NEWS: Items from The Alleghanian, November 14, 1861, Cambria County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Patty Millich Copyright 2008. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cambria/ _________________________________________ The Alleghanian, Ebensburg, Pa., Volume 3, Number 8, Thursday, November 14, 1861 Local and Personal A Scarcity of Teachers For the first time since the acceptance of the Common School System by the people of Cambria county, there has been this fall a scarcity of good teachers to supply as they are termed the "winter schools." This scarcity is partly owning to the cutting down of teachers' wages but mainly to the enlistment of so many of our best teachers in the ranks of the Federal Army. As one consequence of this scarcity, a greater proportion of females has been employed by directors than in any preceding year, at least one-third of the teachers of the county already employed being ladies. In this respect, at least, if not in all others, the girls of Cambria county have "gained by the war." If they all devote themselves zealously to the performance of their responsible duties, and do not forget to improve their own mental qualifications while they are developing the minds of their pupils, they will do much this winter toward breaking down in some portions of the county an unjust prejudice which heretofore operated against their employment as instructors of youth. Girls, if you wish to secure situations next winter, do not fail to "quit yourselves like men" during the winter months that are before you. Although all the public examinations have closed, there are still a few schools in the county that want teachers. One is wanted in Chest township; one in Richland; one in Yoder; one in Taylor; four in Jackson; one in Carroll; and we think, two in Clearfield. In most of these districts, $20 per month is offered by directors - board to range from $4 to $6 per month. Teachers who have not yet obtained situations are requested to make immediate application to the directors of the several districts mentioned or to the undersigned at his residence in Johnstown. Signed - James M. Swank, Co. Supt., Nov. 6, 1861. List of Causes The following is the List of Causes set down for trial at the December Term of our County Court - First Week Somerset & Johnstown Plank road Co. vs. Hamilton Rainey vs. Shoemaker Litzinger vs. Conrad Pollard, for use vs. Driskell, et al. Adams vs. Collins, et al Hasson vs. Collins, et al Linton vs. Fenlon Wherry vs. Murray Gerrity vs. Murray Second Week Stremel vs. Handshue Hasson Guardian &c vs. Greves Penna. Railroad Co. vs. Durbin Paul vs. Riddle Rex, Kemerer & Co. vs. Paul's executor Newkirk et al vs. King et al Sink vs. Gretin Williams vs. Rhey Richardson vs. Hohman Wm. Carr & Co. vs. Palmer et al McCague vs. Same W. William Jr. vs. Same Paul vs. Plummer Whittle & Hornick vs. Heslop Lloyd & Hill vs. Palmer et al Barndollar vs. Green Murphy vs. Storm Jones vs. Moore Yeagley vs. Croyle's Executors Hollywood vs. Lycoming Ins. Co. Moyers for use vs. Tiley Bradley vs. Fenlon Sur. Par. Divers vs. Scott Same vs. same Fronheiser vs. Gissford Finnarty vs. Knott Burgoon vs. Pennock Moyers for use vs. Tiley Darby vs. O'Hagan Commonwealth vs. Roberts et al Glass vs. Flinn's Executors Rose vs. Gageby Sancher et al vs. McCormick Moyers for use vs. Tiley Moores use vs. Holliday Directors of Poor of Blair Co. vs. Washington twp. Kean vs. McGahey Kerrigan vs. Kinkead Griffith vs. Ross et al Mullen vs. Glass Noon vs. Dunmyre Runnion vs. George Matthews vs. Troxell Noble et al vs. Same Tiley vs. Moyers Commonwealth vs. Moores Burk vs. Burgoon Pringle vs. Cooper George vs. Conrad et al Burgoon vs. Robinson McGlade vs. Mullin Moyers for use vs. Tiley Same vs. Same Moore et al vs. Nicholas Steffey vs. Baum Murray vs. Skelly Our Railroad We are happy to announce to our readers that weather permitting the Ebensburg & Cresson Railroad will be completed to the Township road in the extreme East Ward during the present week. From thence to its terminus, a distance of only about a half-mile, work will be pushed forward with all possible celerity. The erection of the depot building is also progressing rapidly. We may confidently expect to see the Road in out and out running order by the first of December. The weather for the past couple of days has more closely resembled Indian Summer than any we have been favored with during the