Page 1
Page Description:
Also on this page are a reprinted list of deserters from the 52nd Regiment of Virginia Volunteers, the inaugural address of Governor Smith, and advertisements.
Confederate Woman and the War
(column 7)
Summary:
The writer warns women of the Confederacy against their vanity and their desire for costly pleasures, noting that such things impede the cause of the South.
Origin of Article:
Mobile Advertiser and Register
Excerpt:
"As long as they can buy glittering baubles, and throw their treasures into the extortioner's hand, so long will he press his iron heel upon the aching heart of the sunny South."
Page 2
Page Description:
Also on this page are advertisements, including two regarding the payment of taxes or taxes-in-kind.
Augusta Raid Guards
(column 1)
Summary:
The editor notes an article from the Rockingham Register that discusses the arrival and quick departure of Northern troops at Harrisonburg, but that fails to mention the involvement of the Augusta Raid Guard in the operations there. The Augusta Guard had "just undergone such severe and unaccustomed hardships at North and Shenandoah Mountains" but assembled and went to Rockingham County anyway. The Vindicator's editor assumes that the Register's editor must not have been able to distinguish the Augusta Guard from the regular soldiers, a situation highly complimentary to the home guard. The editor praises the men of the county who participated even though they were not members of the home guard and hopes that everyone eligible will participate or else risk public censure.
Full Text of Article
Augusta Raid Guards.
We read the interesting article of our co[n]temporary of the "Rockingham Register" descriptive of the arrival of the Yankees at Harrisonburg, their doings while there and their hasty exit, and although disappointed in seeing the mention made of those men of Augusta, who had but just undergone such severe and unaccustomed hardships at North and Shenandoah Mountains, and who again assembled and with commendable alacrity started to meet the enemy then threatening the neighboring county of Rockingham, and perhaps through it to our own beloved Augusta, yet gratified to think that our neighbor of the "Register," with all his discrimination, was unable to distinguish the "Augusta Raid Guards" from regular soldiers. This must have been the case, and is very complimentary to the Guards, for we are satisfied that our neighbor's kindly feelings for Augusta and her citizens would not have permitted him knowingly to have omitted to notice the men of Augusta, who had hurriedly, unhesitatingly, willingly gone forth to assist in defending the homes of Rockingham.
It is needless to mention the services of those who were connected with the Guards, for that is well known, but it may not be known that there were others not connected with any organization who accompanied them. This is greatly to their praise, some of them having no pecuniary interest here. The few that remained who were able to go have no twitchings of conscience perhaps but must bear the censure of all for time to come.
To Our Patrons
(column 1)
Summary:
The editor responds to numerous inquiries as to why the Vindicator has not been published for the three preceding weeks. During the first week, much of the office staff went with the Augusta Raid Guards to North Mountain and returned on Thursday, the day before the paper should have been issued. During the second week, they were involved with the Guard in Harrisonburg and returned home on Friday, the day the paper should have been issued. During the third week the editor gave his employees time off for Christmas. The editor hopes that no further impediments lie in the way of continuous publication in the future.
Full Text of Article
To Our Patrons.
Many of our patrons have called to enquire the reasons of the failure to receive their papers for the last three weeks and as it is not generally known we take this occasion of informing all, and earnestly hope the reason may be as satisfactory to others as to those we have seen. We have not published it. And why? Every one connected with the office who could go went with the "Augusta Raid Guards" to North Mountain to assist, if possible, in meeting the threatening raid of Averill from that direction, and returning thence on Thursday the 17th December, consequently too late to issue it. On the following Sunday they went down the Valley with the Guards again to meet the enemy, who came as far as Harrisonburg, and only returned, after the enemy were driven below New Market on the Next Friday, the day it should have been issued and again too late when Christmas week intervened, and on account of their incessant labors for the year and their late, cold, disagreeable and arduous campaigns, we thought it but just that they, weary and nearly broken down, should rest. We sincerely hope that there may be no impediments in the way of issuing the "Vindicator" continuously hereafter, and as far as in us lies will endeavor that it shall reach all regularly.
