smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1863

About three months ago the price of cotton in
New. York was between 90 and 100 cents per
pound. 1t has gradually gone down to about so
cents-only few cents higher than the article
sells for here. What has caused this remarkable
falll Evidently nothing else than the facility
with which steamers run the blockade, carrying
large quantities of cotton to Nassau, from which
place the yankees take it to New York. Instead
of being entirely destitute of that great necessary
of life they should have been before this, they
now have no occasion to. complain Of Its want.
And in return for this mark or Southern kindpess
IN supplying their pressing need, they send us all
sorts of manufactures Of their own, not even dis
guised by pretence of an English mark We go
on as we used to do when they pretended to be
our friends, supporting their manufactures and
mechanics and trades people; and they in turn are
hiring lrishmen ard Dutchmen to come over by
every ship from Europe to murder and rob u.s.
1t Is a strange state Of things. Strange that Con.
gress has not put stop to il. Not vessel should
be allowed to enter one of our ports except with
cargo OF the absolute accessories Of life or war i'm
plements, and without the cearest evidence that
none of them ever saw yankee port or acknowl-
edged yankee owner. i must come to that, and
speedily. And we therefore caution our readers
who may take fancy to speculate in blockade
stocks that the demands Of public opinion will be
obeyed and the business stopped Then what
will be the value of the stocks in blockade run
ming companies which people in Charleston are
now rushing to buy at ten times the original cost?


But the evils above alluded to, great as they
are, are not So great as that to which we have
heretofore more than once directed the attention Of
readers, vizthe effect upon our currency. This
is deprecated by every ships cargo that enters our
ports, but more than al! by the blockade running
across the Potomac to Richmond. 1t is amazing
that this has failed to arrest the attention of the
government and to induce it to propose the proper
remedy to Congress. The multitudes of specula-
tors in Rishmond have been willing to give any
price for gold, silver, bank notes, State stocks
anything that will pass across the line-with
which to buy yankee goods Confederate notes
being the only thing that will not pass there, is
the only thing that the spectators reject, and so
they have been sinking constantly while the others
rose.


The newspapers generally abuse the blockade
runners, but they are not the parties to blame.
Not only is there no law against such traffic,
but it is known that the government has been
urged to put stop to it, and has refused. A
military commander at one of the ports where the
steamers arrive is known to be strongly opposed
to the whole system of indiscrmnate importa-
tons and to have demonstrated against its contin-
uance, but without effect.-FdyeteUilie Observer.
Year: 1863

The Secretary of the Treasury has recently
issued the official instructions for the collection OF
the Confederate taxes. We copy some parts of
the circular which are of general interest to our
readers: -ar- F


Immediately after his appointment, each district
collector shall give public notice requiring per-
sons mentioned in the fifth section of the tax act
OF April "a, 1868, and hereinafter set forth in
article thirteen of ttese Instructions to attend at
such places as he may appoint or before the 1st
OF July, 1868, or at the time of beginning busi-
ness, and register in the form TO be prescribed by
the commissioner Of taxes, a true account of the
name and residence of each person, firm or cor
poration engaged or interested in the business,
with statemen: Of the time for which, and the
place and manner in which the same is to be con-
Quoted, and such other facts as may be requisite
to ascertain the amount of tax upon such business
for the past or future according to the provisions
Of said act


At the time of such registry, the district col.
lector shall collect the specific tax for the year
ending 3lst December, 1868, and such other tax
may be due on sales or receipts in such busi-
ness at the time of such registry and the collector
shall make said registry and give receipt for the
amount in duplicate, specifying therein the sepa-
rate received specific tax, and tax on
sales receipts; and receipt he will deliver to
the tax payer, and the other he will forward to
the State collector as in case Of other receipts for
taxes.


There shall be separate registry and tax for
each business and for each place of conducting
the But no tax is required for the mere
storage of goods at place other than the register
ed place of business. Upon every change in the
place of conducting a registered business, there
shall be new registry, bat no additional tax, and
SO also upon the death of any person conducting
such business, or upon its transfer to another
person, there shall be new registry in the name
Of the person to continue the business, but 70 ad
ditional tax shall be required.