present summer. Hacks Under the new schedule the hacks to Wilmore make but one round trip per day, leaving here at 7 A. M. and returning at 1 P. M. The mails arrive and depart at those hours. Good for the Ladies! The "Ladies' Hose Society," of this place, last week shipped direct to the Cambria Guards at Washington, a box containing 101 pairs of stockings, the result of one month's work. The stockings are of superior make and were donated "without money and without price." All honor to the Ladies, say we, and such will be the ejaculation of the recipients of the gift, likewise, we are sure. Blair County Items The store of James M. Kinkead at Yellow Springs was destroyed by fire on the night of the 3d inst. The incendiary, a villainous negro, was arrested and committed to jail, making a narrow escape from being lynched by the indignant citizens. Chimney Rock Furnace at Hollidaysburg owned by Messrs. Wood, Morrell & Co., of this county, for some time past remaining idle, is undergoing repairs and will be in blast again about the first of January. Indiana County Items The house of Mr. James McFeeters of Cherryhill township was burned to the ground on Sunday, 3d inst., while the family was attending divine service. The carpenter shop of Joseph Custer in Indiana borough was entered and robbed of a number of tools a few nights ago. The Great Flood The freshet of Saturday week seems to have extended over almost the entire country, occasioning much injury to property. It was particularly severe in Johnstown. The water at that point attained the unprecedented height of fourteen feet above low water mark and completely submerged about one-half the town. The bridges across the Stony Creek and the Feeder Dam were both swept away. Beyond the flooding of the cellars and the carrying away of fences, lumber and the like, we have heard of no other damage in the county resulting from the storm. To the Loyal Women of America On our outside this week we publish an appeal from the Sanitary Commission of the War Department to the Loyal Women of America, urging upon the latter the propriety of forming societies for the purpose of supplying our sick and wounded soldiers with various needed articles of attire. This is a righteous and just cause and we confidently expect to see the Ladies of this county take hold of the matter in earnest and render efficient service. By the way, it has been suggested that the "Ladies' Hose Society" of this place, an association which has already done much good and may do more, be metamorphosed into an organization to respond to the appeal of the Commission. We think this would be bad policy. The Government is just as greatly in need of stockings for the well soldiers as it is in want of blankets for the sick. Let the Hose Society go on its good way, prospering and to prosper; another society, in accordance with the requirements of the Sanitary Commission can and should be organized. Read the "appeal," Ladies, and set as the spirit moves you. The Appeal - The following circular has been handed us by Maj. Thompson, Postmaster for this borough, with the request to lay it before the public through the medium of our columns - Post Office Department Washington, October 15, 1861 To the Postmaster of Ebensburg, Pa. Sir - You are requested to take measures to effect an organization, if none exists, among the women of your district to respond to the accompanying appeal of the Sanitary Commission. The Executive Government here very much desires to obtain the active cooperation of the women of America for the holy cause of the Union in this appropriate mode and relies upon you to make known this wish to them and aid so far as possible in securing its accomplishment. Yours, respectfully, M. Blair, Postmaster General Circular - Washington, D. C., October 1861 Countrywomen - In the extraordinary enlargement of the whole structure of our National Government, which has this year been forced upon us, the wants of the sick and wounded of the Army and Navy cannot at once be fully provided for by the ordinary means. Whatever aid is to be given from without must, nevertheless, to be effective, be administered systematically, and in perfect subordination to the general system of administration of the government. To hold its agents in any degree responsible for the duties with which they are charged, government must protect them from the interference of irresponsible persons. Hence, an