Staunton Vindicator

A letter from a soldier in the 12th Virginia cavalry offers an account of generals Jones and Imboden's moves in northwestern Virginia and assesses the loyalty to the South in various counties.

The writer for the London Saturday Review states that the South was in a good position when the war broke out by having a statesman at the head of its government who was enough of a soldier to select generals and then let them do they jobs for which they had been selected. The article then goes on to assess and praise various Confederate military leaders.

This article discusses the size and conditions of loans made to the Confederacy based on its projected cotton exports.

Asher W. Harman writes that his name has been maligned around Staunton for more than two years and most recently in print by Richard Mauzy, editor of the Spectator. Harman insists that he has served his country cheerfully and would never plunder private property or appropriate it for his private use.

The editor of the Spectator requests that any paper that carries Colonel Harman's "card" also carry this article, which moves through several points in the ongoing disagreement between Harman and the Spectator.

The editor notes that the Enquirer, Sentinel, and Dispatch often copy news articles from western Virginia from the Vindicator but either credit them to the Spectator or do not credit them at all. The Sentinel and Enquirer have made the omission once, but the Dispatch frequently fails to credit the articles. The editor calls the situation to the attention of his colleagues at these papers.

The returns from all counties and from the army are not in yet, but Generals Smith and Imboden have received the majority of votes for Governor and Lieutenant Governor. Baldwin, Holliday, Funste, Russell, Johnston, Goode, Wickham, Riv, Collier, Whitfield, and Montague were elected to Congress, with the other races still undecided. Harris, Walker and Kinney were elected to the House of Delegates from Rockingham. Sheffey, Walker, and McCue were elected to the House of Delegates from Augusta. Walker received 1138 votes, Sheffey 113, McCue 1007, Coyner 824, Harman 67, Peyton 386.

Hugh Sheffey writes the editor about a meeting of the Central Committee appointed to deal with incoming exiles in which it appointed a working Committee of Ladies in Staunton to visit exiled families as they arrive in Staunton to assess their needs. The committee selected John Wayt, Esq., a teller of the Central Bank, as treasurer of the fund and reports that contributions are coming in steadily. The committee plans to appeal to local ministers for assistance.

J. William Walls, Surgeon, 5th Virginia Infantry, writes the editor of the Vindicator, with a request to copy in the Spectator, to thank the citizens of Augusta County for their donations to the Wilderness hospital. Specifically, he thanks the women of the county and those of the Hebron congregation.

A meeting was held on June 1 at the Augusta County court house to discuss relief measures for the exiles from northwestern Virginia. The Honorable A. H. H. Stuart was chair, with William A. Burke and T. S. Hogshead, Esquires, appointed secretaries. The chair appointed Hugh W. Sheffey, Esq., and the Reverends Campbell, Baker, Latane, Dice, and Taylor to the committee. The committee made several recommendations and collected $865 among the attendees.

Lieutenant Jonathan G. McCray, 25th Virginia Regiment, married Sarah F. Lohr, Augusta County, on May 20, with Reverend George B. Taylor officiating.

Ellenora Beck, 3, adopted daughter of John and Mary E. Beck, died in Staunton May 23.

Joanna Catharine Frances Baird, 3, daughter of Reverend William S. and Mrs. R. E. E. Baird, died May 26 in Staunton of diphtheria.

Benjaminnie Everrit Baird, 6, daughter of Reverend William S. and Mrs. R. E. E. Baird, died June 2 of diphtheria.

Lieutenant Charles Calhoun died May 3 near Chancellorsville of battle wounds.

George Taylor, 23, 5 feet 8 or 10 inches, dark brown, open teeth, carries right foot a little too much out when walking, wearing gray clothes; and William Ash, about 21, 5 feet 7 or 8 inches, copper color, heavy set, a little bow legged, wearing drab clothes, ran away Wednesday night, June 3 from William J. Shumate. They ran away with several others on April 3 but were caught near Harrisonburg. Shumate believes they are trying to reach enemy lines and offers $1000 for their return to him in Staunton.