smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1862

ARMY OF THE PoToMAC, FAIRFAx, Va,


October %, 1862.
Messrs H. r. Lou, Chairman, Benz.
Field, Secretary, Nec York:


GENTLEMEN: Your invitation to ad-
dress the citizens of the State of New
York, in support of the National Admin
istration and the vigorous prosecution
of the war, is received.


am obliged to decline your invitation,
but at the same time can give you no
stronger assurance of my most earnest
cooperation in the vigorous prosecution
of the war than my present relations to
the army of the United States.


ASS man, a citizen, and soldier,
feel deep interest in such a prosecution
of the war as win result in its speedy and
honorable termination. To this end /
have tried to do my utmost, and | can
testify to the earnestness of the brave
soldiers who have served under me- The
people have furnished the men and
means, the soldiers have done their part,
and if there is any blame that the war is
not ended lay it not to the soldiers.


New York is central power in the
nation, controlling to large extent the
tendencies of every other State. Hence
the responsibilities of her people are
fearfully great, and one error may in
volve the nation in ruin.
In your approaching election, had /
the privilege, / would appeal to the peo-
pie of your State as l would to my sol
diers in the face of the enemy, and beg
them by every consideration that could
move the heart of patriot to do their
duty without regard to selfish considera-
tons.


1t is an enormous crime to expose
our devoted soldiers to the fury of uni
ted, determined, and vigorous enemy, on
account of any hesitancy to use the right
means at the right time, or by placing
men in high and responsible positions
who, on account of their former associa
tions and pledges, can never be trusted
as sincere friends of this Republic, mol
expected to strike fatal blow to Trea
son and Rebellion.


This Republic is in danger, and canno
be saved by those who sympathize with
the Rebellion, who contemplate disgrace
full compromises, or who aim at the es
tablishment of Slave Empire.


Peace cannot exist while two antago
nistic principles govern in this land
Therefore every Republican and patriot
should stand to the colors which honor
and protect him, and should vote fol
those candidates only who are tried, like
Wadsworth; who are the most earnestly
devoted to the vigorous prosecution Of
the war, and are in favor of such mean,
as will permanently introduce Liberty
into the South.


l am, very respectfully,


your obedient servant,


F. S1GEL, Maj. Gen. US. v,
Year: 1862

refused to go back, and picked up gun
and remained in possession. A Rebel
captain, who was one of the first to enter
the works, called on him to surrender, he
replied, 81 never surrender" and shot
the Captain; private attacking him just
then, when he knocked him down with
his gun and bayoneted him, and before
any more could get at him, our men had
rallied and driven the Rebels of, SO that
he held the work solitary and alone, and
by the time the regiment got in again,
he had robbed the Rebel captain of 81 40
Confederate money, and such other little
articles of value as he had about his per-
SON"
Year: 1862

The following is an extract from the
celebrated speech of Judge Douglas on
the bill to refund the fine imposed on
General Jackson, by Judge Hall, of New
Orleans, delivered in the House of Re-
presentatives:


The necessity, and the glorious effect
resulting from the cause which that me-
cessity prompted, were acknowledged by
the whole country, and he would even
say by the whole civilized world Then,
as far as this bill was concerned, he
(Mr. d. could not say whether their acts
were legal or illegal. He cared not
whether General jackson violated the
Constitution or not He cared not
whether General Jackson suspended all
civil authority or not


If his acts were necessary to the de-
fense of the country, that necessity was
above all law. Gen. jackson hazarded
everything; he hazarded both life and
reputation on that step, which might
render him immortal if he saved the
country, or, on the contrary, make him
ignominious, and a by-word and a re-
prUavhS and the man who dared to do
that deserved the protection and plaudits
of his country He did not envy the
feelings of that man who could get up
and talk calmly and coolly under such
circumstances, about rules of court and
techicalities of proceedings, when the
city might be in flames, and the utmost
barbarity might be committed. What
were the rules of court but mere cob
webs when they found an enemy with his
cannon at the doors of their courts, and
they saw the flames encircling the Gu
pola? Talk then about the rules of
courts and the formalities of proceed
ings? The man that would do this would
fiddle while the capitol was burning. He
could not envy any man the possession
of such stoical philosophy


Talk about illegalityl Talk about for
malitiesl Why, there was but one for
mality to be observed, and that was the
formality of directing the cannon, and
destroying the enemy, regardless of the
means, whether it be the seizure of cot
ton bags, or the seizure of persons, if the
necessity of the case should require it
The God of Nature conferred this right
on men and nations, and, therefore, let
him not be told that it was uneonstitu-
tional to use the necessary means.


