NEWS: Items from The Alleghanian, 11 Jul 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. Volume 2, Number 46 Thursday, 11 Jul 1861 The Three Months' Men Letters from the Pennsylvania volunteers, near the Maryland line and those in Baltimore enlisted for three months say that very few of these men will be disposed to remain when their term expires because of the manner in which they have been treated. The clothing of many of them is worn out and their food is not as good as they expected, or as might easily be furnished. If these matters were remedied in time, the writers think the soldiers would yet resolve to remain and certainly it would be to the advantage of the Government to have them do so, now that they have become familiar with arms and are properly disciplined. Skirmish near Washington Washington, July 1 - Reports have reached the city from good authority, stating that a skirmish took place across river during last night between the Federal Zouaves and the rebels, in which four or five of the latter and two of the former were killed, and several wounded. What Gov. Curtin Is Doing In a late letter to Judge Smyser, Gov. Curtin says - We have clothed almost entirely 23 regiments; much of the clothing is very good, some of it of indifferent quality, and that of the two Regiments referred to utterly unfit for use. This clothing is neither of the standard nor quality of the samples. Imposition and fraud have been practiced somewhere and as soon as I can get a little relief from the pressure now upon me, I will turn the industry and energy which, whether for good or evil, for more than a month, I have given to the service of my county, to the detection and punishment of the guilty, whether it may fall on officials, agents or contractors." The Washington correspondent for the Pittsburg POST in speaking of his visit to Harrisburg says - "I arrived at Harrisburg on Friday morning and on Saturday called on the Governor, whom I found closeted with Attorney General Meredith. The Governor was very courteous and I understand that he intends to use every effort to have our volunteers clothed and equipped properly and he intends also to have the parties exposed and brought to justice who have so unmercifully robbed our brave volunteers and swindled our glorious old Commonwealth. The appointment of Meredith gives universal satisfaction, I understand, all over the State and the change is thought to be a very happy one, both for the Governor and the interest of the State. That the Governor intends to do his duty honestly and impartially I have no doubt; and I understand that Bucky Neal, Martin, A. K. McC., and gentlemen of the same cloth will have to seek some other interests than that of the State to take care of, as the Governor intends to spare neither friend nor foe, who has been guilty of fraudulent acts in regard to equipping our volunteers. Government Resources for the War The Secretary of War has informed the President that there are now 225,000 men enrolled in the service of the United States. Commodore Vanderbilt has offered all the steamships of the Atlantic and Pacific Steamship Company to the Government, including the Vanderbilt, Ocean Queen, Ariel, Champion and Daniel Webster, to be paid for at such rates as any two commodores of the United States Navy and ex-commodore Stockton may decide upon as a proper valuation. If the Government is not willing to purchase the Vanderbilt on these terms, the Commodore expresses his readiness to hand her over to the country as a gift. There are now in Washington and immediate vicinity at least sixty thousand troops. It is believed that Gen. Scott will increase this number to seventy thousand men before making any offensive movements. The ten additional Massachusetts regiments which have been called for by the President will be in Virginia in less than forty days, armed and equipped with everything necessary for a campaign. Each regiment will have twenty five wagons, instead of fifteen, the usual number and those wagons are now being made at the rate of one hundred a week. Local and Personal Send a Stamp - We take this occasion of impressing upon those of our readers who correspond with any of the soldiers in camp the entire propriety of enclosing a stamp when you require an answer. The boys have not yet been granted the privilege of "franking," and Uncle Sam pays but once a month, a state of affairs that may occasion some slight inconvenience now and then. Yours &c. - We return our thanks to County Supt. James M. Swank for a copy of the Pennsylvania School Report for 1860. At Last - On the 20th inst., the Third Pennsylvania Regiment received their supply of new clothing. It is said to be of good material. P. M. Appointed and Name of P.O. Changed - By order of the Post Master General, the name of the Post Office heretofore known as "Pershing," in this county, has been changed to "Conemaugh," and A. G. Crooks appointed Post Master. Honorable Discharge - The following document speaks for itself - Camp Wright, June 16, 1861 I hereby certify that Benjamin Rodgers, George Williams, John Longenecker and Milton Hoffman have been honorably discharged from the Cambria Guards, in consequence of excess in the ranks of the company. Signed - Robt. Litzinger, Captain, Per R. A. McCoy, Lieut. More Butter - Another firkin of butter was shipped to the soldiers at Camp Wright last week. By the way, the credit of those donations should be laid at the door of the patriotic farmers of the neighborhood instead of to the "good citizens of Ebensburg" as we stated last week. Honor to whom honor is due! Loretto Exhibition - The public exhibition of the students in attendance at St. Francis' Academy, Loretto, came off on Thursday of last week. The