Staunton Spectator Brian Erb
StauntonAugustaVirginia
1861 April 16 Tuesday weekly 04
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1 War Commenced Reports that Lincoln attempted to resupply Fort Sumter, thus commencing hostilities against the South. Lincoln also called for the raising of seventy thousand Militia, declaring that their first service would be to retake the forts. Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New York have committed troops.
1 A northeast storm bore down on Virginia over the weekend, bringing rain, snow, and flooding that have disrupted the mails and washed away train lines. Trains have been unable to deliver the mail from Richmond and the Spectator is anxious of news of Lincoln's fleet, the Convention, and Fort Sumter. x
1 Watts John Maj. Reports that John Watts's brother has been appointed Captain of Infantry in the Confederate Army.
2

At a meeting of the Commissioned Officers of the several Volunteer Companies of Augusta County, held at the Clerk's Office of the Hustings Court of the Town of Staunton, on the 18th of April, 1861, Col. Wm. D. Anderson, Colonel of 160th Regiment, being in the Chair, the following resolution was offered and adopted by a vote by companies:

RESOLVED, That we, Commissioned Officers in the following Volunteer Companies in the county of Augusta; to wit:

The West Augusta Guard, The Union Greys, The Augusta Greys, The Southern Guard, The Augusta Rifles, The Valley Rangers, The Staunton Artillery, comprising an aggregate of 422 men, rank and file, uniformed and armed, do hereby agree to the formation of a Regiment of Volunteers to be numbered the 5th, pursuant to the provisions of the 26th Chapter of the Code of 1860, and that we proceed to organize the same by the election of a Colonel, Lieut. Colonel and two Majors under an order from General Head Quarters, dated the 27th of March, 1861, and addressed to Col. Wm. D. Anderson, Col. of the 160th Regiment.

On motion, James Bumbgardner, jr., was appointed Secretary.

The meeting then proceeded to the election of Field Officers, which resulted as follows: For Colonel, Capt. Wm. S. H. Baylor; for Lieut. Colonel, Capt. Absolom Coiner; for 1st. Major, Capt. F. f. Sterrett; for 2d Major, Col. Rudloph Turk.

The following resolutions were then offered and adopted:

RESOLVED, That the County Court of this county, at its next (April) term, be earnestly requested to make such appriation to this Regiment, and the Companies that may hereafter unite with it as may seem to it proper and liberal.

RESOLVED, That Thos. J. Michie, Col. John B. Baldwin, Hugh W. Sheffey and Gen. Wm. H. Harman be requested to present the claims of the Regiment to the said Court and urge upon it the necessity of such an appropriation.

RESOLVED, That the Volunteer Companies of this county not here represented be respectfully solicited to unite with this Regiment.

RESOLVED, That a Committee, be appointed, consisting of the Field Officers and the Commandants of the companies comprising this Regiment and the companies intending to join it, whose duty it shall be to prepare By-Laws for the government of this Regiment; said Committee to be called together by the Colonel.

RESOLVED, That the proceedings of this meeting be published in the Staunton papers.

On motion the meeting adjourned.

J. BUMGARDNER, Jr., Sec'y.

 Bumbgardner James Jr. Michie Thomas Baldwin John Col.. Sheffey Hugh Harman William Gen. Announces the organization of several local militia units into one regiment of volunteers, numbered the fifth. aubrowser/ssapr61.html#4.16a x
1 Mustering of the District Militia Reports the calling out of the Volunteer Militia of Washington to be mustered into Federal service.
2 Massie N. Writer enquires as to whether Mr. Massie is standing for re-election in the upcoming Legislative election.
2 Alexandria Gazette States that the Administration should hold no delusions that the reinforcement of Sumter and other Forts in the seceded states will cause Union feeling in the Cotton States as well as the Border States to decline dramatically.
2 Voter Christian Bolivar Baldwin John Tate William Writer proposes Baldwin, Bolivar, and Tate as candidates for the Legislature.
2 Augusta Baldwin Baylor Writer wishes to second the motion to send Baldwin and Baylor to the next House of Delegates.
3 Civil War Inaugurated! Bombardment of Fort Sumter! Fort Sumter Surrendered! Maj. Anderson Goes to New York! Four Men Mortally Wounded in Firing a Salute! Announces the beginning of hostilities at Fort Sumter. Also included is a transcript of the communication between Gen Beauregard and the Confederate War Department preceding the attack on Maj. Anderson. Maj. Anderson's surrender is also reported.
4 To the Voters of Augusta County Many Voters Writer nominates Samuel B. Finely to stand for election to the Legislature.
4 Reports a rumor that a recruiting office for the Southern Confederacy in Cincinnati has been closed by police.
6 Union if the Olden Time Harris John Harman M.G. Writer ridicules the secessionist papers for failing to give arguments on both sides of the secession issue.
6 Lilley R.D. Maj. A resolution from students at University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill drilling under Maj. Lilley.
7 Northern Men Expelled From the South Spectator dismisses charges that Northern men are being imprisoned, mistreated and expelled from the South.
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1 The Negro Exodus from Chicago Chicago Times Article reports an exodus of escaped blacks from Chicago to Canada in light of recent fugitive slave arrests.
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