NEWS: Items from The Alleghanian, August 28, 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, August 28, 1862 Volume 3, Number 49 Local and Personal The circus in town on Thursday received but slim patronage from our citizens. Col. John Power of the 76th Pennsylvania Volunteers arrived home at Johnstown last week direct from Hilton Head, S. C. He has been obliged to resign his command on account of ill health. The Lt. Colonel of the regiment has also resigned on the same account. Another company - the third under the late requisitions - left Johnstown on Sunday morning. We did not learn the names of the officers. Johnstown is doing nobly! The new engine house at the Ebensburg depot of the E. & C. RR has been competed. It is an excellent structure and cost $1,500. A Tribute of Respect Highland Division No. 81, Sons of Temperance: Whereas, In the providence of an all wise God, He has been pleased to remove from our midst our esteemed and beloved brother, Capt. Andrew Lewis, who departed this life on the 2d day of July, A. D., 1862, whilst in the performance of the noble and patriotic duty of defending our Government on the field of battle against a vile, insidious and traitorous Rebellion; therefore, Resolved, That in the death of Bro. Capt. Andrew Lewis our community has lost an honest man and a good and patriotic citizen. Friends loved him for his fidelity and acquaintances respected him for his manly merits and kind heart. Resolved, That in his death, this Division has lost one of its most active, devoted and zealous members; a consistent and faithful officer and his family a kind and affectionate husband and father. Resolved, That the Division hereby tender to the widow and children of our esteemed and lamented Brother, our condolences and sympathy in this their sad and untimely bereavement. Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be handed to the widow of our deceased Brother and that they be published in the Ebensburg papers. [Signed] C. T. Roberts Thos. M. Jones Wm. Tibbot, Committee At Home We are glad to chronicle the arrival in our midst of Mr. John Roberts of Co. A., 11th Penna. Reserves who has been detailed on recruiting service at this point. He was present at and participated in the several engagements on the Peninsula before Richmond, until the battle of Gaines' Hill, 27th June, when he, in common with his company, was taken prisoner by the Rebels. He underwent a captivity of some five or six weeks at the hands of the chivalry when he was exchanged. He gives a highly interesting account of Rebel prison life and although not charging any direct complaint of neglect or cruelty against them he still insists that he would prefer entering Richmond next time in the midst of a victorious Federal army. His health, which was rather bad on his arrival, is rapidly improving and now, after undergoing scores of privations and perils in behalf of the Union, he is once more on his "native heath," and almost as good as new. Success to you forever, John! Muster Roll of Capt. Kopelin's Company We are indebted to our good friend and former Johnstown correspondent, "E," for the following muster roll of one of the Johnstown companies: Captain: Abraham Kopelin Lieutenants: 1st John Downey 2d Powell Stackhouse Sergeants: 1st John B. Hay 2d Jas. A. Kenly 3d Jas. M. Duncan 4th James S. Orr 5th Theo. L. Heyer Corporals: Oberlin N. Ramsey George Barclay D. G. M'Laughlin Danl. Fitzpatrick William Black Wm. R. Jones Casper W. Easley Musicians: David Davis James P. Ambrurst Wagoner: Isaac Benninger Privates: Acres, John R. Arentrue, William Benninger, John Benninger, Andrew Benshoff, Daniel Bowers, William Boyer, Leonard Bowser, George L. Bowser, Isaac B. Brown, Robert Brooks, Wm. B. Brown, N. W. Buck, Lewis W. Burket, Daniel Carroll, Anthony Campbell, Thomas Cassiday, Edward Christang, John Cattell, Jacob Condon, J. Frank Cramer, Isaac Davis, Owen W. Deets, Charles Douglass, William Eldridge, James Eldridge, John Edward, D. J. Fockler, Jacob Folsom, J. M. Geer, James H. Goberth, Frederick Goughenour, David Hale, Solomon Helsell, Hiram Hill, Thos. P. Hopkins, William Horton, Joseph M. Hudson, David Hudson, Josiah Hudson, John Keise, Frederick Kellan, Bernard Karnes, Geo. W. King, Geo. M. King, Dorsey King, William Kohr, Frank Kountz, Geo. W. Kountz, Chauncey F. Lemon, George Lenis, Morris Levergood, Wm. H. Lightner, Jacob M'Creary, Paul M'Clelland, F. B. Metzbaugh, Geo. W. Metzgar, Harry Miller, Elias W. Montgomery, Alec Myers, Henry Orris, Joseph Peck, William Price, John Pringle, Jardan Purdy, Robert Reese, Caradoe Royer, John L. Saylor, Geo. A. Scritchfield, Hezekiah Shryock, Frank Singleton, Samuel Spade, John Taylor, Thomas Thomas, Wm. J. Watkins, John Wehn, Lewis Wilson, David A. Wilson, Smiley S. Williams, John Williams, Jared Williams, William H. Wineland, D. Capt. Kopelin having been elected Lieut. Colonel of the 133d Penna. Regiment at Camp Curtin; Lt. Downey was promoted to the Captaincy of the company; 2d Lieut. Stackhouse to the 1st Lieutenancy and 1st Sergeant Hay to the 2d Lieutenancy. The Draft The enrollment of the militia in this county, under the superintendence of A. C. Mullin, Esq., Commissioner appointed for that purpose by Marshal Murdock of the Western District of Pennsylvania is progressing rapidly. Sub-commissioners have been appointed to canvass the various election districts and