NEWS: Items from The Alleghanian, January 9, 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 9, 1862 Volume 3, Number 16 Apologetic No paper was issued from this office last week for the reason that the entire establishment, devil and all, were engaged during the Holiday period in living up to our Pictorial Platform of Principles. In other words, in having a "Hi-Old-Time." Kind reader, accept our regrets. Local Etchings The season in which it is lawful to kill deer, pheasants, rabbits, &c., expired on the 31st ult. The law on this point, however, appears to be pretty much a letter hereabouts, inasmuch as about the same quantity of game is killed after the first of January as before. This is wrong. Remember the sorrowful experience of "Mordicai and Sunna Vagun" in the matter of their illegal deer hunt and save all possible trouble in the premises. We see it stated in several papers that the Governor has detailed the "Silver Grays" as a guard to take charge of the Arsenal and the Warehouse containing the public stores in Harrisburg. They will be equal to the undertaking. Speaking of the Silver Grays, we understand that Capt. Palmer has received and has now under consideration a proposition to attach his company to the 11th regiment, P. V., Col. Dick Coulter, now stationed at Annapolis, Md. Letter from Kentucky Camp Wood, Ky., Dec. 20, 1861 The 78th Penna. regiment marched from Camp Nevin on the 26th of November last and encamped on the south side of Nolin Creek, two miles distant. The camp was named Camp Negley in honor of Gen. James S. Negley, commander of the brigade. It commenced raining before we had succeeded in digging ditches around the tents and grading the streets, which had the effect of rendering it extremely unpleasant for the time being. The rain continued for several days and the adjacent waters were much swollen. The railroad bridge of Rolling Fork was swept away, thus cutting off our communication with Louisville. By this accident our supply of provisions was stopped and we put on short allowance for a few days. The bridge was soon reconstructed, however, and our commissary stores now arrive with their wonted regularity. During the last three days of November, we had quite a "cold snap" here. Snow fell to the depth of three inches and laid several days during which time the boys brought in hundreds of rabbits. These animals are very plentiful here. A change has recently been made in our brigade. It formerly consisted of the 77th, 78th and 79th Penna. regiments and Capt. Meuler's battery of light artillery and was called the Penna. Brigade. The 77th, Col. Stambaugh, has been transferred to the brigade of Gen. Wood. We are now the 7th Brigade of the Central Division of the Department of the Ohio. Col. Hambright of the 79th Penna., has the right; Col. Sirwell of the 78th, the left; Col. Starkweather of the 1st Wisconsin, the right center; and Col. Scribner of the 38th Indiana, the left center. Our brigade moved from Camp Negley to Camp M'Cook on the 11th. The tents and cooking utensils were sent by rail and the knapsacks and baggage were transported in wagons. We arrived at 9 P. M. and pitched our tents by moonlight. Our sick were sent to the General Hospital at Louisville, where a few have since died. Soon after our arrival here, the artificers of Col. Starkweather's regiment commenced to rebuild the railroad bridge across Bacon Creek, which was burned by the rebels on the night of Dec. 5. It was finished in twenty-six hours. On Monday last we again received marching orders, and on Tuesday morning, we pulled stakes and marched towards Green River. We arrived at Mumfordsville at 1 P.M., and commenced to pitch our tents and fix up our new home. While thus engaged, our attention was arrested by the discharge of artillery on the other side of the river. In a few moments a messenger announced that our forces were engaging the rebels and that our brigade was ordered to proceed immediately to the scene of action. Our operations were immediately stopped, and the words, "fall in! fall in!" rang thro' the camp. A few minutes after, we were in line of battle. We hastened at once toward the field of battle, but before we had crossed the river the firing ceased, and the rebels were driven back towards the Horse Cave. So we were compelled to return to camp without having had the satisfaction of participating in the fight. Lieut. Col. Vontrombie was the hero of the day. He, with a part of Col. Willieh's 32d Indiana Regiment was sent across the river to act as pickets when they were attacked by a cavalry regiment under command of Col. Terry and two regiments of infantry, supported by a battery of artillery. The engagement lasted about forty minutes and at times the cannonading was very brisk. Vontrombie with his little band of about 400 repulsed and scattered their whole force. The loss on our side was eleven killed, eight mortally wounded and twenty or thirty slightly. The rebels admit a loss of forty, but it is supposed to be much greater. Among their killed are Col. Terry and Capt. Morgan. They are said to be retiring toward Bowling Green and are destroying the railroad