ABSTRACTS TAKEN FROM:
THE WILLIMANTIC JOURNAL William L. Weaver, Editor
Fri Feb 20 1863: Opinion in England. We are indebted to Mr. John Avery, formerly of South Windham, now in London, for a copy of the London Star of January 30, containing an interesting account of the great Anti-Slavery demonstration at Exeter hall on the 29th ultimo. Since the reception of the president's Emancipation Proclamation in England, there has been a most decided reaction in public sentiment, favorable to the North. This meeting, with others of a similar kind that are being held all over England, is one of the most encouraging signs of the times, and plainly indicates that if we are willing to do justice to the slave and fight the cause of the rebellion, we shall not want friends abroad; but that the common people, and the great middling class—the more intelligent moral and religious—will be with us in our life and death struggle with slavery. The speeches of Rev. Newman Hall, Rev. Baptist Noel and others at this meeting, were admirable; and show that there are those in England who understand our affairs and comprehend the immense difficulties with which we have had to content. This re-action, we trust, will go on until public opinion in Great Britain is overwhelmingly with the North.

Fri Feb 20 1863: The War. The war news of the week is meager. There are no great battles or extensive movements to record; but everything indicates preparations for decisive results. We give a few scattering items as follows:

Gen. Rosecrans states in a letter to a relative that the rebels are building strong fortifications at Tullahoma and at Dechard. He thinks that they mean to make a desperate stand there to protect Chattanooga. The General is sanguine as to success, and his men are said to be crying for a fight.

The steamer Ruth has taken to Memphis a large amount of greenbacks to pay the troops. Nearly $30,000,000 have been sent there this month.

Advices from below Memphis state that the rebels at Port Hudson are communicating with the Gulf by way of Atchafalaya river. The Queen of the West, as soon as she is repaired, will interrupt that movement. One million bales of cotton are below Helena awaiting Gen. Grant's permission to ship them.

A special dispatch from Memphis, dated the 17th, says the new Monitor gunboat Indianola ran the blockade of Vicksburg on Friday night, in spite of rebel precautions. The Indianola was seen by the rebel batteries, and they vied with each other in their efforts to sink her. She, however, passed safely by them.

According to Memphis letters of the 11th, there is a perfect reign of terror in Northern Alabama and North Mississippi. Guerillas and blood hounds are on the track of Union men who flee to the woods to avoid conscription. A young girl carrying food to her father was torn to pieces by blood hounds. Not less than one thousand Union men have reached Corinth. The are forming a Union regiment which already numbers 6 full companies. A number of Unionists have been shot and hung, and their houses burned. Two women were torn to pieces by blood hounds in Tuscumbia Co. Among the fugitives at Corinth are men eighty years old.

A Vicksburg letter (6th inst.) sums up as follows the result of the ram, Queen of the West: "She has successfully captured the steamers Moro, Baker and Berwick Bay, the two former laden with pork and stores for the rebel army at Vicksburg, and the later with passengers. They made no resistance. Among the passengers, of which sixty were captured and paroled, were seven commissioned officers of the rebel army. It was at first the intention to bring the steamers to Vicksburg, but their progress was slow and their stock of coal nearly exhausted, and the Queen was forced to destroy them. They were burned, the passengers paroled and the officers transferred to the ram.

Advices from New Orleans to the 8th instant show that nothing of special interest had occurred since the date of previous advice, though preparations were in active progress for the new campaign in the Lafourche country. Brig. Gen.Weitzel was on the eve of departure with his expedition up the Bayou Teche. The movement is said to have actually commenced on the 8th. A letter says: "The affair has been planned with profound secrecy. The progress of Gen. Weitzel will by no means prove bloodless. He must overcome resistance at every step. He will probably be supported by some four or five gunboats.