the indications are now that the job will be completed in a couple of days. The following notice is served by the Deputy Marshal upon every person enrolled: "Office of the United States Deputy Marshal for the county of Cambria at Ebensburg, August 22, 1862: "To John Doe: Take notice that you have been enrolled as a citizen within the (East Ward) of (Ebensburg borough), in the said county, liable to Military service. If you claim exemption from any cause, the claim will be received and determined by the Commissioner to be appointed for that purpose for this county, at such time and place as he shall specify by handbills to be posted in said (East Ward). [Signed] - - - - Deputy Marshal" Besides the names of those liable to military duty, the sub- Commissioners are also instructed to return the names of such persons from their respective districts who may have previously entered the United States service, whether now in service, discharged or dead, together with the company and regiment in which they enlisted and the names of the commanders thereof. This is done in accordance with an order of the War Department that in filling requisitions for the military all counties and subdivisions of counties may receive credit for all volunteers heretofore furnished them. By this means, the authorities will know exactly where and how much to draft. Those districts which have already furnished their quotas will not be disturbed - as of course they should not be while those which have shirked their duty will be required to toe the mark. From Our Volunteers The 11th Penna. Reserves in the Battles before Richmond Colonel Gallagher's Report to Gen. M'Call, &c., &c. Metropolitan Hotel, Washington, D. C. August 18, 1862 I arrived at this place last Saturday evening from Harrison's Landing on the James river amongst the Prisoners of War who were exchanged at Aiken's Landing on the 12th inst.; and knowing that a deep interest for the welfare of all in the army is felt by friends at home, and not only felt but manifested by the willingness of Cambrians to come to the rescue, I will devote a little leisure this evening to writing you, hoping what I write may to some extent interest your readers. I will not at this time say anything concerning Prison Life in Richmond, reserving that for a future letter. On arriving at Harrison's Landing, the exchanged prisoners reported to General M'Clellan and were ordered to join their respective regiments in the field for active duty. This order may savor a little of harshness as the prisoners from a confinement of nearly two months in the close rooms of the Southern "Bastilles" as so much debilitated as to be scarcely able physically for the hardships of camp life; but I believe the exigency of the service requires it, and so far as I know, none murmur. During my short stay at Harrison's Landing I learned one thing, which is that the soldiers of M'Clellan's army are more than ever attached to their young commander. I would not insure the man's eyes who would attempt to disparage him in their midst! I do not hesitate to say that no other general in our army could have withdrawn the forces in the late battles before Richmond in so masterly a manner as did he. The Army of the Potomac, although not successful in the capture of Richmond, has accomplished much towards the crushing of the Rebel lion. Every battle field along the Chickahominy has fully shown the Rebels that the "Yankee" will fight and that too with all the bravery and daring which has characterized war in any age of the world. Though the Rebels in Richmond pretended after the late battles before that city to claim a victory, yet the cypress was so closely interwoven with the laurel that gloom and sadness overspread that doomed city. Fully 35,000 of their army were killed and wounded, many of the wounded forever rendered hors de combat and but few of that number can again enter the field this campaign. The fairest account given by the rebels of those battles I presume is to found in "The First Year of the War," by Pollard, author of the "Black Diamond." He does not claim a victory but admits a defeat at Malvern Hill. On our part, however, let us not underrate the rebels. They too are Americans and battle almost as fierce as Sir Walter Scott's imaginary last engagement of the Clan Chattan and Clan Tuhele at North Inch on the Tay must yet be fought before Treason will go down. I despair not of ultimate success. When our generals have sufficient force (which they soon will have) and learn celerity of movement and rapidity of action - which always render an invading army almost as irresistible as Heaven's artillery - then will another page of history record the superiority of Northern men. I will not further generalize. There is much I would like to say but long letters are frequently voted a nuisance. Knowing many of your readers will feel an interest in the part taken by the 11th Regt. P. R. V. C. in the battles before Richmond, I copy from Col. Gallagher's Report to Gen. M'Call: "I have the honor to submit to you the following report of the part taken by the Regiment under my command in the battles of the 26th and 27th of June at Mechanicsville and Gaines' Mills before Richmond. On the evening of June 25 eight companies of my regiment including field and staff officers were ordered to do picket duty on the north bank of the Chickahominy, relieving