Staunton Spectator: January 26, 1864 — Newspapers

Page Description:

Classified ads, columns 1-4

Confederate States Congress

(column 5)

Summary:

Reports on the proceedings of the Confederate Congress, including consideration of bills to regulate impressment and to curtail desertions.

The Legislature

(column 6)

Summary:

Provides an update on the proceedings of the Virginia Legislature, including discussion of bills related to deserters and salary increases for certain Confederate officials.

The Press

(column 7)

Summary:

Outlines the contributions made by Confederate newspapers to the Southern cause thus far. The South Carolinian suggests that conscripting newspaper editors and writers would be destructive.

Origin of Article:

Columbia South Carolinian

Diabolical Attempt to Burn the Presidential Mansion

(column 7)

Summary:

Reports on the attempted burning of President Davis's home in Richmond. Suggests that either Yankee prisoners in that city or the President's own house servants may be to blame.

Origin of Article:

Richmond Examiner

Page 2

Page Description:

Report of skirmishing in east Tennessee, column 2; classified ads, column 7

Habeas Corpus--The Criminal's Writ

(column 1)

Summary:

Opposes suggestions that the writ of habeas corpus be suspended. Explains that the South cannot fight for liberty while eliminating the individual liberties of its citizens.

Editorial Comment:

"In these times we hear some strange sentiments uttered. Some seem disposed to dispense with the chart furnished by our wise fathers, and to entrust, in the storm of revolution, the ark of our liberty to the waves without any thing to enable them to direct its course to prevent it from being engulphed in the Charybdis of despotism. "The price of liberty is eternal vigilance." and, in times of revolution and trial, the friends of liberty are called upon to exercise increased vigilance. We were surprised to find the following sentence in an editorial article in the "Richmond Enquirer" of the 21st inst.:"

Full Text of Article

"Habeas corpus is the criminal's writ; good men have very little use for it, and can dispense with it altogether by obeying the laws, and devoting their whole time and energy to the defence of their country."

Was the Constitution of Virginia adopted for the special protection of criminals?" Did the framers of that instrument consider "Habeas Corpus as the criminal's writ? The first sentence of the fifteenth section of the 50th article of the Constitution of Virginia reads as follows:

"The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus hall not, in any case, be suspended." v

Is the constitution of Virginia to be trampled in the dust? Shall the Juggernaut of military power crush beneath its ponderous wheels all individual and personal rights?

The 13th section of the "Virginia Bill of rights" says, "that in all cases the military should be under strict subordination to and governed by the civil power."

We have been under the impresion [sic] that we have been expending our treasure and spilling the life's blood of thousands of our best citizens to preserve the inestimable boon of liberty, and have been so unsophisticated as to believe that the way to preserve the liberties of all is to preserve intact the right of each individual. There can be no liberty for the country when individual personal rights are disregarded and trampled in the dust. Our motto is "Liberty and Independence," and not simply independence; for independence without liberty is not worth the price we are paying.

Deprive our people of liberty and they will no longer have an incentive to exertion.

Their energies will be relaxed, and their patriotism will whither as flowers beneath the Simoom's breath.

An Important Question

(column 1)

Summary:

States that the recent ban on distilling whiskey in Virginia has raised questions about the relationship of state and national authority in the Confederacy.

Full Text of Article

By the recent legislation of Virginia all distillation of Whiskey, upon any pretext whatever, is forbidden in the Commonwealth. The law expressly provides that no whiskey shall be distilled, in fulfilment [sic] of any contract with the Confederate States.

It furthermore makes it the duty of the Judge of the circuit, when he shall be informed of any violation of the law, to call a special term of his court and to empannel [sic] a special grand jury to investigate the matter.

At the last form of the county court, measures were taken to inform the Judge of this circuit of a violation of the law in this county, and we learn he has called a special term of his court for the 2nd of Feb. to investigate the case.

If this be the case, it will present a very important question in regard to the relative powers of the State and Confederate authorities. It will bring up the question of State sovereignty. We will then learn whether the Commonwealth of Virginia has a right to regulate her own domestic police, or whether she is, according to Mr. Seward's notion, a mere municipal corporation subject to the paramount authority of the Confederate Government.

The theory of our system is, that the States are the principals and the Confederate Government their agency. Is the agent subordinate to, or does it over-ride, the principals?

Presentation of a Flag

(column 1)

Summary:

Calls attention to the presentation of a new flag to the 52nd Virginia Regiment.

