smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1862

Place barrels or hogsheads on couple Of logs so
as to raise them some eight or ten inches from the
barrels-theu fill with the dirt to be used; pour
water until the dirt is thoroughly saturated su


fciently so that it will leach out the nitre when
drawn off; let it stand twenty-four hours, then
draw off through small spigot holes near the bot
toms Of the barrels. The water drawn off contains
the nitre in solution, and should be stra,ed thro


cloth or carefully poured of so as to free it from
dirt and mudiness intoa clean barrel or tub; then
add clean and strong ley made Of wood ashes, in
portions, giving time to observe the effect. The
lime present will be precipitated. The quantity Of
ley to be added may be ascerta,ned BY frequent tests
made upon small quantity Of the solution in cup
or other small vessel-when tho fdTfh@ addition Of
Year: 1862

NEVER GIVE UP.-The Western Democrat says:


"Let no Southern man think Of giving up. 1t
would be better for all of US to give onehaf of what
we possess 70 sustain the war, than to lose all by
sub jugation and become the subjects of Abe Lin
con."


We 60 further than our friend Yeates. We think
it better that men of means should sacrifice all their
property for the defence of their homes and their
rights, than to submit to the humiliation of defeat
and subjugation. But there are thousands who
talk, talk, about carrying it on, who have hardly
sacrificed red yet for the cause. 1t has been the
means of making fortunes to many such men. In
old times the devil once sad ''all that man hath
will he give for his life" Were he to express an
opinion in this day, he would make different de.
cison. Some men will risk life, character, friends,
and country, for their money or their property.
Year: 1862

The Southern Planters's Convention will soon
convene IN Memphis, for the purpose of taking into
consideration, and adopting such measures as they
may deem essentially necessary for the promotion
not only of their own interest," but that of our COM
mon country. l am in hopes they will not close
their labors, as most other conventions of similar
nature have done in passing nothing but parcel Of
resolutions. If they can conceive of no other meas
one that is better calculated to effect our pur
pose than tie one have suggested-that Of nego-
tiating loan to the government for their entire
crop of cotton-I am in hopes they will recommend
that to the favorable consideration of Congress.
There seems to be two questions of doubt in regard
to that policy. One is, how treasury notes are to
be made circulating medium, and used J the gov
ernment in the payment of its dues. The other is,
at whose risk the cotton will be until it is delivered
or brought into market. In answer to the first,
would say, let the government levy tax, draw
them in and pay them out again in payment Of its
dues-the notes to be redeemed as soon as the cot
ton is sold. In answer to the second, would say,


it ought to be at the risk of the government until
delivered at some depot or navigable stream. Not
that should feel any apprehensions about SO small
a risk, but think l can show that the government
could hold the cotton twelve months as a basis of
credit which is great desideratum with us now !;
then apply the torch to it and burn it up and save
millions of dollars to the government provided We
had to negotiate loan on our bonds at per cent,
which the government is endeavoring to do. Sup
pose the government negotiates loan Of three hun
dred millions of dollars on its bonds, bearing per
cent interest. At the expiration Of twelve months
it would owe three hundred and twenty-four mil
lions. Suppose the government negotiates loan
from the planters for their cotton at ten centssay
two hundred millions, and pays out its treasury
notes bearing no interest for it then issues one
hundred millions more to meet the present necessi
ties which the cotton vrould he worth estmAfin0 II
at fifteen cents then tax the planters and draw in its
notes and pay them out again, at the expiration of
twelve months, supposing the government has every
dollar Of its treasury notes out it would only owe
three hundred millions of dollars, and that to our
own people Whereas, if the whole sum was raised
BY putting its bonds in any foreign market It would
take it from and have tendency to impoverish our
country. -


