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Valley Spirit, January 14, 1863

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Description of Page: A description of the Seven Days battle from the viewpoint of a Prussian officer serving with the Confederates, plus three columns of classified advertisements

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A Profound Critic
(Column 1)

Summary: The Spirit's editors respond to an attack on their paper that appeared in the Repository and Transcript. The Repository author claimed that there was no difference in criticizing McClellan and criticizing the President, as the Spirit often does, since both are public figures. However, the Spirit's editors claim, the President is a representative of the people and thus everybody has a right to critique him. On the other hand, citizens who do not understand warfare do not have grounds to assess generals.

Excerpt: "[The movement of troops on a field of battle] is a science and to be known must be learned, as every science is learned, by special study and application. As well might a cobbler attempt to make a steam engine, as a citizen, not learned in the art of war, to command a great army or criticize its movements without making himself appear ridiculous."

Why don't they Howl?
(Column 1)

Summary: The editors wonder why the abolitionists are not as quick to criticize General Burnside for his failure at Fredericksburg as they were to attack General McClellan. The answer, they surmise, is that the attacks on McClellan were nothing more than pure partisanship.

Excerpt: "After the battle of Antietam, when Gen. McClellan was resting and reorganizing his army, on the banks of the Potomac, preparatory to a grand forward movement, the whole abolition pack, from Greely & Co., down to the small fry politicians who deal out driblets of abolition treason on street corners and in small groceries, raised one universal howl of dissatisfaction."
Full Text of Article:
After the battle of Antietam, when Gen. McClellan was resting and reorganizing his army, on the banks of the Potomac, preparatory to a grand forward movement, the whole abolition pack, from Greely & Co., down to the small fry politicians who deal out driblets of abolition treason on street corners and in small groceries, raised one universal howl of dissatisfaction. They charged Gen. McClellan with slowness, inactivity and dillydallying with the enemy. They depreciated the victories gained at South Mountain and Antietam, which rescued Maryland from the rebels and saved Pennsylvania from invasion. They even went so far in partisan malignity and bigoted prejudice as to assert that McClellan was beaten at Antietam.

"On to Richmond" was their cry and their patriotism (?) was of such an intense character, that nothing would satisfy them but a direct march to Richmond by the nearest rout and the capture of the rebel capital. They could brook no delays. They spurned the mere mention of "strategic movements." McClellan was the great barrier in the way of success, and his removal was demanded by ten thousand abolition voices.

The clamor had its desired effect. A weak and vacillating President was made to bend before this storm of abolition fanaticism.

One dark and stormy night, a messenger from the President of the United States was sent into the camps of the Army of the Potomac with an order relieving Gen. McClellan of the command and appointing Gen. Burnside in his place. The announcement of the fact was greeted by this horde of Abolition fanatics with an insane shout of joy. Now Richmond would be taken, we were told, without further delay and we anxiously looked for a fulfil[l]ment of the promise.

But how has the promise been fulfilled? Gen Burnside fought one battle on the slapdash principle of the "On to Richmond" party and was terribly repulsed with an immense sacrifice of human life, and for over four weeks, the grand Army of the Potomac has been lying, inactive, on the north bank of the Rappahannock, no nearer Richmond than it was on that fatal November night, when Lincoln's messenger arrived in camp with the order for McClellan's Removal. Why don't the Abolitionists howl? They seem to be as silent as the grave. Is there less necessity for the capture of Richmond now than there was when McClellan was in command? Or was this clamor against McClellan only used by corrupt and bigoted partisans for the purpose of pulling down the ablest and most accomplished soldier in America? Impartial history will record the fact that General Geo. B. McClellan was removed from his command through the basest partisan motives, and the battle at Fredericksburg will remain a standing monument of the fanaticism and folly of Abolitionism.

The Organization of the Legislature
(Column 2)

Summary: The state legislature of Pennsylvania was organized on Tuesday, January 6. Among the officers elected was Hiram C. Keyser of Franklin County, as one of four transcribing clerks.
(Names in announcement: Hiram C.Keyser)

The "On to Richmond" Cry
(Column 2)

Summary: Argues that, while General Burnside deserves some of the blame for the defeat at Fredericksburg, the larger share lies with radical abolitionists and their representatives in Washington, who have been pushing for a rapid assault on Richmond. Burnside replaced McClellan with the understanding that he would act fast, which he did. However, the premium put on swift action underestimated Southern courage and skill, a mistake that conservatives never made. The radicals thus set the Union army up for defeat at Fredericksburg.

Excerpt: "Still, [Burnside] is not the only guilty one. The blood that flowed uselessly on that fatal day stains more garments than his, and he was, in fact, but the instrument in the hands of others. He was the knife, not the murderer. It will be remembered that 'on to Richmond!' has been the radical cry. . . ."

Origin of Article: Louisville Democrat

The President's Power
(Column 3)

Summary: The writer accuses President Lincoln of slowly usurping power in the name of combating the rebellion. Lincoln should abandon the counsels of those seeking power under the guise of abolition and observe constitutional and legal restraints.

Excerpt: "The President seems to think that he can do anything that tends to put down the rebellion, that he can select the means at his best discretion and judgement."

Origin of Article: Louisville Democrat

Governor's Message
(Column 4)

Summary: Reprints the annual address of Governor Andrew Curtain to the Pennsylvania Senate and House of Representatives. Curtin's speech includes details of the Confederate raid into Chambersburg.

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Description of Page: Includes war news from Vicksburg and other areas, as well as classified advertisements and market information.

