smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1862

cution Of this war until the final overthrow Of
the Rebellion, and as means to that end are
you for the Proclamation I She determined
that her answer should be unmistakable; that
whatever might elsewhere betide, she at least
had not sent her sons to the field to betray
them at the polls. First in the war; she will
be the last to abandon the principles on which
alone the war can be successful. They UNDER
lie her own foundations; she summons the ma
ton to place itself beside her.
Year: 1862

We trust this paper has no reader that
would have US SO far forget our sclf.respect
as to treat seriously the monstrous lies daily
uttered concerning this journal by The Herald


Its assertion that Count Gurowski is the Wash
ington correspondent of THE TRBUNE-that
we eYeg cbsrpctegized tto Federal Constitution
Year: 1862

Miners are now returning in great numbers
from Powder river, and the news they bring in
relation to the mining prospects there isnot at all
encouragingj yet not wholly satisfactory as to
whether there are mines there that will pay
for working. While the great majority of the
testimony is against the dggngs, there are those
who profess a belief that when the snow disap-
pears from the mountains SO that prospecting can
be done to advantage, paying mines will be found.
Thus far all the prospecting has been done on
ground covered with from one to two feet of snow,
and of course it has been by no means thorough.
The waters are said to be very high, SO that pros
pecting along the banks and on the bars of the
river is impossible. The majority of the returned
POloderites with whom we have conversed report
that they could find the color in almost all of
the gulches along Powder river and seem to be
impressed with the idea that there must be more
extensive deposits somewhere in that region. -
This is not improbable In fact, we are not will
ling to believe that the men who have been min
ing there have been wilfully humbaggng the peo-
pie in relation to their diggings They have new

er reported them as exceedingly rich nor exten-
slve; but have expressed belief that with proper
appliances they could make from SIG to 500 per
day, in the claims where they were at work and
also that the prospects they had obtained else
where in that locality indicated paying dig
gings." These reports, as usual in all such cases,
have grown by travel,' and the misfortune is
that the great majority who have gone thither
have done SO expecting to find the diggings with
out prospecting for them, and placers as rich as
those of Salmon river. With such elevated no
tons, it is but natural, as an honest miner ex-
pressed it to US the other day, that they could
not come down all of suddent to S. or $40 dig
gings-'specially when Salmon river was still
ahead" This argument has its weight at least
and we are the more confirmed in the teliefth that
disappointed on their arrival there in finding they
had to do something else than stoop to pick up
the gold-the prospecting has been done as if
they expected to find nothing, from the fact
that large number of those who have returned
report that they did no prospecting themselves,
but that others did, and they have been satisfied
to turn back merely upon the representations of
those who have possibly been as little of faith
as they


We do not propose to enter special plea in
favor of the Powder river mines but the facts
before us-the statements ofmen, who are vouched
fer by good citizens that they have found good
diggings, and their exhibition of fine specimens of
coarse oOld obtained there the foot fbo+ ,,o,,
have gone there with too enlarged ideas of the
mines and done all their prospecting with snow
and high waters opposing them, and with minds
only half satisfied that they had gone thither in
stead of to Salmon-warrants the belief at least,
that the cry of humbug is premature
Year: 1862

LEwIsoN.-A correspondent writing
from Lewiston, under date of 18th inst,
says:


" In my judgment-resting on certain
contingencies-business will be great Y
overdone here this summer. Too many
merchants are coming here by half How
ever, if goods do not reach here faster than
they have the merchants themselves will
be undone. The river seems to be at a
stand-still to-day, and lot holders will pos
sibly be able in a few days to point out
their corners without TIE use of canoes.
Still, from all accounts, there is a heap of
snow in the Salmon mountains yet to flow
down this way; and if it should get as ex-
tremely warm up there as it was here du-
ring one or two days last week, our tents
won save US, and he who dsres then to
question our right to the title of &" The Sac
ramento of the upper country" shouli be
compelled to meet the angry waters face to
face This is certainly great town-that
is, it will be, if Snake river don't rise too
high nor fall too low
Year: 1862




EDS. STATESMAN Il wish to make few inqui-
res relative to the state of finances in this county,
| have Just been informed that the revenue aris-
ing under the provisions of the license law has
amounted, during the past year, to near four thou
sand dollars. The inquiry naturally suggests it.
self to my mind, what has become of this money
to say nothing about what has been collected in
the way of taxes, ETC.