Aftsr; having held tho cotton 'twslve months y .
Year: 1862

The need of proper arms and ammunition is Sc
verely felt at this moment throughout the Confede-
racy. We have been criminaAy negligent in not
supplying ourselves with them when we had the
chance, bat what we lack in means and material,
must BE made up in pluck,-in firm purpose to
do or die-to accomplish our independence by the
means we have and can command. Our former sue
cesses have been demaging to us-our reliance upon
England and France have been severely so. When
the South, properly viewing her own condition
her own weakness compared with the North-threw
herself upon the right-upon the arm of Divine
Proyidence-trusted to her brave leaders and SOL
ders and to her determination to triumph, nothing
could stand before her. But our successes were &C
compshed with SO little apparent effort, We grew
proud and vaunting We forgot God-drove the
Chapains from the army-became inactive, self.
confident and vainglorious. Our army, many of
them, both officers and men, have become intem-
perate and profane to great extent-and what is
the result2 In every recent conflict we have been
worsted. The upllfted arm of Providence has SEEM
ed to be against US. Let us come back to our first
position. Let US put ourselves in the right Let
the help and the blessing Of Heaven be invoked
let US feel our dependence upon Him, and throw
ourselves upon His strength. Let the country be
purged of lying, and divisions, and partysm, and
drunkenness and profanity and let US come up as
one man to the rescue of our own beloved land, and
victory shall be ours


The contest may be fierce and long continued; !;
but nation of people like ours, resting upon the
right and doing right can never be conquered, if
We resolve net to be.
Year: 1862

basis Of credit government then sets Gre to it and
burns it up, the government would owetwenty.four
millions less thansit vonld owe provided i. raises
the money upon its bonds at par, bearing per
cent interest," based upon the faith and credit u the
government slonA. It woul6 Eaks out 81 the mar
Eet our entire crop Of cotton, which would easbis
tas planters to realize without any dileuaty twenty
Genus Tor its present years crop Of cotton. Which by
estmating the quantity of cotton for The pfesenA
year to be the same as that of the last II would
se tne planters four hundred millions Of doIhrs,
TWO hundred millions of which the planters coulsf
osef 10 the government for its support in the
way oi taxes, and then make as uuch nett profit
irom tneir farms as they would have done if both
crops had oeen brought in the market But SUD.
pose the government does not burn up the cotton,
and issues to the planters two hundred millions Of
dollars for it. then issues 6ty millions to meet ia
present necessities then negotiatcs with England or
France for twenty or thirty men Of war, to be we'll
mounted and loaded with munitions Of war. say fifty
millions more. We say to England We have the
cotton, and we know you want it. and As you are
not disposed to meddle in this Kilkenny cat fight, BY
raising the blockade, furnish US with fifty millions
OF dollars worth of steamships, munitions Of war.
&C., and We will raise it ourtesves, and force our
cotton into your market This would leave debt
OF three hundred millions of dollars. Let the gov
erauent sell the cotton at fifteen cents and it would
pay every dollar due by the government without
taxing the people the first dime. 1t would give US
strong navy, and enable US to carry on this war
successfully. We are aware that the United States
Is now out of money and out of credit, and am
sorry to say the Southern Confederacy has but very
little to brag Of


When two great nations are at war, neither hav-
ing any money or credit the scale turns upon supe-
rior fnanciering. We nave at our back King Cot
ton. ready to WELD its strength in our cause Why
not call 1t to our assistance? It could and would
furnish US with money, with navy, with munitions
of war; and give us more influence over the crowned
heads Of Europe than all the gold of California 1t
IS strange that an intelligent people will suffer
themselves ground down in poverty, when they have
such an inexhaustible source Of wealth at their
command. A COTTON pT, T,ANTER
Roanoke Martin County,
Year: 1862

SECOND NORTH-CAROLINA BATTALION.


In conversation Thursday with Quartermaster
A. II. Shuford, OF Col. Green's Second North Caro-.
lima Battalion, who made his escape from Roanoke
Island the editor Of the Norfolk Day Book, cleaned
the following account Of the part borne by said bat
TALON in the recent engagement with the enemy:


The battalion, consisting of about 900 men, ar
rived in Portsmouth, from Wilmington, on Sunday
night week, and proceeded to Norfolk. They re-
mained here until Wednesday about noon, at which
time they embarked Oh board schooners and bargcs
and started by way Of the canal for Roanoke island


Owing to detentions on the way, over which they
had CONTROL they did not arrive at the Island un-
til about 10 o'clock on Saturday morning When
about four hundred yards from the shore they pro-
ceeded to land by means of small boats. During
the landing they were in full reach of the enemys
guns, and had they turned them upon them, they
would have done great havoc. The brave men,
however, did not fell at all alarmed by the position in
which they were placed but on the contrary, seem
ed willing to face greater danger in order to
assist their comrades in the defence of the Island
In their eagerness to share the battle many of them
jumped into the water and waded up to their arm
pits to the shore, and on reaching it, mmed-
atey threw themselves into line and opened FIRE on
the foe.