the 7th regiment P. R. V. C., Col. Harvey. During the afternoon of the next day, June 26th, the enemy in large force attacked your division in close proximity to where the right of my picket line rested. The two companies which had been left in camp were ordered out by Gen. Meade to strengthen my line. I was ordered to stand fast in my position, to keep the enemy from crossing the Chickahominy in the rear of your division, while the division engaged the enemy in front. I did so. At about 5 P. M. the enemy opened a battery from the opposite side of the river, throwing shells at my line with a seeming knowledge of the position occupied by the reserves of my picket line, which, though kept up with much spirit till nightfall, failed to do any injury, their aim being too high. At about 6 « P. M., Co. A on the right of my picket line, was ordered into action (temporarily) by Lt. Foster, A. D. C. to Gen. Seymore, to connect with left flank of a portion of the 7th regiment P. R. V. C., thrown out as skirmishers, and extending to a swamp near the Chickahominy in which position the company remained until relieved by the 9th Regt. P. R. V. C. having been brought into position covering that point of the line (which had been thrown out to prevent the enemy from turning the left of the division actively engaged in the battle). My regiment remained on picket during the night of the 26th and were very vigilant but nothing of note occurred. Next morning, June 27, about 3 o'clock A. M., I received an order from you through Capt. M'Conkey, A. D. C. to withdraw my regiment at once to the peach orchard near your headquarters to await orders. Before arriving at that position, the firing commenced on the field of battle of the day previous. I received an order from you through Lt. Beatty of your staff to proceed to the field of battle which I did in double-quick. On arriving at the field I had one man shot in Co. H. I proceeded on, and placed my regiment in position as a reserve. I then received an order to withdraw to Gaines' Creek, which I immediately did, coming up with the 2d Brigade about 1 « miles from the battlefield. On arriving at Gaines' Mills or battlefield of the 27th, the 2d Brigade was placed in line of battle by Gen. Meade, (my men having taken off their knapsacks). I was then ordered into position to support a battery - Weeden's, I believe. After remaining some time in that position, I was withdrawn by Lt. Watmough, A. D. C. to Brig. Gen. Meade, and ordered to take my regiment forward and report to Brig. Gen. Martindale. On arriving near the top of the hill, Co. B. (Capt. D. Porter's), of my regiment was detached by order of Brig. Gen Meade through Capt. E. C. Baird, A. A. G., 2d Brigade, for a specific purpose, leaving me nine companies averaging about 60 men each, making about 540 men taken into action. I immediately reported to Brig. Gen. Martindale, this at 5 P. M., who ordered me to move forward and take position in rear of the 14th N. Y. regiment. I reported to Col. M'Quaid who said he did not wish to be relieved, having been in action but a short time. I ordered my regiment to lie down in the rear of the 14th N. Y.; but soon after Brig. Gen. Martindale through an A. D. C., ordered my regiment forward to near the center of the line of battle to relieve the 4th N. J. regiment. I then immediately moved forward and reported to Col. J. H. Simpson, 4th N. J. whose regiment I then relieved - this at 6 P. M. My regiment then engaged the enemy. Shortly after, Major. P. A. Johns and Capt. Brady, commanding left company of my regiment, observed part of the regiment on my left break, followed by a portion of the enemy; but by a well directed oblique fire of the two left companies, the enemy were checked and did not at that time further advance. My regiment engaged the enemy for an hour and a half, holding our position against superior numbers when the ammunition of my men becoming short, I dispatched Adjt. Robt. A. M'Coy to report the fact to Brig. Gen. Meade and have my regiment relieved for the purpose of replenishing ammunition. He soon returned and reported that, having been as far out in the field as he could get, he could see nothing of our forces, except the 4th N. J., in position as support to my regiment, that our line to the right and left of my regiment had been driven back, and that we were surrounded. This was quite surprising to me, as from our positions in the wood and the smoke of battle, I could see but a short distance to the right or left. I then left the regiment under the command of Lt. Col. Jackson and went out to the edge of the woods to ascertain the best method of extricating my regiment, but did not at that time see the 4th N. J. in position as reported to me by my Adjutant. I returned and withdrew the regiment, hoping still to escape capture. We came out of the woods in good order, contending every inch of ground and having frequently to face about and fire upon the enemy following us from the rear, which must have been signally disastrous, as they only followed to the edge of the woods. On coming into the open field, I observed the 4th N. J. which was lying down, having changed position, its right resting on the woods and nearly parallel with the line of battle. My men were then fired upon from nearly every direction. I found two or three regiments on my left flank and an equal number