smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1863

n@s Five thousand one hundred and
fifty emigrants arrived in New York
city last week, and forty-nine thousand
six hundred and eighty two have reached
that port since January l.. Only TWEEN
ty thousand six hundred and eighty
eight arrived during the same period
last year. In view Of these facts it is
quite natural that John Bull should
complain bitterly Of Irish emigration.
Year: 1863

For months past the Government flnau-
ces have worked so smoothly and well that
the people had almost forgotten that the
Republic was engaged in war Of gigantic
proportions that taxed its pecuniary re-
sources to the utmost. Mr.. Chase's de-
mand Of the New York bankers to fur
nisl him, forthwith, with sum, which,
in time Of pence, would seem to be the
precursor Of national bankruptcy, is the
first reminder that the public has had for
long while, that there was such thing
as national excbequer, or the possibility
Of national exhaustion We doubt not
that the temporary difficulty in the way
Of the Secretary Of the Treasury will be
easily and speedily surmounted; that the
millions asked for will, out Of the country's
abundant resources, be forthcoming; and
that all will 60 on smoothly again. If the
temporary furry and miniature panic
serve to bring the spectators to q realizing
sense of the danger in which they stand,
they will to that extent do good But
"happy-golucky" is the word; and "get


rich while" you can the endeayor.
Year: 1863

esi'y reverecs Of the war are justly
chargeable 10 the want Of zeal displayed.
Mcclellan is representative Of the class.


We are glad TO know that Mr.. Lincoln
proposes to change a1l this; and instead
Of tanahclsm for slavery and slave-hold-
ing caste, to introduce ardor for freedom
in the persons Of those who have pelired
their lives and shed their. blood for its
extension; to 60 outside Of politicians and
political ambition for the recipients Of his
favor, and to mako valor and effectiveness
in the field the measure and the reason Of
prefement. We do not doubt that the
country will be greatly benefited by the
change
Year: 1863

DoN'T SANCTION THE IDEA.-We are
pleased to note that Congress has just
done an act that can not fail, we think, to
meet the appreciation of every true lover
of justice and right. 1t appears batch
of some pin-feathered, political military
leaders, to the number of twenty, for the
exalted and most responsible position of
Major Generals, and some fifty more for
the important trust Of Brigadier Gener-
ais, was recently presented to Congress
for approval and confirmation, when 10 F!
to the utter amazemcnt and discontinue
of the President and the half-f1edged as
pirants their promotion was individually
and collectively rejected. The idea is,
that, hereafter, all honors in the army are
to be earned by meritorious conduct-one
of the most hopeful signs of the times.
We have had enough of milk-and-wat
Generals to disgrace the military service.
Hereafter we trust we are to have men.
Year: 1863

EU u


We scarcely take up n leading journal
of the day but that startling announce
ment of frauds and swindlings, on stu
pendous scale, greets the eye on almost
every page: Frauds in the Eastern De-
partment-frauds in the Quartermasters'
Observation-Disclosures in the Contract De-
partment, beyond all precedent or human
conception-frauds in the Subsistence
Departmental short, cheating, swind-
ling and robbing, by millions, in jsssry
Department. Quickly following the dis
covery recently made of immense sums
abstracted from the Custom receipts, du-
ring the present National Administration,
is that of loss of twenty-five millions
of dollars, stolen in the Quartermaster's
Department, during the last few months.
Does history show a more corrupt age
than the present one, wherein the love Of
lucre has become more emphatically the
root Of all eva?


Congress is, at last, wisely turning its
attention to the crying sin Of sponging
and literally robbing, now so daring and
open in its operations, and it is really to
be hoped that offenders will hereafter be
most summarily punished, be they in po-
sitions high or low. Let the punishment
be death, if need be, to stop this vultur-
Gus preying upon the life and soul of the
Government. We fear and conscientiously
believe the war will never close so long
rs splendid fortunes are thus to be made
out Of it.
Year: 1863

IT is stated that both Generals Butler
and Burnside are again to assume the
field. The latter, however, not TO return
to New Orleans, but TO assume the con-
troll Of an entirely new department.
Year: 1863

in the roofopen both ways, 50 as to secure
ample ventilation. A speaking tube conveys
messages from one end, to assistants, at the
other. A complete little cooking apparatus is
fitted up in the usual small apartment in the
corner of the car and there too, is arranged,
with marvellous economy of space, an assort-
ment of every thing likely to be needed for
the nourishment or medicament of the suffer
ers.


