smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1863

THE DEFENCE OF PORT HUDsoN.-A cor
respondent Of the n Y. Herald thus describes
the obstacles, against which Gen. Banks has
to contend:


The rebel defences form nearly right angle,
both lines of which extend 70 the river, disclos-
ing sharp bend in the stream by which our
gunboats found it so hard to pass. The most
accessible approach to the rebel earthworls is
over clear field, about six hundred yards in
width, and which at first sight presents the ap-
pearance of an almost perfectly level piece of
ground. This spot however, since our last as
sault has been determined to be, although
the most inviting, the most treacherous place
along the entire line of rebel delences. Our
soldiers in their charge found it to be filed
with deep, narrow gullies, too small to cover a
large body of troops and too large to make
passage over them for infantry barely possible.
Horses are out of the question, and were not
used at this point. These artificial ravines are
completely covered with fallen trees and vines !;
which are so arranged as to obscure them
from sight, and make an advance over them
an extreme difficulty. In our charge upon
the enemy's lines at this spot it was impossi-
bic for our soldiers to keep in regular order OF
battle Frequently the whole squad of men
would sink out of sight only to be resurrected
by the assistance OF their comrades. Down
the right line of the enemys works all APP
proach to the lortiication is made exceeding
ly difficult by high bluffs and deep, irregular
gullies. The enemy's rife pits are although
bearing the appearance of very wide construc-
tions, built upon the most approved modern
engineering skill. Here, again, fallen trees
have been so arranged as to make it impossi-
bic to move artillery, or troops in line of bat
tie. The entire distance of rebel works pre-
sented for our reduction are nearly eight
miles in extent. After the inside of the en-
emy's Notifications had been reached, skirm-
ishers were TO push forward and clear the
way, while columns were TO be employed in
line of battle and move toward the town of
Port Hudson, where grand citidel, which
forms the last means of rebel defence, is stu
atpd
Year: 1863

and heavy advance completely on its right
flank at the same time compelled it to retire.
1t affords me pleasure to say that this corps is
reported to have fought well and lost many
men. AS was on our extreme left | did not
see the fight of the Eleventh corps.


After our retirement on the town the rebel
advance was not pressed further. And so end
ed battle that was brought on in the most
rash manner, yet was well fought against a
largely superior force, and gotten out of at
last much better than we could have expected
to get out.


The rebel force fought by us was the corps
of Gen. Ewell and that of A. p. Hill. South
of the town is high hill, on which is a Gem
etery, and this became the headquarters. Its
slope to the west was held by the First corps,
and continuation of hills from it toward the
east was held by the Eleventh, while the
Twelfth corps was placed so as to hold both
fianks, the First division, under Gen. Will
liams being the extreme right, and the Second
divisioKsunder Gen. Geary on the extreme
left. The Third corps, which came on the
field just at nightfall, was massed in the GEN.
ter, ready to be used whenever occasion might
require. Gen. Slocum, Of the 18th corps, had
assumed the command on his arrival
Year: 1863

The family of the Prince. sf Wales has been
royal family but ten years. Previous to
1852 her father Was long way from being a
kiag, and i. was not TIL that year that the sue
cession TO tho Danish crown was settled upon
him by convention Of tho grsatp1wers of Eu-
rope.
Year: 1863

FROM the Farls (Ill.J CltlZen.l


I IHAvE presumed to place on record, a few
words in memory of one who was deserving
of all that can or may be said by those abler (;
aud perhaps as willing to do Justice to the
memory of Col. Read as mys l. tt is no


