Valley Spirit: June 5, 1861 — Newspapers

From Washington

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Summary:

All orders for troop movements are closely guarded secrets, so any published reports must be gathered from public sources.

The Battle at Aquia Creek

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Summary:

An engagement between the rebel batteries and Union steamers occurred at Aquia Creek on Friday.

Skirmish at Fairfax Court House

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Summary:

A skirmish occurred between Union cavalry and rebel troops at Fairfax Court House on June 2nd.

From Harper's Ferry

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Summary:

About 7,000 Confederate troops are stationed at Harper's Ferry with twenty pieces of ordinance.

Gen. Butler

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Summary:

Letter from Gen. Benjamin Butler to Lieut. Gen. Scott inquiring about the proper policy to follow vis-a-vis escaped slaves. He recognizes that able-bodied slaves can provide the South with much needed manpower, and so he willingly accepts the men who escape. However, he questions what his policy should be toward the women and children.

From the U.S. Camp in Virginia

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Summary:

Federal troops control the heights two miles beyond the Arlington House. A rebel attack on Alexandria was expected.

Pickets too Far Advanced

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Summary:

The Massachusetts troops at the Relay House were so anxious to advance on Harper's Ferry that their pickets were twice as far from their troops as they were supposed to be.

Post-Office at Pickens

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Summary:

"A new post-office has been established at Fort Pickens, Florida, and letters can be sent by Government vessels bound there."

From Manassas Gap

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Summary:

Rebel troops are massing at Manassas Junction. They apparently expect a Union attack.

Southern News

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Summary:

The Augusta Chronicle states that Gen. Beauregard issued orders relinquishing command of the forces around Charleston to Col. R. H. Holmes.

From Martinsburg, Va.

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Summary:

In Martinsburg, the secession flag flies over the court house, but the Union men are in the majority.

The Health of Senator Douglas

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Summary:

Senator Douglas's health is unchanged.

Important from Baltimore

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Summary:

"Ex-governor Pratt was arrested this evening at Annapolis, by order of the Government, and taken to the Washington Navy Yard. It is also rumored that Ex-Governor Lowe has also been arrested."

From Mexico

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Summary:

"The Union men from Pettis, Henry, Benton and Morgan counties (in Missouri), numbering 700 men, organized seven companies near the Call Camp . . . and threatened death to every Secessionist in the Osage Valley." Note that the headline should read "From Missouri."

From Alexandria

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Summary:

"Alexandria wears an exceedingly dull aspect--like that of a Sabbath day. Many of the stores on the wharf are entirely closed, and the Secession sentiment among the community does not seem to have abated much."

Interesting from St. Louis

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Summary:

St. Louis is a geographically important city, since it is the eastern terminus of the Pacific Railroad and lies on the Mississippi between the Missouri and Ohio rivers.

The Rebel Flag--How it was Hauled Down

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Summary:

An account of how two rebel flags were taken down in the Havana harbor by an officer of the frigate Niagara.

"Our Little Navy"

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Summary:

The Delta tells of making a visit to Algiers to see the ships that will become the Confederate Navy.

Editorial Comment:

The Delta "talks very complacently of 'our little navy.'"

Origin of Article:

New Orleans Delta

Particulars of the Firing into the Train at the Relay House

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Summary:

Union soldiers fired into a train one mile west of the Relay House because they believed that it was carrying an attacking party of Confederate troops. However, the train was actually filled with a number of New York and Philadelphia through passengers. No one was badly hurt.

Origin of Article:

Baltimore Sun Extra

Difference Between Forts and Fortresses

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Summary:

Fortress Monroe is the only fortress in the U.S. "All fortresses are forts or fortified places; but all forts are not fortresses. A fort may be simply an advanced work to protect the extended lines or walls of a fortress. Generally, fortresses are . . . built for the protection of cities." Fortress Monroe was built to defend the Navy Yard of Gosport and Norfolk.

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Death of Stephen A. Douglas

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Summary:

Stephen A. Douglas died in Chicago on Monday. "Though many of his own party friends were reluctantly constrained to differ with him, he lived long enough to overcome many prejudices and to cause many regrets from his former opponents."

More Troops

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Summary:

Thirteen regiments now are encamped at Chambersburg.

Safe Investment

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Summary:

The Spirit directs the reader's attention to the advertisement for the Bank of Chambersburg. "In these unsettled times it is unsafe for persons to keep any large amount of money about their premises . . . We would recommend the State Loan as worthy the consideration, and confidence, of all having money to invest in these uncertain and troublesome times."

