smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1863

shooting in the dark. The Observer will under-
stand u.s.


The Observer compliments US at the expense of
the people of the State. 1t says we formed the
Conservative party for our own personal benefit -
Such statement idle and ridiculous but it shows
the respect the O6serrer entertans for the intel-
gence of the people. The Conservative party of
North Carolina is infinitely above any one man. or
the mere interests of any set of men, 1t exists on
principle, and not for The benefit or aggrandizement
oil any one. 1t will continue to exist and. will con-
troll this State in the future as it has done in the
past since the old Whig and old Democratic parties
were dissolved So far as zoe are concerned, we had
much to lose and every thing to risk when we abap-
doned the secession wing of the old Democratic
party. Interest pointed one way, and duty anoth-
er, but we pursued the path of duty. We found it
the path of safety. We at once found troops of
friends among the old Wings who, with us, could
forget the party contests of the past so insgnif-
cant in themselves when compared with the great
task of preserving the old or of founding the new
government, and could unite in the sacred work of
maintaining liberty and law against the rude hands
OF innovation and aggression. We do not regret our
course. On the contrary, we are proud of it We
nave received no personal benefits" from it, nor
do we expect any. The only Office we have held as
the result of the success of this new party is that
of State Printer, by which, as the O6ssrUer we'll
knows, we are losing money


There are other points in recent issues of the o.
SeroeT to which we may deem it our duty to reply
But enough for the present
Year: 1863

The New York Times shows why the armies in
the West have been combined under. one command
that of General Grant-and what will, probably,
be the policy of the campaign in Tennessee:


The lack of unity of purpose and object has, of
late been the greatest drawback to success in the
Southwest Gen. Burnside has had an Independent
command in East Tennessee; and though weeks ago,
we had the assertion that his army was in conjunc-
ton and cooperation with that of Rosecrans there
was, in reality, no communication between the two
departments beyond the scout of an occasional small
body of cavalry. Going west hundred miles from
Burnside's headquarters at Konxville, we had the
army of Rosecrans at Chattanooga. West OF the lat
ter some forty miles, we had the army OF General
Hooker, which the latter also claimed TO be an inde
pendent command and, as Hooker ranked Rose
Grams. it is said he declined obeying his orders.
Still further west had large body of troops un-
der General Dodge at Cornth and here began the
forces of General Grant, which were scattered from
Memphis northward through West Tennessee and
down the Mississippi as far as Vicksburg, and be-
yond At these various points and along these lines,
we had probably at this moment not far short OF
two hundred thousand troops This army, masSed
and properly handled f there be any living man, or
if there ever was man, who could properly handle
it on the field) or, if not concentrated in mass,
were it welded and directed by one strong hand,
guided by broad brain, would trample ont any
Southern army march to any point or achieve any
object in the Confederacy. But, under four lnde-
pendent commanders, hundreds ofmiles apart, with
out communication with each other, each working
at his own ioo" little or big-each and all, it may
be, working laboriously and conscientlously, but
disointedly and lacking mutual purpose-hoW
could we expect the highest results-particularly
when it was evident that since the opening OF the
Mississippi the great object Of the campaign in the
West was one and simplel
Year: 1863

CAUTIOUS MEN.-Some men use words as rifle
men do bullets. They say little The few words
used go right to the mark. They let you talk, and
guide with your eye and face, on and on, till what
you say can be answered in a word or two-and
then they lance out sentence pierce the matter
to the quick, and are DONE You never know
where you stand with them. Your conversation
falls into their minds, as rivers fall into deep
chasms, and are lost from sight by its depth and
darkness. They will sometimes surprise you with
few words, that go right through to the mark
thew were re.loading.
Year: 1863

