Semi-Weekly Dispatch: May 10, 1861 — Newspapers

Page 1

Page Description:

Advertisements, column 5

Through Baltimore!

(column 2)

Summary:

Poem about the Pennsylvania volunteers.

War Items

(column 2)

Summary:

Notes the locations and recent accomplishments of different divisions of government troops.

Capt. Roger Jones

(column 4)

Summary:

Announces the presence in town of Capt. Roger Jones, a much-decorated officer in the Union army, who is staying with his "friend and relative, Mr. Campbell."

Names in Announcement:

Mr. Campbell

Bandages for the Army

(column 4)

Summary:

Outlines the directions for making bandages for the army so that the women who have volunteered to do so will make them properly.

The Treason of South Carolina

(column 5)

Summary:

Reprint of an article from 1851 in which South Carolinians at the anniversary of the battle of Fort Moultrie declared their anti-Union sentiments.

Editorial Comment:

"The following, from the Baltimore Clipper, of July 5th, 1851, will exhibit to our readers the fact, that the present attitude of South Carolina towards our Government, is strictly in accordance with their sentiments, as expressed at that time:"

Origin of Article:

Baltimore Clipper

(column 5)

Summary:

Since the country has lost more than $500,000 because of the rebellion, the matter must be settled forever, not given up with any "half-way arrangement."

Editorial Comment:

"The following remarks of the N. Y. Tribune, we have no doubt, express the sentiments of the vast body of the Union-loving people of our country--"

Origin of Article:

New York Tribune

Page 2

Border State Mediation

(column 1)

Summary:

Editorial arguing that acceptance of Kentucky governor Magoffin's offer to mediate between the government and the rebels would only lend credence to the idea that there in fact are two governments between which to mediate and border states would then all depart the Union.

Trailer:

"This pretense of Border State mediation and Border State neutrality must soon come to an end."

Men and Arms from England

(column 1)

Summary:

Asserts that England's flattering offer of troops and arms must be rejected because the U.S. is not fighting a war against a foreign power, but must put down the rebellion on its own soil itself.

No Mediation

(column 2)

Summary:

Condemns those of the "Southern Rebellion" for stealing and robbing, and for firing on a fort with a hundred men who lacked provisions. At the same time, the government is praised for its competent attempt to restore order and peace without resorting to negotiation, which would be treasonous.

Southern Errors

(column 2)

Summary:

Points out that the South made the mistake of thinking that the North would be divided against itself when the South seceded.

Full Text of Article

The traitors of the South committed a very grave error, when, because a few northern office-holders held sympathy with them, in the incipiency and even more progressive stages of the rebellion, they supposed the North could be divided against itself, and thus fall an easy prey to their rapacious villainy. The mistake was to many of them a natural one, and shows, most emphatically, their gross ignorance of the Northern people. Their own masses--rude, ignorant, coarse, and in many cases, desperate and semi-barbarous--are easily led on by artful men, to consummate almost any wicked folly in the name of Southern Rights. Having such a population at home, they, measuring Northern intelligence and patriotism by their own standard, supposed that a few energetic leaders here could, as YANCY said of the South, fire from the heart and precipitate a revolution.

There was the rock upon which they split; this blunder of their own ignorance, led them to commit the greatest of all blunders--Secession itself.

Gov. Letcher

(column 2)

Summary:

States that the governor of Virginia is calling out troops against the U.S., even though the secession act of the state convention has not been ratified.

Excerpt:

"The document . . . stamps Gov. Letcher as a traitor to GOD, his Nation, and his own State."

Noble Pennsylvania

(column 3)

Summary:

Reports that Pennsylvania's volunteer companies are ahead of those of every other state.

Re-enforcement of Pickens

(column 3)

Summary:

Reports that Fort Pickens has been reinforced successfully.

The Right Doctrine

(column 3)

Summary:

Reports that Mr. Seward has instructed the U.S. minister to France that there has not been, nor will there ever be a dissolution of the Union.

Proclamation by the Governor of Virginia

(column 3)

Summary:

Governor Letcher gives the commanding general of the military forces of Virginia the power to muster into service as many volunteers as the state may require.

Page 3

Page Description:

Advertisements, columns 4 and 5

Home Guards

(column 1)

Summary:

Home guards under Major Hershberger's direction are making rapid improvement.

