smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1862

1t would be curious speculation to
trace the habits and customs which have,
from the earliest ages, and in all commu.
mites, helped to fasten upon US these
sordid feelings which make marriage
something like gambling transaction
in all barbarous nations the father of a
girl conceived he had right to some
compensation from the husband for her
services, and as remuneration for the
trouble and expense of bringing her up.
In the early history of all nations in their
unclvaIized state, the custom prevails
the woman is sold for a price Among
the Hebrews and the Arabs the price
paid to the father was sometimes very
considerable. An ordinary price was FIVE
or six camels. and if the bride was very
beautiful, or highly connected Crank and
station had their influence even in the
earliest ages,) the fifty sheep or a mare
and foal were added. At the seige of
Troy an accomplished lady was valued at
four oxen. And when Danaus found be
could not get his daughters married, he
advertised that he was ready to receive
suitors for them without expecting any
presents-that is, that he was ready to
get rid Of them at any price,or at no price


Among the savage tribes of our own days
the custom prevails. The red man of
America still bargains for his wife, and
the price varies FROM four horses down to
bottle of brandy. The Russians do not
mince the matter as more civilized ma
tions do, but when marriage is proposed,
the lover, accompanied by friend, goes
to the home of the bride and SAYS to the
mother-"show US your merchandise, we
have got money" The Ancient Assyr-


ans deserve some credit for the custom
they Introduce every year they put all
their beauties up to auction, ,and the prices
that were given for these were applied by
way of portion for those who were not
beautiful. Thus all, of both sorts, got
married the one for their beauty the
other for the money which beauty not
their own had gained for them. They
made sensuality give dowry to avarice !;
but still marriage was lottery.
Year: 1862

An editor describes kissing scene as
"a solemn and interesting OCCASION
probably because he was not allowed to
participate.


1t is said that "the pen is mightier
than the sword" Neither are Of much
use without the holder.
Year: 1862

Some people have wondered at the high
praise given SEDaw1cKs Division in the
battle of Fair Oaks and particularly at the
honors won by our Minnesota First, with q
loss Of only four men killed and wounded.
A correspondent Of the Herald throws some
light on the subject. He says:


"A popular error prevails in regard to the
fighting qualities displayed by different reg
iments in the same action. Many people,
perhaps majority of the readers OF news
papers, conclude that the regiment which
shows the largest list Of killed and wound
ed, has done the hardest fighting. This is
popular error. The regiment that is ham
died with the most skill in approaching the
enemy, and which makes the most ener.
getic and overwhelming charge upon them,
suffers much less than one which is awk-
wardly posted, which neglects to throw out
skirmishers and is brought in front of the
fire at disadvantage. In a recent battle
certain regiment, whose Colonel sat be.
hind woodpile holding his horse during
the action, sustained heavy loss at the first
volley of the enemy and but little execution
was done by that regiment. Iheregiments
who charged upon the enemy and saved the
fortunes of the day, and secured the victory,
show much smaller lose than the enemy
alluded to. Those who judge of battalions
by the results in killed and wounded, would
doubtless conclude, in this and in similar in.
stances, that the most inefficient and waver-
ing were the bravest.
Year: 1862

The New York Times of Mondoy has an
article which appears to be an apology for
MCCLELLANs delay in attacking Richmond
One of the reasons assigned is terrible
storm on Monday succeeding the battle OF
Fair Oaks, which sweled the streams he has
to cross, so as to render them almost im-
passahle for several days. By the dispatches
published yesterday, we learn that the storm
continued for week or more afterwards.


The article goes on to show that the Con.
federate army numbers 100000 men, and
that it is we'll disciplined and determined to
make desperate defence of Richmond, and
that it is wiser to overrate than to under-
rate the strength of the enemy.