Corn meal is selling in the shops in this City at
SO per bushel and bacon at So per pound. By
the first of February, if the Confederate currency
continues to depreciate, meal will be $40 per bush
e. and bacon 81 to S. per pound. What is to be
the fate Of the poor this winter?
Year: 1863

soldier belonging to the 23d regiment N. G.
troops writes US from one of the hospitals, complain
ing that furloughs are not granted as literally as
they should be to those who are recovering from
sickness and wounds We do not know what the
facts are but there is no doubt ground of complaint
on this score There are hundreds of disabled SOL
diers in the hospitals who are of no service where
they are, but an expense to the government, who
might be of benefit to their families if allowed to
turn home. We respectfully appeal to those whose
duty it is to attend to such business to be as lber
al as possible in granting furlOughs. We believe
the good of the service as well as of the soldier
would be consulted by granting more furloughs.
Year: 1863

ANTICIPATING EvIL.-Enjoy the present, what
ever it may be, and be not socitous for the future


for if you take your foot from the present standng
and thrust it forward toward to.morrows event. you
are in restless condition. 1t is like refusing to
quench your thirst by fearing you will want drink
the next day. If it be well to-day, it is madness to
make the present miserable by fearing that it may
be i'll to- morrow. He therefore, is wisewho enjoys
leans on him it is singular and finite Sufficient
to the day is the evil thereof" sufficient, but not


intolerable But if we look abroad, and bring into
one days thoughts the evil of many certain and
uncertain, what will be, and what will never be,
our load will he as ntoerable as it is unreasonable
Year: 1863

There is a form of girlsh mould,
Under the spread of the branches old,


At the well-known beechen tree,
With the sunset lighting hor tresses of gold,
And the breezes waving them, fold upon fold,


Waiting for me.
There is n sweet voice, with cadence deep,
OF one that singoth our babe asleep,


And often turns to see
How the stars through the lattice begin to peep,
And watches the lazy dial creep,


Waiting for me.
Long since those locks are laid in the clay,
Long since that voice has passed away,


On earth no more to be;
But still in the spirit world afar
She is dearest of those that are


Waiting fer me.
Year: 1863

On and after the first of July, 1868,
all letters deposited in the Post Office for
mailing, on which the postage is short, in
stead of being sent forward as now, will
be kept and treated as if there were no
stamps on them. After that time the
postage on drop letters will be two cents
instead of one.
Year: 1863

A MANUFACTURING corporation in Bos-
ton recently paid a dividend of so per
cent. An elderly stockholder, as he took
his check for s1oSo, did not appear to
be over satisfied and the clerk ventured
to remark that the dividend was rather
large one. The veteran looked over
his spectacles at the young man and said,
with grunt: at will do, if they only
keep it up"
Year: 1863

NEW YORK, Jan. 3.
A special dispatch from Washington TO the
Herald, says that rnmor was prevalent on
Saturday that the President has declared an
intention to take the command of the army in
Virginia in person.
Ii is also rumored that Ger. Mcclellan is to
be assigned to the duty OF organizing an army
at Fortress Monroe.


Gen. Hooker paid flying visit to Washing
ton to-day. He represents his grand division
as in the best possible condition.


A special dispatch to the Mercury SAYS that
Gen Burnside again rendered his resignation
on Wednesday last. The President positively
declined to accept it and has given him full
power to go into winter quarters or to advance
on the enemy as he may elect 1t is also un-
derstood that there is to be no more interier-
ence from Washington and that all the sup
plies Gen. Burnside needs will be furnished
him.


1t is confidently expected in Washington
that the army will soon be in motion against
the rebels.
Year: 1863

T-The great success attending Wesleys
Grand War Tableaux is evidence of its great
ness as work of art and the trpthfuness of
the scenes which they represent. Returned
officers and soldiers of the war nightly visit it
and at once recognize scenes which they
themselves have passed through, and speak in
the highest terms of their correctness. 1t
should be remembered that these are not inn
aginary scenes, but were sketched on the spot,
and were transferred to canvass by those
world-renowned artists, Messrs. Bartholomew
and Preston, who are too well known TO our
readers to receive any eulogy from us. Suf-
fee to say, that we would advise all who have
not yet seen this great work to go and do SO
at once. Deering Hall is nightly thronged
with hosts Of admirers
Year: 1863

