smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1863

ATrEMPT To DESTROY THE New IRON
sIDEs.-We learn from q naval officer the
following particulars of an attempt to
destroy the frigltc Ne,o Foasides. Ga
Monday night last, while lying at her US
ual anchorage, the frigate was approach
ed by a nondcscript craft, evidently from
the harbor Of Charleston. The stranger
was hailed by the officer Of the deck, but
no response was given.


The stranger came rushing on and just
before striking the frig,te fired volley OF
musketry, which wounded the officer Of
the deck on duty. An instant afterward
she struck the trigates bow, and a tre-
menlous explosion followed. The torpe-
do which the strange craft had attached
to her stern was evidently one of great
magnitude, as the shock was fearful, and
the column Of water thrown up and dis
placed far greater than that which any
other contrivancc has yet been able to
lift. But instead of destroying the Ne,c
EoMiGes, 4the rebel craft was herself
blown up and sunk through the very
means by which she had hoped to destroy
the most effective vessel in our navy
OF the crew Of the rebel vessel two were
capturcd-one a Lieutenant and the 9TH
cr Il seaman-and the rest were drowned.
The damage to the noble fri gate is said
to be slight.
Year: 1863

How they arc mixed up, of all species
oak and maple, and chestnut and birch


But Nature is not cluttered with them
she is perfect husbandman she store
them all. Consider what vast crop il
shed annually on the earth This, more
than any mere grain or seed, is the grea
harvest of the year. The trees are now
repaying the earth with interest wha
they have taken from it. They are dis.
counting. They are about to add Leaf.
thickness to the depth of the soil. Thi.
is the beautiful way in which Nature gets
her muck, while | chatter with this mar
and that, who talks to me about sui pbur
and the cost of carting. We are all tn,
richer for their decay. l am more inter.
csted in this crop than in the English
grass alone, or the corn. 1t prepares the
virgin mould for future cornfeIds and for.
ests, on which the earth fattens. 1t keeps
our homestead in good heart.


1t is pleasant to walk over the beds OF
these fresh, crisp, and rustling leaves
How beautifully they go to their graves
how gently lay themselves down and turn
to mould! painted of a thousand hues,
and fit to make the beds of US living
SO they troop to their last resting place,
light and frisky. They put on no weeds,
but merrily they @ scampering over the
earth, selecting the spot, choosing lot,
ordering no iron fence, whispering all
through the woods about it-some choos-
ing the spot where the bodies of men are
mouldering beneath, and meeting them
half way. How many hutterinss before
they rest quietly in their graves They
that scared so loftiIy, how contentedly
they return to dust again. and are laid
low, resigned to lie and decay at the foot
of the tree, and afford nourishmen; to new
generations of their kind, as we'll as to
huttcr on high


When the leaves fall, the whole earth
is a cemetery to walk in. | love to wan
der and muse over them in their graves.
Here are no lying nor vain epitaphs.-
What though you own no lot in Mount
Auburn, your lot is surely east somewhere
in this vast cemetery, which has been con-
secratel from Of old. You need attend
no auction to secure a place. There is
room enough here. The Loosc-strife shall
bloom, and the IIuckleberry bird sing
over your bones. The wooiman and hun
ter shall be your sections, and the children
shall tread upon the borders as much as
they will Let US walk in the cemetery
Of the leaves-this is your true Green
wood ccmetery-H. d. Thoreau.
Year: 1863

ga neat and durable front fence may
be built by almost any man who can drive
a nail, after the iron rods for posts are
set in stone si,ls. Take board, say nine
inches wide, for the base, and set it close
to the iron rods, aud then clasp each rod
with common staple, AMI drive it thro'
the board aud clinch it closely. \ strip
of board four inches wide should be fas-
tened in the same manner near the top OF
the rods. Provide sawed dimension stuff,
two inches square, set them two inches
apart, and nail through the upper aud


lower boards into the dimension stuff
After this is done nail on the inside, at
top and bottom, strip four inches wide,
and then place Oh cap of plank eight or
niue inches wide, with slanting edges, and
you have comely, substantial fence
without mortice or any place to hold
water or liable to cause rot. This is
Joiner work made easy.-Kenne5ec Joar'
nal.
Year: 1863

The Army or the Pot0mac-The Oppor-


tunity and tho Duty OF tho Adminis-


tratfOn.


