smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1861

From tho Cleveland Plainde aler.


The moment the flag was thr atened,
large bodies Of men were called upon
to rally in its defence. Being large
bodied man, l rallied and enrolled my
self with the home guards. The drill
is very severe on me this hot weather,
although I am constantly allowed an
attendant with fan and pitcher of
ice water.


am constantly reminded that one of
the first requirements of a soldier is to
throw out his chest and draw in his
stomach. Having been burned out sew
eral times while occupying rooms imam
attic, l have had considerable practice
in throwing out my chest, but by what
system or practice could I eyer hope to
draw in my stomach ? I can't dress
up; it's no use trying. IF my vest but
tons are in line / ana far to the rear, and
if l toe the mark, a fearful bulge indi-
Gates my position. (There is no room
for any argument in regard to my SEN
tlments; every body can see at a glance
just where l stand.) One evening we
had . new drill sergeant who was near
sighted. Running his eye down the
line, he exclaimed sharply:


What is that man doing in the ranks
with bass drum?'


lie pointed at me, but I hadn't any
drum-it was a surplus stomach that I
couldn't draw in.


L am the butt Of numberless Jokes
as you may we'll suppose. They have
got story in the guards that when I
first heard the command, order armsp
| dropped my musket and taking out
my notebook, began to draw an order
On the Government for what arms ]
wanted. They say Iordered W,nans
steam gun, with pair of Dahlgren
howitzers for side arms! Base fabrica-
tors! My ambition never extended
beyond riaed cannon, and they knew
it.


Although in respect to size belong
to the 'heavies,' my preference is for
the Light Infantry service. My KNAPP
sack is marked light Infantry. One
evening the spectators seemed convuls-
ed about something, and my comrades
Uttered by plantoons whenever my
back was turned. 1t was all myste.
ry to me until l laid off my knapsack.
Some wretch had erased the two final
letters, and I had been parading all the
evening labelled Light Infant /!


The above is one of the thousand an
noyances to which l am subjected, and
nothing but my consuming patriotism
could ever induce me to submit to it. I
rallied at the call of my country: and
am not to be put out by the rallying of
my comrades.


l overhearda spectator inquire ofthe
drill-surgeon one day:


DO you drill the whole of him at
once!'


No. he returned in an awful whis-
per, 4 drill him by squares"


I would have drilled him if had had
a bayonet.


Specifications have been published
in regard to my uniform, and contracts
advertised for. The making will be let
to the lowest responsible bidder. In
Year: 1861

The merchants Of Baten talk Of
fitting on! steamer OF ten heavy
guns, and a crew Of three. hundred
daring men, to cruise 10 the Gulf OF
Mexico aud capture any plra!Ieai
vessel which may be sailing under
the authority of the Southern COH-
federacy.


If they perfect the arrangement,
they will probably hunt up a crew IN
some other locality. The idsa o
getting three hundred daring men Ell
ther in Boston or elsewhere in Mas
sscbusetts, is vastly ridiculous.
Year: 1861

BAcoN.-There is at this moment q million


and half pounds OF bacon in the town OF


Jackson and yet our late friends of the North
pretend to believe they can starrs us into
subsection TO the domination of the Black
Republican rule at Washing ton.-- H,est Team.
Ehf1.
Year: 1861

We have been compelled TO restrict our calculations o IN


es, Interest, throughout 1900 and shall endesyor to nton'
therefor In 1861 Whatever discovery deduction demonstion


cued to render reward Of labor devoted to cultivation
more ample OF certain shaN receive prompt and full aeo
Year: 1861

"A MALICIOUS STATEMENT REFUTED.-lt is OF
some Importance to note, in early reports of the
reception OF the 69th, that some of the officers f
that gallant regiment deny the story placarded
cut from ear to ear. by the enemy, after he was
dead.-N y Express.
Year: 1861

