NEWS: Items from The Alleghanian, January 30, 1862, 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, January 30, 1862 Volume 3, Number 19 Johnstown Items The recent flood caused by the sudden melting of the snow and a goodly fall of rain combined, had the effect of again demolishing, sweeping away and otherwise successfully using up that ill-fated bridge across the Stony Creek at Johnstown, thereby effectually cutting off all but aquatic communication between that point and Kernville. An elderly woman named Manan, while walking on the railroad between Johnstown and Conemaugh on Wednesday afternoon, was knocked down by a passing train and had both her legs so badly injured that it is supposed amputation of both feet will be necessary. F. W. Hay found himself in a bad predicament the other morning. On going to the safe in which his books, papers, etc. had been locked up the preceding night, he found that the key persistently refused to unlock it. Persuasion and force were alike unavailing so he was obliged to ship the safe to the makers at Philadelphia and solicit their interference in his behalf! Cellar thieves and measles are prevalent in the "Mineral City." The above items are condensed from the Cambria TRIBUNE. Letter from the "Silver Grays" Camp Curtin, Jany. 28, 1862 Never since the first suggestion to raise and tender to the Government the services of a company of volunteers composed of men who have passed the age of two-and-a-fourth scores of years, has so great enthusiasm been manifested in our quarters as "reigns supreme" this evening. On yesterday, Capt. Palmer marched a squad of twenty-three recruits for the Silver Grays to the office of the mustering-in officer detailed by the War Department to perform that duty in connection with this camp. Our roll at present numbers eighty-six, being three in excess of a minimum who are now regularly marshaled under the National Flag. No doubt we will steadily progress until we reach the maximum of one hundred and one. Let our friends at home give three times three for the gray-haired veterans of the Mountain, and make the very welkin ring with cheer upon cheer for Little Cambria and her patriotic sons. The most interesting scene was exhibited the other day, while the companies in camp were on dress parade. The glorious news of the success of the Federal arms in Kentucky has just been received per telegraph by Governor Curtin. At the close of the parade, the substance of the telegram was announced to the line by the commanding officer. The words had scarcely passed his lips 'ere they were responded to by one wild, joyous spontaneous peal which seemed to spring forth from the heart of hearts of those there extended in battle array. When the Silver Gray were marched to the front of their quarters, they could not let pass the opportunity of manifesting their delight by giving an extra "huzza" upon their own hook, and after the style of home. It has been officially announced that Camp Curtin will hereafter be the only camp in Pennsylvania that will be recognized by the General Government. The camp has passed from the management of the State authorities to those of the United States. The recruiting for the army will be controlled by officers detailed by the War Department at Washington. This change does not meet with favor nor will it be attested by that success which has followed the efforts of Governor Curtin and his subordinates. Our own volunteer system is more agreeable to the cherished notions of a free people than is that which distinguishes the regular service. When men voluntarily offer themselves to their country for its defense, and with no object other than that which is prompted by an unflinching attachment by Liberty and its perpetuation, they naturally desire to determine who shall lead them in the contest. The respective States, under their own State laws, have been able to raise in an almost incredibly short space of time such an army of freemen as the world never saw. An aggregate of more than six hundred thousand champions of Freedom have "hastened to the rescue" of our beloved country from the destruction threatened by Traitors who have been warmed into existence by her fostering care and protection. Could such a result have been secured by the adoption of a recruiting programme similar to that of the regular service? I opine not. "I am neither a prophet nor the son of a prophet," but I venture to predict that the "New Plan" will not work, and that, so far as the Keystone is concerned, it will be admitted that it would have been better to have left the recruiting of volunteers to be managed by the State Executive under our own State laws. Gov. Curtin has accomplished much, thereby surprising both friend and foe, that it is difficult to assign many good reasons for the change. Enough on this subject, but "we will see what we will see." It is now rendered more than probable that the Silver Grays will be quartered in Harrisburg and act as guards of the arsenal and stores. When the spring opens, the company will be one of the best drilled then in arms and ready for the discharge of any duty assigned it. The "lads" are all anxious to "smell powder" before the end of the war, but like provident men, they wish to have the advantages in the fight which a military education affords and which we will acquire under the instruction of our Captain and First Lieutenant during the winter. The officers, commissioned and non-commissioned, have the opportunity of become well booked in the drill, the Government having provided two of the most skillful instructors that could be found. This school is open from 8:30 in the morning until 4 in the evening, the time being divided between the commissioned and non-commissioned officers. The course of study is a thoro' one so that any student possessing even a modicum of brains may by prompt attention become perfect in the different branches of the science. The information thus acquired by the officers is communicated to their respective commands, and by this system of transmission, each soldier may possess himself of a fair share of the general stock. The Silver Grays are acknowledged to be the most reliable of any soldiers in camp for the discharge of the duties of guards. Several large details have been made from our company within the last few weeks for this service, and on diverse occasions, the Grays were especially complimented by the officer of the day for their prompt and faithful performance of duty. The "breaking of guard" and the "bringing of intoxicating liquors into camp" are the most frequent violations of the "Rules and Regulations." These sins against discipline can scarcely ever be successfully carried out unless some one of the guard be a particeps crimins. The Silver Grays being like Caesar's wife, above suspicion, are never approached by any one contemplating a violation of the laws of the camp. As an illustration of this fact I need only relate to you the following anecdote: A few nights ago while some thirty of the Grays formed a portion of the guard, a couple of "soldier boys" marched around the line, for the purpose of discovering a weak point thro' which to "run the blockade." When they came to the Grays one of the designing chaps, after having scrutinized the visages and gray locks of the "Old Fellows" as they quietly marched from terminus to terminus of their perspective beats, exclaimed to the other - "Jack, let's go further; it's no use trying here - we can't pass. These are the d-d old 'Silver Grays.!" I am compelled to postpone for another week the promised description of an interesting ceremony in the shape of a sword presentation. The officer who was the recipient in the affair is now absent from camp and I deign awaiting his return and having his consent ere I take the liberty of giving publicity to that which I know was intended by the parties to be an entirely private affair. For the present - farewell! [Signed] High Private Railroad At the annual election of the Ebensburg and Cresson Railroad Company - held on Monday, 13th inst. - the following officers were chosen for the ensuing year: President: A. A. Barker Directors: Edward Roberts Johnson Moore John Williams George Rodgers A. C. Mullin Abel Lloyd Richard Jones, Jr. Robert Davis Henry Foster Isaac Evans James Myers Thomas Griffith Local Improvement An enterprising gentleman from Blair county, named M'Graw, has purchased a strip of real estate near the depot of the Ebensburg & Cresson Railroad where he intends erecting at an early day a first- class restaurant. We hope and haven't the least doubt that the enterprise will "pay." His selection of the location indicates that he knows what's what. Planing Mill In our advertising columns this week, B. F. Williams, proprietor of the Union Planing Mill gives notice that he is prepared to furnish on short notice all manner of Worked Lumber, Sash and Doors, and Mouldings. We would advise those of our readers in need of any of the articles to send in their orders, confident that he can and will render entire satisfaction.