afectation that prompts any preliminary re-
marks; but they arise from sincere respect
for the memory of the dead, and admiration
for his many good and sterling qualities and
above all from an intimate knowledge of his
character which inspires me with dread in ap-
preaching my subject 1t is not that fear
which may arise from o consciousness of a
want of ability; but rather a sensiGveness
which holds in check the urgings Of duty /:
growing out OF a conviction, that, what ]
write must be written in accordance with the
impress which the character of the deceased
left on the mind of him who pens these lines
There is not an individual who kRO1rS Colonel
Read but that will appreciate fully the feel
ingg of the men who attempts to write IN
naemoriunl Of one, who left the Influences OF
his mind on all who were admitted into his
confidence, and whose true character could
only be learned through the intimate relations
attendant upon a sincere and true friendship.
As he abhorred aattery, however delicate, be-
cause he loved sincerity, so should he, who
would 20 back of the grave to write in testi-
mony Of the dead, wish that each work may
bear the stamp of that truthfuluess which he
deemed essential in all things. Far be it
from me to pen aught that would insult the
memory Of him who was the embodiment OF
truth and sincerity. Colonel Reads honesty
of purpose, his integrity of soul, his purity Of
prevented any approach in ques-
tionable shape and no man can say that he
ever dressed his thoughts in such language;
or was guilty Of an act, that would admit Of
an euuivocal construction. He therefore, who
would write an obituary for such man as
Colonel Read, and apologize for so doing upon
tie ground that he knel0 the man; viii ask
of his friends the charity to believe, that all
that is written comes from the heart and is
predicated on a sincere desire to perpetuate
his memory in language worthy of the de-
ceased. and alike creditable to the feelings and
impulses of the writer


l have said that he was an honest and hon
srable man. This, truly believe, and apply
the term in every relation it can bear on the
character Of one who occupied many Of those
positions, that bring a man before the people;
and in which integrity and honesty are the
only safeguards of the public interests. He
Year: 1863

A SMILE is ever the most beautiful with a
tear upon it; the tear is rendered by the smile
precious above the smile itself.


MANY, who profess to think that in giving
to the poor, they lend to the Lord, haggle
with Him about the amount of the'loan.


WE say a great deal about death, and know
very little of it. Probably we can talk better
about it in the next world.
Year: 1863

Paralyze the conscience Of this nation
Though we may shut our ears and steel
our heart, the blood of the poor cries out
from the ground to God, the -all-seeing,
the just, the Good, the Almighty. The
cries of the orphan, the lamentations of
the widow, the wailing of the stricken
mother, and sister are heard by Him, how
ever humble those who utter them. We
are unjust to ourselves when we are un-
just to Others, especially the poor and
helpless and the christian pulpit would
be faithless to its mission. did it not warn
the people that God will visit nation
with his Judgment, who are guilty of, or
who permit such things.


After referring to the other sins of
which We, as individuals and nation,
are guilty, he closed by the hope and
PRAYER that our chastisements will bring
US TO better mind, open our eyes to see
our errors, that we may learn the lesson
of dong to others as we would have 9TH
ers do to us, and that our victories will
secure permanent prosperity.
Year: 1863

men can elect q rebel Governor for Ohio,
he may involve in war that will cause
our streets to run crimson with blood. l
feel the momentous nature of this con-
test so deeply that can hardly leave it
with you. DON'T, beseech you, if you
can help it, let any man be persuaded to
vote to make convicted traitor Governor
of Ohio.
Year: 1863

In every noble heart burns a perpetual
thirst for nobler, in the fair for fairer;
it wishes to behold its ideal out of itself,
in bodily presence, with glorifed or adop-
ted form, in order the more easily to at
tain it, because the lofty man can only
ripen by lofty one. as the diamond can
only be polished by a diamond-Jean
D1,I
Year: 1863

The Grand Rapids Eagle says that he
wouldn't mind the high price of wood so
much if all his neighbors hadn't taken
to the disgusting habit of locking their
wood-hOuse doors at night.
Year: 1863

The shadows of the mind are ike those
of the body. In the morning of life they
all lie behind us; at noon We trample
them under foot; and in the evening they
stretch long and deepening before us.
Year: 1863

An Irish orator in recent speech made
the following parody on certain we'll
known lines by his countryman. Tom
Moore:


The fool that is gulled never harbors doubt,


But as truly IS gulled to the close,
As bull, if you once set ring thro' his snOut


Ever after is led by the nose .-
Year: 1863

A Cow ScEArE.-.ln Erie paper has tue fol lowing A short time since, all affair occur red in quiet neighborhood, in this city,whch though performed by d COW, has not been equal cd since the performance of the Bull in the China Shop"

 A family of three persons-one lady and two gentlemen-were startled from quiet con dition of mind, about the time they were retir' ing for the night, by noise in an adjoining shed. One Of the men m his stocking feet eau. tio1sy opened the door leading from the di- ming room to the outside apartment, and dis covered COW, with her head stuffed into a barrel of swill with her horns fast, and in her efforts to extricate herself she had overturned table upon which there had been stacked d quantity of tin ware, crockery, iron pots, Sc. Hence the chatter which was loud enough and long enough to resurrect the dead.

