NEWS: Items from The Alleghanian, 27 Jun 1861, Cambria County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Patty Millich
<millich84@hotmail.com>

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The Alleghanian
Ebensburg, Pa.
Thursday, 27 Jun 1861
Volume 2, Number 45

On Wednesday, the 6th day of November next will be held the first 
election for President and Vice President of the bogus confederacy. On 
that day also the rebel States are required to elect their members of 
Congress.  The Presidential electors will meet in their respective 
States on the 4th of December and cast their votes for President and 
Vice President.  The new Congress will meet, if the government at 
Washington will permit, on the 18th of February, 1862, in Richmond or 
in some part of New Mexico, or wherever it is most convenient or safe. 
On the next day the Presidential vote will be counted and on the 22d of 
February the President and Vice President are to be inaugurated when a 
good time generally is anticipated. 

The rumors of the advancing lunacy of her Majesty Queen Victoria 
would seem to derive substance from the announcement of the Gazette de 
France that "Dr. Schoelin has been sent for to London to attend a 
consultation of French and German physicians on the state of the 
Queen's health, which it seems, is such as to give rise to uneasiness."  
Another journal learns from Berlin that the Prince and Princess Royal 
with the little Prince William, are going to visit London about the 
middle of July, the object being to procure a salutary emotion for 
Queen Victoria."  A parliamentary explanation is looked for in England.


Putting the Cadets Through in Quick Order at West Point

They are hurrying the Cadets through to graduation as rapidly as 
possible, so as to put their military education to early profitable 
use.  The following extract from a letter by one of the Cadets says 
that the graduating class are going through their studies by forced 
marches and expect to reach active service in the course of a month of 
so:

Our stock is "up," in the market at present, and bids fair to remain 
up; but what pleases me most is the fact that I shall soon be in a fair 
way, to get some of the benefit of it. My class expects to graduate in 
about one month.  Isn't that glorious?  The class which was just above 
us graduated almost three weeks ago and we are being put through a 
"course of sprouts" for an early graduation.  You can imagine how hard 
our duties are when I tell you that we shall take but seven or eight 
weeks to complete a course to which a whole year is generally devoted.  
As a sample, last Thursday, we had thirty pages in Engineering 
(military), seventy pages in Law, and twenty five pages in Ordnance and 
the Science of Gunnery, making in all, one hundred and twenty five; and 
to know it well, at least five minutes should be devoted to each page.  
I study about seven or eight hours per day and recite about four.  I 
begin at five and a half in the morning, and get through about ten in 
the evening; and added to all this, we have to perform our regular 
military duty, drills, parade, guard duty, etc.


The Pennsylvania Regiments

Now in and near Washington City are attracting their full share of 
public attention.  The Regiments which have recently arrived from the 
old Keystone are second to none.  The soldiers are a brave, determined, 
set of fellows, well clothed and equipped with all the necessary 
accoutrements.  They seem perfectly contented; but, like their 
predecessors, are spoiling for a fight. 


From Harper's Ferry

Baltimore, June 21 - A dispatch from Harper's Ferry to the Washington 
STAR confirms the report that 300 Confederate troopers arrived at the 
Ferry yesterday and completed the work of destruction.  They burnt the 
rifle factory and the Shenandoah bridge and ran a large first class 
locomotive that was left on the track off the abutment of the bridge, 
into the river.  They said they were instructed to blow up every house 
in town on which a Union flag should be found, but fortunately, there 
was none.  They commenced to arrest all the Union men; and succeeded in 
securing several whom they took off and the balance, about fifty in 
number, they pursued into the river which they swam across and reached 
the Maryland side safely, although they were repeatedly fired at by the 
troopers, and balls passed through the hats of two of the fugitives.  
The Government should send a protection to these unfortunate people as 
soon as practicable.  The troopers found and took away from the rifle 
factory about fifty thousand gun stocks.


Local and Personal

Col. Minter, of Hollidaysburg, at present Colonel of the 3d Pa. 
Regiment has been appointed a Captain in the regular army.

Printer in Luck - The STANDARD says that Judge Jones of the 
Hollidaysburg REGISTER has been appointed to a twelve hundred dollar 
clerkship in the War Department by Simon Cameron.  He deserves all this 
and more.

Thirty Thousand - Among the list of bidders for the three million 
State loan appears the name of Quartermaster Jacob M. Campbell of 
Johnstown who goes in to the tune of $30,000.  Bully for Campbell!  
Money ain't so skeerce after all! 

In Luck - We hear it stated that Maj. James D. Hamilton of Wilmore 
has been placed in command of one of the government trains now 
advancing on Harper's Ferry from Chambersburg.  The right man in the 
right place.

So Much - The Ebensburg Division of the Sons of Temperance are making 
arrangements to celebrate in a becoming manner the eighty-fifth 
anniversary of our National Independence.  From the public spirit that 
has more than once been manifested by this society, we may count on 
something appropriate to the occasion.

About Oil - The three agents of the Ebensburg Oil Company, Messrs. 
Roberts, Lewis and Roberts, who have been boring for oil in Ohio for 
several months past, returned last week.  They report that they bored 
two wells, in each of which they were so fortunate as to "strike ile."  
They have not yet tested the yield but intend returning shortly to do 
so.

For the Soldiers on the "Fourth" - We are requested to state that a 
box of provisions and delicacies of various kinds in sufficient 
quantity to afford the entire company a luxurious "feed," will be sent 
to the Cambria Guards at Camp Wright on the Fourth of July.  Those 
wishing to donate anything for this purpose are respectfully requested 
to do so.

