Spirit of the Times Batavia, Genesee County, New York State June 10-1865 # 3 Military History of the Eighth New York Heavy Artillery This regiment was raised in the counties of Niagara, Orleans and Genesee in August, 1862. It was organized as the One Hundred and Twenty-ninth New York Volunteer Infantry, mustered into the United States service August 22nd, 1862, at Lockport, N. York, and on the 23rd of that month left Lockport, under orders to report at Washington. On reaching Baltimore on the 25th it received orders to report to Brevet Brigadier General W.W. MORRIS, commanding defences of Baltimore, and by him ordered to garrison Fort Federal Hill. On the 17th of December, 1862, by order of the War Department, the regiment was changed from infantry to heavy artillery, and designated as the Eight regiment, New York heavy artillery. The regiment remained in Baltimore, garrisoning Forts Hill, McHenry, and Marshall, until May 15th, 1864, with the exception of being ordered to Maryland Heights on the 10th of July, 1863, at which place it remained until August 3rd, 1863, and being ordered to Green Spring Run and Romney during February 1864, remaining there, however, but a few weeks. During this time, it had raised recruits sufficient to bring the regiment number to nineteen hundred and twenty-three men. On May 15th, 1864, the regiment left Baltimore to join the Second Division of the Second Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, by way of Aquia Creek, the army then being at Spottsylvania, arriving there on May 18th, 1864. On the 19th it fought its first battle, charging and driving the rebels three successive times. It has participated in all the battles, marches and other duties which this army has performed during the great campaign of 1864 and '65. The regiment is to be mustered out immediately. Gen. Sherman in Batavia. On Tuesday last, this victorious hero passed through Batavia en route to the west, and was welcomed at the depot by a large concourse of citizens, who had been hastily notified by hand bill but an hour previous to the arrival of the train. The General was in the rear car, and as soon as he was discovered was compelled to undergo the infliction of shaking hands with the multitude, who, in their eagerness to honor him, shook hard enough to dislocate the arm of any ordinary mortal. Women held up their children to shake hands with the "Gen'ral," and one was heard to exclaim, "Give us hould of your Irish paw!" which raised a laughter from the crowd. Finally the train started amid the cheers of the multitude, many running after the cars to once more take the General's hand, who had resorted to the rear platform to more effectually gratify the crowd. He was accompanied by his family and several prominent military men, whose names we failed to learn. The General looks quite hearty, after his arduous campaigns and camp life. "The Plot Thickens." During the latter part of last week, the President of "National Bank of Genesee," in this Village, received a telegraphic despatch warning him that his bank would be attempted by burglars at 12 o'clock Saturday night. Being of such an important nature, Mr. HOWARD determined to govern himself accordingly, and made every preparation to give the expected visitors a "warm" reception. But at the designated hour no attempt on the bank was made, and suspicion being aroused, due precautions to thwart such designs in the future have been taken. Now for the proof. The gentleman who sent the warning despatch signed himself "a friend," and early this week visited Mr. H. in person and explained the whole mystery. It appears that this Rochester gentleman, being in Batavia, overheard a conversation between a dissolute young man and woman of the Village, when he heard enough to satisfy him that the bank robbery was all planed and ready to be carried out last Saturday night. Of course, this gentleman took the right course, and divulged the name of this young man, who, at the reckless rate he is travelling his downward career, will soon become an inmate of the State Prison. We think the bank authorities ought at once to push this matter through, and take such action as will ensure the confinement of this desperate character. He is one on whom no suspicion of ht late incendiaries has been cast, but this bank affair coming to light, it is but natural to suspect such villains of almost any crime. Let a diligent watch be kept; we live in troublesome times. Batavia, more than any other locality in the State, has suffered by the wanton destruction of property at the hands of these young and daring desperadoes. The Wheel-Barrow Race--A Fizzle. As there has been some misunderstanding between the men who made the bet of $250 for another wheel-barrow race, we deem it best to publish the written contract between the parties, to the end that the public may judge which party is to blame by non-fulfillment of contract. The articles of agreement stipulate that "whichever party fails to put up the balance of the $250 (twenty-five dollars being originally deposited as forfeit,) before the day of starting, loses the forfeit money." Now, the whole matter is in a nut-shell; Martin deposited his money according to contract, but Shepard failed to do so, or even start for Rochester, after he had all his harness and barrow prepared, and yet the backers of Shepard claim the forfeit money! It appears to us as though Shepard doubted his own ability to perform the task, and so backed out, on the ground, as he says, of objection being raised to some parts of his "harness." If he really intended to perform the journey, he should have deposited the money in season, and been on hand at the starting point, "armed and equipped," according to contract, when, we believe, no valid objections could have been made to the manner in which certain straps were fixed. He is evidently enchored, and ought manfully to relinquish all claim to the forfeit money. The following is a verbatim copy of the contract.- May 25th, 1865 - Dan. SHEPARD bets Charley MARTIN $250, that within ten days after date, he will walk from the Court House in Rochester to the Court House in Buffalo, within thirty hours, without stopping, and wheel a wheel-barrow of the same weight as the one used by Holliday, or one similar. $25 a side is put up as forfeit, and which ever party fails to put up the balance of the $250 before the day of starting, loses the forfeit money. It is understood and agreed that said Shepard shall have the straps and belts upon and around him, and have the same privileges as were given to Holliday. It is agreed that if Shepard is stopped by any man, or set of men, he is to have three days time, from the time the wheel barrow stops, in which to go back to Rochester and perform the feat. Shepard names Friday morning at 4 o'clock as the hour of starting and the money to be put up on Thursday evening. Shepard is to have the privilege of deferring the hour of starting until six o'clock if he shall so elect, but he is to give Charles Martin due notice, at the National Hotel, Rochester. Signed, C.A. MARTIN Daniel SHEPARD The June Magazines. Harper's Monthly-Harper's Monthly contains handsomely illustrated articles on "Washoe," on Vamberry's Travels in Central Asia, and on the "Heroic Deeds of Heroic Men," by John S. C. Abbot. It has also fresh installment so of Dickens, "Mutual Friend," and Wilkie Collins' novel of "Armadale." A new semi-annual volume is commenced with this number. Godey's Lady's Book.-Godey's principal illustration is entitled "Chicks"-two chubby children and a baby, and chickens at their feet. Then follows a double-page colored fashion-plate, crotchet patterns, for embroidery, &c. The story of "Poor Relations" is continued, and the other literary contents are as diversified and attractive as usual. submitted by Linda Schmidt *********************************************