May 30 and 31, 1862

Macomb Journal
May 30, 1862

The Soldiers on the New Constitution.

            The Democratic papers announced a few weeks ago that the soldiers were voting almost unanimously in favor of the new constitution.  We were not much disposed to doubt it from the fact that the commissioners appointed to take the vote were all in favor of the proposed constitution, and of course would bring to bear every influence to produce such a result.  We did not suppose that the soldiers could be as well informed as to the merits or demerits of the constitution, and also as to the intense partisan character of the convention which framed it, as those at home, and hence we feared that improper influences might be successfully brought to bear by the commissioners to obtain votes favorable to the proposed constitution.  We have no doubt the commissioners have done all they could to influence a favorable vote on the constitution, but the soldiers, it appears, are better posted on the objectionable features of the constitution than we thought them to be.  It appears from a statement in the Chicago Tribune that the constitution commissioners visited Paducah, where there were about 1,000 Illinois soldiers stationed.  They commenced taking the vote of the 6th Illinois cavalry – an Egyptian regiment.  After 300 had voted they shut down on the remainder, and left 400 votes of the regiment unpolled.  The cause of this outrage is found in the fact that the regiment was going solid against the secession constitution.  Out of 300 votes taken, only two were for the thing to 298 against it.

And since it is found the soldiers are disposed generally to vote against the constitution, the commissioners have shut down on the thing, and have reported that they could not be admitted into the lines of Halleck’s army; but a writer there says that it is false; that they could have gained admission easily enough if they had really desired it, but the truth of the matter was, they had ascertained pretty conclusively that a very large majority of the soldiers there would vote against their pet constitution, and they, therefore, seized upon any little frivolous circumstance to excuse themselves for not entering the lines and taking the soldiers’ votes.

In view of these matters the Canton Register justly remarks that the course [obscured] object in view in the appointment of that commission, and the manner ordained for taking the votes, and shows most clearly that the great object had in view was to secure the adoption of the new constitution at all hazards. – The more we see of the thing, the more we are convinced that fraud was intended from the first; and it seems to us that every unprejudiced mind cannot fail to see it in the same light.  We hope to see it utterly defeated.

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 From the Sixteenth.

Camp on the Field near Corinth,
May 14, 1862.

Messrs. Editors:  The great and bloody battle so long pending at this place and so imminent at times, is not yet fought; nor is it likely to be during the present week.  On the contrary, it is the settled belief of all newspaper correspondents writing from this place, and is shared in by both officers and men, that the rebels will not stand us a fight at Corinth, but that they will evacuate and fall back to Grand Junction.  While this is the prevailing opinion in camp I must confess there is something of a mystery in the recent moves of the enemy.  Situated as we are in the very face of the enemies intrenchments and almost within speaking distance of their pickets, it would naturally be supposed that nothing of interest could transpire at Corinth, in the way of evacuation, without us knowing something concerning it.  But so it is.  The people of Chicago, Cincinnati and St. Louis seem to know more of the situation of affairs at Corinth than we do ourselves.  How they obtain this “reliable information” is more than we can conjecture.  For almost two weeks the dailies of these cities have persisted in forcing upon the public mind the belief that Corinth was being evacuated, when, if we except the reports of prisoners and deserters, and the constant running to and fro of ponderous trains, there is nothing whatever to force any such conclusion.  As we advance slowly but surely upon them, their picket lines are made stronger, and they present to us a bolder front than before; and not unfrequently they are emboldened to make a demonstration on our own lines, but with little or no success.  One thing is certain, however, that if we have a fight here at all it will be a regular seige, such as was had at Yorktown.  Already our large guns are being put in position, and I believe, with the exception of those belonging to Gen. Pope’s division, are about completed.  They are mostly of the Parrott pattern, and are of a large calibre.  Gen. Pope’s division has not made any advance during the past week on account of a heavy swamp lying before them.  It is being rapidly repaired, however, and will soon be made passible.  Friday of last week, the enemy in large force, supposed to have been commanded by Price, made a powerful onset on the 27th, 26th, 22d, 47th and 27th Illinois, while they were moving their encampment from the rear to the front. – For a while they succeeded in driving our men back, but were soon repulsed and driven from the field.  Quite a number were killed and wounded on both sides.  Their shot and shell fell thick and fast near our encampments and bursted over our heads, but did no damage.

I send you herewith a list of deaths caused by sickness and otherwise, out of the companies from McDonough now in Gen. Pope’s division, to-wit: Andrew Kellough, of co. D, 1^st Battalion Yates Sharp-shooters, was killed May 8^th, while out on a reconnoitering expedition.  He was shot through the breast and killed almost instantly.  His body was not recovered, it being too close to the fire of a battery to obtain it.  He has a respectable circle of friends and relatives residing near Macomb, including a loving father and mother, brothers and sisters, who will deeply mourn his untimely death.  He also has a brother in the same company to which he himself belonged.  He is spoken of by all who knew him as a highly respectable and esteemed young man.

Sylvester Yocum, nephew of Stephen Yocum, of Pennington’s Point, died at our regimental hospital some days ago, of dysentery.  He was a member of co. B, of our regiment.  His effects were taken charge of by Mr. John Wooley, a fellow companion, who will return them safe to his friends and relatives.  His death is deeply deplored by his company.

James Lyon, of Bardolph, had his shoulder dislocated by a violent fall upon the ground while scouting through some thick underbrush.  He is, however, recovering fast, and will soon be able for duty.

William L. Broaddus, of your city, formerly 1st Lieutenant of co. B, has been promoted to the captaincy of said company in place of David P. Wells, deceased.  Other promotions have also been made in the company as follows; E. K. Westfall from 2d to 1st Lieutenant, Orderly Sergeant Alexander Chapman, 2d Lieutenant, and Geo. McAllister, Orderly Sergeant.  John E. Lane is now acting Orderly Sergeant of co. A.

The following citizens from Bushnell are now here: Dr. A. Clark, F. B. Andrews and James Miner.  The first comes on professional business, the two latter in the capacity of hucksters. – They bring with them a quantity of eggs and butter.  We have also had the pleasure of seeing our old friend Alexander Simpson, formerly of Macomb.  He holds the position of Brigade Quartermaster in Gen. Buell’s division, and ranks as captain.  Also the Rev. J. R. Palmer, and other acquaintances from Macomb, now in the 10th Regiment of Mo. Volunteers.

The weather is extremely warm and sultry, but the nights cool and pleasant.  The health of the troops is improving materially.

More anon.                                                      Yours truly, &c.,
Harry.

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Macomb Eagle
May 31, 1862

The editor has gone a-court-ing and the editorship devolves upon the traitor.  We have many things to say, which would in all probability, raise a howl of indignation from the very patriotic cowards that make it their business to denounce every man as a secessionist and traitor who will not sing praises to king Abraham the I, but they are crowded out.  When the boss goes away again, we will stir up the monkeys.

May 23 and 24, 1862

Macomb Journal
May 23, 1862

Blandinsville, April 21

            Messrs. Editors: If it will not be the means of crowding out other matter of greater importance I respectfully request you to give this imperfect sketch a place in the Journal, as I see no reason why a knowledge of the noble deeds of the patriotic ladies of Blandinsville and vicinity should be confined to their immediate community, while the praise of the loyal ladies of other towns and cities is heralded in every corner of our country, especially when by a careful comparison of their acts with the acts of the loyal ladies of other communities we find they have excelled many others, and perhaps have not in benevolence been surpassed by any community in the State.  We read of the kindness of the ladies in other neighborhoods with sensations of pleasure, when we remember that although our excellent Government is doing all that can reasonably be done under existing circumstances.  No agency employed by Government would be likely to reach and secure many of the articles that are furnished by those excellent ladies.  Indeed, as a general rule, none can judge so well as ladies what a wounded soldier needs; none so ready to extend relief to the suffering; none whose hearts are so full of sympathy, and none whose soft words and gentle hands are so soothing to the wounded and dying.  And while some good ladies, whose circumstances allow them to do so, have gone to the various hospitals to attend to the wants of our wounded soldiers, others are engaged heart and hand in preparing for use such articles as are needed for the suffering inmates of those mansions of pain and distress.

This must be a source of comfort to our wounded patriots, that while they are far from home and many of their friends, they have a kind woman’s hand to attend their wants, and at the same time their lady friends at home are making generous efforts to furnish for their benefit such articles as they need.  Now the hand that prepares and furnishes the articles that are needed is just as praise-worthy as the hand that applies those articles when furnished, and as the furnishing class in Blandinsville and vicinity has done so well I do not want their efforts hid in their immediate sphere of action, but hoping that their examples may stimulate others to do likewise; I will say that if I am not mistaken, in November last, some of the ladies of Blandinsville met and organized a society to labor for the benefit of the wounded soldiers in our army.  The society is called the Ladies Soldier Aid Society of Blandinville, Ill. – Its name designates its object, and since that those ladies with the aid of others whose efforts have been secured by their influence, have filled and sent through the agency of the Sanitary Commission of Chicago, four large boxes of various articles for the benefit of wounded soldiers.  They are now collecting and preparing goods to fill the fifth box, which will be larger and more valuable than either of the former. – The writer having occasion to be present for a few minutes at one of the society’s meetings, was astonished to see so large an amount of articles collected, and so much skill and judgment exhibited in their preparation, and so many willing hands voluntarily engaged in doing so noble a part in trying to save the wounded soldiers from suffering; and so many smiling faces that indicated a degree of cheerfulness even in the performance of their sad task; and whose countenances showed they felt a consciousness of being engaged in discharging their duty.  But I have said enough.  Their works will show for themselves.  I hope the society will excuse me for using the liberty I have taken, I have written without their knowledge, and if I have made any mistake I will gladly correct it.

I will close by saying I hope the Lord will reward their kindness and restore to them their friends, peace and union to our country.

Yours,                                                 J. L. Gordon.

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The Homestead Bill.