 The gentleman at once proceeded to drive away the cause of this disturbance, and in so doing brought dog in the ring who, with a bound, fastened upon the COW and caused her to shake off her dishonesty acquired head. dress, and with nose down and tail aslant, she made dart through the door left open into the dning-room, where she came in contact with a table laid ready to receive the breakfast of the following morning, and sundry other things the upsetting and banging about of which ere ated the greatest confusion imaginable. Mean. while the other gentleman, who had already re- tired into an adjoining bed room, arose in his neither garment and opened the door of his room to see what was going on outside. The COW thought the opening of this door afforded her an opportunity of making her escape, and accordingly rushed into the bed room. Here she met with opposition. The space in the room unoccupied by the bed was scarcely large enough to admit her at full length, and so mar. row she could not turn, besides the occupant o the room received her by the horns and endeav ored to back her out

 Now commenced the genuine sport of tle scene. The little fellow inside was pitching and rearing and swearing at the head of the cow.-frst on the bed, then in the alley, and next, in close proximity to the ceiling, his limbs and shirt gyrating and Tapping round with wonderful velocity, while tbe man in the dining-room had seized the animal by the tail and pulling, tugging, laughing and yelling while the COW believed and fought desperately Together the men see-sawed her back ant forth some time before they succeeded in back ing her out, Finally she was driven into tn, street, but no fire or moving ever created more confusion in the affairs of household than wa. here created by the presence of this COW.
Year: 1863

A TOUCHING INCIDENT IN POLAND. The
foreign papers have q touching incident
about Polund A little boyswas standing
at the door OF his mother's house, when
he saw the Russians fire volley on the
insurgents. Mother" cried the boy.
"the Holy Virgin protects our friends,
for I saw none of them fall A Russian
officer rode up and said "See if the Holy
Virgin will protect you," at the same time
blowing out the boys brains with pistol.
Year: 1863

MUSTERED 1N."--A joke is told by
the boys of the 117th, in regard to the
mastering in of a darkey attached to
the regiment who was fearful he would be
deprived of his pay unless he was joined
to the service. A huge mustard plaster
was applied to his back about foot be-
low where the buttons on his coat were
placed, and under the belief that all sol
diers were served in the same manner, he
wore it until the pain became unendura-
BILE. when he was declared mustered i'm
according to the law in such cases made
and provided If that darkey don't get
his wages it will not be because he has
not suffered for his country.
Year: 1863

Probably the Coppetheads count too
confidently on the pliability Of the rank
aud file Of the Democratic party. We are
sure they do; because did they believe. as
we do, in the loyalty and patriotism Of the
great mass Of the people Of the Free States,
regardless Of party, they would not COM
nit themselves, us They are doing, to that
scheme for calling Convention Of 1egis-
latures Of certain States, the rebel States
included, to meet at Nashville or some
other Southern city, for settling the terms
upon which the Union shall be dissolved,
and the Western States tied, like the tail Of
q Kite, to the Southern Confederacy.


We are not sorry to sec this plan ayowcd
in Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois; and we
care not how many Coprerheaded legisla-
lures endorse it.. When it goes to the peo-
T!e for their appreciation, its fate will be
certain. Stripped Of the falsehoods that
now hide its deforn.:ty> everybody can see
that it is q piece Of usurpation whereby
the Government Of the United States
is set aside, and whereby also that
against which, the whole country
las set its face-thc division Of the Union
will be certainly accomplished. 1t is an
invention Of The enemy; it is avowed and
pushed forward By traitorous gang who
have never desired the Union to be saved
upon any terms that did not include the
preservation OF Slavery and the exclusion
qf Few England; and the chiefs Of that
gang arc arc those who, from the first,
have hardly cared to conceal the fact that
they are trcasonable at heart and rebels in
all but the courage to strike blow al
their country's cause. We are no
afraid Of what they will accom-
~p1ish. But let our friends be Of
thcalcrt. They will find the enemy every
where, and always armed with falsehoo


as the principal weapon Of attack and dt
fence. And no falsehood ID so gross, IN


perhaps none is so potent, as that whic


ptetenda that the inventors and abettors {


this plot are worthy Of, or can hare IN


claim, TO patriots name. They are I'll
maddcst- and most .uurcasoning Of part


ssns-Hho for the qualification Of polite
revenge, for the possession of power, or Fl
. the maintenance Of dogma. would null


ply lie horrors By which The country
Year: 1863

afflicted, and to q bloody sectional strife
add the tenfold barbarity. and wickedness
Of war right here at home, In which all
property md security would be enveloped,
and in which the cutting Of neighbors'
throats would be only pastime for the
horde that these villains would let loose!