intermediate agency becomes necessary, which, without taking any of the duties of the regular agents of government out of their hands, can, nevertheless, offer to them means of administering to the wants of the sick and wounded much beyond what could be obtained within the government and in strict accordance with the regulations necessary for maintaining a proper accountability to it. The Sanitary Commission, a volunteer and unpaid bureau of the War Department, constitutes such an agency. The Sanitary Commission has established its right to your confidence. The President, Secretary of War, General Scott and General McClellan have each recently acknowledged, in the warmest terms, the advantages which have already resulted from its labors and the discretion and skill with which they have been directed. Its advice has been freely taken and in several important particulars acted upon favorably to the health of the army by the Government. There has scarcely been a company of volunteers in the field, with regard to which some special defect, error or negligence, endangering health, has not been pointed out by it agents and its removal or abatement effected. There has not been a single instance in which its services or advice, offered through all its various agencies have been repulsed; not a single complaint has been received of its embarrassing any officer in his duty or of its interfering with discipline in the slightest degree. Its labors have to this time been chiefly directed to induce precautions against a certain class of diseases which have scourged almost every modern European army which decimated our army in Mexico and which at one time, rendered nearly half of one of our armies in the war of 1812 unfit for service. It is a ground for national gratitude that our present armies have passed through the most trying season of the year wonderfully escaping this danger. That there are grander causes for this than the labors of the Commission cannot be doubted but that, among human agencies, a large share of the credit for it should be given to those labors it is neither arrogant nor unreasonable to assert. In this assurance what contribution that has hitherto been made to the treasury for the store of the Commission is not received back again ten fold in value? After full and confidential conference with the Secretary of War, the Commander of the Army of the Potomac and the Quartermaster General, there is reason to ask with urgency for a large increase of the resources of the Commission, especially of that class of its resources upon which it must chiefly draw for the relief of the sick and wounded. The experience of the Commission has so well acquainted it with the earnest desire of their loyal countrywomen to be allowed to work in the national cause, that it is deemed unnecessary to do more than announce that there is a real and immediate occasion for their best exertions, and to indicate convenient arrangements for the end in view. It is therefore suggested that societies be at once formed in every neighborhood where they are not already established, and that existing societies of suitable organizations, as Dorcas Societies, Sewing Societies, Reading Clubs and Sociables, devote themselves, for a time, to the sacred service of their country; that energetic and respectable committees be appointed to call from house to house and store to store, to obtain contributions in materials suitable to be made up, or money for the purchase of such materials; that collections be made in churches and schools and factories and shops for the same purpose; that contribution boxes be placed in post offices, newspaper offices, railroad and telegraph offices, public houses, steamboats and ferry boats, and in all other suitable places, labeled, "For Our Sick and Wounded," and that all loyal women meet at such convenient times and places as may be agreed upon in each neighborhood or social circle to work upon the material which shall be so procured. Description of Articles Wanted Blankets Quilts, of cheap material, about seven feet long by fifty inches wide. Woolen or Canton Flannel Bed Gowns, Wrappers, Undershirts and Drawers Small Hair and Feather Pillows and Cushions for wounded limbs Knit Woollen Socks Slippers All articles should be closely packed in wooden boxes or in very strongly wrapped bales and clearly directed. On the top of the contents of each box, under the cover, a list of what it