            The Homestead Bill has at last passed Congress and is in the hands of the President for his signature.  The country will hail with delight this announcement.  It shows that the Republican party has been true to its pledges to give to actual settlers a farm from the national domain.  There can be no doubt that President Lincoln will give the bill his approval, as he has always been in favor of taking the public lands out of the hands of speculators and monopolists.  The bill differ somewhat from the other Homestead bills that have been before Congress and is the result of a committee of conference. – It gives every head of a family, twenty-one years of age, 160 acres of land, provided, he remains upon and cultivate it for five years.  It also gives every person who has been in the service of the Government either in the army or navy, during the present war, all the benefits of the Homestead bill without requiring the possessor to cultivate or live upon the land.  This measure in one shape or another, has been before Congress for the last ten years, but the Democracy when in power have always defeated it, though claiming to be its special friends and admirers.

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LAND FOR SALE.

I will sell 80 acres of land lying 5 ½ miles from Macomb, due South, only cultivated in corn two or three years, and as good a piece of land as any in this part of the county, with a small house, a good well of water, and an everlasting stream within 70 or 80 yards of the house.  Any person wishing such a place will do well to come and see it.

Terms made known on the premises.

May 17, 1862.                                     Ingram Nunn.

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• More Rowdysim. – Sunday nights appear to be a favorite time for the Macomb Rowdies to display their peculiar faculties.  On last Sunday night a gang of these night marauders amused themselves by breaking windows, throwing rotten eggs at signs and buildings, and tearing up sidewalks.  These things have been put up with long enough.  If those who engage in these things havn’t shame enough to stop their lawless proceedings some other course will have to be adopted.  A good charge of shot in their legs might have a tendency to stop their nightly walks.

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• Crop Prospects. – During the past week we have made inquiries of several farmers as to the prospects of the crops.  They all agree in saying that spring wheat that was sown early never looked better.  That that was sown after the rains was over does not promise very well.  The breadth of spring wheat sown was much less this spring than last.  The corn crop will be much larger than last year.

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• Correction. – In the recipe for making summer butter which we published from the Journal of May 9th, says that the butter should be kept covered with lime.  It should read covered with brine.

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Macomb Eagle
May 24, 1862

“Honest Old Abe.”

            Republican papers are very indignant at the exposures of fraud and corruption of the administration that are daily being made, and they raise their eyes in holy horror at any imputation upon “honest Old Abe’s” official integrity.  It may be that there is no evidence as yet of Mr. Lincoln having a hand in the plunderings of Cameron, Fremont, and Wells, for all the examinations yet made have been done by the President’s friends.  But it is somewhat singular, to say the least, that the men who have squandered and stolen the money of the government by the million dollars are still the petted official friends of Mr. Lincoln.  Cameron was removed, but it was not on account of his stealing, his big contracts to relatives and friends, and his squandering of the public money in every possible way; and lest the people should think there might be a controversery between them, “honest Abe” writes “honest Simon” a letter of love and approbation and appoints him Minister to Russia.  Fremont was relieved from command for a while, but it was not because he had squandered hundreds of thousands of dollars on useless earthworks at St. Louis, or permitted his special friends to swindle and steal without the least restraint; Fremont retained his rank, and without an investigation is restored to command.  Gideon Welles, Lincoln’s secretary of the navy, is another beautiful patriot to be kept in the councils of an “honest” man.  The public are too familiar with his squanderings and swindling awards to need a repetition of them here.  Yet he is still the confidential adviser of the President, and still retained where he can enable his relatives to make themselves rich at the public expense.  We might speak of Charles Leib, whom “honest Old Abe” twice recommended for an important office, as well as many others of lesser renown and nearer home, who have used their official positions more to advance their private fortunes than to aid the public welfare.  No man can long associate with and keep in confidence so many swindlers and pilferers without becoming at least liable to grave suspicion.  The words “honest Old Abe” will pass into the same kind of an adage as “crocodile tears.”

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Taxed to feed the Negroes.

            A few days ago Mr. Cox of Ohio offered a resolution for the purpose of learning how many fugitive negroes are now in the federal lines, at Washington, Fortress Monroe, Port Royal, etc., and also the cost of their maintenance.  It is evident to everybody that a large number of these negroes are subsisting at the expense of the tax payers, and it has been asserted that the cost is about $30,000 a day.  Mr. Cox wished to get at the truth of these matters, and to let the people know it.  But the republicans voted down his resolution, thus refusing to let the facts be made public.  They evidently do not want the people to know how much they are taxed to feed these indolent negroes.  If $30,000 a day are squandered on these vagabonds now, how much will be required at the end of another year, if [unclear] and hog they sell, taxed to support [African-Americans] in idleness and abolitionists in stealing them?

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The Treasury Note Law.

            The Supreme Court of this State have decided the case brought before them by the State Treasurer, as to the force of the act of Congress making Treasury notes a legal tender.  The court has decided that the State law requiring gold and silver in the payment of debts to the State is as obligatory as ever, and that the act of Congress does not impair its force.  Therefore, the State taxes must be paid in gold or silver.  The act of Congress does not, in the view of our Supreme Court, overrule the law of the State.  Treasury notes are, therefore, not a legal tender in Illinois in payment of State revenue.

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The Journal inquires for the police. – We have heard it suggested that search be made on top of Mr. Gill’s blacksmith shop

May 16 and 17, 1862

Macomb Journal
May 16, 1862

The Graves of the 28th Ill. Regiment.

            The following notice of the burial place of the 28th Regiment we clip from the correspondence of the Missouri Democrat.  It will be a source of consolation to those who lost sons at the Pittsburg battle to know that though they fell far from home, their graves are visited and decorated with flowers by their comrades in arms:

Of all that have died and been buried at Pittsburg none rest in a more romantic place, or have been more carefully buried, than the dead of the Twenty-Eighth Illinois.  This regiment was one of those on the left of our line, where the enemy made such superhuman efforts to get to the river so as to destroy or drive off the steamers, and get into the rear of our other divisions.  But the cool courage of our men foiled them in every effort.  They made the number of the dead in this part of the field attest the sanguinary nature of the contest that was maintained here.  After the battle the Twenty-eight Illinois appropriated an Indian mound near their camp for their own dead, and surrounded it with a burial fence.  The mound is on the highest part of the ground in the vicinity, and is about ten feet above the level, and about eighty feet square on the top.  On this the graves are made side by side, in rows, each one having the occupant’s name placed at the head, with company and place of residence.  It is a sweet spot, surrounded with wild flowers, and when I was last there many of the soldiers were transplanting violets and other wild flowers to decorate the last resting place of their brave comrades.  – C. M. S.

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From the Sixteenth.

Camp by the Road to Corinth,
May 3, 1862.

Messrs. Editors: A battle is now iminent at any moment.  We are now encamped within 9 miles of the enemy’s entrenched lines.  The enemies forces is estimated to be 150,000, ours 200,000.  Generals Fremont and Sigel are reported here.  Beauregard said to be in New Orleans.  The fight will probably commence day after to-morrow.  A bloody one it will be too. – The fate of America may be said to be staked on the result of the battle of Corinth.  The enemy exhibit no signs by which we may be led to conclude that they intend to fight us out side of their entrenched lines.  On the contrary, everything goes to prove that they will not.  As we advance upon them their picket lines are drawn in and their territory grows smaller and smaller.

The weather has been fine for the past two days – roads in fine marching order.  You will not hear from us again till after the fight.  Have no time to write now, expecting orders to move momentarily.  A good many of the boys are sick, change of water the cause of it.  Remember us at home.
Yours Truly,                Harry.

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Rowdyism. – Is there no power in our city government to put a stop to the rowdyism that is nightly carried on in our midst.  Where are our city officers while bands of rowdys are preambulating the streets making night hideous with their screams and obscene songs, tearing down signs, obstructing sidewalks with boxes, &c., &c.  The people certainly pay taxes enough to receive some benefit from the city government.  Where is the night watch when these gangs are strolling about the city keeping every man awake? – Some five or six of these screamers paid the east part of the city a visit about 1 o’clock on Sunday morning last, and amused themselves by passing up and down the street yelling and screaming their very loudest.  Such things ought to be stopped.  We appeal to our city officials to take the matter under consideration and put a stop to the rowdyism.

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Fortunate. – On Monday last, when we heard the glorious news that Norfolk and Portsmouth had surrendered, and the Merrimac blown up, we regretted exceedingly that we had no Flag to hang out upon the joyful occasion.  Imagine our surprise the next morning when Mr. Luther Johnson handed us a mysterious looking package, which, when opened displayed a beautiful American Flag.  It came just in the nick of time, and was a most acceptable present.  It now floats from our window in honor of the great victories lately achieved by our gallant army and navy.  Mr. Johnson has a large supply of the same article on hand.  Every business House in Macomb ought to own a flag in these war times.  Long may the Stars, Stripes and Johnson wave, is our hearty wish.

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Macomb Eagle
May 17, 1862

The Dangers of the West.

            The Great West, as it is called, is almost exclusively agricultural.  It must have a market for its surplus productions, or it is hopelessly bankrupt.  There are but two markets for this surplus, which can be relied upon – the mechanics, manufacturers, merchants, etc., of the East, and the planters and their negroes of the South.  Europe, which, last year, took a larger quantity of our grain than ever before in one year, this season is not likely to need any.  The reports from England and France are that the crops look fine, and that every indication points to a large and plentiful harvest.  If, therefore, Europe will need little or none of our agricultural productions, how of the South?  All reports we receive from there concur in stating that the planters are putting in large crops of grain, and to a great extent, abandoning the culture of cotton.  If this should turn out to be the case, the West would have no market for her grains South, and the condition of the farmers of this section would be the most unfortunate of any in the whole course of their history. – It was not until the cotton culture was well under way, and the negroes of the South became large consumers of western productions, that agriculture in the West was anything like a paying employment.  The diversity of labor created an exchange of commodities.  It did more.  It created, also, a large mechanical, manufacturing, and commercial class in the East, who also became consumers of agricultural productions.  This country seems to be separated into three very natural and yet very palpable divisions, thus:

The South raises cotton to supply the raw material for the mechanics and manufacturers;
The North works up this material, affording employment to thousands of mechanics of all kinds;
The West feeds both the South and the East – the former while she is raising the raw material for manufacture, and the latter while she is working it up.

