NEWS: Items from The Alleghanian, 20 Jun 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, 20 Jun 1861 Volume 2, Number 44 O. H. Browning has been appointed to fill the vacancy in the Illinois Senatorial delegation caused by the death of Mr. Stephen A. Douglas. The Fourth of July A public meeting was held at Altoona on the 4th inst., for the purpose of taking into consideration the propriety of holding a grand Union celebration to be participated in by citizens of Blair, Cambria and Huntingdon counties, irrespective of politics or religion on the Fourth. The following gentlemen were named on the Committee of Arrangements from this county - E. Hughes, A. C. Mullin, Ebensburg; Wm. R. Hughes, Wilmore; E. Nutter, Gallitzin. Muster Roll The following is a correct list of the officers and men composing the Cambria Guards: Commissioned Officers Robert Litzinger, Captain Andrew Lewis, First Lieutenant Robert A. McCoy, Second Lieutenant Non commissioned Officers R. M. Jones, Orderly Sergeant Daniel J. Jones, 2d Sergeant John E. Scanlan, 3d Sergeant Charles A. Fagan, 4th Sergeant James B. Pyatt, 1st Corporal Wm. H. Sechler, 2d Corporal Evan D. James, 3d Corporal James A. Pfoff, 4th Corporal Musicians John Roberts, Fifer Thomas D. Litzinger, Drummer Privates Bolewine, William Bradley, S. C. J. Brown, George K. Burk, James C. Barringer, Wm. Books, G. W. Camp, John L. Carney, Thompson Conrad, Augustin Dumm, Thomas P. Davis, Wm. W. Davis, Richard R. Deetz, John Davis, George W. Dempsey, Wm. Davis, Edward E. Evans, Oswell * Evans, Edward I. Evans, Wm. W. Evans, Edgar Evans, James N. Evans, Frederick J. Evans, John C. Evans, Griffith T. Fry, John Foster, John Gillespie, John Gillespie, Edward Hoffman, Milton Helman, Daniel Helman, Lawrence Hoon, James Judy, Samuel Jones, Thomas D. Jones, Philip Jones, Richard E. James, David T. Kennedy, Charles Keough, John Leavy, Wm. A. Leavy, Francis A. Leff, Aaron Longenecker, John McAllister, Nathan McBride, John McFeely, John Marquet, W. H. McBrien, Henry Moore, John Owens, Joseph Powell, Wm. Philips, Patrick Rupert, Bernard Rodgers, Benjamin Shoffner, Casper Skelly, Michael A. Story, John J. Settlemeyer, Harrison Will, Joseph Williams, George Wise, John Wherry, John Wissel, Henry C. *Vamosed About Learning to Shoot We have stated that some persons appeared to be naturally incapable of becoming good marksmen, as they dodged, just when the trigger was pulled. A correspondent alludes to our statement, and asserts that twenty years' experience and observation have taught him that any person may become a good shot by observing the following direction: "Allow the rifle to hang in the hands in an easy manner, declined at an angle of about 40 degrees; then raise it steadily but quickly in a line with the object, the eye ranging carefully over the sights, and at the instant the object arrives at, is covered, touch the trigger." He says, "I find there is a moment in which the gun is absolutely still, that is, the instant the upward movement of it is arrested. These directions observed will certainly make a good shot. If the shot is lost at the first trial, it can be recovered by a second. And deviation from this rule is fatal to accuracy." It has been the experiences of many persons in shooting that nervousness in firing is neutralized in a great measure by drawing the trigger slowly and steadily. We have known several nervous persons become very accurate marksmen by cultivating a habit of steadiness, combined with promptness in touching the trigger just at the instant the sight covered the object as described by our correspondent. All sportsmen who shoot birds on the wing must follow this practice, excepting in one feature, lowering instead of raising the muzzle. Our aborigines raise the muzzle when they fire; most of our rifle shooters and military men raise it first, above the line of aim, than lower it. On this subject marksmen differ in opinion as to which is the best mode. As to the best attitude and mode of holding a rifle in firing, no single rule can be followed by all. Soldiers should learn to take aim and fire rapidly in all positions, standing, kneeling or lying on the ground rolled up like clods behind tufts of brushwood or grass. One contends that it is impossible to shoot accurately with a rifle unless a person stands in the position of our Western riflemen, erect and sidewise, with the right elbow raised to the ear, muscles rigid as stone, the left hand merely supporting the rifle, and the elbow resting on the side. This may be the position