NEWS: The Alleghanian; 28 Nov 1863; Ebensburg, Cambria Cnty., PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Patty Millich Copyright 2009. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cambria/ _________________________________________ The Alleghanian Ebensburg, Pa. Thursday, 28 May 1863 Volume 4, Number 35 Johnstown Items A number of business men of town are about making application for the privilege of establishing a bank under the provisions of the recent act of Congress. They propose starting with a capital of $60,000 which amount has been subscribed by responsible parties and expect to be in operation by the 1st of July. On Thursday, Peter Gaff, a lad of fifteen, was badly burned about the thighs and abdomen by coming in contact with a mass of red-hot iron. Mr. Johnston Irwin, an engineer in the rolling mill was severely injured on Saturday. He was engaged in cleaning an engine at the time, and was caught between the band and wheel, sustaining a dislocation of a shoulder and hip joint, a fractured collar bone and other injuries. He is expected to recover. Capt. Jas. Quinn and Lieut. James N. Rea, both of the 15th Pa. Cavalry, now in Tennessee, have resigned their commissions and returned home. Arrangements are being made to afford a fitting reception to the Johnstown nine months' men upon the occasion of their return home from the wars. The number of scholars in attendance upon the Johnstown public schools is estimated at six hundred. To Richmond and Back Mr. Albion Severance of Co. F, 133d who fell out of the ranks during the march of his regiment from Falmouth to Chancellorsville on the 30th ult., and remained missing up to a late date has been heard from. It appears that, sick and unable to proceed further, he sank to the ground and became unconscious, when a party of Rebels happening that way picked him up and held him as a prisoner. He was shortly after sent to Richmond where he remained several days in confinement when he was exchanged and sent North. On arriving at Washington his term of service having expired, he was forthwith dispatched to Harrisburg where he joined his company and will probably return home in a day or two – not particularly the worse for his little pleasure trip. Gardner & Hemming's Circus As will be seen by an advertisement in another column, this great and truly artistic troupe of ground and lofty tumblers intend affording the citizens of Ebensburg and vicinity an opportunity to "laugh and grow fat," on Tuesday, 9th June, coming. This same company performed here last summer, giving general satisfaction, so it were unnecessary for us to say anything in their behalf. Go and see them – ye who have a spare quarter and are desirous of putting in an agreeable afternoon or evening. [Some acts from the ad; most of the print too tiny to read] Garner & Hemming's Great American Circus Entirely remolded and refitted for The Season of 1863, with entire New Band Wagon, New Baggage Wagons, New Trappings, New Harness New Wardrobe [skip] The Pavilion is large and comfortable [skip] The Stud of Horses and Ponies will claim particular attention [skip] Great Talking Horse Washington, a beautiful thorough bred Arabian charger [skip] The Educated Mules - Dan and Dick will be introduced by Dan Gardner [skip] The Company of Performers comprise the largest and best that ever traveled. [skip] Great Artists [skip] Mr. Richard Hemmings, the great American Horseman and Rope Dancer [skip] Dan Gardner, the Old and Favorite Clown [skip] The Little Fairy of the Arena, Miss Eliza Gardner, the best Female Equestrian [skip] Signor Wambold, the extraordinary Contortionist [skip] John Foster, the People's Jester [skip] The Polish Brothers, These astonishing Gymnasts [skip] George R. DeLouis will appear in his performance on the Horizontal Lair and introduce the Trained Dog, Jenny Lind [skip] Mme. Camille, one beautiful Equestrienne La Petite Camille, the Pleasant Danseuse Young Sam, the Pocket Clown Herr Martin W. Hill George King Henry Peterson Signor Baldwin [skip] The Entertainment will commence with the Zouave Halt [skip] Two Performances Each Day Afternoon and Evening Doors open at 2 and 7 P. M. [skip] Admission 25 cents No Half Price At Ebensburg, Tuesday, June 9 At Hollidaysburg, June 8 At Johnstown, June 10 C. Whiting, Fred Duboise, Agents. Mob Law A company of returned volunteers last week entered the MONITOR office at Huntingdon and demolished the press, emptied the type into the street and otherwise pretty effectually "cleaned out" the establishment. They then went to work with brooms and swept the room, after which they closed the doors and shutters, finishing up the job by tying crepe to the front door. It appears that an article reflecting discreditably upon the company had been published in the MONITOR some time before, hence the riotous demonstration. Not Dead It gives us much pleasure to state that Lieut. Peter Kaylor of Co. F, 28th Penna. Vols., a brief obituary of whom we published last week is not dead as represented, but only wounded in the shoulder. He was left upon the field at Chancellorsville for dead when our forces retreated and fell into the hands of the Rebels – the next we hear of him he is exchanged and sent into our lines at Falmouth. We wish him a speedy convalescence and safe return to