Horrible Occurrence

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Summary:

On Saturday afternoon, a number of soldiers from various companies went to Wolfstown, the "disreputable quarter" of Chambersburg. For some unknown reason, they attacked the house of a black man named Frank Jones. Jones wounded two of the soldiers and managed to escape. Jones hid in the home of George Eyster, where he was arrested by another band of soldiers. However, the initial band then seized Jones and shot him five times while beating him over the head. A large crowd then called for him to be burned or quartered.

Names in Announcement:

Gen. Williams; Squire Hammond; Dr. Hamilton; Dr. Boyle

Excerpt:

"The windows of the house were broken in, the doors forced open, the stove upset and the colored man and his wife knocked down. In the melee Jones discharged a gun the contents of which wounded two of the soldiers in the legs. The cry was then raised to "kill the nigger" and he immediately fled from the house going out of the backdoor and crossing the lots in the direction of West Market street."

Full Text of Article

On Saturday afternoon a number of soldiers, from different companies, collected in that disreputable quarter of our town, known as Wolfstown, and for some cause, that we have not been able to clearly ascertain, made an attack upon a house occupied by a colored man named Frank Jones. The windows of the house were broken in, the doors forced open, the stove upset and the colored man and his wife knocked down. In the melee Jones discharged a gun the contents of which wounded two of the soldiers in the legs. The cry was then raised to "kill the nigger" and he immediately fled from the house going out of the backdoor and crossing the lots in the direction of West Market street. When his flight was discovered a Lieutenant in one of the Pittsburg companies, attached to the Seventh Regiment, who had arrived on the ground, called for "six good men" to follow him, and led off in pursuit of the negro. The soldiers pursued the man to the residence of GEORGE EYSTER, Esq., on Federal Hill, where they found him concealed in the kitchen chimney.--They dragged him from the chimney but assured the lady of the house, Mr. Eyster not being at home, that they would do him no harm, that they intended only taking him to jail. This we believe, was the sole intention of the party who first arrested Jones.--They brought him down the yard until near the gate, at the lane leading to the barn, here they were met by the Lieutenant who had given chase from Wolfstown, who ordered the men, who had hold of Jones, to stand aside when he instantly discharged his revolver into him, the first ball striking him in front of the body. Jones then turned and made for the fence, when four other shots were fired at him, from the same pistol, in rapid succession, the ball striking him in the back. While this was going on one of the soldiers was beating him over the head with a heavy club. He fell on receiving the fifth shot when a number of bayonet and sword wounds were inflicted upon him. He was a long time dying while the Lieutenant and the soldiers stood around him and would not permit any one to afford him any relief.

A large and excited crowd soon collected at the spot and threats were very freely made to burn the body, quarter it, &c. Several shots, one of which accidentally struck a soldier in the right groin, inflicting a severe wound, were fired, at the dead body. Mr. Eyster, upon whose premises the body lay, and who is Prosecuting Attorney for the county, obtained a company of soldiers from Gen. WILLIAMS to keep down further disturbance and to have the body removed. This company was marched to the spot where the body lay but through the order of a subordinate officer was marched back and the body suffered to remain on the ground exposed to further mutilation. Mr. EYSTER then, with the assistance of some citizens, removed the body to the jail and had it locked up. 'Squire Hammond summoned a Jury of Inquest and a post-mortem examination of the body ordered to be made. This duty was assigned to Drs. HAMILTON and BOYLE who on Sunday morning made a thorough dissection of the body at the jail, and before the Jury of Inquest described the number, extent and character of the wounds on the body. It appears from their testimony that there were twenty wounds in all, six being bullet wounds and the balance incised and contused wounds. One of the shot wounds in the back was described as having passed through the shoulder blade and through both large cavities of the heart and lodged in the breast bone in front. Another of the wounds was described as a sword wound passing through the arm, entering the chest, breaking a rib, and then deeply penetrating the lung. After the examination the body was laid out in suitable grave clothing, placed in a coffin, and sent home to the family of the deceased, who had it buried on Monday forenoon.

The soldiers wounded by Jones are in the Hospitals of their respective regiments, and their injuries, though severe, are doing well. The soldier, accidently shot, it is also thought will recover from his wound.

We understand the finding of the jury implicates four persons in the killing of Jones. One has already been arrested, and warrants are in the hands of the proper officers for the arrest of the other parties implicated.

We purposely refrain from mentioning names, or making any comments that would excite or prejudice the public mind against the parties envolved in this unfortunate occurrence. It would be highly improper to do so as the matter will undergo a legal investigation, and the accused will be dealt with, not as public opinion, but, as justice may determine.

The particulars of the affair, as we have given them above, are mainly derived from the evidence taken before the Coroners jury.

The Curtin Lifted

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Summary:

Some friends of the Governor are trying to screen him from the suspicion that he is involved in the "frauds and swindles practiced upon our brave soldiers." However, Capt. F. M. Cooley, of the 5th Pennsylvania Regiment, "a sound, orthodox Republican," fixed the blame where it belonged.

