Staunton Spectator

The good people of this county will be greatly astonished, as we were, to learn from the communication published in this issue, of Brig. Gen'l J.A. Walker, commanding the "Stonewall Brigade" that there are two hundred of the gallant soldiers of that famous Brigade who are without shoes and socks. With Gen. Walker, we think it a "shame", that such should be the fact, but we are sure that the good people of this county would not have suffered such a state of things to exist if they had been apprised of the fact that shoes and socks were needed, had it been possible for them to supply the need. We do not know whether they could have supplied shoes, but socks, they could, and would have supplied with pleasure, if they had been apprised of the need for them. The Government should have supplied these necessary articles, but if it had been known in this county that the Government could not, or had, by mismanagement, failed to furnish them, we know that the citizens of this county would have done all in their power to have the gallant soldiers of the illustrious "Stonewall Brigade" properly shod. Think of it, the thermometer standing at zero, and two hundred soldiers of the "Stonewall Brigade" without shoes and socks!!! This is truly a "shame," but the culpability does not attach to the patriotic and benevolent citizens of this county. If the Government will furnish the yarn, we promise that the fair ladies of "Augusta" will supply, in a remarkably short time, the whole Brigade with good socks knit by their own fair hands. They do not regard working for the soldiers as a labor, but a pleasure. For that burpose [sic] they work con amore, it being with them a labor of love, and we can assure them it will not be "Love's labor lost." As we had heard no complaint from the army this winter of the want of proper clothing we had supposed that the soldiers had been amply supplied by the Government, and consequently we made no appeals to our citizens to supply their wants in that respect. If we had been apprised of the fact that our soldiers were suffering for the want of shoes and socks we would have appealed to our citizens to supply them, and we are satisfied, from their promptness in the past, that the appeal would have been responded to with promptness and cheerfulness. Now that our citizens know the wants of the soldiers in the "Stonewall Brigade," we are sure that they will exert themselves to have their wants supplied. The noble example of Mr. Wm. B. Gallaher and his mother is worthy of emulation, and we hope that it will not be long before the General Commanding the Stonewall Brigade will have the pleasure of acknowledging similar donations from other persons in this county. It is not expected that single individuals shall make such large donations, as but few have the means to do so, but even larger can be made by associated action. Large donations are composed of many small amounts, and if each will give but little the aggregate will amount to a large sum. Even small donations, will be recieved [sic] with gratitude, and, like the widow's mite, will be abundantly blessed. It requires but a short argument to establish that the citizens should contribute liberally to the support of the wants of the soldiers. If our cause shall be successful, it will be due to the efforts and sacrifices of the soldiers, and as they will save our property and make our money good, we should be willing to pay a portion for their comfort. If in spite of their heroic efforts, our cause be destined to fail, then the money will be worth nothing, and the contributor will have lost nothing whilst he will have the consolation to know that he did a good act, and promoted the comfort of the suffering soldiers who freely spilt their blood in defence of his rights and property.

The exhibition of the Tableaux Vivants, given in the Union Hall, on Thursday evening last, was well patronized. The Hall was filled to its utmost capacity, and so great was the press that there was not a seat for the Press, which concluded, in good humor, to stand it. After the Hall had been filled to overflowing, and when it was as hard for any more to gain admittance as it is for a camel to creep through the eye of a cambric needle, the bell jingled, the curtain rose, and the first scene, "The Reception," was exhibited. It was such as is frequently given, but not such as confers pleasure--being formal, stylish and freezingly cold. "Infant Samuel" was well represented, as was also the "Light of Life." "The Soldier and Landlord," illustrated the imposition practised by some Landlords upon Soldiers by charging much for very little. "Home Treasures" were treasures indeed, and where such "treasures are, there will the heart be also." The "Unfortunate Schoolmaster," like the condemned criminal on board ship, was compelled to "walk the plank," and "great was the fall, my countrymen." This scene should have been entitled, "The fall of man." The "Game of Draughts," won, and made a considerable draught upon the approval of the spectators. In "The Soldier's Departure", the departing hero was such a good soldier that he "stood upon the order of his going," instead of going at once," and as the order to go was not given, his departure was not accomplished. "Family Prayer" was a very impressive scene, and should have impressed some who witnessed it that they should cease to prey like vultures and learn to pray like Christians. "The Orphan Boy" struck the chord of compassion in the "Harp of a thousand strings,"--the human heart. In "All is fair in love and war," the chief art of war--"strategy, my boys, strategy"--was shown to possess as much virtue in the court of Cupid as in that of Mars. "The Marriage" scene was so beautiful and attractive as to inspire many of the youthful spectators with the desire of enacting it--tho' not in a style so mute and statue like. "First Boots" was very well acted, and the proud little possessor of the boots had no idea of obeying the call, so common in the army, "come out'n dem boots!" In the "Soldier's Return," the reception given the laurel-crowned and battle-scarred hero seemed more of a surprise than a pleasure, owing probably to the fact that he returned before the war was over--the "hurly-burly done, and the victory won." "Day and night" embraced "all the light of dark eye in woman," and "as sure as the night follows the day" it was not appreciated as it should have been. "The Miniature" was quite a pretty scene. "Beautiful Star," though a "bright, particular star", was not the star scene of the exhibition. "The Dream," though it seemed to partake of the Elysian type, was, like Lord Byron's, "not all a dream." In the scene of "Pocahontas and Capt. Smith," though clubs were trumps, yet hearts won the game. "The Contest" concluded the exhibition, and that it gave satisfaction, no one will contest. The proceeds of this exhibition amounted to $1250. and that of the week before to $850., making an aggregate of $2100., which will be applied to paying the debt of the M.E. Church of this place.

