Valley of the Shadow
Newspapers (1857–1870)

Semi-Weekly Dispatch

October 22, 1861
Page 1
Page Description:

Advertisements, columns 1 and 2; poem, column 3; further news concerning the fight at Bolivar, columns 4 and 5

Particulars of the Fight at Bolivar!

(column 3)
Summary:

Describes the battle near Harper's Ferry.

Page 2
Page Description:

Information on world population, column 2; information concerning the need to send government troops into "Indian country" to prevent them from joining the rebellion, column 2; telegraph connection to Salt Lake City, news from Missouri, Washington, Fortress Monroe, Louisville, and Virginia, columns 3 and 4; report from Washington that the rebels have retreated to Manassas, columns 4 and 5

The Late Election

(column 1)
Summary:

Commends the voters of Franklin County for electing the Union ticket. Expresses "the utmost confidence" in Messrs. Rowe and Sellers, the men chosen for the legislature, and in the Honorable James Nill, who will assume the Judgeship.

Colonel John W. Geary

(column 1)
Summary:

Expresses admiration for Colonel John W. Geary, the commanding officer of the Twenty-Eighth Pennsylvania Regiment, and gives a synopsis of his career to date.

Origin of Article:

Phila. paper

Exchange of Prisoners

(column 2)
Summary:

Reports that the government, though unwilling in any case to recognize the "rebels" as "legitimate beligerents [sic]," has adopted the policy of releasing Southern soldiers being held as prisoners when a corresponding number of government soldiers are returned to the North.

Page 3
Page Description:

Advertisements, columns 2-5

Speakership

(column 1)
Summary:

Notes that Major John Rowe, of this district, has been suggested as Speaker of the House. Offers support of Rowe's election to that office.

The Crops

(column 1)
Summary:

Comments that never before have the fall crops in Franklin County had a better appearance for a bountiful harvest than they do at present.

Death of Thomas Wildey

(column 1)
Summary:

Announces the death of the founder of Odd Fellowship in the United States. Mr. Wildey died suddenly at his residence in Baltimore the previous Saturday.

For Hayti

(column 1)
Summary:

Reports that about 140 African-American men and women arrived at Harrisburg one day the previous week. The men and women are on their way from Lewistown, Pennsylvania, to New York, where they will then set sail for Haiti.

A Chance

(column 1)
Summary:

Announces that the 98 men who will form a company of Zouaves to join a regiment at Harrisburg will have a chance to win one hundred dollars that has been donated to the company for that purpose.

Pennsylvania Warriors

(column 1)
Summary:

Reports that 507,000 men from Pennsylvania between the ages of 18 and 45 who are serving in the army.

Body-Guard

(column 1)
Summary:

Announces that a body guard for Major General Sherman is being formed, and that five men from Franklin County have been selected so far.

Pluck of the Hoosier Girls

(column 1)
Summary:

Prints the resolutions adopted by the "young ladies" of Logansport, Indiana, on September 30.

The Flag

(column 2)
Summary:

Asks what has happened to the flag that had flown from the Public Square, and urges that it be returned to its post.

Negley's Brigade

(column 2)
Summary:

Relates that Negley's Brigade, which is composed in part by Colonel Stumbaugh's regiment, has left Pittsburgh, bound for Kentucky.

Excerpt:

"From the efforts making by the rebels to drag Kentucky with them into the whirlpool of secession and inevitable ruin, our friends will find plenty of work on their hands, which, we trust, will be met by them with brave hearts and willing hands."

Marriages

(column 2)
Summary:

Mr. Augustus L. Wertz and Miss Urilla Kate Colby, both of Franklin County, were married on October 17.

Names in Announcement:
Mr. Augustus L. Wertz; Miss Urilla Kate Colby

Marriages

(column 2)
Summary:

Mr. John Johnston and Miss Elizabeth Hart, both of this borough, were married on October 18.

Names in Announcement:
Mr. John Johnston; Miss Elizabeth Hart

Deaths

(column 2)
Summary:

Mr. Moses Wilson, aged 80 years, died in St. Thomas township on October 15.

Names in Announcement:
Mr. Moses Wilson

Excerpt:

"He was peculiarly retiring and unobtrusive in his manners, and loved by all who knew him as a pure, amiable and honest man."

Deaths

(column 2)
Summary:

Mr. Jarrett Reineman, about nineteen years of age, died on October 20 in Chambersburg, after enduring a "protracted and peculiarly painful suffering" from scrofula. He was the son of Augustus and Harriet Reineman.

Names in Announcement:
Mr. Jarrett Reineman; Augustus Reineman; Harriet Reineman
Page 4
Page Description:

Anecdote concerning a Union soldier, column 1; prices current, column 2; advertisements, columns 1-5

Six Months Ago

(column 1)
Summary:

Summarizes all that has taken place since Fort Sumter fell into the hands of the South six months previous.

Origin of Article:

Evening Journal

Full Text of Article

Just six months ago to-day, Fort Sumter fell into the hands of the rebels, and the North became a perfect Green Monster of Jealousy for he safety of the honor of our great Republic.

What has been done since that time?

The largest army that the country had ever seen previously has been called out, organized, equipped, served three months, and been disbanded. Three months later, an army of over three hundred thousand men has been raised, organized, equipped, transported, and drilled ready for action.

Thirty little battles have been fought, and about two thousand men have been killed, and twice as many has [sic] been wounded.

A fleet that was spread over the waters of the entire globe, has been called home, repaired and is in active service. The Navy has been weeded of traitors--a great work in itself.

Seven new sloops-of-war has [sic] been built and are now afloat, and thirty powerful new gun-boats will soon be ready for service.--Besides this, seventeen steamers have been altered into gun-boats, and five schooners have been likewise altered.

Two forts, seven hundred prisoners, two hundred and three prizes have been captured by the fleet.

This is but a tithe of what has been done whilst our army was in a state of disorganization, and our government affairs in chaotic confusion.

What can be done in the next three months with perfect order, great power, great leaders, and a great cause?

Shall not the anniversary of the fall of Fort Sumpter [sic] show us the fall of the so-called Southern Confederacy?--Evening Journal of last Thursday.