RARE JUNE 1864 LYNCHBURG VA CONFEDERATE CIVIL WAR NEWSPAPER BATTLE OF LYNCHBURG
but papers from smaller cities are much less common.
This item is an ephemeral old paper from LYNCHBURG, VIRGINIA as follows:
LYNCHBURG VIRGINIAN
Wednesday Morning,
June 22, 1864
Besides having some geographic rarity, this specific newspaper is COMPLETE in just two pages, and has an extremely ABBREVIATED MASTHEAD (by 1864, the size of this paper was reduced from four to two pages, and minimum space was devoted to the headings, owing to severe shortages of paper, ink, etc. in the blockaded South).
Of even more interest and rarity, this Lynchburg Virginian newspaper was published just four days after the
BATTLE OF LYNCHBURG. Page 1, Column 1 opens with a heading of: "THE LATE BATTLE - DESIGNS OF THE ENEMY."
A great deal of coverage of the Battle of Lynchburg fills page 1 and much of page 2. The Battle was fought for two days on 17-18 June [Friday & Saturday], 1864. The Union Army of West Virginia, under Maj. Gen. David Hunter, attempted to capture the city but was repulsed by Confederate forces commanded by Lt. Gen. Jubal Anderson Early.
This newspaper measures about 11 3/4 x 17 1/4".
The paper itself has good rag content and is not in any way brittle. This quality of rag content means that it would not be subject to further tears, rips, etc., from being read or by any normal handling / scanning.
The newspaper does however show age damage. There is some wear along all edges, and all four corners show damage (see scans below). There are a few spots/stains and the color of the old paper is somewhat brownish, which probably has more to do with the original shade of the paper than with its age or exposure to light, etc.
With normal handling, none of the damage mentioned above will get worse.
Other than the four torn corners, and some old horizontal fold lines, the paper is in rather good condition.
( These scans of the front page brighten the color/tone of the paper a bit to best show condition. Scroll to the very bottom of this description to see a more accurate scan of the actual appearance/color of the old paper )
Besides recording general Civil War conditions and recent devastation of battle on the city of Lynchburg, Virginia, this old paper acts as an excellent TIME MACHINE into a moment of relieved celebration over what appeared to be a significant victory in a time of an otherwise depressing decline in the fortunes of the Confederate States of America.
The pages are filled with DEFIANCE and PRIDE over winning the battle, and with HOPE and OPTIMISM that the South would eventually gain independence from the oppression and tyranny that they perceived coming from the Northern states. In this issue, the military victory just achieved in the Battle of Lynchburg has raised local confidence to a fever pitch.
Below is a list of some of the headlines of articles on the first page.
Some are followed by excerpts from the articles:
"THE LATE BATTLE - DESIGNS OF THE ENEMY."
- "The smoke of the battle has not yet cleared away sufficiently to enable us to comprehend the situation fully. Enough is known, however, to justify us in saying that we have realized a great triumph over what was a more extensive combination than might, at first sight, have been supposed."
- "The enemy has again been outgeneraled; Lynchburg is safe, and the forces that were to have moved down the South-Side from this point to attack Lee and Beauregard in the rear, are flying before our victorious troops."
- "It would appear that Lynchburg was to be isolated, so that neither supplies nor reinforcements could reach us..."
- "The Yankees seemed to have the game in their own hands, and were playing it pretty strong; but they were anticipated, and very effectually checkmated. Reinforcements came from Lee, at the right time and in the right way. When Hunter was told that Early had arrived at Lynchburg with a portion of his Corps, he expressed astonishment, believing that Lee could not spare a single man ... If Hunter had waited until all of Early's men arrived, he would have been circumvented, and his escape from Lynchburg been rendered impossible. He fled precipitously on Saturday night, when arrangements were already in progress to attack him in front and rear the next day."
- "And thus has ended the great expedition to Lynchburg, which, as we were told six months ago, was a part of Grant's plan for the capture of Richmond and the subjugation of Virginia."
"CAN IT BE POSSIBLE?"