The constitution was adopted for the
protection of the country, and under that
! constitution the nation had the right to
exercise all the power that was necessa-
ry for the protection of the country II
Year: 1862

1t will be remembered that Governor
Wright now holds the place, because an
AbolitionSmajority in the United States
Senate expelled Mr.. Bright for no other
reason in the world except that he was a
Democrat They had just as much right
to expel any other member as Mr. Brig ght.
Under this view of the case, we submit
to our Democratic friends whether State
rights and vindication of the Demo
cratic creed does not require that the
act of the Abolition Senate be rebuked
by the election of the man, uniustly
turned out, to his old place. His ap-
pearance on the floor again would be a
just retribution. He was elected to
serve until next March, and should be
permitted to do so.


As to the Senator for six years we
would not obtrude our advice. The de-
mocracy of Indiana have many able.
worthy and true men who would do hon
or to the seat But for the short term
the Democracy of Ohio would like to see
foul act rebuked by the election of Mr..
Bright
Year: 1862

Do1NGs OF AN ILLINOIS SOLDIER" I
have seen mention made in the papers of
the hero of Corinth-a private. Let me
tell you of another, who belonged to our
division. He was private in the SD
Illinois, and, unfortunately, drunk-so
drunk that they had taken his gun from


him When the line fell back before that
furious Rebel charge, and when they SO
nearly obtained possession Of the fort, he
Year: 1862

martial law was necessary to the saliva
ton of the country, martial law was legal
for that purpose. If it was necessary for
a judge, for the preservation of order, to
punish for contempt, he thought it was
necessary for a general to exercise con-
troll over his cannon, to imprison traitors,
and to arrest spies, and to intercept com
munications with the enemy. If this was
necessary, this was legal.
Year: 1862

FowLs-A correspondent of the LON
don Field, says fowls may be kept from
vcrmin as follows First of all, if in
confinement, in the dust corner of the
poultry house mix about half a pound of
black sulphur in the sand and lime that
they dust in. This will both keep them
free from parasites and give the feathers
glossy appearance. If infested with
insects. dampen the skin under the fcath-
ers with little water, then sprinkle a
little black sulphur on the skin. Let the
bird be covered with insects and they will
disappear in the course of twelve hours,
Also, previous to setting hen being an
noyed during incubation, neither will the
chickens be troubled by them Many a
fine hatched brood pines away and dies
through nothing else, and no one knows
what is the cause
Year: 1862

he will tell you with stare, that he has paid
his poSsdge-and il disturbed in the least, either
by breaking his nap or his neck, he will prose-
cute the company to the extent OF his ability !
Approach the man of business and observa-
tion and his ready response will be, that it
may be veiy good logic for the one party to
trust in Providence, and for others to proceed
to prosecution, after their necks are broken
but as for himself, he desires careful Engi-
netr, accompanied by good rolling stock, and
he is then rea " to take his chances, and those
are DECIDEDLY favorable. Few look at the mat
ter so philosophcally.


The great mass of the travelling public know
but little of that powerful agent that skilllul
invention has brought to their aid, which daily
contributes so much to their comfort and pros
perty, and less of the man that hazards life
and limb in its supervision and control and
thus in the hustle and excitement OF railroad
business, the enginPer-.if so fortunate as TO
escape death and mutilation-passes few
years, comprising the most valuable portion of
his life, and soon becomes debiItated-in a
word superannuated and must then leave the
field and seek a livelihood among those who
know nothing of him, or is, perhaps compelled
to rely on the generosity OF those parties whom
he has served long and faithfully, and who now
care little or nothing for him; thus ing on
| tne tenuef mefClCS OF tnOse VINO congratulate
themselves on having no spiritual responsible
ties. This may be found poor inducement
for man TO lead life, that is not only hoz-
ardous in the extreme, but insures his prema-
ture decay