The Ravages of War
(Column 1)

Summary: The editors describe the funerals of four men from the 126th Reg't Penn. Volunteers who died in the service, three from wounds sustained at Fredericksburg.
(Names in announcement: Sgt.R. B.Fisher, MartinShoemaker, FrankRhodes, JacobShafer)

Death of Col. P. B. Housum
(Column 1)

Summary: The editors note the death of Col. P. B. Housum of the 77th Reg't Penn. Volunteers, killed in action at Murfreesboro.
(Names in announcement: Col.P. B.Housum)

[No Title]
(Column 1)

Summary: The Good Intent notes the return to town of G. G. Rupley and Jos. Winger, captured during the raid by Stuart's Cavalry. The two men were paroled and sent home under the condition that they arrange for the release of an equal number of Confederate prisoners. If they don't fulfill this agreement, they are obligated to return to Richmond in a given time.
(Names in announcement: G. G.Rupley, Jos.Winger)

Origin of Article: Mercersburg Good Intent

Jubilee Year
(Column 1)

Summary: This year marks the 300th anniversary of the formation of the Heidelberg Catechism of the German Reformed Church. Church members will observe this anniversary by making a donation to one of the church's benevolent institutions.

Worthy of Mention
(Column 1)

Summary: Corporal Thomas Daily of Upton carried the colors, not only of the 126th Reg't Penn. Volunteers off the battle field, but those of the 134th as well. General Humphrey observed this and relieved Daily of his musket, saying "'it is honor enough to carry the colors of two regiments." Thomas and his colleagues "marched proudly on" afterwards.
(Names in announcement: CorporalThomasDaily)

Origin of Article: Greencastle Pilot

[No Title]
(Column 1)

Summary: The editors reprint a resolution passed by the Friendship Fire Company on January 8, signed by their secretary Jacob Jarret, commemorating the loss of their colleague R. B. Fisher in combat.
(Names in announcement: R. B.Fisher, JacobJarret)

Cause of Diphtheria
(Column 1)

Summary: The editors pass on the advice of "a lady who professes to have expended some time in her investigations of the subject" of diphtheria. Her conclusion is that it is mainly caused by the lack of sufficient salt in the diet, and she wishes to call this to the attention of all parents and guardians.

Revival
(Column 1)

Summary: The editors note the revivals being held at the United Brethren Church.

Excerpt: "A series of meetings are now in progress in the United Brethren Church, at which considerable religious interest is manifested."
Full Text of Article:
A series of meetings are now in progress in the United Brethren Church, at which considerable religious interest is manifested. The meetings have been in progress for several weeks and quite a number of conversions are reported.

Another Soldier Gone
(Column 2)

Summary: John Tracy of Company E, 126th Reg't Penn. Volunteers, died returning from Fredericksburg to his home in Leitersburg. He had been indisposed for some time before his death. His remains were brought to Mercersburg and buried at the Methodist Episcopal graveyard.
(Names in announcement: JohnTracy)

Origin of Article: Waynesboro Record

Another Old Citizen Gone
(Column 2)

Summary: Dr. Thomas Walker died at his residence last Friday at age 69. He had been a prominent physician in Waynesboro for more than 40 years and was a "useful and influential" citizen.
(Names in announcement: Dr.ThomasWalker)

Origin of Article: Waynesboro Record

Returned
(Column 2)

Summary: W. H. Brotherton returned on Monday from the Rappahannock, having failed in trying to secure the remains of his brother, George B. Brotherton.
(Names in announcement: W. H.Brotherton, George D.Brotherton)

Origin of Article: Waynesboro Record

Look Out
(Column 2)

Summary: The editors warn their readers of counterfeit bills on the Mechanics Bank of Philadelphia. The counterfeits are "tolerably well executed" and hard to detect without close inspection.

The Battle of Murfreesboro
(Column 2)

Summary: Reprints General Rosencrans's official report on the battle of Murfreesboro.

Married
(Column 4)

Summary: Joseph Hoover and Mary Ann Small were married on January 8.
(Names in announcement: Rev.W. R. H.Deatrich, JosephHoover, Mary AnnSmall)

Married
(Column 4)

Summary: Annie Grossman and Christian B. Hege, both of Guilford County, were married on January 8.
(Names in announcement: Christian B.Hege, Rev.W. R. H.Deatrich, AnnieGrossman)

Married
(Column 4)

Summary: W. H. H. Betz and Sarah Diehl, both of Hamilton Township, were married on December 30 at the residence of the bride's parents.
(Names in announcement: Rev.S.McHenry, W. H. H.Betz, SarahDiehl)

Married
(Column 4)

Summary: Adam Glass and Mrs. Elizabeth Sanford, both of Loudon, were married on January 8 at the home of the bride.
(Names in announcement: Rev.S.McHenry, AdamGlass, Mrs.ElizabethSanford)

Married
(Column 4)

Summary: Carl Wilhelm Jacob and Sophia Klipper were married on January 11.
(Names in announcement: Rev.M.Wolf, Carl WilhelmJacob, SophiaKlipper)

Died
(Column 4)

Summary: Dr. Henry Schneck, brother of Rev. B. S. Schneck, died in Lebanon on January 2 at the age of 63. He was "greatly esteemed as a physician and christian man."
(Names in announcement: Dr.HenrySchneck, Rev.B. S.Schneck)

Died
(Column 4)

Summary: John Swingly died on January 6 in Green Township, aged 23 years and 1 month.
(Names in announcement: JohnSwingly)

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Description of Page: Classified advertisements