Transcribed Newspaper Articles--Franklin County: 1862 Valley Campaign

• Valley Spirit, May 14, 1862, p. 4, c. 6: "From General Banks' Army." News of a skirmish near Harrisonburg, Virginia, between the 5th New York Cavalry and Ashby's Cavalry on May 6.

• Valley Spirit, May 28, 1862, p. 5, c. 1: "General Banks' Army." Acknowledges the surprise and concern in Chambersburg at the news of the retreat of General Banks' army in the face of the armies of Ewell and Johnston, but dismisses the Confederate maneuvering as a side-show that will not distract McClellan or Halleck from their advances.

• Valley Spirit, May 28, 1862, p. 5, c. 1: "A Day Of Excitement." The news of the massacre of Col. Kenley's First Maryland Regiment, and the defeat of General Banks near Front Royal, caused a great deal of excitement in Chambersburg. Many citizens began forming companies to head to Washington to defend the capital. A body of men under the command of Capt. Elder arrived from St. Thomas and will stay in Chambersburg and await orders.

• Valley Spirit, May 28, 1862, p. 5, c. 1: "Deserters." About fifty deserters from General Banks' army passed through town on Monday, commandeered a railroad car and passed over the Franklin and Cumberland Valley Railroad. Later in the day several passed through on horseback in the company of several "contraband" blacks. The editors believe that orders to arrest these men have been issued.

• Valley Spirit, June 18, 1862, p. 5, c. 4: "Important From The Shenandoah Valley." Details the battle near Port Republic, Virginia, where Union General Fremont repulsed an attack by Stonewall Jackson. Includes official dispatches and news of the pursuit of Jackson after the battle.

• Valley Spirit, June 25, 1862, p. 5, c. 3: "From The Valley Of Virginia." Reprints a number of news reports from the armies in the Shenandoah Valley, most of which concern the army's uncertainty as to the location of Stonewall Jackson's forces. The report also includes details of Confederate cavalry raids on the Union forces outside of Richmond, and a story of an execution by Union troops in New Orleans of a man who desecrated the Stars and Stripes.

• Valley Spirit, June 25, 1862, p. 8, c. 1: "Jackson's Present Position and Prospects." A reporter writing from Winchester, Virginia, speculates on the location of Stonewall Jackson's army, and reports rumors that Jackson has been reinforced. The writer doubts that Jackson will do well in a second attack against the Union forces, but at the same time suspects that he might try anyway.

• Valley Spirit, July 23, 1862, p. 5, c. 4: "War News." Reports on Union preparations in Warrenton, and on the destruction of the railway station in Gordonsville. Jackson is rumored to be in Staunton.

• Valley Spirit, August 6, 1862, p. 8, c. 2: "Gen. Pope's Army--The Right Wing." Reports the activities of General Pope's army in Virginia, from near Madison Court House, in pursuit of Stonewall Jackson. Includes observations on the local population and contraband slaves.

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