Virginia
Pennsylvania
1859
1860
1861
- National
Yale conferred first Ph.D. degree in the U.S. University of Boulder chartered at Boulder, CO. University of Washington began in Seattle, WA.
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National day of prayer observed in Augusta. The Vindicator announced that its primary loyalty was no longer to the Democratic party but "to Virginia and the South."
Augusta County, VA
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VA General Assembly met in extra session in Richmond.
Virginia
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Spectator printed letter from Col. John M. McCue outlining McCue's support for a secession convention.
Augusta County, VA
- National
Mississippi seceded. South Carolina fired on unarmed merchant ship re-supplying Fort Sumter.
- National
Florida seceded.
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Slave belonging to Joseph Cline chopped off three of her fingers to prevent him from selling her.
Augusta County, VA
- National
Alabama seceded.
- National
United States flag hauled down at the Pensacola Navy Yard by Confederate rebels.
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VA General Assembly passed act providing for election of delegates to a state secession convention.
Virginia
-
Andrew Curtain inaugurated as governor of Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania
-
United Brethren in Christ conference held in Chambersburg.
Franklin County, PA
- National
Vassar Female College, now Vassar College, founded and endowed in Poughkeepsie, NY.
- National
Georgia seceded.
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Candidates for state convention held public forum at Mt. Sidney.
Augusta County, VA
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Two sons of the Rev. Mr. Coursey of Greenwood arrested in Waynesboro for assaulting Mr. Alex Hamiliton.
Franklin County, PA
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Daguerreotypist Mr. Berry of Augusta County recently requested to leave Amelia County under suspicion that he was "too familiar with slaves."
Augusta County, VA
- National
Louisiana seceded.
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Candidates for Augusta's seats at the state convention spoke at the courthouse.
Augusta County, VA
- National
Kansas admitted to the Union.
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Andrew Curtin became first northern governor to support federal action to keep the South in the Union.
Pennsylvania
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Grand and Subordinate Lodges of the PA Order of Odd Fellows erected a monument to past Grand Master Aaron Nichols in the Cedar Grove Cemetery.
Franklin County, PA
- National
Texas seceded.
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VA elected a majority of Unionists to its secession convention.
Virginia
- National
At the request of the Virginia legislature, Peace Conference convened in Washington, DC. Confederate Constitutional Convention met in Montgomery, AL to form the Confederate States of America.
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Franklin County hit by violent winter storm that blew down two buildings. Christian Rosenburger froze to death.
Franklin County, PA
- National
Jefferson Davis chosen as president and Alexander Stephens as vice president of the Confederacy. Tennessee voted against calling a secession convention.
- National
Abraham Lincoln left Springfield, IL, for Washington, DC.
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Brick stable belonging to Fisher's Hotel set on fire.
Franklin County, PA
- National
"Dixie" first used as unofficial Confederate anthem during rally with Jefferson Davis in Montgomery, AL.
- National
Jefferson Davis inaugurated as president of the Confederacy. Arkansas and Missouri elected a majority of Unionists to secession convention.
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Abraham Lincoln visited Philadelphia on his way to Washington.
Pennsylvania
- National
Abraham Lincoln slipped into Washington before dawn following reports of a planned assassination.
- National
Crittenden proposal voted down in the House of Representatives.
- National
North Carolina narrowly voted against calling secession convention.
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Over the next 2 weeks, 23 people baptized in Baptist church.
Augusta County, VA
- National
Territories of Nevada and Dakota established.
- National
Senate rejected Crittenden proposal. Abraham Lincoln inaugurated. "Stars and Bars" adopted as official Confederate flag.
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Simon Cameron of PA appointed as Lincoln's Secretary of War.
Pennsylvania
- National
Abraham Lincoln learned Fort Sumter running out of supplies.
- National
Confederate Congress called for 100,000 volunteers for 12-month term.
- National
Confederate Congress authorized issuance of treasury notes.
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Dedication of new Methodist Episcopal church building.
Augusta County, VA
- National
Confederate constitution unanimously adopted by the Confederate Congress.
- National
Secretary of State Seward indirectly told Confederate commissioners that Fort Sumter would soon be evacuated.
