WAR REMINISCENCES CHAPTER 32

 

Captain William Saxton, Comany C, 157th Regiment, New York Volunteers.

Cortland Evening Standard, Saturday, August 22, 1903.

WAR REMINISCENCES.

By Captain Saxton of the I57th Regiment, N. Y. Vols.

THE CONFEDERATES MOVE NORTH.

The Invasion of Pennsylvania Begun—Desperate Dash of the Union Army to Head off Lee—Hot Marching in the Summer Days—Ten Thousand Men in Swimming—"Pediculus Vestimenti" Introduces Himself—Pennsylvanians Called Out to Defend the State—Cannonading Heard.

CHAPTER 32.

   To the Editor of The Standard:

   Sir—June 1, 1863.—The Army of the Potomac and the Army of Northern Virginia had both been reorganized. The former was commanded by Gen. Joseph Hooker and the latter by Gen. R. E. Lee. The Army of the Potomac had seven infantry Corps and one cavalry Corps beside several artillery brigades. The First Corps was commanded by Gen. Reynolds, the Second by Gen. Hancock, the Third by Gen. Sickłes, the Fifth by Gen Mead, the Sixth by Gen. Sedgwick, the Eleventh by Gen. Howard, the Twelfth by Gen. Slocum, the cavalry Corps by Gen. Pleasanton, and the reserve artillery by Gen. Hunt.

   It had about 90,000 men with about fifty pieces of artillery, about 200 [artillery] with the infantry, fifty with the cavalry and 100 in reserve.

   The army of Northern Virginia was divided into three Corps—The first commanded by Gen. Longstreet—The second by Gen. Ewell—The third by Gen. A. P. Hill. The cavalry was commanded by Gen. Stuart. It had about 75,000 men and 256 pieces of artillery.

   The army of the Potomac was on the north side of the Rappahannock, within a radius of fifteen miles around Falmouth.

   The army of Northern Virginia was on the south side of the Rappahannock within a radius of fifteen miles around Fredericksburg.

   Gen. Lee was aware that the Army of the Potomac had been depleted by at least 20,000 men who had been mustered out on account of expiration of term of enlistment.

   Gen. Grant was meeting with success in Mississippi and would soon be thundering at the doors of Vicksburg.

Confederate Counter Move.

   The Confederacy was about to be bisected, by the opening of the Mississippi by the Union forces, and so Gen. Lee planned a counter move that would transfer the battle ground from the sacred soil of Virginia to the Northern territory, and maneuver Hooker from a position that constantly threatened Richmond.

   To this end be commenced to concentrate his army around Culpeper and Stuart's cavalry and Longstreet's and Ewell's Corps were started in that direction on June 3, leaving A. P. Hill's Corps in the works around Fredericksburg.

   This move was soon known to Hooker and on June 5 he threw across the river below Fredericksburg a part of Sedgwick's Sixth Corps to ascertain if any considerable portion of Lee's army had left. Gen. A. P. Hill opposed this move so stubbornly that Hooker was led to believe that most of the Confederate army was still there.

   Hooker concentrated his cavalry at Warrenton Junction.

   My diary says: Friday, June 5, near night rapid cannonading was heard in the direction of Fredericksburg.

   It is wonderful how mysterious and rapidly news is communicated among the soldiers of an army. It is a sort of wireless telegraphy. I find in my diary recorded next morning June 6: ''We hear that one Corps has crossed the Rappahannock below Fredericksburg, which was the cause of the firing last night." Tuesday June 9—"There was a fight at Beverly Ford; we heard the cannonading."

   Hooker had ordered Pleasanton to cross the river with his cavalry supported by two brigades of infantry and reconnoiter in the directions of Culpepper. Pleasanton did so, crossing at Kelly's and Beverly's fords and ran right into Stuart's cavalry supported by Longstreet's and Ewell's Corps of infantry. A short cavalry fight ensued, in which Pleasanton, of course, was eventually compelled to recross the river.

   This was the first cavalry fight in which the participants were about equally divided, so far as the cavalry was concerned, and until the Confederate infantry was brought up, their cavalry was getting the worst of it.

   Our boys gained something in this fight at Brady Station and Beverly ford, that was worth more to them than victory, and that was prestige. Hereafter Hooker need not repeat his offer of a reward for a dead cavalry man, and in the subsequent conflicts between the Union and Confederate cavalry, victory generally perched on the guidon of the boys in blue.

Lee's Northern Invasion.

   This reconnaissance demonstrated that Gen. Lee was on the move for another invasion of Maryland and Pennsylvania, and corresponding action was taken by Gen. Hooker.

   June 10—Ewell's Corps left Culpepper Court House, moved north, crossed the Shenandoah river at Fort Royal.

   June 11—I was sent with the pickets of our regiment about three miles southwest and relieved the Third Corps pickets.

   June 12—About 9 a. m. had orders to call in pickets and take them to camp for the army was about to move. When we arrived at camp we found our beautiful summer camp dismantled and the regiment in line, counting off, and the regiment immediately marched away, leaving the pickets to catch up as soon as possible.

