Valley Spirit

Letter from J.S.K. in which he discusses being ordered to prepare to march at a moments' notice, target practice, receiving gifts from the women of Chambersburg, and the shooting of a member of the Johnstown Rifles who entered a home in York, "abused the family and took hold of one of the women in the house."

"We learn from Augusta that the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of the State of Georgia have adopted a resolution disconnecting themselves from the general Grand Chapter of the United States."

Miscellaneous war news from Washington.

Col. Anderson met briefly with the Governor, members of the Pennsylvania Legislature and other state officials. He announced that John C. Breckinridge would join him in Cincinnati to take command under him.

A portion of the First Pennsylvania regiments arrived at Woodbury. Other Pennsylvania troops are on their way to Washington.

Governor Hicks denies Mayor Brown's charge that he authorized the destruction of the railroad bridges.

The Governor of Maryland agrees to the President's request for four regiments of infantry or riflemen to serve for three months as long as they shall serve within the limits of Maryland or for the defense of the Capital.

The General orders all traitorous actions in Maryland to cease. He states that he will not seize property unless the owner is engaged in helping the secessionists. He proclaims that the ordinary operation of the government of Baltimore will continue.

The federal government does not seize or punish spies arriving from the South, while the Confederacy continues to seize Northerners who travel to the South.

Two men who have been living in the South report that military preparations are being made in Virginia and North Carolina. General Lee has been given the command of all Confederate forces in Virginia.

More troops continue to move to Harper's Ferry from Virginia, and an attack is expected soon.

The government has begun taking precautions against future attempts to set fire to or blow up buildings in which soldiers are located.

Ross Winans, Baltimore arms manufacturer, was arrested by the government.

"The artillery company of Capt. Campbell has drilled frequently on the Common and the various movements are witnessed with great interest by our citizens."

Rev. J. Steck, Pastor of the Lutheran Church, will resume regular services next Sunday. Rev. S. H. Reid of Huntington will preach in the German Reformed Church next Sunday as well.

Townspeople are getting used to the presence of the soldiers. They also are less fearful of an attack from the South. The Spirit "would not be much surprised to hear of our young ladies and gentlemen getting up a picnic to Harper's Ferry some pleasant day just for the novelty of the thing."

Capt. Reilly's company from Camp McAllen marched through the streets of Chambersburg and maneuvered in the Public Square. The large crowd present admired them for their fine drill and appearance.

The three regiments from Camp Slifer marched through town last Thursday. The Spirit believes they have improved since their arrival here and "may now be considered sufficiently drilled to enter battle and stand fire like veterans."

The Spirit praises the patriotism of Fletcher Webster, son of Daniel Webster, who Lincoln removed from the office of Surveyor of the Port of Boston. Webster volunteered to raise a regiment of volunteers for immediate service to protect Washington.

The Educational Convention that was to be held at Harrisburg on the 21st. has been postponed.

Reports that the women of Chambersburg presented a flag to the 7th Regiment.

The Spirit denies a published report from the Harrisburg Telegraph that the commissariat in Chambersburg is poor.

A letter from a Southern women whose husband is in the Confederate Army states that he, along with many other men, would gladly leave and go North if it were possible. The Spirit believes that the Confederate Army will suffer from a large secession movement.

The Chambersburg Times claims that the postage law states that weekly papers will be mailed for free while semi-weekly papers will have regular postage. The Spirit believes that this is just an attempt by the Times to be sure that the three semi-weekly papers in the area have to pay postage while the Times doesn't.

Several weeks ago, Maryland was in open rebellion against the Federal Government. Now, however, the government has brought the state under control through a "determined attitude . . . and a display of adequate restraining force."

A letter written from a soldier at Camp Slifer. In it, he discusses camp life and drilling.

The Daily News claims that a large percentage of volunteers in the New York militia are Democrats.

List of elected officials of the Franklin County Farmers and Mechanics Industrial Association.

Rumors abound in Washington that a Southern army is encamped behind Arlington Heights. However, scouts who have recently returned from Virginia do not confirm the rumors.

Miscellaneous news from Annapolis. Brigadier General Butler was promoted to Major General. "The presence of Ross Winans here yesterday created a deep impression. The troops uncovered as he passed down the line."

Miscellaneous news from Baltimore. The New York and Massachusetts troops withdrew from Federal Hill and returned to the Relay House. Also reports that "The correspondent of the Lynchburg Virginian gives as a report the removal of Washington's remains on the ground that the North was going to do the same."

The steamer Bowman arrived in New York from Fortress Monroe carrying the women and children of the regular troops in the garrison. An attack on the fortress is expected.

Many trading houses are failing because they cannot get payments from their Southern customers. In addition, some houses that trade extensively with the West are also suffering.

The Daily Times praises the ladies of Chambersburg for their generosity to the soldiers and for their beauty.

General Harney published an address to the people of Missouri in which he stated that the recently passed bill in the legislature amounts to an indirect ordinance of secession. He believes that "Missouri must share the destiny of the Union."

Report of the convention in Wheeling to create the pro-Union "New Virginia."

The commander of state forces in Jefferson City, Missouri has issued an order that any attack by soldiers or mobs on the property of citizens will be dealt with harshly. When the Northern Methodist Church was stoned by a crowd of drunken men, the Southern Church took up a subscription to make the necessary repairs.

Three thousand troops have reached Harper's Ferry in the past few days. They are expected to make a foray into Pennsylvania in search of provisions. The planters at the "entrance into the State" greatly fear John Brown, Jr.'s company of black "avengers" who are said to be encamped in a valley sixty miles south of Pittsburgh. The state of Pennsylvania is planning on taking measures to prevent these men from "pursuing their evil design."

Reports that "An attempt was made last night [May 14] by Virginians to blow up a bridge on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, just below Point of Rocks, but it failed through their mismanagement. Another individual, suspiciously occupied at the turnpike bridge, near Frederick, was fired upon, but escaped. As no down trains have passed Frederick Junction for some hours, it is believed the track or bridges above are destroyed. The country about [Chambersburg] is infested with marauders whose only object seems to be destructive to private property."

Listing of the pay for officers and soldiers of the regular Army.

Miscellanous interesting army regulations.

The Gazette deplores the recent trend toward mob seizure and destruction of property.

In a church in West Philadelphia, the Rev. Henry A. Wise, Jr., son of the former governor of Virginia, left out the President during a Sunday prayer. A prominent member of the congregation stood up and demanded that he should repeat the prayer correctly. When he refused to do so, he left the pulpit without saying his sermon. He has since moved to Richmond.

Lists prices at the Chambersburg, Philadelphia, New York, and Baltimore markets.

Married on "Thursday evening last."

Died on May 17th at 23 years of age.