If the South, therefore, shall mainly abandon her peculiar cultivation, and go in the same line of production as the West, it is very evident that the price of agricultural production must average very low.  This view of the case has not has not escaped the attention of shrewd western men, and one republican paper in Cincinnati, not long ago, expressed the opinion that this war must be closed up before the South was forced into grain culture, or else the West would inevitably be bankrupt next year, if she had no market in that direction.  To increase this apprehension is also now added the almost positive information that Europe will need little or none of our breadstuffs.  The future of the West is gloomy indeed.  The farmers are an industrious, enterprising class of men.  A large majority were just getting fore-handed in the world, and would, with fair times, have soon been generally out of debt.  But the present convulsions have swept the all of many away. – Some western papers are filled with foreclosure sales, and the land that ought to be in the hands of the masses is rapidly passing into the control of capitalists.  Nothing but a speedy peace can avert the frightful loss of wealth which is now melting away like an April snow before the sun.  Just as soon  as this takes place, the process of recuperation will commence, provided, in the mean time, no changes take place in southern society.  If the negroes shall be turned loose, they will be no longer laborers, and the result will be the same to the West as if the war should continue.  The three great divisions of labor and industry which we have noticed must be kept intact.  One depends upon the other. – Destroy one, and you jar the harmony of all.  If the South do not raise the raw material, the East cannot manufacture it, nor will either need the grains of the West.  The Great West, thus cut off from her markets, would be ruined.  At the very least, we judge that two or three years are to be unusually hard times for western farmers.

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Drowned. – A man named Rhodes was drowned in Crooked creek, near Foster’s mill, on Tuesday evening.  He had been fishing at the mill dam and it is supposed that he slipped and fell and that his head struck a log or rock, rendering him incapable of swimming.  Some boys discovered his hat in the water, and hurried to Colchester and gave the alarm.  The body was recovered after a short search.

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• Some rain fell in this county on Tuesday.  The ground was very dry, and the showers were much needed.

 

May 9 and 10, 1862

Macomb Journal
May 9, 1862

The City Election.

            The election in this city on Monday just passed all very quietly, and resulted as usual in the success of the Republican ticket.  Very little interest was manifested upon the part of the Republicans.  Indeed the ticket was not put in nomination until late Saturday evening.  The Democracy had a strong ticket in the field and turned out [unclear] to a man to its support.  Many Republicans did not go to the polls at all, and there was no effort made to get them out.  And yet the Republican candidate was elected by a 22 majority. – The result is gratifying to us not so much on account of the importance of the election of the importance of the election as that the eagle would have heralded forth to the world the election of Mr. Burton as a great Democratic victory, and as another that Republicanism is dying out.  Mr. [unclear], the Mayor elect, is an old resident here, and is thoroughly identified with the interests of the city, and we doubt not will institute some reforms in the administration of city affairs that are sadly needed.  The board of Aldermen stand the same as last year politically.  Four Republicans and four Democrats.

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Sad Accident. – On Monday last, as a funeral procession was passing down Jackson Street the horses attached to the hearse became quite frightened at the cars, and springing one side upset the hearse, and threw the coffin out.  The coffin lid bursted open and the corpse smartly rolled out.  The hearse, which was a new one, was considerably injured.  The horses and hearse belonged to Mr. Silas French.  We have made  inquiry into all the circumstances, but can learn nothing that indicates that the accident was caused by any carelessness upon the part of Mr. French or the driver.  It was one of those heart-rending accidents that will sometimes occur in spite of all precaution to prevent them.  The corpse was that of a child four years old, and of course the occurrence of such an accident was very harrowing to the feelings of the bereaved parents, but we believe that they exonerate Mr. French from all blame.

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Broke Jail. – One Hugh Long, who was serving out his time in the county jail in this city, for stealing rails, broke out on Tuesday night last, and made good his escape.  He was sentenced to ninety days confinement and had served out about half his time.  He escaped by prying out one of the bars in the upper ceiling.  He had a file and an iron bar to work with, which of course was supplied by some sympathetic friend outside.

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Accident. – John Montgomery, a step son of Jas. W. Matthews, county clerk, while scuffling with some boys on Saturday evening last, was thrown violently to the ground breaking one of his legs below the knee.  This should be a warning to boys not to be so rough in their sports.

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Change of Time. – The trains on the C. Q. & R.  R.  commenced running on a new time on Monday last.  The mail train from Chicago now reaches here before 8 o’ clock in the evening.  This is a great accommodation to the citizens of this place.  We can now get our papers and get to bed the same night.

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Woolen Factory. – In another column will be found D. S. Hampton’s advertisement, which is of much interest to the farmers.  Mr. Hampton has been in the business for a long time, and is a thorough workman and an accommodating business man.  Read this advertisement.

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Wool Carding. – John J. Worley is again on hand with good machinery, prepared to card wool in the best possible manner.  His shop is located near Colchester.  Give him a call.

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Fine Weather. – The past week has been pleasant enough to make up for the bad weather all the spring. – The farmers are improving the time as fast as possible and very few of them find time to come to town, which makes it rather dull here.

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Furniture. – H.F. Martin & Son on the north side of the square have a large assortment of Furniture of every description, which they will sell very cheap.  They also have a good assortment of School Books, Stationary, Wall and Window paper, &c.

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New Hearse. – Silas French, proprietor of the Livery Stable in this city, has purchased a new Hearse, which will always be held in readiness to attend funerals at the shortest notice.  His price, for attending a funeral is $3,00, not $5,00 as has been reported.

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Revival. – The meeting is still going on at the Christian Church, under the supervision of Rev. Mr. Huston. – Nineteen additions to the church have been made.  The meeting will continue through the week, and perhaps next week.

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Ice. – D. N. Lane has his ice house well filled with good clean ice, ready for the hot summer weather.  He will sell it cheap and deliver it through the season.

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Macomb Eagle
May 10, 1862

EVERY DEMOCRAT!
EVERY WHITE MAN!
WHO BELIEVES IN
EQUAL RIGHTS AMONG WHITE MEN,
AND WHO
OPPOSES NEGRO IMMIGRATION
TO THE STATE
AND
NEGRO EQUALITY!
WILL VOTE FOR THE
NEW CONSTITUTION!

 

The Old Democracy.

            “Country before party,” says a contemporary, we hear on every hand. – Yes, certainly; that is the true doctrine.  But to accomplish any desired object in government affairs men must associate together and strive to accomplish that object.  That makes parties.  The men who desire to preserve the constitution and restore the government as it was, and as the fathers of the Republic made it, ought to act together for the accomplishment of that object, and ought to act together around the largest organization having that object in view.  While abolitionists are seeking to revolutionize the government, no Union man can associate with them any more than he can with secessionists.  If all men who love their country above party would act together in politics as they do in any other matter, we should soon have a party that would save the country.  The old Democratic party forms a powerful nucleus around which all patriotic men should rally.

The Tax Bill.

            The tax bill is still before the Senate – without action.  But the negro supplies the two Houses with something to do.  “Our colored fellow citizens” have already commenced sending in their petitions as “free citizens,” asking further congressional action in their behalf.  They now want the Government to keep them, or their freedom will do them an injury!  More taxes will be required for this, and it may be well to keep the tax bill back and learn how much to add for the negroes benefit.  This idea of making taxed slaves of the white men of the North, that the negroes may go free and be supported at the expense of the Government, is one of the numerous “blessings” consequent upon the success of republicanism.

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Homestead Exemption. – The May No. of the Legal Adviser published by E. M. Haines at Chicago contains an article giving the Homestead Exemption  Laws of Illinois and the decision of the supreme court in full on the subject up to the present time.  It gives some late decisions affecting homesteads not yet published in the reports of the supreme court.  A large proportion of the people of the State are interested in this subject, and the article will be read with interest.

 

May 2 and 3, 1862

Macomb Journal
May 2, 1862

Macomb as a Business Point.

            There are few cities in the State of the size of this that presents more advantages for the prosecution of business than the city of Macomb.  Situated on one of the leading Railroad lines connecting the Mississippi river with the great Metropolis of the West, it is easy of access.  Surrounded by a prosperous farming community to be supplied with all the necessities of life – the best market for a large extent of surrounding country – easily supplied with wood, coal, timber, stone, and everything necessary to build up and sustain a city – there is no reason why Macomb should not do a large and prosperous business.  It is a well known fact during the past year while other towns here suffered severely from the pressure of the times that Macomb has constantly increased in the amount of business done.  Our merchants and tradesmen have all had a prosperous year of it, and judging from the amount of goods being brought in this spring, the merchants expect to keep on increasing the trade.  One reason of this great increase we doubt not is that our merchants have forsaken the old credit system, and adopted the motto, “Ready pay, or no sale,” thus enabling them to sell their goods at a much lower rate, and at the same time place their business upon a firmer basis.  Another reason is that the majority of our merchants have learned the power of Printer’s ink and have adopted a judicious system of advertising.  They have discovered that the old plan of selling on tick and charging losses on bad debts upon their good customers does not pay, or that trying to sell goods without letting the people know who or where they are, doesn’t win in this fast age.  But we intended to speak of some other business interests than mercantile.  The other day we called into the Machine Shop in the east part of the city, and were surprised at the amount of business there going on.  One part of the building is used by Wiley & Whitehead as an Iron Foundry, an establishment that has long been needed in this city.  Their enterprise is a new one, but they are the men to make it succeed.  They are turning out some very fine work, and we trust that this establishment will meet with a support that will warrant its proprietors in an increase of its facilities.  The main part of the building is occupied by W. L. Imes & Co., as a Plow Factory.  This too is a new business in Macomb.  We have seen some specimens of their work and can see no reason why they are not as good as any other establishment in the State can turn out.  The farmers of McDonough county should encourage this enterprise, as it will be to their interest to have their agricultural implements manufactured at home.  In the west end of the city A. Knapp, formerly of Galesburg, has erected a large building calculated for pressing and baling hay.  This too is of interest to the farmers, as it will furnish them a steady market and good prices for their hay.  The room formerly occupied by John W. Monfort is being fitted up for a first class Drug Store, which will be opened in a short time.