This part was arranged by an old sailor,
who knew the value of square inch. There
is a bed also for the surgeon in charge, and
under it drawers for extra clothing. Nor
must we omit the mention of bed OF India
rubber over the springs to deaden every shock;
nor that the trucks can be made to fit road
of any guage. The entire equipment of the
car is so simple, and yet SO complete, and will
accomplish so much at so slight an outlay, that
the country is again put deeply in debt to the
Sanitary Commission. To them alone is due
all the credit of the contrivance, and it will
remain another proof of the untiring zeal of
that most excellent association.


A HEAVY FIRE.-Acting first Asst Engin-
eer John w. Hartupes, of the new iron-clad
steamer Tuscumbia, gives the following state
ment of the manner in which his vessel stood
fire at Grand Gulf:


The engagement lasted five and one halt
hours. The Tuscumba received eighty-two
solid shots, and it is impossible to estimate
the number Of shells that exploded in her.
The upper work is perfect wreck. No man
could have lived on her deck for minute.
1t is believed here that we were undes the
heaviest fire ever known in naval warfare
The rebels concentrated all their fire on us
for at least two hours. More than one-haf the
time during the fight we were not more than
fifty yards ffom the muzzles of thirty guns, and
some ofthese guns one hundred FOUNDER Par
rots, gun which throws projectiles with great
er force than any gun now in use ;but all would
not do. They could not penetrate the iron
sides Of the Tuscumbia. 1t is believed here
that we were under a heavier fire than ever
was known before. not excepting the Keokuk
at Charleston. We received more shots on
our plating than all the other vessels combined.
But our plating proved perfectly invulnerable
against all efforts to penetrate it. There was
one greatsblunder committed in building the
Tuscumbia, and it is in the location of the
magazine. To give you an idea of this will
say that in action the matches of the magazine
are necessarily left open. When the shell ex-
ploded in her turrets. the fire from it burnt
the boy very badly in the face who was sta
toned in the door to pass powder up. This
will be altered before the vessel Is pronounc-
ed fit for action again. You must not think
the Tuscumbia is disabled beyond repair.
Year: 1863

From private letter of gentleman in
Charleston, South Carolina, to an old ae-
quaintance now in this city, we extract a
few passages as better illustrative Of the
condition Of the city than accounts written
especially for the press, or brought by ere
liable gentlemen" The letter is written
! in all the freedom of old sohOOl-day inter-
course, and is all the more interesting on
that account:
Year: 1863

HTWo important cavalry raids have been
planned, and are now in process Of execu-
ton. OF course, we can give no clue to
their strength or direction, other than to
say that they are q part Of the general
plan which is being prepared for new op-
erations against Richmond
Year: 1863

A correspondent Of The Macon Teie.
graph give. the following process for ma
king Confederate sugar. As there 10 like
ly TO be great quantity Of syrup made
from .hs Chinese sugar cana this year,
the mode Of converting ii into sugar is
worthy Of being known:


The process is simple and easy, aud a.
pain as the Handwriting on the wall"
ln the 6rst place, the cane must no, only
be ripe, but fully ripe, and the best ,es.
Of It's ripeness is the hardness OF brittle
ness Of its seed, never being governed by
its general appearance. Il is my opinion
that the prime cause Of thin. dark, sour
syrup is owing to tho grsenness OF The
cane from which il is made.


The cane being fully ripe. it is ground
and the juice boiled io the usual way
After it 10 put on TO boil some alksIi
should be added, either !ys, soda o, lime
watss. ystJ know no spscisl quantity TO
DO addAJ. ii makes very we'll TO add
bslfpjat of lime water occasionally for
three or four times for kettle sirty. OF
eighty gallons until the scum csases TO
rise On the top, which should be removed
with strsiner as fast As il rises. All
the alkali, Of whatever hind can be added
Year: 1863