When consider the fact that there has not
been single legally laid out road in the county,
and not even bridge, of small or large dimen-
sions, built at the expense of the county, and no
other expenditures of public nature, l am puz-
zled to know in what manner the county revenue
is expended There is considerable inquiry upon
this subject at the present time.


The farmer who pays his lax punctually has a
Just right to expect proper disbursement of his
quota. If it requires the poll tax, the license tax
and the personal property tax, to support the
county machinery, for the credit of the county,
the sooner we go into liquidation the better. Let
US wine out aud commence anew.


With all the revenue Of the county to back it
UP and ray the expenses, the county scrip, which
ought to be equivalent to cash, has only nom
iral value. | have heard it said that it will not
command over sixty cents on the dollar, and is
dull at that 1t seems to me there is screw
loose somewhere. If some of your correspond
ents can give the desired information, the public
will be enlightened upon the subject, and the mind
of a tax payer relieved. TAX PAYER.
Year: 1862

Grand Ronde and Powder River Vallies.


The following letter from disappointed
Powderite, should, perhaps, be read with some
allowance for prejudice" ]


EDS. STATESMAN For the information of
those who may be curious upon the subject, l
ask space to say few words in relation to the
Grand Ronde valley. | left the Dales for Pow
der river about the 1st April travelled through
snow, mud, rain, over mountains and through
water, until | reached my destination. Found
no gold, of course But that is "neither here
nor there )" though thorough prospecting, at
the proper season, may result in the discovery Of
gold in the latter place. At the Dalles, l was
told By honest @ dis-1nterested men that the
Grand Ronde Valley the most magnificent
of the vallies of the North Pacific fine grazing
country, with a climate the most salubrious
found it indeed a "magn6cent' country-for
ducks and geese A great portion of the valley
is now overfown, with water from six inches to
four fee: and upwards in depth, and where the
emigrant road passess it is utterly impossible to
travel. But limited portion of the valley can
be said to be good for agricultural purposes, and
that portion lies along the foolhils-strips ir, m
one to three miles wide-though much of this
is sandy, and not well adapted to the purposes
for which it has so great a name abroad. The
overflow lands, which it is natural to suppose are
the richest as to soil, may possibly be reclaimed
by dtching but this is an experiment for the
future pioneer to make. Those who speak OF
the Grand Ronde valley as a superior agricultural
country, or as possessing inducements in this res
pect equal, CT even approximaling to, those OF
the Walla Walla valley are unquestionably mis-
taken and if they speak earnestly and believing
ingly they have evidently never seen it in its
present condition. By the middle of the sum-
mer perhaps, the water on the overhowed lands
disappears, and after that time, until the fall
freshets. they may afford good grazing. But the
Grand Ronde valley, as it now is, can not truth
fully be called a superior farming country.


The Powder river valley is pleasant place, in
appearance, and from what | saw of its soil, |
jude that it contains sufficient strength for the
growth Of sage brush. Yours.


OK THE WAY
Year: 1862

FRIEND LUD AS friend of mine is returning
to Walla Waa from here, will send you a few
lines. We arrived here on the 21st inst, after a
very hard trip, l can assure you. We had to
shovel our way though snow from one to four
feet deep for twenty-eght miles-that was from
the summit of the Blue mountains to Grand
Ronde valley. We found no snow in the valley !;
but very sof, and mirey from there to Powder
river valley. We had considerable snow and a
mighty sight of mud Now a word about the
mines. They are on the east fork of the river,
and are distant from the Grand Ronde valley
about flty-fye miles. have been round con-
siderable, and have prospected some, and think
that | am safe in saying that the men who have
told such marvellous stories about $40 to $50 per
day having been dug here have perverted the
truth, or in Pike county language, have lied like
the deUI l think, from appearances, that this is
gold bearing country, but different from any
thing that l have seen. We can find better
prospect on the top Of the ground than on the
bed rock and we can find the color in any of
the little gulches but as yet have not been able
to find anything that we think Will pay. The best
that has ever been made here any day has oeen
twelve dollars per day, and that only for one day.
The most of the men that came in when | did are
going back, badly discouraged, and many them
without striking lick washing pan of dirt


