NEWS: The Alleghanian; 30 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, 30 Jul 1863 Volume 4, Number 44 Local and Personal Capt. Litzinger paid our town a brief visit recently. He reports the boys all in excellent health and well contented with their present location. He does not know how soon they will be discharged. Singular Accident On last Friday a young lad named Alexander Trinkle, son of Mr. Charles Trinkle, was playing on the roof of a small shed in the west end of town, which had formerly been used as a meat house when the timbers, which were somewhat rotted, gave way, precipitating the boy into the room below. Here he was caught upon some meat hooks in the wall, the hooks passing through the flesh and skin immediately above the eye and holding him suspended until his cries brought him assistance. He was speedily released from his perilous situation with no more serious injury than a severe flesh wound. Almost a Fire On last Thursday noon our good citizens were frightened out of their propriety by the cry of "fire." An examination into the merits of the case, elicited the fact that the chimney of the old log house near the Railroad Depot, now occupied by a negro family, had taken fire and for a few moments blazed at a furious rate. However, owing to the small amount of soot in the chimney and to the fact that stones are generally incombustible, the whole affair in a very few minutes ended in smoke – leaving not even the shadow of an excuse of bringing out the "skwirt" much to the disappointment of the boys. Letter from Our Soldiers From Co. A, 54th P. V. M. Difficulty Concerning Regimental Organization The "Huntingdon Monitor" Again Outraged Huntingdon The Draft Various Items of Interest "Camp Juniata," Huntingdon July 26, 1863 Although as stated by your correspondent last week, the ten companies rendezvousing in this camp have been formed into a regiment, it still remains a question open to discussion as to whether they really constitute a regiment. It is positively asserted that an order has been promulgated by the proper authorities nullifying the organization upon the grounds that State forces and United States forces are unable, by the very nature of the thing, to coalesce. The truth of this proposition becomes evident when it is remembered that the field officers of State regiments are elected by the line officers of the companies composing the same, whereas the field officers of United States regiments are appointed by the President upon recommendation of the Governor. As a natural consequence our late election for field officers, wherein not only the State officers but also the United States officers had a voice and vote, - the latter manifestly without legal authority – must be null and void. Besides, the bare idea of officers hailing from militia companies attempting to assume command over troops sworn into the United States service bears upon its very face the impress of an unmitigated absurdity! On the other hand, it is asserted that the formation of the regiment of its present constituent parts is by authority - that the different classes of troops composing it are, and of right, should be on precisely the same footing. Both are called out for the "emergency," and for State defense. The fact seems to be lost sight of however that the "three months' men" are called out for a specified time whereas the "emergency" men are not. Meanwhile the 54th P. V. M. continues in "full tide of successful operations," so to speak, having dress parade very evening and battalion drill semi-occasionally. Co. A retains it old position and its reputation as well of being the best drilled body of men in camp. Whatever may be the result of this imbroglio or misunderstanding or whatever you may choose to call it, your correspondent will not fail to chronicle at the proper time. Col. Miles, formerly commandant of this post, was relieved from duty last week and ordered to rejoin his regiment with the Army of the Potomac. Col. M'Keage is his successor. "Camp Warrior," mentioned last week as being deserted, once more teems with life and animation. One six months and three or four three months companies are stationed there to form, probably, the nucleus of other regiments. Copperheads and Copperheadism meet with but little favor among the soldiers. As an illustration of this fact, permit your correspondent to narrate the following incident: The HUNTINGDON MONITOR, of last week's issue, contained a letter purporting to have been written by a member of this regiment, the same abounding with the foulest vituperations and abuse of the Government, of the constituted authorities and of the Union cause generally. Not relishing such stuff and desiring to afford the MONITOR and his anonymous correspondent convincing proof of the unqualified loyalty of the soldiers as a body, a squad of the latter paid the office a visit on Friday night and without ado, proceeded to "gut" the establishment. They were interfered with and dispersed by the patrol guard, however before they had succeeded in doing more damage than that resulting from the "pi-ing" of a couple of cases of type in the street. This, of course, is a mere exhibition of mob law – an outrage upon private property by irresponsible agents – an act worthy only of unmeasured condemnation – yet in it we cannot fail to recognize the in-setting of a tide of public opinion, which will, ere long, overwhelm and squelch all opponents of the cause of our common country. This being the second demonstration made by soldiers upon the MONITOR, that journal has certainly just cause and provocation to arrive at the conclusion that it is destined to the hoeing of a hard row in this life. This is a queer old section of country – is Huntingdon. For instance. The nights, from 9 P. M. till 6 A. M. are extremely cool – unpardonably cold, in point of fact – and bordering immediately on the river, we are usually favored with an unlimited supply of nocturnal fog, cold, palpable, penetrating, moist. So that the frigidity and fog taken together ague is not an utter impossibly and our regulation blankets come by no means amiss. In the daytime however the order of things is reversed. The sun beams down upon us with a fierceness unparalleled – with a fierceness begot of 90 