of hunters and fancy shooters, but a regiment of soldiers drilled to fire exclusively upon such principles would make excellent targets for the skirmishing riflemen of our military corps. At a distance of 800 years, all the standing up shooters could be picked off without a single Zouave exposing himself to a chance shot. Several well-known marksmen condemn a rigid position of the muscles in shooting. They recommend an easy and gracefully, but firm position, the butt of the rifle held snugly, but not violently firm against the muscle of the right arm above the elbow, and the left hand placed under the barrel at the vertical axis, the point where the stock and barrel are balanced when held upon one forefinger. [Scientific American] Arms for the Troops The federal government has notified the Governor of Pennsylvania that he will be furnished immediately with ten thousand stand of arms, for the purpose of arming the reserve corps. These arms are to be of the best and most approved description, and will be placed in the hands of the reserve corps, as soon as they are forwarded from the general government. The State authorities are making arrangements to purchase a supply of rifles. The arms to be furnished by the War Department were applied for by the State authorities. Three thousand men will be armed this week. Evacuation of Harper's Ferry Frederick, June 14 - It is here reported, upon the authority of a messenger who arrived this morning from within one mile of Harper's Ferry that the bridge across the Potomac at that point was blown up and entirely destroyed between four and five o'clock this morning. The explosion was distinctly heard and the smoke of the burning structure seen by parties here. The messenger further reports that all the troops have been withdrawn from the Maryland shore and that the town of Harper's Ferry has been evacuated by the great body of troops recently there. A small force is yet there, probably the rear guard of the retreating army. It is reported that eight car loads of provisions were destroyed to prevent their falling in the hands of the Federalists who are supposed to be concentrating upon Harper's Ferry from the direction of Greencastle and Cumberland. A gentleman from this city who was at Harper's Ferry last night saw the preparations being made for the blowing up of the bridge. The bridge at Shepherdstown was also burned last night. Skirmish at Newport June 17 - Commissary Taylor has just arrived from Newport News and reports a skirmish there this morning. Three companies were sent out by Colonel Phelps to gather in some cattle belonging to the rebels. They were fired on by a company of light horse, and three men were wounded. The rebels, being mounted, escaped. The detachment, however, succeeded in its purpose. The rebels are evidently landing a large body of troops at the point seven miles above Newport News on the same side of the river and the rebel steamers come down the river daily. An attack from that point is anticipated. We are ready for them at Newport News and the strong battery erected there by the lamented Lieut. Greble will certainly avenge the Great Bethel disaster if an attack is made. Nurses for the Army A most excellent regulation, if well conducted, as we believe it will be, is indicated in the following news from Washington: The Secretary of War has addressed a letter to Surgeon General Wood, of the army, in which he says that during the present war, the forces being made up chiefly of volunteers, the public sentiment and the humanity of the age requires that the services of women, as nurses, should be made available in the general hospitals, where, except in a very humble department, they have heretofore been excluded. As many carefully selected women are in training in various cities of the loyal States, it is the order and wish of the Department that women should be substituted for men in the general hospitals, whenever it can be effected, and that such women as have received previous training for the purpose, be accepted as nurses, except when they can no longer be had, and it is ordered that none be received except those who have presented their application to a lady appointed by the Department to preside over the volunteer nurses, and who shall have some authority to accept nurses, requiring their age to be above thirty, with certificates of character and capacity. Miss Dix has been appointed Superintendent of the women nurses with the exclusive charge of accepting such as she may deem proper for the service. The