man 10y the name of Oliver c. Burr, Of
Stamford, was found by the roadside frozen
to death, last week Monday in the afternoon,
but short distance out from the highway
leading from the Baptist Church to y. Adams.
Inquiries into the facts of the case showed
that he visited the afore mentioned place for
the purpose Of making number Of purchases,
aud that among the rest he was careful to
purchase sufficient rum, either in Adams or
somewhere on his road home, to render him
beastly intoxicated at least TO so great de-
gree as to blunt his sensbilties. and cause
him to wander from the path, where, either
exhausted or SO overcome by liquor that he
could keep his feet no longer, he laid down
upon the snow, his face reclining upon small
hemlock shrub. in which condition he was
discovered. with firm grip upon small bun
die he carried. being partly covered with the
snow, From the nature of things in toe To-
caiity of the spot j, would seem that lac crept
along on his hands and knees nearly so rods
in vain hopes probably of gaining his homo,
twice falling distance of fully fifteen feet
over the railing by the roadside He was in
company with an lrishman, but the missera-
bic wretch, being too drunk TO entortaln feel
ings of humanity, abandoned him IN the vici-
nifty of the Baptist Church, leaving him to
perish alone but taking with him, perhaps
for relict, his running And thus the man
tho druukard--died, a victim. in our opini-
on, of the deirum tremens, " .ieh thus, while
he was alone and unguarded, attacked him
with all the vengeance Of fends incarnate -
We do not envy that man his conscience who
filled his jug with rum, bringing death to his
victim and a fresh load Of condemnation up
on himself II that empty whiskey-iug could
but tell its history, how hellish would the
traiiicker in " fire water appear oven to him
self


Mr.. Stephen c. Millsrd, of Stamford, be-


ing duly appointed coroner, he summoned
jury and ON Monday brought in a verdict of
" death from exposure and strong drink
Bennington Banner.
Year: 1861

In a word he was cured nag, without u
single lash, by thus taking him " across lots,
a way he had not Known humane and
wise expedient Mr.. Haskell perfectly wopt,
both for Joy and pity. Poor fellow said
he. how much you have been whipped, aud
suffered from bad management, but it is all
over now, Charlie, we will turn over new leaf
and do better for the time to come" That
very day be would hardly have taken three
prices for his nag.


Such. them are the methods by which balky
horses. when made, may and should be abated.
The importance Of the subject is my apology
for this long story.


The horse is the noblest domestic animal
we have. The world could not we'll do with
out him, even in this age of " steam and tele-
graph" What a pity and shame nay, what
a reproach and a sin, that he should be scourg-
ed and suffer so much on account Of the neg
lect, inexperience, ignorance, or the wicked
ness Of his owners. And as the way Of the
transgressor is hard, as before stated, man
who is hard upon his team is hard upon HIM
self And if this quaint and novel sermon
shnll In any good degree, soften and anchor
ate the condition Of your readers and their
poor dumb animals that cannot speak out and
tell us all about their wants and their woes --
If, in any good degree, it shall tend to make
the rough paths Of life even,' shall have ac-
complished a great and good work, both for
man and beast in writing it out aud Civ
ing publicity TO it, In which case, genera
tions yet unborn and colts yet unfoaled will
come forth and rise up and call me blessed
Year: 1861

Young man, don't live crusty bachelor
it is not good for you. 1t will not improve
your morals, health or beauty. Marry as soon
as you can make it convenient, and can shape
your affairs to support wife. But when you
msrrcdau fall in love with a face instead Of
a woman Remember that common sense is
rare virtue. much better than silver, gold or
fashion. Don't court and marry crinoline or
money bags, simply because it is crinoline OF
gold in plenty; but look to sound practical
sense in woman frst--that is the touch
stone to try her other qualities by.


When you have that all else comes Your
wife that is to be- if she's fall of common
sense will grow to your way Of thinking, aud
make YOU grow to hers. A woman who has
womanly love in her heart, will find a way to
make your love towards her grow as the years
90 over you both. And another thing needs
to be needed, and that is, a common-sense
woman is not to be found where fashion con-
ssts in dragging young females into whirl,
where there is simply idle gossip and little
brain


Young man, don't stand looking after that
young woman, who has that distinguished air,
the reputation of a hirt and a belle, whose
father has heaps Of CASH for it is not mpos-
sible while you are straining your eyes, you
may be turning your back upon some unob-
trusive little damsel whom nature has cut out
.as your other half and who may be that pleas
ant-hced placid d-tempered. lovable little crea-
ture who will think enough Of you to 60 to
the end Of the world. and stay by and comfort
you when you get gray-headed and fdgety.
Marry. young gentleman, and keep your
selves out of scrapcs Have something to
live for. man alone in the world isn't
more than half man, and the world wants
entire men. So mend yourselves and be hap
py. And you shall have reason to say it was
good thing you resolved to marry, and refus-
ed to be a solitary, beer-drinking, ppe-smok-
/ ing bachelor, if you succeed as we'll in your
efforts as he who, once young man like you,
is now simply old, contented and comforta-
ble
Year: 1861