Our latest news from the Army ofthe Potomac
is not encouraging. It leads US to the suspicion
that General Meade is preparing to settle down
into winter quarters. Having pushed the rebel
army across the Rapidan, he finds it too strong
ly intrenched on the heights on the opposite
side to attempt to carry them by storm, and
so we are apprehensive that he will remain in
front Of the enemy, watching and waiting for
an opportunity which may not be offered till
the return of spring. In the meantime General
Lee may amuse his adversary with thin line
of troops along his front, SO disposed as to
present the appearance Of great army, while
sending off twenty or thirty thousand men to
the support of Bragg.


We contend that this is the time and that
now is the opportunity for the administration
to settle with the rebel army Of Vir-
ginia. The difficulty with President Lincoln,
as we understand it, is involved in the sup
posed necessity Of keeping the Army Of the
Potomac between the city Of Washington and
the rebel army. II is feared that If General
Meade should attempt to flank Lee the latter
might slip In behind our army, and, by forced
marches, get back into Maryland and in the
rear Of Washington, and do very considerable
mischief before he can be overtaken. But
against any danger Of this kind we would yet
again call the attention Of President Lincoln TO
the very simple plan Of operations which here
tofore, on several occasions, We have suggested
II is the simple plan Of moving the Army Of
the Potomac towards Richmond by way of the
peninsula or on the south side Of James river
and Of providing, ut the same time, an addi-
tional army for the special duty Of protecting
Washington.


But how Is this additional army to be pro.
vided in season for an active winter campaign
We answer, readily enough. All that President
Lincoln will have to do will be TO issue a call


upon Pennsylvania and New York each fol


twenty thousand militia, armed and equipped


say for ninety days service, and within ter


days these two States, properly assisted by th'


government can throw the aggregate Of fort
Year: 1863




Yesterday, while other city papers announced
that there was no news from the expedition
under General Banks, we gave to the readers
of the HERALD exclusively full account of that
important movement, with the description from
our special correspondent Of the debarkation
of the troops on the Texas frontier Thus, for
about the fortieth time since the war began, the
HERALD has completely distanced the other
papers in that great requisite Of journal-a
correct and early publication of the news. In
deed, we have beaten the other city papers so
often that we cannot be said to have any city
contemporaries-ina as we arealways and
normally at least a day ahead Of every other
city paper.


The force with which the United States has
thus occupied the line of the Rio Grande ia q
very considerable one, both in ships and men,
and is apparently sufficient for the object in
view Regarded as an army for the observa-
ton of the French in Mexico, or from any other
point of view that had reference to the inten-
tions of France, the force certainly would not
be q sufficient one, and the whole country
would doubtless deem that the army corps Of
which it is composed would be used to better
purpose in the reinforcement of General
Thomas at Chattanooga, or General Meade on
the Rapidan. But the real and practical pur-
pose Of the expedition is the interruption and
destruction of the immense contraband trade car
ried ON between Europe and the Southern States
by way of Mexico. Our correspondent, it will
be remembered, counted twenty-seven blockade
runners in sight Of the vessels of the expedi-
ton in the Mexican waters; and certain por-
ton of the cargoes contracted for by Huse, the
rebel agent, with the Mercantile Trading Com
pany, were to 60 to Matamoros. Matamoros,
indeed, bade fair to become great entrepot
for the Southern States Arms, ammunition, war
materiel of every description-thatt the South can
not possibly produce within its limits, and that
have kept the war alive-went in by Charles
ton Wilmington and Matamoros, and the cotton
that paid for all went out by the same places.
Charleston has been well sealed up since the
Monitors have lain in its harbor; Wilmington
not less 30 since appropriate vessels have been
employed for the purpose; and now the gov
ernment adopts adequate measures to close UP
the trade by the last Of these places. An army
corps will be well employed in this labor; and
II, by and by, Mexican complications should
arise, General Dana's men will be handy
Year: 1863