contains should be placed; a duplicate of this list should be sent by mail. Arrangements for free transportation should be made or freight paid in advance. (The express companies will generally convey goods for this purpose at a reduction on the usual rates). Packages may be directed and sent, as in most economical, from any point to any of the addresses below ("For the U. S. Sanitary Commission") - Office of the Women's Central Relief Association, Cooper Union, No. 10, Third Avenue, New York. Care of Samuel and William Welsh, No. 218 South Delaware Avenue, Philadelphia. Care of Dr. S. G. Howe, 20 Bromfield st., Boston. Care of Russell M. Larned, Providence, R. I. Care of Dr. W. H. Mussey, Cincinnati. Office of Soldiers' Aid Society, 96 Bank St., Cleveland Care of Dr. C. D. Griswold, Wheeling, Va. Care of Dr. J. V. Z. Blaney, Medial Purveyor, Chicago Care of F. L. Olmstead, 211 F street, Washington, D. C. Acknowledgments will be made to all those who forward parcels and a final report to the Secretary of War will be published, recording the names of all contributors so far as they shall be known to the commission. Signed - Henry W. Bellows, D. D., President and &c. Commissioner under authority of the Sec'y of War. The Sanitary commission is doing a work of great humanity and of direct practical value to the nation, in this time of its trial. It is entitled to the gratitude and the confidence of the people and I trust it will be generously supported. There is no agency through which voluntary offerings of patriotism can be more effectively made. Signed - A. Lincoln. Winfield Scott, Washington, September 30, 1861 War News of the Week Fortress Monroe, Nov. 7 By a flag of truce just from Norfolk we have news of the fleet but provokingly meager, as the only person who came down was bound by parole to reveal no particulars. The Steamer, Union, with a cargo of horses and stores and another transport, whose name is not given, were lost during the gale, one at Kill Devil Shoal and the other on Rogue's Beach, on the coast of North Carolina. The crews of both vessels, 73 in number are now prisoners at Raleigh, N. C. It is not known whether any were lost. But 15 horses were saved. The executive officer of the Minnesota states upon information received by the flag, that the fleet was bombarding Port Royal and meeting with a warm reception, the Rebels, having for some time been preparing for them. Fortress Monroe, Nov. 10 The steam, Spaulding, arrived from Hatteras Inlet this morning with the Twentieth Indiana Regiment. A deserter who reached the inlet in a small boat stated that the news had been received at the main land of the taking of the Confederate forts at Port Royal and the landing of a large Federal force. Beaufort has also been taken by our troops. No particulars have arrived but the main fact corresponds with news received a few hours since from Norfolk by a flag of truce. From the same source we have a rumor that the Railroad above Beaufort has fallen into the possession of our troops and with an immense amount of stores. Five deserters who reached Newport News this evening state that the rebels above James' river are in consternation and also bring an improbable rumor that our troops had advanced up the railroad as far as Charleston. Baltimore, Nov. 11 It is rumored that Charleston has been bombarded by our troops, but the report is not credited here. Nothing has been received here by the Old Point boat to warrant it, except an outside report that at the last accounts our troops had advanced to within twelve miles of Charleston. The Capture of Beaufort, S. C. Speaking of the above event, the New York TRIBUNE says - If the capture of Beaufort has really been achieved, it will be the most important event of the war to the present time. The harbor is a splendid one, with an easy approach, thus insuring a safe and commodious rendezvous for our fleet. The town lying almost midway between Charleston and Savannah, within a few miles of the railroad uniting these two cities, forms a grand base of offensive operations against them, and in fact its possession supported by a proper force surely precedes the capture of the capitals of Georgia and South Carolina. A most important cotton port would, moreover, by this blow be opened. Thus, then, at a glance the value of the success the National arms have probably achieved may be seen. Our great fleet holds a superior harbor; a powerful