- National
Legislative bill passed creating Southern Express Company to establish express lines through the southern states.
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Staunton Musical Association gave concert at Armory Hall.
Augusta County, VA
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Village of Mt. Solon nearly destroyed by fire. Thirteen buildings burned and high winds hindered firefighters' efforts.
Augusta County, VA
- National
Lincoln ordered relief force to sail for Fort Sumter on April 6, 1861.
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Young men established a Sons of America Camp in Chambersburg, a patriotic organization which the Valley Spirit feared was a Know-Nothing front.
Franklin County, PA
- National
Secretary of State Seward told Confederate commissioners no attempt to re-supply Fort Sumter would be made without notification of the governor of SC. Morrill Tariff Bill came into effect.
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Staunton Savings Bank incorporated by state legislature.
Augusta County, VA
- National
Lincoln sent word to the Governor Pickens of SC that the federal government would re-supply Fort Sumter with provisions only, and that if SC did not resist, no "men, arms, or ammunition" would be sent.
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The Pan-tec-na-thec-a exhibition, composed of 5 panoramas, visited Franklin Hall for 4 days.
Franklin County, PA
- National
Supply expedition left for Fort Sumter. Jefferson Davis and the Confederate government decided to attack Fort Sumter before it could be re-supplied.
- National
Maj. Anderson refused to surrender Fort Sumter.
- National
Fort Sumter fired upon and surrendered. Civil War began. Over the next 3 days, demonstrations supporting attack on Fort Sumter held in Nashville, TN, Raleigh, NC, Richmond, VA, and other southern cities.
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Local militia units organized into a single volunteer regiment, the 5th.
Augusta County, VA
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Several military companies formed.
Franklin County, PA
- National
U.S. declared an insurrection in the southern states. Lincoln called for 75,000 troops for 90 days' service.
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Town Council appropriated $3,000 to equip the "Home Guard."
Augusta County, VA
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Secession convention in Richmond voted 88 to 55 to secede from the Union.
Virginia
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Virginia militia seized Harper's Ferry.
Virginia
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1800 to 2000 Chambersburg residents raised a large Union flag, sang "The Star Spangled Banner," and listened to speeches. Town meeting held at courthouse to honor departing Chambers Artillery, denounce Southern traitors, and offer support for Union. 120-foot-high "Liberty Pole" with a large American flag raised in the Diamond.
Franklin County, PA
- National
Lee declined Union offer of command, resigned from the United States Army, and enlisted in the Confederate Army. State troops seized the United States arsenal at Liberty, MO.
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Virginia militia seized Gosport Navy Yard.
Virginia
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Company of light artillery organized under direction of Capt. C. F. Campbell. Meeting held in Chambersburg to organize home guard and raise funds for families of volunteers.
Franklin County, PA
- National
Riot in Baltimore, MD began when mob attacked MA soldiers and soldiers fought back, killing 12 residents. Marylanders, angered, cut telegraph and railroad ties, severing communication between Washington and the North. Lincoln ordered blockade of Confederate ports.
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Confederates seized the Norfolk Navy Yard in Virginia.
Virginia
- National
Lee accepted command of Virginia's military. United States officers seized at San Antonio, TX, as prisoners of war.
- National
First northern regiments arrived in Washington, securing the capital from attack.
- National
Lincoln suspended the writ of habeas corpus in parts of Maryland.
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Chambersburg, near the Virginia border, became a concentration point for Union troops housed at Camp Irvin and later Camp Slifer.
Franklin County, PA
- National
Lincoln authorized enlistment of 42,000 3-year army volunteers and 18,000 sailors, and enlarged the regular army by 23,000 men.
- National
Arkansas seceded.
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The Staunton Spectator announced Lincoln's blockade of ports in VA and NC.
Virginia
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Bank of Chambersburg paid a dividend of four percent to its stockholders.
Franklin County, PA
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The Vindicator reported that the State Convention had decreed that all volunteer officers above the rank of Captain would be replaced by new appointments made by the governor.
Virginia
- National
Abraham Lincoln suspended habeas corpus in Key West, the Tortugas, and Santa Rosa, FL. Martial law proclaimed.
- National
Charleston, SC, blockaded.
