Monday, October 1, 2012

1862 October 1 Staunton, Va.


Wednesday, Oct. 1, 1862
No news this morning. All late intelligence represents 
our army as concentrating at or near Winchester, and the 
enemy as advancing. Lincoln has issued a proclama-
tion declaring slaves in the "rebel" states free after the 1st 
of January next. In consequence of this proceeding, 
it has been proposed in our Congress to wage a war of 
extermination of the Yankee invaders, to take no 
prisoners, and ask and give no quarter. The war must 
come to this. There is no prospect of an end. Civil liberty 
is nearly gone in this Section, as well as among the 
Yankee states, and a military despotism will finally 
prevail. Wearied out as they are, the people will 
soon be ready to accept any authority which may restore 
peace. The drought continues, and a scarcity of sub-
sistence is threatened. The yellow fever is prevailing 
at Wilmington, N. C. None at Norfolk and New Orleans 
where the Yankees have possession.

[transcript by the Valley of the Shadow project]

MSS 38-258


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