through
the deep and straight York, disembArk
their troops in little more than q days
march Of the city, and take the chances of
resistance. Any number, Of steamers can
be loaded with men and artillery at Wash.
ingtoD, and come to the mouth Of the York,
at least, without more trouble than on a
morning excursion. ~, ~. ~,
Year: 1861

The VIEW THAT ENGLAND TAXES OF IT,
A gentleman who arfiVedi here in the last
steamer from Europe. says there is not m an
in England in favor Of recognizing any
other government la this country than the
United States HeR states that England Is
ready to supply us with any quantity Of arms
and munitions war, deeming 1t a happy re-
turn for the many efficient means we fur
nished them with during the OimeA War.
Year: 1861

THH IlPERiAL ZouAyAs.-A new regiment
is forming in New York, TO consist OF fabout
one thousand men, and to be called the
Imperial zouaves." The uniform viii be
modelled after the French. Great care win
be taken in the recruiting of the men, and
also in the choice Of officers. The best men
in the city will be chosen, and as far as
possible men of military experience.
Year: 1861

The manufacture of Bomb Shells is
very interesting. The shell is first
filed with old fashioned round leaden
bullets; melted sulphur is then poured
in to fill up the interstices and bind the
bullets together in one solid mass the
shell is then put into kind of lathe,
and cylindrical hole of the exact size
of the orifce of the shell, is bored
through the bullets and sulphur. This
cavity is filled with powder even with
the interior edge of the orifce, inch
shell of the kind here described holding
about half a pound. The fuse fitted
into the orifce is recent Belgian in
vention made of pewter, and resembles
the screw cap used for patent fruit cans.
An examination of this pewter cap
shows, however, that it is made of two
hollow discs of metal screwed together
and filed with meal powder. A mum
Der of fine holes are drilled in the lower
disc, while the outer disc is entire, and
marked with figures in circle, l, 2, 8
4. In this state the shell is water proof
When taken for use, the gunner, by
means of a small steel instrument
scoops out a portion of the outer sof
metal surface, and lays bare the chargt
of composition powder below it. L
the shell is desired to explode in one
second after leaving the gun, tht
scooping is made on the figure 2, ant
so on-the idea being that the shells o
this description shall first strike the oh
iect aimed at and do execution as bal
and then explode, sending the bullet
forward as if from another cannon, 10
Gated the point where the flight of th


shell is arrested. Large shells of eigh
or ten inches are filed with powder only
and bursting do execution by the mean
of their fragments. These large shell
are generally fired by means of fus
of meal powder, extending through


brass plug screwed into the mouth Q
the shells. In both cases the fuse
fired by the ignition of the charge il
the gun. -.r-
Year: 1861

Ouly Whiting VII Viz ouuuONo
Are little longer grown; 900
Only waiting till the glimmer ip 81
Of the days last beam is flown 3nr'
Till the night of earth is faded abrrr
From the heart once full of day;
Till the stars of Heaven are breaking
Through the twilight soft and grey.
Only waiting till the reapers sv zoe
Have the last sheaf gathered home,
For the summer time is faded, .esr)
And the autumn winds have come.
Quickly, reapers gather quickly


The last ripe hours of my heart,
For the bloom of life is withered,


And hasten to depart.


Only waiting till the angels eft
Open wide the mystic gate,
At whose feet long have fingered,
Weary poor and desolate. .rt
Even now hear their footsteps !
and their voices far away;
If they call me, am waiting,


Only waiting to obey.


Only waiting till the shadows


Are little longer grown; eH+
Only waiting till the glimmer
Of the days last beam is flown;
Then from out the gathering darkness
Holy, deathless stars shall rise,
By whose light my soul shall gladly


Tread my pathway to the skies.
Year: 1861

), gB There is probably good deal
more point than gallantry in the ques-
ton we have heard asked, why it is
considered impolite for gentlemen to
go into the presence of ladies in their
shirt sleeves, while it is thought entire
ly correct for the ladies themselves to


appear before the gentlemen with no


sleeves at all.
Year: 1861

The Chicago Post, in commenting upon the
proposition of Senator CHANDLER to introduce a
bill confscate the property of all Governors of
States, members of Legislatures, Judges of Courts
and all military officers above the rank of Lieu
tenant, who shall take up arms against the Gov
ernment of the United States, or aid and abet
treason; all such individuals to be forever dis
qualified from holding Office, &C., under the Uni
ted States; and such property coniscated to be
applied to restore to Union men in rebel States
any losses they may have suffered, remarks:


