Middletown 150 Yrs. Ago: Bad Weather For the Fair

From The Constitution, Wednesday, October 14, 1863 (volume 26, number 1346)

War News.

The government has advices from Chattanooga down to the 5th inst. On the 5th the rebel batteries opened on Rosecrans’ position at long range. The longest being 3 miles and the shortest 2 7/10 miles. The firing was  not very rapid.

A dispatch from Gen. Rosecrans’ head quarters dated the 6th says “not a man was injured by the rebel batteries yesterday. Our men are not annoyed by the long range firing in the least, and go about their work the same as ever.”

Other dispatches go to show the impregnable position of Rosecrans.

There is no official confirmation of the rebel statement that two of Rosecrans’ pontoon bridges over the Tennessee river have been carried away.

Telegraphic communication, broken by rebel raids between Nashville and Stevenson, has been restored.

About 75 miles below Bridgeport, the rebels captured a store train intended for Gen. Rosecrans’ army, on Saturday morning. This train was poorly guarded. It contained 200 wagons in all, and was drawn by some 800 mules—most of which were taken.

The men were paroled and the stores and wagons were mostly destroyed, and everything portable was carried off.

Saturday afternoon the rebels also came upon and captured a valuable ammunition train of 12 wagons, which they quickly demolished as the first prize.

Taking the McMinneville Pike over which they had traveled so often, they were soon in front of that town. It was soon forced to surrender along with its garrison.

On Sunday morning the line of march was taken up westward, and in a few hours they had ridden around Murfreesboro, burned the celebrated Stone river bridge, and were in front of this fortified post. To attempt to surprise it would have been useless.

The gallant Col. McCook happened to come up at this moment with a regiment of Ohio, one of Indiana, and part of Kentucky regiment of cavalry and a battery, engaged the enemy seriously, and for some hours drove him on a run south, scattering his forces in every direction and retaking all of the animals and much of Wheeler’s plunder. He is still in pursuit.

Gen. Rosecrans will demonstrate in a few days that he can hold Chattanooga. He has Gen. Burnside’s and his own army ready for active operations. He can destroy General Bragg’s army, if assisted properly, and then he can strike any point on the Atlantic seaboard at pleasure.

To this end his army has been augmented. Gen. Burnside with 2 corps holds a position, the value of which is hardly known as yet.—When the enemy is thrown back upon the Virginia and East Tenn. railroad, he will be ready to finish Gen. Rosecrans’ work.

Gen. McPherson is advancing from the west by one route, while Gen. Sherman with the 13th army corps is moving up by a shorter and better one. Two corps under Gens. Howard and Slocum are moving right up the country, under direction of Gen. Joe Hooker. All of these combined will form the army of “Old Rosy.”

The rebels under Pemeram have fallen back west of Gen. Burnside’s position and have joined Gen. Bragg.

Rosecrans is in full communication with Burnside, and it is reported that the two chieftains have met in consultation at Cleveland.

Russia and America.

The formal reception by the municipal officers of the city of New York of Admiral Lesoffski and the officers of his fleet, had the character of a grand popular demonstration of international friendship. Never before in the history of a city which is noted for its successful pageants, have the people taken so much interest. The reason is obvious. From the moment of our national existence up to the present time, our relations with Russia have been most friendly. Widely differing in form of government and national institutions, the two countries have maintained unbroken intercourse. She has never predicted the breaking up of the Union ; much less expressed a wish for such a calamity ; nor have the rebels ever received a word of encouragement or sympathy from her or her agents in any part of the world.

This honorable and friendly conduct on the part of Russia, so in contrast with that of England and France, could not fail to produce a deep impression on the people of the northern States, and the grand civic and military ovation to Russia’s representatives speaks to the character of that impression. It was also the first time that a Russian fleet ever entered the harbor of New York, and the arrival of a powerful fleet from the remote region of the north was a new feature in history.

The demonstration was doubtless regarded by many as an important political event. The rumor of a secret treaty between Russia and the United States, was not without effect. Different in almost every other respect, the interests of the two nations coincide most singularly in respect to a common antagonism to France and England, both of which powers seem to be desirous of countervailing the naval and maritime power of the United States, and Russia. We do not think that the visit of the Russian fleet has any such significance. In the event of an European war for Poland, the Russian government, instead of having her vessels frozen up around Cronstadt, and liable to blockade, would wish to have them in a position to be used effectively against the commerce of France and England, and the fact that she has such a naval force at large, will be a powerful argument against attacking her.

The speeches of the Russian Admiral, breathe the very spirit of international friendship. In drinking the health of our honored President, the Admiral uttered words which disclose the estimate of his character held by an unprejudiced and discerning foreigner. He speaks of him as having an “admirable fame for man to possess, the fame of being the most honest of men.” Russia and America, like old friends, have met and shaken hands ; that they may thus always meet, is the earnest wish of every true and loyal citizen.

Military.

The seventh company (D) of the 1st Connecticut cavalry regiment, was mustered into the service Tuesday, in Baltimore. The company is composed entirely of rebel soldiers from Fort Delaware, who had taken the oath of allegiance.