Tax Payers
(column 1)
Summary:
The editor draws the attention of readers to the due date for taxes for the last quarter of 1863.
Inaugural Address of Gov. Smith
(column 2)
Summary:
The editor praises Major General William Smith upon his inauguration as governor of Virginia and commends outgoing Governor Letcher.
Treason
(column 2)
Summary:
A treatise entitled "An appeal to the honest and reasoning-minded people of the Northern and Southern States of America" supposedly was published in Petersburg, but the editor suspects it is the product of the traitorous Raleigh (North Carolina) Standard. The treatise advocates buying and freeing slaves and reuniting with the North at the end of Lincoln's administration. The editor hopes that the people of Petersburg will trace the authorship of the treatise and "relieve that noble city of the stigma of having issued such a treasonable production."
(column 2)
Summary:
Lieutenant Carter Berkely of Captain McClannahan's Battery under General Imboden's command is in Staunton recruiting for his company. The editor recommends signing up with this company because it is a mounted battery, it has "excellent and accomplished officers," and it is likely to operate in the Valley, near where most men live.
Full Text of Article
Lieut. Carter Berkely.
Lieut. Carter Berkely, of Captain McClanahan's Battery, Gen. Imboden's command, is now in town recruiting for his company. This battery offers great inducements to those who expect to enter the service, being a mounted battery, (permission having been given to mount themselves) under excellent and accomplished officers and likely to operate near the homes of those living in the Valley. Give Lieut. Berkely a call before going elsewhere.
Substitutes From Augusta
(column 2)
Summary:
The editor has heard that Augusta County had twelve hundred substitutes and has never had reason to question the source of that information. The editor has learned, however, that the real number is 367.
Full Text of Article
Substitutes from Augusta.
We have frequently heard it stated that there were twelve hundred Substitutes from the County of Augusta alone, and as we had no data to go upon we supposed those who asserted it knew best and of course did not refute the statement, but we have lately taken occasion to ascertain the number and find it to be three hundred and sixty-seven. Quite a difference.
Substitute Bill
(column 3)
Summary:
The Congress of the Confederate States has passed a bill repealing the privilege of substitution and requiring service of all who previously had substitutes. Included with this article is a list of names from the House and the Senate of those voting for and against the bill.
Married
(column 3)
Summary:
Charles W. Parker of Staunton married Miss Samantha O. Foster of Ivy Spring, Nelson County, at the home of her father on December 1, 1863, with Reverend William Shipman officiating.
Names in Announcement:
Mr. Charles W. Parker
Married
(column 3)
Summary:
Lizzie G. Atkinson, elder daughter of Alexander Atkinson of Augusta County and formerly of Maryland, married James E. Sale of Rockbridge County on December 15, 1863, with Reverend J. C. Wheat of Staunton officiating.
Names in Announcement:
Reverend J. C. Wheat; Miss Lizzie G. Atkinson; Mr. Alexander Atkinson
Married
(column 3)
Summary:
Mary C. Dull of Staunton married William W. Garbert in Staunton on December 17, 1863, with Reverend J. C. Dice officiating.
Names in Announcement:
Reverend J. C. Dice; Mr. William W. Garbert; Miss Mary C. Dull
Married
(column 3)
Summary:
Mary Towberman married John H. Bates on December 17, 1863, with Reverend Martin Garber officiating. All are from Augusta County.
Names in Announcement:
Reverend Martin Garber; Mr. John H. Bates; Miss Mary Towberman
Married
(column 3)
Summary:
Miss Eddie Bell, daughter of Colonel William A. Bell of Augusta County, married Captain E. W. Bayly on December 29, 1863, with Reverend William E. Baker officiating.
Names in Announcement:
Reverend William E. Baker; Captain E. W. Bayly; Miss Eddie Bell; Colonel William A. Bell
"So much has been said of the women of the South for the noble part taken in our struggle for independence. [all of which we endorse.] It may not be amiss to give a slight glimpse of the reverse of the picture. We copy from a lady correspondent of the Mobil Advertiser and Register. She says:"