The following are the occupations, trades and
persons taxed under the provisions Of the fifth
section of the tax and the specific and general
tax to be collected at the time Of registry.
Year: 1863

A government tannery is nearly completed at
San Antonia, Texas The capacity of the yats is
equal to the accommodation of 5000 hides at a
time, and the actual cost of tanned leather to the
government at so cents per pound, will be saw
ing of 500 per cent on present prices Of leather.
Year: 1863




who are required under the tax to make returns of
sales, shall be required by the district collector to
make further returns to the at the end of
everv three months, from the 1st July 1868, of
the gross amount of sales made by them during
said quarter, and to pay the amount of tax which
is chargeable thereon to the said collector. The
form for such return will be furnished by the COM
missioner of taxes.


IF, on the lst day of July, 1868, commission
merchant holds in store account of producers,
the articles enumerated in section one of the tax
act, or any agricultural products of the growth or
production of any year preceding the year 1868,
he will be required to make full return thereof to
the assessor and to pay the tax of eight per cent
upon the value of such articles, whether as owner,
agent or factor, will be required to make the re-
turn and pay the tax. So, also, every person who,
as trustee guardian curator or committee, executor
or administrator, or agent, attorney in fact or
factor, of any person or persons, whether residing
In the Confederate States not. and every receiver
in chancery clerk, register or other officer OF any
court, shall be answerable for The doing of all such
acts, matters aud things shall be required to be
done in order to the assessment of the money,
property, products and income, under their con-
troll, and the payment of taxes thereon, and shall
be Unidentified against all aud every person for all
payments on account of the taxes in said act
specified, and shall be responsible for all taxes due
from the estates, income, money or property in
their possession, or under their control.
Year: 1863

The Copperhead tinkers with produce
rates are to set up for themselves, and take
the Chicago 1Smes as theit paper basis.
They are tohave Corn Exchange which,
will have no connection with the Board Of
Trade. Entire separation is to be the
motto. These men are disguised with fit
ting out Union regiments; disguised with
hearing about regiments wearing, and batter.
les bearing their name. Some Of them arc
disguised with the taclt censure passed
upon their 11nnaturalized condition: some
them came here to escape taking the oath
Of allegiance in other cities upon which
treason like theirs has brought tho pre-.
sencc and shadow Of war All Of them
love slavery better than the Union, and
assuredly their first investment, Of choice,
will not be an United States flag.


We are glad Of this call on our home
rebels to come out and show themselves
We are glad to note their segregation into
cliques, and are entirely satisfied if they
can find secesh doctors aud dentists, boot
blacks and :barristers, music dealers, and
market men, corn doctors and Corn Ex-
changes, to favor with their exclusive pat
tronage. It all tells to the advantage Of
<Unionism, which is in far less danger when
the foreign and dangerous elements held
in turbid solution are precipitated. It is
for these rebels themselves to say it shall
be red precipitate. That will depend
upon whether they try tilt with the Coy
c1nment. Until then, their little by-plays
are comparatively harmless.
Year: 1863

since its passage been in force tliaT if: It had
not been imperative In other respects: it
was in direct conflict with the bill Of rights
embraced ID the new constitution. He also
clted tie 1act; that no longer ago than last
winter bill was introduced into the General
Assembly By the Democrats to prohibit the
settlement Of free negroes in the State, the
inference, Of course, being that no such law
was then in existence. Mr. Polk was work
ing away. with his plea when the court ad-
journed for the night. The case will be con-
cluded tomorrow
Year: 1863

There arc rumofs that show that some
thing is to be done with the huge army
that is too good to be ,rottcd by a second
winters experience in Virginia mud, and
which may perhaps harm the enemy
more efectually than BY being semitic draw
the fire Of all the thickly ranged batteries
on the road to Richmond. The dispatches
will speak Of possible events in terms that
sufficiently well indicate their sympathies


When the New York World talks Of di.-
banding" there is a gratifcd chuckle reveal
ing the wish that is fatherto the thought,
and Copperheads everywhere will echo it.