A gentleman recently from Charleston, and who escaped through the rebel lines, states that large numbers of troops have recently been collected there to defend the city, and that the citizens have generally left, in anticipation of an attack from the national troops. The means of defense are very formidable, and he thinks the city cannot be captured without a severe struggle. A mutiny recently took place, in which several North Carolina regiments were engaged, and the ringleaders shot by order of Beauregard. The city is strongly fortified on all sides but the west and supplied with iron-clads to defend the harbor. Two of these are destitute of machinery probably those for which the engines were designed which we captured on the Princess Royal.

Gentlemen just returned from the Rappahannock report that the enemy are working with great energy and industry. They have been throwing up two lines of breastworks opposite to Falmouth on the low grounds near the river, and are continuing them along the river bank in front of Fredericksburg.

Jackson's force is said to be back of the first range of hils two miles south of Fredericksburg. The smoke of a large camp there was plainly seen yesterday, and the woods are fast disappearing in that vicinity, showing the presence of a large force. The rebel headquarters are plainly visible from our side through a powerful glass. Lee is supposed to be there. The position is two miles Southwest from Fredericksburg.

Fri Feb 20 1863: Justice Court.

Thomas Cornell was arrested on the 13th instant on charge of drunkenness and assaulting his wife, and brought before Wm. L. Weaver. He plead guilty on both, and was fined $3 and costs on the former, and $5 on the latter charge. Failing to pay up, he was sent to Brooklyn – the fifth time we believe, that he has taken the trip with Sheriff Davison. Tom says he has been in this country about ten years, eight of which he has spent in jail. He seems to rather like Brooklyn, as a place of residence.

At the same time, Lockland Brady was brought up for an assault on his wife; plead guilty, was fined $3 and costs, and sent over – company for Tom. Mr. Brady preferred not to go, but could not raise the wherewithal to pay up, and Mr. Davison was inexorable.

On the 18th, John Shay was brought before the same, charged with savagely assaulting his wife. John plead not guilty; but the testimony of his wife, who bore sundry marks, including a swollen and closed eye, of the severe pummeling, was conclusive, and John was found guilty and sentenced to pay a fine of $7 and cost and sent to Brooklyn.
So much for rum's doings.

Fri Feb 20 1863: Dr. Jeremiah King, who has been for several years a practicing physician and druggist and a prominent and respected citizen of this village, died on Monday morning last, after a very brief illness, from an attack of bilious pneumonia at the age of 38. He was a prominent member of the order of Masons holding at the time of his decease the office of Master Mason in the Eastern Star Lodge, of this village.

Fri Feb 20 1863: Phinney Owens, of Co. D., 21st Regiment, died at Falmouth, Va., Jan. 26. His remains were brought to Ashford for interment.

Fri Feb 20 1863: Mr. J.R. Aldrich, formerly of Plainfield, but now and for many years teacher of the High School at River Point, R.I., was ordained an evangelist, by a Council of Congregational churches at Plainfield, February 17. The order of exercises were as follows: Reading Scriptures and Prayer, Rev. C.P. Grosvenor; Sermon, Rev. A. Dunning; Ordaining Prayer, Rev. W.W. Davenport; Charge, Rev. S.G. Willard; Right Hand of Fellowship, Rev. A.A. Benedict; Prayer, Rev. T.L. Shipman; Benediction, Rev. J. Aldrich. For once a prophet is not without honor in his own country. Mr. Aldrich has been for some time supplying the church at Central Village, where he was well known as a boy, and has also received an invitation to become acting Pastor of the church in River Point, where he resides. It is understood that he will accept this invitation.

Fri Feb 20 1863: On Saturday forneoon two boys were buried by a caving in of a bank on the line of the Northern Railroad, in Montville where some workmen were engaged in making excavations. One of the lads was rescued without injury; but the other, a boy about ten years old, son of John Mahoney, of Uncasville, was completely buried, and was suffocated before he could be reached.

Fri Feb 20 1863: The Beaufort correspondent of the Hartford Times says: "The 'bully Tenth Connecticut' are here, Lieut. Martin, of Hartford, Capt. Hudson, of Manchester, and many others. All well. The Tenth comes here with an enviable reputation for courage and gallant action in the field.

