NEWS: Items from The Alleghanian, 6 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, 6 Jun 1861 Volume 2, Number 42 Local and Personal Appointed - William Tiley, Jr., has been appointed Post Master at Hemlock, this county. Death of Stephen A. Douglas - On the death of Hon. S. A. Douglas being made known on Tuesday morning, the County Court which was sitting at the time, was adjourned over until the afternoon by the Judges, as a mark of respect to the memory of the illustrious dead. Gone to Chambersburg - The 2d and 3d regiments Penna. Volunteers, left Camp Scott, York, on Monday evening, 27th ult., for Chambersburg, where they arrived next morning. How long they may remain there is not known as it is supposed they are to be marched toward the Potomac. Army Gossip - It is a notorious fact that the clothing furnished the Pennsylvania Volunteers is of the most wretched material and make. The boots, in particular, were represented as being miserable structures. This should not be. The soldier should be tenderly cherished. Why don't the authorities buy where they will be fairly dealt with. For instance, at C. R. Jones', where the very best goods and shoes, hats and caps, ready-made clothing, etc., are sold at reduced prices. Attempted Robbery - Late last night (Tuesday) some scoundrel intent on pillage effected an entrance into the house of Mr. David Pryce, distant from town about a mile. Mr. P., hearing the noise occasioned by the burglar, arose from his bed, when he was attacked by the latter with a billet of wood. Although considerably disabled by blows, Mr. P., made so gallant and effectual a resistance that the would-be robber was obliged to flee, leaving his cap behind him as a trophy of the prowess of his antagonist. We believe nothing was taken from the house. This practice of entering and pillaging country residences has become rather too fashionable for comfort latterly and should be squelched forthwith. Who has lost a cap? Some hungry individuals made a forcible entry into the cellar of Mr. Eben Williams, residing a short distance from town, the other night, and relieved it of its entire contents in the shape of eatables. Indeed so clean a sweep did the depredators make that they left not the wherewith for the family's morning meal. Besides the eatables, they carried off a tin bucket and other articles of value. Union note paper and envelopes can be had at the Post Office. Mr. John Carroll of Baltimore has leased the hotel at Loretto Springs, this county, for the coming summer season. A public sale of a large number of clocks, watches, jewelry, &c., will be held at the late residence of Jacob Stahl, dec'd, on Tuesday, the 11th inst. It is reported that Col. Anderson is coming to the "mountains of Penna." to recruit his health. To Cambria, we hope. Our friend, James M. Thompson, of the Quaker city, has returned home for a visit. Welcome. The Position of a Soldier He should stand with his heels close together on the same line, the feet forming something less than a right angle, toes turned out. The knees straight, without restraint or stiffness; the body erect on the hips, the upper part inclining forward, the shoulders square, not one up and the other down; arms hanging easy, little finger on the stripe of pantaloons. The elbows should be held close but not stiffly to the body. The face should be well to the front, the chin drawn in, but not constrained, the eyes looking to a point of ground at a distance of eighteen paces. Once a man gets in this position, cause him to throw out his left foot well and firmly in marching, the pointed down ball of the foot touches the ground and in four hours you have him in the move of a soldier which he will never forget. Keep him at this without carrying arms and mark time him. Another point for the recruit, rarely given, and essential at all times, particularly now that the warm weather is upon us is to have your hair cut close to your head and your beard well trimmed. Every man should have his beard and hair cut as much like the others as possible. Men should be uniform in every appearance and should be sized in rank. The men once in the position given above, the movement can easily be accomplished if done slowly at first and then in the proper time after. The most important drill now is the loading and firing. Let that be done in squads and see that the rear rank men attend. One thing we do not want and that is "Fancy Drill." Avoid it. The present Napoleon, one of the best artillery soldiers known, says, "First give the recruit the position of a soldier, now give him the why and the wherefore of this position, and then command clearly and concisely, but avoid superfluity." Southern Forts The forts South of the Mason & Dixon line now in possession of the Confederate States are seventeen in number, costing the United States more than $6,000,000, which when fully manned and armed hold 5,380 men and 1,310 guns. Those held by the United States at the South number fourteen, costing about the same amount and of similar capacity. Hampton Roads, Virginia, is the great naval station and rendezvous on the Southern coast. Pensacola has the only good harbor for naval vessels and a naval depot on the gulf. The forts at Key West and Tortugas are among the most powerful in the world. Every vessel going into the gulf passes in sight