many anxious friends at home. Co. F, 133d A dispatch has been received here stating that our discharged soldiers will arrive home tomorrow (Thursday) morning. Let them be welcomed with open arms. Democratic County Convention The Democratic County Convention assembled here on Monday and after long and tedious incubation, hatched out the following ticket: For Assembly: C. L. Pershing, Johnstown Register and Recorder: James Griffin, Johnstown Treasurer: Isaac Wike, Wilmore Commissioner: Edward Glass, Ebensburg Auditor: Francis Tierney, Cambria Poor House Director: Geo. M'Cullough, Munster. The principal fight seemed to be for Register, some twenty ballots being had before an "understanding" could be arrived at and Mr. Griffin nominated. Brigadier General Crawford Brigadier General Crawford has been relieved by order of the War Department from the Military Commission and assigned to duty under Major General Heintzleman for the command of the division known as the Pennsylvania Reserves. General Seymour takes the place of General Crawford on the Commission. The assignment was made at the request of the Governor of Pennsylvania, in consideration of Gen. Crawford's former efficient services and fine soldierly qualities. He was with General Anderson during the bombardment of Sumter, with General Banks in the Shenandoah Valley and Cedar Mountain and while commanding the First Division, after General Mansfield fell, was severely wounded at Antietam. Vicksburg Our advices from Grant's army up till the 18th inst., are of the most gratifying character. The dispatches give a brief summary of Grant's movements from the landing at Bayou Pierre on the 30th ult., Grand Gulf, occupying the bluffs between the mouth of Black river and Bayou Pierre had been hastily but strongly fortified by the enemy and after two attacks on the 28th and 30th of April, our gunboats and transports ran past the batteries, flanking the defense which could not have been carried in front. The enemy then abandoned his works and treated hastily in a southwesterly direction across the Bayou Pierre to Port Gibson. The Grand Gulf works were taken possession of by the navy together with thirteen guns of the largest caliber and a large quantity of ammunition. The army had been marching down the east bank of the river from Young's Point above Vicksburg and on the 30th ult., landed at Bruin's Ford on the Bayou Pierre, followed the Rebels under Bowen to Port Gibson where a battle was fought on the 1st of May and the rebels, 11,000 strong, totally routed with a loss of 1,500 men and five pieces of artillery. Our loss was 100 killed and 500 wounded. The next stand made by the enemy was at Raymond, a small village six miles south of Vicksburg and Jackson Railroad and connected with it by a branch road. Here the rebels were defeated on May the 12th with a loss of 800 and retreated hastily toward Vicksburg. On the 24th a detachment of Grant's army entered Jackson after severe struggle, and at once cut off Vicksburg from further reinforcements. Johnston had already interposed a considerable force between Vicksburg and the capital but without avail, our forces entering the city after he had moved out. By this movement all the immense stores gathered in the city fell into our hands. Pemberton and Johnston had meantime concentrated their forces for a desperate effort to save the city and on the 16th inst., a sanguinary affair took place at Baker's Creek and Edward's Ferry. Grant had also collected his entire strength at this point and abandoned his communication with the river by way of Grand Gulf, having supplied his men with eight days' ration. The enemy was again defeated and with a loss of 4,000 men and 29 pieces of artillery, hastily crossed the Big Black river about ten miles from Vicksburg. Here another engagement took place on the following day, May 17th, and again the entire rebel force under Pemberton was beaten, falling back behind the entrenchments of the city, with a loss of 2,000 men and 17 pieces of artillery. On the 18th the city was closely invested. During the two or three days ensuing, the right wing assaulted and captured the rifle pits between Haines' Bluff and the city and forced its way to the river. We have reports of the capture of Haines' Bluff on the 29th, thus opening the communications of our right wing with the gunboats on the Yazoo, a large number of prisoners and 57 pieces of artillery falling into our hands. Thus far everything promises well for the success of our arms. That the enemy has been driven back step by step to Vicksburg is confirmed by rebel reports. His losses have undoubtedly been heavy and we may feel assured that such victories have not been gained without cost by our troops. From the vague estimates of the dispatches, the captures of rebel artillery would reach 68 pieces of field artillery, while the fall of Haines' Bluff places in our hands 57 siege guns, a total of over 120 pieces. The fall of Vicksburg seems certain and with its loss, Port Hudson becomes untenable. Admiral Farragut is closely investing this stronghold and its evacuation we trust will not be permitted without severe loss to the enemy. We know the place was bombarded on the 8th, 9th and 10th inst., and intimations given of more important movements against it being in progress.