The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Front Page

Hoosick Board: Storm Issues And The White Creek Bridge

By

by Bea Peterson
On Monday, September 12, the Hoosick Town Board heard Town Highway Superintendent Bill Shiland report that he has yet to meet with FEMA people. However he believes that both Tropical Storm Irene and the storm the following week are fundable. “At least 20 big trees came down in the second storm,” he said. [Read more…] about Hoosick Board: Storm Issues And The White Creek Bridge

State May Pull Plug On Route 2

By

by Alex Brooks
At the Grafton Town Board meeting on Monday, September 12, Highway Superintendent Herb Hasbrouck recounted some stories of the floods and destruction wrought by Hurricane Irene. He said through the morning it looked like just another heavy rainstorm but by 2 pm the devastation started. The water was two feet deep running fast down the middle of Route 2. [Read more…] about State May Pull Plug On Route 2

No Hannaford Supermarket For New Lebanon

By

by Thaddeus Flint
Hannaford is pulling out. The Town of New Lebanon has found that oasis on its desert horizon to be nothing more than a mirage. The Hannaford Supermarket will not be that hope of the Town’s administration and its residents of a way to get out of the “food desert,” the term used to describe a community with no easy access to fresh and healthy produce.
[Read more…] about No Hannaford Supermarket For New Lebanon

Berlin Town Board Action – Berlin Adopts Comprehensive Plan

By

by Thaddeus Flint
The Town of Berlin adopted its Comprehensive Plan at the September 8 meeting of the Town Board. And just in time, it seems. The plan, which passed unanimously (with the exception of Council Member Jim Saunders who was not present), could prove useful when the Town prepares its applications for FEMA relief from the recent Hurricane Irene and the floods of last week.
[Read more…] about Berlin Town Board Action – Berlin Adopts Comprehensive Plan

Village of Hoosick Falls Board Action – Ann Bornt Resigns; Takes Village Clerk Job

By

by Bea Peterson
The Village of Hoosick Falls Board meeting began with a twist Tuesday evening, September 13, when Mayor Matt Monahan called the Board into Executive Session at the start instead of the end. They returned ten minutes later and the Mayor announced that Marie Bushey had resigned as Village Clerk, effective August 12. His next announcement, he said was bitter-sweet. Ann Bornt resigned as Village Trustee and assumed the part time position as Village Clerk, effective August 15. Bornt previously held the position of Village Clerk for 25 years.
[Read more…] about Village of Hoosick Falls Board Action – Ann Bornt Resigns; Takes Village Clerk Job

Commemorating The 150th Anniversary Of The Civil War – Letters From Stephentown

By

compiled by David Flint
During the Civil War, Stephentown resident Charles F. Chapel was a Landsman, a seaman recruit, aboard the USS Wabash, Flagship of Admiral Samuel F. du Pont, Commander of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.

On board Steam Frigate Wabash    September the 4th, 1862
Dear Mother and friends,
Having this afternoon to myself I thought I would write to you. There is not much news to write about. There is nothing doing here and not like to be as I see the Southerners are doing all the fighting. By what I can hear they are driving our armys North again Well, I don’t know how this war is coming out. I think this winter will decide it one way or the other.
Why don’t you write, I haven’t heard from you since we came back. I wrote to you just last Sunday and spoke of sending you some money but I can’t get it before the first of the month.  It is more work to get money here than it is worth.  As soon as I can get it I will send it by Adams Express.
I can’t write much more for the reason why I can’t think of anything. I would like to be at home this winter. I would eate apples and drink sider the whole winter.  I have forgotten how thay taste.  Ask Jarime how many trout he has caught this summer, and Jonathan how does he get on?  I want James to go to school this winter. Do you hear anything from Stephen? I think I have writen anough so I will close.  Write as soon as you get this.
Yours resp.
Charles F Chapel
Port Royal Soth Ca

Union graves on the battlefield at Cedar Mountain, Virginia. Library of Congress photo.

Chapel sounds dismayed about the way things were going in the War, and well he might. In early August the Union army was defeated in the battle of Cedar Mountain which resulted in shifting the fighting from the Virginia Peninsula into Northern Virginia. And in late August the Union suffered another disastrous defeat in the second battle of Bull Run. In the aftermath, Confederate forces chased the Union Army back to Washington, two Union generals were killed and the Army of Northern Virginia crossed the Potomac River to invade Maryland.
The Adams Express Company, which still exists as an equity fund company, was during the 19th century a transportation company delivering freight, cargo, small parcels, mail, currency and other things. One of those other things included an ingenious Virginia slave by the name of Henry Box Brown who in 1849 had himself shipped in a crate to freedom in Philadelphia via Adams Express. The company, along with its secret subsidiary, Southern Express, actually functioned as sort of a paymaster for both sides during the Civil War and soldiers and sailors depended on it for communicating with the folks at home.
James is Charles’ younger brother. He died in Missouri in 1932. Stephen was an older brother.