Valley Spirit

Miscellaneous news from Washington, including the news that travel from D.C. to the west and north will be resumed and that the city is calmer now that so many troops are within its borders.

The steamers Atlantic, Illinois, and Powhattan have landed reinforcements at Fort Pickens.

The Massachusetts governor will call an extra session of the legislature, which will make an appropriation and authorize the governor to establish a camp for all newly organized volunteers.

The Delaware companies of volunteers are filling rapidly. "The Union feeling is in the ascendant, and the secessionists are falling in with the current, and that and the lottery business will soon be crushed out."

The American flag was raised in Baltimore at noon of May 1st when the newly appointed officials took office. The raising of the flag was marked by "great demonstrations" and the singing of the Star Spangled banner.

Judge Bard of the Criminal Court ordered the grand jury to call their attention to the mob attack on the military "with a view that the guilty may be brought to punishment."

Commanders of regiments and independent companies have received orders to make their reports to the headquarters, Department of Washington, stating the strength and condition of their troops.

Fort M'Henry has been further strengthened by the addition of 400 federal soldiers. These men will "furnish double assurance that Baltimore will be kept in awe of the Federal power, if the authorities or the mob try to make any more trouble."

The entire garrison was called to arms because Fort Madison, on the opposite side of the river, let off a discharge of cannon and rockets.

"Among the unfounded reports of today was one that the War Department had received a dispatch stating that the Confederate State troops were concentrating in Virginia for an immediate raid. Military men have no fears on that subject."

"Troops are still pouring in here from the upper parishes, all of which are bound to the North. The Southern steamship line will resume their trips with Southern troops on board to guard them from capture."

Washington has calmed down, and the troops are becoming more efficient. Many Union men from western Virginia arrived in Washington and stated that Union sentiment was high in the region.

There has been much excitement in Wilmington because a rumor had spread that an attack was to be made on the powder works of the Messrs. Dupont. However, the rumor turned out to be unfounded.

The French Minister stated that the U.S. didn't need to fear that his government would make a speedy recognition of the Confederacy.

The President has appointed James Harlan, attorney, and Alex H. Tweed, marshal for the district of Kentucky. Hiram Wilby, attorney, and D.H. Carr, marshall for the district of Connecticut.

Union feeling is gaining in Annapolis. A number of residents have been arrested for spying.

The legislature has reported a bill for a loan of $1 million for the purpose of defense. The cities of Newark and Trenton are authorized to borrow money to aid the families of volunteers.

A steamer of the Norfolk line, which left Baltimore with the mail and passengers, was not allowed to enter Norfolk Harbor. The blockade against Virginia is being strictly enforced.

Union sentiment appears to prevail in Frederick.

Members of the 69th NY Regiment shot a man who was attempting to draw the spikes from the rails. The article does not say exactly where this occurred.

The steamer United States, which was travelling from Glasgow to Montreal, has gone ashore on the Bird Rocks. No one is on board.

"The steamship Cambridge sailed to-day with several volunteer corps, including Maj. Dodd's battalion, supposed to be for Fort Monroe."

"Steamer Star of the South sailed this afternoon for Annapolis, with the 28th New York Regiment and recruits for the 13th Regiment."

Lincoln called for 42,000 more volunteers and an increase in the Army and Navy enlistment.

In Maryland, the act to create a Committee of Society will pass. "Union men are without arms, and already feel that a reign of terror is upon them. Their only hope is the Federal Government."

In Frederick, Maryland, a bill to create a Military Board of seven, "with full power over purse and sword," is going to pass the Senate. The object of the bill is to arm the secessionists and disarm the union men.

In East Hampton, "Five war vessels passed within two miles of our shore, bounded South about 5 o'clock on Wednesday evening. They were probably the blockading fleet from Boston."

The governor of Missouri addressed the legislature with a pro-Confederacy message. He called Lincoln's actions "unconstitutional and illegal" and stated that Missouri's interests and sympathies were identical to those of the South.

In Lexington, Missouri, a Union demonstration was broken up by the secessionists and one Union supporter was shot. The secession flag waves in front of the Court House.

Union men in Kentucky have offered their services to the Secretary of War. Union supporters in the panhandle of Virginia vow that they will "fight the tyrants of the tide-water to the last."

A report from Cairo, Illinois states that Union feeling is gaining strength in western Kentucky.

Washington is quiet and the city's defenses continue to get stronger.

"While thirteen appointments, foreign and domestic, have been given to the editors and attaches of the New York Tribune, not a single man connected, as editor or correspondent, has volunteered to fight. The men who talk the loudest are not the men to fight. That's so!"

A special correspondent to the Spirit states that conditions in Washington have improved greatly. He also urges Pennsylvanians to be united in their preparations for war. The Virginia secessionists will take advantage of any disunity in Pennsylvania.

In his message, Governor Curtin of Pennsylvania argued that no state can voluntarily leave the Union: "To permit a State to withdraw at pleasure from the Union, without the consent of the rest, is to confess that our Government is a failure." Curtin also discussed the formation of the regiments of Pennsylvania.

Miscellaneous news from Washington, including the information that the Maryland legislature passed a resolution "affirming the right of the General Government to march troops through Maryland without hinderance to go to the defense of the National Capital."

Miscellaneous war news from Annapolis. A letter received by the Chaplain of the Annapolis Naval School states that "the Virginians are wild with the war excitement, and everywhere rushing to arms."

The New Jersey governor recommended to the state legislature that it borrow money and levy a tax so that the state can buy arms and raise four regiments.

