smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1864

The Washington correspondent Of the
Springfield Republican CHE leading New
England Administration organ) writes as
follows:


The rebels claim that they have had
series of victories since the present year
opened, and no defeats to speak Of The
rebel newspapers know very we'll how to
lie, and when to lie; but, upon the whole,
they do no, quite equal our own, Look
at almost any of our journals, and you will
theme Of daily comment. One would
think to read them that the march upon
Richmond had been crowned with inn
mense victories, and that Lee was holding
his breath in mortal terror of his foe.-
What are the facts Simply these -
Gen Grant has los, fifty thousand men
has fought puckily with Lee, inficting
heavy losses upon the enemy, and has two
or three times attempted a general assault
and has been repulsed. These are the
simple facts of the situation; yet senseIess
scribblers have been describing brilliant
victories as if the campaign WAS won.
The Washington correspondent of the
Boston Traveller (ano.her Administration
paper), is not more .anguine. lie says: ::


1t is not certain that Grant will drive
Lee out of Virginia during this campaign,
| but that "onc more army and one more
gear aviN insure their defeat. A call for
two hundred thousand more men will be
made in few days or weeks. 1t is prob
able that another call for 100000 more
will be made next winter. The campaign
of next gear will find the federal army
composed Of 100000 men in the field,
while the rebels will not be able to muster
over 100000. This may be a disconso>
late view of the subject to those who ex-
pected that Grant would finish the war
this summer. But he can't do it. The
war will 60 on for year or two longer,
certainly till The autumn Of 1865. 1t is
cowardly to cover up the truth, and this
is the TRUTH
Year: 1864

FIRE The propeller Iowa caught fire
in her hold while lying along side the
pier Sunday morning, bu, the flames were
extinguished before any great amount of
damage was done. The Fire Department
was on hand, but owing TO a damaged
length ofsuction, Union engine could not
be got TO work for some little time.
Year: 1864

THE Two Docs After reading yester-
days Smut Machine, we consulted with
the spirit Of our dead dog, Pedro His
advice was that we pay 10 further
attention 10 SIBREE on his account: that
he would rather be dead dog than an
dboktion editor.
Year: 1864

bw Why don't the Government have
Gen. Sturgis and such Generals as he is
shot, under sentence Of court-martisl, and
put an end to such wanton or reckless
sacrifice of the lives of our soldiers, the
honor OF our arms and the interests Of our
country
Year: 1864

We HAVE AN ARTIsr.-Mr. Higinbotham
has on exhibition for the inspection of the
public some splendid specimens of his work
rs an artist Those who want old daguerre
otypes brought to life in photograph. or pic
tures of themselves, well executed, should
not lose this opportunity. See advertisement
Year: 1864

The irrepressible Skimp was among a knot
of Unionists, while Temple was speaking of
the flag of our country as the common flag.
Skimp became excited and muttered: I'D
you, don't call that common flag or I'll
throw rock at youn
Year: 1864

A Coop THIxG.-The Highland Quartz
Company. of French Gulch, are taking out
some splendid rock. Sheriff Hopping, a
stockholder, during the week showed us some
specimens that for richness excel anything
we have seen. This mill is plying largely,
and more are wanted in that vicinity to work
other lodes of even greater richness.
Year: 1864

To UNION MEN.-On the 3lst inst. Messrs.
Bidwell and Sargent will address the people
of Shasta. 1t is very important to the Union
interest that this meeting should be well at
tended, that the dignity andsintelligence Of
that class of men may be seen in contrast
with that which assembled on Tuesday last.
to absorb Copperhead virus. Let Unionists
assemble in such numbers as to pale the
cheek of treason, and make its abettors feel
the littleness of the small space they occupy;
let them see the difference between the as
semblage of loyal masses to protect bleed
ing, war-worn country, and gathering for
its destruction; make palpable by actual
demonstration the contemplate object they
have in view, and that when assembled we
may listen to praises Of our country and its
institutions, instead of their condemnation
that we may sing patriotic songs, nor listen to
one word of Dixie. Now is time when
loyal. nation-loving Shasta county should
show her full strength.
Year: 1864