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Volunteer company of Mt. Solon honored by local women.
Augusta County, VA
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Women met to organize a hospital for sick soldiers.
Franklin County, PA
- National
Blockade of the Mississippi River at Cairo established.
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Several horses stolen from Mercersburg area.
Franklin County, PA
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The Valley Spirit began publishing semi-weekly, but dropped from eight pages an issue to four. Women of Chambersburg presented a flag to the 7th Regiment.
Franklin County, PA
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Three regiments from Camp Slifer paraded through Chambersburg.
Franklin County, PA
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Military companies stationed in Staunton paraded, an event witnessed by five hundred mostly female spectators. The women of Mt. Solon honored the town's company of volunteers.
Augusta County, VA
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Beginning of 2-day engagement at Sewell's Point, VA.
Virginia
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Funeral of Dr. William Senseny, one of the largest ever held in Chambersburg.
Franklin County, PA
- National
North Carolina seceded.
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Richmond, VA, became capital of the Confederacy.
Virginia
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State election held; voters overwhelmingly supported Virginia's secession and elected local representatives to the House of Delegates.
Virginia
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Union troops occupied Arlington Heights and Alexandria. Col. Elmer E. Ellsworth shot and killed by the hotel keeper after removing a Confederate flag from the Marshall House hotel in Alexandria.
Virginia
- National
Ulysses Grant, having resigned from the army because of drunkenness in 1854, offered his services to the Union.
- National
New Orleans, LA, blockaded.
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Fire in the stable of Thomas Shumate of Staunton spread to the houses of his neighbors. Fire broke out in Waynesboro, destroying a number of houses.
Augusta County, VA
- National
Mobile, AL, blockaded. Savannah, GA, blockaded.
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Home Guard met at Armory Hall.
Augusta County, VA
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Edward C. Randolph, a suspected spy, arrested in Middlebrook, Augusta County, by members of the Greenbrier militia.
Augusta County, VA
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Gen. Patterson took charge of the telegraph office in Chambersburg and placed an operator there to supervise all army-related dispatches.
Franklin County, PA
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PA regiments received new uniforms similar to those worn by other Union soldiers.
Pennsylvania
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Augusta Circuit Court session began. Stribling Springs opened.
Augusta County, VA
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Cavalry clashed at Fairfax Courthouse. First Confederate officer killed.
Virginia
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Soldiers of Curtin Guards, Company B, 10th Pa., thanked Mr. and Mrs. Ross and other Chambersburg residents for providing them with cakes and pies. Soldiers attacked the home of Frank Jones, an African-American. Jones wounded two soldiers but was then arrested by a band of soldiers and beaten to death. Three soldiers died of camp fever.
Franklin County, PA
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Four children of William and Elizabeth Bosserman died of diphtheria over next 17 days.
Augusta County, VA
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Battle of Phillips, VA.
Virginia
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Bank of Chambersburg urged citizens to invest in state loans rather than keep their money at home during these "troublesome times."
Franklin County, PA
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Augusta County's thirteenth military company, the Augusta Lee Rifles, entered the war, and arrangements began for the creation of a fourteenth. The women of Staunton presented a company banner to the Augusta Lee Rifles.
Augusta County, VA
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State troops of VA transferred to the Confederate Government.
Virginia
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Gen. Caldwalader arrived in Chambersburg to lead an invasion of VA.
Franklin County, PA
- National
Tennessee seceded.
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The Staunton Spectator announced that each issue would contain only two pages rather than four due to wartime paper restrictions.
Augusta County, VA
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Over the next nine days Unionists formed an independent government in western Virginia.
Virginia
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Desperate soldiers from "Camp Chambers" rushed into Chambersburg and demanded food.
Franklin County, PA
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Abbie Kerr and Mollie McLeod of Marion County, who warned Confederate troops of the Union approach at Phillipa, passed through Staunton.
Augusta County, VA
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United States Grand Jury in Philadelphia declared that the governor had appointed incompetent men to run the military departments, leading to fraud.
Pennsylvania
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In response to several incidents between soldiers and townspeople, Maj. Gen. Keim issued orders that every soldier must have a pass to leave camp.
Franklin County, PA
- National
Great Britain and France recognized the Confederate States as belligerents.