the social scale Parents Of better sons will
not allow them to associate with him, and
consequently he must seek his companions
among the criminal. Swearing is the peculiar
index Of vulgarity. Those who mean to be
refined will not countenance it, and will be
careful TO check it in others whenever there is
suitable opportunity for the exertion Of their
influence. Parents and guardians should
take pains to ascertain whether their children
or wards are addicted to this practice, and by
the force Of example lead them to abandon it
and thus ft them for the society of the refined
and Intellectual with whom they desire so
much TO havethem associate. Byrequiring them
to seek and keep good company, they will be
protected from vulgarity; and this protection
will serve as a basis for the formation Of a
character which every parent desires his child
to possess.
Year: 1861

BENNINGTON BOYS IN SOUTH CAROLINA.
Something more than a week since Edward
Manchester, former resident in this village,
arrived here, having come from the Palmetto
State as fast as he conveniently could. He
represents most lawess state of things in
that hotbed of disunion, every branch of the
State Government being at the mercy Of a set
of men wholly given to tanatcism, and a mob
whose only aim and delight is to stir up fresh
troubles. He had TO choose between three
alternatives-fee the State, stay and Join the
rebels. or submit to generous coating Of tar
and feathers. He chose the former, not fan
cying the latter. and determined if there was
any fighting to be done to do his share on the
side of the Union. And so, in the wee
hours of night he decamped, leaving be-
hind him his trunk, and an unsettled account
with his employer who was owing him quite
a sum. He was lucky enough to escape but
not so with his two Bennington comrades,
Mr.. jerome Seymour and Mr.. Albert Cush-
man, who, he says, were certainly pressed into
the military service of the South Carolina,
their employer being the chief means Of its
accomplishment. We DO not imagine that
either of them will fight, if it comes to that,
with any great degree Of satisfaction to the
traitors, or in a manner tending to advance
the disunion cause.


Manchester declares that he owes his prov
idential escape to the timely warning Of
friend, and that but for him he would have
been obliged to enlist. Another instance Of
Southern loyalty ty.-Benaingto Banner.
Year: 1861

A CURIOUS OvERsIGHT.-The Mississip-
ans, in their haste to be " independent" have
fallen into a curious blunder. The Louisville
journal thus points it out


ave have before us the Constitution of the
State of Mississippi. 1t prescribes that no
person shall be Senator unless he be a citizen
of the United States no person shall be a
Representative unless he be citizen of the
United States and no person can be voter
unless he be a citizen of the United States.
Now, If the act of secession has really taken
Mississippi out Of the Union, her Governor,
her members of the Legislature, her inhabit-
ants, are all diyestod of their citizenship; they
are consequently incompetent to act, and what
they do must be null and void and no law.
Year: 1861

In the present juncture of our affairs
there is no matter of greater interest to
the State than the banking interest. 1t
is therefore of great Importance that thos e
in the Legislature whose special duty it is
to attend this interest, should be men of
clear heads aud firm convictions. We are
gratifed to see that the Honorable Spea-
ker seems to appreciate its Importance by
appointing upon the Bank committee men
Of the proper characteristics. And while
we do not doubt that there are others
equally as meritorious, still we do rot be-
lievs that better Selection than d. N.
Kennedy could be made for the Chair
manship of that Committee N


Mr.. Kennedy represents Montgomery,
one Of tie wedlthiest and most enlightened
counties in the State. and is a representa-
tive worthy of his constituency.


He is man Of great weight of perso-
nal ,character, a clear headed practical
Statesman. and one who will make his
mark in any body where energy, clearness
and decision of mind and character is re-
quisite; besides he is eminently fitted for
the special duties of his committee, being
d practical banker and Thoroughly acquaiu
ted with finance in all its bearings -
Nash. Union!
Year: 1861

Alexander Dumas has been furnishing
sensation items for Russia, Of Which the
following is a specimen


We left the room with turnkey behind
us, aud walked on until we found ourselves
opposite the prison. The latter opened it,
vent in and lighted lantern. We follow
cd We went down ten steps, passed a
row of dungeons, but did not stop. We
went down five more, and then stopped at
the one marked No. H. lie gave sileno
signal it seemed as if in this abode of the
dead, he had lost the power of speech
There was at this time frost Of at least
twenty degrees outside. AT the depth
which we found ourselves it was mingled
with damp which penetrated to the bone
my marrow was frozen, and yet wiped the
perspiration from my brow The door was
opened and we went down Six damp and
slippery steps, and found ourselves in a
dungeon of about six feet square. | fan
cied in the light of the lantern that saw
human form moving in it. The Govern
or remained on the last step, and said to
the prisoner


"Rise and dress yourself"





had n curiosity to know to whom this
order was addressed.


