NEWS: Items from The Alleghanian, 29 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, 29 Jan 1863 Volume 4, Number 18 NEWS In Town Lieut. F. M. Flanagan and Ellis R. Williams, both of Co. F., 133d Penna. Vols., are at home, the former on a brief furlough while the latter has been discharged. They report the balance of the company as being in good health and spirits when they left Falmouth. Johnstown Items James N. Rea, James Quinn and Wm. F. Prosser, Cambria's representatives in the Anderson Troop composed part of the "gallant three hundred" of that regiment who refused to mutiny, but took a gallant and conspicuous part in the great battle of Murfreesboro. For their bravery on that occasion, each of the three have been assigned a commission in the regiment by Gen. Rosecrans – Quinn to be First Lieutenant and Rea and Prosser, Second Lieutenants. [From the TRIBUNE] Co. C, 19th U.S. Infantry This fine company of regular soldiery recruited almost entirely in this county and commanded by Capt. Thomas C. Williams, was fully engaged in the Murfreesboro fight and acted throughout with the utmost bravery. The following comprise the names of those who were wounded in the engagement: Sergt. Shaffer Corp. Benj. Davis Corp. Shroat Private Bennet Private Crossly Private Emigh Private Griffith Private Harnden Private Hunt Private Smay Private Snyder We are not advised as to the nature of any of their injuries. No one was killed. Since the above was written we have been put in possession of a letter written by a member of Co. C giving full particulars of their participation in the fight. We will publish it next week. The Fifty-Fourth Penna. Vols. On our outside today we print a letter from Col. Campbell's 54th Pa. Vols., by which it will be seen that that regiment is still stationed along the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. That they have had their full share of difficulties and dangers down there albeit not participators in any general engagement will be readily acknowledged by the reader. Col. Campbell by virtue of seniority is at present acting Brigadier General of the forces stationed at North Branch – a fact which accounts for the rumor recently current that he had been promoted to wear the lone star. The "boys" as a general thing enjoy excellent health and desire nothing better than to be ordered to a more active field of service than the rough rocks and towering hills of their present "pent up Utica." Our friend, "Horace" should write oftener. Letter from the 54th Pa. Vols. North Mountain, Va. Jany. 13, 1863 Since my last letter, many events worthy the pen of the historian have occurred, wherein this regiment has played the conspicuous part. True, I cannot write you of "battles fought and victories won," yet I may be allowed to narrate a small part of the trials and troubles we have experienced among the rugged hills and the sequestered vales of the "Old Dominion" where the hawk-eyed "Specials" of the daily papers never come. Left to ourselves when the powerful armies of the Rebels, under their best Generals had crossed into Maryland, we have experienced trails and tribulations that would astonish many of the kind friends we have left behind did they but know the plain unvarnished facts. From the date of the surrender at Harper's Ferry to the first of November this was the only regiment of Union troops on the "sacred soil" between the South Branch of the Potomac east to Harper's Ferry. Let the reader take the map of Virginia and he will see at a glance the position we were in. With a force treble ours, pressing us from the east, with Imboden in our rear, no support on the west, and of our line, and the Potomac in front of us, we were in a position neither pleasant nor satisfactory. To add to the perils of our already insecure situation, Stuart made his raid into Maryland and Pennsylvania, crossing the Potomac within sight of our pickets on the east, leaving it extremely doubtful at what point he would re- cross and thus compelling us to picket the Maryland side of the river. And here let me state that Col. Campbell telegraphed the first news of Stuart's raid to Gen. M'Clellan; but for some reason or other his information was not acted on until some ten hours had elapsed, whereby Stuart was enabled to make good his escape. All these perils combined with the fact that we had not a single wagon to transport our effects, nor a single cavalryman to scour the country and give warning of the approach of the enemy, nor a single piece of artillery to resist attack, with our single regiment of infantry spread over fifty-six miles of broken mountainous country, each company out of supporting distance of the other and isolated from the rest of the world, as it were, make up a chapter of difficulties and dangers which will surprise our friends and astonish even our enemies. But we lost somewhat in the undertaking. Imboden captured the whole of Co. B and the larger half of Co. K and Major Linton, with sixty-six men was compelled to fall back from Back Creek before a force sufficient in number to have captured the whole regiment, losing three prisoners and most of the camp and garrison equipage of the balance. These disasters were but the result of the vicious practice of the Government in attempting to surround the Rebels, placing detached parties in isolated places where they must fall an easy prey to the superior concentration of the enemy. Our army is broken up in fragments and scattered here and there whilst the active enemy in the center leisurely calculates the force required to capture any one part and having his entire army well in hand, can and always does defeat us by superior numbers. His purpose accomplished, he falls back to his grand center again, ready to pounce upon some other work outpost where the policy of carpet generals has seen fit to locate it. A single company of our troops are stationed at Paw Paw. Imboden comes in and captures it and falls back to his centre of operations. Another company is then sent forward to take its place – and undergoes the same treatment. And thus it is all over the country. We invariably fight the Rebels with inferior numbers, not because our army is smaller than theirs, but by reason that when the decision moment arrives they always have their entire force concentrated at the scene of operations, whilst ours, on the contrary, are generally scattered all over the country, vainly endeavoring to "pen the bull in the ring." On the 22d December last we received the very welcome order to concentrate the regiment and proceed to North Mountain. We obeyed with alacrity, coming here as part of Gen. Kelley's brigade. Hardly had we got seated in our new quarters 'ere Imboden made a dash on Col. Mulligan, of Lexington notoriety, at Morefield and we were ordered to proceed by railway to Green Spring and there await orders. We moved at 4 o'clock in the night time, arriving at Green Spring the day following (January 6). Here we laid in the dark until after midnight when orders were received to march with five companies by a roundabout road to Romney. Col. Campbell designated companies A, B, D, E and I to constitute the five companies and in a few minutes they were on the march, leaving Major Linton with companies C, F, G, H and K to repel any attacks that might be made on the railroad near Green Spring. About three A. M. we came to where the road crossed the South Branch and although it was extremely cold, the boys plunged in and over we went. Continuing our march we arrived at Fox or Mechanicsburg Gap about daylight. Here we lay all day ready to receive Imboden should he attempt an attack on Romney. Here, too, Col. Campbell received a telegram from Gen. Kelley, complimenting him for his celerity of movement. No enemy came, however, and in the morning we took up our line of march for Green Spring via Romney, arriving at our destination just after nightfall. The celebrated village of Romney is about the size of Stoystown, Somerset county, only far more antiquated and now that it is almost barren of inhabitants it is one of the most desolate spots I ever saw. The county seat of Hampshire county, it boasts its Courthouse and jail. I thought, as I stood and gazed upon the records and documents strewn in rich profusion over the floor and outside the Court room that there would be "fine food for lawyers." I noticed among the papers several precepts issued under His Majesty, George III, King of England, Ireland and Scotland. Ancient documents, indeed, but the sacrilegious hand of war had strewn them broadeast to the wind! Well, these people have brought the curse upon themselves and must suffer the consequences of their rash folly. The peril over, we were ordered back to camp here, where we are pleasantly situated. What part we are destined to play in the Great Rebellion further than guarding the B. & O. RR., of course, I know not; but I assure you we will all hail with delight the tocsin that sounds the note of our departure hence for more active service. We have now at this post a section of artillery, the 1st Virginia Vols., and our own regiment. Col. Campbell, by virtue of seniority, commands the whole, hence Cambria county is entitled to the honor of at least one acting Brigadier General in the field. [Signed] Horace Gen. Sumner on Resignations Major General Sumner, commanding the Right Grand Division, has issued an order declaring that no resignation of officers will hereafter be accepted, except upon surgeons' certificate that it is absolutely necessary to save the life, or prevent disability to the officer desiring to resign. Resignation tendered without these requisites will be accepted and a dishonorable discharge from the service granted for being tendered in the face of the enemy. This order was probably issued for the purpose of preventing to some extent the sending forward of resignations by officers on trifling pretexts. Sometimes an officer, who is refused leave of absence for a few days, to go to Washington or come to see his family and friends, or from some other cause, becomes a little dissatisfied, and under the influence of these feelings, sends forward his resignation. Others, again, disapprove of the President's emancipation policy. Gen. Burnside Relieved of the Command of the Army of the Potomac! Gen. Hooker Succeeds Him Baltimore, Jan. 26. The NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER of this morning contains the important announcement that Gen. Burnside has resigned and that the command of the army of the Potomac has been given to Gen. Hooker: Headquarters Army of the Potomac, Jan. 26 – This forenoon Gen. Burnside turned over the command of the army of the Potomac to Gen. Hooker, who came to the headquarters camp for that purpose. As soon as the change became known, a considerable number of the superior officers called on Gen. Burnside and took their parting leave with many regrets. The following is Gen. Burnside's address to the army: Headquarters, Army of the Potomac, Camp near Falmouth, Jan. 26 – General Orders No. 9 – By direction of the United States, the Commanding General this day transfers the command of this army to Major General Joseph Hooker. The short time that he has directed your movements has not been fruitful of victory or any considerable advancement of our lines, but it has demonstrated an amount of courage, patience and endurance that, under more favorable circumstances, could have accomplished great results. Continue to exercise these virtues. Be true in your devotion to your country, and the principles you have sworn to maintain. Give to the brave and skillful General who has long been identified with your organization and who is now to command you, your full and cordial support and you will deserve success. In taking an affectionate leave of the entire army, from which he separates with so much regret, he may be pardoned if he bids an especial farewell to his long- tried associates of the Ninth Corps. His prayers are that God may be with you and grant you continued success until the rebellion is ended. By command of Maj. Gen. Burnside Lewis Richmond, A. A. G. It is understood that Generals Sumner and Franklin have also been relieved from the command of the right and left Grand Divisions but the names of their successors have not been divulged. Gen. Burnside with most of his late staff have been allowed thirty days leave of absence. They will go to New York. General Fitz John Porter Last week Judge Advocate Gen. Holt laid the record in the case of General Fitz John Porter, which he had spent three days in making up before the President, who, on Wednesday last, signified his approval of the findings of the court martial and ordered the sentence to be carried into execution. The findings are that he is guilty on every one of the charges preferred, and the sentence is that he be dismissed from the service.