- "Hunter told the family where he made his headquarters, that his spies had not only been in Lynchburg on Friday night, but that they were actually in subterfuge(?). It may be so, as many of the Yankees wore Confederate uniforms, and by that means deceived our people and even our soldiers ... any Yankee who may be caught wearing a Confederate uniform will be dealt with as a spy."
"DEVASTATION'S OF THE ENEMY"
- "One need but ride over a portion of the route pursued by the enemy in his approach to this city, to see the destruction occasioned by an invading army..."
- "From this point to LIBERTY, we have heard, that their excesses in spoilations have been very great." (the article lists specific deprivations on identified individuals)
"THE CONVALESCENT SOLDIERS"
- "These gallant fellows, many of whom are still suffering from fresh wounds left the hospital and cheerfully entered the ranks for the defense of this city... These men deserve our hearty thanks, and it is the blackest ingratitude as well as the consummation of human meanness, to speak of them as "HOSPITAL RATS."
"HUNTER'S WOUNDED"
- "Ninety ambulances were filled with the wounded that Hunter carried away."
- "None but his severely wounded were left behind ... and the most of these are likely to die of their wounds."
- "He lost 20 killed, we are informed by one who saw them, in the skirmish near LIBERTY on Sunday, and how many wounded we are unable to say."
"LINCOLN'S SPEECH"
- "If the whole North is still insane enough to carry on a war that must impoverish it ultimately, the Southern people will keep it up indefinitely."
"FROM THE PETERSBURG EXPRESS OF MONDAY:
A GREAT BATTLE IMMINENT - FIGHTING ON SATURDAY - OPERATIONS YESTERDAY"
"CORRESPONDENCE OF THE VIRGINIAN"
"ITEMS FROM NORTHERN PAPERS:
GEN. STURGIS' EXPEDITION
FROM VIRGINIA
OBJECTS OF MORGAN'S MOVEMENTS"
Headlines from PAGE 2:
"MORE PRISONERS"
"GENERAL ROSSER HAS A FLESH WOUND"
"REPORTED DEATH OF GEN. ECHOLS" (In Montgomery County)
"THE YANKEE PRISONERS"
"THE EXCITEMENT THAT PREVAILED HERE LAST WEEK ..."
"THE ENEMY'S LAST BASE BROKEN UP"
(by Gen. W. H. F. Lee's Cavalry)
"YANKEE PRISONERS BROUGHT IN"
"YANKEE PRISONERS TO HAVE THE BENEFIT OF THE SHELLING OF CHARLESTON"
"ARRIVAL OF MAXIMILIAN AT VERA CRUZ"
"LATEST BY TELEGRAPH
- From Petersburg - Northern News - From Johnston's Army - Reported Victory"
"RECRUITS WANTED FOR ARTILLERY SERVICE"
Also on Page 2, Column 1 appears the following interesting report:
"Authentic Intelligence was received here last night [Tuesday night], to the effect that Hunter's Rear Guard passed through Buford's Gap Monday night. There was a rumor, also, that 2,000 of his men had been captured, and were on their way here. We do not assert this as a fact however for we find it exceedingly difficult to get anything reliable from that quarter. Of rumors there is no end."
So, this issue of the Lynchburg Virginian newspaper appears to contain the first rumored reports of the Battle of Hanging Rock to the Confederacy.
THE BATTLE OF HANGING ROCK,
near Salem, Virginia, was fought on 21 June [Tuesday], 1864. Seeking refuge after defeat and his failure to capture Lynchburg, Union General David Hunter retreated through LIBERTY (now Bedford) Virginia, and passed through BUFORD'S GAP. His rear guard and wagon train met Confederate forces led by General John McCausland. After losing some of his artillery and about 100 men killed, Hunter continued his withdrawal northwest through New Castle to Lewisburg.
This newspaper's many advertisements contain historical information
concerning the operation of the
INSTITUTION OF SLAVERY
in the area around Lynchburg
A few quoted selections from some of these ads follow below:
"We have, for sale on commission, a variety of servants, among the number an extra cook woman... four lively young men or boys ranging from 15 to 23 years old... two others suitable for house, body or cat servants...
J. B. Hargrove & Co. Auctions"
"Wanted to fill an order three No.1 field girls from 15 to 18 years old... liberal prices will be paid in new currency..."
