This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
This newspaper page contains 27 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Bristol Phenix
Location
Bristol, Rhode Island, United States of America
Date
May 17, 1862
Page
2
A Fredericksburg letter to the Philadelphia Inquirer contrasts Northern and Southern civilization during the war. It praises Southern resourcefulness while condemning barbarities attributed to Southern soldiers. It laments atrocities such as hangings, mutilations, and desecration, urging cooler heads and warning against glorifying superiority.
Members of the Rhode Island Norms Association gathered at Normal Hall to discuss a permanent alumni group for both graduates and pupils of the Normal School. A constitution was drafted, officers elected, and plans made for a first annual convention in September with addresses and refreshments.
Death of Ilon Grands Pranex aged 77 at his son William H. Penarso’s residence in Swhn sey follows a life as Bristol Ferry proprietor for about thirty years. He served on the Town Council and in both houses of the State Legislature and was active in the Episcopal Church. Funeral services were held at St Michael's Church with Rev Stowe, followed by interment at Juniper Hill Cemetery.
The Baltimore American notes rising stir over emancipation as war continues. Eastern Shore outlets urge immediate public discussion and party formation to unite anti abolition sentiment. Cambridge Democrat claims President scheme meets response and cites circulated circulars in several counties. Similar agitation seen in Missouri.
General Burnside orders the use of nine hundred able bodied contrabands from Newbern for service in the departments. Women and children assist by washing sewing and baking for the troops. The 900 men average five per family totaling about four thousand five hundred people.
A big blaze in Troy New York last Saturday burned about 1000 feet of the Hudson River bridge and swept multiple structures. Fire brands from the gale ignited numerous private residences and stores, with losses near three million dollars and about 1.4 million insured.
The Jonesboro Express reports a fearful disease outbreak in Carter County Tennessee with symptoms like congestive fever or cold plague. Victims die within hours and four carpenters in one home were affected in a day. Over ten days twenty to thirty cases appeared as the illness spread while crop intelligence offers brighter prospects in several states.
The Congregational Church in Bugiol celebrated its 175th anniversary on May 8. Samuel Lee helped organize the church in 1687 after arriving from England, with original members including John Walley Nathaniel Byfield and others. Deacons Cary and Bosworth led the first governance, and pastors have served long terms, notably Henry Wight and John Burt, with the current pastor nearing 27 years.
The Tableaux show at Town Hall under Indies auspices for the Soldiers Aid Society drew a fashionable crowd over three evenings. Performers of all ages earned praise for taste and skill, and proceeds reportedly reached 237. The event was repeated by request as tickets sold well. A separate Cuba note reports planters favor emancipation as Spain may concede under pressure.
The column highlights June issues including Gonev's Lapy's Boor and multiple fashion plates. It mentions engravings like Sitting for a Portrait and an original Catching Birds with Fresh Salt. Continued serials Ife could not see it and From May to November are noted, with Norfolk occupation celebrated.
The monument to Mrs. Washington near Fredericksburg was damaged by rebel forces who used it as a target. It bears profane writings obscene caricatures and bullets lodged in the marble.
Acting Master James D. Ingraham of this town must report for duty on the Wabash at Port Royal. He departed New York for his destination on Thursday in the United States steamer Connecticut. Josephus Gooding now offers high quality sex for the season with orders at the Corner of Slope and State streets for prompt attention.
Excapt. Isaph Swift of Falmouth about eighty found dead on his farm with his wagon on him after a suspected accidental upset. Lieut. Worden ordered to command the iron-slad frigate Ironsides launched Saturday. Sinking gunboat Varuis crew member Boggs praised after action on the Mississippi. Large fire in Philadelphia destroys property worth 200 600. Cott of Common Pleas to meet for arraignment on Tuesday morning.
The piece argues government restraint should be minimal, praising private rights and property while condemning disaffected behavior. It claims liberty is preserved for citizens who have not harmed the state and predicts gradual acceptance of order guiding a return to normalcy.