But the rebels well know better how to
Judge Of The nature and effects ola quick
transportation Of portions: Of the great
army to make Rosecrans' host mighty
enough to sweep down upon the railroad
spine Of the Contederacy and drive Bragg
to the Gulf; and if they see Hunter with
an adequate army SO long denied him, and
know besides Of the sable lining Of the
cloud, promised by his preparations to arm
AAAe 0ANN@>9s dAA1A Au1 A&1Cl &aAE INV E1uCut
inclined into North Carolina is strengthen
cd by 50,00o men from before Frcdericks-
burg, and Richmond is cut of from its
Southern connections, How we ask will
The rebels like that style Of g disbandine1"


The Government assured1y is intending
to set the whole machine for rebel-grind-
ing in motion The lazy grub that used
to be called IN Anaconda has come
out Of the chrysalis state, winged; and
with teeth and c1aws-a figure we do not
borrow from Button nor the book Of Dan.
1el But assuredly somebody is going to
get hurt now. If the Government can use
the men now on the Rappahannock to any
Better advantage than to push them
straight ahead, assuredly to the points SO
Uncovered the troops will be sent, even il
We have no more grand specimens Of mill
tary writing addressed to tue Army Of the
Pnloulac. -
Year: 1863

War MEETING To-S1GuT-Tlc Board OF
Tradc War Meeting occurs this evening. As
business Of the greatest Importance Will be
brought before the meeting, It is hoped there
will be full attendance Of the Board, and Of
citizens generally.
Year: 1863

A ANc1sAxcK.-We would like to enquire Of
Mayor sherman If there are not men in the
Democratic party with brains enough to turn
a bridge. The present bridge tenders are
aboninations Of the first order. Not day
passes that bridges are not run into and the
public unnecessarily detained. How long
1,aye we rot to endure this nuisance!
Year: 1863

i The time 10 at hand for commencing
operations IN the 6eld, in the North As
well as in the South. And it is well nigh
rs important that vigorous operations
should be inaugurated and carried for
ward in the Agricultural field of the
North as in the military feid in the South.
Everything indicates that the supplies
win not be equal to the demand in the
coming season, and all things combine to
promise high prices for everything that
our farmers can produce.


Let our farmers then make their prep
arations and 60 70 work with will, plow-
ing, planting and sowing, and cover the
broad prairies of Iowa with seed prepar-
atoIy to an abundant harvest. If they
lack hands, hire them, never doubling
but that the investment vii! yield an am
pie profit. Hire white ncn If you can,
Or black men if they are to be had.


You have work to do. and great deal
OF il must bs done if you consult your
own interests and the interests Of the
country. What you require is laborers
10 do the work. and if men can plow and
plant, it matters not what their complex
ion may be so far as your crops are con-
cerned. Complexion is mere matter Of
political humbuggery. which for the
resent season should lie confined to the
newspapers and stump orators who sym-
pAthise with the slaveholdlng rebels.-
Let our farmers consult their own inter.
est and the interests cf us all by employ.
Ing an ample force to carry on their farms
to their utmost capacity. And if they
cannot obtain sufficient force at home


send of East or South, or wherever else
laborers can b found.


Don't suspend business waiting for the


Conscription, for it may be the conscrip


tion Won't come, and il it does you vii


be oil the better prepared for it if you


have good crope under way.
Year: 1863

As, the division Of regulars and
GriMn's division Of the Fifth corps
went forward, and before the fire that
swept from their left down the line aud
on the right, brigade of the division
Of regulars was wheelsd 90 - to face
that way. No sooner had It done 10
than q fire in front opened, which then
came' in the rear. Of the right brigade
and threw it into some. confusion bat
il rallied. and went on agAin on the
line Of the tw6 divisions and drove the
enemy before it until it had taken q
position previously occupied by one of
the cnemy's batteries. Here q fire
was concentrated on these two divisions
from batteries further to the rear, and
at the same time the enemy was re-
ported on their left. At once the line
was ordered to retire. r,.