Names in Announcement:

Major Hershberger

Capt. Housum

(column 1)

Summary:

Reports that both men are home on furlough.

Names in Announcement:

Captain Housum; Captain Doebler>

Flag Presentation

(column 1)

Summary:

An American flag made by a group of ladies from Chambersburg was presented to the 8th Regiment.

Names in Announcement:

Hon. Geo. W. Brewer

(column 1)

Summary:

Lieutenant Roger Jones was issued a commission from Hon. Simon Cameron, Secretary of War.

A Good Idea

(column 2)

Summary:

Reports that picket guards are stationed each night at several approaches to the town, and ladies of Chambersburg have been giving them baskets. The editor expresses the hope that all the guards will be provided for in this manner.

Life in Camp

(column 2)

Summary:

Reports that in Camp Slifer, many of the men have complained that the bread is of poor quality and that the portions of bread are small. The editor urges that soldiers should be well cared for, especially as regards to food.

Full Text of Article

A few days ago, we had the pleasure of visiting Camp Slifer. Everything about it has a military air. The troops are drilled regularly, and are rapidly improving. The quarters, which are board shanties, put up under the supervision of Mr. Joseph Frey, and experienced mechanic of this place, are comfortable, so far as we could learn; and although considerable rain has fallen since the formation of the camp, have leaked but little. There seems to be a disposition in all concerned to do the best for all others, and but one complaint seems to exist. This is a sad one, and we feel sorry it is so. It appears, that a great deal of the bread is of very poor quality, and in many cases, the men have not enough, even of that. How it occurs, we know not, but have heard quite a number of the men express, how different was their treatment at camp Curtin, (Harrisburg,) and say, that if there was not an alteration they should return to their homes whenever their three months of enlistment are up. At the Western Camp, we were informed both by officers and men, that their provisions were both good and plentiful, and we cannot see any good reason why it should not be so at Camp Slifer. Wherever the defect exists we hope it may be speedily remedied. For to have good soldiers, they must be well cared for both as regards food and clothing, but especially that of food. It must be wholesome, or there will be sickness; there must be a sufficiency, or there will be weakness, or perhaps insubordination. Our soldiers deserve well of us. Many of the men here encamped, have left good homes to uphold our liberties, to guard our hearthstones from desecration, and protect us, our wives, and our little ones from the invasion of our foes. Such men should be held in honor by us. They should not want for any comfort be given them while in the service of their country.

Secession in Kentucky

(column 3)

Summary:

More votes were cast for Union in Louisville than the largest number of aggregate votes ever polled in an election there before.

Origin of Article:

Louisville Journal

Marriages

(column 3)

Summary:

Adam Stine of Pittsburgh and Margaretta Bowers of Chambersburg were married on the 6th of May.

Names in Announcement:

Mr. Adam Stine; Miss Margaretta Bowers

Deaths

(column 3)

Summary:

Blanche, aged 3 months, infant daughter of George and Jennie Seilhamer, died on the 5th of May.

Names in Announcement:

Blanche Seilhamer; George O. Seilhamer; Jennie Seilhamer

Deaths

(column 3)

Summary:

Died in Mercersberg on the 24th of April at the age of 93.

Names in Announcement:

Wm. McKinstry, Esq.

Deaths

(column 3)

Summary:

Died after a lingering illness at the age of 66.

Names in Announcement:

Frederick Smith, Esq.

Deaths

(column 3)

Summary:

Daniel F. Strike, aged 10 years, died near Chambersburg on the 4th of May. He was the only son of John Strike.

Names in Announcement:

Daniel F. Strike; Mr. John Strike

Deaths

(column 3)

Summary:

George W. White, infant son of George W. and Charlotte A. White, died on the 24th of April at the age of 7 months.

Names in Announcement:

George W. White; George W. White; Charlotte A. White

Deaths

(column 3)

Summary:

Annie Thompson, aged 18 years, died in Camden, N.J., on the 9th of April. She was the youngest daughter of the late Judge Alexander Thompson of Chambersburg.

Names in Announcement:

Annie Thompson; Judge Alexander Thompson

Page 4

Page Description:

Advertisements, columns 2-5