   Rations had been issued, and my bunkie had put mine in my knapsack. We had some difficulty in finding our things, but within an hour we set out to overtake the regiment.

   It was very warm, we had been up all night, had hurried from the picket line to camp to find the regiment moving away and our belongings strewn around. We hurriedly gathered them together, and started on to find the road blocked with other troops.

Effort to Overtake Regiment.

   None but an old soldier can understand the difficulties of overtaking his regiment, after it has an hour [head] start. He has no place in the marching column. He is crowded to the sides of the road and has to take the uneven places. He suffers the gibes and taunts of everyone be passes. He is constantly being hailed by mounted officers and asked where he belongs, and why he is away from his command.

   It was very warm and we suffered for water to drink, having neglected to fill our canteens when we started. My feet got sore and soon became blistered, I halted and sat down, took off my shoes and turned my socks inside out and soaped them well which is a good remedy. We did not overtake our regiment till nearly night. We camped near Hartwood church. The First Corps had marched to Deep Run, the Third to Bealton station, the Eleventh to Hartwood church, the cavalry to Warrenton Junction.

   Ewell's Corps had crossed the Blue Ridge through Chester Gap and arrived at Cedarville. Some cavalry joined it here. Longstreet's Corps was still at Culpepper and Hill's at Fredericksburg.

The Forced March North.

   Saturday, June 13.—We were aroused at 3 a. m. and as soon as we got breakfast marched on. It was very warm and the dust was almost suffocating. We suffered much for lack of water to drink. We were on a sort of tableland and water was very scarce. Toward night we crossed a small stream but could not stop to fill our canteens, but dipped up a cup full of water as we passed over. We camped near Catlett's station in the woods.

   The First Corps had marched to Bealton station, the Fifth to Morrisville, the Sixth to Potomac creek, the Eleventh to Catlett's Station, the Twelfth to Dumfries, part of the Eighth Corps to Winchester. Part of Ewell's Corps arrived at Winchester and a fight ensued.

A Legion in Swimming.

   Sunday, June 14—Reveille at daylight. Had a sweet sleep among the leaves. Marched up the railroad to Manassas Junction, stopped at noon on the banks of Broad river, and within five minutes after breaking ranks, 10,000 nude soldiers were swimming, splashing, diving, shouting, rollicking in its limpid waters.

Pediculus Vestimenti.

   Here is where I first made the acquaintance of the "Pediculus Vestimenti." I had heard the boys tell of seeing a wonderful sight down in the woods back of camp where a soldier's old shirt was seen moving without any visible means of locomotion. I had also noticed certain comrades silently edge up to a tree and rub their back against it, as a horse does in the spring of the year. I had noticed at different times comrades out in the woods sitting half disrobed, all absorbed in examining with minute care the seams of their shirt and trousers, but I had never seen a "Pediculus Vestimenti" until I saw him today on myself as he walked up to shake hands without an introduction. I can testify that he was a friend that stuck closer than a brother throughout the rest of my soldier days.

   We took up our entire nooning [sic] in that river, and I don't think I ever enjoyed a bath so much before.

   We marched on at 1 o'clock, arriving at Bull Run at sundown, rested half an hour, and then marched on to Centerville, where we arrived at 9 p. m. and lay right down without any supper, we were so tired.

   The First and Second Corps had marched to Manassas Junction, the Fifth to Catlett’s Station, the Sixth to Stafford Court House, the Eleventh to Centerville, part of the Eighth fell back to Maryland Heights.

   Hill's Corps left Fredericksburg, and arrived at Chancellorsville. Ewell's Corps moved on from Martinsburg to Winchester and attacked the Union forces here and dispersed Milroy's command.

   President Lincoln wrote Gen. Hooker: "if the head of Lee's army is at Martinsburg and the tail of it on the Plank road between Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, the animal must be very slim somewhere. Could you not break him?"

Pennsylvania Citizens Called Out.

   Governor Curtain of Pennsylvania had issued a proclamation on the 12th     calling on all able bodied citizens to enlist and defend the state from the threatened invasion. Gen. Couch, having assumed command of the department of the Susquehanna, had issued a similar proclamation.

   Monday, June 15—Had orders to march at 4 a. m. Three days rations were dealt out. We started at sunrise, marched through Centerville, turned toward [Thoroughfare] Gap, marched a mile and halted for further orders.

Met the Seventy-Sixth.

   We lay here all day. I visited our old camp ground and found an earthwork or fort had been thrown up on the old site. Found the Seventy-sixth N. Y. near there and saw many of our friends. They belonged to the Second brigade, First division of the First Corps.

   Everything was quiet when I got back to camp.

   Gen. Hooker moved his headquarters to Fairfax station; the Second Corps to Acquia creek; the Fifth to Manassas Junction; the Sixth to Humfries; the Twelfth to Fairfax Court House, the cavalry to Bristoe station, the artillery reserve to Fairfax Court House; the Eleventh Corps to Centerville. Part of the Eighth fell back from Winchester.