Turn on the light, said to the jailor.
| then saw a thin and pallid old man rise
up. He had evidently been immured in
this dungeon in the same clothes lie had ON
when arrested, but they had fallen off by
piecemeal, and he was ouly dressed in a
ragged peIsse, Through the rags, could
be seen his naked, bony shivering body =
Perhaps this body had been covered with
splendid garments perhaps ribbons of the
most noble order had once crossed his
painting chest At present he was only a
living skeleton, that had lost rank, digpi-
ty, and even name, and was called No. II.
He rose and wrapped himself in the frag-
ments of his ragged pelisse, without utter
ing complaint. His body was bowed
down, conquered by prisen damp, time, or
1t might be, hunger. His eye was haugh-
ty, almost menacing.


at is good, said the Governor.


"Come"


He was the first to 60 out,


The prisoner threw a parting glance on
his cell, his stone jug, aud his rotten straw.
Nv uNS'Nu siSui yo1 u Nds npVssiblo
that he could regret anything of this. He
followed the Governor and passed before
me.


l shall never forget the glance he turned
on me in passing, and the reproach that
was concentrated in it.


$50 young it seemed to say, "snd al
ready obeying tyranny


turned away-that glance had pierced
my heart like dagger He passed in the
door of the dungeon. How long was it
since he bad entered He must cease for
long time counting days and nights, On
reachiug the Governors door, We found
two sledges waiting. The prisoner was or
dered into the one that had been brought
us, and we followed him, the Governor by
his side, in front The other sledge was
occupied by our soldiers.


I Where were we going? | knew not
Year: 1861

By the following from the Chicago CAB.
olition) Tribune, of the 25th ult., it will
be seen that the staple crop of the SCAR
den State" is perishing. That paper says;


During the past week or ten days we
have had several reports from the interior
with regard to the. damage which the
wheat crop has sustained il consequence
of the recent heavy rain Hitherto we
have refrained from giving the reports
publicity, lest they might prove exaggera-
ted and unnecessarily excite our MAI kets
but yesterday we cohversed with several
intelligent gentlemen who confirm the
gloomiest accounts received Along the
line of the Dixon Air Line railroad the
damage is most severe. In that part of
the country the wheat was mostly harvest
ed with "headers" and the stacks imper-
fectly built, so that drenching rains have
thoroughly saturated them. Along the
valley Of the Fox river the whest in the
stacks is nearly all growing and some Of
them is reported to be a "mass of growing
pulp"-thc grain growing like turf on the
top of them. Along the Chicago, Bur
liugton and Quincy railroad also the dam
age is extensivo, though not quite So bad
as on the other northern roads.


In confirmation of these reports it is
proper to state that during the past three
or four days d very large proportion of the
wheat received is Inspected and rejected
IN consequence of its damp and poor con
dition One firm in this city had fifteen
car loads of wheat sent him, and eleven of
them we're rejected. Another had twelve
car loads, ard and eight were rejected
and some gave even worse roturps


This is undoubtedly great calamity to
the country, The crop was, at best, far
short of an average, and II is feared that
this will reduce it to but a small percent
age Of last years abundant yield
Year: 1861

THE HEROES OF THE REvoLUTIoN-
The following extracts from the letters of
General Nathaniel Greene will be read
with interest ,-


"At the battle Of Eutaw Springs" writes
the General, "hundreds Of men were naked
as they were bora. Posterity will scarcely
believe that the bare loins Of many brave
men, who carried death into the enemy's
ranks at Eutaw, were CALLED by their car
touch boxes, while folded rag or some moss
protected their shoulders from sustaining
ths same injury from the musket.