The above are all new establishments and show that people from abroad are beginning to recognize the business facilities of our city.  All that is necessary is to let capitalist know the inducements that Macomb offers to secure a large increase in the business facilities, and consequent prosperity and growth of our city.

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The 28th Regiment at Pittsburg Landing.

            Through the kindness of Mr. James Anderson, of this city, who has lately returned from the battle field at Pittsburg Landing, we have been furnished with some items of interest in relation to the part of the 28th Regiment, commanded by Col. Johnson, took in the battle of Pittsburg.  Also a correct list of the killed and wounded of company D, commanded by Capt. G. L. Farwell.  This regiment formed a part of Gen. Hurlburt’s Division, and most gallantly did the officers and men sustain the reputation of Illinois Volunteers for bravery, coolness and daring.  There was no flinching or disorderly retreating, but when compelled by overwhelming numbers, to fall back, it was done in order, hotly contesting every inch of ground.  After the battle was over, Gen. Hurlburt, who by the way, in that battle displayed the bravery and coolness of a true soldier, addressed the 28th in terms of the highest praise, and gave them to understand that they had won his warmest respect and esteem by their bravery and daring.

Among other items of a personal nature that Mr. Anderson relates is the following: Col. Johnson was standing watching the battle, when a rebel Major rode by him.  The Colonel discharged his revolver at him, and the Major dropped over to the side of his horse, when the Colonel spurred his horse up to him and made a grab at his hair, when, to his surprise, the hair came off leaving in his hand the Major’s cap and a rebel wig.  The major rode on a few paces and dropped dead from his horse.

Mr. Anderson says that company D, Capt. Farwell’s, displayed the greatest valor.  This company was made up in this city, and it is a source of pride to us that there was no flinching or cowardice exhibited during those two days of horror and bloodshed.  The number of killed and wounded from that company shows that they were in the thickest of the fight.  Capt. Farwell speaks in the highest terms of his men, and in turn, the men speak highly of the Captain.  This is the first great battle in which the McDonough boys have had a chance to show their bravery, and right well have they conducted themselves.  Six of them, as noble and true as ever went forth at the country’s call, have sealed their devotion to liberty and justice with their heart’s blood, and now fill honorable graves, far from home and friends.  They have fought and died, the first offering that old McDonough has made to the cause of freedom.  May it be the last that will be required, is our hope.

The 28th regiment lost in killed thirty-seven.  Twenty-six killed on the battle field and eleven died soon after.  They were all buried together on a high mound near the road leading from the Upper-Landing.  The mound is about sixty feet square and ten feet high. – The graves are arranged in two rows, and each grave has a head and foot board with the name and company upon it.

The health of the regiment when Mr. Anderson left, was good – only nine being in the hospital.  The boys were getting rested from the fatigue of the battle, and were anxious to meet the rebels again.  Mr. Anderson was over the battle field several times, and his description of it does not vary much from the published accounts.  A portion of the battle ground was covered with timber and underbrush, and it was completely riddled to pieces.  Mr. Anderson brought home with him a short piece of tree not more than an inch through, which had five bullet holes through it, and he says that many trees over a foot through were cut down by the cannon balls.

Last week we published the list of killed and wounded, but by request we republish it this week.

Killed – Albert Milligan, Josiah Gill, James Welch, Solomon Sheppard, Seargent Robert Pearson, Corporal George Teas.

Wounded – Jos. Gill, in the arm.  Myron Hyatt, leg.  Van Courtright, leg and body, Lucian Hays, head, Thos. Faulkner, mouth, Aaron Painter, leg, Samuel Sharp, side, Rowan Simmons, Robert Huddleston, bowels, Edward hobert, breast.

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Arrested. – A young man named Waters, who has been residing in Colchester for the past winter, a few weeks since enlisted in the army and went to Chicago to join his regiment.  A few days after he returned to this county, pretending to have authority to raise recruits.  One day last week, however, a couple of officers from Chicago found the self-commissioned recruiting officer in this city, and arrested him as a deserter.  They started with him for Chicago, but before they reached that city the prisoner watching his opportunity, jumped from the train and made good his escape.  Waters returned to this county, claiming that he had been honorable discharged.  But on Monday last he was re-arrested and taken to Chicago by Constables Campbell and Broaddus.

P.S.  Since the above was written, Mr. Broaddus has returned from Chicago.  The prisoner was tried and sentenced to thirty days hard labor, and to lodge in the guard house.  Served him right.

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Volunteered. – Dr. Judd, of the firm of Judd & Mason, of this city, was in St. Louis when the news of the battle of Pittsburg Landing reached there, and was one of the first to volunteer his service as surgeon to assist in caring for the wounded.  He was busily employed for several days, on one of the hospital boats.  He arrived home last week.

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Runaway. – On Monday last, a span of horses belonging to J. McMillan, got frightened and took a tear around the square at “double quick.”  On turning the south-east corner of the square the buggy upset throwing out the driver, Edward Buchanan, bruising his head and face considerably.  No great damage was done to the buggy.

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Macomb Eagle
May 3, 1862

Seem Surprised.

            Some persons affect surprise that the present Congress should pass an act abolishing slavery in the District of Columbia.  If Congress stops at this we shall be surprised.  A party, one of the chief leaders of which would have preferred even the destruction of fifty such Unions as gave to us all our prosperity and renown as a nation, to the abandonment of their anti-slaveryism, is more likely to find a “military necessity” to execute the behests of abolition fanaticism, than to adopt the teaching of conservatism, which would restore the Union to what it was, and maintain the Constitution as it is.  It is with them now or never.  The party in power must feel admonished by the recent spring elections, that abolitionism of even the mildest form is becoming odious to the people, and that in all human probability, the present is the last abolition Congress we shall have in many years.  Animated by such a belief, they will, doubtless, do what they can for the cause of abolitionism, no matter whether the Constitution is violated or not, or whether the restoration of the Union is rendered impossible, or whether the interests of the white laborer are totally disregarded.

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Douglas Monument Association.

            See the circular of the Douglas Monument Association, the object of which is the erection of a monument to Illinois’ great and lamented statesman, whose remains now lie, almost unmarked, on the shore of Lake Michigan.  Every true Illinoisan should contribute his mite to rear above them an enduring pile of marble in honor of him who has done so much for his State and country.

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We are indebted to S. S. Murphy, Esq., for the largest bacon ham that we have seen for many a day.  May he prosper and grow fat, and never be troubled with the cholera among his hogs.

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Mr. Geo. D. Keefe, late of Canton, is fitting up the first floor under The Eagle office for a drug store, and will next week open a large and complete assortment of drugs and medicines.  His stock will all be fresh and nice, and will therefore command the attention of the public.

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Mrs. Jacobs has again opened her millinery establishment, and solicits a call from the ladies.

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The game of wicket has been introduced into town and draws quite a crowd of spectators.  We think it much preferable to some amusements that are carried on in doors.

April 25 and 26, 1862

Macomb Journal
April 25, 1862

The Sixteenth Regiment.

            We learn from persons direct from Cairo, that the 16th Regiment has gone up the Tennessee river to reinforce Gen. Halleck’s army.  It is understood that the most of Gen. Pope’s Division, including near 40,000 men, have passed up the Tennessee, and before this time joined Halleck’s army, preparatory to the grand battle which we are daily expecting news of.

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The Killed and Wounded in the 28th Regiment

            Samuel Sharp, a corporal in company D 28th Regiment, who was wounded in the battle at Pittsburg Landing, arrived in this city on Saturday last, direct from the battle field.  He has furnished us with all the information he is in possession of respecting the killed and wounded in Capt. Farwell’s company.  Mr. Sharp was wounded by a musket ball which passed through the left side of his body.  He is doing very well, and the wound will probably be healed in less than a month.  He reports the following killed.

Jos. Gill, shot through the head and instantly killed.  A shell also struck him after he had fallen, mangling his body very much.  Mr. Gill was a brother of B. F. Gill, of this place.

 

Solomon Shepherd was severely wounded on Sunday and died on Tuesday.  He was from the vicinity of Camp Creek, in this county.

 
Robert Pearson, killed instantly by a ball which struck him in the centre of the forehead.  Mr. Pearson was from Colchester where his parents reside.

 
James Welch, killed instantly.  His parents reside a short distance north of Colchester.

 
George Teas, shot through the breast and instantly killed.  His parents also reside near those of Mr. Welch.

 
A. Milligan, was shot in the abdomen, and died next day.  At the time of his enlistment he was at work for Mr. Gill, blacksmith, in this city, and lived in his family.

 
Myron Hyett, of La Harpe, of whom we made mention last week as being wounded, has since died.

 

Mr. Sharp reports the following wounded:

Hobert, son of J. C. Hobert, of Colchester, was shot in the breast with a spent ball and only slightly hurt.

Lucien Hoyt, of Tennessee township, had two fingers shot off.  He come home in company of Mr. Sharp.

Robt. Huddleston of St. Mary’s, near Colmar, was shot through the thigh.

Josiah Gill, flesh wound in arm. – Josiah was a brother to Joseph Gill who was killed.

Jos. Walker, of Industry township, wounded slightly in knee.

John Gordon, slightly wounded in heel.

Mr. Sharp thinks it possible that there may be others in the company either killed or wounded.  We have no report however, from any source of any further casualties in this company.

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From “Harry.” – Our faithful correspondent “Harry” writes us a hurried note from New Madrid on the 12th, that the troops had just been paid off, and that they were then packing up, for a march.  Harry sends us a secesh document which he captured somewhere in Tennessee.  It is an “Appeal to the People of the southern portions of Illinois and Indiana, by W. H. Haynes.”  It is, indeed, a precious document, especially interesting to those Democrats who were loud in their threats that if an army was raised in the North to march against the South they would receive “a fire in the rear.”  Haynes was a former resident of Carmi, in this State, and on the breaking out of the war, he went South, and it would appear that he is very much astonished that his old Democratic associates don’t carry out their promise respecting the fire in the rear.  Harry also sends us a Confederate postage stamp, the first we have ever seen.