   Part of Ewell's Corps crossed the Potomac at Williamsport, Md., Longstreet's Corps left Culpeper. Hill's Corps marched toward Culpeper.

   Tuesday, June 16—Laid in camp all day. Cavalry have been passing through Centerville. Heard the rebels had gotten into Pennsylvania. Had orders to march at 3 in the morning.

   The Second Corps moved to Woolf Run Shoals on the Occoquan, the Sixth to Fairfax Station, the cavalry to Bull Run. One brigade of rebel cavalry advanced to Chambersburg, Pa.

Marching in the Heat.

   Wednesday, June 17—Reveille at 2 a. m. Started at daylight, marched very hard. It was very warm and we suffered a great deal. As I was plodding along I noticed something on the ground, and stopped and picked up an Indian arrowhead, made out of white quartz or flint, which I still have.

   The heat and dust was almost unbearable. Passed Mt. Hope church, and at night bivouacked on the banks of Goose creek near Edwards Ferry on the Potomac.

   The First Corps marched to Herndon Station, the second to Sangster's Station, the Third to Centerville, the Fifth to Gum Springs, the Eleventh to Goose Creek, the Twelfth to Dranesville, the cavalry to Aldie, where the battle of Aldie was fought, and in which my former chum and school-mate John Ford of the Tenth N. Y. cavalry was mortally wounded, and died in a hospital in Washington some time later.

   Thursday, June 18—At noon moved back from the river a half mile. It was very hot, some of the boys being prostrated by the heat. There was cavalry fighting at Middleburg, Va.

   Part of Ewell's Corps reached Sharpsburg, Md. Some of the rebel cavalry were at Warrenton.

   Friday, June 19—Some of the boys went to a house and got some meal and milk. I had a cup of mush and milk for supper. Orderly Sergeant John H. Roe of Co. G was reduced to the ranks on account of a difficulty with Lieut. Gates. I have always thought it a shame and an unjust penalty. Another cavalry fight at Middleburg. Part of Ewell's Corps moved to Hagerstown, Md.

   Saturday, June 20—Had general inspection. It rained in the afternoon.

Cannonading in the Distance.

   Sunday, June 21—Had regular Sunday morning inspection. Ordered to be ready to march at a moment's notice. Heard cannonading in the direction of Snickers Gap. There was a cavalry fight at Uppersville.

   Monday, June 22—Płeasant and cool. Slicked up camp. Ewell's Corps moved to Chambersburg, Pa. Stuart's cavalry concentrated at Upperville, Va.

   Tuesday, June 23—Co. C. went on picket. Part of Ewell's Corps were at Greencastle, Pa.

   Wednesday, June 24—Struek tents and moved near the junction of Goose creek and the Potomac.

   Ewell's Corps was at McConnellsburg, Chambersburg and Greenburg, Pa. Part of Longstreet's Corps at Hagerstown and part at Boonesborough, Md.

   Thursday, June 25—Reveille at 2 p. m. with orders to march; at 4 we crossed Goose creek and the Potomac into Maryland on pontoon bridges. There were twenty pontoon boats in Goose creek and sixty-eight in the Potomac. The pontoon bridges are in charge of engineer regiments enlisted and drilled for this special purpose.

   Pontoon boats are anchored at each end up and down stream; then joists or stringers are laid from bank to bank to the first boat and from this to the next, and so on across the stream. Planks ten or twelve feet long are laid close together crosswise on these stringers and the bridge is made. The bridge teeters and rocks some in crossing but not much. The engineers can lay and take up a bridge very rapidly, as each plank and piece is numbered and they know exactly where they belong. The pontoon boats and timbers are transported on wagons especially prepared for this purpose. W. S.

 

REVOLUTION SPREADS, CARROLL E. SMITH, ZIONIST CONGRESS, PROFANITY IN PUBLIC, AND MAGNIFICENT FIREWORKS

 

Cortland Evening Standard, Saturday, August 22, 1903.

REVOLUTION SPREADS.

Turkish Town Officials Brought to Bulgarian Frontier.

INSURGENTS BURNING VILLAGES.

Turkish and Christian Inhabitants of Kumanovo Fraternize—Sofia Paper Says All Districts of Macedonia Will Be in Revolt by Aug. 28—Mobilization of Turkish Troops.

   Sofia, Aug. 22.—All the dispatches received here indicate that the revolution in Macedonia is spreading. The most alarming news relates to an outbreak covering a considerable area in the eastern part of the Adrianople vilayet, where the insurgents have captured the town of Vasiliko.

    They took the chief Turkish officials prisoners and brought them to the Bulgarian frontier, where they liberated them.

   The Turkish officials, fearing to return to Vasiliko, sought refuge of the Bulgarian authorities who sent them to a hotel in Burgas, where they are at liberty to remain or depart.

   The insurgents completely burned Vasiliko and also 12 villages in the neighborhood. The Bulgarian officials arrested the insurgents who brought the Turkish officials at Vasiliko to the Bulgarian frontier.

