Middletown 150 Yrs. Ago: Looking for a Husband?

War News.

Captain P. C. Scott of the 85th Illinois regiment, who was captured at Chattanooga Nov. 14th, arrived at Fortress Monroe, 17th inst. He escaped from Libby prison on the 7th, and reached Gloucester Point the 16th.  He had been four days without food, traveling nights and lying concealed during the day. Captain Scott reports that a Dr. Lane of Georgia, now attending to the prisoners at Richmond, told him that President Lincoln’s amnesty proclamation had caused great excitement among the confederate government officials, and that he (the Dr.) had no doubt that one half their men would be fools enough to avail themselves of the advantages held out in that proclamation by taking the oath of allegiance to the United States. The captain also reports that he recently heard the guard at Libby prison say that Davis and General Lee had made a secret proposition to the rebel Congress, to give up the rebellion and bring the war to a close, which however, he regards as a mere camp rumor. There are indications that the rebels have only a small force in or about Richmond at the present time.

Captain Scott leaves for Tennessee to rejoin his regiment.

Richmond papers of the 15th inst. were received Saturday at Fortress Monroe. They contain telegrams from Charleston as late as Thursday last, when the bombardment was progressing with increased fury, several new Parrotts having opened upon the city from Fort Gregg. During the two days preceding the date of the dispatch, 471 shells had been fired at the place, but with what effect is not mentioned. The telegrams report the number of vessels at Hilton Head to be very large, and say that a fleet has recently gone Southward. Mosby is reported to have been badly whipped in the recent affair at Harper’s Ferry, but notwithstanding his losses he is said to be still harassing our men. ...

The United States steamship Vanderbilt, Capt. Baldwin, arrived at Sandy Hook Sunday night, from her long and unsuccessful cruise in search of the pirate Alabama.

Bishop Polk commands the Department of the Mississippi, in place of Gen. Johnston, whose assumption of the command of the army was very imposing, while their denunciation of Bragg was bitter. Bragg’s army is completely demoralized, and scattered throughout the country, and the men were deserting in large numbers. It is the intention of the rebel Government to concentrate all the forces possible at that point, check the advance of Grant, and drive him back, if possible.

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George Peabody, some time since, donated one hundred and fifty thousand pounds sterling, for the erection of houses for the respectable poor of London. One of the buildings has just been completed. It is built entirely of brick, with a frontage of 213 feet and 140 feet rear. It is divided into numerous tenements all amply furnished with modern conveniences. The rents are graded according to the size and location, but are made accessible to the poorest of the industrial classes. After the payment of expenses, the surplus is to be laid aside to accumulate, and as sufficient sums are raised, other buildings will be erected in various parts of the city.

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The health of the Potomac army is reported as being quite good. During the late cold spell five cases of death by freezing among the soldiers were reported to the medical authorities.

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CITY ELECTION. -- Copperheads Defeated ! ! -- UNION MAJORITY 184.

At the City Election on Monday the Union ticket was elected by a large majority. The vote polled is larger than on any previous year. The copperheads worked hard. Every available man of them was brought to the polls, but to no purpose! The City of Middletown stands firm for the Union, the maintenance of the Constitution and laws, and in firm support of the Administration at Washington to prosecute the war until the rebellion is crushed! The record is good—let us do still better in April. ...

Fire.

A barn situated on the meadows in Cromwell, belonging to Henry A. Hall of this city, was burnt to the ground on Monday night of last week. It contained about ten tons of hay. It was without doubt, the work of an incendiary. Mr. Hall offers the sum of fifty dollars for information which will lead to the conviction of the incendiary.

Runaway.

A pair of horses belonging to Elijah Loveland, ran on Saturday last. No damage done except to the sleigh, which became defunct of one runner and some smaller matters.

Accident.

Wilbur F. Burr, while walking in his yard on Sunday, slipped and fell on the ice with such force as to break his arm.

The Weather.

There has been a change in the weather the past week compared with the week before, the mercury indicating the difference of 37 degrees. We had clear sunshine, intermingled with a little rain and hail on Friday. Sunday was the coldest morning of the week, the mercury being at 5 degrees. On Monday at 27 degrees, the snow fast disappearing. Average temperature of the week at sunrise was 15 degrees.

Sleighing.

The sleighing for two or three weeks, has been very good in this vicinity. The past week, however, has been the gayest of the season. Our citizens, both old and young, have patronized the highways, and enjoyed themselves. Parties, large and small, have visited the neighboring towns, received excellent treatment, plenty of good cheer, and returned home in excellent condition. On Thursday evening, our city received a visit from quite a number of our New Britain neighbors. They put up at the McDonough House, hired the hall, had a dance, and after partaking of one of Baker & Reed’s good suppers, departed in good spirits to their homes.

Attention, Ladies!

Now is the Time to Get a Husband!—In a short time from now, the old 5th Conn. Regiment will return to the State on a thirty days’ furlough, as they have enlisted in the Veteran Corps in a body. The most of the boys have made up their minds to get married before they leave again for the seat of war. Every one of them has $500 in greenbacks in his pocket, and gets a new gum blanket, so he is able to put up a comfortable home for his love. The State of Connecticut provides $6 per month for a wife, and $8 for wife and one child. This is a rare chance for patriotic young ladies to unite themselves to the defenders of our glorious Union. None with copperhead sentiments need apply.

The Veterans of the 5th.

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