A dispatch states that Gen. Scott has declared partial martial law in Washington and over the railway.

Loyal Union officers believe that Gen. Harney is loyal. They think he fell into a secessionist trap at Harper's Ferry.

Gen. Harney has been released. The Virginia Convention has established the Navy of Virginia.

The New Jersey volunteers will leave Trenton for Washington.

The steamer Uncle Ben has been captured by the secessionists.

The steamship Adriatic arrived at St. Johns, Newfoundland. The Liverpool cotton market was active.

Reliable sources believe that the Maryland legislature will not pass a bill to call a State Convention.

The Brig St. Mary, with 500 kegs of powder, was seized by the collector of the port of Boston on April 30th.

A correspondent for the Times wrote that Lincoln would not carry through with a war. The Herald believes that the Times is in a fog.

Col. Dimick, commander of Fort Monroe, doesn't believe that the Virginians can make a successful attack on the Fort.

The Spirit lauds the hard work and patriotism shown by the two companies of Irish immigrants at Camp Slifer.

Since the war began, sales of revolvers have increased tremendously. The Spirit warns soldiers that the Army does not allow them to carry revolvers, so they should think twice before buying.

The Spirit didn't publish some letters from an observer in Baltimore because they were received too late. They wanted to let their readers know this information because the observer refers to previous letters in his current dispatches.

The Spirit believes that the reports about the poor quality of provisions given to the soldiers at the local camp are unfounded.

The Pennslvania Legislature adopted a resolution pledging to provide the Federal government with any men or money it may demand to put down the rebellion. The Pennsylvania Democrats unanimously supported this resolution, thus proving their loyalty to the Union.

Thomas H. Clay, son of Henry Clay, addressed a letter to the citizens of Fayette County, Kentucky, in which he denounced secession. He stated that "Kentucky has one hundred millions in slave property, which would be destroyed by secession and the establishment of a foreign border on the North." He wants the border states to remain neutral.

It appears that Maryland will not leave the Union. The correspondent believes that, if she remains loyal, she should be rewarded with a guarantee for the security of her property in slaves. The correspondent also believes that Baltimore's interruption of the flow of troops into Washington could be an opportunity for Chambersburg. A railroad running from Washington to Frederick, Md. and then to Chambersburg and ultimately to a junction with the Pennsylvania Railroad would help contribute to the security of Washington by providing the city with an alternate supply route.

The special correspondent discusses the different characteristics of the various state regiments posted in Washington. He also talks about the planned secession of western Virginia.

Union sentiment appears high in western Virginia and Maryland. A delegation for the former met with the President and assured him of their loyalty.

Federal troops will move into Virginia to gain control of the twenty miles outside of D.C. This area provides the District with much of its fresh produce. The war will thus be shifted onto Virginia soil.

Lincoln told a delegation from the Maryland Committee that the federal government was determined to assert its right of way through Maryland.

There are rumors in Washington that fighting is occurring in both Baltimore and Alexandria.

A secessionist from Baltimore states that the law-and-order party is unable to control the rowdy elements who resist the passage of troops through the city.

A Massachusetts man who had been vacationing in the South states that Southerners "are fully determined to resist the North to the last extremity." They are arming themselves to the teeth.

"The Fourteenth regiment, Col. Johnston: the fifteenth, Col. Oakford: have formed at Camp Curtin. Seventeen unattached companies are also in camp. The sixteenth regiment Col. Ziegler, have formed at York encampment."

Union meetings were held throughout the city to elect delegates to the City Convention and to adopt resolutions pledging loyalty to the Union.

Former Senator Bigler discusses his loyalty to the nation and his views on the need to uphold the government and Constitution.

Members of the Chambersburg Bar met at the offices of McLellan & McGuire to pay their respects to Frederick Smith, Esq., deceased.

The town received four or five inches of snow last Saturday. This is unusual for May.

J. Alex Simpson, the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Odd Fellows of Pennsylvania, will be visiting Chambersburg on May 14th to visit Columbus Lodge No. 75 and Chambersburg Lodge No. 175.

Two local men visited home on a furlough.

This regiment will be filled by companies to be sent to Chambersburg from Harrisburg.

List of members of the Franklin Rifles. They state that they will not tender their services to the Governor until two-thirds of all members agree to do so. They will, however, always be available to defend their town or state.

Capt. Rightmayer of the Reading Rifles states that the men are fine and "enjoy the novelty of their situation very much." They also are grateful to the people of Chambersburg, who have provided them with anything they wish to buy almost at cost.

List of the members of the Fulton Volunteers. The men are encamped at Camp McAllen at the Fair Ground. They are in excellent condition and fine spirits but "spoiling for a fight."

List of officers of the 10th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, who arrived in town on Thursday evening last and immediately marched to Camp Slifer.

List of materials "allowed to each soldier."

The McClure Rifles have elected their officers and are performing duty at Camp McAllen.

A new company of infantry was raised. They met and elected some of their officers.

The Spirit warns the public to be on their guard against con men. Some "rascals are just now engaged in collecting funds nominally for the families of the volunteers."

Married on May 5th.

Blanch died on Sunday at 3 months of age.

Annie Thompson died on April 9th at 18 years of age.

Died on May 3 at 65 years of age.

Daniel died on May 4 at 10 years of age.

Died on April 25th at 2 years of age.

Gen. Harney reported to the War Department, where he stated that he couldn't raise his sword against the South, but promised not to fight against the Stars and Stripes. However, when his resignation was refused and he was told to consider himself under arrest.

List of the local retailers and their assessed taxes.