BY passing in review the duties and dangers
pertaining to the life Of the Engineer, don't
wish to detract in the least from the arduots
and responsible duties of the conductor. Few
men are capacitated for, or retain the situation
Of conductor, for any considerable time unless
they are men of superior abilities. l have the
| pleasure of being personally acquainted with
most of the conductors in Vermont, particular
" those on the Central Road, Messrs Pierce,
Gage, Chamberln, White. Arnold and others,
and know them to be careful, companonabe
men and value their acquaintance most high
J y The majority of them have spent their
Ii li,cs-which is now past the meridian-in the
capacity of conductor, both by rain and rail
and who would give to a poor, deserving per-
son as much politeness and attention as they
would show to the Prince of Wales. or the
Grand Viceroy of Egypt, should those destin-
guished personages hcyc occasion to pass over
their road. This speaks volumes for those
gentlemen.-Success to them.


A TRAVELLER.


NorJC,lJ,
Year: 1862

GEN. JOHNSTON. The death of the rebel
General, Sidney Johnston, at the battle of Pitts
burgh, is now definitely settled and the rebels
grievously mourn the loss OF their distinguish
ed commander. He had previously been un-
der a cloud on account of his want of success
in Kentucky and Tennesseei but he vindica,ed
both his courage and skill, as well as the sin
cerity of his treason, on the fatal Sunday upon
which he fell ; and though that affair, like all
his previous efforts in this war; was a failure,
yet rebel criticism is silent in presence of his
death. 1t was undoubtedly he, and not Beau
regard, who conceived and managed the bril-
liant rebel manpuvering of Sunday by which
the rebel columns were shifted with such rapid
ily, and hurled now upon one of our wings,
then upon the other, then upon the centre, then
upon some apparently weak point, and every
where with spirit and dash that could not be
excelled. The tactics were all characteristic OF
Johnston. He exposed his person, too with
recklessness 1t is probable indeed that he
had been driven to desperation by the assaults
that have recently been made upon him, and
that in dependency and misery, he courted
death upon the field. 1t is a sad ending to q
career which had for so long time been eminent
and honorable.-N. J, Times.
Year: 1862

GENERAL PHELPs.-A Ship Island cores
pondent of the Gloucester telegraph sketches
General Phelps peculiarities after the follow
ing fashion,:


General Phelps is a character. He is per-
fectly democratic in his habits. Many a colo
mel and even captain would do well to follow
his simplicity of style. lie lives in common
tent, which is pitched close by the sidewalk,
with nothing to distinguish it but sentinel
who PAGES before it during only the day. Close
by is what supposed for some time to he a
travelling daguerreotype saloon, but at last
found out was his office. He does moi have a
bed, but taxes his blanket and sleeps on the
floor. His food is common soldiers fare.
One of our lieutenants heard him the other day
tell what nice dish of rice and molasses he
had for supper the night before He dresses
with great plainness, has bit one servant, and
does not even keep horse. lie takes only
his monthly pay from the Government, and all
his allowances he turns into the treasury. He
says that extravaganza Is running the Govern
ment, and he will not be a party to it. Every
officer he holds to a strict account especially tie
qUdIteImdSter. No one can do ANYTHING that
he does not have an oversight of. He has
male the Iouaves dofT their snowy trappings
and don the regulation uniform. He puts the
officers through in great shape, and does not
hesitate to blow them up on parade when they
deserve it. 10 the men he is very kind and
Ienent and is much beloved by them ALL lie
has lich Yankee drawl in his voice which it
makes one laugh to hear This model general
honored me with a brief speech on parade the
other day, 10 wit; Sergeant turn about and
stand perfectly still. Don't bulge an inch"
Year: 1862

A correspondent Of Walton's journal, VIII
ting under date of October 4, describes a visit
made by him to the ninth Vt. regiment at
Chicago. He says,