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Summary:

Jeff Davis and his cabinet have moved their headquarters from Montgomery to Richmond. The Montgomery Mail intimates that the President and his men cannot endure hot weather and mosquitoes and thus should "remove permanently within the range of" free blacks as soon as possible.

Diploma

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Summary:

The design of the diploma given to every man serving the Union is stated to be a beautiful artistic achievement.

Successful

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Summary:

The calcium light taken to Fortress Monroe had a successful trial. The light "would permit the guns of the fortress to be served on an enemy there with nearly the precision of day light."

The Plans of the Campaign

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Summary:

A correspondent for a leading New York paper claims to have the government's plans for the campaign against the South. It will carry out simultaneous attacks on Norfolk, Richmond, Harper's Ferry, and Pensacola and will send a flotilla down the Mississippi. The war will be over by July 4th. The Spirit believes that "the work may take longer."

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Summary:

The federal government is determined to occupy the entire length of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, with the exception of the stretch between Martinsburg and the Point of Rocks.

Origin of Article:

The Sun

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Summary:

The columbiads made in the Pittsburgh foundry and intended for Fort McHenry were spiked during the night. They will have to be rebored.

The Fourth Pennsylvania Regiment

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Summary:

An account of the poor uniforms of the Pennsylvania soldiers.

Origin of Article:

New York Post

The Mobile Fisheries

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Summary:

The Tribune states that Mobile could survive on local fish and recommends that someone obtain a contract from the government to provide fish for the population.

Editorial Comment:

"The Mobile Tribune does not fancy the idea of being starved out."

Origin of Article:

Mobile Tribune

Complaining

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Summary:

The men on the Mississippi have complained of the rotten food given to them. The contractor received forty cents per day to feed each man, but provides food that isn't fit for swine.

Origin of Article:

Detroit Daily Advertiser

The Stoppage of English Factories

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Summary:

In Great Britain, the ship-brokers and mercantile men eagerly await news of the war. They fear that the English economy will be seriously damaged by the conflict.

Origin of Article:

The Star of Gwent

Rascally Seizure at Memphis

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Summary:

All the property of the Pittsburgh coal firm of Riddle, Coleman & Co. that was located in Memphis was seized by General Pillow. The firm had placed its Memphis interests under the control of an agent, but he was powerless to prevent the seizure.

Origin of Article:

Pittsburgh Evening Chronicle

Pryor "Sold"

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Summary:

"The Newtown Marion Rifles, Captain Watson, a company attached to Col. Roger A. Pryor's regiment, consisting of seventy-five men, voted last Thursday, seventy-four to one against secession. They were disbanded the next day by Col. Pryor. 'Newtown' is a part of Portsmouth."

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Child Lost

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Summary:

The three-year-old son of Mr. Daniel Groce, of Path Valley, wandered away from home while his parents were absent. He was found the next morning by Mr. Jacob Guyar.

An Adventure at Harper's Ferry

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Summary:

A man who had been briefly held captive at Harper's Ferry reports that there are roughly eight thousand troops stationed there and one thousand at Point of Rocks. The men are in bad temper. "He saw frequent difficulties between officers and subordinates. They spent most of their time in swaggering and drinking. The troops are much demoralized, but he thinks they will make a desperate fight at first."

Free Negroes

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Summary:

See the above transcript.

Excerpt:

"A body of fifteen hundred free negroes in New Orleans have been armed and are drilled daily. The non-commissioned officers were selected from the negroes themselves, but they are commanded by whites. The whole body had enlisted for general service and were subject to be ordered at any point, at the option of the authorities. Slaves, too, were being armed in many cases."

The Fight at Aquia Creek

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Summary:

An account of the skirmish at Aquia Creek.

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Summary:

Accounts from the sugar estates of Louisiana indicate that "great surveillance is exercised over the blacks, no communication being allowed between those living on different plantations . . . All persons holding converse with slaves are narrowly watched; and the laws, which have heretofore been a dead letter, requiring a certain number of whites to each hundred blacks on every plantation are now rigidly enforced."

A Place of Safety

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Summary:

The editor of the Scientific American has received thousands of dollars from Southerners for safe keeping.

Marylanders at Harper's Ferry

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Summary:

A regiment of Marylanders, mostly from Baltimore, has been organized with George H. Steuart, Jr. as Colonel.

Executed

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Summary:

"Taylor, of the First Tennessee Regiment, who killed Lieut. Davidson, of the same corps, at Lynchburg, Va. a few days ago, was tried by a court martial at Richmond and sentenced to be shot. The sentence, it is said, was promptly executed."

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