Page 1
Page Description:
Much of the page is illegible, particularly the upper right-hand corner. Advertisements, columns 1-4; poem, response from the governor to a resolution of the House of Delegates, column 5; an official report from General Lee concerning military action near the Potomac, short articles on the reception of Lincoln's proclamation in Tennessee and on the sale of salt in the Kanawha Valley, excerpt from a letter from England supporting the Confederates, column 7
Military Exemption Act
(column 6)
Summary:
Delineates the occupations that will exempt men from serving in the military, according to a bill that was recently passed.
Page 2
Page Description:
Many portions of the page have been inked out. Report on the battle at Corinth, column 3; details of the second battle at Corinth, tally of deaths from and new cases of yellow fever in Wilmington, North Carolina, column 4; General Lee's address to his army, more news from Corinth, brief article on the fight at Franklin in Southampton County, column 5; a letter to the Spectator from an army chaplain with about half the text blotted out, column 6; advertisements and market report, column 7
The Condition and Suffering of Our Army--Afford Relief
(column 1)
Summary:
Urges individual citizens to help supply Confederate soldiers with blankets, clothes, and shoes so that they might survive the winter ahead. Reprints part of a letter describing the hardships the army of Northern Virginia has faced in the past three months.
Illegible
(column 2)
Summary:
Describes a skirmish involving Augusta troops and a Union raid upon a baggage train in which some Augusta citizens were captured.
Names in Announcement:
Capt. Imboden; Dr. Gamble; Mr. Blackburn
Soldier's Pay
(column 2)
Summary:
Reports an act of Congress that enables soldiers to take their oath before any quartermaster or authorized state officer. The officer is not allowed to charge for administering the oath, which is a prerequisite for being paid.
Small-Pox in Danville
(column 2)
Summary:
Reports an outbreak of small pox in Danville, Virginia. Four people have died, and three new cases have been discovered in the last week.
To Our Subscribers
(column 3)
Summary:
Announces that the Spectator will increase subscription rates owing to the increased cost of production. The Spectator will also require payment in cash. Subscribers will not be charged for periods when the paper was suspended.
Distribution of Salt
(column 3)
Summary:
Informs readers of the locations that have been approved as distribution sites for salt. Notes that further information on prices and the time when the salt should be ready for delivery will be released shortly. Warns readers that anyone charging more than the fixed rate for salt, which is still to be determined, will be charged with a misdemeanor.
Jno. J. Crittenden on Emancipation
(column 5)
Summary:
Excerpts a letter written by John Crittenden that expresses opposition to turning the war into a war for the abolition of slavery rather than a war for Union.
For the Spectator
(column 6)
Summary:
Prints a letter in which "A Farmer" urges citizens to revive Soldier's Aid Societies.
Excerpt:
"Is not the heart of every man and woman moved who possess one spark of human kindness when they witness the ragged and deplorable condition of many of our soldiers?"
Full Text of Article
Mr. Editor:--Allow me through this medium of your paper, to enquire what has become of the Soldier's Aid Societies of our county? One year ago they were doing good service by furnishing our soldiers with many essential and indispensable articles of clothing, and no doubt made glad the hearts of us brave men who were in the tented field, exposing their health and lives for the sake of the dear ones at home, and for all that is dear to them and us, our National Independence. Alas! I am pained to say that with many or all of these societies, apathy and indifference seems to have taken the places of effort and kind feelings, so prevalent twelve months ago. I appeal to my countrymen and countrywomen, to arouse from the seeming lethargy they have fallen into, revive and resucitate [sic] the various Soldier's Aid and Relief Societies of the county, enter into the obligation due our brave men without delay, shape them into garments suitable for the soldiers whose necessities are crying aloud for relief. Is not the heart of every man and woman moved who possess one spark of human kindness when they witness the ragged and deplorable condition of many of our soldiers? It is a shame and reproach to our Government to thus neglect [illegible] brave defenders.
A FARMER.
War Debt of the North
(column 6)
Summary:
Article alleges a huge and crippling Northern war debt.
Tribute of Respect to the Memory of Col. W. S. H. Baylor
(column 6)
Summary:
Prints the resolutions adopted by the Independent Order of Odd Fellows on the death of Colonel William Baylor. The resolutions express the Order's respect for Colonel Baylor. N. K. Trout reported the resolutions and preamble at the meeting.
Names in Announcement:
N. K. Trout; Col. William Baylor
Lydia Maria Child on Amalgamation
(column 7)
Summary:
Excerpts a letter written for the New York Tribune by Lydia Maria Child arguing that "amalgamation" between the races will not occur if a "natural antipathy" exists between blacks and whites. Child points out, however, that when the races have "been brought into vicinity" they have mixed freely, generally because whites have desired it.
Thanks
(column 7)
Summary:
William McChesney, army surgeon, expresses his appreciation to Reverend Messers. Latane, Phillips, and Wheat, and to "the kind ladies of Staunton" for the kindness they showed to wounded soldiers when they were in the area.
Names in Announcement:
Rev. Phillips; Rev. Wheat
Died
(column 7)
Summary:
Maggie A. Gilkeson, age 13 years, died of diphtheria on September 30. She was the second daughter of D. C. and H. N. Gilkeson.
Names in Announcement:
Maggie A. Gilkeson; D. C. Gilkeson; H. N. Gilkeson
"Such a beastly proposition deserves no comment."