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Semi-Weekly Valley Spirit
"This change is demanded in order to keep our readers advised, at the
earliest day, of the important events so rapidly taking place around us."
We commence to-day issuing the Valley Spirit
Semi-Weekly--on Wednesday and Saturday mornings.
This change is demanded in order to keep our readers advised, at the earliest
day, of the important events so rapidly taking place around us.
There will be no additional charge in the amount of subscriptions.--We will
now furnish two papers a week in place of one but our terms will remain, for
the whole year, the same as heretofore.
Should the importance of the news at any time demand it we will also issue
a daily extra which will be furnished
gratuitously to all our subscribers in town or county.
In addition to all the latest and most important War News--North and South,
we have made arrangements to furnish in the Semi-Weekly a Daily letter from
Washington, letters from our soldiers abroad, and other original matter that
will add interest to the paper.
The arrangement will afford an excellent opportunity for all desiring the
earliest account of the War News, at the
smallest cost, to obtain it by subscribing
for the Valley Spirit.
Our patrons can feel assured that we will use our best endeavors to make the
Valley Spirit not only interesting but important as a
chronicler of the extraordinary events now transpiring in the country.
The Spirit will now be issued semi-weekly on Wednesday and Saturday
morning. The change was made in order to keep readers advised of all the events
occurring so rapidly.
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New Subscribers
The Spirit welcomes its new subscribers and thanks them for paying their
subscriptions in advance.
01
Valley Spirit
The Spirit is in a "more prosperous condition than at any time since the
paper was started" because of a larger subscription list and more advertising
and job work.
01
Interesting from Fort Pickens
Fort Pickens is prepared to withstand an attack. A partial blockade exists
at Pensacola.
02
Army Correspondence
Two letters from J.S.K., who is from Chambersburg, that discuss life in
Camp Scott, a visit from the governor, and the desire of the men to do something
other than sit in camp.
03
From Washington!
In London, the House of Commons postponed the motion to recognize the
Confederacy. The House of Lords stated that the government recognized no right
or obligation to interfere in the conflict.
04
From Annapolis
Miscellaneous war news. The Union men in Annapolis believe that the
Virginia troops will move soon, since they lack provisions and must either fight
or disperse.
04
Proclamation by the President
The President issued a proclamation declaring that a state of insurrection
exists in the State of Florida. The U.S. forces on the Florida coast are
directed to permit no person to "exercise any office or authority upon the
Island of Key West, the Tortugas and Santa Rosa, which may be inconsistent with
the laws and Constitution of the United States."
04
News from the South
Old Point Comfort is reportedly fully prepared to resist any attack made
upon it. Southern troops are concentrating in the vicinity of Norfolk.
04
The Great Eastern
"It is rumored that the Government is in treaty for the services of the
steamship Great Eastern as a transport."
04
Movement of Troops
"The 2d Connecticut regiment of volunteers, under Col. Ferry, sailed last
night for Washington, in the steamship Cahawba."
04
Reports from Perryville
Over one hundred men are working on bridges on the Bush and Gunpowder
rivers. These will be done on Sunday and the trains will begin to run on Monday
and Tuesday.
05
Arrival of Troops at the Capital
Fifteen hundred more troops arrived in Washington, bringing the total
number to nearly 25,000. Rumors of the concentration of troops in Virginia are
spreading across the city, but no one believes them.
05
Important from Western Virginia
The convention to form a separate state west of the Alleghenies will meet
in Washington Hall in Wheeling on Monday. Thirty counties are expected to be
represented. The federal government has provided troops and encouragement.
"Strong Union sermons were delivered [in Wheeling] yesterday, fast day, in all
the churches. Dissenters from Union faith were invited to leave."
06
Reports from Annapolis
A group of 50 mounted insurgents fired on the picket guard at Camp Butler.
Shots were exchanged, but the group escaped.
06
Condition of the Rebels at Harper's Ferry
A former federal officer who joined the Confederate army states that the
Southern troops at Harper's Ferry are provided with inferior arms and poor
provisions. He thinks that their chances for defeating a federal force are bad.
"He is determined, however, to stick by their waning fortunes." In addition
"Confident expectation prevails in high circles at this point that a battle will
be fought between Richmond and Washington within ten days."
