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Newspaper
Bristol Phenix
Location
Bristol, Rhode Island, United States of America
Date
Apr 18, 1863
Page
2
Fragmentary OCR text mentions a Saturday morning event on April 18, 1863 with scattered phrases about land glory indulgence or penance. No clear individuals or organizations are readable to form a full summary.
Report details the Confederate and Union ironclad clash at Fort Sumter. Observers describe breaches and monitor performance while urging renewed siege planning and strategic lessons for future operations near Charleston Port Royal and related actions. The reading notes morale and logistics from Lexington Kentucky to the Ella Bishop camp, with soldiers reporting health quarters and supply flows from surrounding areas.
The report notes Gen. Banks lacking force to reduce Port Hudson while defending New Orleans, Farragut moving along the river, and Rosecrans’ forces improving under Gen. Granger. Burnside wields strength in Kentucky, Keyes repulses rebels at Williamsburg, Foster strained at Washington, Hooker raising the Potomac army, with overall fortunes described as not promising yet urging patience.
Mr Thomas Bowler set rubbish ablaze while clearing land in the town easterly part. His seven year old son attempted to pitch brush on the heap and had his clothes scorched though no injury appeared on his body. Bowler burned his hands while extinguishing the blaze.
At St Michael's Church annual Easter Monday meeting on April 6, officers were elected for the coming year. Secretary and Vestry Clerk John B. Munro was chosen, with James D'W. Perry as Senior Warden and William Pearse as Junior Warden.
At the annual meeting the society elected William J. Miller as President Stephen T. Church as Vice President Bennet J. Munro as Secretary James F French as Treasurer Martin Bennett William R. Taylor Josiah Gladding and William H Spooner as Prudential Committee Clarke L Vaughn as Collector Mr Putnam W Taft resigned from the Middle District School on Bristol Neck after seven years of service and will move to Mendon Massachusetts to farm with his father’s property.
An eight year old at a Methodist love feast wondered aloud whether the bread and water served then was the Lord's breakfast since he believed the Lord's supper was in the afternoon.
A local letter warns spelling is crucial for a town mail, the High School Examination is set for Thursday at 2 PM with recitations declamations compositions poetical recitations and music. Real estate reports Joseph Hodges buys 30 acre near Barrington Depot for about 3500. Bishop Clark to preach at St Michael's Sunday. Town meeting today at 10 in Town Hall. Local quips end with a note about a frog in the well.
A storm kept many citizens from hearing Rev. Francis Tiffany speak on the Sanitary Commission but a select audience found the talk worthwhile. He explained the Commission’s origin, its work, and answered objections, noting the army medical department lacks transportation and relies on the Quartermaster, with the Commission supplying needed hospital and medical stores during campaigns and in winter quarters. He urged support for the Sanitary Commission through the Soldiers’ Aid Society to aid soldiers in the field.
Town improvements feature the Perry mansion built in 1680 raised from its foundation with new two story north addition listed along with other Bristol Neck houses under construction. Local trade reports 1500 bushels of onions shipped and ample potatoes while turnips and carrots dwindle. War Department rule confirms mustering out of two year regiments starts from entry into service.
Warren holds annual town meeting electing Moderator Charles R. Cutler town clerk Henry A Luther town council George T Gardner Ezra M Martin Isaiah Cole Charles R Cutler Wheaton Allen and others. A town tax of 12000 to 13000 was ordered with 2100 for schools 1000 for relief 500 for highways.
A Thursday morning blaze consumed the Warren Female Seminary after repairs and preparations for reopening. Winds fanned the flames while nearby homes and a school were damaged or saved. extensive insurance covered the seminary and a local house. A second fire at Walker Street barn damaged by Francis Andrews also occurred, though a horse and carriage were saved.
An article from the Provocative Post reports a recently uncovered youth club in the city where young men in female attire loot coats fabrics and jewelry. Several members from respectable families are jailed while clerks allegedly control masters. A Swedes league is said to have formed in Chicago.
Governor Cozzens urges citizens to observe Thursday April 30 1863 as a day of public fasting and prayer. The proclamation appeals for divine aid to end the Civil War, asks residents to worship, accept responsibility, and support loyal citizens while seeking deliverance and peace in a time of national distress.
The Cincinnati Daily Commercial quotes Kentucky letters describing Pegram and other Confederate raids. Rebels are accused of theft and intimidation in Danville and surrounding areas, with locals noting exhausted troops and calls for Union leadership and New England soldiers. The letter criticizes Burnside and urges stronger advance against the rebels.
A New York Times extra details the Charleston assault and shows ironclad defenses held against heavy offensive work. The Nahant sustained major damage, Pasek endured multiple hits, and Nantucket could not deploy its 15 inch gun. Other monitors received varying damage but remained functional.
A Somerset dispatch notes Woodford on the extreme front with the Cumberland River to the rear. Rebels hold the opposite shore and are reinforced by conscripts under Breckinridge. Clarke joined Pegram then returned to Williamsburg. Pegram Scott and Carter arrested and sent to Knoxville. Rebel losses at Dutton's Hill admitted over five hundred.
Cincinnati April 13 General Burnside issues a death penalty for aiding the rebels. Persons sympathizing with the rebels will be arrested and tried or sent beyond the lines. Treason expressed or implied will not be tolerated in this department.
Private Newbern dispatches report Gen Foster has ample supplies and can withstand rebel forces for three weeks if needed. The message, dated April 15 from New York, references a plan to endure possible pressure during ongoing engagement.
Dispatch reports Gen Foster relieved and troops and supplies reaching Fortress Munroy after a river steamer with a regiment and ammunition succeeded in passing batteries to arrive at Washington wharf. Enemy still surrounds Suffolk. nothing major occurred there today.
The Washington Coronetry notes the regiment entered U S service June 5 1861 and fought at Bull Run July 21 1861 with 27 killed and 56 wounded. It built Fort Slocum and served under Generals Buell Couch and Newton. It started with 900 men and now muster 449 with 16 officers. Also mentions a New York poison tragedy, Ireland recruit claims, soldier exchanges, Brigham Young Jr in London, railroad employees, and Mrs Jane Swisshelm’s War Department clerkship.
An assortment of accounts records payments for town matters including Overseers of the Poor, coal and sundry persons, funeral expenses, graves, and school salaries. Names such as Patrick O Mara Waldron Mary J Gladding and George Maxfield appear amid guilds and civic charges dated in 1782.
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