smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1863

II is well known that the present Vice Pres
ident Of the Confederacy made speech strong
ly opposed to secession in the Georgia Con.
viention of January, 1861. The following ex-
tracts will show how clearly he perceived the
iniquity, and foresaW the results of the meas
ure:


That this step once taken could never be
recalled, and all the baneful and witherng con-
sequences that must follow las they would see)
will rest on the Convention for all coming time.
When we and our posterity shall see our love
ly South desolated by the demon of war which
this act of yours win inevitably invit and call
forth when our green fields of waving har-
vests shall be trodden down by the murderous
soldiery and fiery car of war sweeping over
our land; our temples Of justice laid iu ashes;
all the horrors and desoIation of war up.
on US who but this Convention will be held
responsible for il 7 and who, but him who
shall have given bis vote for this unwise and
ilLtimed measure las honestly think aud be-
lieve) shall be held TO strict account for this
suicidal act, by the present generation, and
probably cursed and execrated by posterity
for all coming time, for the wide and desolat-
ing ruin that will follow this act you now pro-
pose to perpetrate.


Pause, / entreat you, and consider for mo.
ment what reason you can give that will even
sa tisfy yourselves in calmer momenta-yha;
reasons can you give to your fellow sufferers
in the calamity that it will bring upon US
What reasons can you give 70 the nations of
the earth to justify it They will be The calm
and deliberate judges in the case ! and to what
cause for one overt act can you name or point
on which to rest the plea Of Justification p
What right has the North assailed2 What
interest OF the South has been invaded?-
What justice has been denied? and what claim
founded in justice and right has been wilhheld2
Can either of you to-day name one Govern
mental act Of wrong deliberately and purpose
ly done by the Government of Washington, Of
which the South has right to complaint [
challenge the answer!


x x y x


Now, for you to attempt 10 overthrow such
Government as this, under which we have
lived for more than three quarters Of century,
in which we have gained our wealth, our stand
ing as a nation, our domestic safety, while the
elements of peril ara around us, with peace
and tranquility accompanied with unbounded
prosperity and rights unassailed-is the hight
Of madness, to which I can neither lend nv
sanction nor my vote"
Year: 1863

Col Durbin Ward, well known iu days past
as prominent leader in the Democratic ranks,
was invited to address the late Union Mass
meeting at Hamilton, Butler county. From
his letter written to the Committee Of Invita-
tion. we copy the following paragraph for
the edi6cation of Democrats who are now
opposing the Government in the prosecution
of the war:


"What, then, is the duty of Democrats Gf
we must sill remember party distinctions,) 10
this hour of peril to the Union? Shall we
who have always claimed to be par excellence
the party of the Union abandon her fortunes
now? If there were no patriotism, nothing
but party fealty involved, l should still be
amazed at my Democratic associates for Civ
ing the war so cold support. tried for a
long time to believe that it was not so; that
they were slandered; that they favored and did
not oppose the war, but the evidence tbickens
upon the country too much for doubt. The
body of the party is, l am sure, at heart right,
and hope most OF the leaders are too; but
many of them, it is but too apparent, are ep-
posed to coercive measures to restore the
Union. OF two things let all such be apprised:
Nothing but the vigorous application of force
can ever subdue the rebellion. and every teach
ing to the contrary aids and abets JEFF. Davis
and his rebel Government.


"There is a possibility that even force may
not restore the Union; it is certainty that
nothing else ever can The Rubicon is cross
ed, and nothing is left but the forcible destruc-
ton Of the rebel power or the recognition Of
the Southern Confederate States. Whoever
is not willing 10 have recourse 10 the one
ought at Once to propose the other. In this
hour of war to the knife, and the knife to the
hilt, half way measures are not only useless
but mischieyous. He that is not against us


must be for us in passionate earnest if h.
meaHs the country shall have faith in his sin
| cnrifu y
Year: 1863

GEN. BUTLER ON LIQUOR IN THE ARMY.-H
appears that when Gen. Butler was before the
congressional committee on the war, several
months ago. be was asked whether intoxicating
liquors are used in the army, and replied:-
"They are, to most woful extent" As an il
lustration Gen. Butler said:


I'VE used to send a picket guard up a mile
and a half from Fortress Monroe The men
would leave perfectly sober, yet every night
when they came back we would have trouble
with them on account of their being drunk
Where they got their liquor from we could not
tell. Night after night we instituted vigor-
Gus examination, but it was always the same.
The men were examined over and over again;
their canteens were inspected, and yet we
could find no liquor about them. At last it
was observed that they seemed to hold their
guns up very straight. and upon examination
every gun-barrel was found to be full Of Whis-
ky-aud it is not always the soldiers who do
this" .---.. fas
Year: 1863

