Transcribed Newspaper Articles--Franklin County: 1864 Valley Campaign

• Franklin Repository, March 23, 1864, p. 4, c. 1: "'Lieut. Gen. Grant . . .'" The author chastises the Federal troops for recent wanton destruction of private property, stating that "the burning of houses, mills, and other property simply because they belong to the enemy, is unwarranted by any rule of civilized warfare," even if the enemy might "provoke it by similar acts of barbarity, or by the brutal treatment of our living prisoners and the more horrible atrocities committed upon our heroic dead."

• Valley Spirit, July 6, 1864, p. 5, c.1: "Rebel Invasion." Discusses the alarm that resulted from indications that Confederate troops were moving down the Valley.

• Valley Spirit, July 6, 1864, p. 8, c.1: "Confederate Advance on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad--Martinsburg Evacuated." Reports that the Union army has been forced to evacuate Martinsburg and three columns of Confederates are approaching the city.

• Valley Spirit, July 13, 1864, p. 1, c. 6: "Latest Telegraphic News!" Reports that a small force of rebel cavalry is in Maryland. The "future intentions" of these rebels are unknown.

• Valley Spirit, July 13, 1864, p. 4, c.1: "The Situation--Call For Troops." Sounds alarm about the advancement of Confederate troops toward Washington. Urges all men--including critics of the Lincoln administration--to volunteer for service to beat back the rebel troops.

• Valley Spirit, July 13, 1864, p. 5, c.1: "The Rebel Invasion." Describes the confusion in town that has greeted the news of rebel troops advancing toward Greencastle.

• Valley Spirit, July 20, 1864, p. 4, c. 5: "Why Is Pennsylvania Unprepared." The Inquirer, a Republican newspaper, blames "venal and corrupt men" in Harrisburg for failing to take any action to protect the state from another rebel invasion.

• Valley Spirit, July 27, 1864, p. 1, c.1: "Letter From Harper's Ferry." A soldier reports on the movements of Union troops in Maryland and criticizes the officers in command.

• Valley Spirit, July 27, 1864, p. 1, c. 3: "The Late National Humiliation." Faults "military incompetence" for failing to properly defend the Valley both in recent days and throughout the war.

• Valley Spirit, August 31, 1864, p. 1, c.1: "Burning of Chambersburg." Narrates the events surrounding the burning of Chambersburg.

• Valley Spirit, August 31, 1864, p. 1, c. 6: "A Citizen To The New York Herald." Prints letter written by a Chambersburg resident to the New York Herald that counters that newspaper's "scurrilous" comments about the town's present suffering.

• Valley Spirit, August 31, 1864, p. 1, c. 7: "Why Chambersburg Was Burned." Prints comments from General Early in which he defends his "disagreeable duty" of ordering the burning of Chambersburg.

• Valley Spirit, August 31, 1864, p. 2, c. 4: "The Cause." Blames the Lincoln administration for the burning of Chambersburg since it called for the retreat of General Sheridan's troops just when they were to fight General Early's men.

• Valley Spirit, September 28, 1864, p. 2, c. 7: "The War." Reports on General Sheridan's "brilliant victory" over General Jubal Early near Winchester, Virginia, on September 19.

• Valley Spirit, September 28, 1864, p. 3, c. 2: "Latest by the Mails!" Reports that Sheridan has defeated Early in the Valley.

• Valley Spirit, October 19, 1864, p. 2, c. 4: "The Late Destruction Of Property In The Shenandoah Valley." Reviews the destruction resulting from General Grant's orders to turn the Shenandoah Valley into "barren waste." Criticizes this policy as "cold-blooded brutality."

• Valley Spirit, October 19, 1864, p. 2, c. 7: "The War." Reviews recent destruction in the Shenandoah Valley and gives an overview of where federal troops are in Georgia, Alabama, and Missouri.

• Valley Spirit, October 26, 1864, p. 2, c. 3: "Citizens Of Franklin County, Read:" Condemns Lincoln administration policies--including General Grant's order to make the Valley a "barren waste"--for not protecting the interests and property of Franklin County and other Valley citizens. Urges readers to vote McClellan.

• Franklin Repository, September 21, 1864, p. 2, c. 7 "Latest News!" Describes a battle in Shenandoah Valley in which the Union defeated the rebels, drove them beyond Winchester, killed 500 rebels, and captured 2,500 prisoners, 5 cannons, and 5 battle flags. In the engagements, rebel generals Rhodes, Gordon, Wharton, and Ramseur died.

• Valley Spirit, November 16, 1864, p. 2, c. 5: "The Shenandoah Valley." Reports on news of a possible rebel offensive in the Valley.

• Valley Spirit, March 15, 1865, p. 2, c. 6: "Latest by the Mails!" Dispatches dated March 11 provide early details of General Sheridan's march through the Shenandoah Valley and into Staunton and Charlottesville, Virginia.

• Valley Spirit, March 15, 1865, p. 2, c. 6: "Latest by Telegraph!" Dispatches dated March 13 detail General Sheridan's march through the Shenandoah Valley and into Staunton and Charlottesville, Virginia.

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