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Home Again. – Frank E. Fowler, and J. G. Thompson, members of Co. B, 16th Regiment, arrived at their homes in this city on Monday evening last, having each received a final discharge from the army on account of sickness.  Mr. Hainline, of Co. A., in the same regiment, also returned on Wednesday on account of sickness.

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Accident. – On Saturday last, Mr. James Guy, a young man living a few miles north of this city, had his right leg broken by a kick from his horse. – He had been in the city and was proceeding homeward, and when near the residence of Mr. Nelson Abbott, on the north side of town, his blanket dropped from the horse, and as he was in the act of picking it up, the horse kicked him with the result above stated.  He was taken to Mr. Abbott’s house, where his injuries were attended to by Dr. Jordan.

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A Rebel Prisoner. – We learn that Dr. J. R. Palmer, formerly a practicing dentist in this city, was taken prisoner by some of our troops in Tennessee, just previous to the Pittsburg battle. – Palmer, while living here, was loud mouthed in his denunciation of abolition disunionists, but at length he himself becomes a disunionist of the blackest kind.

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 Macomb Eagle
April 26, 1862

Democratic Victories.

            The spring elections throughout the West gives the most cheering indications of a return to the Democratic policy on the part of the people.  Not only in Chicago, Peoria, Springfield, Quincy, Galena, Rock Island, and Freeport, in Illinois, have the Democrats achieved splendid successes, but also in all the principal cities of Wisconsin have they done likewise.  In all these contests, the Democrats have stood by their time-honored principles – have upheld the Constitution and the Union as our fathers made – against the usurpations of power, the plunderings and robberies, the violation of official oaths and the falsifying of public pledges, which has characterized every department of the republican administration for a year past.  They have chiefly opposed the efforts of the republicans to destroy the Union sentiment of the South and encourage and strengthen the rebellion.  Conservative men and patriots are at last seeing the vortex of ruin into which the republicans are plunging the country, and they are determined that the fanatical destructionists shall have the poisoned chalice held to their own lips.  The tide of fanaticism has reached the flow and is now ebbing out from the public mind.  The significance of these late elections is, that the republicanism is not only a cheat, but that it is ruin and impoverishment to the country, and that the honest people will throw off the rule of the corrupt demagogues. – A choice has to be made between Democracy and Constitutional liberty on one hand, and republicanism and destruction on the other; between Democracy and a government of white men, and republicanism and free negroism on the other.  There is no middle ground.

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• We trust that the disagreeable weather of the past few weeks has culminated, and that the heavy sleet of Thursday morning may be speedily succeeded by a more genial temperature.

• Mr. James M. Campbell has sold out his grocery store to B. F. Goodrich, Esq., who will continue the business at the same place.

• We have a letter from our Paducah correspondent, giving an account of a scouting expedition into Weakly county, Tenn., by a portion of the 6^th cavalry.  We shall publish it next week.

• The negroes who for the past few years have been run out of Missouri into Kansas have become so numerous in Leavenworth that they propose to have things their own way.  A short time since they held a meeting in that city “to consult upon the propriety of expelling the Irish and German citizens from Leavenworth.”  That is a foretaste, we presume, of what is to come all over the North.

April 18 and 19, 1862

Macomb Journal
April 18, 1862

Letter from a McDonough Volunteer.

Camp on the Field near
New Madrid, Mo., March 29.

Messrs Editors:  Last night about 12 o’clock, while we were crouched down in our tents reposing sweetly upon a soldiers downy bed of ease, some of as perhaps dreaming of loved ones at home, we were startled by the force of a terrific wind, coming directly from the west, and one which threatened almost instant annihilation to all the tents and wigwams in camp.  Instantly the whole camp was astir, each person exerting himself to the utmost capacity to prevent the sad calamity of being deprived of a proper shelter for the night.  Tents and wigwams were tossed to and fro in the air like so many “reeds shaken by the wind.”  The death like silence which had brooded over us all day and night, was now broken, and the guardian Angel who had watched over and protected us while sojourning in the land of “nod” seemed to have taken flight to the realms above, leaving us unprotected to the pestilence of proud Boreas of old.  The wind soon lulled, however, and the camp assumed its former stillness and monotony, while the would be sleepers and dreamers again took up their line of march for the land of “nod.”

There has been nothing of unusual interest transpired in camp during the week.  The fight is still progressing at Island No. 10, as we can distinctly hear the rumbling of the discharged guns from that place.  Each discharge from the mortars resembles the sound of heavy thunder rattling through the distant woods.  At times there are painful rumors in circulation as to the exact state of affairs at that place.  Some three or four days ago it was reported in camp that four of our gunboats had been sunk by the enemy, and that the whole crew had been lost by the catastrophe.  To persons unacquainted with camp rumors this would be painful news indeed, but as we have so often been gulled in this way, we have learned to pay no attention to them, and to pass them by as mere “canards.”

At 11 o’clock a.m. on Thursday of this week, there was a general review of all the infantry, cavalry and artillery under Gen. Pope’s command, now stationed at this place.  Gen. Pope reviewed in person.  It was truly a grand affair.  Each regiment paraded in front of its own quarters, constituting a solid string of infantry for at least two miles in length.  As they stood up in martial array, the bright sun reflecting meteors of light from the polished steel, they presented a formidable and invulnerable appearance indeed.

An effort is now being made by Col. Bissell’s engineer regiment to force a passage through a small stream or byou starting in above Island No. 10, on the Missouri side, and emptying into the Mississippi below.  It is the intention to make it passable for the gunboats so that one or more of them can get in the rear of the enemy and thus facilitate the reduction of that place.  This evening I noticed a number of “Sappers and Miners,” as they are called, with shovel and pick in hand on their way for the field of labor.  This indicates that the work will be completed with dispatch, and a passage forced through immediately.  Should it be successful the tide of affairs at the Island will change materially.

Our election for captain as I informed you in my last, came off on Monday last, V. Y. Ralston, Esq., was again chosen captain with only two dissenting voices.  It is not known whether he will accept or not, but certain it is, that he is well liked in that capacity, and it is the earnest desire of the men comprising the company that he should be commissioned as such.  In the event of his not accepting the contest will then lay between 1^st Lieut. B. F. Pinckley, of our company, and 2d Lieut. F. B. Woodall, of Company K, for captain, and Eben White and Orderly Sergeant H. W. Gash for 2d Lieutenant.  H. M. Bartholemew will then become 1^st Lieutenant of the company.  Captain Ralston still remains with us, but exercises no command of the company. – Mr. White, I understand has a probable show for the position of regimental quartermaster.

We now have a daily mail line from this place to Sikeston, and I understand a telegraphic wire is also in course of construction, from camp to that place, and there on to Bird’s Point.  Chicago, Cincinnati, and St. Louis daily papers are received here the next day after publication.  This, to us, is a great treat indeed.

Nothing has been doing in camp during the past week, except cleaning our quarters, grubbing up stumps, &c., which is going on with great taste and celerity.  The improvements thus made would reflect credit upon the most experienced soldiers.  What was but a week ago a rude cornfield, covered with a thick coating of stalks, and ridged up with the plough of the husbandman, is now converted into a beautiful camping ground for the soldier; the stalks gathered up in piles and burned, the stumps grubbed up and put out of the way, the ridges leveled, and wells dug, and in fact everything done for the comfort and health of the soldiers.

Gen. Pope is rigidly enforcing all military law and discipline, or having it done by his subordinates, and the officers are no more allowed to transgress them than the lowest private in the division.  Frequent exposure of officers transgressing the laws have been read to us on dress parade.  Officers must come to “limerick,” as well as the poor privates.  The “boys” say “bully for Gen. Pope.”

I must now make favorable mention of a movement now on foot to organize in this regiment, a Lodge of the independent Order of Good Templars.  A charter for that purpose has already been granted by the Grand Lodge of Illinois, and had it not been for unfrequent removals from place to place, it would have been in working order long ago.  The charter was granted us free of charge, together with all the appurtenances belonging thereto.  E. L. Cumer, formerly of Prairie City, Ill., has been commissioned Lodge Deputy, with authority to institute as soon as possible.  In this praiseworthy movement we have the support and co-operation of several prominent officers of the Regiment. – Among those who have already pledged themselves to its support and maintenance I mention Lieut. Col. Samuel Wilson, of Middletown; 1^st Lieut. W. L. Broaddus, of Company D, and 2d Lieut. E. K. Westfall, of all the same company, and others were whose names I do not now remember.  Besides the steps taken towards the organization of the Lodge, a number of copies of the Good Templar, published at Upper Alton, Ill., has been circulated and subscribed for by different individuals of the Regiment.  Let the people of McDonough be assured that we are emulating the example of friends of the order in that county, and that we will soon have in our midst a living, working Lodge of Good Templars.  But as I will have occasion to refer to this subject again, I leave it for the present.

Our supply of provisions are now growing quite short, and it is said the rise of the river has completely submerged the railroad track between Sikeston and Bird’s Point, and that the cars have been compelled to stop running on account of it.  If this be the case our supplies will have to be waggoned all the way from Commerce, 40 miles distant, up the river.  But enough for the present.  More anon.

Very truly, &c.,
Harry.

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April 6.

Messrs. Editors: I wrote you last evening to the effect that we were again under marching orders, with two days rations in haversacks and 40 rounds of cartridges in our boxes.  We did not get off however, and this morning we have the orders, but no prospect of leaving until this evening, if then.  We leave all behind us except gun equipage, blankets, &c.  From indications we will cross the river to aid in the reduction of Island No. 10.  Transports are now reported below the Island, having made their way through the bayou, and a gunboat is said to have run the blockade during the heavy gale of night before last, and is now laying at or near New Madrid.  This I presume is reliable, from the fact that large sheets of smoke have been seen to emanate from that place, resembling that which comes from the smokestacks of a steamboat.  While I write heavy firing is heard in the direction of New Madrid, and the most general and rational conclusion arrived at respecting it, is that our gunboat is throwing shell into them from below the Island.