The letter Of President Lincoln to the Hi
nois convention will make it imperative upon
the copperheads to modify their policy and
form a new line of attack Efforts to obtain
revocation Of the emancipation proclama tion
,~ll henccf,rth be at a discount Disloyal
men must try some other method to secure
their object. After tie lntimations of the
President Of the policy that viii be pursued.
comments upon revocation and rcconstruc-
tion. must take the form Of dcnunciation.
or he destitute Of decided tone or practical
bearing The uselcssness of such denuncia-
tion where President lincoln Is concerned g,
has hcen made evident go often that few
cen nov he found who wish TO invest largely
in such an operation Itrlaccs men IN a
very uncomfortable position, TO denounce
and resolve, and only draw upon themselves
the warrington the witticisms of the inevita-
BE Abe Lincoln. " It i better and far
more prudent to .'stand from under and
this i soapparcnt that even copperheads act
upon it. The line Of policy which they will
now adopt Will Of course be Of the same cs-
scntial character with that which they have
hitherto pursued, but the particular
point upon which they will
concentrate their efforts. is not 50 evident
The President has proved so " lncorngible. ~
and gives 80 little room for tmitorous enter
prise. that it would seem as though they
would become discouraged in their efforts
for hi, reformation. Yet knowing the fer
tility of their invention. and the persistent
character of evil wherever found, we look
for new project to be brought forward,
have its day. and in it's turn be crushed by
the President.
Year: 1863

Aher he had finished, the wounded soldier.
Biordan q Lee, again rose and called attention
10 the fact that all the candidates had failed to
express their purpose to sustain the war policy
Of the Government and was proceeding earnest
" 20 denouncc this failure and the dominant
spirit Of the Convention, when he was interrupt
ed and put down. Only one man, Mr. Seunott
OF Boston, raised his voice in favor Of giving the
soldier hearing. Al the rest gave him the
cold shoulder or hissei him, and he was sileuced
Year: 1863

Before saw the ruins of the old world l
thought l should shed tear over them, but
when | discovered that they were the step
ping stones by which the human race rose to
its present height, they became pleasant
Year: 1863

The Message, which will be found elsewhere in this paper, will be read carefully by all who have an interest in our public afairs, and tn e state of the country. It is one of the most sat- 'sfactory and excellent documents which has been issued by the present Executive, and is hardly second to any, in point of intereet a nd importance, that has ever been laid before ths American people by their Chief Magistrate since the foundation of the government. Ihe exhibit made of the progress of our national arms towards the overthrow of the present re- bellion will be found extremely satisfactory to ! every loyal min d; and the state of the country in gen eral. its resources, its prosperity financial and com mercial, even in the midst of it's gigan- tic struggle for prese rvation. will fill the heart of every loyal reader with profound gratiGca- tion and pleasure.

 The Proclamation, appended to the Message will also commend itself to all classes who earnestly desire the rebellion to be speedily overthrOwn, its authors and leaders discomfort ed, and its deluded adherents brought to reaec. tion. and offered a pardon on condition of re- turning to their allegiance and shining no more. All others will of course find fault with the terms and conditions on which the pardon ia offered. It is easy enough to say that none will listen to the terms offered, but it is none the less part of the Presidents s wise humani. ty to make the proposal. With the exception of few hundreds of the leading traitors who certainly deserve nothing less than the halter, free pardon is offered to all who will throw down their arms and return to their truo and rightfal allegiance. By this means, several states which are all ready to throw of the yoke of Jeff. Davis, have a safe and honorable way afforded them to resume their loyal relations with our government. The Emancipation Proclamation is to be regarded by them as the law of the land. until negated by Congress, or abrogated by the Supreme Court. as uncon- stitutonal,and while the President yields noth- ing of the great Edct of Freedom, he is pre- pared to receive into full communion such people and states as are willing to return to their fealty to the Constitution and laws, and receive their protection.

