NEWS: Items from The Alleghanian, 8 Jan 1863, Cambria County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Patty Millich Copyright August 2008. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cambria/ ____________________________________________ The Alleghanian Ebensburg, Pa. Thursday, 8 Jan 1863 Volume 4, Number 15 NEWS Local and Personal [extracts from lengthy article] Here on the Mountain the Holidays glided away quietly. Nothing was wanting to complete the general enjoyment excepting a fall of snow sufficient for sleighing purposes and the promulgation of a New Year's Address by our much respected Devil. Neither of these commodities owing to good and sufficient reason was forthcoming; so the general enjoyment was not quite complete. In Pittsburg, the Holidays are supposed to have been a big thing. We were there but couldn't see it. Perhaps it was on account of the smoke. The smoke was very dense all the time and contrary to general rule, descended in flakes instead of vice versa in clouds. Antony Trollope is an Englishman and an author who has traveled extensively. Speaking of Pittsburg, he says: "It is, without exception, the blackest place which I ever saw---. The tops of the churches are visible and some of the larger building may be partially traced through the thick, brown, settled smoke. But the city itself is buried in a dense cloud---. Certainly, Pittsburg is the dirtiest place I ever saw." We believe him. Pittsburg abounds in newspapers. We have read them all, frequently and are constrained to say that, when we buy out the city, as we anticipate doing shortly, we will consolidate the entire lot and print one good daily. Such an institution is needed there. When we do this and not before, we expect to be presented with a vote of thanks and the freedom of the city in a snuff box. We spent a day in Blairsville. This is a town that was intended for a city but was spoiled in the making. Still it is a very pleasant little place and by no means to be sneezed at. Furthermore we hereby pledge ourself not to sneeze at it until we obtain possession of the snuff box before mentioned. What we may do then will depend pretty much upon circumstances. We were informed, confidentially that there are no less than ninety-eight marriageable young ladies living within the limits of town! All of them, moreover, extremely good looking. [Snip] Adjutant James C. Noon We clip the following mention of the untimely death of our much respected fellow townsman, Adjt. Noon from the Philadelphia MERCURY of the 28th ult. "Among the gallant men who fell in the unfortunate affair at Fredericksburg, there is none whose position as a man or whose promise as an officer is a more fitting subject for eulogy than that of Adjt. Noon of the One-Hundred-and-Thirty-Third Regiment. James Chrysostom Noon was a native of Cambria county, and a few years since, became a member of the bar of that county in which he was winning his way to distinction. Early in the present unfortunate strife he joined the old Thirteenth Regiment in the three months' service and at once became Adjutant of the regiment, a position which he held with honor to himself and advantage to the regiment, until they were mustered out of the service. Again a call was made for volunteers and again he joined the ranks of the gallant citizen soldiery of his native county. His capability and experience at once pointed him out as Adjutant of his regiment, the One-Hundred-and-Thirty-Third, to which position he was again promoted. It was at the head of this gallant regiment, while leading men into battle, that he fell – his size and appearance having rendered him a conspicuous mark for the sharpshooters of the enemy. He fell, beloved by his companions in arms and admired by all who knew him. In person, Adjutant Noon was considerably over six feet in height and in uniform was the "observed of all observers," as the beau ideal for a military man. But, it was his good qualities of the head and heart that made him a favorite with all who knew him. Manly, impulsive and generous, he possessed in an eminent degree those qualities which attract the friendship of the young and the ardent. But he is gone! From the scene of his labors and may that Good Being, who "tempers the wind to the shorn lamb" solace the affliction of a bereaved mother, devoted sisters and a brother who would cheerfully have died to save him. At a meeting of the members of the Courts of Cambria county, resident in Johnstown, convened at the office of C. L. Pershing, Esq., the 22nd day of December, 1862, for the purpose of offering a suitable testimonial to the memory of Adjutant James C. Noon, late a resident of Johnstown, who fell in the recent battle near Fredericksburg, Va. Hon. Geo. W. Easly was appointed Chairman and S. B. M'Cormick, Esq., Secretary. On motion, Messrs. Moses Canan, Cyrus Elder, C. L. Pershing, James Potts, A. Kopelin, Danl. M'Glaughlin and John F. Barnes were appointed a committee who prepared and reported the following sentiments of condolence, which were adopted: Resolved, That in the death of Mr. Noon, the community has lost a worthy citizen; the Bar, a kind and intelligent brother and his relatives an affectionate friend. Resolved, That we deeply sympathize in the affliction of his aged and widowed mother; his brother and sisters, in this dispensation of Providence and early death of this excellent young man. Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be signed by the Chairman and Secretary, a copy sent to the mother of the deceased and that the Editors of the County papers be requested to publish the same. Resolved, That the Court be requested to direct this proceedings to be entered on the records of the court. [Signed] G. W. Easly, Chairman S. B. M'Cormick, Secretary War News The Pennsylvania Reserve corps have been ordered to return home, it is said, for the purpose of consolidation and reorganization. General Mansfield Lovell has been dismissed from the service of the rebels for incapacity. He is the first major general that has been dismissed for incompetence in the United States during the present war. The Navy has suffered a serious loss by the sinking of the famous Monitor, south of Cape Hatteras. She was going south, in tow of the steamer Rhode Island, when foul weather came on; the Monitor sprung a leak early on Thursday morning and went down in a few hours. Two officers and nine men are missing, probably lost. Several men are also missing from the Rhode Island. Army of the Cumberland The news from the Army of the Cumberland indicates that Gen. Rosecrans after five days' hard fighting has gained a most signal victory at Murfreesboro. The entire Rebel army has been scattered to the winds and is reported fleeing toward Tallahoma in great disorder. We now fully occupy Murfreesboro. Our loss is estimated at 1,000 killed and 5,500 wounded; theirs is much greater. From Mississippi we have the report promulgated through Rebel sources that our forces occupy the important city of Vicksburg! Battle at Vicksburg Cairo, Jan. 3 Dispatches from Gen. Sherman on Battle Field, Vicksburg received at Helena state that on Saturday 29th ult., he debarked his forces on the left bank of the Yazoo ten miles above the mouth and forming in line of battle advanced towards Vicksburg. After passing beyond the range of the fire from the gunboats, he encountered the enemy in force and a terrific conflict of five hours ensued. The enemy was driven back beyond two bayous that girt near Vicksburg and from their entrenched works on the hill by shell. On Saturday night the two armies lay on their arms with two bayous intervening. During the night pontoons were constructed, notwithstanding a terrific fire from the enemy under cover of the undergrowth. At daylight on Sunday a concerted advance was made by Sherman's whole force. Steel held the left, Morgan and Blair the center. A. J. and M. L. Smith the right. Steel turned the enemy's right so as to communicate with Morgan's Division, having been separated by swamps running at right angles to the main land. By sunrise the whole force was engaged and up to ten o'clock the musketry and artillery fire was severe. The rebels in front of Morgan's and Smith's divisions were entrenched on high ground. This position was finally carried by storm. The gunboats did not cooperate but the Benten engaged the fortifications at Haines' Bluff. During the action several of the crew were killed. Capt. Gwinne, commander, was mortally wounded. Banks and Farragut were expected to cooperate but had not arrived. Later news, through Rebel sources, indicated that the Federal forces now have possession of Vicksburg! Capt. John M. Jones and Lieut. William A. Scott Tribute of Respect. To the memory of Capt. John M. Jones and Lieut. William A. Scott killed at the battle of Fredericksburg, Va., Dec. 13, 1862: Summitt Lodge, No. 312, A. Y. M. Ebensburg, Pa., Jan. 5, 1863 Whereas, In the mysterious providence of an All-wise God, our beloved brethren, Capt. John M. Jones and Lieut. William A. Scott have been suddenly removed from our midst whilst nobly defending the honor of the American Flag from the assaults of Traitors at Fredericksburg, Va., Dec. 13, 1862, therefore, Resolved, That in their deaths this Lodge mourns the loss of two of its brightest ornaments. Kind, courteous and fraternal, they embodied in their general walk and conversation the essential principles upon which Masonry is founded. To be allowed the privilege of calling such as they brethren were honor indeed. We sorrow and mourn as a body at their untimely taking away; a community deplores their loss; while to their respective relatives and friends, the bereavement will be absolutely crushing. Resolved, That in the decease of Brothers Jones and Scott we recognize the workings of that great Architect of the Universe who doeth nothing amiss. In the rush of contending armies gallantly battling in defense of the secret principle of Right, have their lives been taken from them – and the sacrifice will not have been in vain. Those who die for their Country never die in vain. And hath not He promised that not so much as a sparrow even shall fall to the ground without His knowledge? They have died well and their deeds will live after them. Resolved, That the Lodge room be draped in mourning for thirty days as a token of respect and esteem for our deceased brethren. Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be presented to the relations of the dec.'d, and a copy be handed in for publication. [Signed] C. T. Roberts J. H. Evans Wm. Tibbott, Committee