s.Itisi often assumed in the discussion oi
the Futnre prospects of the war, that our
three year volunteers go ont of the ser
vice next May, aud We shall, begin the
Spring campaign with only the consCripts
and negroes. The rebels ssem to have got
the same action, and think that II they
can hold out till sPriug we shall then be
in no condition to prosecute the war, and
they can dictate q peace on their own
terms. Hence the efforts they are now
making to bring out allitheir strength and
arrest the further ptogress Of, our armies
this Fall, hoping that during the winter
they shall be able to reorganize and fill
up their armies, and perhaps obtain help
from abroad, so that 'id the spring they
can assume bold position and seem to
be inviucible. But they are mistaken as
tofthe, three year troops The three hun
dred thousand called for in 1851 were
not musteredin in the spring, but in the
fall, and most of them late in the fall, and
their,terms will not expire till a year from
this time, or until the completion Of
next summers campaign. Besides the
losses from the old regiments have
been filed up in thousands Of cases
by new recruits for three years,
whose time extends from one to three
years longer, aud alarge proportion raised
under the order of draft in August of
last year were volunteers for three years of
the war = This was generally the case in
the. Western States. 1t is roughly estina-
ted that more than half of the-troops now
in the feld have two full years to serve
1t isitrus that the draft will give us very
few men worth having; the most sanguine
now reckon but fifty thousand as its net
result; but after this farce is over, the
Government will procure large number
of establishments by the generous bounties
it's able TO offer. There Is no doubt that
il this matter is managed with any judg-
ment and tact, the Government can obtain
anywhere from hundred thousand to q
hundred and 6fty thousand men before
January, most of them veterans. There are.
the negro regiments formed and forming,
which may amount to twenty thousand or
City thousand by next spring, whose seq
vices will be worth something, though we
cannot honestly put them above. white
men as lighters. We do not therefore look
for period, any time within the next two
yesrs certainly, when the Government will
need to consider the question of suFrender
to the rebels for lack OF an army. And
nobody fears that the rebels can hold out
two years more.
Year: 1863

still continued, both from the boat and the
batteries, 1t must have been lowered with
out the captains knowledge, or he NAV have
been killed and the crew left without leader.
An instant more, and just after a shower of
grape from the enemy was poured into the no.
bic little craft, the white flag was run up and
the firing ceased. The engagement was con-
ciuded. Brave hearts and manly forms had
been sunk upon the altar of their country, but
without success. There was but one available
gun-boat uninjured-the Arizona-and she
was incapable OF offensive operations against
works OF such strength. She was Immediate
ly withdrawn from the unequal contest, and
the order reluctantly issued to the feet to
withdraw.


The enemy retained their prize; but their
loss is without precedent in the annals of the
war, and they will in the midst of their rejoi-
cling, tremble at the thought of a repetition of
the attack. There were on board the Clifton,
beside her crew a party of seventy-flve sharp
shooters, and three of the signal corps, and
on the Sachem detachment of thirty sharp
shooters. of the crew of the Clifton, five
soldiers, one sailor and one signal man escap-
ed down the beach, and were taken off by
boat from the fleet. The number of killed
and wounded must have been large, partcu-
larly on the Clifton, as she was not only ex-
posed to a cross fire, but was raked from stem
to stern by grape. As to the killed and
wounded on the Sachem nothing is known;
but the loss is supposed to be light, and most
ly from the escaping steam, as but one shot
was known to have struck her. The loss of
the enemy was undoubtedly enormous, as the
huge nine-inch shell apparently searched eve
ry nook and corner OF the earthwork; and
when the Clifton was aground the same guns
poured in murderous fire of grape, sweep
ing the parapet from end to end. Their loss,
1owever, will probably never be known.


The gunboat Sachen. was an old propeller,
built in New York in 1910, rebuilt iu 1854, and
sold to the government early in the war.
The Clifton was Staten Island ferryboat and
was purchased by the Navy Department early
in the rebellion. She rendered excellent SER
vice in the naval fight below New Orleans,
and afterwaad became noted for her exploits
on the coast of Texas.
Year: 1863

succeeded it in raising it to daylight. The
sides and lid were decayed and rotten IL need
ed no locksmth to open il. and we found
within what was certain we should nad, and
which paralyzed with horror all the spectators
who had not my pre-convictloh: we found the
remains of a human body.