   Severe fighting is reported to be proceeding near Gehgele with heavy losses on both sides.

   The Sofia Dnevjnjk declares that all the Turkish vilayets in Macedonia will be in full revolt August 28 and that the revolution is spreading from Salonika into the districts towards Seres. Several new bands have appeared in the district of Voden, southeast from Monastir.

   A general panic prevails in the vilayet of Uskub, where the inhabitants are hiding their property.

   The Turkish and Christian inhabitants at Kumanovo have agreed to mutually support each other in the event of an attack either by insurgent bands or Turkish soldiers. At Kratovo half of the Turkish garrison has deserted, the men saying that they had enough to do at home.

   The Turkish authorities have mobilized their whole forces in Macedonia, numbering 18,000 men. A large body of Asiatic troops is ready to move. Twenty-four regiments are only awaiting marching orders.

 

DEATH OF CARROLL E. SMITH.

One of the Most Widely Known Editors in Central New York.

   Syracuse, Aug. 22.—Carroll E. Smith, LL. D., a regent of the University of the State of New York and one of the most widely known newspaper editors in Central New York, died at 8:25 last evening at his residence in this city.

   He was born in this city Christmas day, 1832. He early learned the printer's trade and at 19 entered upon the career of a journalist, being connected with the Syracuse Journal. He assumed editorial charge in 1860 and with different partners owned the paper until it was taken by a stock company of which he was president, serving as editor.

   Six years ago he severed his connection with that paper and joined the staff of the Syracuse Herald, with which he was connected at the time of his death. He was frequently chosen delegate to state conventions of the Republican party, was member of assembly two terms, county clerk, postmaster of Syracuse under President Harrison, state regent, president of the Onondaga Historical association and six years president, of the New York Associated Press and for 22 years one of the board of managers.

 

THE ZIONIST CONGRESS.

Sixth International Gathering at Basel, Switzerland.

SCHEME ON GOOD CASH BASIS.

Colonial Trust Has Working Capital of $2,000,000 For Operation—What Has Been Accomplished at Previous Congresses.

   Leon Zolotkoff, a delegate to the sixth international Zionist congress at Basel, Switzerland, writing to the Chicago Tribune says:

   The sixth, Zionist congress, like the sixth day of the week of creation, will complete a cycle of organization. Out of the chaos of hopelessness, of confusion of ideas and of a vague and undefined yearning a powerful organization, well regulated and full of purpose, sprang forth, as if by magic. There was no model to pattern after, no precedent to consult. New conditions had to be created. The achievements prove how well the plans have been laid. The sixth congress will proclaim the consummation of the tremendous experiment, for it will record the completion of the worldwide organization in all its branches.

   The Zionist movement, established on the sound basis of a worldwide cooperative effort among the Jews, discovered that it needed a financial instrument of the same character. A bank plan was mooted at the first congress held in 1897, the embryonic parliament of a Jewish nation. In May, 1898, the scheme was put to a practical test. A small committee was formed with headquarters at Cologne and provisional promises of subscriptions were invited.

   So enthusiastic and so widespread was the response that within a year the Jewish colonial trust was established, with a capital stock of $10,000,000 divided into five dollar shares. The joint stock concern proposed by George Eliot, as a writer, and by Sir Laurence Oliphant, as a political writer, in aid of the reintegration of a homeless Jewish people on their ancestral soil has thus become a reality.

   The trust speedily became the largest joint stock concern in the world. Its certificates are held from the Caucasus to Klondike, from Perth in western Australia to Aberdeen in Scotland. The shareholders number 130,000, who together hold 400,000 shares.

   An undertaking of that kind, though not intended for gain, must have the advantage of commercial profits, and already a dividend was announced on the $2,000,000, for the first working year, which ended May, 1903.

   The trust aims directly not at the purchase of Palestine, but at the obtaining and financing of such concessions shall, beyond commercial advantages, give the right of legal settlement in Palestine to those Jews who are in need of a home, and shall, moreover, give security of tenure for land and all forms of estate.

   For the purchase of land in Palestine and Syria another resource was created—the Jewish national fund. This fund is being raised by means of the sale of stamps which Zionists use to adorn their private correspondence and stationery. A stamp represents the respective coin of the smallest denomination of every country. The administration of the fund remains with the congress. The business control is vested in the Jewish colonial trust. Over $500,000 has been raised in that way,

   An as indispensable link in the chain of these institutions, the Anglo-Palestine company, was founded with a capital of $250,000 for the purpose of developing Palestine Industries and to assist Jewish colonists in finding markets for their products. This company recently opened its offices in Yafa and is doing well.

   The machinery of the organization having thus been completed, the main problem which will occupy the attention of the sixth Zionist congress will be how to put the wonderful mechanism to proper and immediate use at this critical moment.

 

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.

Profanity In Public.

