Newspaper Page Text
(tarln Cfluntn Ildus.
-p ‘O v —'
E. H. GROIJBY,
Editor, Proprietor & Publisher.
B L, A 1C E L Y:
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 27, 1864.
.No war news during the past week.
Thanks to our friend, Col. D. S. John
ston. for an excellent typo brush.
W. llilton has been arrested in New
York with $6,000,000 in Confederate bonds
and $1,000,000 in Treasury notes, which
he had printed and was about to send South
by order ot Mr. Memminger.
The following are the names of the offi
cers clectfed for Miller county: Sheriff—J.
C Sheffield; Clerk —F. G. Sitton; Ordi
nary—M. V. Jordan; Receiver—-J. V.
Heard; Coroner—C. Adams; Treasurer—
A. C. Cowart; Surveyor—West Sheffield.
Wonder if the Inferior Court of Early
ever expect to have the bridgaoir the Fort
Gaines road put in traveling order 1 W T e
would, for the sake of all interested* like
for the Court to answer this question di
rtcfly—yes or no.
■ ■ r- t- x ♦ ♦ ♦ , <O/1, *•- * , •
We are sorry to Joarrt that a fellow call
ing himself A'teufarfsEot B. It. Hodge, Esq.,
of Calhoun county, some two orfhrpe weeks
ago, th6 bowels. Report says that
Mr. Hodge is recovering. He ft qne ol the
heat citizens of Calhoup Stewart is in jail.
nt
We notice the office of Lieut. J. II Saun
ders, Enrolling Officer of this county, is
now generally pretty “crowded,” and he
is now considered the “ cleverest fellow in
town ” — particularly ly those who want his
assistance in gc.ting “ details ! ”
"We have, sot; some time, agreed with
many others in the opinion that we have
now a letter A. No. 1 Inferior Court—but
unless they have a crippled bridge on the
Fort Gaines road put in repair, we and oth
ers will have to change, our opinion, which
we would very much dislike to do.
A fire broke out last Saturday night in
a small house near Judge B. M. Fryer’s
residence in this place, and but for the im
mediate assistance of some negroes who
were on hand, tho Judge’s residence stood
a chance to catch. Cause of the fire not
known, but supposed to be the work of au
incendiary.
Our friends, Messrs. Peter Howard, W.
W. I leming, M. T. ’Alexander, B. M. Fry
er and J. H. \V ado, J udges of the Inferior
Court ot Early county, would do their duty,
and their constituents a great favor, if they
would have the “ smashed up ” bridge on
the I'ort Gaines road repaired.
As we expect to be absent for a week,
eu a “ paper bunt," a friend has consent
ed to take the “ editorial chair ” uutil we
return. Hope he won’t be “ shot out” of
*aid chair before we get back ! Our only
fear about leaving home is that we may
meet up with a “ Jew woman ! ” But'if
the Editor pro. tcm. will only keep the
Sews “stirring” during our absence, we
will trust to Providence, and do the best
we can.
Several members of the “ Early Guards ”
hr»Te returned home during the past week,
and among them our old friend J. W. Cow
drey. He is- looking “fat and sleek,”
though he has had a pretty severe attack
of rheumatism. \\ e don't suppose he will
thaok us for telling the “gals” he has tho
“ rumatis —but never mind, “John,” we
will •* speak a good word for you,” and set
it “all right” with Miss .
» r
M e understand some of the planters of
Calhoun and Clay counties have put up the
price of corn to five dollars a bushel! As
we have heretofore .freely given our opin
ion of those who thus unnecessarily raise
the price of the “ staff of life,” we will
n .’t make any comments on this matter, and
will only say that wo think if the planters
o. Early can aftord to sell their corn for
£2 : o0 per bushel, those of Calhoun and
( l l ->' might A, the same. The-price asked -
by the plants? of Early is even too high.
Me were happily surprised last week
by having a call from our old frieod and
former associate, CapK W. M. Potter, of
the “ Early Guards,” 13th Ga. Regiment.
