NEWS: Items from The Alleghanian, August 1, 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 50 Thursday, 1 Aug 1861 Gen. McClellan's Command - By a general order just issued, Gen. McClellan's command will include Gen. Manfield's as well as Gen. McDowell's department and two counties in Maryland as well. Also second, "All officers or volunteer regiments will be subject to examination by a Military board, to be appointed by this Department with the concurrence of the General in Chief, as to their fitness for the positions assigned. Those officers found to be incompetent will be rejected and the vacancies thus occasioned will be filled by the appointment of such persons as may have passed the examination of the Board." Death of Col. Cameron Among the victims of the late battle was Colonel James Cameron, commander of the 79th (Scotch) regiment. Col. Cameron was a native of our State, and brother of the present Secretary of War, and was elected to take command of the regiment on account of the strong Scotch feeling which he possessed and his Cameronian sentiments. Col. Cameron was of splendid proportions, standing over six feet high and straight as an arrow, still in vigor, time having touched him lightly as he passed. Of most courteous demeanor and always considerate of the wants of his men, he was at the same time an admirable soldier, having commanded a Pennsylvania regiment for some years. Col. Elliott will take command of the regiment, which will in no manner suffer, beyond losing a loved officer. Inducement to Volunteers A Bounty for Re-Enlistment In the hour of danger, the country is offering the very greatest inducements to the people to assist in its defense and we are proud to record the fact that the proportion of those who are re-enlisting is vastly larger than those who are returning to their homes. This is a credit to the men and argues well for the success of the cause in which they are engaged. The inducements which the Government offers for recruits are as follows - Where an entire regiment re-enlists, a bounty of fifty dollars will be paid to every man immediately after re-organization and mustering into service of the new regiment. When a full company offers and is received and sworn into service a bounty of forty dollars is paid to each man. To new recruits and individual enlistments thirty dollars are paid to each man. With these great encouragements and the still greater inducements of danger to a county and laws which we still love and respect, we expect to see a great many regiments organized and on their return to the scene of the action in a very few days. [Harrisburg TELEGRAPH] News of the Week Retirement of Gen. Patterson Headquarters, Dept. of Pa. Harper's Ferry, July 25, 1861 The term for which the troops from Pennsylvania were called into service having expired and nearly all of them having returned to their homes, the Commanding General by direction of the War Department, relinquishes the command of this Department at the expiration of his term of service. The Commanding General regrets to leave you, but he does so with the satisfaction that you have steadily advanced in the face of the enemy greatly superior in numbers and artillery and offered battle which they refused until protected by their strong entrenchments at Winchester. You have done all that was possible and more than could have been expected, or was demanded; and if advantage has not been taken of your sacrifices, and if the fruits of your company have been lost, the fault cannot be imputed to you. To the members of the department staff, he tenders his thanks for their efficient aid and devotion to duty. Signed - R. J. Paterson, Maj. Gen. Com. The Reinforcements from Pennsylvania On Sunday evening, 21st ult., a requisition was received by Gov. Curtin from the Secretary of War to forward to Washington as speedily as possible, all the reserve corps that were ready for action. Immediately orders were issued and the movement commenced. The troops in camp at West Chester, Easton and Pittsburg immediately began to prepare for a movement to Camp Curtin, where they were fully equipped and armed and at once forwarded to Washington. Thus since Monday last, gathering the troops from these distant points, assembling them at Harrisburg and furnishing them with the necessary clothing and arms, nearly Eleven Thousand Men, in the very best order and discipline, have been forwarded to Washington city and are now in active service. Besides these ten regiments thus forwarded this week, there were five other regiments that had gone forward before these had started on the march, so that Pennsylvania has now some Sixteen Thousand fresh fighting men in the field. In addition to these the War Department has made another requisite on the Governor for ten other new regiments to which we may add two more that are organizing independently of any requisition. These are filling up very fast from the returned men, the very best of whom are re-enlisting. When these are full and we predict their organization in less than a month, Pennsylvania will again at have at least Thirty Thousand Fighting Men in the field. Local and Personal Ebensburg