Yesterday visited the 9th VI. regiment
now quartered, or more truthfully speaking,
set down in the mud at Chicago. They are
crowded into the sheds and stables on the race
course, with the water and mud ankle deep,
without tents or blankets, and poorly clad
They are in almost a mutinous condition.
The officers and men are very anxious to be
transferred, during their parole, TO their own
State, where they can feel the influence and
the sympathy of home and friends. They
have had hard time since they left the State,
and are entitled 10 the sympathy and protec-
ton of the citizens of Vermont. They feel
that they were basely betrayed and made pris-
oners, but this is no fault of theirs. They
were anxious to fight, and if they had been
permitted, would have done honor to themselves
and the State. The officers are doing all in
their power for the comfort of the men.
hope the Governor will take measures TO obtain
their removal to Vermont.


We are certainly unable to see any good re-
suit to be attained by keeping the regiment so
far from home during the continuance of their
parole; unless it is true that they are intended
as a reserve, to be called out in case of sudden
emergency in the Indian warfare of the North
west There would doubtless be less sickness,
exposure and suffering of the men in their ma
tive state, and among friends who would take
pleasure in caring for them. We suppose that
all kinds of provisions can be had without
going to Chicago, and that it is not even nee
essary to 90 so far to find men who would be
willing to undertake the contract of furnishing
them at reasonable rates.
Year: 1862

LoupoN HEIGHTS, Nd. - The following
description of the Union camps on Loudon
Heights, near Harper's Ferry, is taken from
an army letter:


The camps at this place are on the very top
of the mountain. The place is very difficult
of access, and baggage wagons are taken to
the summit with great difficulty. 1t is so
rocky aud uneven up there that it rs almost
impossible to find a place large enough and
smooth enough to lie down upon. 1t is cold
at night and the men have only the very pc or
shelter of what is singularly called the shelter
tent. Water has to be brought up for nearly
a mile, by hand. The prospect is sublime,
grand, and all that; which, to the soldiers, is
not food when hungry, water when thirsty, nor
warmth when the wind blows sharp and cold
and sharp upon them at night. Their health
is stated to be much better, by the inspector,
than would have been expected.
Year: 1862

A CoNTENTED PAUPER. - There is at
Wards Island man about fifty years old,
gentlemanly and well educated, who came to
this city from Scotland few years AGO with
fair supply of money. He put up at the As
tor House, lived and dressed well, and received
for time ample remittances from the old
country. After while, however, the remit
tances ceased, and the man, having no trade
or profession, and showing no disposition to
work, gradually fell so low that he was sent to
Wards Island as pauper Here he is quite
contented, and on Sunday last represented his
fellow islanders by entering before President
Draper respectful protest against the recent
withdrawal of fish on Friday. This seemed
to be his only source of unhappiness.-N. Y.
Post.
Year: 1862

First Lieutenant Eugene A. Smalley Of
the Marirs Corps, was tried last month, at
Norfolk, on the charge of absence without
leave from his station at Gosport Navy Yard.
The court found him TO be reprimanded in gem
eral orders by the honorable Secretary of the
Navy, The decision of this sentence has re-
quired serious consideration on the part of the
revising power The secretary, in his general
order, saws If il were not confirmed the officer
convicted would altogether escape punishment
for an offence which majority of military
men would certainly regard as of very grave
character, particularly when committed in time
of war at a station but recently in the pos
session of the enemy, and still in the vicinity
of hostile operations. The court have ad-
verted TO no palliating circumstances in ex-
PLANTATION of the lenity of their sentence, and
on reviewing the record | can perceive none
except the plea Of limited experience of the
duties Of an officer urged by the accused in
his defence. The sentence, unaccompanied by
any comment, is not calculated properly to
enlarge the limited experience of young Off
Ger, or give him correct notions of the impor-
tance of discipline. 1t would tend rather to
mislead him. | am constrained, therefore in
confirming 1t, TO accompany this reprimand of
Lieut.. Smaley with an admoniton to him and
other young officers of the corps, not to regard
the sentence in this caae as indicating the true
character of the offence committed.
Year: 1862