of each. Stephen A. Douglas The telegraph on Monday announced the death of Stephen Arnold Douglas, which sad event took place at 9 o'clock in the morning of that day in the city of Chicago. The announcement was not unexpected, however it may elicit the profound regret of the nation as Judge Douglas had been seriously ill for several days and in that time, the fact was telegraphed that his life was despaired of by his family and his friends. At the time of his death he was 46 yeas old; having been born in Brandon, Rutland county, Vt., April 23, 1813. The Harrisburg TELEGRAPH says - The biography of Stephen A. Douglas when it is fairly written will be interesting and instructive. He commenced his career in a cabinet-maker's shop, from which he entered several academies of learning and having removed to the state of Illinois, when very young, where a year or two after, he was admitted to the bar, when not yet twenty-two years of age, he was elected by the legislature, Attorney General of the state. In December 1835 he was elected a member of the legislature of Illinois, where he commenced that career as a parliamentarian and debater for which he since became so eminently distinguished. In 1837 he received the nomination for Congress, at a time when he was not yet twenty-five years old, but attained the requisite age before the day of election and was defeated by the Whig candidate by a majority of only five votes. In 1840 Mr. Douglas was appointed Secretary of State of Illinois, as a recognition of the services he rendered his party during the political struggles of that year. In 1841 the legislature elected him a Supreme Judge of that State, which position he resigned in 1848 to accept a second nomination for Congress, and was elected after a spirited contest by a small majority. In 1844 he was reelected, but did not take his seat, having been in the meantime chosen a United State Senator by the legislature of his State. In the House of Representatives, Mr. Douglas gained great prominence for his support of the 54-40 policy of the Polk administration, his vote and speeches in favor of the annexation of Texas and other decided measures of the Democratic administration then in power. He was chairman of the Committee on Territories which reported the joint resolution for the admission of Texas and after this admission, supported James K. Polk, during the war with Mexico, with all his peculiar zeal and mental might and power. As chairman of the Committee on Territories in the House of Representatives and afterwards in the Senate, he reported bills for the admission of the territories of Minnesota, Oregon, New Mexico, Utah, Washington, Kansas and Nebraska, and also the bills for the admission into the Union of the states of Iowa, Wisconsin, California, Minnesota and Oregon. On the question of slavery he opposed the interference of Congress, in the organization of territories or admission of states in taking one side or the other, a doctrine out of which grew the agitation in which Mr. Douglas bore such a conspicuous part, and which has since divided the Democratic party, and which led to the repeal of the Missouri Compromise. Whatever may be said now of the policy of this repeal, it is a fact that Mr. Douglas remained faithful to it through his life, defending it whenever it was assailed or violated. It is not our purpose to allude to the political trouble and contentiousness into which Mr. Douglas was forced since 1856, any further than to declare that he bore himself bravely and nobly in all his encounters. He may have committed wrongs, but they sprang more from his zeal than from any purpose to injure his country or impair the principles of good government. He was a partisan of uncompromising temper in the commencement of his career, but lived to modify his feelings in this respect and within the last year went so far as to disregard party lines in his defense of what he considered the safety and the permanency of his government. During the last Presidential contest, he was the candidate of a wing of the Democratic party, and since then has been the object of the bitter hatred and opposition of the other wing, or that portion which have been engaged in the unholy war of dissolving the American Union. Of Stephen A. Douglas personally it would be unjust to omit writing that he was a man capable of strong friendship, a bold and defiant enemy, a statesman of the largest mental powers and in all respects, one of the most remarkable men that the age has produced. We do not pretend to write that he had no faults; nor is it illiberal to assert that he did much when it would have been best had he left undone, but we must do his memory the justice of declaring that he accomplished as much to elevate the American character, promote American interests, and develop American territory for the purpose of freedom and free labor, as an statesman who served his country before him. He lived to repair any injury he may have done his county by his partisan zeal or indiscretion by devoting himself to its protection in the hour of its danger, and the whole country will therefore mourn his loss. The Pennsylvania Regiments Mr. Benjamin Haywood, a large proprietor of iron rolling mills and a prominent citizen of Schuylkill county is now in Washington city on a mission from Gov. Curtin, in behalf