on my right, as well as rebels in front. A battery was also firing grape and canister but from the nature of the ground, did not do much injury to my men as it shot too high. The regiment being completely surrounded, the companies separated, hoping in detail to escape capture but failed in doing so to any considerable extent and resulted in the following approximate statement of casualties: Lt. Redic, commanding Co. C, killed; Capt. Lewis, Co. A., mortally wounded, since died; Capt. Speer, Co. G. and Lt. Burke, Co. A., wounded. About 46 men were killed, 105 wounded and 300 prisoners not wounded - balance not accounted for. * * * * * I cannot close this report without mentioning in the highest terms of praise the coolness, bravery and intelligent action of the officers of my command and the undaunted courage and bravery of the men when under fire and in action." Capt. D. S. Porter of Co. B commanded what was left of the regiment to the subsequent battles. Under his gallant command, the "Little Regiment" won a name that is gratifying to its every member. You will observe that the Colonel's report as to casualties is only approximate. It having been made out in Richmond Prison. Yours truly, [Signed] A. M. R. From Our Volunteers Letter from the Mountain Guards - From Camp Curtin to the "Sacred Soil" - Items by the Way - News in General Camp Chase, Va. August 22, 1862 Last Tuesday we bade adieu to Camp Curtin and made a rapid journey to Baltimore. The scenery along the route is extremely romantic and beautiful - not that the mountains are Alpine in height or the plains of boundless extent, but because the placid waters of the Susquehanna, rippling and glancing in the distance, as you rapidly pass by and the verdure covered summits of the ranges of hills basking in the sunlight cannot fail to please the eye of any lover of Nature. As you near Baltimore, the fine country villas of the residents of that city meet you at every turn of the road. Embowered in foliage and beautified by both nature and art, one would almost imagine he could luxuriate here forever, delightfully oblivious of aught in the world beside. If you are a soldier you get off at the depot and are marched to the Union Relief Association of the city, where you get a good soldier's supper. In Harrisburg we stopped at the Pennsylvania House and at Washington we had breakfast in the Government building provided for that purpose, but I must say, that at Baltimore we had better "grub" than at either of the other places. The universally expressed opinion of the boys is that the Association is a big thing for hungry volunteers. Arrived in Washington City we were marched to Camp Chase in Virginia, five miles distant, where we are now encamped. We are on a portion of Gen. Lee's plantation. Here is where you can see some of ravages of war - fences torn down, acres of woodland felled and now thick with underbrush, meadow-land running to waste and the country on every side a sad picture of desolation! Forts of great strength dot the surface at every available point and ever and anon, your ears are greeted with the heavy boom of cannon. In the middle of our camp are the remains of a breastwork used some time ago - probably last summer - as a protection to the Union forces. Close by is the road on which that splendid army of M'Dowell's marched forth to Manassas and on which they returned - discomfited and bleeding. The men are rapidly becoming accustomed to camp life and if we remain here any length of time, will soon be in tip-top trim. As a general thing, the health of the company is excellent. One or two are slightly unwell but under the efficient treatment of our Captain, will doubtless soon recover. A word as to our company: When passing through Harrisburg we were repeatedly informed that ours was the finest company thus far that had passed into Camp Curtin. Without being in the least egotistical I believe the remark applicable. I have seen some fifteen thousand troops and in no one instance could I find an entire company whose tout ensemble excelled that of the "Mountain Guards." Do not think, Mr. Editor, that I am self-adulatory. Who can for one moment not be proud of our noble little county and feel a flush of honest exultation when he knows that with only four to five thousand voters, she has sent over two thousand picked men into the field? The weather here is quite warm with prospects of rain. The following are the present regulations of our camp: Reveille at 5 a.m.; squad drill from 5 to 6; company drill from 5 to 7; breakfast; guard mounting from 8 to 9; officers' drill from 9 to 10; from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., dinner and letters to sweethearts; 3 to 4, squad drill; 4 to 5, dress parade; supper; 8 1/2 roll call; 9, tattoo. Yours &c., [Signed] Cambrian Release of Prisoners Col. Corcoran, Col. Wilcox, Maj. Voiges, Lieutenant Col. Bowman and a number of other Federal officers who have been in the hands of the rebels for over a year, have been released at last and arrived at Washington on Sunday morning last, from Salisbury, North Carolina. Maj. Gen. M'Call and Brig. Gen Reynolds of the Pennsylvania Reserves have also returned from Richmond. Gen. M'Call has been temporarily relived from duty to enable him to visit home and recuperate his wasted health. Cols. Corcoran and Wilcox have since been confirmed Brigadier Generals.