The police officers who had accompanied
me now rushed into the house and secured the
person of the old man. As to his wife no one
could at first tell what had become of her; af-
ter some search, however she was found hid
den behind bundle of faggots.


The old couple were brought before the
proper authorities and privately and separate
ly examined The old man persisted in his
denial most pertinaciously, but his wife at
length confessed. that in concert with her hus-
band she had once, very long time ago, muir
dered pedlar, whom they had met one night
on the high road, and who had been incautious
enough to tell them of considerable sum of
money which he had about him, and whom, in
consequence, they induced to pass the night
at their house. They had taken advantage of
the heavy sleep produced by fatigue, to stran-
gle him; his body had been put into the chest,
thrown into the well and the well stopped up


The pedlar being from another country, his
disappearance had caused no inquiry; there
were no witnesses OF the crime, and as its
traces had been concealed from every eye, the
two criminals had good reason to believe them
selves secure from detection. They had not,
however, been able to silence the voice of their
conscience; they fled from the sight of their
fellow men; they thought they beheld, where
ever they turned mute accusers; they trem-
bed at the slightest noise, and silence thrilled
them with terror. They had often formed
determination to leave the scene of their crime
to fly to some distant land but still some
undeniabe fascination kept them near the re-
mains of their murdered victim.


Terrified at the disposition Of his wife, and
unable to resist the overwhelming proof
against him, the man at length made a similar
confession; and six weeks after, the unhappy
criminals died on the scaffold, in accordance
with the sentence Of the Parliament of Tou-
louse.
Year: 1863

NO Organs of the human system are more impor-
~ tant TO health and comfort than the EYE and
EAR. and yet none are less understood more neg
lected. They seem 10 pass common observation,
andyet every part of the body is dependent upon
them for life and health.
Year: 1863

was posted at the key hole, and the


few attendants were pledged upon


honor to secresy and silence that they
dare not break. So far as the outside pub
Lie are concerned, h1r. Hager is already
condemned. This may be good occlesias-
ucal pohty; but it is nevertheless rank
injustice, the federation Of which for one
moment, by the Court in question, will dcs-
troy the value Of its finding, whatever that
may be. One thing more: Mr. Hager is
denied the opportunity given to robbers,
murderers, Eecessionists and man-sel1ers,
OF confronting the witnesses who are to
swear him into disgrace. By command Of
lis Lordship, the Chief 1nQuisitor, the
accused is compelled to sit behind the wit
ncsses' stand, and in such position that
lie can see only the back of whomsocyer
may be testifying This on the plea of
consideration for the modesty and delicacy
Of the accusers. This on command
of the Bishop, in spite of the earnest re-
monstrances Of the counsel Of the accused!
The Judge who, in. any civilized country
In the world, should do such thing in
civil tribunal, would be promptly i'm
peachcd and severely punished. The Law
believes in the magnetism and power Of the
human eye!


We are not 11agcr's partisans We do
not know him. We don't care farthinc
for him. But the public ought to be told
that, in the forms through which his con-
Flction is sought, lie is abused. His guilt
or innocence is matter that We have not
considered something that we know no.
thing about. He may be blackcr than
Satan is painted, OF purer than any whose
chastity'le is said to have assailed. But
let linn have fair p1ay-if not in the court
room, then outside ofitl
Year: 1863

come when means should be devised for
its total eradication from Tennessee.
/ Slavery was1a cancer on our society. and


the saalpel of the statesman should be


used not simply to pare away the exte-


rior and leave the roots to propagate the
disease anew, but.to remove it altogeth-


er. Let us destroy the cause of the do


mestic dissensions and this bloody civil


war. 1t is neither wise nor just to COM


promise with an evil so gigantic. He


avowed himself funequivocaily for the re-


moval of slavery; the sooner it can be


effected the better. Some inconvenience


might, most likely, would, follow Tempo


rarily, but these would be more than


compensated, by the grand impulse given


te all our interests by the substitution of
free for slave labor. He was for imme-
date emancipation, if he could get it;
II this could not be obtained he was for
gradual emancipation; but enancipa-
ton at all events. He thought that the
benefit of gradual emancipation was a
good deal like the benefits conferred on
the dog in the fable, whose tail was cut
OFT an inch at time by humane sur
geon, whose kindness of heart would not
permit him to remove it at one stroke.
de believed slavery was u curse, and he
wanted to see it wiped out without DELAY.
We would be stronger, richer. happier
and more prosperous, as soon as this
was done. aa a


