Staunton Vindicator

Michael Graham of General Banks' Secret Service wrote Major General H. W. Halleck, Commander in Chief, USA, Washington, on February 15,1863 about his wife's travels through the Shenandoah Valley.

The editor writes a brief column about Lee's early victory at Gettysburg and the rumor that Vicksburg surrendered recently. The rumor is that 19,000 Confederate soldiers surrendered, which seems doubtful to the editor, as surely that number would not surrender without trying "to cut their way out." Even if the Yankees now have possession of Vicksburg, they do not have control of the Mississippi.

R. T. Massie, son of Nathaniel Massie of Augusta, died. A graduate of the University of Virginia, he was assistant professor of mathematics there before becoming full professor at Randolph Macon College and at the University of Virginia. The editor credits him with being perhaps the finest mathematician his age in the Confederacy.

The Virginia Hotel has been sold by T. P. Peyton and Bros. to George L. Peyton, formerly proprietor of the Farish House in Charlottesville, and Eugene Peyton, for $90,000.

Twenty prisoners arrived in Staunton yesterday. They were taken by Colonel Jackson at Beverly.

Dr. Baldwin, formerly in charge of the American Hospital, has been transferred to Mt. Jackson to establish a hospital there. Dr. Douglas is now in charge of the American Hospital. He is an "accomplished gentleman" and a "fine Surgeon."

This short article refers to the letter published on page one about the travels of a Union officer's wife through the Shenandoah Valley. The editor praises Mrs. Kelly of Staunton and Mrs. Kennedy for their participation in the deception of a female spy and warns that others might be more easily taken in by the spy.

Rev. Mr. Harvy, Chaplain of the 110th Ohio Regiment, was taken at Winchester. Evidence reveals that he helped slaves run away, in one case aiding in the escape of Sarah Jenkins, a slave of W. J. Shumate of Augusta County. The Richmond Enquirer requests that he be handed over to state civil authorities at once in order to be prosecuted.

Mrs. Jane Annis Cochran, 45, died June 22 after a long illness at the home of Benjamin Crawford, Esq., Augusta County.

Robert T. Massie died July 2 in Richmond after an illness lasting eighteen hours. His remains were returned for burial in Waynesboro, where his father, Nathaniel Massie, lives.

Since William H. Harman, Attorney for the Commonwealth for Augusta County, resigned his office, the court orders an election be held in the county on August 15 to fill the vacancy. John N. Hendren is serving in Harman's stead. William A. Burnett, D. C., signed the advertisement.