NEWS: Items from The Alleghanian, December 26, 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 14, Thursday, December 26, 1861 Local and Personal Letters from Our Volunteers Camp Pierpoint, Va., Dec. 13, 1861 Our division was out on two foraging expeditions last week in the neighborhood of Drainesville, eleven miles from our camp. The First brigade had the advance expedition and Second - a part of which the 11th regiment forms,- as a reserve. The expedition succeeded in "cabbaging" about sixty wagon loads of wheat, corn, &c. We returned the same day. On the second occasion the Second brigade had the advance and went in the same direction as before. We advanced to within two miles of Drainesville and then struck out into the country off the main road. We halted near the farm of a rich old Secessionist name Dr. Gunnell from whose well-stocked "plantation" we made quite a rich haul. Companies A and D of the Eleventh, were detailed to take charge of the farm and loaded the wagons of which latter articles we had about sixty. The boys immediately fell to with a will and in a comparatively short space of time every wagon was loaded down with wheat, corn and potatoes. In addition we captured eleven head of horses, a pair of oxen and wagon, thirty-eight hogs, averaged two hundred pounds each, two buggies, a splendid carriage and a lot of excellent light harness. Two negro slaves, the property of said Gunnell were also taken in tow and brought into camp. They were exceedingly glad to be afforded opportunity to effect their liberty and are now, I understand, employed as cooks in some of the regiments. Two young men, of known secession proclivities, and relatives of Gunnell were arrested on the farm at the same time and sent to Washington for examination. I have not as yet learned what disposition was made of them. The cavalry which accompanied the expedition captured three rebel cavalry pickets near the farm. The appearance of the prisoners as regards the article of clothing was not calculated to impress one with the idea that they were scrupulously well-cared for, inasmuch as each individual wore a different kind of attire from the others, and none of the best at that! Although purporting to be soldiers they could not be distinguished from civilians. It is reported that we were within two or three miles of a rebel camp but of course, I cannot vouch for the truth of this. We saw no signs of the enemy with the exception of the three pickets whom we captured. At about three o'clock we turned our faces toward "home," where we arrived after dark after having marched nearly twenty-five miles. We felt considerably fatigued you may be sure, but a night's rest made us as good as new again and ready for anything that might turn up. We have been engaged for some time past improving our quarters so as to render them more comfortable. "Necessity is the mother of invention," and profiting by the precept, most of us have built log walls, the interstices "daubed" upon the tops of which the tents are place. They are thus made much warmer as well as larger. Some of them boast of the possession of stoves; others compromise on homemade fire places called "California stoves." Between the two we are right comfortably situated. The weather here is becoming pretty cold and winter-like, but considering that we are verging on the cold season and that the climate is not far different from that of Pennsylvania and in fact of the Alleghenies, we should not expect it to be otherwise. I do not know whether we are to go into winter quarters here or not, but presume we will not. At all events the Government has not yet made any provision for such an arrangement. Two deaths have occurred in Co. A during the past couple of weeks. The names of the deceased are John Wise and William Barringer. They were both good men and true and were held in high estimation by their companions. May they rest in peace! They died in the Georgetown Hospital. Three other deaths in our regiment, two in Co. F and one in Co. H., occurred last week. The prevailing disease is typhoid fever. Signed - E [The foregoing letter was intended for last week's issue but came to hand too late for publication.] Sworn In The "Silver Grays" were sworn into the United States service at Camp Curtin near Harrisburg on last Wednesday. This is as it should be. Co. C, 19th Regular Infantry Capt. T. C. Williams, of the 19th regular infantry was in town one day last week and called to see us. He reports his company, which is composed almost exclusively of Cambria county men in excellent health and sprits and "spiling for a fight." They are still quartered at Indianapolis but expect to be ordered into Kentucky shortly. They have already attained an excellent degree of discipline and Capt. W. confidently assures us that the Frosty Sons will be "heard from" on the first available opportunity. Annexed is the list of non-commissioned officers of the company; Orderly Sergeant Thomas R. Davis Second Sergeant H. Lemmon Third Sergeant E. C. Bennett Fourth Sergeant Reuben Jones Fifth Sergeant Abram Smith Corporals John Shroat, J. B. Shaffer, S. Dibert, C. P. Craver, James Singer, B. Davis, George Paul, James Lingle All of the above with two exceptions are from Cambria county. Tribute of Respect At a meeting of Rhizoma Lodge No. 537, I. O. O. F. held at Wilmore on the 20th day of December, inst., the following Preamble and Resolutions in regard to the death of Bro. Michael Burgoon were read and adopted. Whereas, It has pleased Divine Providence to remove from among us our beloved Brother in F. L. And T., under painful and distressing circumstances, not only to the great affliction of all but to the extreme regret of our Order, therefore, it is Resolved, That in the death of Brother Burgoon, we have lost not only a friend and Brother, but a man who required not the obligation of Odd Fellowship to make social and humane. As a Brother, we loved him; as a man, we respected him; as a citizen he was above reproach; and as a husband, father and friend, no eulogium we could bestow would exalt him in the estimation of those