NEWS: Items from The Alleghanian, 16 May 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. Thursday, 16 May 1861 Volume 2, Number 39 How To Make an American Flag Notwithstanding the number in use, few persons know how to make an American flag properly. The rule is as follows: the flag should be one-half longer than wide, viz: If six feet wide, nine feet long; if eight feet wide, twelve feet long. The stripes should be alternately red and white, seven red and six white, top and bottom, both being red. The field should be blue, and extend over seven stripes, commencing at the top, four red and three white. The stars signifying the number of States should be white, arranged on the blue field in the shape of a five-pointed star. We have seen many flags with thirty four stars, which is not correct, as by act of Congress, the additional star is not added to the flag until the Fourth of July, succeeding the admission of a new State. The Absent Of all the exercises of the unfettered mind, perhaps none is attended with a more benign influence that than of indulging in a kind remembrance of the absent. Every loving word that fell from the lips of the absent is treasured with tenderness. Each kind act is recollected with affection. We look forward to meeting with unbounded happiness. Have we parted in anger? Time softens us into indifference, at length into a quiet acknowledgment of past friendship. Have we parted in silent estrangement? This, too, wears away and we must meet again to forget the past in future communions. Have we parted in grief? The sorrow is mutually borne and tenderly consigned to the corner of our hearts devoted to the absent sharer. Have we parted in love? No joy so great as the remembrance of it, no event so delightful or sacred as the reunion. Absent, but not forgotten, is a sweet and touching memorial. Telegraphic Intelligence Soldiers Poisoned at the Relay House It seems that the attempt to poison the troops stationed at the Relay House was much more wide spread and serious than first suspected. Strychnine was introduced into the camp by vendors of cakes, apples and goodies in vast quantities. Gen. Butler alludes to the subject in special orders and says; "Are our few insane enemies among the loyal men of Maryland prepared to wage war upon us in this manner? Do they know the terrible lesson of warfare they are teaching us? Can it be that they realize the fact that we can put an agent with a sword, in every household, armed with this terrible weapon? Baltimore Succumbed Five steam transports from Perryville landed about 2000 troops at Locust Point yesterday afternoon, at which place they took the cars for the Relay House. They comprise the First Pennsylvania Artillery regiment, under Col. Patterson, and the Texas Regulars and Sherman's battery. Locust Point is on the south side of the harbor, in that portion of the city known as Federal Hill, about a mile above Fort McHenry. The presence of the troops was viewed with satisfaction by the residents of the vicinity and there were no indications of hostilities. News Items Judge Campbell of the U. S. Supreme Court who resides in Alabama, has sent in his resignation. He is a Unionist but feels bound to adhere to the fortunes of his state. Major Anderson has been promoted to a Colonelcy in the U. S. Army. It is reported that John Morrissey, the pugilist is dead. Every man who offers his services to his country in the present crisis and is mustered into the service will be entitled to Land Warrants, in addition to his regular pay, even if the war is closed in thirty days. Privates will receive 160 acres each; officers, larger tracts, in proportion to the rank they hold. Local Etchings Maj. John C. Osterlob, of Hollidaysburg, has been appointed Brig. Quartermaster of Camp Slifer, Chambersburg. The Chest Springs military company has offered their services to the Government under the three years' requisition. We are not informed as to whether they have been accepted. The rails, chairs, spikes, &c., for the Ebensburg and Cresson Railroad have been delivered at Cresson, and workmen are now busily engaged in laying the track. The depot building is likewise being rapidly put up. In a few short weeks (D.V. and weather permitting) both enterprises will be happily concluded. A meeting of the managers of the Cambria County Agricultural Society is called for Saturday, June 1st. Let those who are interested take notice. The Cambria Guards This company held a special meeting on Saturday last and decided to offer their services to the General Government, through Gov. Curtin, under the three years' requisition. Lieut. R. A. McCoy and Sergeant R. M. Jones left for Harrisburg on Monday to carry out the wishes of the company. We have as yet had no return of their success. The Post Office Again! It will be remembered that two months ago, or thereabout, Maj. John Thompson received notice that he had been designated as Post Master for Ebensburg Borough under the new Administration. Although his commission did not come to hand, it was generally supposed that the appointment was a fixed fact and that the Major was to be "the man." But as we have heretofore noted, about three weeks ago. Mr. M. S. Harr, another applicant, received official notice from the Post Office Department that he had been assigned the position. Mr. H. immediately filled out the necessary bond and returned them to the department. And, we thought of course that this settled the matter and that the coveted commission would soon arrive. But there's many a slip 'twixt the cup and the lip and we may add, to suit this particular case that "You ain't sure of your posish, Until you get your commish." For last week, Mr. Harr received another P. O. document notifying him that his appointment was revoked. It may be pertinent to the occasion to state that Mr. Thompson has not yet received his commission. The question now is not, "Who struck Billy Patterson?" But "Who is to be our Postmaster?" Local and Personal A volunteer company has been organized in Philadelphia, of which George W. [surname in the fold of the paper and unreadable] and Richard M. Jones, First Lieutenant. These gentlemen were both formerly residents of this place. The company has been accepted and is attached to the Scott Legion. Our Soldiery Annexed is a list of the several military companies that have come from this county, together with their Captains, the Regiments to which they belong and the Colonels thereof, the Letter of the companies and the Camps at which they are at present stationed. Our county subscribers should preserve it - Citizens Guards - Company F., Capt. John Linton, Third Regiment, Col. Minier, Camp Scott, York, Pa. Johnstown Infantry - Company, G, Capt. W. H. Lapsley, Third Regiment, Col. Minier, Camp Scott, York, Pa. Zouave Cadets - Co. K., Capt. John Suter, Third Regiment, Col. Minier, Camp Scott, York, Pa. Allegheny Guards - Co. H., Capt. George W. Easley, Tenth Regiment, Col. S. A. Meredith, Camp Slifer, Chambersburg, Pa. Washington Rifles - Co. G., Capt. James Carroll, Tenth Regiment, Col. S. A. Meredith, Camp Slifer, Chambersburg, Pa. The following is the proper manner in which to address letters to the volunteers. John Smith, Pa. Vols., Third Regt.; Col., Minier, Company F.; Capt. Linton, Camp Scott, York, Pa. Pay of the Troops The following from an exchange paper gives the rate of pay allowed in the army of the United States, to which the militia is entitled when called into service: The first column of figures represents the net monthly salary and the second, includes rations, forage, &c. Rank Per Month Colonel $95 $218.00 Lieutenant Colonel 80 194.00 Major 70 175.00 Captain 60 118.00 First Lieutenant 50 108.50 Second Lieutenant 45 102.50 Brevet Second Lieutenant 45 103.50 First or Orderly Sergeant 16 29.00 Other Sergeants 15 27.00 Corporals 13 22.00 Privates 8 20.00 Musicians 9 21.00 On the first of January 1860 the regular army consisted of 1,083 commissioned officers, musicians, artificers, and 11,848 privates, being a total of 12,931. What is a Ration? For the information of numerous inquirers, we give the following list of articles constituting a ration from the army regulations: 20 oz. Fresh and Salt beef or 12 oz. Pork 18 oz. Soft Bread or Flour, or 12 oz. Hard Bread 2 2/3 oz. Beans or 1 3/5 oz. Rice 1 5/6 oz. Sugar 1 oz. Coffee, ground one-fourth oz. Candies 2/3 oz. Soap one-half oz. Salt This must answer for the subsistence of a soldier during the day and properly husbanded, it is enough.