In couple Of hours all the men had landed, and
soon found their way to the hottest of the 6ght--
After firing several rounds. however-which had q
telling effect, upon the enemy-they wore ordered
to desist as the Island had been surrendered 1t is
related that during the firing of the Battalion the
enemy were seen to drop like sheep; and at one
time so great the slaughter that the foe hoisted
a white flag as a signal Of distress, which was
promptly noticed by their forces, and regiment Of
Zouaves Immediately sent to their succor. After
being informed that the Island had been surrender
ed every man of the Bat alion coolly broke bis gun
against tree, and threw it into the water.


Although sorry to record the capture of Colonel
Green and the brave men under HIN, it gives US
great satisfaction to state that their commssary
stores. valued at $4,000, were saved through the
exertions Of Quartermaster Shuford, to whose care
they were entrusted All the tents. equipsge, &C.,
&c, belonging to the battalion, excepting one or
two trunks belonging to private perties, was also
saved, together with several 6ne horses belonging
to the Staff.


The loss of the battalion in killed and wounded
was very small


We should have stated that on the arrival of the
battalion in the Sound, Col Green left them and
went to the Island and reported: He was informed
that the days fighting had resulted in the killing Of
only one of our men, and the wounding Of two
Others and that there every prospect ofs victory
to our arms Influenced by this information lac
returned at once and ordered his men forward.
Year: 1862

ROANOKE IsLAsD.-We give lengthy account OF
the Northern report of the taking Of Roanoke Island
to-day. If there be any truth in it, there is GER
tainly for uncharitable reflections upon the
courage of the few vrginians and North. .Caronians
placed there to defend it According to the Yankee
accounts they landed l7,0OO men we'll armed upon
the Island, supported by 81 war vessels. We know
that our force in all did not reach 5000, and we had
only or small steamers. If they call that yic-
tory, let them enjoy it
Year: 1862

A magnificent ball is to come off in Raleigh N.
c., on the 22d instant. The ladies are all to be
dressed in homespun; the gentlemen are to wear
homespun also, and wooden shoes.


We clip the above from an exchange. 1t con-
tains news to the people Of Raleigh-at least, we
have not heard of it At time like this, we in.
cline to the opinion that the Southern people can
be much better employed.
Year: 1862

HUMILIATION AND PRAYER-We observe that in
South Carolina the people are urged to observe the
22nd inst, as day of humiliation and prayer. At
other points other days have been selected The
crisis calls for an appeal to Heaven and for reliance
nnnn His arm.
Year: 1862

/. And it came to pass in process of
time. the proclamation of father Abraham
was sent to the four corners Of the land.
and was read in the vernacular tongue by
all the people, and behold there was great
diversity of sentiment among the people as
to It's meaning, some believed it meant one
thing aud some another, and the people
were undecided


.: And when the Governors of the Pro
vinces beyond the River saw the writing
they met on the top OF an high mountain
apart from their respective Provinces at a
place called in the German tongue Altoona.


3. And when they came together on
the top of the high mountain even on the
top Of Allegheny, they shut themselves IN
in an upper chamber to consult as to what
they should do to show father Abraham
their loyalty.