In letter to the Secretary Of War, he
says; awe have three hundred men with
out arms, and more than one Thousand so
naked that they can be put on duty only
in cases of desperate nature. l have
been seven months in tho field without
taking of my clothes
Year: 1861

knew how to answer, English impcrti-
nence and obtrusiveness. And now,


since his assumption of so much author
ity towards our Secretary of State and
our government, he has stopped to lee


ture upon constitutional law to our head
minister in the Cabinet, and to comment
ing upon the habits of our President in


the exercise of his executive duties, and


it is full time that he was taught that
plebeians are capable of a dignity that
patricians must respect. He came here


as L L D.. Russell came fully impress
sed with the idea that we were but semi
civilized people, and had no virtues, no
character, no moral dignity worth
while for an Englishman to regard. Rus
sell has been taught better, and VIC think
his Lordship feels differently since his
retort courteous from our Secretary of
State. Boston Post. .. ........
Year: 1861




n SOUTHERN Convention in Macon,
Ca, has passed resolution i'll favor of
the Southern Confederacy rendering un-
restricted free trade of all friendly ma
tions. This is intended as loud bid in
favor of England and France breaking
our blockade in order to avail themselves
of the privilege of having free ports and
free markets for their manufactures, of
which they stand greatly in need. Free
trade with one half the United States is
more favorable than trade with all of it
under a thirty per cent. tariff. 1t is very
likely that the Southern Government
may adopt the Macon suggestion, for
what is their tariff good for as long as
not a single vessel can enter or depart
from one of their ports? We have be-
licved ever since the war broke out that
they would sell out commercially to Eng
land and France if an opportunity oc-
cured, and that these Governments
would buy if they could make anything
bv it..
Year: 1861

ANOTHER BURNING OIL WELL.-A
correspondent of the Buffalo Express
writes that on Wednesday last a fountain
well was opened on the Blood farm, four
miles from the mouth of Oil Greek, in
Vcnango county. A stream of oil four
inches through, spouted some sixty feet
into the air before the workmen could re-
move all their tools, and quick as light
ming burst into flame from the engine
fire. Up to Saturday it had been burn
ing with no diminution of force, per-
feet column of fire and smoke. No per-
sons were seriously, though some were
slightly burned by the explosion.
Year: 1861

Mothers, Write 10 Your Sons Ia the Army.


Write in the fulness of q mothers heart.
Write of Sayiors love. Remind them Of
the tears that have been shed over them, and
the prayers that have been offered up in
their behalf. No one will be so likely to
reach their conscience.


"Did you observe my hand up when you
asked who wished to be remembered in
prayer?" said youthful soldier to the
leader Of a meeting, whom he had called
aside. ...


''No, did not observe you particularly"


~ was clear on the outside of the signs,
but 1 raised my hand as high as could for
/ want you to pray for me. When you
spoke of our mothers, that they followed us
with their prayers, my heart was touched.
l know that my mother prays for me,
and earnestly desires my convention. l
have letter from her which l received to-
day" Here he showed the letter, and the
gentleman remarked that it had been ex-
posed in some way and got wet. "No,"
said he, sit is wet with her tears. She feels
the deepest interest in me, and desire to
be Christian. l wish you to pray for me"


That is the hold, mothers, you have upon
your sons who have gone to the wars. I'M
prove your opportunity. Write to them.
Press upon their attention the great saliva
ton Remind them of the greater warfare in
which they must take part Your letters
will be read with fearful eyes. Your words
will sink deep into the heart. Amid the
temptations of the camp your counsels will
come up as guardian angels. Your sons
have gone from you, but you hold them by a
cord that may draw them to heaven Chris
tan Recorder.
Year: 1861

TIE CAUCUS OF SATURDAY NIGHT.


There has been no little curiosity excited
among Republicans and Democrats, to-day,
to know ali about the caucus of Republican
members of Congress, held last night at the
Capitol. There is unquestionably q wide
difference of opinion on the recommends
tiops of the President in regard to slavery.
A portion OF The Republicans are emphatic
ally opposed to the message, and are pre-
pared to vote censure of the policy of the
President. If such an extreme measure is
attempted, there will be an instant breach in
The Republican ranks, extending into the
country, which will be attended by an i'm
me- diate reorganization of the Democratic
party throughout the North. The downfall
of old parties and the uprising of new ones
is believed to be on the tapis to occur as un-
expectedIy as all other events Of our civil
revolution