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Troops clashed at Vienna, VA.
Virginia
- National
Battle of Boonesville, MO.
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Northwestern Virginians met in Wheeling, VA, declared the Confederate government in Richmond illegitimate, formed a "restored government" and appointed Francis Pierpont governor.
Virginia
- National
Unionists won the Kentucky special election.
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The Vindicator ceased publication until February 20, 1863.
Augusta County, VA
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Telegraph line connecting Chambersburg and Hagerstown completed.
Franklin County, PA
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Fourteenth volunteer military company formed in Augusta.
Augusta County, VA
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Fire destroyed the foundry building and two houses in Greencastle.
Franklin County, PA
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Four regiments of the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps ordered to encamp permanently at Camp Slifer.
Franklin County, PA
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Mary Stirllipper, employee of Fisher's Hotel, arrested for killing her newborn child.
Franklin County, PA
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Company flag of Captain McMullin's Rangers flew outside Franklin House in honor of the Rangers' successful advance into VA. Three-year enlistees awarded a one hundred dollar bonus. Sick soldiers convalescing at Franklin Hall removed and placed in the care of surrounding families.
Franklin County, PA
- National
U.S. Congress authorized the enlistment of an additional million 3-year volunteers.
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County commissioners appropriated money to support families of local volunteers for a period of four weeks.
Franklin County, PA
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No organized Fourth of July celebrations held due to the war.
Franklin County, PA
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Senators Mason and Hunter expelled from the United States Senate. Battle of Rich Mountain, VA.
Virginia
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Battle of Carricks Fort, VA.
Virginia
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Confederates took J. Allison Eyster prisoner, reportedly with no charge against him.
Franklin County, PA
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The editor of the Staunton Spectator announced his determination to continue publication, although three employees had already reported for military service.
Augusta County, VA
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All Virginia militia north of the James and east of the Alleghenies ordered to report to Gen. Beauregard at Manassas.
Virginia
- National
Union forces in Washington, commanded by Gen. McDowell, moved to attack Gen. Beauregard's Confederate forces at Manassas.
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The Valley Spirit denied charges of being sympathetic to the Confederacy.
Franklin County, PA
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The 5th Virginia Infantry, under the command of Gen. Jackson, came under heavy fire at Manassas, VA.
Augusta County, VA
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First Battle of Bull Run near Manassas, VA: Gen. Johnston and Gen. Beauregard led Confederates to victory.
Virginia
- National
U.S. Congress authorized enlistment of 500,000 men.
- National
U.S. Congress sanctioned volunteers to aid in putting down the insurrection in the South.
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Lightning killed a colt belonging to John Asway and caused a fire that burned a nearby barn.
Franklin County, PA
-
Grand and traverse jurors appointed for the August court session.
Franklin County, PA
- National
U.S. Congress passed law declaring runaway or captured slaves could not be returned to their masters if they had been used for military purposes.
- National
U.S. Congress passed first federal income tax to raise money for war effort.
- National
U.S. Congress passed act calling for confiscation of all property (including slaves) used by Confederate military.
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Three slaves, John Henry Williams, Fielding Lewis, and John Henry Smith, committed to the Augusta County jail after running away from tobacco factories in Richmond.
Augusta County, VA
- National
Battle of Wilson's Creek, MO.
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County Democrats met at the courthouse to prepare for the next election.
Franklin County, PA
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Family of J. Allison Eyster learned that he might be released from a Confederate prison soon.
Franklin County, PA
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Richmond and Staunton established as camps for new recruits and draftees.
Virginia
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Union Camp Meeting held by the Churches of God. 390 county Republicans met.
Franklin County, PA
- National
Lincoln prohibited commercial intercourse with seceding States.
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E. C. Randolph, previously tried as a spy, killed his wife by stabbing her in the abdomen and arm.
Augusta County, VA
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The Staunton Spectator reported that there were 500 sick soldiers in Staunton, the "great Hospital for the Western Army." Nearly half of Augusta County's white agricultural labor force engaged in military service.
Augusta County, VA
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The International Order of Odd Fellows met to mourn the death of member Lt. John Eskridge. Silas Karacole died after being caught in a threshing machine.