The OAK AND THE SQUIRREL 1T is not
generally known how much we, 90 mar.
itime nation, are indebted to our little
friends, the squirrels. These active little
fellows render important sevice to our
navy; for most OF the fine oak trees.
which are so important in shipbuilding,
especially for vessels Of war, are planted
by the squirrel. A gentleman walkirg
one day in the wood belonging to the
Duke Of Beaufort, In the county of Mon.
mouth, had his attention attracted BY one
Of these crackers of nuts; the squirrel sat
very composedly on the ground, and the
gentleman paused to watch his motions.
ln few moments the creature darted
with wonderful swiftness to the top Of the
tree beneath which he had been sitting.
In an instant he returned, carrying an
acorn In his mouth; this acorn he did not
eat, but he began to dig a hole In tho
ground with his paws When the hole
was large enough and deep enough to
please him, he dropped the acorn into it.
seemed to eye the deposit with great sat.
isiaction, and then he set to work and
covered up his treasure. When his task
vas accomplished, the squirrel again dart
ed into the tree, and again returned in his
character of acorn. bearer; and this load
he disposed of just as he had done the
former. This he continued to do as long
as the observer saw ct to watch him.
This little animals industry was certainly
not with the intention of providing us
with oaks, but with that of providing for
himself when food would be less plentiful,
the holes were his winter stOrehouses.-
AS il is probable that the squirrels mem.
ory is not sufficiently retentive to enable
him to remember all the spots in which
he deposits these acorns, the industrious
little fellow, no doubt, loses few every
year; these spring up, and in due time
supply US with the timber that our ship.
yards require. English Paper.
Year: 1864

MUSICAL GLASSES. When O clean wet
finger is passed round the brim of . COB.
let, q pleasant vibration is produced, and
the sound is purer, more Musical. than
when the glass is struck e. This fact has
led to the construction Of cheap music.
al instrument, upon which those who
have an ear for music may easily play
simple airs, and thus amuse themselves
and their friends. Any air can be PLAYED
in the compass Of an octave; thus. eight
gOblets will make q set, or, better still.
twelve goblets will make an octave and Q.
half The best form Of goblet is the bell
shape, uncut, Andhaving foot. The rob.
let's must vary in size; the large ones
forming the bass notes, the smaller the
treble. If the tones of the glasses are re-.
quired to be very correct, they must be
selected and compared with the notes Of
musical strings, minute variations being
readily corrected by placing more or less
water in each goblet Thus tuned, make
mark to where the water reaches, in or.
der to save the trouble Of future tuning.
Now fix the glasses about an inch apart
in an oblOng tray, and they are complete
to perform upon. Clean the hands from
grease with soap and pumice. stone, 30
that the fingers may be more sensitive to
the touch. Wet them frequently, and draw
them over the glasses according to the
sound or musical note required, and By
passing them rapidly from brim to brim
harmony is readily produced. Though
such instruments are now rarely seen, We
may infer from what Goldsmith says in
the Vicar of Wakefield, that they were in
use . century ago. 'They talk" says
Goldsmith, "of nothing but high life and
other fashionable topics, such as pictures.
taste, Shakespeare aud his musical glass-
es"
Year: 1864

Take rose that is faded, and after
throwing some common sulphur on chat
ing dish Of hot Goals, hold the rose over
the fumes and it will become quite white
Then dip it into basin Of water, and Civ
ing it to any one, tell him to put 1t into
his drawer or box, and close the place
tightly. Five or six hours afterwards
tell him to open the box and he will find
to his astonishment, instead Of the white
rose he put there, one perfectly red.
Year: 1864

A YOUNG lawyer who had long paid his
court to lady without much advancing
his suit, accused her one day of being in
sensible to the power Of love.


