EDITOR'S NOTE: Following are excerpts taken directly from the Harrisburg Patriot & Union newspaper of 150 years ago. The Democratic newspaper was no fan of President Lincoln or abolition, which offers an instructive glimpse into the real politics of the day. The language and opinions belong to another age and do not reflect the current standards of The Patriot-News nor the beliefs of its editorial board.

Mormon insurrection and news from the front both good and bad feature in the general news today; locally, the Patriot-Union steps back from yesterday's shaming and also notes black recruits coming through Harrisburg.

GENERAL NEWS

The Union loss in the late unfortunate engagement at Spring Hill, near Franklin, Tennessee, is reported at 100 killed, 210 wounded, and over 1000 prisoners. The rebels acknowledge a loss of 180 killed, and 400 wounded… Our troops are said to have fought bravely, but they ran out of ammunition and were surrounded, the rebel force against them being nearly four to one.

Quite a brilliant affair, in which the Seventh Pennsylvania Cavalry distinguished themselves, occurred at Unionville, Tennessee, on the 7th instant. Gen. Minty, in command of the Seventh Pennsylvania and Fourth Michigan, attacked Russell's rebel cavalry and completely routed them. They captured 21 wagons, 25 tents, 90 mules and horses, all the camp equipage, two Captains, three Lieutenants and fifty-three privates. Two Unionists were wounded. The rebels lost fifty killed and one hundred and eighty wounded.

A dispatch from Salt Lake City, March 9, says that a collision between the military and mormons is imminent. Gov. Harding and associate Justices Waite and Drake have called upon Col. Conner, commander of the U. S. forces, to arrest Brigham Young and Councillors Kimball and Walls. The citizens are in arms determined to resist the arrest.

LOCAL NEWS

ANOTHER VERSION - In our notice, yesterday, of the person accused of shirking duty at the battle of Fredericksburg, it appears there are two sides to the story. In our version of the affair we only gave what some of the officers of the regiment averred were the facts, but we have since learned that what we stated was not strictly founded on fact. The person in question alleges that he was honorably wounded, and can bring proof of that fact, which at this time we have no desire to deny. We sincerely hope that the foul accusation against him can be clearly established to be a falsehood, as no honorable man could rest under it and claim the sympathy of the public. The person to whom we refer has always had an excellent character in this community, and it is due to him that he should clear himself from the foul imputations which have been brought against him.

THE FIRST INSTALLMENT - On Monday evening fourteen negro recruits, some in full uniform, passed through this city on the mail train from Pittsburg, on their way to Massachusetts to join the regiment for which they were enlisted. They were under the charge of an officer of their own color, and during their stay in this city stopped at one of the hotels near the depot and took refreshments. Quite a number of "American citizens of African descent" belonging to this city paid their respects to the distinguished visitors, and gave them a warm and hearty greeting. We learn that the effort making here to secure negro recruits is not meeting with that success our Abolition friends desire, and the possibilities are that the whole thing will fizzle out. It is evidently the desire of the darkies to wait for conscription, when they will have a chance to go on an equality with their white brethren.

For more Civil War era news: Marching toward Gettysburg