NEWS: The Alleghanian; 23 Jul 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, 23 Jul 1863 Volume 4, Number 43 Personal Information lately received from authentic sources says that the draft in this district will take place next week. We hope there may be no disturbance. On last Friday evening, our young friend, Lieut. J. N. Kinkead, of the 12th Penna. Cavalry made his numerous friends in this vicinity a flying visit. He is looking remarkably well and reports himself as much as ever infatuated with life on the tented field. Success to him! In our last issue we inadvertently omitted to mention that A. J. Rhey, Esq., had returned upon a visit to his mountain home. Two years of close application to business make him appear care worn but a few days at home will rejuvenate him. We are glad to say that in these "times which try' men's souls," Jack has ever proven himself a true and loyal man and is constant in his support of the efforts made for the crushing of the rebellion. Sergt. E. R. Smith of the 27th Maine Vols., returned home on Sabbath morning, after a nine months' campaign. His general appearance would seem to indicate that soldiering agreed with him. T. P. Fenlon, Esq., and family are in town, enjoying the cool summer breezes. Their residence in Kansas has not materially changed their appearance. Letter from Our Soldiers Letter from Capt. Litzinger's Company Regimental Organization Co. A, 54th P. V. M. Daily Programme Items Copperheadism Muster Roll for Capt. Hughes' Company, etc. etc. A regimental organization of the troops rendezvousing in this camp was effected on Friday last, and the following officers elected: Colonel: John M'Keage of Blair county Lieut. Colonel: ----Boles of Centre county Major: Richard Crozier of Blair county Adjutant: -----Crawford of Centre county. The companies composing the regiment, ten in number are as follows: Capt. Litzinger's and Capt. Hughes', Cambria Capt. Snyder's and Capt. Boles', Centre Capt. M'Keage's and Capt. Crosier's, Blair Capt. Hohman's, Bedford Capt. Davidson's, Centre Capt. Swope's, Clearfield Capt. Traver's, half-Blair and half-Cambria. The first four of the foregoing companies are "emergency" men – the residue "three months' men." A regiment would have been formed here a week since, only a difficulty sprung up as to the utility of consolidating the emergency men and the three months' men. The former, it will be remembered, are mustered into the United States service whereas the latter are only sworn in to State defense. The "powers that be" seem to have determined that the distinction between the two classes is but trivial for the organization of the regiment, as at present constituted, is said to have been by and with the advice and consent of Adjutant General Russell. Our regiment is designated as the 54th Penna. Vol. Militia of which Capt. Litzinger's company occupies the proud distinction of Co. A. In view of the fact that in the distribution of field offices, the claims of Cambria were entirely overlooked by reason that the latter were not pressed with that unyielding pertinacity characterizing those of some of the other companies, the concession of the post of honor in the regiment to our company is but a simple act of justice. We have been out on dress parade several times already and it is no ostentation to say that the 54th when drawn up in line, represents a by no means insignificant appearance. The men are all well sized, finely developed, hardy, intelligent, as a general thing – patriotic to the last degree - just the material out of which to mould a tip-top Juggernaut to assist in breaking the backbone of the Rebellion. The half company of Cambria county men spoken of above were recruited in the neighborhood of Gallitzin by Lieut. David Mills, who consolidated them with a half company raised by Capt. Travers in Blair county, the former receiving the position of First Lieutenant in the company. To demonstrate to you that we are not permitted to remain entirely inactive here but on the contrary that exercise is afforded us sufficient to prevent our blood coagulating your correspondent begs leave to submit the following programme of one day's performance in camp: Reveille at 5 A. M.; drill