There are some twenty-five men in my camp
who intend staying couple of months and pros
pectine the country thoroughly. 1t is very diff
cult prospecting now. The streams are all very
high and the snow deep. There is no man on
earth that can tell what kind of diggings may be
found here. Respectfully yours


J. NJ. KIRKPATRICK.
Year: 1862

THE COMING CRoPs.-The unusual backward
ness of the crops This spring is source of general
remark-that the like has not been known here
abouts before. The late rains, however, have had
tendency to increase the prospect, and we are
informed by farmers that the grain generally looks
well, particularly the barley and oats. Much Of
the corn is still out of the ground, and late as
it is good deal will be planted yet. For the
growth of corn, we presume there is not better
place on the Pacific coast than the Walla Walla
valley.
Year: 1862

FROM THE DALLEs.-We learn from
the Dalles that the lower part of that town
was overfown on Tuesday morning-the
water then being nearly up to the Una
tilla House, and still rising. The prospect
was that the town would be almost entire
lv submerged.
Year: 1862

CosTKAD1crIoN.-A dispatch to the ST. Louis Re-
publican states that there is the highest authority
for saying that there is no truth in the report that
the recent rebel flag of truce, brought to head
quarters here a communication threatening the


lives of the hostages, Col. Corcoran and others, in
the event of the execution of the Missouri bridge
burners. There is in the communication no allu-
sion whatever to that subject.
Year: 1862

Vn0hihktoub CuUs 80, loOS.
Sir: The President Of the United States beipg
satisfied that the following instructions contra.
vene no law In force In this District, and that
they can be executed without awaiting for leg.
islation by Congress, I am directed by him to
convey them to you:


As Marshal of the District of Columbia you
will not receive into custody any persons
claimed to be held to service or labor within
the District or elsewhere, and not charged with
any crime or misdeneanor, unless upon arrest
or commitment, pursuant to law, MS fugitives
from such service or labor; and you win not
retain any such fugitves In custody beyond a
period of thirty days from their arrest and
commitment, unless by special order of com.
petent civil authority.


You will forthwith cause publication to be
made of this order, and at the expiration OF
ten days therefrom you will apply the same to
all persons so claimed to be held to service or
labor, and now in your custody.


This order has no relation to any arrests
made by military authority.


lam, sir, your obedient servant,
febl-lw WILLIAM b. SEWARD.
Year: 1862

Often we have sounded the tocsin before and
now we sound it again! Men of Ncwbern, of
Craven and adjoining counties, are you ready ?
According to reports given out by party
just through from the North, (and who, though
under cloud, has been kindly received here)
and rumors from other sources the blow is to
fall within ten or fifteen days. Now we ask,
in all candor, if there be reason to believe
these reports, ought not our Home Guard "
and militia" to be drill ng day and night with
such arms as they possess or can command?
They say we are in danger; We may be or
we may not be, but the reports which have
reached US justify action, and we will add that
he vino refuses to act now is traitor to his
country, traitor to his home and a traitor to
his God Men of Newbern, of Craven, of
Eastern Carolina, We appeal to you to enter
the field, and, your homes and families being
menaced, let your war cry be, Liberty or
Death !"
Year: 1862

The Tableaux and concert at the Theatre for
the last two nights has furnished our people
one of the most fruitful seasons Of amusement
and fun they have enjoyed since the war COM
menced and we venture to say, the most pleas
ing and satisfactory entertainments they have
had for many years. We did BOT get to see
more than half the performance owing to the
late hour at which we were able to go and the
immense crowd in attendance, but so far as we
did see and are able to judge, all performed
their part we'll and the universal expression of
sentiment was that the whole affar was a
grand and brilliant success.


We promised in or last to notice the mat
ter at some length this morning and intended
TO partcuarlze upon it, but its use Every
body saw and enjoyed it and we are
sure an attempt at description and par
tcularizing on our part, would only de-
tract froDa the enjoyment of the i've OF
six hundred persons who were present and
saw for themselves. And besides, after going
to bed thinking about it, dreaming about it all
night and getting up thinking about it, it still
fingers upon our mind, a conglomeration OF
pleasing emotions and sensations, suca as
nothing but a dream can leave


Suffice it to say, that the Tableaux represen-
tations were splendid and the vocal and instru-
mental music truly seraphic. "The old North
State" s'Dixe" and Lula is gone" moved
the audience with the widest emotion. Dixie
was so magnifcently performed that one mar
in the anti-room could not contain him
SELF So electrified was he at the heavenborr
strain that it took two men to restrain him from
inflicting breach in the walls of the building
with his large stick.