track and burning the wood that was cut for the use of the rail road company. Our camp is about half a mile from Mumfordsville, the county seat of Hart County and 73 miles south of Louisville. The Louisville and Nashville R. R. crosses Green River at this place. The bridge is near one thousand feet long and one hundred and sixty-five feet above the bed of the stream. The rebels, by blowing up one of the piers, destroyed two spans of the bridge. It is an iron structure and very substantially built, each span being independent of the rest. The water of this river has a peculiar greenish color, when not swollen by rains. Its taste is agreeable and I believe it is wholesome. We expect lively times as soon as the bridge is repaired, when, perhaps, you will hear something more interesting from me. [Signed] Boanerges The Alleghanian, Ebensburg, Pa. Thursday, January 9, 1862 Volume 3, Number 16 Letter from the "Silver Grays" Camp Curtin, Jany. 6, 1862 Having promised you an occasional letter from "camp," I embrace the opportunity of giving you a brief communication by way of "opening the ball." The surroundings are by no means the best for editing a sketch description of camp life as well as the "pomp and circumstance of glorious war." Officers' quarters here have not yet been provided for those of the Silver Grays, else your humble correspondent notwithstanding his position is only that of "high private," might avail himself of the retirement that such a locality would supply. I write amid the noise and bustle incident to a general boarding tent, in which can be distinguished the Irish brogue, the sweet German accent and the crackling Welsh, beautifully interspersed with the euphonious English. It is really a strange medley and if reduced to a system by some adept in the science of acoustics would furnish something new in this age of progress and invention. Since my arrival the camp has been all bustle and excitement, caused by the marching out of the regiments commanded by Colonels Murray and Lewis. Since their withdrawal, I estimate the number now here who wear Uncle Sam's livery and eat his pork and beans to be about two thousand. It is reported that another regiment (Col. Wilson's) has received marching orders. This expected departure will diminish our number materially and render Camp Curtin less a place of interest than it has been. But why rack the brain in summoning words to express views of so little interest to your readers, so long as the welfare, the prospects, the condition and the character of the Silver Grays furnish a theme for the pen of your correspondent? Then, to my task. The Silver Grays, numbering between sixty and seventy men, regularly mustered into the service of the United States are comfortably quartered in frame barracks, and are in the enjoyment of all the accommodations that can be furnished by the Quartermaster and Commissary of the camp. No member of the company came here expected to find a Continental or Metropolitan Hotel open for his reception. On the contrary each one knew that the luxuries of life belong now to the soldier's career. So long as the necessaries are furnished however, there can be no ground for complaint. Of the latter we have an abundance and of the very best quality. I have never eaten better bread, fresh and salt meat, beans, rice and other substantials, nor drank better coffee than I have had set before me in these quarters. As to the clothing, it is of good quality and well made. Take it all in all there is no room for the exercises of the grumbler's occupation. All are satisfied with their lot and will manifest their appreciation of the protecting care of their country by an exhibition of a loyal devotion to its Flag. The Silver Grays enjoy a reputation that is rendered the brighter by contrast. Most other companies are made up of young men who are playing the "Bold Soldier Boy" and "sowing wild oats" at one and the same time. It is an adage as trite as it is true that you "cannot expect to find an old head on young shoulders." These men, now in their halcyon days, will sober down in the face of the enemy and do good service in the protection and vindication of the Right. They possess courage and patriotism, the necessary essentials that should distinguish the soldier of the Republic. But, without any disparagement to them, all will and DO admit after taking a cool and dispassionate view of the questions at issue and of the importance to all future generations that this Union be maintained in its integrity, that the Silver grays are just the kind of men from whom the younger volunteers will take example. There is a deeply rooted sentiment of respect to age which imbues the human heart. It is manifest in this camp. Officers and privates pay all deference to the whitened locks of many of the members of our company. Were old John Burgoon to perambulate the camp grounds he would receive more sincere and heartfelt salutations than would be awarded to the chief officer in command. As conclusions drawn from these premises, you will admit that the mingling of such as are the Silver Grays with the youth of our army will have a