Both Houses of the Lincoln Congress have concurred in the report of the Committee of Conference on the "Enrollment Bill." The report fixes the commutation fee at $300, but renders the drafted man who commutes liable to be drawn again after the expiration of one year. All able-bodied persons of African descent between 20 and 45 years of age, are to be enrolled, and when the slave of a loyal master is drafted and mustered into service, he shall be free, the master to be paid the sum to be awarded by a commission, not exceeding $300.

Lincoln has issued a proclamation declaring the port of Galveston, Texas, re-opened to the commerce of the world, with certain restrictions.

The case of Josiah Blackburn, who had furnished a substitute for the war, came up on a writ of habeas corpus for decision before Judge Halyburton's Court in Richmond on Tuesday last. It was decided by the Court that the recent law of Congress, placing this class of persons in the service, was constitutional, and the men liable to service, notwithstanding they may have been exempted for the war. The Judge denied that the Government had the power to make a contract which would alienate her right to the services of every man capable of bearing arms, and that if such contract was made, it was null and void, and there was nothing in the Constitution to restrain Congress from disregarding such contract, whenever the exigencies of service might require the service of all men capable of bearing arms. The case was elaborately argued by Messrs. Davis and Orvis for the petitioner, the Government not being represented. Upon the rendition of this decision the peti[t]ioner, Blackburn, was remanded to Camp Lee.

Camp Stonewall Brigade,
Feb. 20th, 1864.

p>ED. SPECTATOR: Allow me a short space in your columns, to acknowledge the receipt of 50 pairs of shoes, a gift from Mr. Wm. B. Gallaher, of Waynesboro, to the refugee soldiers of the "Stonewall" Brigade, and 50 pairs of socks from his mother.

Such generous conduct speaks for itself, and no words of mine can do it justice.

Is it not a shame, Mr. Editor, that there are at least two hundred soldiers in this brigade still barefooted, without either shoes or socks to protect them from the cold weather? Surely the good people of the Valley, whose peculiar pride it is to have furnished the "old Stonewall Brigade" to the country, do not know this, or they would strive with each other who should first come to their relief.

To the people of Augusta, particularly, whose homes have never been polluted by the presence of the invader, and whose means of liberality have not been dimished [sic] by the war, I would appeal for aid. Remember Cross Keys and Port Republic; and remember that more than one barefooted man in this brigade can show scars which they received as they stood on the very border of your county, perilling [sic] their lives to keep the enemy from your homes!

How many gentlemen and ladies of Augusta county will follow the example set them by Mr. and Mrs. Gallaher, and deliver to Col. Nadenbousch, Commanding the Post at Staunton, similiar [sic] donations to be forwarded to the brigade?

I am, Mr. Editor,
Very Respectfully,
J. A. WALKER
Brigadier General.

CAMP AT SUMMERVILLE FORD,
Feb. 21, 1864

My good old Friends of Augusta:

Whereas, I think it my duty to inform you of our present condition, I shall endeavor to do so, by first informing you that we now are volunteeringly in for the war. Some few of our regiment refused to re-enlist, from the fact that they want a re-organization, which, I think they will not get, and at last be forced into service when their three year's time expires. It is our duty to re-enlist and serve our country to the last. I have been serving the Confederate States of America for three years. I have never had a furlough since I first volunteered. I have received one wound from the enemy which caused me to be absent from my company a few months. Yet I am determined to remain with my company as long as my services are needed in defence of my country.

I am truly happy to inform you that company C, 52d Virginia Infantry, has re-enlisted for the war. This company has fought gallantly in every battle the regiment has been engaged in, which are not a few.

The weather is beautiful at present and I hope it will remain so. All is quiet along the lines at present.

I am, very respectfully,
A SOLDIER.

At a meeting of the members of Company D, 52d Va. regiment held at their camp near Summerville Ford, Feb. 18th, 1864, for the purpose of reiterating their determination to remain in the service of the Confederate States until the present war with the United States shall have been brought to an honorable close. On motion, Mr. Jesse Ralston, was unanimously elected Chairman, and Sergt. James W. Marshall was chosen Secretary. On motion of Corpl. George Harman, a committee of five were appointed to draft resolutions expressive of the sentiments of the company. Whereupon the Chairman appointed Sergt. Jas. H. Maupin, Fred. Cupp, Jas. Marshall, Jas. Curry and Corpl. Harman. The committee after a short absence returned and the following resolutions were unanimously adopted:

Resolved 1st, That we do recognize the necessity of remaining in the service, and offering our past action as a guarantee of the sincerity of our purpose, do pledge our honor, and, if need be, our lives, to fight this struggle to a successful termination, over the embittered foe now marshalled for our subjugation and destruction.

Resolved 2d, That we do, in vindication of what we have expressed, hereby re-enlist for the war, with the reservation that we think the privilege of reorganization ought to be granted us.

Resolved 3d, That in view of the exigencies of the crisis and the imperative duty of every patriot, to rally to the bleeding standard of his country and every Southerner to defend the battle torn and powder-stained flag of the Confederate States, do reaffirm, that we will never consent to lay down our arms, until the nationality and independence of our country shall have been achieved.

Resolved 4th, That a copy of these proceedings be sent to the Staunton Spectator and Rockingham Register for publication.

JESSE RALSTON, Chairman.
JAMES MARSHALL, Secretary.