Valley Spirit

The editors thank their subscribers for paying their bills and announce that instead of raising the price of the paper, they will temporarily reduce its size to four pages from eight.

The editors note the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation. While they do not comment on it extensively, the editors observe that Lincoln's proclamation will have little effect but to prolong the war and exacerbate the conflict.

The editors suggest that the reason that the Dispatch is upset with the Spirit and Times's coverage of Fredericksburg is because of mental infirmity.

Citing testimony from the court martial of General McDowell, the author argues that if McDowell's corps had not been withdrawn from McClellan's command during the approach to Richmond, McClellan would have been able to take the city. Therefore, the author concludes, the blame should be laid at the feet of President Lincoln, who split the armies and gave McDowell a separate command.

The writer quotes several speeches by Henry Ward Beecher, in which the minister argues that the blood being shed in the war is for a noble cause and that God should be thanked that there are more men who can be sacrificed. This, says the writer, is evidence that abolitionists are willing to sacrifice all in a fanatical quest for their goal of emancipation.

Reprints President Lincoln's order to emancipate the slaves in the rebellious states.

Provides a partial report of the battle at Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

The editors note that the management of the Cumberland Valley Rail Road has settled with about seventy-five members of the Corn Exchange militia regiment of Philadelphia, who were wounded in the accident last year. The editors believe this is a highly honorable gesture by the company. While the management does not acknowledge any responsibility, they are nonetheless devoting part of their profits to help relieve the suffering of those wounded in the accident.

The members of the 126th Reg't Penn. Volunteers issued a resolution commemorating their fallen comrades.

The German Lutheran congregation of Chambersburg presented their pastor, Rev. Mr. Wolff, with a new suit of broadcloth, and his wife with a new bonnet, dress, and cloak, made of "the best material." The editors note that it speaks well of the "liberality" of the congregation and the popularity of Rev. Wolff.

A reprint of the poem read by the carrier to subscribers, recounting the events of the year.

William Gillan and Mary A. Fetter, both from the vicinity of Orrstown, were married on December 30.

John Kadel and Elizabeth Heller, both of Chambersburg, were married on December 25.

Johannes Williamson and Elizabeth Seger were married on January 4.

Jonathan Creamer died in Upper Strasburg on December 30, aged 31 years, 11 months and 11 days.

Melchia Brendel died near St. Thomas on December 28, aged 96 years, 10 months and 11 days.

Wilhelmina Hardley, daughter of Catharine and Henry Hardley, died on December 27, aged 4 years, 6 months and 15 days.

William Augustus Flack, aged 6 years and 5 days, and Emma E. Flack, aged 1 year, 9 months and 15 days, children of Samuel and Lydia Flack, died on January 1 near Jackson Hall of diphtheria.

Charles B. D. Coffroth died in New York City on December 21 of a heart attack at the age of 30.

George J. McLean died at "Harewood Hospital" in Washington D.C. on December 22, of wounds sustained during the battle of Fredericksburg, at age 21.

A notice to people who have been before the Commissioners (D. O. Gehr and Samuel Reisher) and have had their claims adjusted for the impressment of horses, saddles, bridles, hauling, forage, blacksmithing, services, etcetera, that they should call on Gehr or Reisher to receive certificates by leaving the vouchers they now hold.