No NEUTRALITY UNDER BUTLER.-W.
n. Mercer, rich old physician of New Orleans,
sent letter to Gen. Butler, saying that he had
been neutral, and that he intended to reserve
SO 3000m gold in his return of property. Gen.
Butler replied in letter saying that neutrali-
ty would not do, and that no reservations of
property could be allowed. Gen. Butler says
in his note to DR.. Mercer =


In my Judgment there can be no such
thing as neutrality by citizen of the United
States, in this contest for the life of the gov
ernment As an officer, cannot recognize
such neutrality. ''He that is not for us is
against u.s. All good citizens are called upon
to lend their influence to the United States, all
that do not so are the enemies of the United
States; the line is to be distinctly and broadly
drawn. Every citizen must find himself on
one side or the other of that line, and can claim
no other position than that of friend or an en-
emv of the United States. | am glad to
acknowledge your long and upright life as a
man, your former services as an officer of the
government; and the high respect | entertain
for your personal character and moral worth,
but | am dealing with your duty as citizen
of the United States. All these noble quail
ties, as well as your high social position, rem
der your example all the more influential and
pernicious, and, | grieve to add, in my opinion,
more dangerous to the United States than, if a
younger man, you had shouldered your mus
ket and marched to the field in the army of the
rebellion" .r......"
Year: 1862

Es We reprint this morning the letter
of our Montpelier correspondent published on
Saturday on account of several errors which es-
capped detection in reading the proof. 1t will
be found on the first page.
Year: 1862

The New Orleans Crescent has Rich
mond correspondent who expresses the
public CONSERVATION in lively way, as
will be seen by the following extract:


"You will naturally desire 10 know how
the people in the Confederate metropolis
stand these trying times-for it is evident
that we are not safe in these days of light
draft gunboats and high water. answer,
in the main, we stand It very well. Some,
to be shure, are down-hearted, and nobody
wears as broad grin as they did the day
after the battle of Leesburg. Still there is
a universal determination to do or die
to 90 down, if need be with cur harness on,
warning like brave people to the last
l passed General Wigfall on my return
from dinner, and asked him if there was
any news. No." said he, l i don't be-
lieve we have been whipped since dinner;
l expect, though, to hear, of another defeat
in the next five minutes.


"Somehow l can't help thinking of Hal
leck's assertion by telegraph 10 Mcclellan
that the Union flag is on the seilsof Ten
nessee, never to be removed This is brag,
but the Yankees have, up to this time,
stuck like leeches wherever they have ef-
fected landing. They intrench them
selves, and at the first spade full Of dirt
thrown up by them, our Generals giveright
up and say all is lost, They have attacked
us repeatedly in trenches and forts, and
carried the latter invariably, while we, with
the exception of the St. Nicholas affairs
and few others, have not done daring
thing through the whole war. Another
noticeable difference between the Yankees
and ourselves is that they fellow up their
victims, while we squat down in our tracks
the moment battle is ended. This is
shameful fact, which disheartens me more
than anything else. have no hope now
in anybody but God and Beauregard."
Year: 1862

VERY ACCOMMODATING "A member of one
Of the companies comprising the 9th Regi
ment of New Hampshire Volunteers having
deserted, one of the sergeants of the company
was sent In pursuit. He was fortunate
enough to overtake the object of his search
in Chester, N. H., where he arrested him The
delinquent assigned as reason for deserting
that he was deeply enamored Of and wished
to wed one of the fair daughters of Chester
Not wishing to mar his anticipated connu-
bial bliss the sergeant consented to grant
sufficient time prior to his return to allow of
their marriage.


The ceremony was performed. But to
their great dismay when about to retire for
the night the cruel sergeant presented pair
of haDdcuffs which he requested the newly
made bridegroom to wear that night in re-
membrance of his friendship, as here was
come doubt in his csptor's mind in regard to
his safety. This somewhat took the prisoner
by surprise. But after discussing the ques
tion for some time they agreed 10 a compro-
mise which was to chain one of the hands
of the bride 70 one of the bIidegroom's. 1t
was done, and the happy pair were left for
the night. In the morning the bracelets
were taken from their wrists and the prisoner
taken to his regiment, where he had plenty
of leisure to reflect upon bis romantic mar.
NetOburyport Herald