performances are highly spoken of by those who had the pleasure of being lookers on. Col. Anderson, who did the occasion the honor of being present, distributed the premiums at the close of the exercise. The Planing Mill - Mr. B. F. Williams, with commendable energy, is making rapid headway toward the completion of his planing mill. He expects to have it in running order in a few days. The engine, which has been steamed up several times, is graced with a veritable whistle, the melodious toot! Toot! Too-o-o-o! of which sounds amazingly like business on the high pressure principle. Ice Cream Saloon - Mr. George W. Wisegarver has opened out a saloon of the above description it the basement of Blair's Union House where he is preparing to serve up the warm weather luxury to an unlimited number of customers. That he manufactures a No. 1 article is certain for we and a friend, by special request, tested a dish the other evening and found that it was what it should be. Give George a Call. Military - Capt. Humphrey's company, the Chess Springs Highlanders, has been disbanded. Capt. Mills' (Gallitzin) company has been accepted and ordered to report at Philadelphia this week. Northern Items - A friend in Carrolltown sends us the following items - Last week a man name John Baum, of Susquehanna township, had his dwelling house burned to the ground. It took fire from the stovepipe. A portion of the furniture on the first floor was saved. A man named Augustin Rohe, of Carroll township, was severely injured by the fall of a tree the other day. His lower extremities were completely paralyzed and it is thought he will not recover. Blair County - A fireman on the Penna. Railroad, named Cryder, was severely injured on the 24th inst. Some portion of the machinery of his engine giving way, he became frightened and jumped off, breaking one of his arms in two or three places, and otherwise hurting himself. The store of Mr. Carney, in Hollidaysburg, was broken into and robbed of a quantity of valuables on Monday night of last week. The grand "Union" celebration to come off at Altoona today has fizzled out. Letters from Our Volunteers Camp Wright, June 30, 1861 - Nothing of material interest has occurred here lately. The discipline is much stricter in camp now than formerly, in consequence of some of the soldiers having taken too much outside liberty. The Cambria Guards got their full share of guard duty and, as I think, a little more. There are about forty companies here sworn into the three years' service, three of which are detailed each day as camp guard. By this ratio our company should be called on only once in thirteen days; but instead of such being the case, we have been detailed twice during the same week. This is unfair and it is clearly the duty of the officers of the day to see that such occurrences do not again happen. The Cambria Guards were sworn in for three years, unless sooner discharged as last Tuesday. Benjamin Rodgers, George Williams, Milton Hoffman and John Longenecker were honorably discharged on account of there being an excess in our ranks. Another important duty was also performed the same day. The entire company, from the Captain down were marched to the hospital and then and there vaccinated. It is probable that we will be armed and uniformed by the 4th of July. Maj. Gen. McCall and staff visited our camp on Friday and reviewed the troops. We made quite a soldierly appearance. Camp Wright, June 26, 1861 - Captain Litzinger arrived yesterday with a dozen as fine looking recruits as could be found in the State, all brimful of enthusiasm. The company were immediately called together and marched to headquarters to be "sworn in." Upon counting noses we found that we numbered 81 men, four more than could be received. Lieut. Hall, the mustering officer sent here by the State, then read some of the "Articles of War," assuring us that death was the penalty of desertion and requesting all those that did not wish to take the oath to step out of the ranks. No one moved. He then said, "Gentlemen, four of you must withdraw and you can now do so honorably and be passed to your homes free of expense. This last appeal had no effect whatever, unless to make the Guards stand firmer in their places. So Capt. L. was obliged to strike off the names of four whom he considered least able to endure the hardships of camp life, and had absolutely to order them from the ranks. The company then took the usual oath for three years after which we gave three times three and a tiger for the "Union and Constitution" and marched to our quarters. Distinguished Visitors at Cresson Col. Anderson, the Fort Sumter hero, having accepted the invitation of Mr. G. Mullin, lessee of the Mountain House in Cresson, this county, to pass the heated summer with him, has arrived at that place and is in delicate health, but a few weeks amid the mountain scenery of the delightful region, where pure air and pure water are only part of the attractions, will probably speedily revigorate him and have him as "good as new." He has sent for his family to join him at this place. Senator Rice, wife and family of Minnesota and Mr. Kramer of the Virginia Convention are also residing at the Mountain House. The Army Oath The following is the oath which all volunteers and regulars mustered into the service of the United States are required to take before their final enrollment into service - "I do solemnly swear that I will bear true allegiance to the United States of America; that I will serve them honestly and faithfully against all enemies or opposers whatsoever; that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and of the other officers appointed over me, according to the rules of the armies of the United States, so help me God."