army is established upon the land; a rendezvous is opened for the gathering of Union men and contrabands; the strongholds of the rebellion are menaced in the rear; the attention of the rebel army on the Potomac is distracted; and a most favorable field is gained for Winter operations. It is as earnestly to be hoped as it is firmly to be believed, that the news we must within a few hours receive may be decisive in favor of the National cause on the Southern Coast. Shocking Casualty A fearful occurrence transpired a few days since in Furguson township, Clearfield county. A man named Nicholas Tubbs and his wife started to a school house in the neighborhood for the purpose of attending religious service, taking with them their youngest child and leaving the balance of the family at home. Shortly after reaching the school house the frightful intelligence reached them that their dwelling was on fire. The distracted parents hurried home as quick as possible but the rafters had commenced falling in and the rescue of the inmates was found impossible. Four children, two boys and two girls, perished in the flames. The oldest was eleven and the youngest three years of age. The bodies of two of them were entirely consumed and of the other two their limbs were burned off and the balance of their remains reduced to a shapeless mass. The origin of the fire is unknown but it is believed that the children had retired to bed and that falling to sleep the flames were communicated in some way from the candle. The calamity was a most appalling one and the parents of the unfortunate children are almost distracted by their tragic end. Letters from Our Volunteers Camp Pierpoint, November 4, 1861 Time wears away tediously, nothing occurring to break the monotony of camp life. We are under the strictest discipline, the army regulations being enforced in every instance. We are seldom allowed to leave camp and it requires an extra amount of shrewdness to enable one to procure a pass outside the lines. The following is the modus operandi - In the first place you apply to your captain, stating business and length of absence required; then, if you are fortunate enough to secure a pass from him, you take it to the colonel for his countersign; and last but not least, the colonel being agreeable, you repair to the General commanding the brigade for his signature, which is forthcoming provided that respectable personage be in a good humor and has pen and ink handy; otherwise it is not. A great deal depends however on the nature and urgency of the business of the applicants. This little matter of ceremony, you will see, is no small item; but were it different, the officers would be pestered almost to death. An order has been issued by Gen. McClellan to the effect that all soldiers wear their knapsacks while on drill. This idea is not particularly admired by the boys, from the fact that, when "double quicking" is the programme, the knapsacks are a perfect abomination. It is all for the best, however, as it will habituate the men in their duty and make their future marches less laborious. The daily routine of our camp is about this - Roll call at sunrise and drill in the manual of arms immediately after; breakfast at seven o'clock; police duty at eight; company drill at nine; dinner at twelve; battalion drill at two; dress parade at half past four; guard mounting at five; supper at half past five; roll call at eight; taps for retiring at nine when all lights are to be extinguished and silence observed throughout the camp. The boys amuse themselves after various manners but dancing appears to be the prevailing pastime. Carney, our fiddler, as in days of yore, still continues to furnish us with superior melody for such occasions. We experienced a little difficulty at first in distinguishing the "ladies" from the gentlemen, but that defect was easily remedied by the former going bareheaded! We have had several reviews and inspections during the past week. His excellency, Governor Curtin, was present at a review on Tuesday and appeared highly pleased with the appearance of his Reserve. Our regiment was inspected on Wednesday by a regular officer, preparatory to being paid off. The inspection was conducted in the strictest manner especially that part appertaining to the fire arms and accoutrements. If a gun is condemned on account of the carelessness of its possessor he is "docked" of a sufficient portion of his