Middletown 150 Yrs. Ago: Avoiding the Draft

GREAT VICTORY: Bragg’s Army Totally Routed.

Lookout Mountain & Missionary Ridge In Our Possession.

General Grant, after fighting on Tuesday and Wednesday, gained a complete victory over Bragg, drove him from every part of Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge, captured forty pieces of artillery and over six thousand prisoners, and on Thursday was in hot pursuit of the retreating and demoralized masses of the enemy. The following despatch, dated Chattanooga, November 25th, gives some details of the brilliant victory :–

We have had a brisk engagement this morning, and have driven the enemy entirely off of Lookout Mountain, a considerable portion of which they held up to this morning.

We have also taken Missionary Ridge from him this morning, and the troublesome rifle pits, in possession of which yesterday’s engagement left them at its close.

All firing has ceased for a sufficient time to warrant the conclusion that Bragg has retreated, certainly leaving all the ground and strong points in our possession, for which we have been fighting for the last three days.

It is too early yet to enable me to state the casualties on either side, which are not yet known.

Our army is in glorious exultation indeed, over their series of victories. ...

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The Ladies Loyal League of Portland, forwarded last week, to U. S. Christian Commission, Philadelphia, the following articles, for distribution among our sick and suffering soldiers:–19 limb pillows, 7 cot pillows, 9 hop pillows, 8 bundles of cotton, 1 do of linen, 10 wrappers, 100 housewives, 1 linen sheet, 19 prs. woolen socks, 1 box lint, 64 handkerchiefs, 2 napkins, 23 calico shirts, 5 cotton shirts, 13 flannel shirts, 1 large sponge, 1 cake castile soap, 3 cans dried currants, 2 packages dried blackberries, 1 do of cherries, 1 do of peaches, 2 bags dried apples, 1 paper farina, Atlantic and Harper’s magazines and Harper’s weeklies.

Thanksgiving.

Religious services were held in a portion of the churches in this city on Thursday. In the Episcopal Dr. Goodwin preached.

In the North Cong., services were held and a sermon adapted to the occasion was preached by the pastor. The choir led by Mr. Harrington, gave excellent music. The attendance was large.

The Methodist, South Cong. and Baptist Societies united, holding services in the South church. Sermon by Rev. Mr. Gilbert of the Baptist church.

New News Room.

A. G. Lucas has opened a News Room, at 120 Main st., where he will be pleased to receive the patronage of the public. He will furnish all New York and Boston dailies together with those published in this state, Weekly Newspapers, Magazines, Lithographs, Carte de visites, &c., at the lowest price. 

Town Meeting.

Don’t forget the town meeting, to be held Wednesday afternoon, 2d inst. Let arrangements be made whereby recruiting will go briskly forward, and our quota be raised by the last of this month. Let us keep out of the draft this cold weather.

Volunteering.

The fifth day of January is not far distant. By one way or another the quotas of the various states must be forthcoming. If the men do not volunteer, then a draft must be resorted to. Men and women everywhere, old and young, should understand the nature of the exigency, and make vigorous exertions to fill our quota with volunteers. Recruiting officers cannot alone do what is needed. The people must come together, and assist them by an active public opinion. Let the citizens of Middletown remember the meeting to be held this, Wednesday, afternoon. Spirited efforts for a few weeks would sure accomplish all that the government asks us to do. Shall not that effort be made?

Recruiting.

Lieut. Crosby has, during the past week, at his office opposite the McDonough House, enlisted four or five men, and sent them to New Haven. Let such encouragement be given at the meeting on Wednesday that the number shall be much larger before another week passes away. Keep the ball in motion.

Row and Serious Accident.

There was quite a serious row at the saloon kept by John Ammon, over Wm. Ward’s store, on Thursday night last. A number of rowdies had congregated there, and in the absence of the proprietor was making a good deal of disturbance. When he appeared, he attempted to keep things quiet, and when in the act of taking off his coat to facilitate matters, he was seized and his arms pinned behind him. The result was, Mr. Ammon received several hard knocks, a large window pane was smashed to pieces, and several of the rowdies were quartered at the watch house. One of them has been bound over to be tried at the Superior Court.

Late in the night Robert Ferree, an old resident of this city, called at the saloon, but was refused admittance. He was soon afterwards found lying on the walk, with his head badly cut, supposed to be caused by falling down the stairs. He died on Friday afternoon. He was a shoemaker by trade.

The Weather.

November, last week, was at amicable leave taking. Thursday was a day to be thankful for—clear and fine. Tuesday was very rainy. Saturday was rainy. Monday she let December peep in. The mercury could not get above freezing all day. Sunday morning it was at 40. Average temperature for the week at sunrise, 30.

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