NEWS: Items from The Alleghanian, 25 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 49, Thursday 25 Jul 1861 The Battle of Bull's Run From the Harrisburg Telegraph - The news of the battle of Bulls' Run is of a character to excite the utmost anxiety and most intense excitement. General McDowell had driven the enemy from their position at Bull's Run and had pursued them three miles beyond, unmasking and capturing their concealed batteries and completely defeating their entire force in that direction, when the insurgents were reinforced by the arrival of Gen. Johnston's wing, which at once turned the tide of battle. The rebel force with Johnston's addition was too great to withstand, and Gen. McDowell therefore fell back on his entrenchments at Alexandria. The juncture of Beauregard and Johnston was effected by a movement on the part of the latter, which completely outwitted and hoodwinked Gen. Patterson. We do not desire to blame Gen. Patterson in advance of an official explanation of his neglect or inability or unwillingness to prevent this juncture, as he now stands in the most critical and embarrassing position that a man every occupied before a people whose hearts and pride have been wounded by a disaster that alike affects both their personal affections and national humor. Had Gen. Patterson pursued and engaged Gen. Johnston, today the Stars and Stripes would have been floating over Manassas Junction, and the occupation of Richmond become nothing more than the result of the time it would have required to effect a juncture with the other columns of our army. The reason of this is simply in the fact that the rebels themselves are the most easily panicked of all the other people in this country and the consternation which was infused into our ranks by the confusion and dismay of a few drunken teamsters, would have been beaten into the rebels themselves by the pursing forces of Gen. McDowell. From any point that we can possibly view the result of the battle of Bull's Run, we are forced to regard it as a disaster and not a defeat. Our troops acted nobly, firmly and boldly, until appearances became so conclusively against them by the arrival of a fresh and animated force from a quarter not expected, that they could not withstand an encounter or pursuit with any show of success. And even in the face of this disadvantage the line would not have been broken had not a panic been created by the confusion of the teamsters. Altogether, then, we cannot regard this battle as anymore than a disaster, superinduced by the conduct of Gen. Patterson and hastened to its conclusion by the confusion produced by a party of deranged and frantic teamsters. The country will demand an explanation at the hand of Gen. Patterson while the arms of the Union will be promptly vindicated in another battle that must speedily take place in the same locality. In the meantime the veteran Scott will fully develop his grand plan of the defeat of the rebels in Virginia. We have abiding faith in the valor of the men who compose the army. They are true as steel and as devoted as love, patriotism and religion can make them. Give them time, with an open field and a fair fight and they will conquer all the rebels between Manassas Gap and the gates of hell. Washington, July 22 - The rebels did not follow our retreating forces after they passed Bull's Run. Col. Einstein of the 26th Pennsylvania regiment returned to the field of battle at 11 o'clock on Sunday night and brought off six pieces of artillery which he delivered to the commanding officer on the Potomac yesterday evening. Col. Einstein reports that the field was then clear and not an enemy in sight. The President and Secretary of War are at work reorganizing a powerful army. Within the last twenty-four hours over 60,000 fresh troops with a number of batteries have offered their services and been accepted. A number of regiments have arrived and every day will bring immense reinforcements to Washington. Ten new regiments will be in Baltimore en route for Washington by evening. The response from every quarter has been most gratifying and patriotic. The loss of the rebels in the field at Manassas is estimated at 3,000. [Our loss about five hundred] Col. Cameron, brother of the Secretary of War was killed in the fight. Col. Farnham is reported killed. Col. Hunter was wounded. Washington, July 22 - Gen. McCellan has been summoned by the Government from Western Virginia to repair to Washington to take command of the Army of the Potomac. General Rosencrantz takes his place in command of the army of Western Virginia. The corps de armie at Washington is to be instantly reorganized and increased. The orders have already been given to officers or regiments already raised and being raised that they will be accepted with such rapidity as to insure that this will be accomplished in a few days. The Lesson - From the New York TRIBUNE - The defeat of the National Army at Bull's Run on Sunday evening is a sore lesson. All can see that it ought not to have been incurred. Yet it amounts, so far as our troops are