Augusta County, VA
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Harriet Ast died at age 20 from fever contracted while caring for a sick soldier.
Augusta County, VA
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Proposal of western Virginia to secede and form a separate state consented to by the "Restoration Government" of Virginia under Governor Pierpont.
Virginia
- National
Gen. Butler and Union forces captured Forts Hatteras and Clark at Hatteras Inlet, NC.
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County Democrats elected delegates for the county convention. Union Sabbath School celebration held in Fayetteville. Bright meteor spotted in Franklin County.
Franklin County, PA
- National
John C. Fremont declared martial law in MO, and seized property of Confederate supporters and freed their slaves. Lincoln later revoked Fremont's emancipation decree.
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Col. Baldwin asked residents to donate clothing, blankets, and other items to his 52nd VA Regiment.
Augusta County, VA
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Franklin County Union Party held convention with Republican support.
Franklin County, PA
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County Republicans announced candidates for the next election.
Franklin County, PA
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Women encouraged to establish "Soldier Aid Societies" to collect items for the war effort. Dr. Hopkins of Augusta County announced that he had invented a mechanical nursing swing. A citizen of Rockbridge County complained that wealthy Augusta residents received disproportionate recognition in the way of appointments and accolades in the 52nd Regiment.
Augusta County, VA
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Caroline Toms arrested for fornication, bastardy, and concealing the birth of a child. County Democratic convention met to nominate a ticket for the next election.
Franklin County, PA
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The Valley Spirit denied charges of treason and said it would uphold the government, but not the Lincoln administration.
Franklin County, PA
-
Rosh Hashanah observed in honor of the Jewish New Year 5822.
Franklin County, PA
- National
Gen. Grant occupied Paducah, KY.
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The Staunton Spectator reported that Messrs. Michie, Baylor, and Crawford appointed commissioners for the county to oversee the election of president and vice president.
Augusta County, VA
-
Battle of Carnifex Ferry, VA.
Virginia
-
County Democratic ticket announced. Farmers and Mechanics' Industrial Association canceled annual fair since troops stationed at the fairgrounds destroyed the property.
Franklin County, PA
- National
Union naval forces won first naval battle near Pensacola, FL.
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Public schools re-opened for the year.
Franklin County, PA
-
The Staunton Spectator complained about the poor condition of a Staunton street.
Augusta County, VA
-
Sixty prisoners of war held in Staunton moved to Richmond.
Augusta County, VA
- National
Confederates occupied Bowling Green, KY.
- National
Confederate forces captured Lexington, MO.
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Rev. Samuel Regester addresses the citizens of Staunton on the war. Report of deaths in the General Hospital at Staunton from its establishment to 09-17-1861 released.
Augusta County, VA
-
Voters reminded to have their taxes assessed at least ten days before the next election.
Franklin County, PA
-
J. Allison Eyster freed from a Confederate prison and returned home to Chambersburg.
Franklin County, PA
-
Mr. J.H. Johnson opened tobacco store in Staunton.
Augusta County, VA
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The Staunton Spectator reported that three runaway slaves from Richmond were jailed in Augusta County. Col. Kenton Harper and Col. John B. Baldwin announced their candidacy for the Confederate Congress. The Staunton Spectator complained that Lincoln set up a pro-Union government and a U.S. District Court in Northwestern Virginia.
Augusta County, VA
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The Staunton Spectator rejected the accusation, printed in the Lexington Gazette, that surgeons in the military hospital at Staunton had appropriated items donated to the soldiers for their own use.
Augusta County, VA
- National
Battle of Santa Rosa Island, FL.
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Thirty-nine prisoners arrived in Staunton, including fifteen Union men from VA.
Augusta County, VA
-
Republican candidates dominated the local elections, including James Nill, elected president judge.
Franklin County, PA
-
Four new appointments made to the Chambersburg Fire Department.
Franklin County, PA
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A letter in the Staunton Spectator criticized John Baldwin for his cautious approach to secession before the war and accused him of Union sympathies. The Staunton Spectator endorsed John Baldwin's candidacy.
Augusta County, VA
-
Battle of Ball's Bluff, near Leesburg, VA.
