From The Constitution, Wednesday, September 23, 1863 (volume 26, number 1343)
Washington, Sept. 15. By the President of the United States :
A PROCLAMATION.
Find out what's happening in Middletownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Whereas the Constitution of the United States has ordained that the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in cases of rebellion or invasion the public safety may require it ; and whereas a rebellion was existing on the 3d day of March, 1863, which rebellion is still existing ; and whereas by a statute was approved on that day, it was enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States in Congress assembled, that during the present insurrection the President of the United States, whenever in his judgment the public safety may require, is authorized to suspend the privileges of the writ of habeas corpus in any case throughout the United States or any part thereof ; and whereas, in the judgement of the President, the public safety does require that the privilege of the said writ shall now be suspended throughout the United States in cases where by the authority of the President of the United States military, naval and civil officers of the United States, or any of them hold persons under their command or in their custody, either as prisoners of war, spies, or aiders or abettors of the enemy, or officers, soldiers or seamen enrolled, drafted, or mustered or enlisted, or belonging to land or naval forces of the United States, or as deserters therefrom, of otherwise amenable to military law, or rules or articles of war prescribed for military or naval services, by the authority of the President of the United States, or for resisting a draft, or for any other offence against military or naval service.
Now, therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, do hereby proclaim and make known to all whom it may concern, that the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus is suspended throughout the United States in the several cases before mentioned, and that this suspension will continue throughout the duration of said rebellion, or until this proclamation shall by a subsequent one to be issued by the President of the United States be modified and revoked, and I do hereby require all magistrates, attorneys, and other civil officers within the United States, and all officers and others in military and naval services of the United States, to take distinct notice of this suspension, and give it full effect, and all citizens of the United States to conduct and govern themselves accordingly, and in conformity with the Constitution of the United States and the laws of Congress in such cases made and provided.
Find out what's happening in Middletownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed this fifteenth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand, eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the independence of the United States of America the eighty-eighth.
(Signed) ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
War News.
It is now reported by deserters that they number 65,000 men, being stronger than at Murfreesboro. Rosecrans has concentrated his forces and the two stand opposed to each other, in the shape of a crescent formed by Pigeon mountains, of which they hold the gaps, they having the interior and we the exterior line.
A despatch from Chattanooga, headquarters in the field, the 17th, says all is quiet, no attack, but constant skirmishing. Longstreet is reported at Resaca with 20,000 men.
A dispatch form headquarters of the army, Sept. 18th, says the enemy does not seem inclined to attack, but is constantly increasing in force ; that Longstreet passed through Augusta the 10th and 11th, by rail to Resaca, and his advance has reached Lafayette.
The rebels have been moving through the Gap of the Pigeon Mountain, and forming line on this side, as if to attack.
Rosecrans has assumed a strong defensive position on the Chickamauga Creek, covering Chattanooga. ...
Latest.
The Washington Republican of Monday, says the enemy attacked Rosecrans on Sunday morning at 9 o’clock with overwhelming numbers. The battle raged fiercely all day. According to the latest accounts received here up to 2 o’clock Monday afternoon, which left Chattanooga at 8 o’clock Sunday evening, two, and only two of Gen. Rosecrans’ divisions gave way, in utter panic and confusion. But from 8,000 to 10,000 of these had been rallied and got back to their places, while the remainder of the army had not given away or retreated, and at the latest moment was driving the advance of the rebel army back. This was the latest news in Washington. The number killed and wounded on both sides will probably not fall short of 30,000.
_________________________
The rebels at Charleston have recently taken to firing large slabs of iron, two feet in length, bound together. They are intended expressly for the Monitors.
_________________________
Letter to the editor.
Cor. Of the Constitution. Head Quarters, Dep. Gulf, New Orleans, Sept. 10, 1863.
Mr. Newton : Dear Sir—For the information and gratification of the good people of Middletown, I would say that the 25th [that is, the 24th—P.T.] Connecticut is now in this city, but calculate to embark in the morning (11th) and start for home via Cairo, Ill. The length of time required to reach home by this rout varies from 12 to 20 days; but I think by the 25th, we shall be very near the old place, if not there.
Col. Mansfield is looking finely, and I presume all the others are, although I have not seen them, they having arrived last night.
Hoping to see all of the old friends soon, I say good bye. Remaining as ever,
Yours truly, George N. Moses.
[P. S. Since putting the foregoing in type we have received a letter of a later date, Sept. 12th, from Mr. Moses. He says : ]
Since writing my last, day before yesterday, “a change has come over the spirit of our dreams.” To-day the story runs that we are now going by sea via New York, on the steamer “Continental.” If this rout is taken we shall be home much sooner than by Cairo. Our time of starting is still uncertain. It may be to-morrow and it may not be for a week. The boys are very impatient at the delay, and they have good cause to growl. I’ll not prophecy our time of arrival in Middletown again. When we get there we shall be apt to let you all know it.
The Copperhead Clam Bake.
Pursuant to the invitation of Ex-Collector A. G. Lucas, the unterrified assembled at Belden’s Dock, for a free sail to Dunham’s Grove to attend the “Clam Bake." Three scows capable of holding each perhaps 250 persons, were moored along side of the dock, and were soon filled with men, women, and children, the latter predominating.