 Of course we do not expect the copperheads will be satisfied with either the Message or the Proclamation. They are too busy picking flaws in the administration of the government and the management of our armies to find ann good coming out of Nazareth. There is notb- ing that bears the signature of the President of the United States that appears to them worthy of respect or acquiescence. We wish we could say as much of their feelings toward tue Proc lamations and Messages of the leader of the Southern Confederacy" But, as we have said, the Message will commend itself to all others. We may be of good cheer. The great Rebellion is already to,.ering from tur ret to foundation stone. Our armies have bi sected it and are draw ing out its very life blood This Message and Proclamation will drive a. new wedge into the very heart of the Confed- eracy, and we trust. give it it's fnal death blow.
Year: 1863

Flour, besides pickles. butter and dried fruit in great abundance. Also package of book. and newspapers.

 | Jack Frost came in good earnest last week and as usual found us not ready. Farm help has been high and scarce; consequently the farmers and their boys have had busy times. ldleness finds no place in these times early and late and every day is the order of things.

 There is much effort being made to fill the quota of this town under the Presidents last call. It is hoped that the effort will be suc- cessful. but it is too early to judge with any degree of certainty ss
Year: 1863

Of the rebellion decided, and the Govern
ncnt only needing flrmness to keep Oh our
present course and bring the country safe
out Of its present troubles. This is the as
poet Of the War for the Union, in this its
third camnaipn.
Year: 1863

From THE SOUTHWEST official advices
from Tennessee indicate the Inauguration
Of active operations IN that quarter. The
Federal forces under Rosecrans are rep
resented to be advancing upon General
Bragg, and collision between the two
armies seems inevitable in short time.
II is also stated that Burnside, with a
heavy body of Federal troops is march
ing through Kentucky in the direction Of
East Tennessee. The probabilities are
that we shall, in a few days, hear Of stir
ring news from both East and Middle
Tennessee.
Year: 1863

SICKNESS AMONG FEDERAL TRooPs.-
We have a report, pretty well authenti-
cated, that the camp fever is prevailing
to an alarming extent among the Yankee
soldiers in the neighborhood of York
town, and that they are dying at the rate
Of from twenty to twenty-five per day.
A few days ago they removed two thou
sand Of their sick to Newport's News.


From the same source we have state
ment that the yellow fever has broken
out among the Yankees at Norfolk and
Portsmouth, and that they are suffering
terribly from its effects.
Year: 1863

The season of merry-making and happy greetings has cone round again. Tonight is Christmas Eve, and many of the little folks among our readers will

 z hang up their stockingB with care

 In hopes that St. Nicholas soon will be there We hope he will too and when the little folk wake up to morrow morning, may they ind their stockings filled with all manner of good things from the inexhaustible store of good old Santa Clans.

 We have been accustomed to make too lit- tie of this festival in New England. To some it has seemed to smack of the exclusive rites of . particular church, to many it has taint of want of strict orthodoxy. It has been ob- served more by the children than by tho elders, but we are glad to believe that it is every year coming into more general recognition, and as 2 broader and more catholic spirit prevails. we are coming to celebrate it more nearly in its true significance.

 Because we are in the midst of terrible civil war because We read every day of the cruel work wicked men are doing, who are en- deavoriDg to overthrow the government and the Union in which we live, and perpetratc the worst of all crimes through fire and blood be- cause many of those dearest and beat to us are absent now, endeavoring to overcome these | wicked enemies of ours, and preserve and sus- | tain the government under which we have lived so long and been 50 prosperous, and happy ; because all this is upon us and very near our thoughts, is no reason why We should forget the sacred memories of the day now dawning. or fail to celebrate its coming with all the gladsome festivities soappropriase to the season.