Virginia
- National
First transcontinental telegraph message sent from Sacramento, CA, to Washington, DC.
-
Col. John Baldwin resigned from the State Convention to fulfill duties as a military officer.
Augusta County, VA
-
The buildings formerly used as the freight depot for the Virginia Central Railroad in Staunton burned down.
Augusta County, VA
-
Gen. Robert McAllen commissioned by the Governor to raise a new regiment in Franklin County. County court opened session.
Franklin County, PA
-
Snively Strickler took over as the new editor of the Franklin Repository and Transcript.
Franklin County, PA
- National
Winfield Scott resigned as General-in-Chief of the Union and was replaced by George McClellan.
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Heavy rainstorm damaged property in Chambersburg. A man named Race sent to the penitentiary for nine years after being convicted of arson and robbery in Greencastle.
Franklin County, PA
-
Col. John Baldwin elected to Confederate Congress.
Augusta County, VA
- National
Union forces captured Port Royal, SC.
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E. C. Randolph acquitted on charges of murdering his wife on plea of temporary insanity.
Augusta County, VA
-
Eldest daughter of William Danfeldt burned to death.
Franklin County, PA
-
Mr. Kemmerer's singing class gave a concert for the public.
Franklin County, PA
-
A fire in Staunton consumed a frame house and a stone building adjacent to the Virginia Hotel, but the hotel itself survived.
Augusta County, VA
-
Chambersburg Female Seminary announced the start of its second fall session.
Franklin County, PA
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The Hebron Church honored President Davis's declaration of a day of prayer.
Augusta County, VA
-
Bank of Chambersburg elected new board of directors.
Franklin County, PA
-
Franklin County soldier lost overboard while being transported to Kentucky on a river steamer.
Franklin County, PA
-
Lt. Col. Housum of the 77th PA recruited in town.
Franklin County, PA
-
Poorhouse burned because of an unattended stove.
Franklin County, PA
-
Southern farmers encouraged to raise foodstuffs during the blockade.
Augusta County, VA
-
County school superintendents attended state superintendents' meeting.
Franklin County, PA
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Henry J. Webster, a soldier from the 1st TN Regiment, murdered John Snider, an employee of Mr. Beck's restaurant, when Snider informed Webster that he was out of oysters.
Augusta County, VA
-
Meeting held to consider the future of the Chambersburg Public Library.
Franklin County, PA
- National
Jefferson Davis elected President of the Confederate States of America by popular vote.
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Strasburg women sent supplies to soldiers at Camp Curtin. State superintendent of schools denied reported that money would be taken away from the common schools to support the war effort.
Franklin County, PA
- National
Lincoln urged border states to emancipate their slaves voluntarily.
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Chambersburg women donated socks to soldiers at Camp Slifer.
Franklin County, PA
- National
The U.S. House of Representatives rejected resolution stating that the conflict did not have antislavery goals.
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Fire burned William Hrandt's barn. Friendship Fire Company elected new officers.
Franklin County, PA
-
A letter to the Staunton Spectator criticized war profiteers and speculators.
Augusta County, VA
-
The 52nd Regiment helped the Confederacy gain a "most brilliant victory" at Alleghany Mtn.
Augusta County, VA
-
The Confederate Congress granted a bounty of $90 to those who served in the army for 3 years and provided 60-day furloughs to those on 1-year enlistments who re-enlisted for 2 more years.
Augusta County, VA
-
The Reverend John Harris preached at the Hebron Church.
Augusta County, VA
-
Battle at Dranesville, VA.
Virginia
-
Women of Fayetteville held concert to raise money for soldiers.
Franklin County, PA
-
Benefit for the Pittsburgh Orphans' Home held at the Lutheran Church. George Seilhammer recited a poem at Franklin Hall to benefit the poorhouse.
Franklin County, PA
-
Fayetteville Union Sunday Schools held a festival with patriotic and devotional songs and a concert by the Fayetteville Brass Band. Franklin County Teachers Association held meetings over next 3 days.
Franklin County, PA
-
Reverend Joseph Clark spoke on the "History and Theory of Revolutions" at Franklin Hall.
Franklin County, PA
-
Jefferson Davis' Great American Panorama visited Chambersburg.
Franklin County, PA