1T does not follow, she archly replied,
that am so because am not to be won
by the power of attorney


Forgive me- replied the Suitor, but
you should remember that all volaries of
Cupid are solicitors
Year: 1864

Inc following extracts from q pyj~
Fate letter Of the lamented kearnev.
written June %, 1862, two davs before
the commencement of the seven davs
battles show that the political ambition
ct the GOung Napoleon had its or
igin as fur back as the Peninsular cam
paign, and that his motives were fully
Head by the soldier, who was far more
than his equal in every respect This
letter has never before been printed





lie has now got us in queer posi-
ton, which is neither witty nor bright
The golden season of attack Is lost We
have allowed them 10 collect more naen.
to establish more forts, to plant heavier
guns, and to try forays in our rear.
With all my desire of pushing ahead
think that 1t is now nearly too late. at
least, II we do it, it viii only be by more
hazardousventures and Infinitely more
bloodshed than at any previous period
our last chance the ninth or tenth
thrown away } was after the battle OF
Fam Oaks, when all our troops should
have been brought into action. and our
way forced into Richmond Then 10
might and most probably would have
been successful


Now, I must say that Mcclellan has
calmly resigned himself TO waiting for
endorsements. But in doing this. the
enemy collects two men to our one.
while Mcclellan testifies his fears by
throwing up Notifications at every
point, as if we were beaten army
He breaks down the men by overwork.
and covers them by his proof OF dis
trust, and you will soon find that the
enemy will throw himself on our com
munications, aud repeat his forays-
perhaps, even to forcing as To retire 10
cover them. Mcclellan is no General.
with All his talents lie has not the re-
mOtest aptitude for war. / sometimes
feas, from his management Of this war.
that lie regards it more in q political
than o military point of yiew-that hc
desires 10 time his military conquest
with certain political ripeness oil the
SOuth--at best a very hazardous mat
ter, when it IS with the astute, and w.ly.
and uuprincipled Southerner that hr
attempts to plsy such a game and
when one reflects that it engenders de
lay, which is the sure defeat Of all ar.
mics
Year: 1864

CURIOUS BATTLE.-From a private letter
of a soldier on the Rapidan, we get an account
of fight which may not figure in history
among the battles of this war "Just across
the river, in full view of our pckets, but at
that time within the Yankee lines, is corn.
field, which earlier in the season abounded
in choice roasting ears. From this field the
men of both armies in the vicinity were wont
to Eli their camp kettles by stealth; for il
was dangerous business-the field being
exposed to the fire of the pickets % both sides
of the field the danger of unpleasant coils.
ions and Interruptions was much less but
gradually from day to day the hostile CLEAN.
ers approached each other, until only few
rows in the center of the field were left un-
gathered. But still our boys wanted the
corn, and would encounter the risk. One
morning two of them had crossed the river,
and were cautiously foraeing among these
ungathered rows, when their eyes lighted
upon two stalwart Hessans engaged in the
same business All were unarmed, but in
an instant a Strengthened themselves into a
fighting attitude and demanded surrender.
Both squads returned defiant answer and
both fell to fist and skull, to enforce compli-
ance. " They fighting fell. and falling fought,
and when they fell, kicked about They
turned and twisted, and pummeled and
thrashed away among the corn. till our boys
began to doubt whether they had not caught
Tartars. But luckily for them, Just as their
wind was beginning to fall reinforcement
came up. in the shane of another Corn. fed
crate gatherer and the Yanks were captured
and carried in triumph over the river, pris-
oners of war. .'-ndcOn Ielegrdph
Year: 1864

IT is understood, says the Alta, on what is
regarded as pretty good authority, that one
of our well-known citizens, Captain o. B
Crary, has been rendered the command Of
one of the new, fast and heavily, armed steam
ers. built expressly for the purpose of over.
hauling and capturing the Alabama, and will
leave on the steamer of the Sd of February
assigned him. 1t is understood that there
will be no restriction on the management of
the pursuit. but that the Captain will have
full authority to follow the pirates to any
part of the world and continue the chase un.
til the object is ACCOMPLISHED.
Year: 1864

| SHAsrA, Jan. %, 1864.
Mr.. EDITOR Some two weeks since ad-
dressed you somewhat hastily, and in my
communication spoke incidentally of the
propriety of .,orming an organization for the
building of a custom quartz mill in Shasta,
believing myself that it would largely in-
crease the business of Shasta, and in the do
ing of it stimulate the development of the
wealth in its vicinity, by inducing aud en-


ouraging prospecting.


