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Newspaper
Bristol Phenix
Location
Bristol, Rhode Island, United States of America
Date
Jan 11, 1862
Page
2
A 1862 column laments sensational war rumors and questions publicized details. It argues for restraint to avoid aiding the enemy and praises measured reporting as essential to national success. It critiques journalists and editors for betraying state secrets.
The note praises Mr DeCorpora for a superb Thursday evening show with sharp wit and memorable bits like The Tight man and An Omnibus Ride up the Street. It forecasts next Thursday’s readings by Miss Emily Snow of prose and verse, enjoyed in Boston and Providence audiences.
A town records sixteen residents aged over seventy died in 1861. Combined ages total 1288 years, averaging 80 per person. Notable names include Gene May aged 99 and David Munro 78 along with Ellen McGrath 71 and Barbara Howland 85.
Severe cold in the last week thickened ice in Narragansett and Mount Hope Bays to two feet in places. On Monday the steamer Perry from Newport to Providence met ice so thick between Newport and Pappasquash Point that it abandoned the voyage and headed to this port. Some ice measured nearly three feet thick.
Fragmentary note describes counterfeit Tex notes in circulation at the Commercial Bank. Vignette shows sledge and anvil with dogs, a reaper with sickle and sheaf. marks include large X and ten in several places, with imitation of genuine.
Partial OCR text describes snow and thaw on a weekend with three inches of snow, then milder days and disappearance of frost midweek. A Militia detachment returning from Port Royal is mentioned along with recruitment for Rhodesland. entities include Milton Chase and Ma Gaty Ahres, with Providenge-air noted.
The Bristol Soldiers' Friends Society details its 1861 activities sending socks mittens and clothing to Company G 2d Regiment and other units. Boxes include yarn books towels and jellies along with a Thanksgiving dinner for troops. total socks 415 mittens 130 plus 100 pairs knitted in Providence. Expenditures equal receipts at $210.05 with $128.09 spent on yarn.
The General Assembly in Providence plans adjournment with unfinished business. The militia law will be revised and funds arranged for future emergencies and war debt collection. Preparations underway for coast defenses and reactions to the recent gale and rebel commissioners’ fate.
Governor Sprague and staff witnessed a Friday exhibition in Providence showing 29 explosions from ten 9 inch shells proving regularity and efficiency. Gov Sprague praised the device and a Washington trial is planned, while a New York invention claims rifling cannons in 66 minutes using hydrostatic pressure to save government costs.
The Newburyport Herald notes that in 1861 a U S gunboat, two ships, six barks and four schooners totaling 5900 tons were built on the Merrimac. Current stocks show three ships and a bark amounting to 3500 tons. One Stetson from the New York Astor House is named Post Sutler to Burnside's expedition.
The January Sailors Magazine reports a Marine Chaplain on the Niagara describing renewed religious interest aboard after returning from Japan. Twelve Niagara officers have publicly joined the Christian sailors, including three Naval Academy graduates and kin of notable figures, with Commodore McKean praised for piety and leadership as prayers and worship continue on deck.
Across Jan 3 to Jan 9 reports describe 6000 rebels clashing with the 4th Connecticut near Hancock while rail and telegraph lines are destroyed. Union forces retreat to Potomac side awaiting reinforcements as artillery exchanges continue. In James River, the George Washington frees 240 Union prisoners from Richmond as music and cheers greet the parade to Baltimore.
On Monday last at Aspee Bay shores near Sackville New Brunswick half barrels of butter boxes of cheese and a cabin fragment from a wrecked ship were found along with cargo items marked W D 20 pairs of Canadian boots Rifle Brigade Australasian A Tennant Liverpool and a box cover marked Smith. Yesterday a portion of the keel with copper and part of a wheel came ashore. No bodies have been found and the vessel is believed to have struck at St Pauls.
Newport and Old Colony Company clash over $75,000 guarantee and landowner suits. Newport refuses to defend all future suits. timetables shifted from July 1863 to March 1864. Citizens insist on a rail line, warning of a Bristol to Boston route if negotiations fail.
Mor gen Fredericks alias Gunderson master of the slave barque Corn was re arrested by New York police on Friday after escaping a prize crew a year and a half ago. He escaped while the Corn lay under North Carolina guns by getting his Marines drunk and slipping from the vessel through the cabin window. He now serves as master's mate on the USS North Carolina after receiving a government commission on New Year’s Day.
