NEWS: Items from The Alleghanian, June 19, 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, June 19, 1862 Volume 3, Number 39 "Our Old Flag" We have received several numbers of a neat little paper bearing the above title, printed at Franklin, Tennessee, by the 69th Ohio Volunteers. The names of Murrell, Faulkner and Evans appear as publishers. The latter gentleman we take to be none other than our old friend and printer, Mr. Benjamin D. Evans, formerly of this place. If this supposition is correct, here's till ye! Letter from a Southern Refugee Dixie-dom in General and Richmond in Particular [The following interesting letter has been handed us by a friend for publication. The writer was formerly a resident of this county, but has lived in Virginia for a series of years past. He is well known in this section and what he says may be relied on its being correct.] Camp Meadow, Blunt, June 4, 1862 I have just made my escape from Rebeldom and in so doing was so fortunate as to give the go by to the rope intended for my neck. I left my home at night and took to the mountains, accompanied by two Pennsylvanians - one a native of your county, James Kearns by name, residing in Johnstown. I was obliged, however, to lee my family behind but hope the Federal army may soon reach their locality that I may get them away. I was in Richmond on the 24th of May last and had a full opportunity of seeing and learning the number, position and condition of the Rebel army near that place under Joe Johnston. They number about seventy thousand effective troops, all of whom are in great straits for want of food and clothing, especially shoes. Great numbers of deserters were leaving every day and a guard of five hundred men were stationed in the city to pick up stragglers. While I was there one hundred and sixty bushels of corn were issued as rations to Longstreet's Brigade, to be parched. Bacon was selling at 30 cents per pound; brown sugar at 36 cents; salt at 50 dollars per sack! Gold commanded one hundred and thirty per cent, premium. Families were leaving the city daily and more than one half the entire population would hail the advent of the Federal forces as their sure deliverance from anarchy, despotism and starvation. When Richmond falls, the stronghold of the Rebels is gone. All their armory and arsenal arrangements are there, with the exception of a small affair in North Carolina. Prior to my departure from the city, the State archives had been packed up and directed to Danville, Va. The Confederate would be archives were also packed and directed to Columbia, South Carolina, showing conclusively that Secesh expected Richmond to ultimately fall before M'Clellan and his brave army. I took a sketch of the batteries, obstructions in the river, etc., for future reference. Hoping that the armies of the Union may speedily crush out this accursed rebellion, conceived in sin, brought forth in iniquity and fostered by the most corrupt and hellish means ever heard of since the celebrated rebellion in which the Devil played so conspicuous part, and that our glorious old Flag may long wave, a protection to American citizens whether at home or abroad, I remain Yours, &c. [Signed] Mac Iron City College, Pittsburg, Pa. This Institution enables young men at the least expense and shortest time to gain a solid business education for reliable accountants, in all classes of business. That its superior merits are appreciated by a discerning public is shown by its being the largest and most popular Commercial School in the United States. Van Amburg & Co.'s Menagerie Our readers will please bear in mind that Van Amburg & Co.'s mammoth menagerie of living wild animals will be exhibited in this place on next Monday, 22d inst. This is by long odds the best menagerie now in the United States and is an establishment of great magnitude, requiring one hundred and twenty horses to convey it from point to point. In New York and Philadelphia where it attracted overwhelming audiences, the papers speak of it in terms of highest praise. No circus or other objectionable feature is connected with it. General War News [extracts of lengthy article] Five hundred Secession prisoners, captured by Gen. Fremont's division between Strasburg and Harrisonburg, Va., arrived at Harrisburg on Sunday and were taken to Camp Curtin where they will be kept until exchanged. Advices received at the War Department state that Jackson's army attacked Gen. Shields' advance on the 10th near Port Republic. The conflict is said to have been maintained for four hours by 2,000 of our men against the main body of Jackson's army. The enemy's force became so overwhelming in numbers that our advance was compelled to fall back which it did in good order until it met the main body of Gen. Shields' command near Courat's store. As soon as that was effected the enemy in turn fell back. Our forces tried to reach the bridge over the Shenandoah to destroy it but were met by showers of bullets and had to retire. A large cavalry force crossed and attacked our troops while their infantry followed. Our men opposed them at every step, often driving them back with heavy loss; but the numbers, after Gen. Tyler's brigade arrived, were so much inferior to the enemy - there being at least five to one - that it was impossible to hold our position and we were compelled to fall back three or four miles. A body of cavalry were sent to attack us but they were received in such a manner as to compel them to retire, when the engagement ended, having lasted five hours. Our loss in killed and wounded is not known, but it is large as is also that of the enemy. We lost a great many prisoners. The rebel Gen., Ashby, was killed. The latest news from Gen. M'Clellan reports everything quiet with the exception of a few slight skirmishes in which the rebels were invariably worsted.