Our whole division appears to have the same orders, and indications are that a general move will be made this evening or to-morrow, to the opposite side of the river, and now that we have a gunboat below the Island to assist us, its reduction and capture is a certainty, beyond all peradventure or dispute.  Undoubtedly Island No. 10 will be in Federal possession before your next issue.

The weather at present is delightful and the roads are in fine condition for marching.  The peach trees are all in full bloom and the wild ones of the forest are following in close pursuit with great rapidity.

At roll call last evening our company was thrown into ecstacies by the announcement that Orderly Sergeant Henry W. Gash, had been commissioned by Gov. Yates, 2d Lieutenant of our company.  His appointment gives general satisfaction, and on it being announced to us, three hearty cheers were given in honor of it.  The officers of the company are now as follows: B. F. Pinckley, captain; H. M. Bartholomew, 1^st lieutenant; Henry W. Gash, 2d lieutenant.  An orderly Sergeant is yet to be elected, for which office there will be several candidates.

I shall not close this letter until mail time this evening, and if I can learn anything between this and that, respecting the situation of affairs below, I will make mention of it to you.  For the present I close.

Very truly, &c.,
Harry

P. S. – Additional information respecting the firing of this forenoon proves it to have been in the vicinity of Point Pleasant, and from one of our gunboats.  From the tops of the trees and with the aid of a glass the boat could be distinctly, as also the discharges from the guns.  It commenced about 11 o’clock p.m., without intermission.  It was heavy and in quick succession.  We can learn nothing as to its purpose or effect, but suppose it was the shelling of the rebel batteries at that place.  We have no orders as yet to move but hold ourselves in readiness to go at a moment’s warning. –H.

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Terrible Whirlwind – Loss of Life.

On Saturday afternoon last, about 4 o’clock, a tremendous whirlwind passed over the western part of the town of Tennessee, in this county, in a northeasterly direction, destroying two or three dwellings, unroofing and otherwise injuring a number of buildings, and resulting in the death of a man named Wm. A. Abbott, a citizen of that place.  At the time of the storm Mr. Abbott was riding in a wagon with Mr. John Jarvis, also a citizen of that place, when the wind struck a wagon bed which was lying upon an old sled by the side of the road, and carried it furiously upon the horses and also upon both Abbott and Jarvis in the wagon.  Abbott was struck in the back part of the head, and was supposed to have been instantly killed.  Jarvis was considerably bruised, but not seriously injured.  One of the horses was so much injured that it has since died.

The dwelling house of Mr. John Duncan, in the north-west part of the town was partly demolished.  Damage about $250.

A stable, belonging to M. C. Johnson, was blown down and his horse killed.

The blacksmith shop of Wm. McKinsey was damaged to the extent of about $50.  A stable belonging to Samuel Gibson was destroyed.  The residence of Mrs. Patterson was very badly injured, as was also the residence of Patrick McCune.  Several other dwellings were more or less injured and moved from their foundation.

Mr. Abbott was a wagon maker by trade and a very worthy and estimable man.  He leaves a wife and five children, poorly provided for and who now need the aid and assistance of their charitable neighbors.

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Macomb Eagle
April 19, 1862

Glorious Victory – Chicago Redeemed!

The Democrats carried the city of Chicago on Tuesday by a majority of about twelve hundred votes, electing the whole ticket and eight of ten aldermen.  This defeat of the republicans in the metropolis of the Northwest is significant of the fate that awaits them throughout the State.  The people are tired of the rule and ruin of the republicans, and this may be regarded as the ground swell of the great up rising of the country to vote down the treacherous demagogues who only prosper as the people become impoverished.  Let the friends of the Constitution take courage anew.  The sober second thought of the people will in the future, as in the past, be the strength of the Democracy and the salvation of the country.

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The republicans are inventing excuses for their Waterloo defeat in Chicago.  They say it was a rainy day, and rainy days are always unfavorable to them; that so many of their men have gone to war; that J. Wentworth, Esq., got “huffy,” and wouldn’t shell out his money, etc.  Why don’t they tell something plausible? – say, for instance, that Col. Mulligan marched the “secesh” prisoners down to the polls and made them vote the Democratic ticket!

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We notice that Lieut. W. S. Hendricks, late of the 16^th, but now of the 57^th regiment, was taken prisoner at the Pittsburg battle.  Rowan Simmons of this county was wounded.  There were probably other casualties among the volunteers from this county, but their names have not yet been reported.

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Mr. S. C. Gustine has taken charge of Brown’s Hotel, in this city.  Mr. G. has been in this business for several years, and has the reputation of being an excellent landlord. – Brown’s Hotel, under his management, will continue to be the house of the city.

April 11 and 12, 1862

Macomb Journal
April 11, 1862

Another Great Victory!
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The Battle of Pittsburg Landing.
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Heavy Loss on Both Sides.
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The Rebels totally Defeated and on the run.
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Island No 10 Surrendered!
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Many Prisoners Taken!

            We have the news of an important and glorious victory to the Federal arms in Western Tennessee.  The great battle which was expected to come off near Corinth has been fought, and the rebels have been routed with immense loss upon both sides.  It said to have been one of the greatest and bloodiest battles of modern times.  The first reports came that the loss in killed and wounded was 25,000 upon our side, and 40,000 upon the side of the enemy.  Later reports reduce the estimate, but we suppose it will be some days before we can approximate to an accurate number of the killed and wounded.

Information reached Cairo on Tuesday that on Sunday 6^th, the rebel force under Beauregard attacked our forces under Grant and that the battle raged all day.

Our lines were driven in by the attack, but as the reserves were brought into action, the lost ground was regained and the rebel enemy was repulsed with terrible slaughter the attack was made near Pittsburgh landing and the battle lasted from morning till late in the afternoon.

This battle was again resumed Monday morning, and continued till four o’clock in the afternoon, when the enemy commenced their retreat, and at last accounts were still flying toward Corinth, pursued by a large force of our cavalry.

Special dispatches to the press say that the fight was brought on by a body of 300 of the 25^th Missouri Regiment of Gen. Prentiss’ division, attacking the advance guard of the rebels, which were supposed to be the pickets of the enemy in front of our camp.  The confederate forces immediately advanced on Gen. Prentiss’ division, the left wing, pouring volley after volley of musketry, and riddling our camp with grape, canister and shell.  Our forces soon formed into line and returned their fire furiously, and by the time we were prepared to receive them, they turned their heaviest fire on the left and centre of Sherman’s division, and drove our men back from their camps and bringing up a fresh force opened fire on our left wing under Gen. McClernand.  This fire was returned with terrible effect by both infantry and artillery along the whole line, for a distance of over four miles.  Gen. Hurlbut’s division was thrown forward to support the centre when a desperate fight ensued.  The rebels were driven back with terrible slaughter, but soon rallied and drove back our men in turn.

When night closed the bloody scene there was no determination of the result of the struggle.  Up to this time we had received no reinforcements. – Gen. Lew Wallace failing to come to our support till the day was over, having taken the wrong road from Cramp’s Landing.  We were therefore contending against fearful odds, our forces not exceeding 38,000 men, while that of the enemy upwards of 60,000. – Our condition at this time was extremely critical.  Large numbers of men were panic stricken, others worn out by hard fighting, with the average percent of skulkers, had struggled towards the river, and could not be rallied.  Gen. Grant and staff, who had been recklessly riding along the lines during the entire day amid the unceasing storm of bullets, grape and shell, now rode from right to left, inciting our men to stand firm until our reinforcements could cross the river.  Col. Webster, chief of staff, immediately got into possession the heaviest pieces of artillery, pointing to the enemy’s right, while a large number of the batteries were planted along the entire line from the river’s bank northwest to the extreme right, some two and a half miles distant.  About an hour before dark a general cannonading was opened on the enemy from along our whole line, with a continual crash of musketry.  Such a roar was never heard on this continent; for a short time the rebels replied with vigor and effect, but their return shots grew less frequent and destructive while ours grew more rapid and more terrible. – The gunboats Lexington and Tyler, which lay a short distance off, kept raining shot on the rebel hordes.  This last effort was too much for the enemy, and ere dusk the firing had nearly ceased, when night coming on, all the combatants retired from their awful work of blood and carnage.  Our men rested on their arms in the position on the right, and met Buell’s forces from the opposite side.

In the morning, Gen. Buell having arrived, the ball was opened at daylight.  The fire soon became general along the whole line, and began to tell with terrible effect on the enemy.

Gens. McClernand, Sherman and Hurlbert’s men, though terribly jaded from the previous fighting, still maintained their honors won at Donelson, but the resistance of the rebels at all points was terrible, and worthy a better cause, but they were not enough for our undaunted bravery, and the deadly desolation produced by our artillery. – But knowing that defeat would be a death blow to their hopes, their Generals still urged on their men in the face of destruction.

About 3 o,clock p.m. Gen Grant rode to the left where the fresh regiments had been ordered, and finding the rebels wavering, sent a portion of his body-guard to the head of each five regiments, and then ordered a charge across the field, himself leading as he brandished his sword, and waved them on to the crowning victory, while cannonballs were falling like hail around him.  The men followed with a shout that sounded above the roar and din of artillery, and the rebels fled in dismay as from a destroying avalanche and never made another stand.

Gen. Buell followed the retreating rebels, driving them in splendid style and by half-past 5 o’clock the whole rebel army was in full retreat to Corinth, with our cavalry in hot pursuit.

We have taken a large amount of their artillery, and also a number of prisoners.  We lost a number of our forces, taken by the enemy, among whom is Gen. Prentiss.  Gen. P. is reported wounded.  Among the killed on the rebel side was their General-in-Chief, Sidney Johnston.  Gen. Beauregard had an arm shot off.  Generals Bragg, Breckinridge and Jackson were commanding portions of the rebel forces.

