Middletown 150 Yrs. Ago: Calls for Volunteers, Supplies

From The Constitution, Wednesday, December 9, 1863 (volume 27, number 1354)

War News.

Despatches from Washington give a rumor that Lee’s whole army was across the Rapidan and advancing upon Meade. Also that Lee had been reinforced by a part of Longstreet’s corps, which is quite improbable. It is also stated that notwithstanding the semi-official denials, it is believed the Army of the Potomac is going into Winter quarters on the line of the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, this side of the Rappahannock.

The news from New Orleans is unimportant. Gen. Lee, commanding the Federal cavalry in Gen. Franklin’s column, had made a successful dash on a rebel camp near Vermillion Bayou, killing eight, wounding many, and capturing seventy. The New Orleans papers have nothing further from Gen. Banks.

From Arkansas we have intelligence that the Union men are making energetic efforts for the return of the State to its allegiance. Conventions are being held, loyal men are organizing for home defence, and a member of the National Congress has been elected. One of the Conventions voted in favor of Arkansas as a Free State after the war.

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Refugees from Georgia report that terror reigns throughout the State. Males of all ages are conscripted, and supplies of all kinds are impressed. Citizens are fleeing to the mountains. The dissatisfaction against Bragg is so great, that Jeff. Davis has been compelled to remove him, and has appointed General Hardee his successor.

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The Richmond Dispatch wants to know:

If the army under Bragg could not hold Lookout mountain and Missionary Ridge, we are forced to ask ourselves what position there is between them and Atlanta, or the ocean, that they can hold?

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For some time a gang of men have been engaged in stealing horses in Maine and running them to Vermont, to sell, and on their return taking to Maine horses stolen in Vermont. Detectives who have been watching them arrested them at Bradford on the 23d inst.

Among a series of resolutions respecting fires adopted by the town of Providence in 1801, was one providing “that all able bodied male inhabitants repair immediately with the buckets belonging to their respective families to the fire; taking care, if in the night, to put on their clothes before they go out.”

Local News.

Now for Volunteers.

Six volunteers, from the Deputy Provost Marshal’s office, in this city, passed the examining board at New Haven last week, and four more go down to day, Tuesday. Now is the time to volunteer, and get the large bounties. The draft will surely come in January, and the chances for escaping are less now than before. The list of diseases for exemption, have been cut down. Loss of teeth will admit into the invalid corps, and so on. Therefore, keep the ball moving, and fill up the quota of the town. A few have volunteered at the recruiting offices in this city, to apply on the quota of town in this district. Persons wishing to enlist can do so, by applying at the Provost Marshal’s office, in the Custom House.

What is Wanted!

An urgent appeal is now being made by the U. S. Sanitary Commission to the patriotic people of the country, to furnish articles for the benefit of the sick and wounded soldiers. Their supplies are running low. The Soldiers’ Aid Society of Bridgeport propose to freight a vessel at that port, with things necessary for the comfort and health of our brave Connecticut troops. Contributions are asked from the various towns throughout the State, and we would call the attention of the people of this county to the subject. Let old Middlesex respond handsomely. Farmers are asked to contribute liberally of “potatoes and onions.” Woolen shirts, drawers, socks, blankets, quilts, coats, pants, boots and shoes, wine, pure lemon syrup, jellies, dried apples, pickles, codfish, buckwheat flour, canned fruit, butter, cider, corn meal, candles, cranberries, combs and brushes, pillows, towels, handkerchiefs, pins, knives, forks and spoons, books and games, are among the things most needed. Articles may be left with Hubbard Brothers, foot of Centre st., and will be quickly forwarded.

Didn’t Get Away.

Emmons, one of the young men concerned in the row on Thanksgiving night, was tried by the Superior Court and fined twenty-five dollars, it being understood that he would enlist. While in company with the constable and recruiting officer on Wednesday, he thought he would change his mind about enlisting, and started at a rapid pace down the street. Evidently, without forethought on his part, he dodged into the store of Messrs. Bradley & Treadwell, (formerly Putnam’s, a poor place for deserters,) where he was stopped. He showed fight, but it was of no use; and in the arms of four men, he was carried back to his old quarters at the watch house.

Police.

Two young b’hoys were tried before Justice Clark on Saturday last, for disorderly conduct on Thanksgiving night. Both were found guilty; one was fined, and the other bound over to the February term of the Superior Court.

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There was an alarm of fire on Thursday morning, caused by a kettle of grease getting on fire, at an Irish house in Green street. No damage done, except loss of time to the members of the fire companies.

The River.

The cold weather which we have had for a few days, is closing the river. Large quantities of ice are floating down. A day or two more of cold weather will stop navigation. The City of Hartford arrived at her dock this Tuesday morning at 1 1/2 o’clock.

The Weather was mostly pleasant last week. We are almost afraid to say that it rained at all, but we heard something very like a smart shower on Saturday evening. Friday morning the mercury was at 40 degrees. Monday morning at 8 degrees. The average temperature of the week at sunrise was 23 degrees.

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For more articles from The Constitution, go to the Middlesex County Historical Society blog.