Valley Virginian

Every one has had their say about the Philadelphia Convention, pro and con., and the world still moves along in the same old way, much to the surprise of some people. It is gratifying to notice how cooly the people of the South take the whole matter, and the good sense shown by the press generally, in "accepting the situation." In the North, where the battle is to be fought, there are cheering indications of the triumph of Conservatism over the Radicals, and we can only bid our people--be of good heart, work, and trust to God for the ultimate triumph of those principles of free government, for which they have sacrificed, and are still enduring, so much.

From Europe, by the Cable, comes news of peace between the great Powers, and with it a marked improvement in commercial and financial circles. They have butchered thousands over there, and a heap of stuff is sent over the wires about "rectifying boundaries," and all that; but our only interest in the matter is that it will enable the capitalists who have undertaken to build our great canal and railroad to the Ohio, to raise the funds necessary. We have a great admiration for the wonderful things done in the short war in Europe, but we will feel much better when the Covington and Ohio railroad is built.

In our columns will be found the proceedings of the Valley Rail Road Meeting, Monday, and the order of the Court, for a vote to be taken on the proposition for the county to subscribe $200,000 to this great work. The meeting was large and respectable, and how our people will vote upon the subscription is of more importance to us than all the politics and all the wars in the world.

The people of Augusta now have a chance to show again, as they have often done, their public spirit, their liberality, and their devotion to all the interests of the great Valley. Two hundred thousand dollars, to be subscribed by the Court, looks like an awful sum, but the same was said about the subscription to the Central railroad years ago--and who felt it? Augusta must set an example to her daughters by voting for this subscription, and every friend of the road should work to accomplish that object. This is a matter of such vital importance; a matter upon which hangs so many present and future benefits to us and our children, that before it all other questions sink into nothingness. The destiny of our loved Valley and our people depend upon our building this road. Vote for the subscription, and it will be built. Then we will be rich and independent--not before.

Our people should recollect that in the changed position of the colored people we have duties to perform of equal importance to those imposed upon the freedmen. Little things go a great way in this world, and, in our present situation, good sense and sound judgement are required more than ever. One little thing, the word "nigger," is too often used, and it wounds the feelings of the colored people. "Nigger," to them, means everything mean and low in their race, just as "Yankee" expresses everything low and mean in the white. Remember this, and it will do a world of good.

On the 18th August, Andrew Johnson made a speech in Washington about the Philadelphia platform. In it he bravely defends himself, and shows up the destructive course of the mob, called Congress. Here is the gist of the whole speech, and it will do. He said:

"But as the work progressed, as reconciliation seemed to be taking place, and the country becoming united, we found a disturbing and warring element in opposition. In alluding to that element, I shall go further than did your convention and the distinguished gentleman who has delivered to me the report of you proceedings. I shall make no reference to it. That I do not believe the time and occasion justify. We have witnessed in one department of the government every effort, as it were, to prevent the restoration of peace, or harmony, and of the Union. We have seen hanging upon the verge of the government, as it were, a body called, or which assumed to be, the Congress of the United States, but in fact a Congress of only part of the States. We have seen this Congress assume and pretend to be for the Union, when its every step and act tended to perpetuate disunion, and make a disruption permanent.

Instead of promoting reconciliation and harmony, its legislation has partaken of the character of penalties, retaliation and revenge. This has been the course and the policy of one department of your government. The humble individual who is now addressing you stands the representative of another department of the government. The manner in which he was called upon to occupy that position I shall not allude to on this occasion; suffice it to say that he is here under the constitution of the country; and being here by virtue of its provisions, he takes his stand upon that charter of our liberties as the great rampart of civil and religious liberty. [Prolonged cheering.] Having been taught in my early life to hold it sacred, and having practiced upon it during my public career, I shall ever continue to reverence the constitution of my fathers, and to make it my guide."

A Staunton correspondent of the Abingdon Virginian, in speaking of Staunton, says:

"In regard to Staunton, I can tell you nothing with which you are not familiar. The characteristic of Staunton is that it is emphatically a "business place." It is the central point of the trade in this great Valley. Farmers, traders and producers of all kinds, from this and adjacent counties, empty their products here. The main street is often crowded with wagons small and great, in which may be seen everything common among the producers of the country. Merchants chiefly are the buyers, and the citizens here and in Richmond are the consumers."