The prime object of the entertainment being
to replenish the treasury of the "Ladie's Cra
ven County Aid Society,"" we are happy t.
say it was very satisfactorily done, tn
Treasurer having recovered about $500 for th'
two nights.
Year: 1862

A part of General Heintzelmans command
celebrated Christmas day by going in search Of
the enemy Late last night information was
received that the rebels were about to collect
quantity of forage at Mnson's Neck-that a
rebel flag was flying from Pohick church, and
if Union troops would show themselves on
Pohick Hill, the enemy would probably be
there to give them battle. Accordingly early
this morning, four regiments of infantry, with
Oapt Reamos battery and two squadrons of
the First New Jersey cavalry, the whole in
cammand of General Jamison, proceeded along
the telegraph road to Pohick church, Il miles
from Alexandria.


When our troops reached the hill they were
drawn up IN lines of battle. squad of rebel
cavalry was seen on hill a mile or more
to the right. The battery was Immediately
placed in position, and one shot fired at them.
They scampered off in moment Our forces
waited a couple of hours, but nothing more
was seen of the rebels during the day. No
rebel flag was found floating from Pohick
church, and General Jamison, finding that the
enemy was not disposed to except the oppor-
tunity for skirmsh, returned with his com
mand late in the evening.


After his return the band Of Colonel Hays
regiment visited his headquarters, just before
tattoo. and serenaded him.


The troops were delighted at the mannerin wict
they spent Christmas Day, but were somewhat
disappointed that they did not have brush
with the enemy.
Year: 1862

The G. S. War steamer jamestown sailed from
this port few days ago, and is probably now in
convenient position to aid her consort, the Fat
lick Henry, in amy event that may transplre -,
The gun boat Teazer, now at our wharves, Will
soon be ready for active opera.ions.- Rich DIS
n0tch
Year: 1862

The progress of events on that portion OF our
seaboard which it was expected would become
the scene of Immediate hostilities, was not sueh
on Yesterday as the exciting rumors OF tne
previous day had led people to expect; AT
Coles island all was perfectly quiet. Ihe re.
Year: 1862

AS none OF the morning papers were pub-
lished this morning, we issue the suhjoined
summary of the latest news In an extra IN
order to crafty the public curiosity to ascer-
tain, at the earliest moment, everything that
transpires
Year: 1862




The Richmond Dispatch Of the 4.h inst, gives
the following account of gentleman directly
from Baltimore


From the same source We learn that recruiting
for the United States army is an uphill busi-
ness in Maryland. With ell the efforts tha.
had been made, and pathetic appeals through
the war newspapers, not more then twenty men
had enlisted in Baltimore up 70 the 2jih Of July.
There seems 20 be a pervadiBg consciousness
that the States quota cannot be raised without
resort to draft. Yet it IS feared that this step
cannot be taken without danger to the abolition
cause. Already large numbers oil young men
are preparing to leave should the alternative be
adopted and Of those who remain there will be
found but few who can be depended on to fight
On the side Of the North


ID -serteTs from the Federal army daily pass
through the southern counties Of Maryland,
going home, and the people help them along on
their way very willingly. Some of these men
say that they have been deceived-that they
didn't enlist to fight for niggers but the ma
jority declare that they have seen enough Of the
elephant and are tired of the war They oc-
cssiOnaly Cffer their rsvOlvers for sale to the
citizens at a low price, and our informant pur-
chased a very fine Colts pistol of one Of them
for thee dollars. An incident occurred recently
in Calvert county which Is worth relating. Two
deserters from the lst Massachusetts regiment
visited the house Of gentleman and begged for
food which he readily gave them, and while
they Wer5 eating lie recalled to mind the fact
that on a previous occasion his dwelling had
been plundered and many valuable articles, in
cluding his Wifs's watch stolen by the Yankees
and he now recognized in bis guests two of the
party who were engaged in that neiariOus trans
action. He mentioned the circumstance, but
they stoutly denied al knowledge Of it they
had never been in that neighborho0d before.
The gentleman then called his Irish overseer and
asked if ne had ever seen these individuals, and
could remember any incident in connection with
them Patrick gsz3d at them for a moment and
exclaimed" Faith, they arc the same bloody
thaves that stole me only pair Nv shirts ~ Two
negro men were then quietly sent for, and the
hapless Yankees, having been stripped and tied,
were subjected to an indefinite number of
stripes, wsll laid on By the willing hands Of the
" contrabands." Now" said the ge ntleman,
when he turned them loose, " go and tell your
master, Lincoln, that two negroes have fogged
you from your heads to your heels"
Year: 1862