Fri Feb 20 1863: The following deaths which have occurred in the Twenty-sixth regiment during the month of January 1863, are officially announced: January 4th, Henry L. Smith, Co. G, Scotland; Jan. 9th, Amos D. Barns, Co. H, Stonington; Jan. 10th, Wm. W. Church, Co. E, New London; Jan. 12th, Chas. Miner, Co. F, Lyme; Jan 13th, Geo. Miller, Co. D, Ledyard; Jan. 25th, Geo. France, Co. G, Plainfield.

Fri Feb 20 1863: Adam B. Woltert, Co. D, 14th Conn., died at the West Phildelphia Hospital February 3d.

Fri Feb 20 1863: Capt. Henry L. Abbott, of Gen. Banks staff, has been appointed Colonel of the 1st Conn. Artillery, not the 9th Conn. regiment, as has been stated.

Fri Feb 20 1863: Leander C. Wheeler, of Co. F. 16th Conn. Has been honorably discharged from the service, by reason of Surgeon's certificate of disability.

Fri Feb 20 1863: At the Republican Senatorial Convention in the 14th District, held February 18th, Gilbert W. Phillips, Esq., of Putnam, was unanimously nominated for State Senator.

Fri Feb 20 1863: Marriages.

In Columbia, February 8, by Rev. F.D. Avery, Mr. Charles N. Fuller and Miss Fanny Webler, both of Columbia.

In Stonington, February 2, by Rev. E.D. Bentley, Mr. Geo. Coats and Miss Frederika M. Koopman, both of Stonington.

Fri Feb 20 1863: Deaths.

In Willimantic, February 16, Jeremiah King, M.D., aged 38.

In Willington, January 30, Horace Holt, aged 78.

At Falmouth, VA., January 30, Phinney Owens, of Co. D., 21st C.V.

In Eastford, February 10, Amos Chaffee.

Fri Feb 27 1863: Like Loves Like. – "If the question was proposed to you," said Jeff. Davis in his speech at Richmond, "whether you would combine with Hyenas or Yankees, I trust every Virginian would say, give me the Hyenas." To this aspiration, every Yankee says Amen.

Fri Feb 27 1863: Surgeon Storrs of the 8th Connecticut regiment has been relieved from field duty and ordered to hospital service. He is now at the Carver Hospital, Washington.

Fri Feb 27 1863: Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Lillie, of Brooklyn, celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their wedding, on Saturday the 14th. A correspondent of the Transcript makes the following brief mention of the couple: "Mr. Lillie volunteered immediately after his marriage, and after several months active duty in the field, `stood duty as a minute man' through the war then waging. The past year he has given his only son to fall a victim in his country's cause. Mrs. Lillie's father, Maj. Diah Manning, was connected with Washington's body guard and staff during the Revolution; and her brother, Major Asa manning, served with distinction through the war of 1817, being in the battle of Lundy's Lane, and other desperate struggles the frontier.

Fri Feb 27 1863: As the Saturday night train from Hartford was passing Windsor Locks, a man named Frye from Warehouse Point, jumped off and received injuries from which he is not expected to recover.

Fri Feb 27 1863: Ex-Governor Roger S. Baldwin, of New Haven, died at his residence on Thursday morning at the age of 70 years. Gov. Baldwin has been one of the most honored men of this State. He has been Governor of this State during two terms, Senator of the United States from the State of Conneticut, and a member of the celebrated Peace Convention held in Washington in the spring of 1860. As a lawyer, Gov. Baldwin had a high reputation, having no superior in the State. While Senator he was acknowledged as one of the ablest men of that body, and a worthy associate of the great statesmen who then adorned our national legislative halls. As a citizen he was noted for integrity and uprightness, and his Christian character was above reproach. In his death the city of New Haven and the State meet with a great loss.

Fri Feb 27 1863: James Henessey of Rockville, a workman on the branch railroad, was killed on Saturday the 14th inst., by the caving of an embankment upon him.