degrees in the shade, causing us to precipitately seek the shelter of our miniature abodes, there, with doffed cap, blouse, shoes, et cetera, to occupy ourselves with futile endeavors to "keep cool." Futile indeed - for our camp, through a singular lack of foresight on the part of some one is located on the apex of a slight acclivity where the ghost of a tree is by no possibility to be seen, but where, on the contrary, the sun has ample and unobstructed opportunity to draw upon us at the sight for any number of blisters, broils and sunburns. Cool! – except of nights, the word with us has become obsolete. We have an indistinct recollection of balmy breezes and gently zephyrs and various umbrageous delights, but to our minds they now possess only a poetical significance. The realities are unreal - at least not with us or of us, but seen only in the dim vistas of "long agone." In fact, were it not for the exertions of the obese and gentlemanly proprietor of the "Castalian Garden," of Huntingdon who runs a wagon load of ice cream up here daily, for sale, it would not be at all surprising were we to melt and run down in to our boots or shoes as the case may be. Wherefore, blessings, unto the man who invented ice cream! Without it in hot weather and in "Camp Juniata," sojering were martyrdom. Leaving meteorological phenomena out of the question, Huntingdon is a tip-top "settlement." The town is pleasantly situated in a fertile valley, immediately on the great line of travel and traffic east and west through the state. Its people are patriotic, hospitable, whole–souled – its ladies handsome and intelligent – its industrial resources abundant and well developed. May the two former live forever and the compass of the latter never contract. The draft for the XVIIth Congressional District composed of the counties of Cambria, Blair, Huntingdon and Mifflin will probably be drawn here during the present week. Arrangements looking to that end, at least, are being rapidly perfected. As a specimen brick of camp literature of the poetical persuasion, your correspondent begs leave to submit the following: "He that hath plenty of 'hard tack,' And gives his neighbor none – He sha'n't have any of our 'hard tack,' When his 'hard tack' is done." Another box of edibles was received by the company on Thursday for which the good people of Ebensburg have our individual thanks. Boys well as usual. Yours, etc. [Signed] "Jay" 54th P. V. M. Monday, July 27, 1863 The 54th P. V. M. has been disbanded! The official order to that effect was read on dress parade last evening. The "emergency" men, four companies, have been transferred to "Camp Warrior," (whence your correspondence now writes) to form a battalion commanded by Capt. Litzinger. The "three months" men remain at "Camp Juniata." Such is life! In anticipation of an onslaught being made by the Copperheads on either the Huntington GLOBE or JOURNAL, by way of retaliation for the recent ridding out of the MONITOR, on Friday night a company of soldiers were detailed to proceed thither to preserve the peace. No disturbance occurred however, [Signed] "Jay" Capture of Morgan The following dispatch from Col. J. M. Shackelford was received at headquarters in Cincinnati yesterday: "Headquarters on the Field, three miles south of New Lisbon, O., July 26 – To Col. Lewis, Richmond, A. A. G.: By the blessing of Almighty God I have succeeded in capturing Gen. John A. Morgan, Col. Clarke, and the balance of the command amounting to about 400 prisoners. I will start with Morgan and staff on the first train for Cincinnati and await the General's order for transportation for the balance." Who are the Traitors? The Richmond DISPATCH in an editorial article on Lee's retreat has the following remarkable paragraph: "There are persons who think and have thought from the first, that the invasion of Pennsylvania was a rash and dangerous experiment, which there was no justification for having undertaken. We are not one of these. On the contrary we believe when the secret history of this war shall have been published, the conduct of the general will be amply justified by circumstances of which we are not and must for a generation remain completely ignorant." What circumstances? And why must we remain ignorant of them for a generation? Could Northern traitors throw any light on the suggestions of their Southern ally? Can Gov. Seymour say why so much secrecy is necessary? Can Fernando Wood or James Brooks or Vallandigham? It would seem as if this period of mystery were meant to expire with the death of men now on the stage – that not till they were out of harm's way would it be safe for Gen. Lee even in order to relieve his military reputation from the stain of rashness to say who invited him North, what assurances induced him to venture and on what pledges of cooperation he risked his army is such a campaign. When these questions are answered, possibly we may also learn a little more of the interior history of the recent demonstrations in New York in behalf of the Rebellion; the fruit, as THE DISPATCH says, which the Wood-Brooks peace meeting bore. Why Gov. Seymour exhibited such extraordinary alacrity in stripping the city of its militia just before the riots came on; why those riots did not break out, as was first intended on the Fourth of July; why Vice President Stephens undertook his embassy to Washington at the same moment; why the rioters, whom Gov. Seymour called his "noble hearted friends" cheered for Jeff Davis as well as for his mouth piece on that occasion; why the Governor on the Saturday before the mob rose, sent a messenger to the President to induce him to stop the draft; and finally if Lee had been at Harrisburg and victorious, as was expected on the Fourth of July, instead of being defeated at Gettysburg, whether that would have made any difference in the execution of the Copperhead programme – all these questions. History will ask and will, in one fashion or another, answer. Some of them may even get answered before this generation has passed away; and some traitors, who hide that treason beneath formal declarations of loyalty and who are today the most dangerous enemies of the Republic, because they are secretly and not openly such, may be brought rather unexpectedly to justice.