   It is to be hoped that the recent incident at Oyster Bay, in which a bicyclist was taken to task for using profanity because his way was momentarily blocked by the carriage of President Roosevelt on the way to church, will have the effect of lessening the prevalence of the disgusting and utterly useless habit of using profane and vulgar language in public places. In ordering the removal of the offender against common decency the presidents action was no more than it should have been. It would have been gratifying had the time and the circumstances permitted an immediate drastic punishment of the boor by primitive methods. Doubtless had the offending bicyclist known of the proximity of the president's carriage he would have been more discreet, but that made no difference in the degree of his misconduct. There is nothing to indicate that his rights were invaded, and even had they been his behavior would have remained wholly indefensible.

   The habit of swearing in public, or indeed anywhere, is offensive and is  usually condemned by the laws and police regulations, though it has become so common u to be almost a national evil. The street corner talk of loungers is often unfit for the ears of decent people. Men indulge in the grossest forms of expression without thought for the sensibilities of passers, and seldom do creatures of this ilk think to lower their voices in the presence of women and children. It would be well if an occasional prosecution served the excellent purpose of emphasizing the fact that society holds to certain conventions as to speech which cannot be lightly disregarded.

 

MAGNIFICENT FIREWORKS.

Of Fireworks, a Feature of the Cortland County Fair.

ON THURSDAY EVENING, AUG. 27.

Unsurpassed in Splendor and Extent and Brilliancy—An Unusually Attractive Program Arranged—Rockets, Set Pieces and Special Devices—No One Should Miss the Display—Make Entries Early.

   Magnificent fireworks on Thursday evening, the third day of the Cortland county fair, is an attraction which bids fair to eclipse anything in this line ever before attempted in Cortland. The following program has been arranged and if the weather permits will be well worth coming miles to witness:

Magnificent Fireworks.

   The following is the proposed program of Pain's Manhattan Beach fireworks to be shown at the fair grounds on Thursday evening:

   Salute of three 9-inch aerial maroons, fired from steel mortars, making terrific reports.

   Grand illumination of the park with twenty-five Pain's powerful colored lights, changing color five times.

   Ascent of three mammoth meteoric balloons, ascending with dazzling brilliancy, changing as they rise to a spiral formation, leaving in their wake beautiful coruscations which fall to the earth.

   The polychromatic canopy produced by the discharge of twenty-five rockets, containing Pain's latest tints and electric effects enveloping the entire sky with brilliant colors artistically blended.

   There batteries of jeweled mines displaying beautiful tints as they rise into the air.

   Display of eight 15-inch shells, primroses and violets, pansies, laburnum blossoms, passion flower, and heliotrope, etc.

  Device, "flying pigeon" or "fiery phoenix" crossing and recrossing the grounds causing roars of laughter.

   Three large batteries of colored saucissons [sic], filling the air with gyrating wonders.

   Discharge of four national bombs, red, white and blue.

   Display of Pain's electric rockets.

   Pain's serial wonder, "The Southern cross." An artistic aerial novelty. Fired from heavy rockets.

   Device. Fire picture (heads) of a prize bull, horse and hog.

   Display Plain's dedication bombs, the sensation of the great St. Louis displays.

   Flight of colored aerolites, and continuous discharge of electric comets.

   Three St. Louisan rockets, forming pillars of fire as given at the dedication of the World's Fair, 1903.

   Display of two Pain's new combination shells, mauve, magenta, canary, vermilion, terra cotta, Nile green and azure blue. Each bomb having from three to five separate and distinct effects.

   Shower of pearls, making gentle, wavy light.

   Field of the cloth of gold. Produced by the discharge of an immense shell, exhibiting golden stars, emitting glittering spangles.

   Flight of four 2 lb. rockets, containing triple parachutes; bright as stars sparkling in the sky.

   Ascent of ten mammoth prismatic whirlwinds, forming umbrellas of fire in ascent and descent.

   Two electric shower mines, with diamond dust effects.

   Three Louisiana Purchase exposition batteries, giving in proper sequence the colors of the Americas.

   Display of thirty Pain's triple star candles, emitting cosmetic stars, 1,000 feet high, which, breaking into three parts, display red, green and amber globules.

   Display of Pain's electric sunbursts. The twentieth century novelty.

   Revolving bombs. (1903 novelty.)

   Two Pain's triple chrysanthemum bombs, covering the heavens with gigantic Japanese blossoms, each break a different tint.

   Peacock plume bombs, with rich trailing colors.

   Device, "The Wheat sheaf," being an exact reproduction in designing and color.

   Display of six Pain's 24-inch Manhattan Beach bombs containing northern lights, silver coruscations, turquoise, rubies sapphires, old gold and other combinations and effects.

   Eruption of Sinbad's jeweled cave. Grand deluge of liquid gems.

   Flight of three 4-lb rockets, discharging Pain's hanging chains of ever changing colors.

   Three Devil-among-the-tailors, causing roars of laughter.

   Two 15-inch Italian bombettes, opening with silver streamers, changing to golden rain, again changing to purple and amber.

   Display of Pain's aerial novelties, forming showers of dazzling magnesium meteors, in three mutations, followed by loud detonations.

   Three eagle scream rockets. The national bird's screech realistically reproduced.