Mcn oftheNorthwest !! the safeguards up
on which all hope Of good government, Of
enjoyment Of property, Of security Of per
son, and Of the preservation Of those things
which make civilization blessing, are in
the maintenance Of the laws and in uphold
ing the hands Of those who are sworn to
administer them. When you permit as<
semblages unknown to the Constitution to
usurp the power which is entrusted to the
President, the Congress and the judiciary,
you give the signal for commencing q
fratricidal strife Of which no man now Of
mature years will see the end. You
launch out on sea Of which there
arc no charts, on the coasts Of which
there are no lights, on which no harbors
are known-a sea red with blood. Tell
these men, who are urging you to under
take such fearful navigation, that you art
vet for the country as it Was, and as, BY the


blessing Of God inspiring our rulers ana
our armies with courage, it may become.
Tall them that If they will abandon parti-
sanslip and make half the ezertion for
saving the Republic that they are making
for its destruction that if they will
display By their acts half the indignation
toward the rebels and the rebellion that
they are wasting On the Government and
its loyal supporters, the war may be
brought to q close, and the territorial in.
tegrity of the country vindicated, long be-
fore they can consummate their plots fol
beginning . new war and insuring the
country's division and infinite dishonor.
In answer to their entreaties to abandon
the old flag to follow afler new devices
tell them this; and entreat them to be
patriots rather than partisans, and come Ut
like men to the salvation Of the Republic
never so endangered before!
Year: 1863

Scatter the germs Of the beautiful!


BY the waysidc let them fall,
That the rose may spring by the cottage gatc'
And the vine on the garden WALL
Cover the rough ana the rude Of earth


With a vale Of leaves and flowers,
And mark, with the opening bud and cup,
The march of the summer hours.
Scatter the germs of the beautiful


In.thc holy shrine of home;
Let the pure, and the fair, and the graceful there
In their lovccst lustrc come.
Leave not trace Of defOrmity


In the temple OF the heart,
But gather about its hearth the gems
OF Nature and of Art.
Scatter the germs of the beautiful


In the depths Of the human soul
They shall bud, and blossom, and bear thee fruit,
While the endless ages roll.
Plant with the flowers Of charity,


The portals of the tomb,
And the fair, and the pure, about thy path,
In Paradise shall bloom!
Year: 1863

An Echo ON THE SHOREs.-On the shores
of the Adriatic Sea the wives of the fisher
4nen, whose husbands have gone far off upon
ehe deep, are in the habit at even-tide of going
down to the sea-shore, and singing as female
voices only can, the first stanza of a beautiful
hymn; after they have sung it they listen,
slatil they hear borne by the wind across tho
desert sea the second stanza, sung by their
gallant husbands as they are tossed by the
gale upon the waves, and both are happy.
Perhaps if we could listen We too might hear
'on this desert world Of ours some sound, some
whisper borne from affair, to remind us that
There lisa heaven and home; and when we
sing the hymn upon the shores of earth, per-
haps We shall hear it's echo breaking in music
upon the sands Of time, and cheering the hearts
of them that are pilgrims and strangers. aud
look for city that hath foundations.
Year: 1863

@ BE honest, and true, and right, and
Just, because it will pay you in your outward
thrift in the world, but if it would not, it is
worth your while to be SO for the sake of
what the effect would be on your inward ma
ture, and in the world to come.
Year: 1863

Go AHEAD.-The prize is at the end of
the race. What though you fall down, and
may b., suffer apparent injury, get up again
and renew the race. Push ahead. Don't sit
down, with your hand upon your face, and
mourn over the casualty. What if somebody
does stand in the way; if you cannot run
past him, push him aside. and make your way
onward. Life is race, and all men are, or
should be runners. But alas how many hob
ble along, hampered and fettered, never ma
king one effort to break away and make good
time on the race-course Of life. Ifa few faint
efforts don't accomplish the work, keep trying
and success is certain to bless you.