Liberal - Several of our citizens with a liberality worthy of all 
praise, last week purchased and shipped to "our boys" at Camp Wright a 
keg of prime butter.  This is an article of diet that is not often 
obtained in camp life and will doubtless be keenly relished by the 
recipients.  We understand that it is the fixed determination of our 
good people to do the same kindness by the soldiers each week. 

Robbed - Mr. Geo. J. Rodgers of this place was robbed in Pittsburg 
the other day of ninety dollars in money and a gold watch.

Lecture - Rt. Reverend M. Dominee, D. D. Bishop of Pittsburg, will 
deliver a Lecture in St. Patrick's church, in this place, on Sunday 
evening next.  Hour - 5 P.M.  Subject - "The Inquisition."

In Town - Capt. Litzinger of the Cambria Guards was in town several 
days during the latter part of last week and the beginning of the 
present. He came on a recruiting tour, in consequence of several of his 
men having absconded since the arrival of the company at camp.  He was 
eminently successful in his errand, having secured the requisite number 
of men (twelve, we believe) without the least difficulty.  They 
departed for Camp Wright on Tuesday morning. 

Trout Fishing Extraordinary - On Monday of last week, five hale 
fellows, well met to wit - Joe and Jim Thompson, Tom McNamara, Clint 
Jones and Aleck Moore, departed from our midst on a trout fishing 
expedition to Bobb's Creek in Bedford county. They took their own 
provisions, etc., with them and encamped out in the wilderness, in real 
pioneer style. After a pleasant stay of four days they returned, 
bringing with them about fifty dozen as large and luscious "shiners" as 
we ever beheld.  Fifty dozen trout, speckled and shining brook trout, 
that's pretty good fishing for two days (for the balance of the time 
was employed in transporting themselves thither and hither).  As good 
fellows generally do, on their return, the lucky sportsmen presented us 
with a large and respectable share of the spoils for which they have 
our thanks coupled with the wish that they may often go trout fishing 
with a like result.

Non Est. - The Cambria Guards have not yet been "sworn in" so that 
those who are inclined can "vamoose" the camp with impunity.  The 
latest cases of this were those of Messrs. Marquet, Rupert, Will and 
Conrad.

Letters from our Volunteers

Extract from a Private Letter dated Camp Wright, June 22, 1861:

  The Cambria Guards were examined on Thursday by the Medical Board and 
seven rejected on account of physical imperfections.  Carney, our 
fiddler, contributes largely to the general good humor of the boys.  He 
is death on cat gut.  We are all well and perfectly satisfied with the 
change in our mode of life.  The temperature here is somewhat higher 
than at Ebensburg, but the evenings are cool and pleasant.  Our 
provisions are excellent and plenty of them. 

Camp Wright, June 23, 1861 - I seat myself beneath the spreading 
branches of a scrubby oak to pen you a few lines.  Today (Sunday) is 
delightful beyond description.  While old Sol's rays shine perpendicularly 
on Mother Earth, a strong breeze from the neighboring hills tempers the 
heat and renders the liability of sun stroke very improbable. Groups of 
soldiers may be seen leisurely lounging in the shade of the apple trees, 
whiling away the hours in various ways. Quite a number are reading 
religious books, some studying tactics, some singing and trading military 
songs, others writing to loved ones at home, while here and there parties 
may be seen amusing themselves with a quiet game of "four handed 
euchre.  Divine service was held at 8 A. M., near the drill ground; and a 
service was preached at the same place at 10 A. M., by Rev. Pyatt of 
Johnstown. The Rev. Kennedy of Cherrytree is to preach at 4 P. M.

Nothing of importance occurred in camp during the week until 
yesterday when a dispatch was received ordering Cols. Hays and McLane 
to march with their respective regiments within six hours.  The 
excitement the news created was very great, especially among those who 
were to leave us. The camp was in a perfect turmoil; our sunrise and 
sunset six-pounder was fired twice and the Erie boys gave cheer upon 
cheer.  But about the time the majority of them were in marching trim, 
the orders were countermanded!  Yes, imagine the surprise and 
disappointment of the expectant soldiers, if you can.  They were 
considerably consoled, however, by the arrival on the 12 o'clock train 
of a number of young ladies from Kittanning who brought with them 
baskets filled with cakes, pies, etc.  As a matter of course a social 
picnic was the next thing on the programme.

Several of the companies were ready to march twenty minutes after the 
dispatch was received, and they declare that they will not unpack again 
until they are either in the field of action or at home.  It is rumored 
that they will be called out very soon, perhaps tomorrow.

Our boys are in good health and as far as I can learn enjoy 
themselves hugely.  Eighteen of them started early this morning to 
attend Catholic church, but after trudging about four miles, they found 
to their disappointment they that they had gone toward the wrong point 
of the compass, that the church was just four miles the other direction 
from camp

Camp is thronged daily with visitors who add greatly to its homelike 
appearance.  On Thursday last our esteemed friend and fellow townsman, 
Geo. J. Rodgers, paid us a visit. The boys were greatly pleased to see 
him, he being the first Ebensburger that has yet dropped in on us.

We are the recipients of continued favors from home. The last item of 
this kind that came to hand was in the shape of a keg of good, sweet, 
fresh butter, weighing about a hundred pounds, for which the Cambria 
Guards return their most sincere thanks.

We learn by letters received in camp that a large delegation from 
Ebensburg intends paying us a visit on the 4th.  We can assure them 
that they will be kindly greeted and we venture the opinion that they 
will not be entirely displeased with our present appearance as gay 
sojer boys. [sic].  Come, by all means.  Signed - K