Advertisements for the WEEKLY HERALD must be band
ed in before ten O'Clock evory Wednesday evening Its
circulation among the entcrprisug mechanics farmers
merchants manufacturers and gentlemen throughout the
country is increasing very rapidly Advertisements in
sertod In the WEEKLY HERALD will thus be by large
portion OF the active and energetic people OF the United
Stakeo
Year: 1863

CRUELTY TO CHnDREN.-The report of coro-
ner's inquest, held the day before yesterday,
brings to light some facts in connection with
our public schools which demand immediate
attention. The deceased, Louisa Schneider,
was child only four years of age, and had
been an attendant at the Twenty-fourth ward
public school. 1t is the habit, it seems, in this
institution to detain after school hours such Of
the children as have been backward in their
lessons, or misconducted themselves during the
day. This poor little creature was kept in,
with twelve others, to learn spelling lesson.
which she had been unable to master in the
forenoon, and she took it 30 much to heart that
on returning to her seat she was seized with
syncope, and in few minutes expired.


We know nothing more calculated to shook
humane and sensitive minds than this s'see-
ment. The idea of child Of such an age be-
ing set down to task work at all is repugnsnt
to common sense; but the fact Of her inability
to. accomplish it being followed by punish
ment is still more revolving. We do not know
which to censure most-the parents for sending
an infant like her to school, or the teachers for
treating her thus inhumanly. II CObbett de-
serves to live in. the memory Of future ages, 1t
will be more for the important truths which he
proclaimed in regard to the education Of chill
dren than for any Of his other teachings. It
was his maxim that the age Of ten was early
enough to send child to school, as up to that
time the whole care of the parents should be
devoted to its physical development. The ex-
perience of all who have been engaged in edu-
cational pursuits bears out this theory. We
have, besides, the fate Of infant prodgies to
sustain it. They never come to anything in
mature age, either mentally or physically, and
in the majority OF instances pay for their pre-
cocity by premature decay.


The idea of inHicting punishment Of any kind
upon infants offender years is as absurd as 1t is
barbarous. Not having arrived at the age Of
reason, it is not to be expected that it will have
any effect upon their minds. One result 1t may
be attended with, and what that is we have
melancholy example of in the death Of this
poor child.


We call upon the Board of Education at
once to put stop to these inhuman practices
Their recurrence would infict lasting disgrace
upon system that is otherwise admirable.
Year: 1863

The attack on Charles ton is the direct
and immediate consequence of q dis
patch from Cooper to General Lee, which
was captured by the enemy. Ia this
dispatch there was talk of an army 10
be concentrated at Culpepper Court
House under Beauregard. The sudden
activity of Rosecrans and other Federal
Generals are the result Of that dispatch.
The enemy has got his head full Of the
idea that the Contederacy has placed all
his best forces and Generals unde Lee,
leaving the rear to take care of itself.
Especially is he convinced that Charles
ton is denuded of troops and that Beau
regard is away. Hence he has ordered
an immediate attack, and will, without
doubt exhaust his powers 90 get poe
session of that long coveted point. The
Yankees are mistaken in these premises
they will be disappointed in their
hopes--ihey will not take Charleston
and they will get thrashing.


They have landed forces on the one
end of Morris Island--a strip Of sea-
made land between Fort Sumter and the
ocean. They might have done as much
at any time within the last two years.
The only part Of the island possessing
the least importance, Is the southern
portion OF il, On that part of ID we
have some of the heaviest works de-
Tending Charleston. In these works we
have resolute men who will certainly
maintain them.


Granting that with heavy assaults,
the concentrated fire of the feet, and
the employment of barges in the night,
they take Morris Island. II is suppos, d
then that they have nothing then 70 do
but TO batter Sumter 60 pieces. But
there are fourteen hundred yards Of wa
ter between the nearest point Of the
island and the walls of Sumter, and no
well constructed, well defended fortress
goes down before batteries At that dis
tanoe.


