Thursday, July 18, 1861

Kentucky remains torn by its neutrality. At a Masonic temple on July 13, the Honorable Joseph Holt, a Kentuckian, spoke in support of the proposition that it was the duty of Kentucky not to exercise neutralit, but to support the Federal government. Of his fellow statesmen’s desire not to fight, he said:

But your brethren can fight you, and with a good will, too. Wickedly and wantonly have they commenced this war against you and your institutions, and ferociously are they prosecuting it. They take no account of the fact that the massacre with which they hope their swords will are long be clogged, must be the massacre of their brethren. However much we may bow our heads at the confession, it is nevertheless true that every free people that have existed have been obliged, at one period or other of their history, to light for their liberties against traitors within their own bosoms, and that people who have not the greatness of soul thus to fight, cannot long continue to be free, nor do they deserve to be so.

General Patterson’s division, with the exception of the First Pennsylvania Regiment, advanced to Bunker Hill on Monday. For the most part their journey was uneventful. However, just below Bunker Hill, Colonel Stewart, with 600 secessionist troops attempted an attack on the Twenty-first Pennsylvania Regiment. Stewart failed to notice the Rhode Island Battery, which opened fire on the Confederates. The charge was broken and the Second United States Calvary pursued them two miles in retreat, capturing one private and one captain. Both prisoners have been sent to Martinsburgh. As of July 15, the whole secessionist force had fallen back on Winchester. There are some rumors that General Johnson has masked batteries between Bunker Hill and Winchester, but there is much doubt surrounding this. Regardless, few expect the lull in battles to last long.

The passengers of the train going through Millville, Missouri, got more than they paid for on July 16. Eight hundred Union troops came up ahead of them, where the track was torn up. Secessionists fired into the National and an engagement ensued that resulted in the deaths of seven secessionists and the capture of seven more. The fighting was ongoing as the passenger train passed by. The Nationals suffered three deaths, seven wounded and the seizure of thirty horses.

J. Arlington Bennett, believed to be a Union man, has made a wager that has been getting attention since it was published in the New York Herald. He bet $100,000 worth of stock that the “North cannot by force, under its present civilian Generals, compel the Slave States to remain in the Union.” Bennett has offered no further public remarks on his unorthodox bet.

In the News:

• The Richmond Daily Dispatch announces yet another incident of a drunken solider shooting a comrade.
• The New York Times reports on the impact of the war on the American consumption of coffee.
• The Huntingdon Globe details the recent Union victory at Fairfax Court House.
• The Press discusses the suspension of the mail service in rebel States.
• The Altoona Tribune offers updates out of Western Virginia.
• The Pennsylvania Daily Telegraph reports the capture of two Secession flags.

Commentary:

• The Richmond Daily Dispatch discusses the impact of Lincoln’s message on the South.
• The New York Times publishes a first hand account of the skirmish of the twenty-eighth.
• The Altoona Tribune examines President Lincoln’s message.
• The Richmond Daily Dispatch condemns soldiers who sleep on watch.
• The Press tells the story of a Captain’s lady successfully defending the Stars and Stripes.

Arts and Culture:

• The New York Times announces that the Winter Garden has reopened for the Summer season.

Runaways:

• $10 Reward: “Runaway, on the 7th of July, my Girl ‘Mary Ann.’ She is about street 5 inches high, quite black, and when spoken to speaks very low.”

Military Notices:

• “In Obedience to the Proclamation of the Governor of the State, the Commandants companies are hereby ordered to muster that companies (preparatory to being mustered by service) on Saturday next, and report the strength to me, at the County Court-House, of Monday morning next, at 11 o’clock.”

Obituaries:

• Mr. Elias P. Wisner passed away in New York City today, at the age of 27 years and 8 months.
• Ella Blanche, youngest daughter of Robert and Elisabeth Smithers, aged one year, nine months and three days died on July 17.