from 7 to 8; and 10 to 11 A. M. and from 3 to 5 P. M.; dress parade at 6 P. M.; tattoo at 9 p.m.; taps half an hour thereafter. The whole pleasantly interspersed with various little duties after the manner of camp and patrol guards, etc. etc. The 46th Penna. Vol. Militia, Col. Lawrence, formerly encamped on an emrence (sic) a short distance from here, was ordered to Philadelphia last week. As a consequence "Camp Warrior" is now deserted. There are now no troops at this point excepting our regiment, one company of six months' men and one cavalry company. Owing to our close proximity to Cambria, we have many visitors from home. Nearly every day some familiar countenance beams upon us in quest of information as to how we flourish. That they are welcome as coals at Christmas it were needless to mention. The other day the company were made the recipients of a mammoth box of edibles from home, all of which proved very acceptable. Those kind friends who thus remembered us have our undivided thanks, coupled with the assurance that we did entire justice to their bon- offering. Of course, your readers, in common with the entire loyal North, have been shocked at the late Copperhead outbreak in New York city. This emeuse (sic) is one of the inevitable results of the teachings of that class of politician who, pretending to uphold and sustain the Government, yet advocate resistance to the constituted authorities in the exercise of the powers vested in them. Would this riot have occurred, think you, had not a certain class of political partisans, for strictly political purpose, openly advocated resistance to the draft? And would the streets of New York have run latchet-deep with gore had not such men as the Woods, Brooks and Seymours, and such papers as the WORLD and DAILY NEWS recommended the criminal measure? No – for the ignorant, prejudiced, ruff-scruff composing a mob are notoriously incompetent and unfit to conceive a project so daring and bold, so fraught with evil results to the Government and benefit to Treason. Other and abler heads conceived – they executed. The proper way to strike at the cause of which this mob is the effect, is, to put down Copperheadism throughout the entire country. Not by brute force unless, thro' the overt treason of the Copperheads such course may be rendered necessary, but rather by the peaceful workings of the ballot box. When Copperheadism is overcome, treason North is squelched; and when Northern treason falls, the Rebellion goes by default. Let the sovereign people of Pennsylvania, when voting in the coming election, remember these facts – every vote cast for the Union case is a nail driven into the coffin of treason; every vote cast for an adherent of Copperheadism lengthens they war by a day. Choose between the two! Subjoined is the muster roll of Capt. Hughes' Wilmore company of our regiment – Co. B: Captain: W. R. Hughes Lieutenants: 1st: Adam George 2d: Wm. C. Barbour Sergeants: 1st: R. E. Jones 2d: Gilbert A. Barker 3d: N. S. George 4th: Hartman Barrack 5th: J. F. Chickey Corporals: 1st: H. H. Pringle 2d: D. Morris Kiel 3d: S. M'Monigle 4th: Philip Sherbine 5th: John Wendeboth 6th: John Brown 7th: Emanuel Pringle 8th: Sylvester Crum Musician: Joseph Hamilton Privates: Aronfeld, Fred Ash, B. F. Barrick, John Beck, Andrew Brown, Peter M. Brendlinger, David W. Berkstresser, Daniel Berkstresser, Wm. Burkhardt, Harrison Byers, Samuel Carr, Wm. K. Chesnutwood, Aug. Coulter, David Davis, David Dellinger, Emanuel Ellis, Enos Emigh, Ressler Farber, David Feeny, John Fick, Henry Fish, John Flenner, Henry Grew, John Hamilton, Jas. D. Herlinger, F. K. Stineman, Jacob James, B. E. Johnson, Charles Keachig, John Long, John W. Lower, Elias M'Intyre, Stephen M'Monigle, David M'Monigle, Henry Miller, Martin Mulholland, John W. Nelson, Thos. J. Noel, John Paul, Elias Paul, W. H. Plummer, John Pringle, Jacob W. Scott, David W. Sharp, Hervey Shaw, Theodore Sidman, Wm. T. Stineman, Thomas Stonebraker, Wm. Weaver, John Wilson, Albert Smay, Christian The boys are all well and enjoying themselves. Through the exertions of Capt. Litzinger they are rapidly improving in drill. In a few days, no doubt, they will be perfect. Yours, etc. [Signed] "Jay"