We can say to those who are for conducting
this war upon a system of terror, that they NAV
step too far There is lurking devil of hostility
to the war, aad its traces can be discovered in
every village in the broad land. Let those en-
trusted with the conduct of the war change its
avowed purpose and object, and instead of being
the especial guardians of the law and the Consti-
tuition, become their most INSCRIPTIONS violators,
and that devil will come forth from its kennel at.
tended with such numerous progeny, and all so
deep mouthed in their opposition, that the wa:
may be adjourned from Richmond to points nearer
home. Do not let the men entrusted with the
dcstinies of the Union, arm by their misconduct,
and high handed outrages upon the Constitution,
the now latent treason at home. Let the Govern
ment act in strict obedience to the Constitution,
and it will be backed to the last BY the people;
but let it rival the rebels in a war upon the Con
sttution, and it will call and call in vain for
cor upon a people betrayed by their own chosen
ministers.
Year: 1861

UNITED STATES CoURT.-This tribunal, Judge
Huntington presiding, will meet this afternoon,
in order to close up the business of the present
term. entering final DEGREES, &c. 1t will prob
ably continue in session to- morrow as we are in
formed 90


The case of Durham, Trustee. rs. The Gin
cinnati, Peru and Chicago Railroad Co. and Wal
ker, decided during this term, is Of such unusual
interest to the legll profession and those con
nected with railroads, as to demand an extended
notice of the facts of the case and the principles
upon which the court decided it.


Dunham as mortgage filed his bill against the
Railroad Co., Walker, ct al, to foreclOse mort
gage upon the right-o way, road, &C., of the com
pany to satisfy the interest due and unpaid on the
first mortgage bonds. Walker in his answer al
leges that after the mortgage was made. and 300
bonds had been issued, and while the road was but
partially graded say one fourth of the cost of con
struction had been expended, the company being
otherwise unable to construct the road, agreed
with him to construct it,


That the company agreed to pay him therefor
a certain amount ofits bonds, and also agreed that



Walker should retain possession of the road and
its earnings until the company paid him what it
might be owing him therefor.


That he completed the road in July, sc, and
has ever since retained possession of it, That the
company was then owing him of principal and in
terest, over and above the bonds he had received
from the company. sl54,S0O 90. for which
amount he claimed priority of payment in the
distribution of the proceeds of the sale of the
road.


The court decided such priority in his favor.
The court held:


1. That the road not being in existence when
the mortgage was made, the mortgage at lap did
not cover it. That by the terms Of the mortgage
it appears to have been the intention of the par
ties that the road ichen built should be covered
by the mortgage. and was consequently enforce
able in equity and only there. and that, therefore,
the doctrine of industrial annerations to the soil
did not cause the superstruction made by Walker
to pass under the mortgage, to the exclusion of
Walkers rights under the agreement.


2. That the large expenditure of Walker in
completing the road, and the companys inability
TO otherwise do so, than by agreeing to leave
Walker in possession until the company paid him
what it might owe him therefor, presented so
manifest and superior an equity to priority of
payment from the proceeds of the sale of the road
that no court of equity would deprive Walker of
the road and its earnings without awarding and
enforcing that priority; and to uphold that pri-





and bond holders assented to the agreement be
tween Walker and the company giving that pri-
ority, if such presumption were necessary, to
overcome any technicality of the law initiating
against such manifest equity. Attorneys fol
Walker: Major of Indianapolis and Mclean Of
Cincinnati.
Year: 1861

held should be supplied with water proof capes
and blankets to serve as a protection against the
effects of the climate As the army regulations
do not recognize such an item of clothing, and
as no discretion has been lodged with the Depart
ment 70 act in the matter many of the troops, for
the lack of this essential outfit, have suffered
much inconvenience. Some of the States of New
England have sent their quotas forward equipped
most admirably in this respect. i would recon-
mend that this subject be commended to Congress
for its favorable consideration