06
Reports from Baltimore
The mountain forests on the Maryland side of the Potomac near Harper's
Ferry were fired last night and valuable timber was destroyed. Eight hundred
Confederate soldiers were encamped on the Maryland shore and the heights in that
area were being fortified. They have also made preparations so that bridges and
other property can be blown up in a moments notice if necessary.
01
Rejected
"Several soldiers have been rejected at 'Camp Slifer,' being unable on
account of some physical disability to pass the medical inspection."
01
Preaching at the Camps
The Rev. Mr. Nichols (Presbyterian,) preached a sermon, on Sunday afternoon,
to the soldiers at "Camp Slifer," and Rev. M. Harden (Methodist,) to those
at "Camp McAllen."
"The Rev. Mr. Nicholas (Presbyterian), preached a sermon, on Sunday
afternoon, to the soldiers at 'Camp Slifer,' and Rev. M. Harden (Methodist) to
those at 'Camp McAllen.'"
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A Treat
"On Sunday last, Mr. Conrad Harman invited one of the Pittsburgh Companies,
in the 7th Regiment, to his residence for the purpose of partaking of a
collation prepared for them. The whole affair passed off very orderly and
pleasantly."
01
Soldiers at Church
On Sunday last the different churches were filled with the soldiers encamped
at this place. They marched to the churches in companies and, without an
exception, their conduct while in church was of the most exemplary
character.
"On Sunday last the different churches were filled with the soldiers
encamped at this place. They marched to the churches in companies and without an
exception, their conduct while in church was of the most exemplary character."
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The Bakery
"The establishment at which the bread is prepared for the troops is now in
the 'full tide of successful experiment,' turning out twenty-five hundred pounds
of bread a day with all ease. There is no complaint now against the quality of
the bread."
01
Our Ladies
It was announced in the respective churches on Sunday last, that the ladies
of the various denominations would meet in the Presbyterian Lecture Room, on
Monday, to organize an association to supply regularly the Hospital at this
place, with all the comforts necessary for the sick soldiers.
"It was announced in the respective churches on Sunday last, that the
ladies of the various denominations would meet in the Presbyterian Lecture Room,
on Monday, to organize an association to supply regularly the Hospital at this
place, with all the comforts necessary for the sick soldiers."
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Returned
"Capt. P. B. Housum and Capt. John Doebler have returned to 'Camp Scott.'
These gentlemen have been on a visit to their homes, at this place, for several
days. They left on Monday morning and do not expect to see their friends again
until the 'wars are o'er.'"
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Surgeons
"The Surgeons of the Regiments at this post have all left for Philadelphia
to attend a convention of the medical men of the army from this State. The sick
here are left in charge of the Assistants who are thoroughly qualified to
discharge all the duties that may devolve upon them."
01
Ammunition
"On Saturday last there was received at 'Camp Slifer' thirty thousand
rounds of ball-cartridge. The Cartridge Boxes and Percussion Caps have not yet
been supplied. It is not likely that any of the regiments will be removed until
these necessary equipments are furnished--the many rumors to the contrary
notwithstanding."
01
Broken Up
A few rowdy soldiers who had "made Wolffstown the 'field of their
operations,'" stopped their disruptive behavior.
01
Expected Battle
Government sources predict that a battle will be fought either at Harper's
Ferry or between Washington and Richmond in the next ten days. The Spirit urges
its readers to subscribe to get the "earliest and fullest intelligence of all
the war movements."
02
Stabbed with a Bayonet
In a fight amongst some soldiers at 'Camp Slifer,' a guard stabbed one
soldier with a bayonet in the thigh.
02
A Row
"A couple of drunken soldiers created quite a row at Brand's Hotel on
Sunday night last."
A couple of drunken soldiers created quite a row at Brand's Hotel on Sunday
night last. They came there intoxicated and were so uproarious that Mr.
Brand was obliged to eject them from his house. In doing this, he received a
severe blow from a brick in the hands of one of them. Another man named
Johnston was severely beaten. In the melee a
pistol was fired which, it is said, wounded one of the soldiers in the
leg.
A few drunken soldiers created a row at Brand's Hotel on Sunday night. When
Mr. Brand asked them to leave, he received a blow in the head.