   Six aerial sleigh bells. (So named by Mark Twain.)

   Five floating festoons of ever changing lights, forming necklaces of gems.

   Five national streamers, the national colors in mid-air.

   Flight of six floral bombshells. "Poppies in the cornfield."

   Discharge of two golden shower batteries. Cosmetic and golden rain effect.

   Salvo of three Pain's large bombs, with great combination and color effects, including whirligigs, prismatic torrents, aerial jugglery, fiery octopus, etc.

   Device. "Mammoth silver fire wheel" with intersecting centers, cutting a silver spray 100 feet in circumference.

   Volleys of six shells. Electric blue and sea shell pink.

   Device, "Success to our fair." In large block letters in choice colors.

   Our empire. This unique novelty is produced by a mammoth combination shell, which at 1,000 feet releases a large bomb with red, green, blue and white stars, representing the United States, followed by a gold shell representing Cuba, followed by a silver shell for Porto Rico, and finishing with a number of smaller shells for the Philippines. Explosion of two Manhattan Beach batteries. Glowing sparks of phosphorescent light.

   Magical illumination of the park, with Pain's pyrotechnic compound.

   Great silver clouds, introducing Pain's marvelous electric fire. One mass of shimmering, dazzling splendor.

   The pyrotechnic cuttlefish, with long radiating fiery tentacles.

   Final device, consisting of colossal fire portrait of a well known celebrity badge—motto or facade of building—correctly and elaborately produced. Four hundred square feet.

   Grand bouquet of (100) large colored rockets.

   "Good night," and "Feu De Joie.''

 

BREVITIES.

   —The body of the 9-month old son of John Dugan of Syracuse, formerly of Cortland, was brought to Cortland this morning for interment.

   —The death of Miss Ressie Osgood, aged 41 years, occurred at her home, 9 Owego-st., yesterday. The funeral will be held from the house at 4 o'clock tomorrow and the body will be taken on the 9:40 train over the Lehigh Monday morning to Trumansburg for burial.

   —Where The Standard is sent by mail, the month and year to which subscription is paid always appear on the address label at head of first page of paper. Subscribers have only to look at this label to know just how their account stands.

   —Major R. R. Riddell of Hamilton has received an invitation from his old comrade, Lieut. General Miles, to be his guest on a special car from Chicago to San Francisco and return to attend the meeting of the Grand Army of the Republic. Major Riddell is an uncle of Dr. F. D. Reese of this city.

 

TURKEY AND RUSSIA, SUBJECTS KILLED, HUDSON RIVER DAMMED, TRAIN ROWDYISM, FAT MEN'S GAME, AND CORTLAND FAIR

 

Czar Nicolas II.

Sultan Abdul Hamid II.

Cortland Evening Standard, Friday, August 21, 1903.

YIELDS TO DEMANDS.

Turkish Minister So Informs Russian Ambassador.

ASKS SQUADRON TO WITHDRAW.

General Opinion of Europeans Is That Time Has Arrived For Vigorous Intervention In the Balkans—Insurgents Have Killed Bulgarians and Greeks Acting as Spies.

   Constantinople, Wednesday, Aug 20.—Tekfik Pasha, the Turkish foreign minister, yesterday visited the Russian ambassador and notified him that the Turkish government accepted all  the Russian demands and begged that the Russian squadron be withdrawn from Turkish waters.

   The news of the impending arrival of the Russian squadron is spreading notwithstanding the continued suppression of all news on the subject. The general opinion of the Europeans here is that the time has arrived for a vigorous intervention and the abandonment of all semi-measures which are regarded as the cause of the present rising.

   According to the Turkish official reports, the strongest positions of the insurgents are at Krushevo, Merihoro and Florina.

   The headquarters of the revolutionists are in the mountains in the vicinity of Monastir. Fortified dwellings occupied by Turks have been destroyed and Bulgarians and Greeks found acting as Turkish spies killed but women and children not molested.

 

Emperor Wilhelm II.

ENTERING A DARKER STAGE.

Insurrection Assuming Proportions Unexpected by German Diplomats.

   Berlin, Aug. 21.—The rising in Macedonia is regarded here as entering upon a darker stage. The insurrection is taking on proportions unexpected by the German diplomatic agents. Bulgarian feeling excited by the murders and tortures across the border is less restrainable by the Bulgarian government, and the movements of the Russian and British fleets add to the nervousness on the boerse and among the traders and bankers owning Turkish railroad shares or having commercial interests in Turkey.

   The German government maintains its passive attitude, with the desire to join the other powers in any communications to Turkey or Bulgaria designed to prevent war, and tending to confine the disturbances to an insurrection which Turkey must suppress.

 

M. Dimitri Rallis

Greek Subjects Killed.

   Athens, Aug. 21.—M. Rallis, the premier and foreign minister, has communicated to the representatives of the powers here the gist of the reports made by Greek consuls in Macedonia.

   It is stated that the Greek church schools and 322 houses belonging to Greeks at Ketchero have been blown up and that a number of Greek subjects have been killed.