and Wilmore Plank Road Co. - We are informed upon what we consider indisputable authority that the above company still continues to charge full toll rates over their road, notwithstanding the fact that the planks of which it is composed are almost entirely worn out and the road otherwise rendered nearly impassible. We hope not! A Bully Fellow During a recent visit to Altoona we had the pleasure of meeting our quondam friend, Hen McPike, formerly of the Johnstown ECHO. He is doing business as partner in a mercantile house in that borough under the name of Murphy and McPike. We wish him success in his new vocation and can assure the citizens of Altoona that they deal with gentlemen when they deal with him and his partner. Indiana County On Wednesday of last week, the oil refinery of Samuel Green, in Blairsville, took fire and was burned to the ground. Loss $1,100; insured for $300. Take Particular Notice The voters of the People's Party in this borough will please remember at the Delegate Election on next Saturday, that those residing in the East Ward will vote at the Court House and those in the West Ward at the Town Hall. Not True The report which has prevailed in this place for some days past to the effect that Lt. John W. Short of Co. G., 10th regiment (from Hemlock, this county) had been killed in Virginia, is, we are happy to say, totally incorrect. He is not only alive and kicking but is now at Harrisburg with his company waiting to be paid off. A Mistake, We Presume The Indiana TRUE AMERICAN contradicts the statement we published last week to the effect that two soldiers belonging to the 11th Pa. regiment were killed on the railroad a few miles below Altoona, when on their route eastward. The editor says he has direct information that the boys all arrived safely at Harrisburg. Glad to hear it. Doubts Arise The Hollidaysburg papers of last week intimate pretty plainly that the cannonading at the battle of Bull's Run, Va., on Sunday, 15th ult., was distinctly heard in some portions of Blair county. Now, as the distance between the two points, as near as we can come by in reference to the scale of miles on a map of the war, is one hundred and twenty five miles or so, it will be seen that this is a pretty big thing on auriculars. And no mistake. Under the circumstances, we believe we'll take no more lemonade at present, thankee. What do you drink, friends? Returning Soldiers The 3d regiment to which three and the 10th regiment, to which two Cambria county companies belong, are now at Harrisburg being paid off. They will be home this week. The Cambria Guards at Washington The Cambria Guards, after leaving Camp Wright on Tuesday of last week, were taken through to Harrisburg the same evening, where they stayed over night. On Wednesday they got as far as Baltimore where they also encamped for the night; and on Thursday they arrived at Washington. They are all well and in excellent spirits and feel quite gratified at being called upon to assist in defending the National Capital. Owing to the hurry and confusion incident to changing quarters, our regular correspondents have failed to come to time this week but in lieu of their jottings we subjoin a couple of extracts from private letter that may not be altogether uninteresting to our readers. Speaking of some incidents of the trip, one of the Guards writes - "I must put in a word here for the ladies of Huntingdon. They met us at the cars with a bountiful supper, more than sufficient to feed the twelve hundred men who were in the train, consisting of hot coffee and tea, bread and butter, warm biscuit, boiled eggs, pickles, and in fact everything else good to eat. Their kindness will never be forgotten." Long may the ladies of Huntingdon wave! Another speaks in terms of highest praise of the liberality of the good people of Gallitzin, this county. And still another, writing under the date of Washington, July 28th, says - "Last night when the majority of us were in bed, our picket guard was heard firing the alarm and almost at the same instant the drums were heard to beat the call, "to arms!" The cry "the enemy is advancing on Washington!" was heard on all sides and all encamped in and about the glorious old capital were soon at their posts, ready and willing to spill their hearts best blood in defense of it. It was remarkable to see in what a short space of time the 11th (our regiment) was formed, and how eager they were for the fray. At first we thought the enemy were in our very midst, but more scouts were thrown out and it was ascertained they were ten miles distant. Our picket guard was fired at several times, but not injured. Our officers express the whispered opinion that an attack will be made at this point very soon. So the "bloody 11th," as we are called will soon have a chance to be "in" and this is just what we desire." The Journey "through Baltimore," thanks to Gen. Banks and the rest of the "live" Unionists in that unenviable nest of traitors was made in perfect safety. Letters or other documents to the soldiers to insure prompt delivery should be addressed thus - Co. A., Capt. Litzinger 11th Regt., P. R. C., Col. Gallagher, Washington, D. C.