NEWS: Items from The Alleghanian, 2 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, 2 May 1861 Volume 2, Number 37 Advice to Volunteers An old soldier, writing to the New York EVENING POST gives the following timely hints to the volunteers who are now hastening to the defense of their country: 1. Remember that in a campaign more men die from sickness than by the bullet. 2. Line your blanket with one thickness of brown drilling. This adds but four ounces in weight and doubles the warmth. 3. Buy a small India rubber blanket (only $1.50) to lay on the ground or to throw over your shoulders when on guard duty during a rain storm. Most of the Eastern troops are provided with these. Straw to lie on is not always to be had. 4. The best military hat in use is the light-colored soft felt; the crown being sufficiently high to allow space for air over the brain. You can fasten it up as a continental in fair weather or turn it down when it is wet or very sunny. 5. Let your beard grow so as to protect the throat and lungs. 6. Keep your entire person clean; this prevents fevers and bowel complaints in warm climates. Wash your body each day, if possible. Avoid strong coffee and oily meats. Gen. Scott said that too free use of these (together with neglect in keeping the skin clean) cost many a soldier his life in Mexico. 7. A sudden check of perspiration by chilly or night air often causes fever and death. When exposed do not forget your blanket. Local and Personal A Home Guard has been formed in Johnstown. The laying of the iron on the Ebensburg and Cresson Railroad will be commenced in a few days. The erection of Ben F. Williams' planing mill is progressing finely. It will be under roof in a few days. The members of the Blair County Medical Society have tendered their professional services, gratis, to the families of the volunteers. That's the talk. The dwelling house of Mr. Pat Bracken in Conemaugh township together with its contents was destroyed by fire on Saturday week. The publication of the Johnstown ECHO has been suspended for the present, owing to the disturbance in our national affairs. Sorry to hear it. A. J. Rhey, a clerk in one of the departments in Washington has returned to his home in this place. He reports Washington City as being quiet when he left it. S. W. Amhiser, a member of one of the Blair county military companies, was severely injured by the accidental discharge of a musket while the troops were lying at Cockeysville. He was brought home. We are informed that the agents of the "Mutual Oil Company," of this place, who are boring for the carboniferous compound in Western Virginia, recently tapped a five-barrel jugular. We are glad, and so doubtless are the members of the company, to hear this. It appears that we were slightly premature in saying last week that the Cambria troops had got through to Washington. They took the cars for that point at Harrisburg, in company with several other regiments, on Saturday night, 20th ult., but proceeded only as far as Cockeysville, fourteen miles east of Baltimore. Here they found the railroad bridges destroyed and further progress impeded. They were preparing to force their way through the city when they received further orders from headquarters. They encamped at Cockeysville until Monday night when they returned to York where a permanent camp has been established. They are yet at that place in good health and spirits and "spiling for a fight." Our Boys Abroad Lieut. James C. Noon, of the Citizens' Guards, has been appointed aid to Col. Minier. Wm. Linton has been elected First Lieutenant of a company formed from the overplus of other companies at Camp Curtin. G. W. Brown is serving as corporal in Dick White's Rifles. The Johnstown Zouaves, Infantry and Guards belong to the Third Regiment composed as follows - six companies from Blair, three from Cambria and one from Allegheny, of which Minier of Blair is Colonel and Power, of Cambria, Lt. Colonel. Wilmore The Wilmore company has received its full complement, and is now ready to march. Wm. H. Gardner is elected Captain and George Rushaberger, First lieutenant. The following are the military companies from Cambria county that have been accepted and sworn into service: Washington Rifles, (Hemlock), Capt. White Johnstown Infantry, Captain Lapsley Johnstown Zouave Cadets, Capt. Power Johnstown Citizens' Guards, Capt. Linton Johnstown Allegheny Guards, Capt. Easly. A second company is being formed in Ebensburg, to be called the "Mountaineers." War Movements Since our last issue, the war excitement but not the enthusiasm has materially lessened in our midst. The irrepressible outburst of patriotism has had its utterance and in its stead now reigns a determination and a desire to maintain the Union and Constitution at all hazards and to punish Treason as it deserves. Our citizens are deeply imbued with a spirit of patriotism, of love for county. They are for the Union, the whole Union, and nothing but the Union, and they are unalterably opposed to all attempts to annul the Federal compact under which we have all lived and prospered so many years. To protect the one and prevent the other, they will offer their lives on the shrine of the Country's Good. Our military company, the "Cambria Guards," now number some 90 men. They are a noble, good looking body of men and will do honor to Little Cambria in the "tented field." They drill daily and are already become quite expert in the exercise. The company expects marching orders in a day or two. Chest Springs, April 23 - In pursuance of a call of many