transportation, subsistence and wages of such nurses as may be accepted by her are to be paid from such moneys as would be expended in the wages and support of the men nurses or are derived from the usual source of hospital service. Western Floating Batteries` It begins to look as if some craft, stronger than ordinary wooded soap bubbles, are to be sent down the Mississippi. A Boston paper states that Matthew D. Field, of Massachusetts, one of the noted Stockbridge family, has been sent to Cairo, Ill., by the Government, to superintend, as Civil Engineer, the construction of five large floating batteries, each capable of carrying five hundred men and destined to accompany an expedition down the Mississippi river. Mr. Field was formerly one of the engineers of the Atlantic Ocean Cable. Swift gunboats will be needed for the landing of troops above batteries, in order to take them in the rear; but when it comes to a regular bombardment from the water, it seems madness to anchor any fixture that can be sunk, before rifled cannon and columbiads, for the purpose of silencing them. With ordinary tugs to tow them around and jump into the action when an attempt is made to board them, floating batteries that are simply rafts, and therefore cannot be sunk, could anchor with perfect composure before a land battery for a few hours. Such crafts are like obtuse individuals, who are incapable of taking the broadest hint that their room is preferable to their company; like people who do not know when they are insulted; and like certain troops we read of, who won a victory simply because they did not know, when according to all ordinary military ideas, they had met with a defeat. The enemy might even plow a channel through a portion of the raft battery, and the two parts, would, hydra-like, simply constitute two floating batteries. [Philadelphia Bulletin] Local and Personal In Luck - We are happy to learn that our young friend, Peter L. Linton, has received a situation in the Sutler's department of the Tenth regiment. Higher Honors await him. Havelocks - Miss Dix writes that if the ladies desire to do the soldiers a real service they should make Havelocks. She says, "I never can have too many. Should any one ask what they shall do for the soldiers at a cheap rate, say, make Havelocks." The ladies should respond to this request. New Depot - Master Robert Thompson has opened out a news depot at the Post Office where he is in daily receipt of the very latest Pittsburg, Philadelphia and New York newspapers. He keeps also on hand a large and splendid assortment of national envelopes, note paper, red, white, and blue collars for ladies and gentlemen, etc. etc. An appreciative public should give the "Doctor," the encouragement he deserves in his enterprise. Indiana County - The Indiana National Guards, Capt. Porter of Indiana borough, left for Camp Wright on the 10th inst. The Washington Blues, Capt. Nesbit, of Blairsville, took up their line of march on the same day for the same rendezvous. R. C. Taylor has been appointed Post Master of Indiana in the place of J. E. Coulter. A Change - John R. Scott has been appointed an inspector in the Philadelphia Custom House, vice Dr. William A. Smith, formerly of this place. Dem Co. Convention - J. H. Douglas, Chairman of the Democratic County Committee, has issued a call for a Democratic County Convention to nominate candidates for the several county offices to be filled at the coming fall election to be held on Monday, the 8th day of July next. Honorable Exoneration - By report, we publish the annexed document of which it will be seen that Mr. Clinton R. Jones has been honorably exonerated from service in the Cambria Guards. We must hereby state, of our own knowledge that anything but circumstances over which he had no control prevented Mr. J. from going forth with the company of which he was a member. Ebensburg, June 11, 1861 This is to certify that Clinton R. Jones is honorably exonerated from accompanying the Cambria Guards in their campaign. Robt. Litzinger, Captain. Letters from Our Volunteers Camp Wright, June 16, 1861 Camp Wright, June 16, 1861. Correspondence to The Alleghanian: We arrived in camp at 2 o'clock P.M. on Wednesday, 12th, inst., after a journey of about eight hours, during which nothing of interest occurred. A company of Somerset boys bound for Camp Wilkins got on the train at Greensburg. They were fine looking fellows and appeared as if a little bit of their fighting would come altogether in their line. After parting with them at Pittsburg, we