pay to cover damages. In consequence of delicate health, Lieut. Col. Porter last week resigned his commission. Maj. Jackson was unanimously chosen to fill the vacancy thus occasioned, until Capt. Litzinger was elected Major by a large majority. First Lieut. Lewis was then elected Captain of our company by acclamation; Second Lieut. McCoy was elected to the First Lieutenancy; and Corporal James Burke was chosen to be Second Lieutenant. Success to them all! Another member of Co. E died last week of typhoid fever. Our boys, as a general thing, enjoy good health. Signed - E. County Matter List of Jurors, December 7, 1861 Grand Jurors Jno. Flanagan Foreman Johnstown Auc. T. Brookbank Washington Carpenter Paul Cobaugh Jackson Farmer Samuel Dillon Susquehanna Farmer Wm. Disert Johnstown Painter James Douglass Carroll Farmer Evan E. Evans Ebensburg Grocer John J. Evans Cambria Carpenter John Good Jr. Taylor Farmer Samuel D. Gougenour Jackson Farmer John Gillan Jr. Blacklick Farmer John E. Hare Croyle Tanner Jacob Hoover Taylor Contractor John Heslop Conemaugh Miner David J. James Ebensburg Pumpmaker Samuel Kring Richland Farmer John McBride Cambria Farmer Jac. Pringle (of Geo.) Summerhill Farmer John Park Johnstown Marble Cutter Jos. L. Parker Chest Springs Shoemaker Rees E. Rees Cambria Farmer James M. Riffle Summitville Innkeeper Wm. Tibbott Cambria Justice Benj. Wertner Carrolltown Farmer Traverse Jurors - First Week Henry Anstead Jackson Farmer M. M. Adams Washington Farmer D. Berkstresser Susquehanna Farmer Ansalem Bradley Allegheny Farmer Robt. G. Bryant Chest Springs Laborer Samuel Black Conemaugh Teamster Samuel Baxter Ebensburg Carpenter Samuel Cain Taylor Farmer Francis Cooper Alleghany Farmer Thos. J. Davis Ebensburg Carpenter James Duncan Blacklick Farmer Daniel Davis Ebensburg Shoemaker Patrick Donoughe Washington Farmer J. Eichensicher Conemaugh Shoemaker Adam Fockler Johnstown Merchant John J. Farren Cambria Farmer John Flick Carroll Farmer Henry Fisher Johnstown Saddler Simon Fagan Allegheny Farmer Jacob J. Goughenour Conemaugh Farmer James Griffin Conemaugh Contractor James Glasgow White Farmer Hiram Hays Richland Sawyer Jacob Holsopple Richland Teacher Wm. M. Jones Carrolltown Clerk Benjamin James Cambria Farmer Griffith J. Jones Cambria Farmer George Kohlar Johnstown Grocer D. Litzinger Chest Springs Innkeeper Sylvester Little Loretto Founder A. R. Longenecker Blacklick Farmer James McCoy Carroll Farmer Patrick Moran Loretto Blacksmith James Mardis Blacklick Farmer James McKeever Johnstown Bricklayer George Mitchell Yoder Farmer John McGough Jr. Washington Farmer John B. Miller Carroll Farmer James Paul Jackson Farmer Sylvester Parrish Allegheny Carpenter Thos. Powell White Farmer Cyrus Reilly Johnstown Shoemaker Samuel J. Royer Johnstown Clerk John Swegler Sr. Johnstown Gardener Geo. W. Stalb Carroll Farmer Wm. Slick Jr. Richland Surveyor John F. Tibbott Cambria Farmer Jos. Wentz Carroll Farmer Traverse Jurors - Second Week John Q. Adams, Esq. Blacklick Justice Richard Adams Clearfield Farmer Francis Bearer Susquehanna Farmer Joseph Bender Carroll Farmer John Behe Washington Farmer John Coshong Conemaugh Farmer Henry Delozier Clearfield Farmer Cornelius Dever Jr. Munster Blacksmith Benjamin Edwards Yoder Farmer Evan J. Evans Cambria Sawyer John Edmiston Carroll Farmer David Farner Taylor Farmer Jacob Grumbling Jr. Richland Farmer Wm. A Glass Susquehanna Farmer David Hamilton Johnstown Carpenter Lewis Hoover Ebensburg Painter John Homer Jr. Taylor Farmer Josiah R. Hite Johnstown Gentleman Jacob Hamilton Johnstown Clerk Michael Kline Washington Laborer Jacob Levergood Johnstown Tanner Wm. Litzinger Loretto Merchant Joseph Layton Johnstown Blacksmith David R. Lucas Conemaugh Wagon Maker Simon Litzinger Carroll Miller Sam'l. Long Washington Laborer Geo. Mack Cambria Farmer E. C. McMullen Allegheny Farmer Alex McIntosh Washington Grocer Sam'. J. Metz Taylor Farmer Luke McGuire Clearfield Farmer Geo. Mickey Yoder Farmer John Nipps Blacklick Farmer Geo. W. Osborne Yoder Farmer Constantine O'Niell Munster Farmer Newton J. Roberts Ebensburg Carpenter Michael Rutch Carroll Farmer Jos. Reynolds Richland Farmer Jacob R. Stall Richland Farmer Aaron Sherbine Croyle Farmer John Steetham Yoder Farmer Jacob Sharbaugh Carroll Farmer Wm. Simons Blacklick Teamster Jacob Wirtz Conemaugh Farmer Wm. Weakland Carroll Farmer Augustine Walters Allegheny Farmer David Younkin White Farmer