1t went back steadily to the Great Of the
hill, half an hour before sunset. The same
final attempt with which the rebels usually
endsavor TO close up their great engagements
--an attempt which certainly has in the larger
number of instances been crowned with sue
CcSc0JicIop uOWcVcSs ucs . OtAotCus save
Two divisions. which proved to be Anderson's g
and McLean's Of Longstreet's corps, were
formed for this attempt, and came forward in
magnificent style. They had adificult ground
to cross, but onward they came over rocks
and through low woods. until within fair dis
tance, when they made . rush with yells.
They did not keep their line very even, but
were scarcely less impstuous a. mass than
they would have been in line. They killed
our men on the crest OF the bill and over the
crest. and our men were even driven well
down on the other side. But these rallied on
those that had held their places, and bullets
were hurled into the rebel mass by volleys.
Checked, broken and beaten back BY this
one Titanic effort Of the Fifth Corps, tlis at.
tacking column scattered down the hill, aud
the battle was over on the left with the ens-
my completely beaten.
Year: 1863

LIrE must be pretty fast in Chicago, If we
are TO Judge by the following item from 9 &C.
Temporary: 1--WE feel bound TO deny that one
Of our lawyers put on bis door: 'Gone to bury
my wife; be back in half on hour But candor
compels us to say that one Of our numbering
merchants, the last sickness Of bis wife accur.
ring In the busiest season, was only able to
get In time for the second prayer at her fune-
raI.b ri
Year: 1863

The meeting Of the knights Of the
Golden Circle, in this city, on the 4th-an
event Of which we were advised by re-
pentant Copperhead in Indiana, at least ten
days ago-was so profoundly secret that
the public can know nothing Of what was
done. In view Of the recent victories and
the generally forlorn condition Of the rebel
cause, and in view also Of the re-animated
loyalty Of the North, and Of the ill-success
Of the late opposition to the Draft, the
gathering Of which We speak must hare
been rather lugabrious. But as scoun-
drelism Is not less fertile in its hopes than
inventive malignity, it is not unlikely
that the traitors who assembled here
found, on comparison Of plans, renewal
ofthe expectations that the late events
detroyed. The meeting is believed to have
been one Of delegates from the counties in
Illinois in which lodges exist. Ofits pnr-
poses we know little, actually, except as
We can gather them from the notorious]y
difloyal character of those in attendance.
Of the fact Of the meeting there eau be no
donht
Year: 1863

THEIR INCREASED MALIENITY


The confession Of the most confident
and malignant Of the secessionists is that
their only hope Of final success is in the
help TINT they look for from their friends
in the North Without that, they and
their cause will surely perish. Hence, we
see that just as the rebel prospects grow
more threatening, Copperhead anxiety
grows more and more intense, aud Cop
perhead endeayor bolder and bolder. The
lecent meeting Of tie Knights Of the
Golden Circle, in this city, was unquesion-
ably a spasmodic endeayor to raise the fall
ing fortunes Of the pirates Confederacy


the future Of which the raid Of Morgan
and the fall Of Vicksburg foreshadows.
But the old political strumpets and whisky
pickles who got together here on the 18th
int, are not the men to inaugurate or con-
duct revolution. Gentlemen, you may
be able to manage town caucus or suck
distilIery dry; but the overthrow Of this
great Government is a task beyond your
strength So pursue your plots in peace! =!
Year: 1863

When ignorant and preudiced men arc
every day taught by those to whom they
have looked Tor political instruction, that
this war is only lega1ized murder, that the
execution Of the laws Of Congress is perse-
cut,on Of Democrats by Republicans, and
that the end Of all will be the establish
ment of Despotism on the ruins Of the
Republic, what wonder that they are
sometimes guilty Of crimes for which the
penalty is death-what wonder that riot
ing, arson and bloodshed seem chronic and
incurablc in the 1andl The Vallandig-
hammers hare load Of responsibility that
they can neyer shake of. They are the
principal criminals; and 50 the country
should esteem them,
Year: 1863

And a great many weakened Union
men seem TO think that we are all tending
20 universal bankruptcy, and that Uncle
Sam never will be able TO pay, and they
do everything they can TO depreciate the
greenbacks, and every form Of credit
which the Government has been obliged
TO resort TO. But it does not scare me.
l have lived too long in Ohio, and seen too
much Of its prosperity, to be frightened.
Our Secretary of War says it reaches
S60O,000000 ButtAking it at one thous-
and million of dollars--and in the course
Of two years it may run up TO two
thousand million OF deiiars---what OF
that? Look at the statistics of the
United States, and notice the increase of
wealth. We increased from twenty
thousand millions to twenty mine thous-
and millions in a period of ten years (;
and we are earning every year surplus
wealth, according to our statistical tables,
at least thousand million of dollars q
year, which is as much as carried on this
war for two years What ere these
thousand million dollars, that a nation
like ours should be afraid Off In q few
days, i would undertake TO pick out in
the United States, without going TO the
Southern Confederacy, two thousand
men, out of the twenty-three millions
who can pay the whole debt of thi'
country. ..r
Year: 1863