FROM GoRDoNsYILE-A number Of per-
sons arrived in this city yesterday evening from
different parts of Orange county. They being
no specific piece of news There is a general
belief about Gordonsvile that the enemy design
an immediate advance. There was a rumor in
that town yesterday that the Yankees had sd-
vanced in force 20 a point six miles northeast Of
GordonsviIle. Picket firing and slight skirmisE-
ing between the advance guards of the opposing
armies is said to be kept up continuslly-Rick-
gaOAd Examiner Isl.
Year: 1862

cy The Board of Directors Of the Pot
tawattamie Agricultural Society, held .
meeting short time since, to consider the
propriety Of holding Fair the present year.
After thorough canvassing of the ques-
ton it was determined to make the effort;
and accordingly, a committee was appointed
TO decide on the best place Of holding the
Fair, and also committee to prepare a
Premium List.
Year: 1862

TIE CANAL LEN1ARGEMEST.-The bill to en-
large the Illinois and Michigan Canal is to
come up in the House on Thursday Of next
week. If :,ny action is intended hy cur citi-
zens in aid Of the project, there is no time to
Year: 1862

Explorations Mt Aquia and Potomac


Crceks-Rebel Parties ScOuting-COn-


frmatfon OF the Reported Retreat Of


the Rebels from the Rappahannock.


WASHINGTON. April IL, 1862.
On Friday afternoon the steamer Jacob Bell, Lieu
tenant Commanding McCrea, visited Aqua creek.
boats crew was sent ashore, and landed at the water
battery which was found abandoned. The long wharf
had been destroyed but the railroad depot was unn
jured The track had been torn up and the rails and
carried away The quarters Of the rebel troops were
standing All stores Of every description had been re-
moved. Tho battery 10 admirably constructed II con-
tains Eve embrasures with convenences for mounting
pivot gun, and q bombproof and magazine. The guns
had been removed None Of the rebels we're seen in the
neghborhood.


On leaving Aqua creek the Jacob Bell proceeded 10
Potomac creek, where another landing was made
The best battery yet the banks Of the river was
thore discovered It Of large size constructed without
embrasures for sweeping guns The nrenchmsnts were
formidable. The landing party encountered some Of the
rebel pickets The gave chase TO them but nd
ing they being drawn beyond tho range Of the
jacob Bells guns they we're ordered to return.


On Saturday morning the Jacob Bell anchor within
cannon shot OF the water battery at Potomac creek
Another battery was seen in the roar, high hill
When the landing party little than half way
10 the battery largo barge, with about twenty in
t was seen pulling the creek towards the point
on which the battery 10 erected, furthest from the
steamer The whistle was sounded as q signal for the
return Of tho party Subsequently . boats crew
went ashore at farm house lower down
They were joined by several negroes, who escorted
them 10 the farm buildings, which were found charge
Of negro man and woman. The blacks said they had
seen three rebel pickets, one Of whom mounted,
little back in tho woods, q short time before.


while they were talking some more negroes came in,
reporting that they were from the neghborhood OF
Fredericksburg They confirmed the various reports Of
the rebel troops beng beyond that place, and said the
bridge leading thereto had not been destroyed They
further stated that there Arc rebel troops at King
Georges Court Housc These were In great fear Of
being taken alleging that thoy had been threatened 10
be sent TO the mines and kept sndcr ground They
wanted TO be taken board the steamer but Mr. Street
Acting Master, was not authorized 10 take tbem


While the party was on shore several or the rebel
pickes wore seen standing on tho brow Of hill Can
tain McCrca sent shell from his s2pounder after them
which made them fall as II struck by lightning