Staunton Spectator

Provides an encouraging appraisal of the state of the war and draws on historical precedent to forecast a successful conclusion of the current hostilities. Especially interesting is the summary of the various advantages possessed by the Northern forces at the outset of the war.

Continuing the themes raised in Mr. Rives's letter, this article focuses on the lessons and morals to be gained from a study of the American Revolution.

Reports on the dismal state of African-Americans behind the Union lines in the western theatre of the war. The article seeks to document a lack of concern for their well-being on the part of the Northern forces.

Describes a series of military encounters that took place in Pendleton, Highland and Pocahontas counties in West Virginia. The article details the extraordinary efforts of the Confederate forces under the command of Col. Patton against a numerically superior force under the command of Gen. Averill. It also provides a running account of the skirmishes and compares the losses of the two forces.

Offers an encouraging report on the current situation at Charleston, South Carolina. The article claims that Union efforts to seize the city have been stymied and that Confederate ironclads will soon arrive to break the blockade.

Reports on the war in eastern Tennessee.

Reports on recent efforts by Unions troops to regain possession of two of their gunboats, the Reliance and Satellite. These were recently captured by Confederate forces and dismantled at Port Royal on the Rappahannock River. Union attempts to recapture the boats led to a spirited exchange of artillery, but the efforts were ultimately unsuccessful.

Announces the execution of ten deserters from company H, 3rd N. C. Infantry. These men were involved in the murder near Scottsville of Adjt. Mallet, who attempted to capture them. The article also mentions the recent execution of five substitute deserters from Meade's army on August 29th.

Describes the suffering of the South's poor and criticizes those who "grind the faces of the poor" in pursuit of profits. The article recommends the enactment of a tax on the wealthy that will provide for the maintenance of the poor in their midst. There is an additional post script that announces that the Town Council has enacted the desired measure.

Discussion of the current extra legislative session, with special emphasis on the actions taken to expand the militia and broaden the pool of potential enlistees.

Draws the attention of the public to Mr. Rives' letter of encouragement and describes the letter's author as a man of "talents and advanced age."

Bemoaning a "sad mistake," this article details the sinking of the steamer Sumpter from friendly fire.

Discusses a letter written by Abraham Lincoln that asserts that there are only three ways to secure peace: by force of arms; by giving up the union; and by compromise. The letter goes on to rule out the latter means, since "no propositions of compromise have been made by the Confederate authorities."

Announces the organization of companies for home defense at Fisherville, Mint Spring, and Middlebrook. The article recommends that companies be formed immediately and elections of officers be delayed until the next Court day.

Complains of poor service at Post Offices and attributes the problem to "too many keepers to be well kept." This bloated workforce not only reduces the number of men available for military service, but also increases the possibility of mismanagement.

Members of New York's German community criticized the draft as "a cruel and inhuman measure." A mass meeting held on August 27th decided to travel to Albany, N.Y. in hopes of receiving relief from Governor Seymour.

Announcment of the death of Mary Ann Kinney at her son's residence on August 27, 1863 after a weeks' illness. She was the daughter of George Fisher of Richmond and the widow of N. C. Kinney.

Byron Miller died of diphtheria at the home of Mr. D. D. Koiner near Waynesboro. Byron Miller was the son of Lieut. Ira Miller and Susan E. Miller and died just short of his eighth birthday.

Mary Elizabeth Ball died at North Garden, Albermarle County, on August 5th at just over nine years old. She was the second daughter of Charles H. and Harriet Ball.

Announces the death of George Ella Ball, the third daughter of the same parents mentioned previously, at the age of six years, seven months, and twenty-five days on August 11th.

Announces the death of Kate Ellen Ball, the youngest daughter of the same parents mentioned previously, at the age of four years, six months, and five days on August 25th.

Announces the death of Charles H. Ball on August 16th. He was the father of the children mentioned previously, and he also died of dyptheria. He was the son of Mr. Samuel Ball of Richmond.

Announces the death of Henry Briscoe Stofer of consumption at Kingsport, Tennessee on June 10th, although it is noted that he was "late of this place." He died at the age of thirty-two years old and left behind an "affectionate wife to mourn his loss."

Announces the death of William Thompson at his residence near Greenville, of consumption, in the sixty-seventh year of his life.

Announces the death of Ann Eliza Lawrence, the infant daughter of Thomas and Sarah J. Lawrence of Staunton. The obituary also includes a poignant poem which advises the deceased daughter to "Haste from this fearful land, Where flowers so quickly fade."

Announces the death of Mrs. Mary Hunter at his residence on Christian's Creek, of Cholera Morbus, on August 26th in the fifty-eighth year of her life. She is described as the "relict" of Matthew T. Hunter.

Announces the death of Simeon Fitch at Greenville on August 17th in the 62nd year of his life. It is noted that "he was converted to God in Ohio in his 19th year, and joined the M. E.. Church, of which he lived a consistent member for 43 years."