The Captain is looking fiuely, and as “ fat
a* a buck ”in spring time. We were very
much delighted in hearing him tell many
ot his camp anecdotes, narrow’ escapes, &o.
He says the 13th went into winter quar
ters ou the 30th Dec., and arc now in com
fortable cabius and in glorious spirits, and
are abundantly furnished with clothing.
The troops now draw 1 lb. of flour and 1
lb. of fresh beef daily to the man, but ns
the beef season is about over, bacon or salt
beef will hereafter be issued. He reports
Gen. Lee’s army under splendid discipline,
and their confidence in their leader un
bounded. lie says the idea of defeat, of
subjugation and submission is neither en
tertained nor thought of by the army in
Virginia, aud says that when the South is
conquered Lee and his army will be be
neath the ground. He further reports that
the “ Early Guards ” now number nearly
forty present for duty, and that they are
in good spirits, aud, notwithstanding tho
many noblft men tfho have fallfen among
them, *“ there is life iu the old organiza
tion yet.”
mamy who may wish to send
clothing and provisions to the 13th, Capt.
Potter-requests us to state that he will take
pleasure m carrying the same to the Reg’t.
He wfili leave Cuthbert next Tuesday morn
ing for the army, where all wishing to send
anything* to their relatives and friends will
please deposit the same previous to the
time appointed for leaving. He desires
that clothing be packed in separate boxes
from provisions.
a. ♦ .» ♦-
We acknowledge the receipt, by Capt.
A. B. geals, of twenty Comforts, for the
Hospital at Fort Gaines, from Col. D. S.
Johnston. This is the only contribution
‘ yet made from Early county for this Hos
pital that we have heard ofjr and we cannot
help but say thatiu this case we have been
greatly disappointed in the patriotism, gen
erosity and liberality of the citizens of
“ good old Early.” Heretofore they have
been liberal, and have shown their liberal
ity by contributing to almost every chari
table institution, but they seem to havs
changed. At the time we penned the no
tice asking for Quilts and Comforts for the
Fort Gaines Hospital, we thought that it
was only necessary to let our citizens know
that such thingß were needed and they
would come up like patriots and contribute
to the wants of the Soldiers. But we have
been sadly disappointed, for the lot from
Col. Johnston is the first and only contri
bution for this Hospital that we have heard
of being made from this eounry. Could
not the Soldiers’ Aid Society ” of Early
do something for this Hospital ? There is
hardly a family in the county who could
not contribute one or two Quilts or Com
forts, wlile there are many who could give
half a dozen, and never miss them. Come,
eitizens of Early, don’t be laggard iu this
matter, but send in all your spare Quilts
and Comforts for the Soldiers, aud let them
know that we have not yet forgotten the
brave defenders of our country.
Yankee journals, says the Rich
mond Dispatch, boast that they will give
the rebels a final quietus in the Spring.
Their preparations arc to be on a gigantic
scale. They proclaim that they are pil
ing up stores aDd other necessaries for
Grant’s army almost as high as Lookout
Mountain. Goliah, of Gath, was not more
confident of smashing to atoms the ruddy
stripling that disputed his progress than
the backers of Grant are of his annihilat
ing the rebellion in the spring campaign.