We quote the conclusion of the article:


There is DO reason why General McClel-
Ian, or the Government, in the present as.
peet of affairs, should run any risk whatever
of defeat or even half victory in front OF
Richmond. 1t is the last stronghold OF
the rebels. At every other point their power
has been broken and their armies scattered.
A decisive victory here ends the campaign,
if not the war. We can take our own
time,-and can make victory absolutely
certain. Indeed, it is our duty to do
80 before we venture upon fight. If the
general contest we're undecided, if our
armies were needed elsewhere, if delay in-
volved loss to US and augmented strength
to the enemy, or if our cause needed the
prestige of victory, or of desperate attempt
to secure it, there would be reason for tak-
ing risks, and for trusting to superior valor
and endurance, without regard to numbers
But to do so now would be crime-one
which, if the attempt were not crowned by
success, would incur the swift and lasting
reprobation of the people upon the authority,
whether military or civil, who should prove
to have been responsible for it. We do
not believe that either General Mcclellan
or President Lincoln will take any such risk,
orput the Union cause in any such needless
jeopardy.


1t is not unlikely that we may hear Of an
assault upon Richmond at any moment.
When we do we shall have the utmost con-
fidence in its success: for we do not believe
that Mcclellan will incur for himself, bis
army, the Government and the Union, the
enormous risks of an assault for which he
cannot predict an absolute and nearly cer~
tain success,-unless, indeed, he should be
ordered persmptorily from Washington to
make it; and we have too much reliance on
the Presidents prudence to believe that any
such order will issue. If, on the other hand
the movement is not made at once, we shall
find full justification for the delay in the
necessity OF providing for the co operation
of other forces, in order to secure that cer-
tainty of success to which, in the present
condition Of affairs, the country is entitled.
Year: 1862




ton.


Paymaster's Clerks 500 per annum, and 10
cents per day when actually on duty.


Chaplain in volunteers SAG So


In addition TO the pay above stated, one ra-
ton per day and an abunaant supply of good
clothing is allowed to every soldier. Quarters.
fuel and medical attendance are always provided
by the Government without deduction from the
soldiers pay. Ii a soldier should become disabled
in the line of his duties the law provides for m
pension or he may, if he prefer it, obtain ad
mission into the Military Asylum, which will
afford him comfortable home so long as he may
wish to receive its benefits.


To the above pay for private soldiers must be
added the additional So month to be paid du
ring service, the 500 bounty at the end Of the
war, which has already been provided for. and
the quarter section of land that Congress will
provide for at its coming session. The bounty
and land apply to officers and privates alike.
Year: 1862

~ A number Of gentlemen who have been
appointed assessors and collectors under the
new tax act, for the State Of New York, are
now in town. They nay that the pay Is so
small that they cannot consent 70 accept the
appointment unless they bsvs An increase Of
salary. They sgrse, however, II tho Depart
ment will urge upon Congress an increase Of
pay, which We understand the Department hss
agreed 10 do, TO serve.
Year: 1862

FISED.-James Connel arrested for assault
with aEdeadly weapon Saturday afternoon
plead guilty to the charge Of disorderly con-
duct at the Police Court yesterday morning,
and was let of with fine of fire dollars.
Year: 1862

All don't be sorrowiul darling,


And don't be sorrowful, pray;
Taking the year together my dear.


There isn't more night than day.
'Tis rainy weather. my darling,


Times waves they heavily run
But taking The year together my dear,


There isn't more cloud than sun!
We are old folks now, my darling,


Our heads are growing gray
But taking the year ali round, my dear,


You willaIways find the May
We have had our May, my darling,


And our roses long ago;
And the time OF the year is coming, my dear
For the silent night and the snow.
And God is God, my darling,


OF night as we'll as OF day
And we feel and know that we can go


Wherever He leads the way
Az, God OF the night, my darling


OF the night oil dealh so grim
The gate that leads out Of lie, good vile,
is the gate that leads 10 Him.
Year: 1862

SIVI IHHH1 INHHI1E


AN SATURDAY MORNING LAST, A MAN
" calling himself W. ]. TERRY, hired from Q horse
and buggy with the avowed object OF going into the
try for bis wife, with the pledge that be would return
Saturday night Sunday morning Said Terry has not
returned and have learned that be did 20 the
tlemans house be said he going TO- have doubt
he is villain and may be spy in the country. He
rather shabby dressed dark clothes dark hair and black
small roam, with his left hind leg white and somewhat
from scratches The buggy black straight body and
considerably worn learn he took the road TO Haywood
or some other point in Chatham County will give $s5
for his apprehension and the delivery Of the property to
JAS. ID. HARRlS.