About 10 o’clock an immense procession of the democracy marched down Main to College street, down College street to the dock. Messrs. C. C. Hubbard, J. C. Cook, and a Mr. Ford headed the crowd. Colt’s Band came next, and five of our adopted citizens brought up the rear.
About 1/4 past 10 o’clock the signal was given, the “Tug” took the scow in tow, and the party went down to the grove. Here the debarkation was successfully accomplished, and a rush made for the grounds.
About 12 o’clock a carriage drove on to the ground, and Messrs. Gallagher,Eaton, and Seymour, (the speakers) alighted. Jim soon mounted the stand, and commenced with his usual blarney to soft soap the ladies. He spoke his piece and subsided. William then commenced his “entertainment.” Those who expected to see the bold, defiant, racy, witty Eaton of old, were sadly disappointed. His speech was tame and uninteresting. He told his auditors he regretted the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus ; (we do not doubt it.) He said the Provost Marshals were the judges now, and if one of them put his hand on their shoulder they must go, for there were no courts in the state that could help them. Mr. Eaton was broken off in his speech by the call for dinner, a call more potent to the hungry mass then ten thousand speeches.
After the dinner, which by the way was said to be good as far as it went, but was but a drop in the bucket to meet the wants of the people. Copperhead Cook announced in his melodious voice that Mr. Eaton would finish his entertainment, which he did.
Seymour, familiarly called Tom by the people, was then introduced. Nine cheers were called for and given after a great deal of effort. The “gallant” Tom was sour and misanthropic. He was evidently a disappointed man, and vented his spleen upon the President and his advisors with all the might he was capable of. He created no enthusiasm, and the masses were sadly disappointed in him.
Decidedly the great speech of the day, was that of J. C. Cook. Holding on to a post he said : Ladies and Gentlemen, I am sorry you did not have enough clams to eat today.—Fact is we didn’t know there was so many “dimacrats” in Middlesex County. The next time we have a clam bake, you shall have a quart of clams apiece. He told them to be on hand the first Monday of October, and carry the election, which he knew they could do. After this effort he subsided. We can only give his words. His voice and manner must be seen to be appreciated.
The greatest crowd gathered about the clam pit ; twenty-five bushels of clams were roasted ; not enough to give one a piece to the crowd. Such pushing, yelling, scrambling and digging over the hot, steaming mass, has no parallel, even in the annals of democratic rowdyism. No respect was paid to age or sex ; all wanted clams and clamored for more, until the clamor made the valley hideous with clamorous sounds. With this exception the assemblage was quiet and orderly. No ardent was furnished to the faithful, it was only in private, and carefully distributed.
About 2,500 persons men, women, and children were there. Big Gun Johnson, of Middle Haddam, the man who was going to New York to assist the rioters, and who sent word by Gov. Seymour to tell them if they wanted any help to resist the draft, he would come, and who swag[g]ered about the Middle Haddam dock with a revolver in his pocket, threatening to shoot any d-m-d United States officer who should attempt to arrest him, was there in all his self-conceit and brass headedness. About five hundred came up with him, mostly women and children, headed by a drum band. Some 200 vehicles of all descriptions were on the ground.
The meeting was a success only in numbers, the rest was dull and spiritless. It broke up about 1/2 past 4 P. M., and the Tug, with scows in tow, left at Belden’s dock probably the driest, hungriest crowd ever landed at Middletown. The separation and dispersion was instantaneous. The women and children going to their homes to make a raid on the pantry, and the men to the restaurants to satisfy their thirsty, hungry stomachs.
Many of the copperhead party who make pretention to respectability kept aloof from it, refusing to participate in its proceedings on account of the Floyd-like character of its getting up, and many were the curses loud and deep upon the “miserable fellow” who is now the leader of the once proud democratic party.
Thus ended the great Clam Bake. It was got up to influence the October elections in the 18th district, but has signally failed to benefit the party. They are welcome to all they made out of it.
The Weather.
Last week we experienced uncertain weather. There was a sudden change in temperature after Friday ; that day was very warm and rainy. A storm of four days prevailed commencing Thursday. The last three days have had a touch of winter. The average temperature of the week is fifty-six degrees.
The Gale.
During the gale of the 18th inst., a large elm tree in front of the residence of Charles R. Alsop, Washington street, was blown down.
The schooner E. H. Hubbard, dragged her anchor near the creek, and was not brought to, until near the meadow bridge, Cromwell.
_________________________
E. H. Dunham will give an exhibition of laughing gas at McDonough Hall this, Tuesday, evening. He will extract teeth if requested, while the person is under the influence of gas. Admission 15 cents.
_________________________
Miss Levina Edwards, at Eatontown, N. J., had her steel hoops struck by lightning last Sunday. The flash ran around her hoops, and injured her very much. Her physician will not allow any one except her own immediate attendants to be with her, and he expresses a fear that her brain is injured.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For more articles from The Constitution, go to the Middlesex County Historical Society blog.