4. And when they had consulted to.
gether the chief speaker. even Andrew oI
one Of the Eastern Provinces. rose mn
and said: Mer and brethren, hearken INTO
me, go to, let us draw up memorial. and
let us carry it to father Abraham.
Year: 1862

THIRST WORSE THAN HUNGER.--The
disturbance to the general system which is
known BY the name Of raging thirst Is far
more terrible than that of starvaion, for
this reason: during the abstinence from
food, the organism can live upon Its own
substance; but during the abstinence from
liquid, the organism has no such source OF
supply within itself. Men have been known
to endure absolute privation of food for
some weeks; but three days Of absolute
privation of drink (unless in a moist atmos-
phere) is perhaps limit of endurance.
This is the most atrocious torture ever in-
vented by Oriental tyrants; it is that which
most effectually tames animals. Mr.. Ast-
ley, when he had a refractory horse, always
used thirst as the most effective power Of
coercion, giving little water as the reward
for every act of obedience. The histories
Of shipwrecks paint fearful pictures Of suf-
fering from thirst; and one of the most ap-
palling cases known is the celebrated im-
prisonment of one hundred and forty-six
men in the Black Hole of Calcutta.-Btack-
,c0od.
Year: 1862

COMING OF AGE.-Why a youth is said
10 be " of age when 2l years oil very few
can tell, except SO saith the law" In the
early periods of English history a child
was considered to be of age and man when
he was able to bear arms and protect him
SELF. But this period varied at different
times, depending very much on the charac-
ter of the arms in use. AT first these were
light and easily handled, and then the time
for the coming of age was fixed at IL years.
After the Teutons were brought into coils.
ison with the well-armed Romans, child
of this age was of little use in battle, and
the period OF coming of age was fixed at
Is years. And when heavier armor was
Introduced, it was further extended TO 2l
years. An Anglo Saxon child became en-
titled to the possession of his property at 10
years of age, but he could not deal with it
until he was 10, and this was the age at
which the Anglo-Saxons, at least at the la
ter period of their history, were declared to
have attained their majority.


If we were to be guided by the principle
of the precedents, our young men should be
regarded as of age when Is, inasmuch as
they are then liable to military duty.
Year: 1862

How THE DUKE OF CHaNDos Cor
A WIFE.-A modern biographical work
says =" Riding along the road he saw the
drunken groom of neighboring nobleman
numerically beating his wife, who was a
young creature, and whose situation and
appearance much interested the duke. The
man was not disposed to acquiesce in the
remonstrances made against his cruelty, so
nothing remained but for the duke to buy
the mans wife from him, which he accord
ingly did. lie was little puzzled to know
what to do with his purchase, but in the
meanwhile sent her to an excellent school,
where she turned out a very apt scholar
In short time the husband died Of drink
from the money he had received for his
wife. The duchess, the second duchess of
Chandos, also soon died. The duke mar
ried his purchase, who became an excellent
and exemplary character as his third wife
and duchess"
Year: 1862

THE SINS OF OrnERs.-The cynics in
sist upon it that all the world is selfish, and
every son of Adam occupied only with him
self. How absurd is this theory just
observe with what solicitude and concern
we all watch the sits and faults Of other
peoplel how anxious we are to secure their
reforml What pains we undertake to bring
them to repentance We never hear
sermon that we do not generously turn it
over to an erring brother; we never hear
a wise axiom that we do not mentally apply
il to a sinful sister. We 60 about lament-
ing the habits and sinful weaknesses of our
neighbors, and are in such despair because
of the sins and vices of society, thai no.ling
consoles US but the balm of our own vir-
tues.
Year: 1862

4 well dressed and rather pompous youth
asked a young lady who was reading in the
cars, lis this seat engaged, madame' "
The answer was direct. Yes, sir, and L
am engaged, too" And the lady resumed
her reading. A suppressed titer from some
ladies close by, caused the young gentle
man to retire with precipitation.
Year: 1862

Laugh if you feel like it Smiles are
tolerated by the very pinks of politeness !;
and laugh is but the full-blown flower of
which smile is the bud. 1t is sort of
vocal music, a sIee in which everybody can
take part.
Year: 1862

Destruction Of the Ram Arkansas.


