Franklin Repository

Reports a rumor of rebel invasion of southern Pennsylvania on July 3. The article describes the quick preparation, actions, and evacuations. The following day, the citizens were notified that the invasion was a false alarm and proceeded to celebrate independence day.

Summarizes items of war news including the acceptance of black men as substitutes for white men, the efforts by firemen to obtain water for hospitals in City Point from the James River, a smuggler's unsuccessful attempt to fill a dead mule with ammunition and supplies, Sherman capture of about thirty iron works in the Altoona vicinity, the South's names for various battles, the successful efforts of Generals Hunter and Wilson to cut Lee's communications with the south and southwest;, and Grant's control of the situation at Petersburg.

Reports political news including the Democrat Chicago Convention's suggestion to form a Western Confederacy, and elections in Nebraska for delegates to frame its constitution.

Notes a "Special War Tax" enacted by Congress.

Evaluates and explains the recent movements by Grant and Lee. The author speculates on the weakness of the Confederate army forcing Lee east of Richmond.

Notes the pending vote in Pennsylvania to ratify several amendments: the suffrage of soldiers and electors, limiting bills to one subject, and the prevention of the legislature's usurpation of the court's powers.

Reprints a Village Record article commenting on the Valley Spirit's report of Union defeats in Virginia. The Record requests a more truthful report from the Spirit.

Reports news from the Washington correspondent on the wounded in Union hospitals, the "gallant charge of Duncan's Black Brigade" on the outer works of Petersburg, and the Senate's passage of the conscription bill ending commutations and increasing the number of drafted men.

Provides a colorful description of General Grant and Major General Meade and their camplife.

Links the candidacy of Lincoln and Johnson to the military situation. The taking of Richmond by a Union general would secure their nominations. The defeat of Grant would give hope to the Democrat Party.

Reports Lincoln's approval of an increase in pay for soldiers. The article gives the new wages.

Notes the Secretary of War's efforts to create a freedmen's village at the Arlington estate of General Lee.

Announces an election on August 2, to ratify proposed amendments to the state constitution. The article provides a list of voting places including the following owned by private persons: the Public House of J. Taylor for the south ward of Chambersburg; the Public House of J. Gordon, for Hamilton Township; the Public House of M. Shoemaker, for part of Green Township; the house of J. Harvey, for part of Fannett Township; the house occupied by G. Anderson, for Quincy Township; the house of J. Adams, for Antrim, and part of Peters and Montgomery townships; at the school house on the land of M. Cook, for the Warren Township; the house of J. Mullen, for Peters Township; at the log house on the farm of J. Elliott, for the Welsh Run district (part of Montgomery Township); and the house of T. McAfee, in Mercersburg, for parts of Peters and Montgomery townships.

Reports that Gov. Curtin's plans to speak at Gettysburg on July 4 were disrupted by the rumors of a rebel invasion. He returned to Harrisburg to confer with Gen. Couch.

Discusses reactions to the rumors of rebel invasion, suggests the exaggeration of the number of rebels attracted to large stores at Martinsburg, mentions that Gen. Couch's and other area forces are prepared for a rebel invasion, details recent Union movement by Gen. Wilson and Kautz that isolated Richmond from the south, and reports that Gen. Sherman forced Johnston to surrender Marietta and that Atlanta will be Johnston's last stand.

Discusses Chase's resignation as Secretary of the Treasury. The Repository criticizes his policy of contracting the currency to lower the price of gold and prices in general. The author believes his policy produced the opposite effect. Gov. Tod declined the position and Hon. William Pitt Fessenden, Senator of Maine, has been appointed. Upon the announcement of Chase's resignation, government securities rallied.

Criticizes a recent article in the Valley Spirit that attributes military failures to Generals Stanton, Grant, and Hunter.

Celebrates the downfall of the Democratic party.

Encourages a wide circulation of the campaign paper, "The Old Flag." Notes the desire to supply soldiers with "cheap and useful political news."

Reprints Lincoln's acceptance of the nomination of the Baltimore Convention.

The Repository criticizes a Valley Spirit article that accuses Lincoln of needlessly protracting the war and that cites Jefferson Davis as its witness. The author accuses Davis of treachery and perfidy.

Notes the close of the Great Philadelphia Fair. The article includes a list of the gifts and awards to be given to favorite generals and their wives.