of the Pennsylvania regiments there. His instructions are contained in the following letter from the Governor, who seems strongly desirous that the abuses which have sprung up and excited such loud complaints be remedied. Executive Chamber Harrisburg, May 24, 1861 Benjamin Haywood, Esq., Pottsville, Pa. Dear Sir - I have learned from General Biddle, Adjutant General and my Aide, Col. R. Biddle Roberts, that the condition of the Pennsylvania troops now in Washington City was disgraceful to the State and what is more important, that these men were actually suffering, both from want of proper clothing and sense of shame. It is, of course, useless to say to you how mortified I am at such a condition of things, and how determined that the same shall be at once remedied, so far as the same is in my power. I requested you last evening to proceed at once to Washington City and take charge of this matter. You will be kind enough to examine fully into the character of the clothing of every description which has been furnished to our regiments now there. Ascertain the deficiency of every kind, defect of material, irregularity of color and faulty manufacture, and at once telegraph to me what is requisite to make the men comfortable in any and every way and to place the regiment upon a foot, so far as comfort, health and the army regulations will permit, with any in the service of the United States. An agent will be sent with the clothing and other equipments and it is my desire that you remain in Washington City or wherever the regiment may be until you see that my wishes and directions in this respect have been fully carried out. I confidently believed that before this, all the matters had been attend to faithfully and well, and can now, while regretting that my exertions have been so frustrated, only press upon you energetic and prompt action in this behalf for the comfort of our gallant and patriotic citizens now in the ranks of those regiments and the preservation of the honor of the State. Yours truly, A. G. Curtin Much just complaint has been made at the manner in which our troops have been clothed, and it is to be hoped that the fraud and peculation of the contractors who palmed the worthless stuff to the State will be fully exposed. Attorney General Hon. Wm. M. Meredith has been appointed Attorney General of the State. Mr. Meredith has been for many years a prominent lawyer at the Philadelphia Bar, and is regarded as the leading counselor in a profession that has made the Bar of that city renowned all over the county. In the administration of Millard Fillmore, Mr. Meredith was Secretary of the Treasury. We congratulate the people of Pennsylvania on this appointment, particularly at this time, when the public service seemed to be sinking under a load of dreadful suspicion. By this appointment, too, the Governor has assured the people that his administration will be conducted in compliance with the pledges and principles on which he was elected. Col. Thos. A. Scott The Government has appointed Col. Thomas A. Scott, Vice President of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, to the rank of Colonel in the military of the District of Columbia, and detailed him for service as Military Superintendent of all the Railroad routes of which the Government may take possession of hereafter. This is a most important position and the Secretary of War has shown much sagacity in placing it in the hands of a most competent man. A Cambria County Spy at Fort Pickens! He Turns Up All Right! The CAMBRIA TRIBUNE of last week furnishes some interesting particulars concerning the adventures of a Cambrian in the far South, the leading incidents of which we herewith present to our readers - Some weeks ago the city papers contained various account of the capture at Fort Pickens and subsequent confinement on aboard a U. S. Vessel in Pensacola harbor of an alleged spy from the camp of the rebels at Pensacola. The accounts concurred in the statements that the spy had made his way to and gained admittance into the Fort under the guise of a deserter from Gen. Bragg's army (the correspondent of a Northern journal, who had been impressed into the rebel service), but that it was subsequently and speedily ascertained that the pretended deserter was nothing more nor less than a spy from the rebel camp, in consequence of which he was immediately seized, confined in irons and placed on board a vessel where he was doomed speedily to suffer the fate of such prisoners at the yard arm. The name of Kirby was given and the conviction soon fixed itself in the minds of many of the citizens of this county that the captured spy was none other than Joseph A. Kerbey, son of our worthy fellow citizen, George W. Kerbey, agent of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company at Wilmore, who was known to be in the South. So strong was this conviction that Mr. Kerbey visited Washington with a view of obtaining an order from the Secretary of War for the release of the prisoner, or at least a reprieve from the death penalty. While there however, he read an account from a New York paper, which stated in substance that the evidence against the prisoner was positive, that he had been condemned to death and that he had ere then suffered the penalty of a spy. Under the impression that this report was