concerned, simply to this - that Forty Thousand patriots were worsted by Sixty to Seventy Thousand rebels as was to be apprehended. Of the One Hundred Thousand rebels in arms on the line of the Potomac, three fourths were present under Beauregard at Manassas; while of the One Hundred Thousand patriots confronting them on that line, Fifty Thousand in all were under the command of Gen. McDowell and many of them out of reach of the battlefield. That tells the whole story. It is easy to say now that we ought to have had, might have had, a much larger force there; that Gen. Patterson's column should have followed up Gen. Johnston closely from Martinsburg and either routed him or joined Gen. McDowell as soon as Johnston joined Beauregard, that an unaccountable panic broke out among the teamsters and spectators in the rear of our army which extended to our overmatched and exhausted soldiers in front, that this, that and the other ought to have been just as it was not. The sum and substance of it all is that we are outmaneuvered and outnumbered and that Forty Thousand patriots in our advance proved too few to beat the Seventy Thousand rebels who confronted them after Johnston joined Beauregard. There is nothing in all this that should discourage any patriot. We have more men that the Rebels have and can call out two men to their one. We cannot beat them at enormous odds and should not attempt it. But let us call men enough into the field and be sure that we have them where they are wanted. If a battle is to be fought in one State, it avails nothing that we have forty regiments standing idle in another. If our men are to carry masked batteries and storm strong entrenchments, we must have them at hand to do it. We can beat the Rebels with equal numbers on even ground and this advantage will compel them to come out of their skulking places and meet the Unionists in the open field. They cannot pursue their cautious policy any longer without incurring even their own contempt. Now let the Union forces be concentrated, the enemy met and beaten, as they are and will be whenever the full strength of the patriots is pitted against each other in fair encounter. Be sure that this reverse is not a calamity but a repulse and that it must lead to a speedy and signal triumph. How to Distinguish the Rank of Officers By observing the shoulder straps worn by officers of the army, their rank can be readily ascertained. A major general is distinguished by two silver stars on his shoulder straps; a brigadier general has but one star; a colonel has a silver embroidered spread eagle; a lieutenant colonel has a silver embroidered leaf; a captain is known by two gold embroidered bars; a first lieutenant has but one gold bar on the strap.; a second lieutenant, none at all. The cloth of the strap is as follows - staff officers, dark blue; artillery, scarlet; infantry, light (or sky) blue; riflemen, medium (or emerald) green; cavalry, orange color. What is an Ambulance? An ambulance is a light carriage, the body being mounted upon two wheels and supported by very elastic, light springs. It is a little over six feet in length. There are cots for two inside, with beds, head pillows &c. The top is covered with black oil cloth, but the body and running gear are painted red. The ambulance is intended for one horse with a seat for the driver in front, and being very light, though strongly built, can be driven along very rapidly without injury to the wounded. Pennsylvania Volunteers Baltimore, July 20 - The Pennsylvania regiments in Baltimore have all been re-clothed at the expense of the State, and paid off by the General Government and are also re-enlisted and accepted by the War Department for three years or the war. Local and Personal Cresson Springs Company Those interested will take notice that an election for seven managers for the above company will be held at Cresson, this county, on Monday, 5th proximo. Havelocks are said to be a failure, from the fact that the white material of which they are manufactured renders them conspicuous marks for the enemy to fire at. Therefore ladies, use muslin of a darker shade in your labor or love. Camp Wright Since the departure eastward of the 9th and 11th regiments, on Tuesday last, this camp has ceased to be the centre of attraction. There are now no soldiers there whatever, and the once busy "quarters" present pretty much the appearance of a "banquet hall deserted." Indiana County The house of Mrs. Houston in Indiana borough was struck by lightning during a recent rain storm. No great damage was done. Two prisoners confined in the county jail effected their escape the other night through the chimney of that edifice. The sheriff offers a reward of twenty dollars for their re-arrest. The managers of the Indiana County Agricultural Society have decided to hold a fair as usual the coming autumn. The crops in this county are very good and the yield will be abundant. Appointed - We are glad to announce that Col. Wm. K. Piper of this place has been tendered the appointment of Major in a cavalry regiment recently organized