Excerpt:

"The enemy will never get that flag, if it be within the power of the brave soldiers who march beneath its folds to prevent it."

Full Text of Article

HEAD Q'RS 52d VA. INFANTRY,
Dec. 31, 1863.

COL. GEO. W. MUNFORD, Secretary of the Commonwealth of Va:

Colonel: By the hands of Adjutant William Galt, I return to the custody of the Commonwealth, to be laid up among her treasures, the tattered remnant of a flag, which was during last year, presented to the 52d Virginia Infantry, by his Excellency, the Governor. It has floated over the Regiment on the fields of Cedar Run, 2d Manassas, Sharpsburg, 1st Fredericksburg, 2nd Fredericksburg, and Gettysburg. Under its folds many a brave son of Virginia has fallen in maintenance of the Confederate cause, and, on the bloody field of Sharpsburg "the last enemy, Death," arrested it from the hands of a gallant bearer, * who, while living, was ever prompt to carry it defiantly in the face of his country's foes.

Let it then be cherished as a memorial of the honorable services of the men, who, amid fiery trials, have never faltered beneath it; and be pleased, sir, to send in its stead, as you have kindly promised to do, another, upon whose folds, yet unbaptised in blood, and untarnished by the smoke of battle, may be read, with fresh inspiration, the just doom of tyrants, and Virginia's everlasting resolve of resistance to oppression.

I am sure I but utter the heartfelt wishes of my countrymen, when I pray that, in the coming year, and ere the new flag can have lost its freshness, it may please God to vouchsafe to our bleeding country the balm of peace, and the blessings of Independence.

Very Respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES H. SKINNER,
Col. Comd'g 52d Va. Infantry.

* The color-sergeant, Charles Bush, a native of Henrico county, fell mortally wounded, and in his last moments bequeathed the undrawn balance of his pay to purchase a flag for his regiment.

Exemption from Impressment

(column 1)

Summary:

Explains that anyone with extra corn they do not want impressed should sell their harvest to J. W. Crawford, W. B. Kayser, and Rev. J. C. Wheat, who have formed a committee to sell these goods to the soldiers' families.

Names in Announcement:

J. W. Crawford; W. B. Kayser; Rev. J. C. Wheat

Subjugation Impossible

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Summary:

Reports that a New York Times writer has pronounced the subjugation of the South impossible, owing to the unity and determination of the Southern people.

Socks for Soldiers

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Summary:

Asks readers to donate woolen cloth for the production of socks and other items for the suffering soldiers of the 25th Regiment. Explains that the donations should be sent to the Staunton bookstore of Mr. R. Cowan.

Names in Announcement:

Mr. R. Cowan

The Whiskey Accounted For

(column 2)

Summary:

Condemns dishonest distillers of whiskey, who are impressing grain and then selling the product in the general market in Richmond.

Currency Bill

(column 2)

Summary:

Notes that a bill being considered by the Confederate Congress would reduce redundant currency by increasing taxes on personal property.

President Davis and the Pope

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Summary:

Reports on correspondence between President Davis and Pope Pius IX, in which Davis assures the Pope that the Confederacy is striving for peace.

Funeral Notice

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Summary:

Publishes a notice mimicking an obituary that mourns the death of "Habeas Corpus."

Origin of Article:

Richmond Whig

The Rival Administrations

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Summary:

Announces the publication of a two-volume history of the war, "The Rival Administrations," by Mr. E. A. Pollard.

Porcelain and Earthenware

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Summary:

Notes that the Confederate Congress passed an act incorporating a company to produce porcelain and earthenware in Augusta County.

Northern News

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Summary:

Reports on recent political developments in the North, including the introduction of a bill in Congress that would put all free black men between 16 and 60 into military service.

In For the War

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Summary:

Suggests that most soldiers ending their three-year volunteer enlistment will reenlist and points to the reenlistment of an entire Georgia brigade as evidence.

General Lee's Pardon

(column 4)

Summary:

Reports that General Lee pardoned a deserter for the sake of his wife, who had turned him in to Confederate authorities.

Excerpt:

"His reason for doing so was to encourage the wives of all soldiers to act as the wife of this man had done. . . . Let other wives take note."

The Crisis

(column 4)

Summary:

Compares the people of the Confederacy to the Israelites.

Longstreet Advancing

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Summary:

Reports on General Longstreet's successful defense against the Yankee troops that attacked his quarters near Morristown.