When there is firm land for parallels,
and batteries can be approached till
they are within six hundred yards, as
they were before p IlAski, il is bit q
question of time when q place shall fall
But parallels cannot be made In the
water, and the guns Of Sumter command
Morris Island.


But what If Sumter should be reduced
to a heap of ruins Is Charleston lost?
Certainly not. That fort is not the key
OF Charleston. Many an iron-olad will
go TO the bottom, and many a ship load
of Yankees will be sent to the devil,
before the 6ual struggle will be even
begun. In Charleston there is general
who knows all his business We hope
that il is not giving the enemy too much
information TO announce that his name
is Beauregard, and that he has with
him certain number Of troops. To-
gether they will defend Charleston 70
the last extremity, as In duty bound
Whether the place is impregnable OF not
Is the question now 70 be tried. We
hold that IL is.
Year: 1863

Mr.. EDITOR The condition of our roads is,
or should be matter OF deep interest to the
public. The roads are becoming almost lmpas-
sable, many not having been worked for more
than two years. Most of the bridges are in a
dangerous condition, and 1t is a matter of great
surprise that the members of the Grand Jury
havs gone to Staunton time and again over these
roads, and yet no presentments. They have cas-
ed their consciences, while basely violating their
oaths, by the himsy argument, that during the
war there are not enough hands to keep the roads
in repair, and that such things should be over
looked tor the present This is entirely wrong.
Our roads should be regularly worked, for &c a
stitch in time saves nine, - holds as good in work
ing our roads as in repairing our domestic rents.
Then, too, our business has to be done with
smaller and weak efteams, the roads should be
kept in better order. l have never seen the
roads and bridges in such order. Many of the
bridges are tottering to the fall | need not
specify, as all are in the same condition. But l
will mention two as a sample: the bridge in the
turnpike, over the branch that passes out of the
Lunatic Hospital garden, has been in wretched
condition for over two years, (and is now very
dangerous and the bridge over the railroad
near Hugh McClure's, over which it will soon be
unsafe to drive buggy, for fear of falling
through. Then, too, the public roads are block
AIDED at every wagon makers and blacksmith'S
shop by old wagons, pluws and lumber. The pub
lie have endured the blockade on the road, where
it passes under the railroad to enter Staunton
from the east, as long it will. This has con-
tinued for over two years, and is great outrage.
The proprietors of the Virginia Livery Stable
have been allowed to blockade the street oppo.
site their Office door, with buggieS, carriages,
wagons and carts for so long time, that they
feel themselves perfectly at liberty to keep you
sitting On your horse or in your buggy, waiting
for some one ahead to get out of the way just as
long as they may please. Have these a
grant of tins entire street? Shall they be allow
ed to continue this nuisance to the inconveni-
ence of many? They have large vacantlot,
and yet on Court day, string of buggies hum
dren yards long may be seen obstructIng half OF
very narrow, and yet very public street. 1t is
to be hoped that our read masters will awake to
sense of their duty. cr that ur next Grand Ju-
ry will perform the responsible duties of their
office with more fidelity to the public and credit
to themselves. Is there no tribunal before which
Grand Jurors may be brought for dereliction of
duty.
Year: 1863

Senate bill. having for it's object the arming and
equpping Of the Virginia militia reported from the
House With material amendments, was laid on the
abiethe special patron of the bill being absent from
his seat.
Year: 1863

The Rev. Henry Ward Bcccher speaks TO-
night at the Brooklyn Academy OF Music on
his experiences abroad. 1t is needless 10 urge
ANYBODY to 60 and hear him, as it is quite GER
tain that nobody viii have that pleasure who
does not go quite early.


