Following yesterday’s update, Colonel Richard Thomas, the “French Lady,” has been indicted by the Grand Jury of the United States District Court on charges of piracy and treason. He is now in jail. We have received no report detailing the length of his sentence.
Up to this point, Kentucky has been firm in her neutrality. However, as such a decision will not necessarily be respected, the State may need to take up arms in this struggle. While the thought process has been that neutrality would keep the State free from controversy and spare the citizens of the area from the horrors of war, President Lincoln has recently stated that neutrality is not an option. He states that the choice to remain neutral would “tie the hands of Unionists and feed the insurrectionists.” As such, he can not support Kentucky’s current position.
Not surprisingly, in response to this, the South is urging Kentucky to raise arms against the Union. Some have chosen to make their stance known. The Reverend G. B. Overton, of the Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church, left Louisville a few days ago with volunteers for the Confederate army. He is not the only Kentuckian to be drawn to the fight of the South, while some stand staunchly behind the Union. Mr. Mallory, a representative of the Louisville District, spoke before the House of Representatives yesterday. In his speech he declared his support of the Federal government and that he planned to vote that all men and money needed to crush the rebellion be made available to the Union.
There is yet another group of Kentuckians who continue to strongly assert their neutrality. The Louisville Journal states, “We have, for the sake of peace amongst ourselves, and in a spirit of the highest and most enlightened loyalty, assumed a position of neutrality during the war, whether the war be offensive or defensive, long or short, disastrous or successful, and duty and policy alike require us to maintain the position in good faith.” With these differing opinions within Kentucky and the pressure being exerted by both the Union and Secessionist forces, the ultimate course of the State remains to be seen. We are likely to hear more as events unfold in the upcoming days.
Southerners have been subjected to an unfortunate rumor regarding Miers W. Fisher, the delegate from Northampton to the Virginia State Convention. It is being said that Fisher was captured by Abolitionists on his way home on the Eastern Shore and that he is now being held prisoner by General Butler at Fort Monroe. They have been unable to confirm this intelligence thus far. Any information anyone can provide would be appreciated.
There is a new incentive to fighting for the Union. Mr. Holman, of Indiana, has offered a bill which, if passed, will grant bounty lands to certain officers and soldiers in service of the United States. All those who have been serving since the 12th day of April this year and will receive an honorable discharge after no less than sixty days, shall be entitled to a warrant from the Department of the Interior for one hundred and sixty acres of land. Three hundred and sixty acres will be given to those who are in service before the 1st of next month and remain so until the military forces of the United States are disbanded or the individual is honorably discharged due to wounds or sickness incurred in service. The bill also contains provisions for the widows and children of those who perish in the fight.
Notice to all those residing in Richmond: “Those who wish to enjoy the luxury of ice water can do so by applying at King’s ice-house, south side of the Dock, where Mr. Hitchcock has in store a cargo of the best Northern ice.” Such a treat is not likely to last long. We encourage all those interested to make their way to the ice-house quickly.
In the News:
- The Richmond Daily Dispatch reports on weather and crops in Alabama and Georgia.
- The New York Times details the recent tribute to Major Anderson.
- The Press announces the capture of a rebel slaver and privateer in Haiti.
- The Altoona Tribune offers updates on the events in Missouri.
Commentary:
- The Richmond Daily Dispatch discusses the late Governor Ellis, of North Carolina.
- The New York Times looks at the treatment of the army and fugitive slaves in Mr. Lovejoy’s Resolution.
- The Huntingdon Globe prints correspondence from the Army.
- The Press publishes a letter out of Harper’s Ferry.
Arts and Culture:
- The Richmond Daily Dispatch lauds the influence of smiles in the current situation.
- The New York Times critiques the show at the Winter Garden.
Runaways:
- $40 Reward: Two Negro men, Sam and Washington. “They were seen with some of the Volunteer companies, going in the direction from Richmond to Yorktown.”
Military Notices:
- “The Commandants of the 156th Regiment, Greene, 2d Orange, 2d Madison; 5th Culpeper, thRappahannock, 44th and 55th Fa 27th Prince William, 56th, 57th and 132d and 60th Fairfax counties, will immediately out the entire military force of their and report with it to Gen. Beacr at Manassas Junction, or at any other point or he may be each man arm himself description of arms and ammunition he may have or can procure.”
Obituaries:
- Dr. Thomas Nelson, the eminent physician, died at his residence on the morning of the 6th.
- Maria Louisa, wife of Alfred Alley, died on the 9th.
- Grosvenor C. Williams, in the 36th year of his age, died in New York City on Wednesday morning.