We are not disposed to underrate the mag
nitude of the solemn crisis which is at
hand. A colossal clanger threatens us, but
we must meet it like men. We must em
ulate the Yankees in the foresight, the cal
culation, the system, tho untiring labor of
preparation for the decisive hour. If wo
do this, if we leave nothing to chance, if
we arc as circumspect and prudent as we
arc brave and determined, then, with the
blessing of God, the huge struggle of next
spring will break the backbone of this war,
aud inflict a fatal paralysis upon the ener
gies of the United States. We look for
ward with hope, with confidence, with a
firm belief that every man in the Confed
eracy will gird up his loins for one grand
aud crowning effort for the salvation of his
couutry t
The girls and boys about this “ burg ”
have been having quite a lively time of it
lately, by haying parties, &c., every two or
three nights. In ordinary times it will
do very well for them to have their froliea,
and amuse themselves in any way they see
fit, but at such a time as .this, when the
whole country is stirred up with war mat
ters, we think they would do more good
by holding prayer ineetiugs nightly and
praying for their country, the Soldiers and
peace. We are sorry to say that Jthese
“ party frolics ” are always more largely
attended than the prayer meetings of our
friend Rev. T. 11. Stout, which he holds
twice a week at private residences. If
there ever was a time when the country
needed the prayers of the people, the whole
people, it is 7101 c. Then do away with your
frolicing until the war is over, and attend
prayer meetings regularly. Pray that our
armies may be successful next Spring, and
then our brave Soldiers may come home
aud join you in 11 one general frolic!’
The Richmond Whig has the following
excellent suggestion of a scheme of exemp
tion, which would relieve Congress of all
direct responsibility, be satisfactory to the
country, and conduce to the public good :
Let them exempt, by classes, as heretofore,
millers, tauners, &c. But to avoid its
abuse by men who may tan two hides, shoe
a horse a week, &c., let each individual be
required to show that the extent of his oc
cupatioi* is sufficient to render his exemp
tion a necessity to his community. This
can be ascertained by the amount of tax
he pays to the public revenue, a fixed sum
beiidg established by Congress to secure
eaeh exemption. Let Congress, in addi
tion, impose a further tax upon each ex
empt for the privilege of exemption. This
will add to the Government revenue. But,
as a safeguard against fraud, require a cer
tificate from the board of magistrates of
cacli county upon the correctness of the
returns of each individual exempt, to be
further approved by the Executive of Lis
State.
One of the most ridiculous and contemp
tible thiugs we have heard of since the
commencement of the war is that of a cer
tain fellow, who lives in an adjoining coun
ty, turning off his overseer since the repeal
of the substitute law. This fellow has a
large plautation, and has had the same
overseer whom he has now turned off in his
employ for eight or nine years. We don’t
suppose, from what we can learn, that this
chap has ever made a crop in his life, or
that hvi knows auything about it, but, nev
ertheless, he now turns off a gentleman
who is a good farmer in order that he may
himself get a “detail,” so thit he may
stay at home. The devil take such patri
otism .'
—*■ 4. 4 .
We hear it reported that a new Post
Master is soon to take charge of the Post
Office at Fort Gaines. We hope the re
port may prove true, for we are tired of re
ceiving Fort Gaines and Alabama mail,
and also sick of smelling the whisky, on
ion, pole-cat and raw “ chitlin” smell which
now generally accompany all letters and
papers which come through that office.
W e really pity the white citizens (not the
Jews, for we believe they, like other dogs,
eat most any stinking thing,) of Fort Gaines
that they have so long had to "grin and
endure ” this offensive smell while reading
their letters and papers, bat hope f ( there
is a better day coming” for them soon.
Everything tends to the conviction that
the army, after all, is not only the securest,
but the most comfortable place for a mau
in time of revolution. To leave this sec
tion for the domains of the abolition des
pot, a man is simply subjected to the draft
of the Yankees. To remain at home, to
lie out in the woods, to dodge the conscrip
tion, but expresses him to untold annoy
ance, if not to actual starvation. The
oheapest place is in the army —the safest
place is in the army—the noblest position
in a country fighting for its liberty is the
front ranks of the liue of battle.
In announcing the serious illness of Hon.
Alex. H. Stephens, Vice President of the
Confederate States, the Richmond Whig
says his health has been impaired for sev
eral years, and it is feared that he will not
recover from the prostration of which we
are now advised.
Don't sell your Ground Peas to Specula
tors.
The following is the official vote cast for
County Officers, on the first Wednesdayia
this month, by the county citizens and the
Soldiers, lor which we return our thanks to
the Clerk ot the Court:
for sheriff :
J. U. Mock * ; $4
S. J. Collier 79
J. S. Allen ; 43
Thomas Williams * 3J
U. J. Bush 14
FOR CLERK OF THE SUPERIOR t INFERIOR COl'jm.