Describes General Hunter's destruction of the Virginia and Tennessee Railroads.

Lists the men that Gov. Curtin sent to care for Pennsylvania soldiers in hospitals across the country.

Reports that Stewart, the chairman of the Union County Committee, called a meeting. The Repository urges the Union ticket to start canvassing after harvest.

The Repository provides the specifics of the conscription bill including drafts of one, two, or three years, with bounties of $100, $200, and $300 respectively; the end of commutation; the allowance of substitutes for draftees ; and a fifty day notice before enforcing the draft.

Disputes the contention that Andrew Johnson abandoned his mother in her old age to live in poverty. The Repository reports that his mother died seventeen years ago surrounded by family.

Reprints a quote Andrew Johnson reportedly said to Jefferson Davis as the secessionists left their posts: "If I were the President I would arrest you as traitors, try you as traitors, and hang you as traitors!"

Relates the Sentinel's praise for Gen. Koontz and support for his candidacy for Congress as a Union man.

Reports that J. M. Markley joined Rheem as joint proprietor of the Carlisle Herald.

Reprints a letter printed in the Middletown Press that describes the hard fighting and army life for Gen. Grant's soldiers.

Reprints Gov. Curtin's appeal to send supplies to aid soldiers in the hospitals.

Announces the death of S. McDowell, son of J. McDowell of Chambersburg. He was promoted to Chief of Artillery of his division. He died soon after, during Sherman's unsuccessful assault in Chattanooga. He was buried at the national cemetery. He is the fourth commander of a battery from Franklin County to die, joining Capts. Easton and Kerns on the peninsula and Stevens at Chickamauga.

Reports that Capt. Walker, Co. A, 77th Pa. Volunteers, provided a list of casualties from various counties: Co. A: Killed--D. Neely and J. Colter from Washington; Wounded--A. Stark, in the breast, from Dry Run; P. Troutman, in the foot, from Chambersburg; P. Hardsock, in the arm and side, from Funkstown.

Urges that citizens send onions and other supplies to the Union soldiers. The soldiers need vegetables and the onion is "most invigorating."

The Repository acknowledges the receipt of $58.20, collected by Misses A. M. and Maggie E. Sharp, in Green Township, for the U. S. Christian Commission at Philadelphia.

Announces two sermons by Bishop Stevens on Sunday morning and evening.

Reports that Michael Fitzpatrick cut off several of toes by accidentally stepping on mower blades while working on Strock's farm in Cashtown.

Reports that Boyd gradually recovers from his bullet wound.

Reports that H. Reeves, the principal of the Female Seminary, will leave Chambersburg after the session to go to west Philadelphia.

Announces a concert by the Female Seminary pupils on June 30 to benefit the Christian Commission.

Reports that J. R. Kinney, former principal of the Chambersburg Academy, left for a professorship in California.

Announces that Rev. Carnahan, of Fayetteville, has accepted the call of the Presbyterian congregation of Gettysburg.

Reprints an article in the American congratulating Maryland for adopting an amendment to their constitution to abolish slavery.

Notes the Democrats' "sad blunder" in their postponement of the Chicago Convention.

Describes the sinking of the pirate Alabama by the U. S. gunboat Kearsaye. Nine rebels were killed and 20 wounded in the engagement.

Details Gen. Wilson's engagements. The article mentions raiding parties, severe fighting, Union losses, the destruction of property, and the murder of blacks by the rebels.

The Repository mentions the actions of Hunter's command in Charleston, West Virginia including his great raid, his accomplishments, and his prospects for another movement. The article reports five successful battles and the destruction of $5,000,000 in government property in the Shenandoah Valley.

Reports news from Gen. Sherman including the capture of Kenesaw Mountain and the occupation of Marietta.

On June 26, in Chambersburg, by Rev. Davis, W. Fulmer married Rebecca Knisely.

On June 14, in Allegheny city, by Rev. Swift, J. Needy, of Waynesboro, married Mary Graham, of Allegheny city.

On July 4, by Rev. Dyson, J. Briggs, of Philadelphia, married Hellen Rhoads, of Chambersburg.

Advertises the weekly campaign paper, "The Old Flag," "devoted exclusively to the election of Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson." The paper will include maps of battles and battlefields and portraits of Lincoln and Johnson. The Repository urges the creation of clubs to promote its circulation.