salutary effect in more ways than one; that it will be convincing proof that the patriotism of '76 yet lives; and that those who are about stepping off the stage of life are not indifferent as to the future of their country. There are various speculations in reference to what may be the location assigned the Silver Grays. Some say one thing, and some another. Until something definite be determined upon, however, I will forebear speculating or giving an opinion. Justice demands that I shall incorporate in this communication the remark that Captain William Palmer, thro' whose indefatigable exertions the company was raised is most deservedly popular with the rank and file. He is incessant in his efforts to make one and all contented and comfortable. If any favors are going he has an eye to diverting them to the benefit of his company. And, indeed, it appears that since he has been in camp he has gained upon the esteem of those who direct the distribution of supplies that he can procure our full share (if not more) of all that is circulating. I will speak of Lieutenant Murray in my next. Now, Mr. Editor! I think I have arrived at the proper point in my hasty communication to discharge a duty which has been imposed upon me by the officers and privates composing the Silver Grays. It is simply to express their sincere gratitude to you for the present of THAT keg of tobacco. It was a most timely donation. It was natural to expect that the "boys," just breaking away from the apron strings of their maternal guardians would at first feel a little homesick. The tobacco's assuaging properties dispelled regrets, until now we are completely "weaned." We think of home with the composure of philosophers and have left off pining and "sniffling." One and all send you their kindest regards. Let me conclude by appealing to the old men of Cambria, who can conveniently do so, to hasten to marshal themselves under the banner of the Silver Grays. Let it be made a maximum company; a minimum one it will be before Saturday. [Signed] High Private The Alleghanian, Ebensburg, Pa. Thursday, January 9, 1862 Volume 3, Number 16 Co. C., 19th Regular Infantry Through the kindness of Sergeant Thomas Davis we are enabled to herewith present our readers with the muster roll of Co. C., 19th regular infantry, Capt. Williams. This company was recruited almost entirely in Cambria County: Commissioned Officers: Captain, Thomas C. Williams First Lieutenant, Louis Snyder Second Lieutenant, John B. Hays Non-Commissioned Officers Sergeants: Thomas Davis A. Lemmon E. H. Bennett Reuben D. Jones A. W. Smith Corporals: John Shroat H. B. Shaffer Geo. S. Paul Samuel Dibert Charles Craver S. Burkhart James M. Singer Benj. Davis Musicians: Christ. Bennett Joseph Bennett Privates: Anderson, Robert Albaugh, Joseph Albaugh, Isaac Ankeny, Henry Bennett, Elisha, Jr. Bender, Theodore Brookbank, David Bracken, James Burkey, Elijah Bennett, Aaron Barnes, John W. Clements, Patrick Cobaugh, Phythian Crum, David Crum, Nathan Condon, Christopher Crossley, Jacob Davis, Thomas E. Dunmire, A. Evans, John C. Evans, Samuel Enos, Alexander Elliott, Elonzo Edwards, David Emigh, George A. Ferguson, Elliot Frankhouser, A. Grubb, William A. Gochnour, Levi Griffith, Joseph Hunt, Cornelius Harndon, J. L. B. Haynes, Thomas F. Harrison, John Jones, Timothy Jones, George Jones, Samuel D. Leydig, George Longenecker, John Lyster, John Metzler, Cyrus M'Gwinn, George Makin, Oliver Michaels, H. B. Orth, George O'Neill, Patrick Plummer, Isaac Parker, John Rowland, Robert, Jr. Rupp, John Rager, Francis Rager, Thomas M. Reese, John Smay, Samuel Shearer, William Shultz, Henry Snyder, Aaron Sproul, Jacob R. Sweetzer, Simon Stineberger, John Stineberger, Aloysius Tarbell, Eli M. Wendell, John Williams, George A. Ward, Ceylon W. County Superintendent On Monday last, Mr. William Scott, formerly of Johnstown, but at present of this place, received his commission as Superintendent of the Common Schools of Cambria County. He will fill the unexpired term of Col. James M. Swank, resigned. Mr. Scott has held the position of Superintendent of the Ebensburg Union School during the past two or three months and has given universal satisfaction. He is a ripe scholar, a gentleman as well and will prove himself a worthy custodian of the great Common School interest in this county. Success attend him! Temperance Celebration The Ebensburg Temperance Association held its annual anniversary on New Year's Day in the Welsh Congregational Church. The first meeting was held at two o'clock, P. M. when the following officers were elected for the present term: President, Thomas J. Davis Vice President, Isaac Evans Secretary, Daniel J. Jones Treasurer, Samuel Baxter After which Rev. T. Davis of Pittsburg and Rev. J. William addressed the meeting in Welsh and Rev. D. Harbison in English. At 6 o'clock addresses were delivered by Revs. D. Davis, I. C. Singer, L. R. Powell and A. A. Barker, Esq. The well known ability of the speakers brought out a large audience. The reunion was most pleasantly concluded by the Pastor, Mr. Powell, wishing the audience a happy New Year, temporal was well as spiritual.