God has placed the indomitable spring Of
will in the human soul, that man might prove
himself equal to the great necessities or human
beings. There are voices calling thee up.
ward listen to their silvery music, and you
will certainly hear the plaudit Of well dom"
Year: 1863

The New York Tablet, the leading
Catholic organ in that city, in answer.to
correspondent who expresses the fear
that its decided support of the Govern
ment and the war will injuriously affect
it's circulation, says:


We are grateful TO our friend for his
prudent suggestions, and will adopt them
80 far Us may be consistent with what We
consider the duty Of every Catholic pa-
per in ,bis trying junc,ure Of national af-
fairs. But "Avalon" and all other friends
must once for all understand that We new
sr have trimmed our sails. and never
mean to trim them to catch the breath Of
popular opinion. We will never write .
line expressly for the purpose Of pleasing
any party. We write on all subjects from
i broad and elevated platform. above and
superior to any motive Of = selfish or par
tiaan character, and whether the Tablet
he conducted by rs for one week or TWEEN.
|ty years, it viii always maintain the sams
course. Time will prove whether we OF


he 'sympathisers" we're right.
Year: 1863

A soldier writing from Bayou Bout,
Louisiana, to his sister in Albany, re-
lates the following adventure:


"Now, that l am on the Alligator
chapter, | will tell you 40 adventure that
had with one. | have always been
anxious to obtain some portion Of an
alligator, to carry home as curiosity.
One day, while returning from one of
the outposts, Iput into Alligator Bayou
An alligator swimming shows but two
little humps above water, the largo one
at his eyes, and the other at bis nose,
and it requires marksman of no mean
skill to kill one. l soon fell in with 4
number cf them, and picking out the
largest one, fired. He turned on his
back, his feet quivered in the air, his
jaws opened and he sank. padded to
the spot, and after poking in the weeds
short time with my paddle, I brought
his lordship to the surface. struck
him several times with my paddle, and
held him to the side Of the canoe, to
make sure that he was quite dead After
a good deal of pulling and prying, l
managed to get him into the canoe, tax.
ing care to turn his head to the bow


lie had hardly struch the bottom of the
boat, when his eyes and mouth opened
with a start, and his tail swept from side
to side, with the force Of sledge ham
mer. In an instant | comprehcndcd my
situation. TO jump out and swim for
shore was to fall into the jaws of dozen
Of the hungry reptiles, and my only sal
walton was to keep out Of the reach of
his tail, pushing him toward the bow
with my paddle, the canoe being 90 mar
row that he could not turn around to face
me. At length by throwing his head
over the side of the canoe, he got his
head toward me, and made charge with
his Jaws wide open. For once in my life,
| think | was thoroughly frightened. In
an inst2nt, | plunged my paddle down


his throat. His jaws closed on it like q
vice, and he was quiet for moment,
and had time to draw my pistol, and
sent two balls into his head He now
law quiet, but saw that he was by no
means dead, and | reloaded my pistol,
preparatory to another attack, but as he
did not seem disposed to renew hostili-
ties, padded swiftly down the stream,
and landed at the first convenient point.
then paid my last respects to his ALI
gatorship, by sending another ball thro'
his head, and went en- my way rejoicing.


did not succeed 10 getting the desired
trophy, for alIigators are like snakes,
their tails do not die until sundown,'
and every time I touched him, his tail
would fly from side to side, with such
force as would endanger my bones. I
think shall never handle another ALI
Year: 1863

just returned from Vicksburg, where they
they have been visiting the noble troops Of
our State. They got near enough to the rebel
sha1pshooters to receive a shower Of balls In
close proximity to their heads.
Year: 1863

delayed 50 long. This must be Govern
ment Of Force, or Law will cease from
among us. It must establish itself as q
Government Of Might, or Right will be
slain in all our communities.
Year: 1863

WEARS have been spent in their perfection.


l. as the Company were determined not to
put their Machines into market until they
could sustain tho assertion which thoy now
m ke, that they arc the