hoped that your next paper would con-
tain something from somebody on the sub
ject matter of mine, if nothing more than a
criticism. saw nothing. There was moth
ing to indicate sign of life in Shasta, or
that anything like enterprise there existed.
For long years Shasta has been selfs sus.
tanning, even from its birth. Its happy To-
cality and natural business enabled many to
amass large fortunes and leave it for points
where large capital could be used. Many
remain who have large amounts invested in
piles of brick and mortar, who, instead of
devising means for reproducing life in its
dead frame, seem content to gaze at their
empty houses, and wonder when and how
they are to be repeopled. If it can be done
by continuing to gaze and wonder, then it
is we'll; but it seems to me that five years
trial of that policy ought to be CONVINCING
Let me say TO the property holders in Shasta
that if they would exist as business COM
munity of men, they must school themselves
to act unselfshly and together. They must
divest themselves of the fear that in doing
something for their own interests some one
else may be benefited by it, and for that
cause refuse to do anything.


l don't suppose there is on Gods footstool
place-apart from Shasta,-a community
where every man is so emphatically for him
self. Here is no community of ideas-all is
self. There is not even pretense to the con-
trary except at election times, and then it is
only preached. There must be ? change.
Men must get together in their leisure mo.
ments, land God knows we have enough of
them,) and instead of playing crib and chips,
discuss the needs, THAT won't take lons) and
the ways and means for the relief of the
town. / say again, believe the mill to be
the best, cheapest and most feasible measure
for g starter" If this is not so, why, then.
let some interested party devise better and
make it public.


Yours &o How
Year: 1864

Az the time approaches for the meeting of
| the State Union Convention. to elect dele
gates to the National Conventions. for the


purpose of placing in nomination candidate
for President and Vice President of the
United States for the ensuing term, it is well
| for Union men in each county to begin to
organize and select proper persons to repre-
sent their sentiments in the several County
| Conventions.


We are about entering upon the most i'm
portant political contest that the people of
the United States have ever been called upon
to take part in. Amid the terrible strife of
civil war, when millions of our fellow citizens
are in arms to defend our liberties against a
ruthless and merciless foe, those who remain
in the civil walks of life are about to be call
ed upon to express. by their votes, whether
the Office of Chief Magistrate of our country
shall pass into the hands and under the con-
troll af those who are seeking the destruction
of republican liberty, by camoring for a dis
honorable peace or whether the Office shall
be filled by one who will use all the mower of
the Government for the maintainance of our
national honor and existence.


But one question should be allowed to en-
ter into the contest-that of the uncondi.
tionol suppression of the rebellion by force of
arms,-and to this one measure should the
energies of every voter be directed. Let it
be borne in mind that the State Union Con.
venrio- will be held some time in the month
of March next, and that all depends upon the
character of the men selected as delegates to
that Convention, for the position this loyal
and patriotic State shall take in making of
the next President, who will have the honor
of adjusting our national difficulties, and re-
storing all of tie States to the Union, under
one Flag and one Constitution.