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A boy of ten years died on Saturday in New York from the effects of having a large quantity of red pepper rubbed in his mouth, eyes and nose, at the hands of a woman whose son had some difficulty with the deceased. The boy went into convulsions, and after lingering in an unconscious state for nine days, died from the effects of the injuries received.

Local News.

The Weather last week was variable. An easterly storm began Wednesday night. There were three delightful, clear days. The average temperature at sunrise was forty one degrees, six degrees lower than the preceding week.

The Middlesex County Agricultural Society

Held its annual Cattle Show and Fair in this town, on Thursday and Friday, Oct. 8 & 9.

The first day was most unpleasant; dark and foggy in the morning and rainy in the afternoon. The whole number of animals of all kinds that were entered for premium was 192, exclusive of trains of working oxen. Many were kept away by the unfavorable weather. Friday was a good day and the attendance at the Park was better. At McDonough Hall the exhibition was so very meagre that while it does great credit to the few who made it, it could bring only sadness to all who have at heart the encouragement and progress of industry, art, and good taste. There is no good reason why a society like this—established for the “Promotion of Domestic Manufactures and the Mechanic Arts” as well as agricultural pursuits—should be allowed to languish by the community in which it exists. We challenge any one who feels disposed to justify it. But we shall not allow causes to be substituted for reasons. We can see plenty of causes but no justifiable ones—not one but has for its foundation ignorance, selfishness or envy—the first being the parent and fertile source of the others, and the great hindrance in the way of true progress. We have faith in the general proposition that the “world does move”, but we encounter some things which remind us of the “two men” in Pilgrim’s Progress “who were children of them that brought up an evil report of the good land making haste to go back” whose cry was “Back, Back.” Their echo lingers among us.

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Mr. Editor :--An article in the Hartford Daily Times of the 10th inst., headed “Another Kidnapping Case,” by a Middletown correspondent, is so grossly and willfully false in almost every particular as to call for a reply.

The facts are simply these. William Collins, the man referred to, was drafted under the call made by Gov. Buckingham last Sept. 1862, was assigned to Co. D. and went into camp, deserted from the regiment and went to parts unknown. He was twice reported to the Adjutant Generals office as a deserter, as his particular friends can learn by applying, and now stands on the books in said office as a deserter. No preliminary examination was made in my office. Mr. Collins employer did not prove an alibi. Col. Mansfield nor Capt. Parker did not state that he was never sworn in, never acted with the regiment, and was never in the service, and hence could not be a deserter. Neither was Mr. Collins handcuffed by myself, or assistant, nor by any one else, but went to New Haven with as much freedom as any other man.

The truth in this case is as follows :

Collins was reported to me as a deserter some two months ago. I did not order his arrest until last Tuesday. He was arrested, and put in the lock up the same as all deserters are, he not being considered any better than any other deserter although an “adopted citizen.” Efforts were made by his employer Mr. Hubbard, and the Rev. James Lynch to have him discharged on the ground that the Proclamation of Gov. B. discharged him from liability to service. I was not able to see it in that light. An affidavit was brought from Col. Mansfield stating simply that the Regt. was mustered into the service of the U. S. Nov. 18th, 1862, and another from Capt. Parker stating that on that day, Nov. 18, 1862, Collins was not on the ground. These affidavits contained nothing more, the assertion of the correspondent of the Times to the contrary notwithstanding. On Wednesday I took Collins to headquarters. He went without any handcuffs and without any restraint whatever, as the Rev. James Lynch and many others know. He will be examined by a Board of Commissioners, who will decide according to the facts in the case, and, if proved to be a deserter in the eyes of the law, he will he held for service, if not, he will be discharged.

In conclusion I will say that I shall endeavor to do my duty in the least obnoxious way. That none need fear that their personal liberty is in danger who give a firm and hearty support to the laws of the land. Those and those only who willfully violate them will I trust not only see but feel the beauties of the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus. Nor will those terrible handcuffs which haunt the souls of these howling Peace Democrats, be used, unless a necessity arises for it.

Very Truly Yours,

Augustus Putnam,

Deputy Provost Marshal,

2d Cong’l Dist. Conn.

P. S.  Since writing the above Collins has been discharged and is now home.

Raising a Steamer by Balloons.

M. Bauer, an engineer, has, after long preparatory labors, succeeded in raising the Bavarian steamer Ludwig, which sank two years ago in the lake of Constance, in consequence of coming into collision with a Swiss steamer. The engineer, in order to raise the vessel which was lying at the depth of seventy feet, made use of an apparatus of his own invention. By means of divers he attached to her, one on each side, two large balloons made of waterproof linen, which he filled with air. When the expansion had become sufficient, a movement was observed in the water, which looked as if boiling, and the vessel gradually came to the surface.

A Severe Assault and Their Colors Taken.  

It is not often that we hear of a more chivalrous assault, and with such dyeing success, and so few killed, as has been made on Howe & Stevens’ Family Dye Colors, and that too by ladies wholly unaccustomed to anything of the kind. Every lady in the country should continue the assault until these colors are found in every house. Sold by all druggists throughout the country.

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