 For, throughout the christian world, Christ. mas is celebrated as the birthday of the Foun. der of Christianity, and as the epoch on which Peace and Good Will was first proclaimed to world drowned in the Night of sin and sor- row and suffering. More then now than at any other time should we recognize the day, and in the midst of our cries of Miserere, lift voices of Benedicite to Him who shall bless us amid all our trouble, and give us true de- liverance.
Year: 1863

It's lamentably true that the Presi
dent has fallen into the habit of riding
about Washington under an armed es
cort of cavalry. His carriage is con
StaDtlY proceeded and followed by force
of horsemen large enough to attract at
tention even in military European cap.
ital and much larger than the average
body. guard of commanding general
actually in the field.


Of course the object of this escort is
not pomp, but personal safety, and the
President may possibly consider himself
t. be in the field while in Washington. -
He certainly did so when he ordered
General McDowelI's corps back from
the army of Mcclellan, and should Gen.
eral Meade by any concurrence of acci.
dents suffer repulse in Maryland now
his Excelency would no doubt find him.
self very decidedly "in the field" very
shortly afterward. But cavalrymen ID
such case would do him no good
His real defense against the Confeder.
ates is the keen sense of damage his ad.
miniStration does to US. Were Wash.
ington captured by Lee tomorrow, and
with Washington the government, we
are confident that malignant rebels would
lose not moment in dismissing the
whole Of the cabinet Internationally
and hurrying them back upon our hands
before their places could be possibly fill.
ed
Year: 1863

out so long. She had fine harbor at
Newport and put into her Treasury the
duties on goods that went into other
States that had no harbor Or seaport
town. Hence she was net in favor of q
common revenue system, and clung to
the old Articles of Confederation after
they had been abandoned by the other
States. In order to render the Union
perpetual and preserve the public liber.
ties, it is necessary the Federal Govern.
ment should exercise no powers that the
States have not delegated to it. When.
ever it does so, and is not Immediately
brought back, we lose the Union, and
have despotism in its place. -Gincin.
natl Enquirer. ..
Year: 1863

A laughable incident is related Of a
jealous woman, in Lewiston, Maine, who
went into an auction room the other day
and saw, (as she supposedly her husband
very familiarly sitting beside a young
lady. Stepping up softly, she seized a
head in each hand and pounded them
together q number Of times in great
rage. Her surprise may be imagined
when she found that the Innocent stran.
ger was not her "worser half" She
apologiSed and passed out amid the
laughter of the crowd.
Year: 1863

A VickSburg correspondent writes:


A horrible discovery has just been
made on the rebel line of Notifications.
Qnite a number Of men have been enga,
ged in repairing the rebel fort that was
blown up on the night of the Sd inst
In the course of their operations they
have ezhumed sixty or eighty dead bod.
les found buried in the ruins of the fort.
1t seems that while our miners were.at
work making an entry into the side OF
the hill that was crowded by the rebel
fort, a strong working party of rebels
were set to work sinking a counter mine
within the fort. This party, consisting,
it is said, of more than hundred men,
were in the mine when ours exploded,
and those Of them who were not killed
outright were buried alive. Some of
the exhumed bodies are terribly lacera.
ted and mangled, while others have
not a mark or bruise upon them,-
Two heads, one that Of a negro, have
been dug up. They were completely
severed from the bodies, the latter not
having yet been found. The bodies are
found in almost every conceivable posi-.
tion--some standing erect, others sitting
or lying, and in one instance the body
was head downward as if it had been
caught in that position by the crumbling
earth while falling headIong into the pit
below.
Year: 1863

ALI prejudlces against mule meat were
thoroughly conquered during the seige
of Vicksburg, and the rebel army was
using it freely, esteeming it better food
than the blue beef and rancid pork upon
which they formerly subsisted. The
little remnant of bread stuffs which they
had on hand Ottests the extremity to
which they were reduced, and their
soldiers are praiSing the "hard tack" or
pilot bread given them by our men, as
if it were the most delicious bread ever
baked.
Year: 1863

To cure dyspepsia, take q new axe, put
a white hickory handle in it, bore hole
in the top of the handle. GIL the hole
with gum camphor, aud seal it up. Then
take the axe and cut cord wood at ffty
cents a cord, until the heat of the handle
dissolves the camphor. Dose to be to.
ken daily 80