The correspondent Of the Delta gives the
following account of the fight between the
two iron clad gunboats Essex and Arkan-
sas:


/ will dispose Of the destruction of the
Arkansas at the outset by asserting that it
was fair stand up, knock down and scratch
gravel 6ght between the two iron clad non
descripts-the Union Essex and the Rebel
Arkansas. No matter what the Rebels
may say, it was a square bght. The Ar
kansas took possession of her choice. in a
deep bend Of the river. where she tied up,
but with her starboard and broadsid es
sweeping the river up and down, and her
bow raking across. at the same time ready
to dash across and plunge her bow into any
vessel attempting to pass in front OF her:


Porter. Of the Essex, with seaman's in
stinct saw this pan Of the enemy. and WISE
" laid below, but not more than three hun
dred yards distant, whence she plunged
nine inch solid shot into the Arkansas, till
. favorable breach being made in her bow
just under her ports. An incendinary shell
was exploded in the breach. instantly setting
the Arkansas on Ere. Her bow. where the
she'll burst. being the windwsrd end. in a
few minutes the Navy Who we're SO fortu-
nate as 10 be present at this last naval CON-
bat Of Two iron -clads had the satisfaction ot
seeing the crew Of the Rebel scudding on
shore, while the flames were bursting out
on every side.


But be it understood and recorded. all this
time the Arkansas was fighting her batter
les. till her line burning Of. she doated into
the middle of the river. where. in little
while. she slew up. Let no credulous or
unbelieving Rebel Aa,ter his soul that this
was not the Arkansas that was sunk and
DESTROYED. So much for the naval part OF
the affair-important, rs enabling the gun
boats to act without impedimest with the
land forces.
Year: 1862




FA1LIsa CRoPs IN EuRoPH.-The crop
news from Europe by the latest arrival is Of
uniform tenor. The cold wet, summer has
retarded vegetation to very serious extent
In England there will be but half grain
crop, in France the prospects are scarcely
better, and private letters received here from
Germany report that the incessant rains and
the backwardnoss of the season have ruin
ei the fruit and stunted the wheat. The
Vienna correspondent of the London Times,
furnishes the following additional evidence
OF the general failure:


The price of grain is raising in all parts
of the Austrian empire. as the weather is
very unfsvorable. The corn is cut in all
parts Of the country. and every second day
there is thunderstorm with long continued
and heavy rain; in fact, this summer is one
of the coolest and wettest that has ever
been known in Austria.


We have already exported large amounts
of breadstuffs to Europe to supply the want
which begins to be felt. and the demand
from abroad for supplies is like to increase
rapidly. There can be no war with Eu.
rope SO long as Europe must be fed from our
ssrplus, even were there no questi ms of
policy or cost to enter into the calculation
OF changes. Moreover. the steady drain of
gald must be arrested by the growing call
tor breadstutfs, and we shall have our specie
returned to US in time.
Year: 1862

the secret? Why may We not know what
advantages the cause Of the Government de-
rives from this closing the Potomac2 As
it is, we don't see it, nor do the public see
It. Compensation there doubtless Is, but
it Is solely on the principle that our loss is
the rebels gain. Does Mr.. Cox ask us to
rejoice at thats Can this be what lie
means?
Year: 1862

ALBANY, Jan. "a resolution was offered In
the Assembly to-day stating that while New York
has furnished more thsn her quota Of men and
money for vigorous prosecution Of the war, she
is opposed to Congress wasting precious time in
debating the emancipation of slaves and other
unconstitutional measures. Laid over
Year: 1862

BosToN, Jan. 9-The banks Of this city have
appoiAted a committee to act in conjunction with
New York and Philadelphia to adjust with Sec
retary Chase the payment yet to be made by the
banks to the United States from the treasury to
the banks The committee will leave for Wash
noton to-dsv
Year: 1862


Alb, don't he sorrowfnl darling,


Aud don't be sorrowful pray
Taking the year together, my dear.
There isu'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 they are growing gray
But taking the year all round, my dear,
You will always fad the May
We have had our May, my darling,
And our roses long ago,
And the time of year is coming, my dear,
For the silent night and the snow
And God is God, my darling,


OF night as well as Of day,
We feel and know that we can SO
Wherever He leads the way.
All, God of the night, my darling,
or the nj ght of death so GRIM
The gate that leads out Of life, good wife,
Is the gate that leads to Him.