He invoked the people to cast off the
slavish fear which had hitherto sealed
their lips on this question, and speak and |
act henceforth as freemen should. The
slave aristocracy had long held its foot
upon their necks and exacted heavy |
tribute from them, even to robbing them
OF free speech. Let the era of freedom
be henceforth proclaimed to the non
shareholders of Tennesseel


The spe@ch of the Governor, of which
the above is, of course, very imperfect
sketch, was enthusiastically applanded |
from time to time, by the very large
crowd assembled on the occasion,
Year: 1863

The whole expense Of the school, as re-
ported by the Prudential Committee, amount
ed to S2s6335, Of which sum S24lO,35 was
expended for instruction, and the balance,
s453,OO, for fuel, insurance and incidental
expenses. The Treasurer has received the
public money, which amounted to SS5l,75,
and from the Washington County Grammar
School $500 leaving Sl66l 60 to be pro-
vided for by tax.


The subject Of increasing the average at
tendance Of scholars came before the annual
district meeting and we take occasion 10 refer
to it now, in order to stimulate parents, and
others having the charge Of children, to more
care in regard to the prompt and constant at
tendance on the schools.


1t appears from the report Of the Clerk
that there are some $50 scholars liable to share
in the public money in Union district, while
the average daily attendance for the past year
has been only about 800.


The portion of public money divided on the
scholar s computed on the daily attendance
]
length Of time that the school is kept. The
schools out of the village are kept open a
much shorter time, and the daily attendance
compared with the number Of scholars is lar
ger than in Union district giving them an un-
equal amount of public money compared with
the expenses of their schools.


II the public money however, was the only
loss to the district growing out Of absence
/ from school, It could be borne without se-
rious complaint, for we have the satisfaction
to know that in this regard, others are bene-
| fitted By our loss.


Considerable of this deficiency of atten-
dance is caused by the absence of half day
or day at time, of those who pretend to
be constant attendants on the school, the re-
petition of these short absences makes in the
aggregate for the year quite an item, and in
these cases not only the particular scholars
who are absent suffer loss, but every class to
which they belong suffers with them 1t is a
draw back upon every class to which they be-
long, for the classes must necessarily go along
together, and the unnecessary time spent by
the teacher in drilling backward scholar is
loss to the whole school. In all examina-
tions, the best scholars have been found
amongst those in constant attendance, apd the
poorest amongst the absentees. 1t is hoped
that parents will consider this matter and for
the cake of their own children and the gener-
al prosperity of the school, will suffer no ABB
sences except in cases Of absolute necessity
The district voted at their meeting We'd
nesday evening, that no scholar should be ad-
mittcd to the building after the appointed
time for opening the school in the morning
and afternoon, unless by order of the com
mittee. Tardiness cannot be tolerated unless
it be to the great detriment OF the School
In connection with these reforms that are de-
sired, we are pleased to add that the school
Year: 1863

General Sumner when young man was a
stage driver among the Berkshire Mass
hills. and this is how he happened to get into
the army At time in winter when the
roads we're dangerous, going down steep hill,
the stage slowed and turned over, but the
horses kept on. One Of the passengers push
ed out OF the door on the upper side of the
coach and climbed upon the box and attempt
cd to take the reins from Summers hands
"You let the reins alone or I'll throw you
off, said the driver, with determination
The passenger wisely abandoned his attempt
at interference, aud Sumner guided tho team
firmly till it was safe to stop them, dragging
the overturned coach along, and so saved pas-
sengers and team. The passenger who at
tempted to take the reins was Gen. Worth.
He was so impressed with young Summers
sterling qualities that he cultivated his ac-
quaintance and induced him to join the army,
aud the cool and determined driver made an
intorpid commander.
Year: 1863

The weather this morning is very unfavora-
ble--a very smart snow storm. OF course,
there must be mud for awhile. A cavalry
force Of fifteen regiments is now concentrated
at Fairfax Station. the scene Of Stoughton's
capture. The Vermont cavalry was ordered
there yesterday.