Staunton Vindicator: February 19, 1864 — Newspapers

Page Description:

Also on this page are a reprinted list of deserters from the 52nd Regiment of Virginia Volunteers, advertisements, and war news.

A Picture for the War

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Summary:

This three-part story relates the experience of a mother cradling her son Willie as a child, watching him go off to war eighteen years later, and then having him die in battle.

Trailer:

Gillian Gray

Names in Announcement:

Gillian Gray

A Beautiful Extract

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Summary:

Bishop Johns uses the occasion of Lent to encourage Southerners not to be discouraged. Instead, they must remember that God is on their side and may have a more difficult path to peace planned for them than they can anticipate.

Editorial Comment:

"We copy the following beautiful extract from the Lenten Address of the Right Rev. Bishop Johns, of the Protestant Episcopal church of Va., and commend it to the attentive perusal of our readers."

Excerpt:

"Our strength is not in the multitude of our hosts, but in the justice of our cause . . ."

Only a Private

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Summary:

Praises the role of the private and argues that the whole military service rests on his presence.

Origin of Article:

Atlanta Southern Confederacy

The Prospect

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Summary:

Provides a positive assessment of the Confederate army and contrasts it with the poor condition of the Union forces. For example, in the North, fewer men are reenlisting, thereby filling the Union ranks with raw recruits. In addition, these new enlistments join the army for the enlistment bounties rather than because they believe in their cause.

Origin of Article:

Richmond Whig

Home Defence [sic]

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Summary:

The House of Delegates intends to defeat Governor Smith's plan for making home guards more efficient. This editorial argues for increased support of the home guards and contends that their expansion will greatly aid in staving off raids.

Origin of Article:

[Richmond] Dispatch

Full Text of Article

Home Defence.

It is said with, we hope, no just cause, that the House of Delegates intend to defeat the plan propased [sic] by Governor Smith for rendering the protection of the country against raids more efficient. We cannot see the sense of such a proceeding, and we are well convinced that it will not be popular. The people have already suffered too much from these marauding expeditions, the avowed object of which is to produce a famine in the country. A great outcry was raised against Congress for placing on the list of conscription ite[m]s over forty-five engaged in agricultural labors, and the reason given was that, unless a sufficient number was left at home, supplies of provision could not be raised, and a famine must come. It strikes us that such famine will fully as likely be the consequence of destr[o]ying the crops after they shall have been raised, as of never putting them in the ground.

It has been said that we cannot prevent these raids by an armed force. We can, nevertheless, greatly diminish their number. We can compel the marauders to act in large bodies, and thus greatly circumscribe the sphere of their opperations [sic]. We can by this means greatly reduce the number of slaves and cattle which they may have it in their power to carry off. We very much doubt whether we may not put an end to such exploits altogether by placing on a war footing a sufficient number of men, always ready to assemble and give battle on the shortest notice. When Stoneman's men passed through the country last summer they moved as though the avenger of blood were behind them. They expected to be attacked, and were ready to fly at the first appearance of an armed force. Had there been such a force they would all have been killed or captured. The mere fear of encountering such an one saved the country from a degree of pillage infinitely more destructive than that which it experienced.

We hope the House of Delegates will think twice before they put this bill to death. The country require[s] such measures as it inaugurates, and will not be satisfied without them.--Dispatch.

Independence

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Summary:

The South is moving towards independence in ways other than political, as it is forced to manufacture its own products, supply its own cloth, and draw on its own resources. The "pressure of necessity" has been beneficial for the South.

Origin of Article:

Sumpter Watchman

Enlistment of Colored Troops

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Summary:

A resolution passed the United States House of Representatives recently calling for a "more vigorous policy" in recruiting African-American troops. The resolution passed eighty to forty-five.

Page 2

Page Description:

Also on this page are advertisements and war news.

Central Lunatic Asylum

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Summary:

A report of the President and Directors of the Central Lunatic Asylum for the period ending September 30, 1863, indicates that the asylum received 84 patients in the previous two years, cared for 464 patients, witnessed 133 patients be discharged, elope, or die. The institution has cared for 1828 patients in its history and has an average death rate of 5.96 percent. The staff and administration have succeeded in preventing the spread of small pox, in providing patients with necessary supplies, and in continuing their good work even in the absence of the Superintendent, Dr. Stribling, who has been sick for much of the past two years.

Names in Announcement:

Dr. Stribling

Soldier Killed

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Summary:

Lt. David Ream of the 18th Virginia Cavalry shot and killed Casper Phenenger, a member of Captain McClanahan's Battery, at dusk on February 11 near the Virginia Hotel in Staunton. Phenenger was intoxicated and ignored or did not hear Ream's order to halt. Ream shot him from behind, and he fell from his horse and died within a few minutes. A civil trial will elicit the facts in the case. Both men were said to be excellent soldiers.

Names in Announcement:

Lieutenant David Ream; Casper Phenenger

Full Text of Article

Soldier Killed.

About dusk on the 11th inst., Lt. David Ream of the 18th Va. Cavalry shot and killed, near the Virginia Hotel, in this place, a member of Capt. McClannahan's Battery, named Casper Phenenger, who approached on horseback, to halt, which command Phenenger being unwilling or unable to obey, being very much under the influence of liquor, Lt. Ream fired as Phenenger moved beyond him, the ball entering the back on the left of the Spine, passing through the lung and lodging near the skin on the right side. Phenenger fell from his horse and expired in a few minutes. We were exceepingly [sic] sorry that the occurrence took place but especially so from the fact that both parties, were said to be excellent soldiers. The case will undergo examination soon in a civil tribunal when the facts will be elicited.

The Currency Tax and Military Bill

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Summary:

The Vindicator will publish the full bills in the next edition but offers a summary of them here.

Announcements

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Summary:

William A. Burnett writes the editor of his willingness to run for clerk of the county and of his qualifications for the position.

Names in Announcement:

William A. Burnett; General Imboden

Negroes at Public Auction

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Summary:

Peck and Taylor, Auctioneers, offer two African Americans for sale at public auction on Monday, Court Day. One is female, age 16, and the other is male, age 17.

Names in Announcement:

Peck; Taylor

To the Preachers of the Baltimore Conference in Virginia

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Summary:

A regular meeting of the Baltimore Conference of preachers is impractical again this year, as it was in 1862 and 1863, but all who can participate will gather in Bridgewater, Virginia, the second Thursday in March at 10:00 a.m. to conduct business.

Died

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Summary:

Dr. T. Rennolds, 68, died in Staunton January 28, 1864. He was born in Caroline County in 1795 and moved to and began practice in Augusta County in 1827. The obituary praises his intellect, honesty, and character.

Names in Announcement:

Dr. T. Rennolds