1t is understood that Mr.. Beccher has an
invitation from the Loyal National League to
speak on some evening not yet named to the
citizens OF New-YoTk. The proceeds OF the
lecture are to be given to the Sanitar" Com
mission. This, we believe, is to be the first OF
series Of lectures from some of the most dis
tingushod men Of the country, under tbC
direction OF the League
Year: 1863

spent as il now is; and it cannot be without
difIusing and deepening hostility that it Is
unwiso TO aggrayate Give us fair play and
jusiicc-taic 'hc heavy hands of your Directors
off the collar of the State-we ask this as
right; and it is at once your duty and your
interest to see that it is done.
Year: 1863

rkst broke again and cash stock again pressed


yielding market At the Second Board prices were hi her


p,e-ht are active but rates are lower Money quoted
at per cent among stock houses, with good demand at Tie
Year: 1863

work injury TO Washington, If they are al
lowed to carry matters with high hand in
the primary meetings.


Wehave no fear that any others than uncon-
ditional!y loyal men will be nominated by any
delegates who may possibly be chosen By these
meetings; but the true interests Of our city and
the cause for which the Government is strug-
CLING with those in arms against the public
peace, imperauvely require that the candidates
should not only be Internationally loyal, but
men who will also bring out a full vste IN
favor OF an Internationally loyal platform
What is necessary in the approaching election.
is to make such nominations rs will prove TO
the world that ali the citizens of the Federal
Metropolis, with inconsiderable exceptions,
are for sustaining the Governments measures
TO nut down the rebellion with heartiness not
hereafter TO be questioned. ~ g


Such demonstration on the part of this city
which can be obtained if the proposed conven-
tIon nominate men whe are thoroughly iden-
titled with the city's progress and well being,
and have fairly earned the confidence Of the
community-will tell immeasurably upon the
Maryland election to take place not long hence;
q desideratum the importance Of which all who
have the Governments war measures at heart t,
must surely realize. ...E
Year: 1863

The chronicse thinks that the Governments
generous care Of those who are fighting ths
battles Of their country in the present struggle.
affords another illustration Of the fact that we
are not only capable or indicating our Hber-
ties, but also Of teaching lessons to foreign na-
tions which they will be forced to admire.


The Intelligereer notes the mischief done by
the Congressional Committee on the Conduct
Of the War when they insnuated that either
the President, Secretary Of War, or the Gene
ral-in Chief permitted the plans Of General
Burnside to be made Known to those In this
city whose sympathies are with the rebels.
Year: 1863

THE THIRD DISTRICT School. HoUsE.-This
morning the excavation for the foundation of
the Third District School House. which is to
be erected near the corner of Pennsylvania
avenue and Eighth street east, was commenced.
Year: 1863

CHANGE OF PLACE.-By the advertisement
elsewhere, it will be seen that the places for
the meeting on Wednesday night OF the Tn
conditional Union men of the First, Second and
Fifth Wards have been changed for others
more eligible
Year: 1863

Our latest information from W Washington
will Justify the conclusion that the October
campaign in Virginia is substantially at an
end.


As we understand it, the retrograde
movement of General Meade from the Rap
idan to his present position near Washing
ton was adopted from the following consid-
erations:-First, there was the danger that,
in pushing forward, the rains and the i'm
passable muddy roads of Virginia winter
would arrest the march of the army, and
that the enemy would seize the opportunity
for completely cutting of its subsistence
on the long exposed railroad line OF seventy
or eighty miles to its base Of supplies.
Secondly, in reducing this army for the
present to an army Of observation, by re-
calling it TO the immediate front OF Wash
iugton. the vast expenditures and losses are
avoided which have been and would be in
Cured in the transportation of It's supplies
To the south or the north branch Of the
Rappahannock, through hostile country.
Thirdly, in drawing the enemy back to the
Potomac, over desolateI region, utterly
stripped of subsistence, he would be placed
under all the disadvantages of an extended
line Of communications to protect in his
rear, liable at any moment to a destructive
foray by those experienced and efficient
raiders Pleasanton, Buford, Gregg and
Fitzpatrick. Lastly, while, 10 the immedi,
ate neighboThood Of Washington, Genera
Meade can bring twenty or thirty thousand
more troops into ageneral engagement thar
he could at CulpePper, the army of Lee i
correspondipgly weakened with his ad