citizens of the borough of Chest Springs and vicinity, a meeting was held in Green's Hall, in this place, on the evening of the 22d inst., for the purpose of raising a volunteer corps for Home Protection and also to assist in maintaining the families of those who have volunteered in the service of the Federal Government from this place. The meeting was called to order by appointing Henry Nutter Chairman and T. J. Nelson and Wm. Allen Secretaries. On motion a Committee of three to draft resolutions was appointed. M. D. Wagner, Esq., Dr. B. F. Tomb and T. A. Durbin were appointed said committee. Whist they were absent the meeting was addressed by Wm. Allen, Frank M. Pike, T. J. Nelson, A. W. Green, Jos. Mann, Jas. Longwell. A stranger by the name of White who was suspected of being a secessionist was called upon and willingly addressed the meeting in a most beautiful and patriotic speech, fully vindicating himself from the foul stigma of being a traitor. John E. McKenzie next addressed the meeting in a strong Union speech. The committee on resolutions having returned reported the following: Whereas, Our country has been involved in civil war, our Flag trampled upon, our Laws set at defiance by traitors and our fellow countrymen murdered in the discharge of their duties in defense of the Stars and Stripes or our country, therefore, Resolved, That we do hereby form ourselves into a Home Company to protect the flag of our country and maintain our rights against all usurpers, Resolved, That we do also see that all families and persons that may need any help in consequence of our citizens going to defend their country in the time of need, shall be supplied with the necessaries of life, during their absence. Resolved, That we do hereby form ourselves into a company and bind ourselves one to another in all emergencies of life, liberty and property to stand by our country's rights. The foregoing resolutions were unanimously adopted. On motion of M. D. Wagner, the meeting adjourned to meet on Thursday, the 24th inst., at 7 o'clock for the purpose of organizing. Carrolltown, April 29, 1861 - I had the pleasure of attending quite a large and patriotic meeting at Cherrytree on Saturday last, and as your readers may feel an interest as to how the cause of the Union is progressing in the ""Pines," I send you a brief outline of what they have done and are doing. About four o'clock on the afternoon of the 27th ult., a model pole, one hundred feet in height was firmly planted and from it was thrown the proud Flag of our Country, one of the most beautiful of the many banners I have yet seen. It was presented by the noble and ever patriotic ladies of the village. A meeting was then organized, over which Mr. John Huston presided, assisted by numerous Vice Presidents. It was addressed by almost all of the prominent men of the place, who uttered only the unmistakable voice of the people, "A free and undivided Union;" and to secure that blessing, "The laws must be enforced." But not here did they stop. They determined that they too would share the glory of maintaining the honor of our Government and about forty noble young men walked up and signed their names, promising to respond in person to the call of their country. They were ably addressed by the Presbyterian minister. Another meeting was to be held in the evening, at which more would probably join the ranks. Had the citizens who have gone down the river with rafts been at home, the requisite seventy-seven would doubtless have been easily secured. I noticed several members of the Ebensburg company present, one of whom delivered a brief address. A "Home Guard" was also formed, embracing the entire male population of the village and vicinity. Signed - A&O From Washington, April 29 - The city is quiet and a feeling of greater confidence begins to prevail among all classes. There are now 15,000 fully armed and disciplined troops in the city, a force sufficient to hold the Capital against any numbers which the secessionists can possibly concentrate at this point. The Government is supplying the people with flour at $7 per bbl., while it is selling at Baltimore at the rate of $12 per bbl. The Government has a stock of 20,000 barrels on hand, which they dispose of at the price named and only by a single barrel to families, in order to keep down speculation. The Capitol building has been converted into one vast store house where provisions, arms and ammunition are stored. Before the city was perfectly safe, it was the intention of the Government to have blown up the Capital and all the public buildings rather than have permitted them to fall into the hands of the Secessionists. This alternative is now entirely unnecessary owing to the perfect safety of the city. Jefferson Davis has resigned the Presidency for the time to the Vice President for the purpose of cooperating with the army of the rebels. He is reported to be very jealous of Beauregard. The destruction of property at Norfolk, including the ship, Pennsylvania, amounts to over twenty seven million. Communication is now open between Norfolk and Washington. The Potomac is cruised by several U. S. vessels, which keep a strict surveillance of the shore and a most vigilant watch over all suspicious crafts passing up or down that river. Pittsburg, April 29 - Governor Curtin has sent a dispatch to Mayor Wilson, of Pittsburg, authorizing the opening of a camp at that place for the reception of the recruits from the western portion of Pennsylvania. This camp, which is called, "Camp Wilkins," was opened on Monday morning.