Raleigh, n. c., Jan. %, 1852. ST.
Year: 1862




Dear Record Your valuable and interes-
ting paper still continues TO reach me with
wonderful regularity, reminding NE of old Butte,
my former place Of abode. I should sag, from
your general account and appearance, that
Oroville was in fourishing condition. Well
I remember the first excitement and rush there
in fact, the first cabin is still in many of our
minds eye All this is gratifying to me, for
my thoughts still love to linger around that
locality. There is something about old Butte
county, and your town. that am proud of, for
it strikes me that had something to do with
its early history and yet retain silent interest
therein.


There is not much going on here, except
numbering which is carried oD extensively. |
am in the trade myself f-not exactly steam
mill, but a shingle-machine that IS
shave shingles by hand, and split posts, for ez-
port by main strength and awkwarduess.-
Wouldn't you printer men like to see me at 1t?


ID. Witt well known to most Of you,
came along to-day and like all other officers
of the law. was seeking whom be might devour
Witt looks fresh and fat he is getting quite
pussy" He Is deputy Sheriff and makes an
efficient and popular officer. He was the re
cplent Of magnificent chronometer watch Of
rare qualities, and about the size of tin-plate,
beautifully chased and wrought by some ex-
perienced worker in tin-plate- It is said to be
the uaiquest thing Of the kind that has
been turned out Of Shook & Co.'S tin-shop 10
some time. \ presentation speech was made,
to which Witt responded in his most happy
stvle His bussum was Dustin and overflow
ing with emotions Of gratitude running in the
direction of his many frieuds-the Donors
Witt is pugilistic, also. He had chunk of q
fight here lately, and came out best, when be
announced himself on it, 10 an unlimited ex
tent He could knock dry limbs off from any
body; could dance round bis antagonist like q
cooper round cask. He was magnanimou:
to bis fallen foe. helped him up. asked him tc
drink some tangle-foot whisky and made it up


Capt Smith, live Oak Indian Agent
called on me the other day. He looks as rosy
and hale as when he started his horse power
for mining purposes on the bluff near Oroville,
He is said to be the most faithful and efficient
manager that has been on Mendoeino ReserFa,
ton The receipt OF the news assuring Us o'
the success Of our armies. and the "ip'hs Ou'
Of rebellion, delights all respectable people III
these parts. IA f-i-'-'''
Year: 1862

The idea which has prevailed for long time
that all the beautiful and inviting portions of
the State commenced at line Just this side of
San Mateo running through the valley of Santa
Clara, and so on down, to the fruitful vineyards
of Los Angeles, is by no means correct one :;
for the great North presents advantages in To-
cation, scenery and beauty, equally great with
those which lie in district supposed TO be
more favored In travelling short time since
in several of the Northern Counties, we we're
forcibly struck with the natural beauty of the
country through which we passed. The season
was most propitious, and as vegetation of all
kinds was at its height or approximating there
unto. our interest in what we saw was pro-
portionatelv heightened. Circumstances ren
dering it necessary for US TO rest day or two
from our travels, we concluded to transfer
ourselves from the easy riding coach of the
California Stage Company, to the well kept
and hospitable hotel of Johnston & Wetherbee,
at Chico, Butte county.


Chico is about midway between Orovie and
Tehama, being twenty eight miles from the lat
fer. and twenty five from the former, and is d.
rectly on the great line of stage communication
from Sacramento TO Portland, Oregon. Coming
to it as we did in the evening, as the sun was
putting off his bright raiment of the day TO as
sumo the dusky robes of night, the appearance
of all the surroundings were such as induced
us to say here will we pitch our tent to-
night"


Chico is noted particularly for its being the
property of Major John Bidwell, one of TIE
earliest of the settlers who made their home in
the valley of the Sacramento, when California
was comparatively wilderness. Mr.. Bidwell.
it will be recolected. candidate before
the Union Democratic Convention of July 4th.
for Governor, but being no politician, was de
feated in his aspirations but any man with
such magnificent property as he possesses,
could very eassly gain consolation for not be-
ing able to win the smiles of INSCRIPTIONS
politicians by returning to the shades of such
splendid domain. The tract which has been
patented to him comprises somewhere in the
neighborhood of twenty thousand acres of the
finest and most productive land in the State
yielding as matter Of course, an immense
revenue, the greater portion of which is ex
pended by the owner in further developing the
resources of the country which surrounds it,
and improving the property directly around
him. A great many would possess this great
tract of land, and Ike the ahsentees of ireland,
take the immense revenues which it would
yield and expend it elsewhere, leaving the
great heart which supplied the arteries of his
profits without the nourishment which con-
tinued drain upon lis vitals required. 1t may
be said that the vast tract of land owned by
Major Bidwell is too much for one man to own.
In one sense 1t may be-in that Of which we
have just spoken; but when man properly
disposes of the greater part of the income de
rived from such good fortune, why it is a bless
ing instead of an evil that it has been so dis.
posed.