S. T. Howard 102
J. N. Evans loi
11. W. Wilkins '.'..46
FOR ORDINARY :
• D. M. Wade 204
. FOR TAX RECEIVER:
J. M. Wade ...179
J. J. Kirkland.... 35
S. A. Howell 2
FOR TAX collector:
G. F. Anderson 177
Brinkly Chancy ; 69
FOR CORONER.
E. ll.*Grouby 70
C. R. Taliaferro.... 49
John Chancy 42
Z. J. Lewis 27
G. W. Stone 13
FOR COUNTY SURVEYOR:
D. J. Westbrook IQS
H. M. Wellborn 34
V. A. McDoweil *...... 12
Prices of Provisions in Early County.
Corn, per bushel $2,50
Pork, on foot, -gross weight less than
200 lbs., per lb 7.',
Pork, on foot, gross weight over 200
lbs.. per lb .'. 30
Pork, slaughtered, per lb 1,00
“ salted, “ * i’os
“ pickled, “ ”””” i’of.
Bacon, per 1b... 170
foot, gross, per lb
“ butchered, «* wq
“ pickled, “ 40
„ V dned - " 50
Cuba Syrup, p%r gal 6,00
Chinese Syrup, per gal 4,00
As our farmer notice to boys, who make
it a loaf about our office, seems
to have done but little good, we again no
tify them that their presence is not accep
table to us. Boys who have nothing to do
will oblige us by making their “ head-quar
ters ” somewhere else than in the News
Parents would do us a favor by
keeping their “responsibilities” out of our
office, This notice is intended for one and
all.
* —♦ »
Exemptions.
It is clear that it is indispensable to the
interests of the Government and the wel
fare of the country, that a great many per
sons between the ages of 18 and 45 liable
to military duty must be allowed to remain
at home. It is true that there are many
more exempted at present than is necessa
ry. No law, however, can be made pet
feet. . With a few alterations, the present
one in regard to exemptions, is as perfect
as it can be, and works as well »s any law
of the kind can be made to work. As we
have said before, many abuses have crept
iu under it shelter; these can be remediod.
The proposed system of details, as sug
gested by some of our Congressmen, whose
fanaticism borders on insanity, will if adop
ted operate more injuriously against our ag
ricultural interests than any other. There
are thousands of plantations, stocked with
negroes, all over the country, in many cas
es where the owners are in the army, that
would bo stripped of the only white person
on the premises, and the negroes left to
work out their own and that of their mae
ter’s ruin with greediness. Plantations
everywhere in the South are now being-puk
in order to receive another crop. It is cer
tainly important'in the highest degree that
this great business should be promptly and
well attended to, to guard, as far as man
can, against a failure iu the harvest for the
present year.
We trust that Congress will not repeal
the present exemption law. Let them cor
rect if they can the evils caused by it.
That is all that is demanded of them. To
repeal the law aud place the matter of de
tails under control of military heads of de
partments would leave the system open to.
the same objections as the existing one.
The same means, fair or foul, and the same
tricks could be used with sucoess to obtain
a detail as an exemption. Nothing can
be gained by an exchange. On the contra
ry, corruption, bribery and fraud would
have one more wide field to revel in.
I hero is too much iniquity going on in
high places now, without any more induce
ments being offered.
Augusta Chronicle & Sentinel.
How well all of us must remember the
stirring scenes which were characteristic
of our beginuing of this war. Meetings
were being held through all the land—
genuine, enthusiastic war meeting, compoe
od of brave and dariug men- who have
since acted up to their declarations by he
roic service in the field. We must revive
the old times agaiu. Dixie and the Mar
eeillaicie must be echoed from the Potomao
to the Colorado, and the bonnie-blue flag
must again flutter from the front windows
of every street in the free cities of the
Confederacy.