The greatest vigilance will be required in
the selection of proper representatives of the
people, to ensure the success of the cause of
liberty, at such time as this, and every
citizen should consider well the question
involved, and act in SUCH manner as to
leave no doubt as TO how California will cast
her vote at the next election for President of
the United States.
Year: 1864

ARAsrRA.-At Saw Mill Flat, about mile
from Whiskytown, an arastra is being built,
to be run by water power, for the parpose of
prospecting gold bearing quartz lode that
is opened by shaft twenty feet deep. We
would not be surprised to learn that this lode
wide, and has pay streak in it, about six
inches wide, that will assay as high as two
hundred dollars to the ton. The ledge is so
convenient and easy to work that it cannot
fail to pay largely.
Year: 1864

LYNCH LAVA private letter received in
Stockton, from Millerton, under date of Jan.
18th, contains the following,


We have had an exciting time in this locali-
ty. no less than three Indians and one Amer
icap having been hung by Lynch law recent
ly, They we're convicted of the robbery and
murder of Cinnamon, and also of the murder
of one white man. We think they have met
the punishment they merited, and that the
example will cause the balance of the herd Of
robbers to leave here.
Year: 1864

Our CAND1DADE.-Nearly all the papers
of the State have expressed themselves in
favor of enc or the other of the many aspi-
rants for the next Presidency. For ourself,
although We will be satisfied with any one
who is perfectly sound on the question of a
vigorous prosecution of the war, until the
last rebel is driven into the g last ditch, "
yet our present Chief Magistrate-Abraham
Lincoln-is our first choice. If We cannot
get Old Abe, then we would like, above all
things, to see General Benjamin T. Butler
by rebels and their sympathizers called the
I" Beast''-receive the nomination. We be-
lieye there is not man now living in the
United States, next to Abraham Lincoln, so
well fitted for the exalted position of Presi-
dent, at this particular time, as General
Butler.
Year: 1864

THE HoRRoRs OF THE WAR.-Major North
rup, of the Twenty third Kentucky Regiment
(says letter writer in St. Louis paper
has in his possession letter found on thu
body of Rebel Lieutenant, killed on the
Odd, at the sudden charge on Orchard Knob
He had evidently just received it at the time
the alarm was given. and had not yet had
time to break the seal. And well for hin
that he died before perusing its contents
as it was from his wife, and conveyed story
which, to a sensitive husband. must have
led almost to suicide. She detailed the suf
fering around her, and how she had been re
duced to the last extremity, adding that fol-
herself she would have starved, but she coult
not see her children die, and therefore she
had bartered her virtue for money. informing
him of the name of the party and then sht
appealed to him to forgive her. for Gods
sake, if possible; but if not, to take care o.
the children, and let her go to ruin.
Year: 1864

A THREAT WHICH SHOULD BE REGARDED AS
A WARNMG.-Thc Richmond Wig in discuss
ing the sweeping work of desolation done by
in order to render 1t untcnable to a rebel army,
suggests a scheme OF retaliation of which we
have had some intimations heretofore. This
scheme is the appropriation by the rebel author
tiles of the sum of ono million of pillars for
the hiring of a gang Of trusty and intelligent
incendiaries "to burn one of the chief cities OF
the enemy" The Wing says "nothing would
be easier;" that "the men to execute the work
are already there;" that, for instance, "twenty
men, with plans all preconcerted aud means
provided, selecting some dry, windy night,
might Gre Boston in hundred places" aud
that il the Yankees retalste, ait is game at
which we can beat them. New York is worth
twenty Richmonds." Finally, says the Wing,
"if the executive is not ready for this, we CON-
mend the matter to the secret deliberations Of
the Congress about to meet


We are assured that our guardians of
law and order, civil and military, are on the
watch but they canno. be too visilant hence
forward to tie ninth of November. We would
also admonish our fellow citizens who have a
substantial interest ia the maintenance of law
and order not only in this city. but in all the
other great cities of the loyal States TO be
vigilant and active till after the Presidential
election; and to bear in mind this timely warn
ing from Richmond, that "twenty men, with
plans all preconcerted and means provided"
could lay Boston, New York or Cincinnati in
ashes, and that 'the men to execute the work"
are already on the ground.
Year: 1864

An italian bishop, who had endured much
persecution with calm and unruflled tern
per, was asked how he attained such mas
terry over himself :" By making right use
Of my eyes," said he ! first look up to
heaven, as the place whittier am going to
live forever. next look down upon the
earth, and consider how small . space Of il
will soon be all that occupy or want.
then look around me, and think how many
are far more wretched than am"