Fri Feb 27 1863:

Lieut. Henry E. Morgan, of Co. G, Eighth Regiment has been honorably discharged from the army, in consequence of a wound received at the battle of Antietam which has incapacitated him for further military service.

Lieut. Potter, of Co. D, Twelfth Regiment has resigned in consequence of continued ill health.

Sergeants J.H. Hough of Company A, A.S. Lanfare of Company B, L.E. Tyler of Company C, and J.D. Moorhouse of Company D, of the First Connecticut Cavalry, have been ordered home on recruiting service.

Thirty-four men, recruits for the Cavalry regiment, left Fort Trumbull on Wednesday for Baltimore.

Mr. P.B. Hinsdale, of New Haven, has just returned form Newport News, where the Eighth, Eleventh, Fifteenth, Sixteenth, and Twenty-first regiment are located. He describes the situation as remarkably agreeable. The soil is sandy, and Mr. H. says that immediately after a rain that lasted three days, one could have walked about the camp in slippers without the slightest inconvenience. The soldiers are delighted with the position--were indulging in ball playing and swimming--and the assertion of the officers that the regiments had never been in finer spirits, was amply confirmed by the appearance and cheerfulness of the men.

Fri Feb 27 1863: Deaths.

In Canterbury, February 5, Mr. Wm. Aspenwall, aged 87; February 17, Mrs. Olive Aspenwall, aged 80, wife of Wm. Aspenwall. Having lived together sixty years, they were separated by death less than two weeks, leaving to their children friends a precious memory and a consoling hope.

In Canterbury, February 21, Capt. Ebenezer Sanger, aged 74.

Fri Feb 27 1863: List of Letters remaining in the P.O. at Willimantic Feb. 16th, 1863:
H.B. Burnham. Mary E. Kelley.
B.P. Blanchard. Nelson Kingsbury.
James Cross. N.P. Little.
Davison & Gaylord. Marx Lincoln.
Betsey Greenman, 2. Patrick Mahoney.
James Hartley. Louisa Southworth.
N. Hastings. Julian Smith.
Josephine Jolinson. Jamie Stanley.

Persons Calling for the above will say advertised. James Walden, P.M.

Fri Feb 27 1863: At A Court of Probate holden at Chaplin within and for the district of Chaplin on the 23d day of February, A.D. 1863. Present: Orin Witter, Esq., Judge. On motion of Dyer Hughes, Administrator on the Estate of Selden Blackman late of Chaplin within said district deceased. This court doth decree that six months be allowed and limited for the creditors of said estate to exhibit their claims against the same to the administrator, and directs that public notice be given of this order by advertising in a newspaper published in Willimantic and by posting a copy thereof on the public sign-post in said town of Chaplin nearest the place where the deceased last dwelt.

Fri Feb 27 1863: District of Woodstock ss.Probate Court, February 5th, 1862. Assigned estate of Densmore Bailey of Woodstock in said district. The court of probate hath allowed and limited two months from the date hereof for the creditors of said estate in which to exhibit their claims thereto and has appointed Geo. A. Paine of Woodstock and Sylvester Preston of Willington commissioners to receive and examine said claims. And it is ordered by said court that commissioners give public notice of the times and places of their meeting for the purpose of attending to their duties by publishing in the Windham County Transcript published in Windham, for one month and by posting a copy hereof on the public signpost in said Woodstock nearest the Residence of said Assignor. Certified from Record, Stephen L. Potrer, Judge.

The creditors of the foregoing estate are hereby notified that we will attend to the duties of our said appointment at the dwelling house of Alonzo Work in West Woodstock on Saturday the 7th day of March A.D. 1863 and on Saturday the 4th day of April, A.D. 1863 at one o'clock, P.M. on each of said days for the hearing and allowance or rejection of said claims. Woodstock Feb. 7, 1863.

George A. Paine, Sylvester Preston, Commissioners