In consequence Of The increase in tho price Of paper
and every other material used in Printing -ohice,
We have been compelled to raise the price Of paper
to 25 cts. per week, or 81 per month 10 weekly or
monthly subscribers, and SO year to yearly sub
scrlbers, which must in all be paid In advance
Year: 1863

We are glad to learn from the Mobile AdUsr-
tissr thst the safety committee in that city met
on the Dist instant and passed resolutions con-
demnatory of certain domestic trnitsrs in that
vicinity who, it seems have refused to take
Confederate notes in their private transactions.
The committee proposes to publishes the names
of those who are guilty Of this parTicidal crime,
in order thss they may be held up to the scorn
OF the pubic. The AdUertiscr Vungently re-
marks that the man who is SO basely selfish as
te be guilty of it, must needs have rhinocerOs
hide, impenetrable 10 public opinion, and a
heat scared by love of msmmon into insensi-
bility to shame. His doom should be that Of
tho soldier who disgTaces his uniform and bis
corps by some degrading crime, and who is
drummed out of camp to tho tune of the rogue S
march This degraded citizen should be driven
beyond the Confederate lines and sent to more
congenial companionship and residence among
the Yankees. It is mOnstrous injustice that he
should live here to reap the fruits of the toll,
sacrifices and the blood of brave people,
while his solitary sgency in the terrible drama
is to add to its burthens by sacrificing to bis
own sel6sbness and cupidity.
Year: 1863

rom the AlexanGria Democrat, April %


As yet we have received but few reliable par
ticUlaTs Of the late battle at aud near Camp
Bislsud. The enemy fully fourteen Thousand
strong attacked our forces, numbering less than
Eve thousand, in our entrsuchments on the
morning of the 18th, aud after several hours So
we're fighting, made despsrats aud determined
charge in full force on our works. The assault
was well met by our troops and the enemy
checked and foiled in this hold q t'mD' TIE
balance of tho day heavy skirmishing was kept
up. On the morning of the 18Th tho contest
was renewed in earnest, and q similar des-
perste charge again made by the enemy, but
al to no use. Oar boys again received the
shock and stood their ground like men.
There is no doubt that the enemy were
whipped at Ills point. But he was re-
csiving heavy reinforcements and that II our
rear. At this state of sffairs it became obvious
that our heroic little band had TO beat q retrese


which wes commenced On the morning Of The
10th. And here in this retreat cur Commanding
general showed himself a military man in the
true sense of the word, and his men al army of
heroes. We doubt much If such retreat was
ever excelled. Gen. Taylor at the heal Of his
chosen band made . furious and desperate
charge through the entire fresh fanki1g column
of Banks, and opened path for his trains
and thus the retreat was accomplished


through the only road openad to them.
No other engagement took place until ths l7th
when tho enemy were attempting 70 forcs them
selves over Vermillion bayou; here they were
sgain Tepulsed with fearful loss. Since then We
have only heard Of slight skirmishing. Oar army
have effected their retreat. and with the rest and
rsinforcemeDts willy make a stand provided the
enemy advance. The latest inteiiigsncs from De-
low report their pieSets still at Veralion bridge
The bulk Of the army is this side Of OpslousaS
As yet no estimate can Re formed Of our loss, or
that Of the enemy. From the best information
two hundred viii cover cur killed and wounded,
and four huodrod captured. The less Of the
enemy must bo large The estimate Of their
loss ct VsTmillion bridge is pus down at fva
hundred killed and wounded The Diana aud
two or three transports, as well as the gunboat
Hart, were destroyed in the Teehe. Our most
serious loss was the destruction Of the Queen
of the West in Grand lake. She was attacked
by three of the enemy's boats, and early in the
action struck by an iHcendiary shell. and in
moment was enwrapped in flames. The fate of
her crew is yet unknown. Capt Fuller was IN
command of her. and all the particulars can
only be learned from Faderal sources.