   M. Ralli appeals to the powers to terminate the excesses in Macedonia.

 

Spier Dam.

HUDSON RIVER DAMMED.

Flow of Water Below Spier Falls Nearly Cut Off.

DAM 157 FEET DEEP, 115 BROAD.

Extends From Warren to Saratoga Side of River, 1,570 Feet—Reservoir to Be Filled Five Miles Long—Maximum of 50,000 Horse Power to Be Generated.

   Glens Falls, N. Y., Aug. 21.—The big dam at Spier Falls is completed. The four openings were closed by means of heavy gates and the completion of the great work was announced by a series of dynamite explosions.

   The closing of the gates cuts of absolutely the flow of the river at Spier Falls and the next 24 hours will witness an unprecedented change in flow of the Hudson. For a day or two the river between Spier Falls and Troy will be lowest in years. In fact the stream will be dry at various points and probably not a wheel dependent upon the water power of the river will turn. Milling interests will suffer temporarily, and navigation of the Champlain canal and the river above and below Troy will be greatly hampered.

   The dam extends from the Warren to the Saratoga county side of the river, 1,570 feet. It is of white granite 157 feet deep and 115 feet broad at the base. The reservoir back of the dam is more than half a mile in width and five miles long. It will take several days to fill it with water.

   The electrical equipment of the dam is designed to generate a minimum of 20,000 and a maximum of 50,000 horse power for the greater portion of the year. This power is to be transmitted through feeders to the various centers of distribution located within a radius of 45 miles from Spier Falls, to Troy, Albany, Schenectady and intervening towns and cities.

 

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.

Suppressing Train Rowdyism.

   The Washington Post tells of a plan adopted by the Baltimore and Ohio Southwestern railroad to police its trains for the protection of patrons from drunken ruffians and hoodlums and from all persons whose conduct is annoying to the passengers. This determination of the officials of the railroad is most commendable and should be followed by similar action by other companies.

   The rowdy is a nuisance everywhere and shows no partiality in his selection of the railroad he is to patronize. Passengers who can afford to patronize the sleeping cars and parlor cars are practically exempt from the annoyances of this kind, but the occupants of the day coaches on nearly every train in the country are daily subjected to annoyance, and frequently to insult and abuse, by the rowdy traveler. One drunken ruffian is sufficient to disturb the peace and comfort of a car load of women and children, and other passengers are usually powerless to protect themselves unless some overt act is committed. The average traveler will submit to a great deal of offensive and indecent language from a rowdy before he will take the matter of enjoining good behavior into his own hands.

   The rowdy and the ruffian are in their element on excursion trains, where the crowds keep the train crews busy with duties other than looking after the comfort and protection of the passengers. The Baltimore and Ohio Southwestern proposes to detail competent police officers to accompany such trains to preserve order and protect peaceful passengers from insults of the hoodlums. The service will be extended as rapidly as possible to all passenger trains of the company.

   It is unquestionably the duty of railroad companies to protect its passengers from annoyance and insult as well as personal injury, and it is somewhat surprising that action similar to that of the Baltimore and Ohio Southwestern was not taken long ago by the railroads generally.

 

FAT MEN'S GAME.

Cortland Won After a Spirited Contest—Score 23 to 16.

   A good sized crowd witnessed the baseball game between the fat men of Cortland and Homer yesterday and it is safe to say that every one present enjoyed the occasion to the utmost.

   The game was preceded by a parade which was unique and mirth provoking enough. The home team were attired in white overalls and the Homer team made a striking appearance. Their team included clowns, hobos, buffoons, etc. Their costumes were excellent and the parade attracted considerable attention. It was headed by a Homer giant carrying the Stars and Stripes, next came a drum corps, followed by the officials of the day and the members of the two teams.

   The game was called about 3 o'clock and lasted seven innings, Cortland winning out by the score of 21 to 16.

   It was in the seventh inning that the game was won as eight locals crossed the plate during that inning.

   District Attorney Doud, who played first base for the locals, put up a good game, he got five hits out of six times at bat. McCarthy, Crabb and Mack also played a good game. Newcomb and Foster played good ball for Homer doing excellent stick work.

   The umpires were armed with horse pistols which they were forced to draw quite frequently. The pitchers often threw as wide as possible to avoid hitting the better but did not always succeed.

   It is expected that a return game will be played in Homer in the near future.

   The score by innings:

 

SCOTCH PICNIC.

Fifteenth Annual Reunion Held in Groton, N. Y., Wednesday.

   The fifteenth annual Scotch picnic was held last Wednesday at the home of Mr. O. Cross in Groton. That the clan spirit is still strong in the second or third generation is proved by the hold these gatherings have taken on the Scotch people of the section in which they have been held. Over one hundred people sat down to dinner in the tent erected by Mr. Cross on his lawn. Of the dinner and the good cheer it is enough to say that they maintained the tradition of past years.

   After dinner Cary D. Briggs pleased the company with an elocutionary entertainment of pantomimes and recitations. Mrs. Archibald Robinson of Ithaca recited a poem.