The assistant Surgeon of the 93th Ohio, P
II. ClemOns writes to lady in Sandusky a
letter from which the Register quotes the
particulars of one of the most outrageous ca
ses of rebel barbarity which the history of the
war furnishes. Having previously spoken of
the scout of five or six days on which his
brigade had recently been, he says: while
we were out on this last trip dressed the
wounds Of soldier (72d Ind.) who had been
taken prisoner him and his comrade, and after
tieiDg them both up to tree with their hands
behind them, Captaln deliberately shot them
both-killing the other man on the spot. AZ
ter shooting the one saw once through the
face and once through the neck, so that I
cut the ball out just below the bend Of the
jaw on the opposite side, untieing him, they
still found he bad life in him, when the fiend
shot him again in the back of the head while
be lay writhing on the ground the ball en-
tering just at the base of the ear and coming
out at the left eye, completely destroying it,


And yet with all these wounds, in the head
neck and face, that man got up and wandered
around until he came across our brigade and
so fell into my hands.


General Stanleys cavalry that was out
with us had taken lot Of prisoners, and soon
as General Stanley heard of the outrage be
sent word to me to have him brought up to
bis quarters, and then the next morning be
had the wounded man placed on the porch
and compelled all these prisoners to come up
and confront him separately, telling bin that
if he could recognize any one as among the
miscreants who had wounded him, there would
be another shooting match on the other side Of
the house.


But the wounded man shook his head and
said there were none Of bis prosecutors among
the lot. l sent him to the Hospital and hear
since that there is some chance Of his recovery.
Year: 1863

From tie LGaisyRs journal of December %.


The fact that formidable force under Kirby Smith aad


John Morgan again in the very heart Of State
and need not be disguised The Louisville and Nashville
railroad the only line of communication between this city
and Nashville. aud the only horoughre through which
the grand army Of the Cumberland at present receive
supplies has been damaged to such that trans
portation over that route must


The latest and most reliable information We have recev
ed feom the line Of the railroad we obtained the
ductor Capt Swiuney who returned from Sonora last
evening in charge of the train which left this city yester
day morning with ammunition aud other supplies fer our
forces at Green river.


When the train arrived Soaora ten mss below Eliza
bethtown those board heard RAPID and heavy firing
Mubfordsve and there but little doubt that engage
way with his train to point asout half mile below So
nore, where the trdck is skrted by heavy timber The
train had arrived al the wood ttan il fred
upon by rebel cavalry porton Of the force gsloping off
full speed If they endea7orng to get in the rear
of the train M damage was doue to the tran nor was
any person board injured Eighteen or twenty rebel
cavalymeu were at another point that vicinity but
they made hostile demonstration. When the train al
uded to left Ezabethtown last evening 10 was reported
that the rebel pckets were entering that place.


We were allow TO believe the report that rebel force Of
eleven thousand bad crossed the Cumberland rear Hart
ville their way TO the interer Of Kentucky but this
movement of the rebel cavalry the line of the Louisville
and Nashville railroad all doubt upon that score
There may be connection too between the runored
advance of Gems. Floyd and Humphrey Marshall from
Northeast Kentucky and Inc movement OF the rebels in
the southern portion Of hs State and it not unlikely tina,
junction in the Bluegrass region and another raid upon tie
capital OF the State.
Year: 1863

OnFrdsy morning last the members Of the two branches
Of the City Councils Of Baltimore after assembling in their
respective chambers made formal visit TO Msor General
Scteack commanding the Eighth Army Corps having
his headquarters in Baltimore The gentleman selected
to address the General upon the part of the Councils wa,
ID. III HooPes, Esq. who introduced By Maj Lynch,
of the Generals sa after which Mr. Hoopes introduced
number of the members of the municipal bodies. This
call upon Gen Schenok made without previous Motif
cation and whilst he earnestly engaged In official du-


ties very feeling aud appropriate address was made
By Mr. Hcopes being responsive mainly Gen Schencks
ohcin address upon assuming the command of the Middle
Military District.


Gen ScfEEcK, in reply, remarked that it was crafty
ng to him to meet the Councils Of Baltimore on the
soa and the spirit and tone Of the address Of Mr. Hopes
could not but receive the appreciation Of every loyal
in the entire country There was an unannty ia the
political and patriotic principles Of the Council, Of the city
which reflected honor upon its citizens and which coud
be initiated with great advantage to the nstlona cause bv
other corporate bodies In all his official conduct here be
wished the members u the Council to understand that he
would not measure by bis cloth nor by his eaupape
so far from that, be held the who hauled cotton
through the steets Of the city, and they would sooD
more to haul and true to his Government far high
esmaiion than any traitor who resided in brown stone
mansions IN the Monumental squares of the city Anc.s
trail heritage, wealth influence of family would 20 sooner
command his attention tnsn the claims of the poorest and
most uDpreending loyal citizen residing within The limits
Of the Midle Department


The General excused himself from any further remarks
again said he was happy ia being called upon by the Coun
cs and hoped that in the discharge of his duties he would
continue to receive their appreciation


few introductions followed when the members retir-
ed seeming pleased with the interview
Year: 1863

The Mississippi Expedition" about which much has
been said and little Known is already on the way or
perhaps by this time has arrived at its destination Its
commanding officer is not Gen. McClernani but Gen
Sherman We suspect that the object has been all along
to keep the of Gen. McCernsnd prominent as the
organiser Of this expedition at Cairo for sragctic pur
pose, while the expedition in fact getting ready at
aud moving from different point.