In Camp, Cold Harbor,
June 10, 1864.

This battery entered the service at Harper's Ferry, under the command of Captain (now General) John D. Imboden, and has been in all the engagements with the A. N. Va. since--distinguishing itself in each. On Tuesday, May the 10th, at Spotsylvania, it was in position near the head-quarters of the Commanding General, when a company of artillery was forced, fighting gallantly, to leave their guns. Capt. Garber was then called on by Gen. Lee to take his men and work the guns, when they were retaken, which order was complied with and the guns kept vomiting out their deadly contents, under a most terrific fire of the enemy's infantry, until the close of the contest--the officers and men receiving, for their gallantry and extraordinary heroism, the compliments of Generals Lee, Gordon, and Long. During the night the guns of the Staunton Artillery were brought up to the position, and held it on the terrible "12th of May."

When the enemy broke through our lines on the morning of the 12th, the guns of this battery were turned to the right upon him, and, firing over the heads of our own men, checked his advance until relief came from other parts of our line, when the lost works were retaken and our lines reformed. Captain Garber then advanced a part of his men and worked three of our re-captured guns of another battalion, with a spirit and success which again elicited the praises of general officers.

A simple statement of these facts is sufficient to show the character of both officers and men, and the importance of the work accomplished is evident.

The battery was also engaged on the 18th of May, when the enemy were repulsed by artillery fire alone. On the 2d of June a section of the battery repulsed a column of the enemy, when our infantry had been flanked and left it exposed to capture.

The casualties show how the company has suffered, and this statement of its conduct is but a simple act of justice to its officers and men.

Major Cutshaw, commanding the battalion of which the Staunton battery is a part is one of the most gallant officers in the service, and on the occasions above referred to, acted with distinguished valor and intrepidity, and though his brave command has been sadly reduced in numbers, it is still able to hold its own in the front ranks.

In making this statement, it is not intended to detract from other batteries, nearly all of which have received favorable mention in the papers, but simply to let the "old folks at home," in old Augusta, know that their battery still retains its well earned reputation, and has added fresh laurels to those previously obtained.

Augusta

Casualties In Staunton Artillery In Battles in Spotsylvania &c.

Killed.--Private James S. Burns and Corporal B. Phor.

Wounded.--Sergeant John B. Ryan, severe flesh wound in the leg; sergeant J. W. Butler, severe flesh wound in the thigh; corporal Geo. W. Long, flesh wound in the shoulder; bugler Peter Good, severely in the hip; private Peter H. Proctor, flesh wound in the leg; C. Hoffman, flesh wound, leg; C. N. Styrewalt, severely, hip; A. Karanaugh, severely, arm, since amputated; W. C. Smith, severely, hip; Henry Trice, badly, shoulder; A. L. Marshall, flesh wound, leg; private Henry Wood, arm, since dead. Total--2 killed, 12 wounded.

What North Carolina soldier, of General Lee's army is there, who has not kindly and pleasant recollections of the Shenandoah Valley? Where did they meet with readier sympathy, where, when suffering, did they get more affectionate nursing, or who furnished them with bigger loaves of bread, when hungry, than the good people of this goodly valley, from Staunton to the Potomac. Our soldiers have not forgotten these things, and we know they will hear with pleasure that this beautiful valley is fast recovering from the sad effects of Hunter's ruthless and wicked invasion and desolation.

On their behalf and our own, we wish the Valley a full and speedy return of its former prosperity.--Weldon N. C. State.

A telegram from Washington, says Gen. Howard, grand Head Centre of the Freedman's Bureau, "intends to stop issuing rations to the destitute of the South, thus throwing the support of the indigent of both races on the local authorities." Very good, so far as it goes, but why not carry the idea to its logical conclusion and relieve us of the Bureau too? All most of them have to do is to eat, issue rations, and make mischief.

Several bodies of Confederate soldiers, killed in the Valley, passed through Staunton last week. It was touching to notice that every coffin had a wreath of flowers on it, the tribute of the fair and gentle women of the Valley to the brave and honored dead.