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Considerate
"We learn that Mr. Adam Reineman, formerly a citizen of this place, but now
a resident of Pittsburg, forwarded as a present to one of the companies from
that city, now at "Camp Slifer," some twenty casks of the very superior Lager
Beer made at Pittsburg."
We learn that Mr. Adam Reineman, formerly a citizen of this place, but now a
resident of Pittsburg, forwarded as a present to one of the companies from
that city, now at "Camp Slifer," some twenty casks of the very superior
Lager Beer made at Pittsburg. As an evidence of how gratefully the present
was received, the company have resolved to return the casks by the next
train empty.
Mr. Adam Reineman, formerly a Chambersburg resident, sent twenty casks of
Pittsburgh Beer to the soldiers at "Camp Slifer." To show their gratitude, the
soldiers "resolved to return the casks on the next train empty."
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02
Home Again
Stumbaugh
Col.
Welsh
G.
Lt.
Huber
A.
Flack
Alex
The four men listed above came home for a visit.
02
True to His Colors
Rev. Dr. Junkins, formerly of Lexington, Virginia, preached at the
Presbyterian Church in Chambersburg last Sunday. He was forced to leave Virginia
because of his Union sentiments.
02
Letters from Camp Scott
The Spirit draws its readers' attention to the two letters printed on page
one from a young soldier at Camp Scott.
02
New Post Master
Mr. J. W. Deal, the newly appointed Chambersburg Post Master, has taken
charge of the office. The office will be moved next Thursday next to the room in
the Valley Spirit Building. This will give the town what it has long desired--a
suitable post office.
02
Three Year Soldiers
The Spirit dislikes the plan proposed for enlisting the three-month
volunteers for three years. These men have been badly clothed and badly treated
and have received neither money nor glory, so asking them to "'prolong the
agony' is taxing their patriotism rather severely."
03
Where We Are
The Spirit responds to an inquiry from the Charleston Mercury as to where
the Northern friends of the South have gone. The Spirit states that they are
where they have always been--"on the platform of Southern rights, the
Constitution, and the Union." They blame the Southern secessionists for
abandoning the North and going beyond the Constitution and the Union to defend
their rights. "The Northern Democracy have no share in the responsibility, but
they are unanimously taking a hand in the work of preserving the Union."
Look
03
The Bank of Chambersburg
The Bank of Chambersburg paid its stockholders a dividend of four percent.
The Spirit believes that the stockholders are "blessed," especially since
Railroad stock and state bonds have paid so poorly. They point out that the
Democratic Party was once considered hostile to banks. Now, they claim that the
Party is only hostile to corrupt and fraudulent banks.
04
Bible Presentation
Letter from Col. Stumbaugh in reference to the donation made by the
Franklin County Bible Society to the volunteers from the county.
04
"The next session of the Chambersburg Female Seminary will open on the 3rd
of next September."
05
The Latest!
Washington is quiet, and reports have reached the city that there are no
signs of northward troop movement in Virginia. Numerous Southern troops have
congregated at Richmond. Fifteen hundred Alabama troops and twenty cannon
arrived at Manassas Gap Junction on their way to Harper's Ferry.
05
Resumption or Communication
"Three locomotives came over the Philadelphia road this morning nearly to
Canton bridge, which will be ready for use in the course of the day. The
telegraph poles are being replaced, and there is every prospect of an immediate
resumption of full communication [with Baltimore] by this route."
05
Southern News
Miscellaneous Southern war news.
06
Important from St. Louis
Union soldiers captured General Frost's brigade of Missouri militia. Before
the surrendered troops marched back to St. Louis, a disturbance broke out
between U.S. volunteers and a crowd that included many women and children. The
crowd threw several rocks at the soldiers and fired a few pistol shots. When
Capt. Blanlawsky was shot, he gave the order to fire, which was obeyed. More
than twenty persons, including two women and several children, were killed. "The
unfortunate occurrence has produced an intense excitement in the city. Large
bodies of men are thronging the streets."
Look
06
Reinforcements for Fort Monroe
The steamer Pembroke sailed for Fort Monroe with reinforcements and
provisions.
06
An Attack on Cairo Probable
Chicago Tribune
General Pillow has chartered three steamboats for an attack on Cairo,
Illinois.