Among our officers killed and wounded the following are mentioned:

Brig. Gen. W. H. Wallace, killed.
Col. Pegram, killed.
Lieut. Col. Kyle, 41^st Ind., mortally wounded.
Col. Davis, 46^th Ill., mortally wounded.
Gen. W. T. Sherman, wounded in hand by cannon ball.
Col. Sweeney, 52d Ill., wounded.
Col. David Stuart, 55^th Ill., shot through the breast on Sunday, returned to the field on Monday.
Co. Chas. Crufts, 31^st Ill., wounded.
Col. Haynie, 48^th Ill., slightly wounded.
Lieut. Col. Ransom, 11^th Ill., badly wounded.
Maj. Nevins, 11^th Ill., slightly wounded.
Capt. Carson, Gen. Grant’s scout, head shot off by a cannon ball.
Capt. Dillon, 18^th Ill., killed.
Capt. Mace, 5^th Ill., killed.
Capt. Carter, 11^th Ill., killed.
Maj. Page, 57^th Ill., killed.
Gen. Grant was wounded in the ankle, slightly.
Gen. Smith, severely wounded.
Maj. Hunter, 32d Ill., killed.
The latest reports say that our loss in killed, wounded and missing is not less than 5,000.

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The Surrender of Island No. 10.

Island No. 10 was surrendered to Gen. Pope on Tuesday last.  Four of our gunboats ran the blockade, and getting below the Island had the rebels surrounded and at such an advantage that resistance was useless.  A large number of the rebels “skedaddled” in the night time, but dispatches say that Gen. Pope captured three Generals, six thousand prisoners of war, one hundred siege guns, several field batteries, and immense quantities of small arms, tents, wagons, horses, and provisions.  We have not lost a single man.

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Macomb Eagle
April 12, 1862

Death of Capt. D. P. Wells.

The many personal friends of this gentleman will be pained to learn that he departed this life on Monday morning last, at his residence in this city.  Capt. Wells was among the first, last spring to raise a company of volunteers for the war, and has served since that time in the 16^th regiment.  He occupied a high position among the officers with whom he was associated, and was loved by the men of his own company.  He was a gentleman in all the walks of private life – enterprising, generous, and honorable in all his intercourse with his fellow men.  This community, who knew and esteemed him so highly, will not soon find his vacant place filled.  A testimonial from the Masonic order will be found in another column.  We ask that some intimate friend may furnish us a review of his life and services.

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Fire at Colchester.

On Monday night last a dwelling house occupied by Mr. A. Millikin was destroyed by fire.  Nearly all the furniture and goods of the family were destroyed.  The total loss is supposed to be near $1,800.  The fire originated from a defective flue.

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Mr. Tinsley is just now in receipt of a heavy stock of spring and summer goods, comprising a full assortment of ladies and men’s wear.  He will sell at very low figures for cash or wheat delivered.  When you buy of Tinsley you know that you get your money’s worth.  See advertisement.

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John Venable informs the people of this county that he has just filled up his store with an assortment of Woolen goods from the Hoosier Woolen Factory at Indianapolis. – These goods have a high reputation, and are not excelled for wearing quality and finish by any within reach of our readers.  Go to his store when you want to buy goods or sell wool.

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The Chicago Store, under the management of Chambers & Randolph, is still drawing a large trade.  Frequent receipts of new goods, low prices, attractive styles, good quality, and uniform courtesy to customers, will enable this house to do an extensive business.  Give it a call and see.

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The weather has been very wet, cold, and disagreeable for a week past.  Farming operations will be much retarded.

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Our friend Marvel Bean walked into our office the other day and presented us a fine, large bacon ham, well cured and smoked. – That’s the way to do it.  No better meat can be found anywhere than Mr. Bean’s.

April 4 and 5, 1862

Macomb Journal
April 4, 1862

Crushing out Abolitionism.

            It is amusing to rend the labored editorials of such small fry Democratic prints as the Rushville Times, Macomb Eagle, &c., on the subject of crushing out abolitionism.  These papers seem to have a lurking idea that the people regard them as having more sympathy with the rebellion than with the efforts of the government to suppress it, hence we hear them frequently reiterating the expression that this rebellion must be put down, but they always include with it abolitionism.  Thus we hear them say – “it is the duty of the Democracy to crush out secessionism and abolitionism.”  “It is our determination to put down rebellion, crush out abolitionism, &c.”  “We must maintain the constitution by suppressing the rebellion, and destroying abolitionism.”  And so they go; it is a slip of the pen if they ever write anything against the rebellion without making their words bear equally strong against abolitionism.  While they fear to be classed as rank secessionists, they at the same time manifest much anxiety lest somebody will understand them to be true and loyal patriots, opposed to the rebellion, without any ifs or buts about it.

These astute prints which prate so much about putting down abolitionism never stop to tell us just how they expect to do that little thing.  We all know the means which are being used to put down the rebellion – it is powder and ball, and Yankee bayonets that is doing the work.  And now we would like to know if these benighted Democratic editors have any idea that these Yankee bayonets are to be turned upon northern abolitionists as soon as they shall have succeeded in squelching the rebellion.  Their incessant howl about crushing out abolitionism and the rebellion would lead us to infer that such was their notion.  Poor fools!  We haven’t the remotest doubt that they will some day find themselves grievously disappointed.  As long as abolitionists obey the laws and support the constitution, and form no conspiracies to overthrow the government, it is our opinion that they won’t be “crushed out” just yet.  But if abolitionism should ever set about to overthrow the government we think it more than probable that they would then get crushed out, and that speedily.  All this can’t, then, in Democratic prints about crushing out abolitionism is but the shallow vaporings of disloyal hearts.  There is nothing practical or sensible in their suggestions.  William Lloyd Garrison has just as good a right to be in favor of the abolition of slavery as Nelson Abbott has to be opposed to it [illegible]  a rebellious arm against the government, it is then time he should be “crushed out.”  But it is a pretty safe rule whenever you see Democratic prints prating of the crushing system as applied to abolitionism to set them down as having a decided leaning in favor of secessionism.

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Letter from a McDonough Volunteer.

                        Camp on the Field Near New Madrid, Mo., March 23.

Messrs. Editors:  Constant application to duty and the uncertainty of sending mail matter must be my excuse for not writing sooner.  As intimated to you in a note from Bertrand, Mo., we proceeded directly from that place to New Madrid.  We went by way of the C. & F. R. R., to Sikeston, from which place we marched to New Madrid, a distance of 18 miles, arriving about sundown of the same day.  Just as we were entering the main encampment we were met by the 10th Illinois, and 6 companies of the 16th Illinois, under Col. Morgan, with blankets strung on their shoulders, en-route for the field of action.  We had marched 18 miles, through the hot broiling sun, and were too much fatigued to join them, so we remained in camp till the next morning, at which time we were attached to Gen. Paine’s division and assigned to a position on the left.

The six companies of the 16th and 10th Illinois, were engaged during the night of March 12th, in constructing breastworks, planting our large seige guns, and making their own preparations for the fight on the following morning.  This was one of the most daring movements of the occasion.  In the very face of the enemy and almost under their batteries, our forces drove in their pickets, erected their fortifications, planted their batteries, and laid in the entrenchments during the latter part of the night, and in the morning opened fire upon them.  This bold movement had a tendency to throw a damper upon their maneuvers, and I doubt not, won to us the victory.  The principal part of the firing from the rebel batteries was directed to this point.  Their shots, however, were directed too high and as a general thing went over our men, doing little or no damage to them.  Occasionally a stray shot would plough into the entrenchments almost covering those behind them with dirt.  One of their shots struck one of our seige guns on the muzzle, entirely disabling it and injuring several of the gunners.

On the morning of the 13th Gen. Paine’s Division, composed of the 51st Illinois, the Yates Sharp Shooters, with 4 companies of the 16th Illinois, and a Regiment of Cavalry, formed in an open piece of ground immediately north of the town and were marched down within range of the enemies guns. – They commenced throwing shot and shell at us from one of their gunboats, [illegible] of which exploded near us, [illegible] us that as we had no batteries to cope with them, we had best retire.  Thus we did by order of Gen. Paine, through his aid, Lieut. Woodall, of our Regiment.  We were then ordered to quarters.  The next morning we could hear the boys cheering from the different brigades, which told us that something good had happened.  We were puzzled to know what it meant.  Soon, however, the word reached us that New Madrid had been evacuated, and that our forces had possession of it.

In a day or two after its evacuation we marched through the town to view the work.  It was indeed a doleful sight to look upon.  The principal part of the dwellings were hewn to the ground, the shade trees and evergreens grubbed up and thrown in one huge pile to resist our advance, beautiful yards and lawns lying out to the mercy of prowling stock, and everything presenting the appearance of a disastrous conflagration.  They destroyed everything before them.  What was once a proud, beautiful, thriving village was now almost reduced to ashes and entirely obliterated from the face of the earth.

They were strongly fortified both by nature and art, and great surprise was expressed by our officers at its early evacuation by them.  It is the general opinion that it could have been held by them for at least a week against all our forces, with a fearful loss of life on our part in taking it.  But their cause is unjust – their hearts failed them, and they fled precipitately.  We took with the fort a large amount of rebel stores, of which you have already had an accurate account, and of which I will not now speak.  Our loss in killed and wounded, I don’t think will exceed fifteen.  Gen. Pope sets it down at 50, but we are puzzled to know from what source he obtains this number of killed and wounded.

We have permanent encampments here now, and indications are that we will remain settled for a while at least.  Our quarters are situated in a cornfield, and we have had orders recently to cleanse them thoroughly, which is now being done.  We are not faring as sumptuously as we did at the Point, from the fact that all our provisions have to be waggoned about 20 miles, and the country has been thoroughly drained of everything excepting corn, by the rebels, affording but little forage for our own men.