"$200 REWARD: Ran away from the subscriber... a negro boy named Nathan about 19 years old... (wearing) ragged black coat... old pair of shoes and a grey cap. Raised near Farmville... working about the Iron Works in Botetourt County near Buchanan on the Catawba. He may be found at one of the 3 places. I will give the above reward for his apprehension and lodgment in jail."
"$100 REWARD: Ran away... from our farm in Albemarle County, Daniel a negro man, 22 years old... He came from LIBERTY, Va., and may try to get back..."
"$100 REWARD... Winston... he is well known in Richmond and on the Canal, having been a boatman for many years..."
"NOTICE: Ran away from my plantation, in Bedford County... my negro man Booker. He is about 88 years old... It is believed said negro is lurking about Lynchburg, or somewhere in the County of Campbell or Bedford."
There is also a wide variety
of other interesting advertisements
Including:
"$1000 REWARD... to whoever holds... my fine gold watch... if it has fallen in any honest man's hand, I will pay the reward and costs if delivered..."
"WANTED A wet nurse"
"EXCHANGE NOTICE Richmond VA June 6th... Men who have been delivered at City Point Virginia previous to the 1st of June, are hereby declared to be exchanged. All Confederate officers and men, who have been captured at any place, and 'released on parole' prior to May 7th, are hereby declared to be exchanged... not intended to include any officers or men captured at Vicksburg, July 4th, 1863.
Agent of Exchange"
"Headquarters Reserve Forces of Virginia, General Orders No. 2. All persons belonging to the Reserve Forces of Virginia who have failed to report at their proper rendezvous for duty... are now for the last time, notified and required to join their respective Companies without delay. Upon the failure of absentees to report for duty... enrolling officers will be instructed to arrest them and turn them over, to the Camp of Instruction... as if they were between the ages of 18 & 45.
By command of Brig. Gen. Kemper"
"FOR SALE: Threshing Machines"
"The Packet Boat for Richmond has been 'taken off'..."
"Crab Apple Vinegar"
"NOTICE... After Friday June 10, the passenger train of the ORANGE AND ALEXANDRIA RAILROAD will leave Lynchburg 6:45 a.m. for Charlottesville... fare $7.50"
"VA & TENN. RAIL ROAD change of schedule..."
"SOUTHSIDE RR CO. Mail and Passenger train for Richmond and Petersburg will leave the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad depot..."
"FOR RENT: Large and comfortable dwelling house on Church Street..."
"Merchants Bank of Virginia"
"Recruits wanted for Field Artillery service..."
"Sorghum Cane Mills"
"Tithe Tobacco at Tanner's Factory on Lynch's warehouse lot in the city of Lynchburg..."
"Hose and Fire I Company Lynchburg... Confederate War tax on the capital stock of this company will be paid..."
"Rabbit, Raccoon and Muskrat skins"
"LYNCHBURG GAS COMPANY...
dividend delcared... payable to the stockholders... in Five Dollar Confederate Notes of the old issue"
"Ladies walking shoes"
"COYNER’S WHITE AND BLACK SULPHUR SPRINGS... On the VA & TENN RR about a half a mile from Bonsack’s Depot, (Roanoke County, VA ), from which point an Omnibus will convey visitors to the Spring. The accommodations are equal to any to be found in the mountains of Virginia. The table and attendance of the most satisfactory character with good music and every attraction usually found in first class watering places."
One advertisement of particular interest was posted by the
LYNCHBURG VIRGINIAN Newspaper Office itself:
"RAGS WANTED:
The Highest market price will be paid at this office for clean cotton rags.
They will be purchased in any quantity."
RAGS were needed to make paper of which there was a great scarcity throughout the Confederacy owing to the War and to the Union Naval Blockade, etc. THIS ephemeral old paper was itself likely made from the rags that were collected through earlier such advertisements.
A rare paper. Perhaps the only copy that still exists.
THE SCANS BELOW SHOW BOTH PAGES OF THE NEWSPAPER.
(color & tone of the paper is accurately shown, but the edges are slightly cut-off in these scans )
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