The Mississippi expedition is Of much more forni Ia
bic character than Is generally supposed Its
embraces three grand divsens of which Gea A. J. Smiths
is the right Gen. Morgan Smiths the centre and Gen
George W. Morgsns the left The number Of troops em
brncsd in these corps We, Of course cannot state; but il
may be relied upon that it will require rebel force of not
less Than fifty sixty thousand TO mske any thing
like successful opposition. The composition of this army
entirely Northwestern, State having therein no
email representation.


In addition to and independent Of this expedition is an
army said to number sixty thousand men, at Helena Ar
kansas, under Gen Steele Thst army we see by the
recent order for Transports is also about to move if is
not already in motion What part in the grand drama of
ia the Southwest this army destined to perform will
not long remain Chicago Post Of Beesmt,r 9Th
Year: 1863

The Memphis Argus of the 23d ultmo gives the follow
ing account Of the recent movements of small guerilla
band a that vicinity whose presence excited the popu
lson that the numbers of the enemy were magnifed in
dispatches cent North to army Of some thousands:


'0n Saturday night company of eusras (not regular
cavslry appeared Wolf river two three miles from
the city. They in command of Capt. Burrows, for
lnery minister Of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
but who for tie past six months haa been engaged with his
present company in oottonburnng and soshing about
generally HIS company gueras, in the generally
cepted of the term and unde stand not regularly
in the Confederate service such recognised by it


They have been operating during the past or three
moutbs ia The northern portion OF this county Upton and
Fsyette.


Early on Sunday morning they arrived at the Fair
Grounds and during the forenoon squad entered the up
per portion Of northern suburb Chelsea creating CON
siderable excitement. They came By the Raleigh road
and remained couple of hours small whiskey shop
attraced their attention. and finding to enter they
helped elves to quantity Of tobacco and liberal
share OF chaoehming If any provisions in their
way they doubtless appropriated them We informed
that forty or fy head of cattle driven before them
on their return to the main force Nothing was heard Of
their whereabouts yesterday and we presume they moved
off towards Raleigh
Year: 1863

lll II is once more our privilege and pleasure to
greet the readers of the National Intelligen,er on
the advent Of New Year, and to tender them our
best wishes for their happiness and prosperity
during all the months that shall mark its course.
s The auspices under which the day breaks upon
the land speak, indeed, rather Of toll and endur-
ance than of ease or enjoyment. But if we have
fallen on evil times they none the less come to
every citizen with their adjuraton to manly effort.
IF there ever was season when the voice of the
syren, Sloth, might surely count on her voaries,
that season has certainly passed away at an hour
when, alike in the council chamber of the legisla-
tor, the bureaux Of the Cabinet and in the tented
field" SO many incentives call the actors in this
solemn crisis to high-minded thought and heroic
enterprise.


The year which is just closed has been fertile in
great events, but it is not presumptuous to say
that the year which has now dawned upon us is
pregnant with events that shall be still more mo-
mentous. because destined in all human probability
to fix for years the fate Of the Republic. The
curtain which hangs like the impenetrable veil Of
Isis before the future that awaits no hand may
presume to lift, and the wisest seers confess to
have lost their power to divine. But every
citizen, whether in public or in private life,
whether in exalted or in humble station, reso-
lutely address himself each day to the days ap-
nonted duties, "as ever in the sight of the Great
Taskmaster's eye;" and, if faithfully performing
those duties, each in his allotted sphere may safely
leave the issue of the great strife to be guided to
its predestined end by the hand Of Him who led
His ancient people through the wilderness like a
flock, and whose throne in the heavens abideth
forever.
Year: 1863

We have for several dsys had on our table quarto
volume Of 500 psges entitled Astronomical aad Meteoro-
logical Observations, made at the United States Naval
Observatory during the year 1861 containing the annual
report OF the Superintendent Of the Observatory Com
mander M GLLIss Of the various scientific operations
executed at ths establishment during the preceding year
We are OF course not competent to estimate critically the
value Of this addition to the science o the country which
will doubtless receive proper notice from competent sci
enthc authorities elsewhere. We hold ourselves how
ever nor 10 saying this do feel if laying any great
weight upon our conscicnce quite competent to apprec
ate the high administrative abilities Of Captain Gilss, the
present Superintendent in having soon after the cose
Of the year. Given to thepubc work Of such magnitude


involving evidently much labor Of dscuss on ead com
putaon IL afford, think, gratifying evidence that


in these unhappy dsys tho Observatory at least has no
suffered by change Of masters
Year: 1863

JEFFERSON Cry, (Mo) Dec 30.--Both Houses of
the Legislature completed their organization today by the
election Of all the emancipation canddlte7


There seems TO have been general feeling that Con-
gress should lead off in the emancipation movement and
here lie doubt prompt and liberal tender Of compen-
sat would greatly facilitate the emancipation measure
ia the Legislature.