took the cars on the Allegheny Valley Railroad and were soon in camp. Here we dined for the first time on crackers and pies. This operation over, we commenced putting up tents and by 5 or 6 o'clock had ourselves pretty comfortably tired for a camp sleep. We next partook of a regular old supper of beans, pork, bread, potatoes, crackers and coffee, served up on pine boards, all but the coffee, which was distributed in tin cups. We were minus plates for a couple of days but that didn't lessen the novelty of camp life, on the contrary, it rather added to it. What we stand most in need of now are blankets. The first few nights after our arrival were cold, rather cold, in fact, to sleep on bare boards without covering; but notwithstanding this, not a murmur was heard from any of the company. The majority of us have made arrangements to provide ourselves with haps, blankets, &c., so that we will shortly be enabled to "feel nature's sweet restorer, balmy wisp" without danger of getting our toes frostbitten in the meantime. The regulations of the camp have been of the best heretofore, but much stricter orders were issued last night, which will have the effect of producing some system in our midst. Today being Sunday, several ministers of the gospel are in camp. Divine service was held in the quarters of the Erie Regiment, the sermon being delivered by their Chaplain. We are all in good health and splendid spirits. We have plenty to eat, good sleeping, water to drink, and nice cool air to invigorate us. The company has been called out several times to disburse crowds and quell riots. Yesterday evening we were out on a dress parade. With regard to our officers, it is the general sentiment of the company that a better or more worthy set of men could not have been selected to fill their respective offices. Should any of our Cambria county friends pay a visit to Camp Wright, they will find Captain Litzinger and his lieutenants are as all good officers should be - with their men. The ladies of Ebensburg, (God bless them) have our heartfelt thanks for many favors. The havelocks, pocket [word unclear], plus needles, etc., with which they provided us are very useful in our present situation. May the lot of each and every one of them eventually be that for which we are fighting: Union forever! Signed - K How to Direct Letters to the Soldiers Persons wishing to send letters, papers or packages to members of the Cambria Guards should address them as follows: John Smith, Care Capt. Litzinger, "Cambria Guards" Camp Wright Hulton Station Allegheny County, Pa. Appointed Wm. Williams of Blair county has been appointed Major in the regular army. Soldiers' Letters Ought to Be Franked The soldiers who write home to their friends ought to be allowed both to send and receive letters free of postage. In the Mexican war we believe this privilege was extended to them by special act of Congress and certainly, if members of Congress themselves joy the franking privilege, there is no good reason why the soldier should not have it likewise. He is as much in the service of his county as the Congressman and his services are certainly as valuable, while his duty is performed under sacrifice of time, business and pecuniary advantage, which the Congressional Representative is free from. A soldier who gets eleven dollars a month cannot afford to pay a great deal in postage, without depriving himself or his family of some of the few comforts, which that money would obtain. If the Post Office Department can afford to carry the mails for the people of the seceded States, it certainly ought to be able to do so without charge for the soldiers who are upholding the laws and authority of the Government. [Philadelphia LEDGER] Chances of Being Killed in War Marshall Saxe, a high authority in such things was in the habit of saying that to kill a man in battle, a man's weight in lead must be expended. A French medical and surgical gazette, published at Lyops, says this fact was verified at Solferino even in the recent improvements in fire arms. The Austrians fired 8,400,000 rounds. The loss of the Italians was 2,000 killed and 10,000 wounded. Each man hit cost 700 rounds and each man killed cost 4,200 rounds. The mean weight of a ball is one ounce thus we find on an average that it required 272 pounds of lead to kill a man. If any one of our friends should get into a fight they should feel great comfort in the fact that 700 shots may be fired at them before they are hit and 4,000 before they "shuffle off this mortal coil."