correct, Mr. K. returned from Washington and while believing his son dead, he endeavored at the same time to forget both him and the dishonorable manner of his death. But today we have a different version of the story. The pretended deserter was NOT a deserter, in fact, and was NOT a spy in Fort Pickens, but had been a spy in the rebel camp! Instead of being placed in irons on the Sabine, and subsequently hung at the yard arm, he was well received at Fort Pickens, hospitably entertained on board the government vessel, and finally furnished with a first class passage on board the steamer Philadelphia from Pensacola to New York, where he arrived on the 26th ultimo, in company with Lieut. Slemmer and the soldiers recently garrisoning Fort Pickens. The New York TRIBUNE of the 27th ult., contains a report of information relative to the rebel forces of Pensacola furnished the reporter of that Journal by Young Kerbey, and the issue of the 28th contains an account of his visit to the rebel camp and his escape there from, the latter of which we copy - "We have obtained from Mr. J. A. Kerbey, the young man who arrived from Pensacola by the Philadelphia on Sunday, a more detailed account of matters in the rebel camp at that point, where he sojourned sufficiently to make accurate observations of what was being done. He was, of course, compelled to travel in disguise, and certainly he succeeded most admirably. He communicated the essential facts at Fort Pickens, and to the officers of the fleet. The manner in which he was able to do this was interesting. He passed two sentinels at Pensacola and engaging a negro, compelled him to convey him across to Fort Pickens in a small boat. When he had reached the middle of the bay the negro refused to go "furder," as he was "afread of de Yankees on de island." He importuned him, kindly, however, and at length succeeded in passing a series of guard boats and getting in front of Fort Pickens, where the negro was taken prisoner and subsequently sent back to tell the story of his adventure with the Yankee whom he conveyed to Fort Pickens. "Having arrived at the Fort, Mr. Kerbey stated his errand and was immediately welcomed. He was the first to convey the intelligence of the attack on Fort Sumter and the result, having had a file of papers which contained all the latest news. He also communicated the result of his observation on the opposite shore, which was received in the most appreciative manner. "The PENSACOLA OBSERVER, having furnished Mr. K., with all its late Northern exchanges, as soon as it discovered the use he had made of them, immediately set to work to cover its own mishap by announcing to the Secessionists that their old friend and acquaintance Kerbey had been hung in Fort Pickens and a New Orleans paper stated that he was in double irons on board the Sabine. He was, however, well received and treated, with respect on board Capt. Porter's ship while waiting for an opportunity to return home under the protecting wing of the American Flag." Thus he who was believed to be a traitor to his flag, his home and his friends, was the while really doing his county a hazardous service and the same who was given up to a dishonorable death is not only alive but is honored as a true patriot in our chief metropolis! Calvary Grapnel This is a newly invented weapon of warfare and is designed to render cavalry vastly superior to infantry. It is an admitted fact, in the science of war, that infantry formed into a square or in a mass and standing firm and unbroken can defeat an equal number of cavalry, each being armed with the ordinary weapons. This fact has been fully demonstrated upon many a well fought field in the last half century, the most notable of which was the celebrated battle of Waterloo where the French cavalry repeatedly charged the squares of English infantry and were uniformly repulsed, the squares standing firm and unbroken. The firm stand of the infantry and uniform repulse of the cavalry were doubtless the main causes of the defeat of the French at that celebrated battle, contested between the best cavalry and infantry of any age, and commanded by the greatest generals of the world. A man and horse acting as one, having the strength and speed of several men and ought, if property armed, to be competent in the defeat of several men. The cavalry grapnel is a new weapon, adapted to this superior strength and speed and a regiment of horses, armed with this destructive weapon and skilled in its use can easily defeat four times their number of infantry, mowing them down like grass before a scythe. This weapon can also be used by cavalry against cavalry and even infantry could use it against infantry with great destruction. The grapnel was invented in one of our Northern States and 100,000 have been recently manufactured for a European Government for the arming of the cavalry. The present wide spread rebellion in our own county caused the inventor to offer them to our Government. They were submitted in the proper department and approved of and purchased and it is expected that the President will shortly call into the service of the United States 50,000 cavalry to be furnished with the grapnel, as an additional arm. With this destructive weapon they will be able to cut in pieces and annihilate 200,000 of the best infantry that ever entered a field.