For the Spectator

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Summary:

Tells about the ceremonies surrounding the presentation of a new Virginia flag to the 52nd Virginia Regiment.

Trailer:

Chaplain

Names in Announcement:

Harvey Lackey, Color-Sergeant; William Galt; Colonel James H. Skinner

Presentation of a New Flag to the 52nd VA. Regiment

(column 5)

Summary:

Prints correspondence between Colonel James H. Skinner, 52nd Virginia Regiment, and George W. Munford, Secretary of the Commonwealth, in which Skinner presents the tattered remains of a Virginia flag in return for a new one.

Names in Announcement:

Col. James H. Skinner

Address of Colonel James H. Skinner to the Soldiers of the 52d Va. Regiment

(column 5)

Summary:

Publishes transcription of speech given by Col. James H. Skinner during the flag ceremonies of the 52nd Virginia Regiment.

Excerpt:

"The flag of our Confederacy may, and does claim, and is entitled to, your cordial attachment, but your heart's best devotion is due to this, the symbol of your State's sovereignty."

For the Spectator

(column 6)

Summary:

On behalf of the 25th Virginia Regiment, author thanks Mrs. Robert Cowan, Mrs. Wayt, and Mrs. Alex. Taylor of Staunton for the socks they donated to the soldiers.

Trailer:

R. D. Lilley, Lieut. Col. 25th, Va. Regt.

Names in Announcement:

Mrs. Alex Taylor; Mrs. Robert Cowan; Mrs. Wayt

Excerpt:

"They were large, thick, warm socks, and were appreciated by many of the men as only those can appreciate them who are destitute of this article of clothing, and who have not seen their homes since the war commenced, and do not expect to see them until it is ended."

For the Spectator

(column 6)

Summary:

Thanks the ladies who comprise the Soldiers Aid Society at Zion's Church for donating clothing and other provisions to the 25th Virginia Regiment.

Trailer:

Jno. C. Higginbotham, Col. Com'd'g. 25th Va. Infty.

For the Spectator

(column 6)

Summary:

Thanks the women of the soldiers aid societies of Brownsburg and Newport for donating shoes, socks and other clothing to Companies F and H, 31st Virginia Regiment.

Trailer:

J. Woodbridge Bosworth, 1st Lieut. Comdg. Co. H, 31st Va. Reg., and J. French Harding, Capt. Co. F, 31st Va. Reg.

Names in Announcement:

Miss Annie Withrow; Mrs. William Withrow; Miss Jones

(column 6)

Summary:

States that the Northern people have grown weary of war and are mistaken to assume that the Confederacy is weak.

Another Capture in Lee

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Summary:

Notes that Confederate forces took 100 Yankees prisoner in Lee County last week.

For the Spectator

(column 7)

Summary:

Declines to declare himself a candidate for sheriff.

Trailer:

Wm. H. Gamble

Names in Announcement:

William H. Gamble

Married

(column 7)

Summary:

On January 13, Rev. S. Henkel married Lieut. Elijah Coiner, Company E, 1st Virginia Cavalry, and Anna E. Reid, daughter of Thomas Reid Esq., of New Market, Shenandoah County.

Names in Announcement:

Rev. S. Henkel; Lieut. Elijah Coiner; Anna E. Reid; Thomas Reid, Esq.

Married

(column 7)

Summary:

Rev. C. Beard married Mr. George K. Killian, son of Rev. J. Killian, and Sarah M. Anderson on January 7.

Names in Announcement:

Rev. C. Beard; George K. Killian; Rev. J. Killian; Sarah M. Anderson

Died

(column 7)

Summary:

Martha Hanger, wife of Peter Hanger Sr., died at age 66 on January 6.

Trailer:

C. B.

Names in Announcement:

Mrs. Martha Hanger; Peter Hanger, Sr.

Tax In Kind

(column 7)

Summary:

Asks farmers who have delivered their tithes of wheat or buckwheat to submit their millers' receipts to the quarter master.

Trailer:

O. Smith, Capt. & Post Quarter Master, 11th Congressional Dist. of Va.

Names in Announcement:

Capt. O. Smith

$100 Reward

(column 7)

Summary:

Offers $100 reward for the return of Isaac and Oliver, both 17-year-old slaves of John Patterson.

Trailer:

John A. Patterson

Names in Announcement:

John A. Patterson