NEWS: Items from The Alleghanian, October 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, October 30, 1862 Volume 4, Number 5 Local Etchings Circulating around: Assistant Assessor N. I. Roberts with his imposing "book of entry." The Philadelphia Sunday MERCURY suggests the nomination of our fellow townsman, R. L. Johnston, Esq. as the next Democratic candidate for Governor. They might go further and fare worse. The Johnstown TRIBUNE learns that Marshall R. Carmon, son of Mr. R. Carmon, for many years a citizen of this place but latterly of Missouri was wounded in the head in the recent great battle of Corinth. A. Kopelin, Esq. of Johnstown has been appointed Deputy U. S. Marshal for this county with power to compel the attendance of refractory conscripts at designated points of rendezvous. We hope for the credit of our county that his services may not be required in a single instance. John Roberts and Thomas D. Jones, both of whom have been with us for some weeks past, the former on recruiting service and the latter recuperating from the effects of a wound received at the second battle of Bull Run have gone back to their regiments, 11th Reserves, company A. Luck go with them! Sergt. John E. Scanlan who was wounded twice and severely at the battle of Gaines' Hill and Thomas D. Litzinger, captured by the rebels at the same fight and yet a paroled prisoner - both of Co. A, 11th Penna. Reserves - are at home. The former, owing to the severity of his injuries has been discharged from the service. Their presence is welcome as coals at Christmas. Something like a hundred of the drafted militia of this county, under the superintendence of Commissioner Harr took their departure hence for Harrisburg on Thursday morning last. On their arrival at that city, they were provided with quarters in Camp Curtin and immediately formed into a company, when an organization was effected by the election of John C. Robb, of Conemaugh as Captain. We did no hear the names of the other officers. The residue of the drafted men will be gathered up and forwarded during the present week. From Our Volunteers Letter from Co. F, 133d Penna. Vols. Their Present Location Health of Company Presentation of Colors to Penna. Regiments The Late Election, &c., &c. Camp near Sharpsburg, Md. Oct. 18, 1862 Knowing that a word from the soldier boys is never unacceptable at home, a few of the leisure hours of picketing on the Potomac will now be devoted to that end; and, although few things of interest have recently transpired in our tented home, yet I know how gratified anxious mothers and sisters are to receive tidings of cheer of their absent loved ones. Our home is still near Sharpsburg but we have been moved about one fourth of a mile from our former location with a view, doubtless to the comfort and sanitary condition of the men. The brigade which was for a time huddled together promiscuously is now separated into regimental camps. The change, if we remain here any length of time, will prove highly salutary to the men. Besides, we now have room to "spread ourselves," which is occasionally done to a laughable extent. In Co. F there are quite a number unfit for duty, but none dangerously sick. The list, I am gratified to add, is rapidly diminishing since the appearance of cold weather. The prevailing disease is in no wise of a dangerous nature, only one (of Co. G) having died out of a thousand, and nine men since we entered the service. Yesterday, before moving to this place, our brigade was honored with a visit from the Deputy Secretary of Pennsylvania, who as representative of the commonwealth, presented to each regiment the beautiful emblem of our nationality, with the number of the regiment inscribed thereon in letters of gold. A few appropriate remarks were made by our distinguished visitor and responded to by the regimental commanders, when the regiments filed off to their respective quarters, vowing never to abandon the flag while life remained. The invasion of our noble old State by the rebel Stuart doubtless through the treachery of some wolf in sheep's clothing was mortifying intelligence to the Pennsylvania boys here and a look of revenge even now rests on the face of the last one of them. Every Pennsylvanian should feel that this foul blot and insult must be wiped out. Yesterday evening the papers came in, bringing the cheering intelligence of the endorsements of the Administration by the State. Many a loyal heart awaiting with painful suspense the result of the election and you may barely conceive its effect on all such. Intense gratification illumined their countenances and many a hearty cheer was given. It will unquestionably have a good moral effect on the rebels also and add, as it were, to the prestige of the Union cause such as the triumph of our arms could scarcely secure. The idea that the rebels would be embittered and the contest protracted by thus endorsing the policy of the Administration is simply absurd and he who maintains such belief has yet to learn the magnitude of the efforts put forth as compared with their real strength. The shifts returned to sustain the cause of the ragged rebel horde, thus far are well known and daily appreciated. The late acts of the Administration, from the tenor of their own