Mrs. Webster of Wakefield died suddenly Saturday morning while making a bed after a brief headache. In New Bedford, 85 year old Lydia Ingraham died suddenly after retiring to bed at Captain Lathan Crosse's house, discovered dead about an hour later.
Reports from Indian country say the war has begun between loyal Indians and Texans and half-breeds. A fight in the Cherokee country is reported with Texan General Cooper and rebel half-breed commander McIntosh killed. The loyal Indian forces suffer a setback as 14 casualties are noted.
News from Europe notes the steamship Canada arriving with Haropean dates of the 29th and 300 troops aboard. A tense waiting state prevails as events unfold in Africa with American responses awaited. The Manchester market remains firm with breadstuffs easing and provisions steady.
Reports from Washington dated January five note Gen. Barnside's fleet inspected by Gen. Porter and Col. Sackett with ample accommodations and good transport arrangements. Payoff totaling $700000 distributed to troops, three quarters sent to families. Corporal Lunby, 1st Pennsylvania, arrested as a deserter for marrying a secessionist's daughter. to be court martialed. Navy issues hull and machinery specs for ironclad vessel. Gen. Magruder believed relieved at Yorktown. Gen. Wise may take command at Yorktown or Fredericksburg. Charleston facing disaffection and perceived coast abandonment. Also, Masters Mates Navy applicants required to attach letters of recommendation and prove three years service, age limits noted.
Documents found in Beaufort South Carolina reveal an organized group formed in October 1850 to dissolve the Federal Union. The so called Southern rights association of St Helena Parish included planters lawyers and influential men. A key resolution declares intent to agitate until political ties with the North are dissolved and a Southern government established.
Washington correspondent for the Philadelphia Press explains that reports of a female Secesher in high circles and Thomas's implication stem from residence at the Soldier's Home. Dr. King, a well known Philadelphia surgeon, has long quarters there and suspicions about his family led to the rumor of rebel contact through a Maryland secession connection near Washington.
John Caldwell age 60 from Woodstock Vermont came to buy flour with 10000 to 15000 in cash. He left a city hotel on January 1 and has vanished. Police in this city and New York search for him with no clues found and strong suspicions about his disappearance. He wore a black overcoat shawl dark pants and a black dogskin hat.
A marine lieutenant aboard the Governor at Hampton Roads seized his trunk and urged sailors to load it on the Wabash as the fleet moved. His playful claim masked the fact he carried more belongings than the rest of his ship’s company.
A Fort Warren letter dated Dec 29 notes twelve or fifteen Hatters prisoners declined returning to their regiment after release. They preferred staying at Fort Warren, citing winter hardship and better living than at home. It costs about $110 daily to maintain the prisoners.
The obituary notes Dedras Blints, author of the American Coast Pilot, died at his Sing Sing residence in his ninety second year. It also reports the death of Dr Cunningham, a leading Free Church of Scotland theologian in Europe. A separate tally cites 968 maritime lives reported aboard ships sailing to and from American ports in the just closed year.
Scattered notices report accidents, deaths, and crimes in Massachusetts and nearby areas. Items mention a frightened bystander, a man who killed himself, a 12 year old boy’s death, a fatal wagon collision in Providence, and a woman killed in an incident in Chicopee. Also noted are political appointments, military quotas, a train incident in New Haven, and naval orders as the Civil War era unfolds.
Bernard Riley of 80 Ahern Street died after an evening of drinking with Peter McPhillips and Robert Clark. They returned home around 12 to 1 AM and Riley passed away. an inquest jury, led by Coroner Roger W. Potter, found no cause other than intoxication.
The Petersburg Lexprèss notes the 1st South Carolina regiment in the Army of the Potomac has received no pay for a long period, risking pinching want for soldiers and families. The Picayune reports a deliberate fire near the arsenal opposite the New Orleans port, endangering cartridges and gunpowder, with incendiary intent suspected. A libel is issued against the brig A B Cook for aiding rebels, though it was later found to carry coal and salt and is in U S custody. The Port of Porta details a bark Majestic bringing news of a stone frost and naval movements affecting wartime communications.
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