There s strong prospect that the Senatorial question
will be disposed of this week BY the constitution of this
St,te simply amsorty is required to pass any bill over
the Governors veto.
Year: 1863

The special session Of the Legislature Of Connecticut
lasted only two weeks 1t does not appear that much bu'
ness was done The militia law OF the State amended
and an act was passed to the right Of voting to the
troops OF The State who now in the army commit
tee was sent to the army to fni out how the
cared for It's members saw all the Connecticut reg mens
and though they made no formal report gave


that every possible attention paid to the wants Of the
sick and wounded The Legislature, however placed in
the hands Of the Governor the of $0 900 10 be
pended his judgment may suggest u finding out and re-
lievng the wants Of the troops
Year: 1863

JAMES O. wELLINa, ASSOCIATE EDITOR.
y The subscription price of this paper for year Two
4 DOLLARS, payable in advance.


reduction Of 90 per cent onefh Of the full charge)
will be made any who shall order and pay for at
tims ten copies of tho Weekly paper and reduction Of
25 per cent or oneourth of the full charge) to any
who will order and pay for, at time, twenty more
copies. v


No accounts being kept for this paper will not be sent
TO any unless paid for in advance any longer than
the time for which it Is paid.
Year: 1863

The Waterbury (Con) American publishes the following
important letter from the Hon. Lyman w. Coe, of that
city Mr. Coe il member Of the Senate of Connecticut
and was appointed chairman Of the committee appointed
by the Legislature, after the battle of Fredericksburg to
visit tho Connecticut soldiers in the Army of tho Potomac
and report their wants and condition He is leading
Republican and gentleman of high character and reputa
on so that his report Of the condition of the army has all
the forcs of an official record Here is his letter:


HEADQUARTERS HosprTAL


Second Hrigade, Second Army Corps


Near FredericksJurg, Dec. 81 1862 4
have visited the 9Th, llth, 18TH I6th AMI 2lst rsg
mebt IN Harans brigade ninth army corps aud the l4th
and 27ih in the army cops and shall 90 To-
in search o tho 5th 17h, and Doth regmeIts if eau
lind them And here will say that there is difficulty in
hnding regiment, found in looking up the 27th
ament Yesterday for they continually moving their
camps 1t 10 like city of 200 900 inhabitants without
directory, and the streets not numbered and then the
move at that.


You have no idea of the depression there is In ths
at the result Of this third attempt go Richmond
mat u Is complete failure deny The
OF IL may be open question but thing certain
that there will have TO be different management
shall not be nation much longer and have JEFF Davis to
rule over us dare not write what think to YOU from
whut can gather in the limited time have had for OBJ
seryaon aud thought but this certain that the Pres.
dent has got to stop acting Chief part
OF ms Cabioet be removed and another placed the
head Of the army politicians in and of Congress enced
and more than ALL the people take hold of the interests
oi the country stop carrying the for selfish ends
and also keep quiet ana let the army alone.


nave found but one opinion in the army about the
merits OF Generals The army almost to man are for
and If you expect the army to conquer peace
as the sunshine and that too with the best feeling
Burnside, who is much respected by ALL but he has not
the capacity for the moving Of army of this magnitude


You're, truly, L. W. Coz.
Year: 1863

other, which has been too neglectfully over
looked: the lack of fit and healthy stimulus
for the minds of the troops-in the absence
OF which, restless men, such as make an
army, will naturally provide for themselves
diversions of another kind. Men who would
be glad to read, having no reading, will take
TO gambling. When men gamble, is il strange
that profanity should take part in the gamea
When company of boon companions. to kill
time, deliberately take a step down 10 the low
level of forbidden pleasure, is not the descent
easy to total loss of moral character?


Therefore We once more urge forward the
praiseworthy efforts which many good people
are making to send the printed page TO the
camps Of the Federal armies. But in addi-
ton 10 the more extensive and thoroughly
organized means for general distribution, We
suggest TO the families and friends of indi-
vidual soldiers that they SEEK opportunity 10
send from time to time, such papers or books,
properly mailed or expressed. as the brother
or son whose welfare they seek would be
known 10 relish if he were at home TO read.
So let every soldier in the army have New
Years gift of an honest newspaper, or good
hook