organs, have evidently struck terror into the heart of the rebel government and must in a measure unnerve their whole army. The news has just come in of the result of the election in Cambria and it is as we expected. Of course as good citizens the minority must submit to the will of the majority. But this I must say: If Cambria in politics would emulate the sprit that actuates Cambria in the army, it would be more creditable to her people. So we all say. [Signed] O. N. [Capt. Jones] Removal of Gen. Buell Gen. Buell has been relieved of the command which he has abundantly proved himself incapable of wielding, an act that will rejoice the loyal North, not only because of its effect upon our military prospects in one Department, but because it will be regarded as indicative of a purpose on the part of the Administration to do justice henceforward without fear or favor in respect to individual Generals and to conduct the war solely to the end of victory, using those means to that end which are indispensable to military success without regard to the wishes of partisans. Perhaps Buell's reinstatement after the deserved order for his removal went forth a few weeks ago was necessary in order to convince even Kentucky that the game which he played was not the game of war. Now, as we are assured both by natives of the State hitherto favorable to him, who have just arrived here and by army correspondents fresh from Louisville, Ky., whose influence for a moment overbore Ohio and Indiana, is converted from the error of her ways and joins his soldiers whom he has led everywhere but to battle, in begging that Buell be superseded by somebody who knows how to bring the enemy to a fight and to beat him. That Gen. Rosecrans, who succeeded Gen. Buell, is such a man no one need be told. His victory at Corinth proved to the popular apprehension what was known in the army before, that he possesses those qualities which conduce to success in the field. Indian Massacres The Indian massacres in Minnesota have produced great distress among the settlers all along the frontier counties. Appeals for contributions to aid them are being made in the principal cities and no object of charity can be more pressing and worthy. The Governor of Minnesota states that at least thirty thousand miserable men, heartbroken women and abject children are wandering homeless, naked and starving. Certainly our country affords no parallel of suffering such as this. Clothing is greatly needed by the suffering for the rigors of winter are close at hand. The Army in Motion Philadelphia, Oct. 28 A special in the PRESS from Harper's Ferry says: News received here today from Gen. Pleasanton's advance confirms the report that the rebels are retreating rapidly up the valley. Winchester was evacuated on Monday and Strasburg will not be held by any large force. The entire rebel army is divided into two bodies under Jackson and Longstreet. Jackson's column is moving directly to Stanton where it is said winter quarters for a large force have been provided. Longstreet moves to Gordonsville. Gen. Burnside is now on his way to Winchester. Our forces will occupy Winchester during the present week. It is believed that Gen. Burnside will come up with the rear guard of Longstreet and a fight will ensue. The entire army will move across the Potomac as soon as transportation can be procured. Our troops are comfortably clad and in good condition for a campaign. Camps In addition to the already established camps or places of rendezvous for drafted men at Philadelphia, Pittsburg and Harrisburg, the Governor has issued orders for other camps to be established at Chambersburg, York, Gettysburg and other points on the western border where convenience may be desirable. The men will be speedily armed and equipped. How to Judge Weather Signs Admiral Fitsroy in his instruction to meteorological observers is careful not to cut off any source of information as he especially notes that the observations of nature are to be watched. Thus, when sea birds fly out early and fan to seaward, fair weather may be anticipated; to the contrary, when they hang about the land, or fly inward, stormy weather may be indicated. When animals, instead of spreading over their range, seek sheltered places, storms may be expected. Dew is an indication of fine weather; so is fog; but clearness of the atmosphere near the horizon is a sign of wet. When a mountaineer sees the hills cutting shapes against the sky, he wraps his plaid around him. A good hearing day is also an indication of coming wet. New Infernal Machine A new infernal machine, claimed to be adequate for the destruction of iron-clad vessels is undergoing government tests at the royal dockyard of Copenhagen. The apparatus, which is extremely simple and costs but little, consists of a glass reservoir filled with powder, floating at a certain depth, where, by very simple chemical means, it produces an explosion. In the first experiment, when loaded with a very small charge, the effect was amazing. The framework of the gunboat used was shattered and some of the planks thrown for a height of eighty or one hundred feet. On a second trial the explosion threw up a column of water one hundred feet high and the shock was felt at a considerable distance.