Posted inMaritime & Naval History US Civil War

January 2, 1862 – The Mortar Fleet

Sailors standing by the 13-inch mortar on a Union mortar boat.

The principal naval recruiting in New York, at present, is for Commodore Porter’s mortar fleet. The two rendezvous are thronged with brawny sailors of all nations, but chiefly Americans. Applicants seems to be attracted, rather than repelled, by the prospect of hazardous service. Every kind of sea-going talent is wanted for this expedition, and a sailor can obtain the position of master’s mate, gunner’s mate, seamen or ordinary seamen, just according to his qualifications.

Posted inDaily News Railroads

How the Big Storm Affected the Flour City

From all appearances the heavy snow storm is over, and it is well for the suburban territory of Minneapolis that it is so. Another day of the heavy snowfall would make the streets impassable and block in the inhabitants. As it is the heavy drifts have packed four and five feet deep through parts of the outer wards, on both sides of the river, and the snow plows have done very little toward breaking it up. By dint of hard work the car lines were kept open and the motor trains into town did not lose a trip. The Minnehaha and Washburn home divisions were greatly delayed, but both lines were open and in good running order last night.

Posted inLocal Histories

A Merry Christmas

In these latter days no great respect is exhibited for things that are merely old, but old fashioned as is Christmas and familiar as are the associations that cluster round it, the world would be poor indeed if its observance were lost to it. It is one of those things so intimately associated with emotions and thoughts which are kindly, and pure, and helpful to all, that although it comes year by year, with the same old words, and kindly greetings, and neighbourly customs, and youthful pleasure and laughter and merriment, for both young and old, it always has a new face, and the whole world greets it with a welcome hand. “A Merry Christmas” will pass from lip to lip not only all over the continent of Australia, but where there is a knowledge of the Christ in all lands; and who shall say that, the world is not the better for it. Christmas of 1900 should be a memorable one ; it is the last of the dying century, and ushers into existence a new born nation in these southern seas. The future is pregnant with potentialities of greatness for the Australian Commonwealth. Let us hope that the light of faith, generated with the birth of Christ in the manger and flashed upon us down the long centuries, will continue to illumine and guide the minds of the people of this continent, so that our future may be one of peace, progress, happiness and prosperity.

Posted inUS Civil War

December 30, 1861 – Resignation of Col. Rankin

Russell House, Detroit,
December 26,1 861.

To the Editor of the Detroit Free Press:

I am very sorry indeed to inform you that, in view of the unfortunate complications which have so suddenly arisen between England and the United States, caused by events about which it would be out of place for me here to express an opinion, I feel constrained from a sense of duty, not only as a British subject but as a member of the Canadian Parliament, to withdraw from the service of the United States and return to Canada, my native land, determined to share the fate of my countrymen, whatever their destiny may be.

Posted inDaily News

Fights Dozen Men

Drink Crazed Indian Even Then Succeeds in Kicking One Man Through Windshield of Auto

Lowville, N. Y., Dec. 27.—Bootleg whiskey was the indirect cause of four hours of darkness in this village last night.

Earlier in the evening a young Indian, Paul Arlette, who is alleged to have been In a frenzied condition because of holiday potations, entered an Ice cream store in the neighboring village of Naumberg and threatening to kill all the customers with a knife. He was subdued and bound with ropes only after 12 men had joined In the fray.

Posted inUS Civil War

December 27, 1861 – Wretched Charleston!

It will be remembered that at about the time that the secession movement began, many of the property owners in Charleston, as in other Southern cities, who had been in the habit of insuring against fire in the Northern insurance companies, withdrew their risks from these offices with much insolence and parade, and transferred them to local organizations. Most of the latter have suspended while all tho others now are bankrupted, so that utter ruin must fall on those whose property has by this calamity been destroyed.

Posted inUS Civil War

December 26, 1861 – From the Upper Potomac

The Rebels Try to Destroy Dam No. 6.

WILLIAMSPORT, MD., Dec. 20.—Affairs in and around this vicinity are quiet, though we expect to have an exchange of shots with the enemy at Dam No. 5 and Falling Waters. Gen. Jackson’s (rebel) battery is at the former place, including a 12-pounder rifled gun, and the enemy have been at work endeavoring to destroy tho dam there, which now seems to bo the principal object of their demonstrations. Their firing is returned by two Parrott guns belonging to Knapp’s Pennsylvania battery.