in Philadelphia. He has accepted the position and departed last week to enter upon its duties. The Colonel, we mean to say, Major, will make an excellent officer and we expect to hear a good account of his exploits in the tented field. It is reported that two men belonging to the 11th regiment were killed at a bridge a few miles below Altoona on Tuesday. They were riding on the top of one of the cars at the time and the bridge being rather low, they were either crushed or knocked off. James E. Gifflin, of Altoona, is about commencing to write a history of the Pennsylvania Railroad. The subject is of a highly interesting nature to the people of this State and if properly treated, will make a valuable volume. Lt. McCoy of the Cambria Guards who was in town two or three days last week as recruiting officer succeeded in obtaining six or eight men who departed eastward with the company on Tuesday. We are unable to give their names. Capt. Litzinger, Lieut. McCoy, Lieut. Lewis, J. E. Scanlan and T. D. Litzinger of the Cambria Guards were in town on a brief visit on Monday. The Cambria county companies belonging to the old regiment have not yet returned. They are expected this week. Departure of the Cambria Guards from Camp Wright On Tuesday the Eleventh Regiment of the Pennsylvania Reserves, which had been stationed at Camp Wright and to which the Cambria Guards belong, passed over the Pennsylvania Railroad eastward. Their ultimate destination was not known, but it was supposed that they were to be led into actual service immediately. A large number of our citizens were at Wilmore to welcome the Guards and to bid them God speed. The train stopped but a few minutes, scarce long enough to allow any interchange of greetings, and again sped on its way with its precious burden of noble souls going to do or die for their country. We had the pleasure of accompanying "our boys" on a portion of their journey and were afforded the opportunity of seeing and conversing with a majority of them. They were all in the very best health and appeared delighted with the prospect of having a small brush with Jeff Davis' cohorts of traitors. We feel entirely satisfied, from an inspection of the troops composing it, that, should the Eleventh Regiment ever be brought face to face with the enemies of our country they will not be found wanting. And the Cambria Guards will do nothing unworthy of the Eleventh Regiment. The entire regiment had been fully armed and uniformed prior to leaving Camp Wright. The following are the different companies composing the Eleventh - Colonel - T. R. Gallagher Lieut. Colonel - J. R. Porter Major - S. M. Jackson Co. A. Cambria Guards, Capt. Litzinger Co. B. Indiana National Guards, Capt. Porter Co. C. Dickson Guards, Capt. Louden Co. D. Conoquenessing Rangers, Capt. Stewart Co. E. Washington Blues (of Blairsville), Capt. Nesbit Co. F. Independent Blues, Capt. Speer Co. G. Union Volunteers, Capt. Birer Co. H. Westmoreland Guards, Capt. Kisler Co. I. Washington Blues, Capt. Spires Co. K. Brady Guards, Capt. Brady. Is It So? We find the following interesting item in an army letter (dated Martinsburg, Va., July 4) in an exchange - "A Johnstown man, belonging to Co. F., Capt. Linton, Third Regiment, killed a picket guard last night who was coming in from picketing. The latter was a member of Co. [unclear], Capt. Neff, Blair county. I suppose the Johnstown man will be shot today as the General has given orders to that effect. The guard must halt a man three times ere he is allowed to fire and this the Johnstown man failed to do." Summer Resorts The number of visitors at the summer resorts in this county is said to be much smaller this year than usual. Whether this state of affairs is owing to the frigidity of the atmosphere thus far or to the more potent influence of a scarcity of spondulix we are not prepared to say, but so it is. Gen. Anderson is still rusticating at Cresson with many good results as to his corporeal system. Talking of watering places, invalids and pleasure seekers should come to Ebensburg. For it is a fact conceded on all hands that we are blessed with a brighter sky and a cooler breeze, with clearer water and taller trees, with higher mountains and deeper vales, lovelier walks in romantic dales, with purer air and steeper hills and better hotels that charge smaller bills, than any other spot in the universal American continent. Besides the above attractions, we may add that there is always an abundance of game in the forest, trout in the streams, whiskey in the calabash, blackberries and other berries in the jungles, pretty girls in the neighborhood and amusement of all sorts lying around loose in packages to suit every capacity and only needing to be stirred up and shook out to furnish gay old times for an unlimited number. We might also pin on here the remark that snakes and mosquitoes are about as few and as far between in this vicinity as Seceshers or gorillas. Therefore, oh, seeker after pleasure or repose and invalided individual, come to Ebensburg, etc. etc. And bring your families with you.