Travellers TO and from the extreme Northern
portion of the State will recollect that the
Year: 1862

Many persons have an entirely err
roneous idea Of what confscaiion Justly
means and is. They suppose it consists
in giving every individual soldier the
privilege Of seiziag and appropristing
whatever he can lay his hands upon to
his own use or dispose Of it as he pleas
es. Nothing can be wider Of tie mark
;han this. Confscation does not mean
robbery, but it means the seizure of an
enemy's property and lis appropriation
to the cause Of the country.


All property.of whatever description,
taken by an army. or BY squads. should
be cast into the treasury-thai is, il
should not be appropriated By the indi-
yidual captors. but put into the common
fund. to be legally applied in aiding tc
liquidate the expenses Of the war.


Occasionally. under peculiar circum.
stances. town or district is given owe,
TO the soldiers of an army TO 'piilage'
that is the troops by special permit
are allowed TO steal all Mey can find
1t is, however, STEALING after all, only
it is done under cover of military law
But the horrors which always attend
upon permit to pillage should deter
any commander from resortiug to SC
barbarous custom, where the innocent
must always suffer with the guilty.


Some men suppose that under the
law Of Congress for the confscation oI
rebel property, any soldier is licenced
TO steal all he can find. This is a fa,aI
mistake. Congress never intended to
make the Union armies so many hordes
Of thieves and robbers, which they
would be if thus left to act. No, thank
Heaven, such villainy as that we leave
10 the rebels. with The great thief Floyd
to aid in leading them on. But we dc
want the property Of rebels taken by
our armies and delivered up for confs-
cation and use. to defray the expenses
OF the war; and we want every general
and soldier to be faithful, not only in
taking The property. but conveying it to
the proper place and using it.


The troops are paid stipulated price
for their services. and they have no
right TO pocket the money or goods TAX
en- from the rebels. All they take be-
longs to Uncle Sam, and it is stealing
from him, not from the rebels when a
soldier appropriates what lie seizes TO
his own use.


If farmer employs man to husk
his corn, and the man take one hall, one
fourth or one etenlh Of what he husks
and carries it off for his own purposes,
no one would hesitate 10 call it stealing;
but j. is not whit more SO than il the
United States were the farmer, soldiers
the workmen and rebel property the
corn.
Year: 1862




The Enquirer says that in some places
below, the river is so narrow that if the
trees on the banks were only torn up by
the roots and tumbled in, they would prove
an obstruction very difficult to remove
This is true enough, and it should be tried
A raft like that on the Red River could
be formed from this city to Westover.
with comparatively little difficulty. The river
is so narrow that men stationed along the
banks with rifles could pick off every Yankee
that dared to show himself, and without show
ing themselves they cannot remove the OBJ
stacles. At Presquile it is many miles around,
and only half mile across the land. By prop.
er distractions, and the proper distribution of
marksmen, the passage might be rendered i'm
possible for gunboat


The panic with respect to gunboats, arising
out of the disaster at New Orleans, seems to
be fast dying away. These gunboats can
shell city, and burn il down. But when
they FIRE On troops on land they have not
proved themselves by any meaus formidable.
A dozen sharpsho0ters on their decks would
do far more execution to column on shore
than dozen gunboats. Such, we hear, is the
experience of this war. Cannon placed on a
bluff, 80 as to fire down On them, is more than
a match for them. They cannot reach them
with their guns, which have only horizontal
range. Mortar boats alone could attempt it,
and they could not succeed.