   Officers of the Scotch association for the ensuing year were elected as follows:

   President—D. MacIntosh of Locke, N. Y.

   Vice President—Mrs. Lena Stevens of Groton.

   Secretary—Fred J. White of Cortland.

   By invitation the picnic next year will be at the home of Mr. William Lamont of McLean. The date is to be changed to the last Wednesday in August. Those present from Cortland were, Mr. and Mrs. James White and family, Mr. and Mrs. Frank H. Sears, Miss Flossie Sears and Mrs. A. J. Sears, Mrs. Kate J. Lamont and family, Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Bouton and Archibald L. Bouton.

 

ANNUAL STATE CONVENTION

Of International Order of King's Daughters.

   The Loyal Circle of King's Daughters wish to call the attention of all the different circles of the county to the fact that the annual state convention of the International Order of King's Daughters will be held in Cortland next October.

   The home circle is doing all in its power to make this meeting a profitable one, and desire all others to join them in hearty co-operation.

   If any societies are working under the name of King's Daughters and are not members of the international order, they are earnestly requested to pay their dues and become members at once, so they can send delegates who can take part and vote at this convention.

   Any further information may be obtained by addressing the secretary.

 

PERSONALS.

   Mrs. John C. Barry and daughter Florence are spending some time at Mountain View in the Adirondacks.

   Miss Faith Santee of Towanda, Pa., is visiting her cousins, Coroner and Mrs. E. M. Santee at Elm Bluff cottage, Little York.

   Messrs. Dana M. Chaffee and Earl W. Bentley left yesterday for Blue Mountain lake in the Adirondacks for two a weeks' vacation.

   Daniel W. Carpenter, Company A, Seventy-sixth regiment, G. A. R., and family of Philadelphia Pa., formerly of Homer, are visiting Mr. Carpenter's brother at Homer and Martin Edgcomb, 36 Grant-st., Cortland.

   Coroner and Mrs. E. M. Santee returned last night from a visit among friends and relatives in Towanda, Hughesville, Williamsport, Pa., Candor, Wellsville, Hornellsville and Buffalo, N. Y., and Akron, O. They also attended the Santee family reunion at Akron, Aug. 15.

 

William Greenman.

THE CORTLAND FAIR.

Preparations for the Big Event Nearly Completed.

PROMISES TO BE THE GREATEST YET.

Good Weather Promised by the Weather Man—New Buildings on the Grounds—Fine List of Entries m All Departments—Many Special Attractions—Grand Display of Fireworks for Thursday Evening—Secretary Greenman Has Details Well in Hand.

   Final preparations for the Cortland county fair are rapidly nearing completion. Everything points to the largest and most successful exhibition ever given in the history of the Agricultural society. The record of past years has established the reputation of the annual Cortland county fair and it is confidently expected that in the record of attendance, list of entries, special attractions and general excellence the fair this year will eclipse ail predecessors.

Magnificent Fireworks.

   Secretary Greenman has just completed arrangements with the famous Payne Fireworks company for a $4,000 display of Manhattan Beach fireworks, to be given on the fair grounds [sic] Thursday evening. This will be the grandest and most elaborate display ever seen in this vicinity and will no doubt attract a large crowd of spectators. Don't miss the opportunity of seeing this pyrotechnic display as such chances are rare.

New Stock Sheds.

   It was a step forward when the society decided to build over one-eighth of a mile of new stock sheds this year, thus removing the monster tents from the center of the grounds, affording a large area of space for witnessing track events. Besides the stock building is moved south upon the fence line, furnishing a grand opportunity for sight-seeing which heretofore was practically unavailable for any purpose.

   It is hoped that the weather man has sent in a requisition for an abundant supply of fair weather for the four days, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. While Tuesday is the opening day there is always a big crowd on hand and there will be much of interest to view on this day which might be overlooked on the succeeding days.

   [We did not copy a long list of premiums or prizes—CC ed.]

 

Sage College at Ithaca, N. Y.

BREVITIES.

   —Hear the Ithaca band at the [Cortland] park tonight.

   —The days are growing shorter, about two minutes a day.

   —The old hitching sheds at the rear of the Presbyterian church have been torn down and excavation was begun this morning for the new manse.

   —The Presbyterian church at Trumansburg was struck by lightning during Wednesday's thunder storm. The damage done amounted to about $100.

   —The annual reunion of the Griswold family was held at the home of Charles Griswold Fitts in Dryden yesterday and was attended by 131 members of the family.

   —Sage chapel at Ithaca, upon which expert workmen and decorators are now at work will be, when extensive changes and improvements are made, one of the finest college chapels in the country.

   —The new trolley road from Oneonta to Richfield Springs is doing a great business, trains being run every hour. An express train is also run over the road several times a day, making the 40 miles in a little over an hour.

   —The new display advertisements today are—Giles, Fair specials, page 8; McGraw & Elliott, Roofs, page 8; Warren, Tanner & Co., New fall goods, page 6; Syracuse Trust Co., My bank, page 6; Cortland Business Institute, Success in business, page 6.