An unoccupied building in New Bedford owned by Frederick Kempton burned on Sunday. A woodland fire near North Easton swept about two miles along the road to the center, burning over a thousand acres of oak pine and timber. Sparks from burning brush started the first fire. H F Bowens shoe store in Milford Massachusetts was damaged on the 6th for 200 dollars, with 50 more for jewelry and periodicals. A large woodland lot in Smithfield owned by Mr Whalen burned Saturday with heavy damage.
Two citizens of St Louis who recently visited Pittsburg Landing returned with a sample of fine gold dust from a ravine near the Shiloh battlefield. The Democrat notes the specimen tested and described as exceptionally pure. The report also mentions the death in Washington of Hon. Samuel F. Vinton of Ohio after erysipelas. he long served in Congress and was named a commissioner under emancipation in the District of Columbia.
A New York meeting chaired by Mayor Opdyke appointed a committee of prominent citizens to receive subscriptions for relief of Troy fire sufferers.
Reports state several ships found at New Orleans flew the British flag and carried cotton in an effort to breach the blockade. The matter of relief for losses will be debated. Lieut. William De Wolf, wounded near Yorktown, is expected to recover, according to the Chicago Tribune.
After deciding to evacuate Norfolk the rebels moved the guns and Navy Yard machinery to Raleigh and Charlotte North Carolina and sent the commissary stores to Petersburg and Richmond.
Fishermen note many whales near the coast of Long Island Sound around this time. A small amount of dead contraband was found in a bale of cotton on Tuesday at Harmony Mills Colioes New York.
Commodore Porter notes the coolness of a daring officer as a confrontation unfolds aboard the Harriet Lan Gould. Dialogue mentions a rebel commander of Fort Polanki presenting a Connecticut regiment officer with a cow for coffee and tea, while funds are exchanged as another officer departs for Fort Warren. The arrival of the 434th Pennsylvania and the third New York Regiment is reported.
A New Orleans report describes chaos as Federal fleet vessels approach and banks close their doors. Stores halt operations, food supplies run short, and residents fear starvation while authorities urge reopening and relief. Eyewitness notes from Red River and levee scenes underscore the city’s peril.
The New York Tribune correspondent extols the Yorktown fortifications as formidable defense lines. He notes trenches twenty feet deep, embrasures and sandbag barriers, thick earthworks, ironed traverses, and extensive magazines and water cisterns, calling an assault nearly impossible.
Capt Rodman tests a 20 inch gun praised for safety and power and builds a pocket piece for the President weighing 3000 pounds with a six to seven mile range. He also finishes fifteen inch toys for the Monitors and twenty inch playthings plus Old Abe’s pocket piece the eighty inch joker. The claim of a guard over the gun each night is said to be a canard.
Commodore Farragut issues General Order for 11 o clock morning worship and church pennant hoisting on all fleet vessels after recent engagements. The message urges gratitude to God for mercy amid heavy losses and calls crews to prayer aboard ships. A Washington report notes sympathy for the South among refugees and hints navy gains may soon allow the President to act more decisively.
Fragmentary report notes Suffolk captured last evening by Major Dodge. McClellan’s troops advancing toward Cumberland with quiet conditions reported. Major General Saer referenced in the brief communique.
Fragmentary OCR notes reference lawyers in New York and concerns about expenses and living costs. Mentions a Major General and an event linked to a rare pets display. Details are unclear due to garbled text.
We want people to find what they are looking for at NewspaperArchive. We are confident that we have the newspapers that will increase the value of your family history or other historical research. With our 7-day free trial, you can view the documents you find for free.
People find the most success using advanced search. Try plugging in keywords, names, dates, and locations, and get matched with results from the entire collection of newspapers at NewspaperArchive!
You can also successfully find newspapers by these browse options. Explore our archives on your own!
Browse by location and discover newspapers from all across the world.
Browse by date and find publications for a specific day or era.
Browse old newspaper publications to find specific newspapers.