We believe there is no danger to be appre.
hended from the ensmy's boats ascending the
river to this city. Still we hope nothing will
be left to chance. Let US 90 on adding obstruc.
ton to obstruction until there shall be no
longer any room for distractions.
Year: 1862

tfonN confidence IN their own proves, and do
not believe that they win be overcome on the
trial Of strength. This ia the proper temper
for soldiers, and it il the surest harbingsrs of
success. Their country ymen-and what ID more,
their oountrywomsn-have reposed equal
trust in them. They believe their cause to BE-
safe in their hands, andthey resign themselves
to hope, unnixed with fear for the event.


Yet 1t must not be imagined that the war is
TO be short, or that it ia to bs decided by afsw
violent, spasmodic efforts. II promises, on
the other hand, to be long and deadly strug.
gls-e struggle that may last for years, and
call for au the courage and al the fortituds
Of which ws are mastsra Many bloody
field must be stricken before We can arrive At
the conclusion which ill desire, but which is
not yet within the view Of any. We shall
still. doubtless, be often called on to exercise
the virtues Of fortituds and perseverance. We
shall often meet with rsverses, and trials Of
faith, Bnt 90 surely az we are firm and
united people, 90 surely will our success bs
complete in the end. The worst is over. We
have been tried in the furnace of affection,
and we have been found equal to the task OF
enduring the worst that can be put upon us.
Our sutfsrings hereafter will be LEES, because
they will be borne with less effort


We have never entertained doubt that we
were more than match for the Yankees on
land, at distance from their boats. We have
ssen nothing, 90 far, to shake this conviction
in the slightest degree. In the Peninsula not
less than in the Valley. and on the Mississippi,
we shall now have constant opportunities of
testing his strength at distance from these
formidable auxiliaries. Already fortune be-
gins to turn, and she will remain with us if we
continue true to ourselves.
Year: 1862

How Far the United States are One
People-The Defense OF Local In
stitutions not Rebcllion-A War
upon Them is War upon the
Principles Of the CONSTITUTIONAL
IS Revolution North as we'll as
Sontli-lts Fatal Effects at Home
and Abroad.
Year: 1862

In the present war, unparalleled both in its
nature and extent amoug all the wars of histo-
ry, from the time of our first parents to the
present hour, the Importance of union in SEN
timent and aim, to the cause of the Free States.
is sufficiently apparent.


That the South, in their rebellion, have such
bond, is as clear as the cloudless MONDAY
sun-its effects, though in the cause of wrong,
are proportioned to the threefold cord of con-
venience, property and pride-all strengthened
by the very essence of system which edu-
Gates the child, from his cradle, to the domin-
ion Of unbridled will; and is utterly repug-
nant to all governments, but despotism which
cultivates despotism in the family, subordi-
nate only to itself; but is especially repugnant
TO that of republic. That Free and Slave
States should permanently prosper under a
government that declares all men are born
free and equal, is both a solecism and contra
diction in direct TERMS


Surely we must all now be convinced that
this is practically as well as theoretically true !:
and when we see that the Slave States, as
Year: 1862

At present the contest is that Of twenty
men living at long distance away, going
to fight eleven men at home; result doubt
full. When the blacks are permitted to
help the North the contest will then be
twcnty-four men against seven, and part
of the former at home and familiar with
the country and its resources. Result no
longer doubtful re5els soon thrashed to
their hearts content
Year: 1862

him concealed in heap Of stones at the edge
Of the BASIN He was captured and given into
custody. He had abstracted three dollar
BILL md some specie from the satchcl and left
it IN bis hiding place, after having thrown the
Batchel into the basin.
Year: 1862

Vallandingham's definition of an Abolition
ist is perfect. Said he in his late speech at Day
ton Whoever is in favor of arming the slaves
or of declaring slavery abolished by executive or
military proclamation, is an Abolitionist.'


Then jeff. Davis and those who do his dirty
work are Aboitionists of The rankest kind, for
they were the first to do just what the traitor
Vallandingham denounces they not only favor
the arming Of negroes, hut have already armed
seven regiments in North Carolina.
Year: 1862

THE Auburn AdDocah uses twenty three ad
jectives in speaking OF Phil Lynch and his paper,
all of which are anything but complimentary in
their import to Lynch aud the Courier Grass
Valley National


And anything but creditable to Bull and his
AdUocate, in our opuon.