Transcribed Newspaper Articles--Augusta County: Petersburg

• The Vindicator, July 15, 1864, p. 2, c. 1: "Who Are They?" Discusses the Confederate raid in Pennsylvania, which surprised Northerners who were expecting to hear of the capture of Petersburg.

• The Vindicator, July 15, 1864, p. 2, c. 2: "War News." Reports that nothing has changed in the standoff between Lee and Grant at Petersburg.

• The Vindicator, July 22, 1864, p. 2, c. 1: "War News." Provides miscellaneous news from Pennsylvania, Petersburg, and Georgia. The article states that the Confederate army has recrossed the Potomac from Maryland and is once again in Virginia. The front at Petersburg has been quiet, with the exception of the enemy's shelling of the city.

• The Vindicator, July 29, 1864, p. 2, c. 2: "War News." Provides miscellaneous war news from Petersburg, Georgia, and the Valley.

• The Vindicator, August 12, 1864, p. 2, c. 1: "War News." The editor summaries developments in the war in the past week, concentrating on Petersburg, the lower Valley, and the burning of Chambersburg, Pa.

• The Vindicator, August 19, 1864, p. 2, c. 1: "War News." The editor surveys developments in the war in the preceding week, particularly in Petersburg and Atlanta. He also reports that, in the Valley, General Early's troops are near Strasburg awaiting the enemy.

• The Vindicator, September 2, 1864, p. 2, c. 1: "War News." Provides the latest information from the Petersburg battlefield.

• The Vindicator, September 9, 1864, p. 2, c. 2: "War News." Provides war news from Atlanta, Petersburg, and the Valley. The article includes details of the fall of Atlanta.

• The Vindicator, November 4, 1864, p. 2, c. 2: "'Upon The Revocation . . .'" The editor reports that no one complained when General Lee revoked all detail duty and called for all soldiers to report to their enrolling officer. Lee learned that Grant was planning a major attack and thus recalled them back into service. The editor criticizes whoever ordered that these men be marched through their home counties and guarded as if they might not report for duty willingly.

• The Vindicator, November 4, 1864, p. 2, c. 1: "War News." The editor offers a detailed report of the battle at Petersburg on October 27, 1864, between Grant and Lee and reports a heavy enemy loss.

• The Vindicator, November 18, 1864, p. 1, c. 6: "Failure of Grant's Recent Advance." General Grant was to have assembled a large number of troops in order to take Richmond from all sides, but was still unable to capture the city. In the end, some of the troops he had hoped to assemble were engaged elsewhere, including in the Valley. The current theory is that Grant will wait until spring to try to take the city again.

• The Vindicator, November 25, 1864, p. 2, c. 1: "War News." The editor reports that rain for several days has stopped temporarily the military operations at Richmond and Petersburg, with the exception of the capture by General Pickett of an enemy picket line. The Confederate loss in the encounter was one killed and nine wounded. Enemy attempts to recapture the position and reestablish picket lines were unsuccessful. The editor includes also reports from east Tennessee, Georgia, and the lower Valley.

• The Vindicator, December 2, 1864, p. 2, c. 1: "War News." Little has happened in Richmond and Petersburg in the past week, except a report of capture of another enemy picket line on November 28, 1864. Indications are that Grant is amassing troops in the area in preparation for another advance. The editor includes reports from Georgia and Tennessee and states that nothing of interest has happened in the Valley. The enemy is said to be encamped below Strasburg and to have headquarters at or near Kernstown.

• The Vindicator, December 23, 1864, p. 2, c. 1: "War News." In a weekly recapitulation of developments on all fronts of the war, the editor reports that picket line skirmishes continue in Petersburg and, in late-breaking news, that General Rosser launched an attack early Wednesday morning at Mellrose, about five miles below Harrisonburg. Rosser succeeded in driving the enemy from its position and in capturing about forty prisoners. Most of the Yankee Cavalry in the lower Valley have crossed the mountain and are heading towards Gordonsville. General Early will be able to head them off in whichever direction they head.

• The Vindicator, January 20, 1865, p. 2, c. 1: "War News." Includes miscellaneous news from Petersburg and Savannah.

• The Vindicator, February 10, 1865, p. 2, c. 1: "War News." The editor reports that skirmishes have occurred between Northern and Southern pickets near Petersburg but that no engagements have occurred yet. In the Valley, the enemy surprised the Confederate picket at Edinburg, captured a lieutenant and fourteen men, only to be pursued by twenty men from the 12th Virginia Cavalry and overtaken. The Confederates regained their picket and took sixteen prisoners and twenty horses.

• The Vindicator, February 24, 1865, p. 2, c. 2: "War News." Reports that conditions are comparatively quiet at Petersburg and Richmond and states that Sherman intends to march to Virginia and unite with Grant's army.

• The Vindicator, March 24, 1865, p. 2, c. 1: "War News." The interruption of communications by rail and wire, caused by Sheridan and his troops, has resulted in a minimum of verifiable news from the war fronts this week. Some dispatches from General Lee and some extracts from last week's Lynchburg Republican provide the only reliable news.

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