Semi-Weekly Dispatch

Reprints the speech of the governor elected in western Virginia. The governor notes that those who have previously governed Virginia have believed the propertied, educated classes should make the decisions in the state. It is these leaders, the "usurpers of the South," who have driven Virginia to secede. Now, Pierpont asserts, loyal Virginians are reclaiming the power of all the people to make the law.

Excerpts the opinion of the Washington correspondent for the New York Tribune, who believes that General Scott has no long-range plan for winning the war. Presently, the correspondent argues, the troops around Washington are there simply to defend the capital. But he thinks the present plans will be modified before the fall.

Various news briefs concerning the war, including information that Hugh Brenan, a private in company F of the 24th Pennsylvania regiment, was arrested and "will probably be shot" for attempting to shoot the day officer, Captain Thomas Smith.

Reprints two dispatches from Washington. The first reports that the "Rebels" have advanced a proposition for peace that requires recognition of the Southern Confederacy by the federal government, along with a treaty of commerce and friendship. The second denies that the South has offered any such proposition and that "the traitors intend to push the war to the bitter end."

Reprints the agreement made between General McClellan and General Buckner of Kentucky, whereby Kentucky will enforce the laws of the United States on its soil. By the agreement, Kentucky will be compelled to remove Southern troops from the state if they manage to occupy it. If Kentucky is unable to accomplish the removal of Southern forces, they must call on the United States government to do so. The Dispatch is in accord with President Lincoln's decision to repudiate this agreement, because the Dispatch believes that the government should not be required to ask permission to enter a state. In addition, the editor states Governor Magoffin of Kentucky is attempting to fool the government with this stance of neutrality. The editor fears that, once Magoffin has gathered troops, he may well declare that "Kentucky has changed her mind" and has decided to join the Confederacy.

Reprints orders by General McClellan to his troops that they should bring into battle the "highest and noblest qualities of soldiers' discipline--courage and mercy." The soldiers under his command should remember that they have the upper hand morally over those they will fight, and, therefore, they should show mercy to their disarmed foe.

Speculates that Congress will give the president the means to send to Haiti any African Americans of the North who wish to go.

Reports that Bowman and Chase are rumored to have been taken to Richmond and that they will soon be released on parole. Their friends have made efforts to have them exchanged.

Reports the death of James Mifflin of Shippensburg, an government teamster who drowned in the Potomac River near Williamsport.

Reports that a farmer, Powell Leap, living near Chambersburg was riding atop the load when hauling hay and fell off backward by a sudden jolt. The Dispatch reports that "his chest was represented to us as twice its natural size." Though Leap was still alive when the paper went to press, he was not expected to live.

Reports the death of a German soldier from Pittsburgh, Charles Sitzler of the Third Regiment. Sitzler died of typhoid fever in the house of Mr. F. Deatrich of Chambersburg. The funeral arrangements were made by Mr. J. Hoke.

An account of the retreat from Harper's Ferry given by a Chambersburg soldier who had been impressed into the Confederate army and had recently escaped.

William McLellan, Esq., of Chambersburg and Major John Rowe of Greencastle have distributed clothing to the soldiers encamped at Hagerstown to replace the inferior clothing furnished by the state.

Announces that the Reverend James Mackey of Shippensburg will preach "in the Bethel" at the corner of Queen and Water streets the following Sunday.

Announces that Captain Doubleday has been promoted to Major.

Remarks that the grass cutting season has arrived and that farmers are busy making hay.

Reports that a fire on the previous Monday afternoon in Greencastle completely destroyed the foundry building and nearly all its contents. In addition, the blaze consumed two houses, causing a total of $12,500 in damages.

Reports that several citizens took into their homes people still remaining in the hospital on the previous Monday. Samuel Myers, Judge Chambers, Mrs. Wolfkill, D. Trostle, and F. Deatrich each took in one, while Charles Oyster, Jr., took in three, and A. H. McCulloh took in two. Dr. A. H. Senseny was the attending physician.