Of the forces now here I cannot accurately speak.  I name the following: The 16th, 10th, 51st, 22d, Illinois Infantry, and the 1st Battalion Yates Sharp Shooters; the 27th, 26th, 59th, and 43d Indiana; the 27th, 39th, 43d and 63d Ohio; the 2d and 9th Illinois Cavalry; the 2d Michigan Cavalry, and a number of Batteries of Illinois.  Besides these there are a number of Regiments which I cannot now name.  The Generals are as follows: Gen. John Pope, Illinois, commanding the division; Brigadier General E. A. Paine, of Monmouth, Ill., Generals Stanley and Hamilton, of Ohio; Gen. Palmer, of Illinois.  The 16th and 10th Illinois are constituted a Brigade with Col. J. D. Morgan, of the latter Regiment, commanding.  Lieut. B. F. Woodall, of Bushnell, has been promoted temporally to Gen. Paine’s staff.

Capt. V. Y. Ralston, of company A, tendered his resignation of that office some weeks ago, and upon yesterday it was announced that it had been accepted and the office declared vacant.  Another will be chosen soon in his stead.  Some look to 2d Lieut. B. F. Pinckley, of our company, as a proper person to fill the vacancy, while others declare in favor of Lieut. Woodall, of company K, or assistant quartermaster Eben White, of Bushnell.  And not unlikely an effort will be made to re-elect the former captain.  The boys hate to part with him, and if possible, he will be prevailed upon to accept again.  The matter will be settled to-morrow.

Sickness prevails in camp just now to a considerable extent.  Since I last wrote to you I have to record the death of private E. H. Lester, of Pennington’s Point, in your county.  He was a member of company B, and had not been in the service more than two weeks before his demise.  He is said to have been a man of good character and well liked by his comrades.  His effects, I believe, were handed over to Mr. Russell, of your county, now on a visit here, for safe delivery to his friends or relations.  His remains were decently interred, by the members of the company, on a spot of ground near our camp quarters.

The weather is unsettled and disagreeable.  At times it is warm and suffocating, then cold, raw, and wet.  Though not so cold here as with you, we evidently suffer more.  Some of the boys have been packing up and sending home some of their surplus winter clothing, but I rather guess they are “pressing the season” and will suffer some with the cold.

We have had sojourning with for [illegible] New Salem, and Dr. R. G. Scroggs, of Bushnell.

Yesterday we received news of the death of Henry Bailey, of company B.  We were somewhat surprised on hearing it as we had been told that he was recovering and that he would soon be restored to his company.  But it was decreed otherwise.  He has gone to join a company above where he will receive a just reward for the sacrifices made upon earth.  His company has lost a valuable member as every one acquainted with him will testify.  May he rest in peace.  But I must close – you may expect another letter soon.

                        Respectfully,
Harry.

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In a Few Days. – If the people of Macomb in the next few days should observe the dark-featured editor of this paper sleeked up a little and adorned with a new pair of pants, we trust they will not mistake him for Abbott, of the Eagle, who some how always manages to wear good clothes, even if he don’t keep his face clean.  The fact of it is we have met with a streak of luck.  Our friend Venable, proprietor of the Woolen store in this city, by a judicious system of advertising, has enhanced his trade to such an extent that he felt it his duty to present us with the material for a pair of new pants, which are in course of construction, and will be ready for occupation in the course of a few days.

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HOAXED. – The people of this city on Wednesday afternoon were blanched with terror by the startling announcement, which it was said had come directly from Chicago by railroad, that the rebel steamer Merrimac had had a brief cannonade with the Monitor, and fastened on to her with grappling irons, and towed her into Norfolk.  The whole matter was discussed with gloomy forebodings, and many remained at the news depot until the train arrived at half-past 10 in the evening, when it was ascertained that the whole story was concocted and displayed upon a bulletin board in Chicago for the amusement of April fools.

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Macomb Eagle
April 5, 1862

The Chicago Times reflects the patriotic sentiment of this county when it says there is uneasiness throughout the country lest the rampant manifestations of abolitionism in Congress shall obtain the ascendency.  Abolitionism is noisy and unceasing in its assaults upon the constitution.  It is to be beaten back, however.  It will be beaten back if all the conservative elements of the country shall make their voice heard.  Northern traitors are making their last assault upon the constitution.  They must overthrow it now, or sink forever in eternal infamy.  The time for the election of their successors is approaching, and the people begin to see that the only organization which can preserve the government and administer it successfully is the Democratic party.

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Deny it if you dare.

            The border slave States, in the winter of 1861, asked for a Convention to settle our difficulties.  This proposition was favorably entertained by all true friends of the Union in all parts of the country.  The project failed on account of the hostility of the abolitionists and the ultra republicans.  On them, and on the southern opposite extreme, rests the moral responsibility of this war, with its consequences of slaughtered thousands, besides the disastrous pecuniary losses and the heavy taxes in prospective.

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            The portion of the population of Galesburg known as free [African-Americans] is said to be rapidly on the increase.  They will, however, permit a white man to walk on the opposite side of the street if he behaves himself.  Republicanism flourishes in that locality.

• A large amount of spring wheat was sown by our farmers last week.
• “Roch” Bartleson wants the man who borrowed his iron pot to bring it home.
• We have a few papers of tobacco seed which we will distribute among those who will first call for it.
• Dr. Warren has returned from his visit to various camps on the Mississippi.  He thinks that few people have more than a faint idea of what war is, and that all Christians should earnestly pray for the speedy restoration of peace.

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An Appeal.

To the Farmers of McDonough County.

The hospitals near the battle fields are in urgent need of supplies for the wounded and sick soldiers, who require a very different diet from the army rations.  Therefore anything you can spare in the way of eggs, butter, dried and canned fruit, jellies, etc., will be very thankfully received by them.  A matron who has been many months in attendance on the hospitals will personally distribute your contributions.  She will start on the 10th of April, and at suitable intervals during the summer.  Mrs. M. A. Bartleson will receive and forward contributions.

March 28 and 29, 1862

Macomb Journal
March 28, 1862

The Fulton Democrat.

            This traitorous sheet still lives to belch forth the treasonable sentiments of its editor.  The Democracy of Fulton county some time last year repudiated the concern, but it would appear they still yield it aid and comfort sufficient to keep it alive.  For some weeks past we have been inclined to think the editor had become somewhat mollified, and was willing to see the rebellion suppressed, but the late decisive victories of the Federal arms it would appear have stirred up his ire against the Government to a higher pitch than ever.  Of course his little sheet is harmless, so far as the Federal cause is concerned, but at the same time we cannot escape the reflection that the party which would sustain such a treasonable concern deserves the severest censure, and is unworthy the confidence of loyal men.

This Democrat, as the sheet is called, last week reiterates its conviction that the rebels will not be subjugated, and it warns the South that they may expect no justice while the Government is in the hands of Republicans.  It then says – “This knowledge will nerve the rebels to fight the question to the last.  Rather than submit, they will call upon some foreign power to take them under its protection, and the appeal will not be resisted a day.  Again, England and France cannot afford to do without cotton another year.  They are bound to interfere before many more months, let the cost to them be what it may.”

How anxious that traitorous doughty Democrat appears to be that the South should hold out a little longer.  And yet he professes to be loyal to our government.  That shows him to be a sneaking coward, as well as a traitor.

As might be expected this howling traitor pitches into the administration on account of the tax bill, and says:

“People will suffer such privation as they or their fathers have never known, and it will be happy for the thieving traitors of the North if the outraged and ruined masses do not rise up to throw off the heavy yoke put upon their necks by the fraud and imbecility of our rulers.”

What loyal man will not say this hound is not worthy of hemp.

Another extract –

“Although they (the South) are foes in as savage and relentless a war as the world has known for many years, we cannot deny them the meed of praise history will accord to them forever, for the manner in which they have thus far met the whirlwind of malace, wealth and power hurled upon them by the government.”

Here is the blunt declaration that the rebels deserve praise for their resistance to the government, and our neighbor of the Eagle joins hand with the editor of that sheet and calls him his “brother in the cause of Democracy and truth.”

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            The Western men fight like heroes.  Old soldiers and new recruits are alike in earnest and almost equally efficient in the battle-field.  One of the regiments that stood the bravest and suffered the most at Fort Donelson had been organized less than a month, and was raw in everything but stern heroism.  The officers of these men have no doubt of their courage.  They know that at any hour they can be led against the enemy’s batteries.  No long period of preparation is required to make them fit to fight for their country.  And so the men gloriously justify the confidence of their leaders.

As yet, the great achievements of the war have mainly been the work of Western men.  Their advance reminds us of Mr. Webster’s saying that one of these days it would rain bullets down the Mississippi.  We trust, however, that the men of the East may soon have large opportunities to prove themselves of the same manly stock.  As the history of the conflict now stands, the glory of lofty daring and noble deeds for Freedom is not equally divided between the two sections. – N. Y. Tribune.

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Macomb Eagle
March 29, 1862

Beauties and Blessings.

            The country is now experiencing the beauties of a republican administration and the blessings of a sectional triumph.  The safe and sure interpretation of the powers of our government, by which the country prospered so long and largely under Democratic rule, has been set aside to try new theories and to inaugurate fanatical ideas.  A little more than a year ago we were a prosperous and united nation.  But this prosperity would not suffice the aggressive fanatics, and by various means enough people were fooled into the accomplishment of a sectional triumph.  The result, as a contemporary says, is that eleven States have attempted to establish an independent government, and two others, divided in sentiment, have been devastated by hostile armies.  A civil war has been prosecuted of gigantic proportions.  The means and energies of the Government, which should have been devoted to the development of the vast resources of the country, have been wasted.  The two sections of the country are yet in hostile array.  A vast public debt has already been created, and which, under any circumstances, must be increased largely before the war is terminated, whatever may be the result.  The revenues have been diminished, and the ordinary expenditures, including the interest upon the public debt, doubled.  And as a finale a tax system is proposed which will lay a heavy hand upon the industry of the country – upon the producers and laborers.  Such is one year’s experience of republicanism. – Three years more of similar rule will make the public debt and public burdens greater than those of England, or of any of what we have termed the oppressed nations of Europe.  How long will the people submit to such an admin