who knew him. And Resolved, That as a tribute of respect to our departed Brother - whose loss we so deeply deplore - our Lodge be draped in mourning, and each member wear the badge required by our order for thirty days; and that the usual card to the widow of a deceased Brother be presented with the usual tokens of Benevolence and Charity to the bereaved family. [By the Lodge] The Ladies Hose Association Camp Curtin, Dec. 20, 1861 Permit me through the medium of your columns to tender certain of your female friends, to wit - Mrs. Johnston Moore, Mrs. Gibson, Mrs. T. B. Moore, Mrs. Piper, Miss Emily Roberts and Mrs. P. Collins, my sincere thanks for their very generous and timely donations of certain articles for use of the sick of the 54th Regiment P. V., now in this camp. Truly in this hour of peril to our country has that beautiful trait, female charity, been called into action to a very large degree, especially has it been nobly displayed in the present instance. The wants of our brave volunteers are being well and amply supplied; in the present instance I might truly say bountifully. With a hearty prayer that peace may soon be given our, at present, distracted country and that all your readers may enjoy a happy reunion around the old hearth stone with friends now absent. I am respectfully, J. M. Allen, Surgeon, 54th Regt. P.V. The Dead Alive We find the following statement in an exchange says the Cambria TRIBUNE. Although not questioning the truthfulness of the story, we may say that we know nothing of the facts beyond what is stated below. The name of Sweeney is familiar about Johnstown and the story, as related, may be strictly true or it may be utterly false, for aught we know to the contrary! "Among those who fought and fell in the bloody battle of Wilson's Creek was a young man named A. J. Sweeney, a native of Cambria county who joined the Union forces in Kansas, whither he emigrated in 1860. He received four balls in the fight, one of which entered his temple and his companions, supposing him dead, left him on the battlefield. Search was made for his body afterwards, but it was stated that he had been buried and he was given up as dead, until a few days since when his sister, residing near Johnstown, received a letter from him stating that he was still in the land of the living and recovering from his wounds. It seems that the rebel army in gathering up their wounded, found Sweeney with signs of life in him and supposing he belonged to their men, took him along and had him cared for. He is now a prisoner in their hands and will shortly, doubtless obtain his liberty." Skirmish at Point of Rocks Point of Rocks, Dec. 19. At 10 o'clock this morning a rebel battery of three guns flanked with about 200 infantry, suddenly commenced shelling the encampment of Col. Geary's Pennsylvania Regiment. About twenty shells well aimed fell amid the encampment, the first within a few feet of Lt. Col. De Korponay, commanding. The 28th Regiment battery opened fire with two guns, the first shot disabling one of their guns, the second falling in their centre. Our battery then advanced and poured a deadly fire into them, silencing all their guns and driving back a fourth one coming to their support. The rebels were driven from their position in full retreat. There were at least fourteen killed and many wounded. Our side did not lose a man. The engagement lasted over half an hour. After the rout of the rebels the victors turned their guns on some houses near where the 150 rebels were secreted, driving them out, killing and wounding many. The guns were admirably served. Grand Victory in Virginia Washington, Dec. 20. This morning at 6 o'clock, a portion of Gen. McCall's division proceeded in the direction of Dranesville on a foraging expedition and for the purpose of making a reconnaissance in that locality. Dranesville is about midway between McCall's headquarters and Leesburg. On arriving in that vicinity they encountered the enemy who had four regiments of infantry, composed of South Carolinians., Alabamians and Kentuckians with one battery of six pieces and a regiment of cavalry under the command of Gen. Stewart. The only troops on our part engaged in the affair at Dranesville were General Ord's brigade, the First regiment of rifles, and Easton's battery of four guns. At four o'clock, after the action, General McCall sent two officers to count the rebels who were killed and wounded and it was ascertained that they had left on the field fifty- seven killed and twenty-two wounded. Three of the latter died on being removed, making their loss sixty killed and nineteen wounded; making a total of seventy killed and wounded and they no doubt carried off many more. The enemy were completely routed and fled precipitately after a fight of an hour and a half, leaving two cannon and a quantity of small arms, blankets, great coats, &c., more than our troops could bring away. Our men also brought in some prisoners besides the wounded. Our loss is as near as can be ascertained at present, about ten killed and fifteen wounded. The expedition returned to their camp at Langley's at nine o'clock tonight. Gen. McCall, in a dispatch received at headquarters tonight, says too much credit cannot be given to Gen. Ord for his gallantry and skill throughout the day. The rifles behaved finely. In their haste the enemy left behind arms of all descriptions, clothing, &c. Sad Occurrence The Altoona TRIBUNE of the 19th inst., gives the following mention of a horrible casualty purporting to have occurred in the eastern section of this county. We may preface the extract by the remark that, up to the present time, we have heard nothing whatever confirmatory of the report. The TRIBUNE says - "We learn that on Tuesday night last, a house situate in Clearfield township, Cambria county, near the Blair county line and not far from the Buckhorn tavern, belonging to a family named Cochran, was entirely consumed by fire, and the mother, a son and daughter perished in the flames. We do not know how the fire originated - the above being all that we could find concerning it."