Transcribed Newspaper Articles--Augusta County: Gettysburg

• The Spectator, June 23, 1863, p. 2, c. 3: "Good News From The West And North." A positive account of war efforts in the West and North. Article expresses the desire for retribution for the vandalism carried out by the Union soldiers in the South.

• The Vindicator, July 3, 1863, p. 1, c. 6: "Imboden's Command." Discusses Imboden's leadership and troop movement in western Virginia, the capture of Cumberland, Maryland, and the fear on the part of the people there when they heard that "Imboden, the Guerilla," was coming.

• The Vindicator, July 3, 1863, p. 2, c. 2: "Our Advance." In light of advances the Confederate forces are making, Generals Lee and Ewell have issued orders on the destruction of private property and on improper conduct while on enemy territory. While the editor understands how many would feel the need for retaliation, he hopes everyone will follow the generals' orders.

• The Spectator, July 7, 1863, p. 2, c. 1: "From Gen. Lee's Army." An account, just prior to the Battle of Gettysburg, of General Lee's progress in the Pennsylvania campaign and the successful actions being taken by the army to disrupt commerce and transportation in the North.

• The Spectator, July 7, 1863, p. 2, c. 1: "Later." Further details of General Lee's progress in the Pennsylvania campaign and the wide spread panic the Confederate forces are causing in Pennsylvania generally and Philadelphia in particular.

• The Spectator, July 7, 1863, p. 2, c. 2: "Still Later." A series of despatches received at the newspaper that describe the battle at Gettysburg as "one of the severest of the war." Interestingly, the newspaper describes the conflict as "a hard fought battle...in which we were successful, though with heavy loss."

• The Spectator, July 14, 1863, p. 2, c. 7: "Gen. Lee's Orders." Reprints Lee's orders, which command his soldiers to avoid damaging private property and to pay for all supplies while in "the enemy's country."

• The Spectator, July 14, 1863, p. 2, c. 1: "From Gen. Lee's Army." Continuing account of the battle of Gettysburg.

• The Spectator, July 21, 1863, p. 1, c. 6: "Gen. Jenkins' Brigade." Extracts from a number of letters describing the movements of Gen. Jenkin's Brigade in Pennsylvania and Maryland.

• The Spectator, July 21, 1863, p. 1, c. 7: "Yankee Pies." An account of how Confederate troops ate a number of pies produced to feed victorious Northern troops by a women who lived near Gettysburg.

• The Spectator, July 21, 1863, p. 2, c. 1: "From Gen. Lee's Army." Despite Gen. Lee's prohibition on any telegrams being sent, the paper attempts to describe the current movements of Lee's troops.

• The Spectator, July 28, 1863, p. 1, c. 7: "Pickett's Division." Provides a romantic account of Pickett's Charge: "...bullets whizzing as thick as hailstones in winter, men falling as leaves fall when shaken by the blasts of autumn."

• The Spectator, July 28, 1863, p. 1, c. 7: "Charge of Pickett's Division." Offers a somewhat less colorful version of Pickett's Charge.

• The Spectator, August 4, 1863, p. 2, c. 1: "The Wounded at Gettysburg." Records the numbers of wounded in the hospitals of Gettysburg--8,000 Confederate and 10,000 Union soldiers. The New York Herald criticizes the unwillingness of some Confederate soldiers to help their more grievously wounded brethren. Many Confederate soldiers express the most ardent desire to get into Union hospitals, where they will receive better treatment.

• The Spectator, August 11, 1863, p. 2, c. 2: "From Lee's Army." Reports on the high morale and preparedness of Lee's army and notifies readers that there have been few recent skirmishes. However, the article assures the public that, if and when Meade decides to engage General Lee, he will be soundly defeated. "Our boys are now on Southern soil and are determined to avenge their repulse at Gettysburg."

• The Spectator, August 11, 1863, p. 2, c. 4: "Yankee Admissions." Cites a report in an unnamed New York paper that states that Union forces lost at least sixteen generals at the battle of Gettysburg. In addition to the officers, the Union army appears to have lost twice as many men as the South did.

• The Spectator, October 13, 1863, p. 2, c. 5: "Sensible Colored Folks." According to an account by a Lieut. Daniels, between thirty-five or forty Southern blacks captured at the Battle of Gettysburg by Northern forces are being held at Fort McHenry. While they have been offered release from their confinement if they would "take an oath of allegiance to the Federal Government and join the Lincoln army," the prisoners have refused the offer and have instead insisted that they should "be restored to their masters and homes in the South."

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