NEWS: The Alleghanian; 5 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, 5 Nov 1863 Volume 5, Number 6 Local and Personal The barn of Capt. Wm. R. Hughes, Wilmore, this county, was totally consumed by fire a few days since. Local Correspondence Johnstown, Nov. 2, 1863 Since the election the bustle and activity manifested on the street corners and in fact at all hours and in all places have subsided and we are again the quiet and orderly people we were theretofore. The greatest excitement lately was the appearance of the veritable Dan Rice and his "great show." Daniel received a liberal amount of the postage tickets and it is reasonable to presume that his patrons got their money back as everybody appeared satisfied with his performances. In addition to the circus, we have had the sleight of hand performer, Anderson, at Union Hall for several days. The "now you see it, and now you don't see it" arrangement was not very well appreciated as the conjurer conjured but slim audiences. His "spectral ghost" was an exceedingly large humbug. At Post Office Hall we have an itinerant music lecturer, whose lectures are illustrated by music on several instruments. Our citizens do not appear to have much "music in their souls," as his audiences are also small. Another of those sad accidents which for a moment pale the cheek of the gay and thoughtless, but which to the ardent Christian are but instances of the insecure tenure by which human life is held and the necessity of being always prepared for sudden death, occurred here on Thursday last. A miner, named Peter Murphy, while at work on that morning, was instantly killed by a mass of coal falling upon him. His head was crushed to a jelly and his brains scattered among the coal. It is but a short time since the deceased recovered from a similar accident – the coal falling upon his leg and badly fracturing it. He was much esteemed by his acquaintances and leaves a wife and large family to mourn his untimely fate. A child of David Lucas, residing in Conemaugh borough, was seriously burnt last week by his clothes taking fire at the cooking stove. Before the flames could be extinguished the clothes were almost entirely burned from the child's back and his face and arms were scorched to a crisp. Hopes are entertained of the little sufferer's recovery. Ephraim Buck, formerly our post master, and a most estimable citizen, died at his residence on Saturday, after a short illness. In the way of improvements, the most worthy of note is the new Catholic church, which was put under roof last week. It promises to be one of the finest church edifices in the county and will be a credit to the spirit of religion in this city. At another time I may be able to secure the dimensions &c., of the building when I will have a little more to say about it. [Signed] May Leon Sworn In We forgot to mention last week that Mr. E. Glass, our newly elected County Commissioner and Mr. George M'Cullough, Poor House Director, have been "sworn in" and entered upon the discharge of the duties of their respective office. The new Board of Commissioners have appointed Mr. Patrick Donshoe Mercantile Appraiser of this county for the ensuing year. Letter from Our Soldiers Camp, Va. November 1, 1863 Though at present the chilly, wet and dark days of autumn have succeeded that genial sun of a few weeks since, we are still cheerful. The guiding star of our nation's destiny today shines with far greater luster than it did during the summer days of September. You at home upon whom we have to depend for support have spoken to us and to the world in tones of sympathy and encouragement. You have defined your position and declared yourselves for "conservatism" and not "destruction" – for such did we consider the issue previous to the election, and not a mere party effort. The disunionists or those who assumed the name of Democrats clamored for peace and in their speeches promised the people immediate peace in the event of the success of their principles. A disgraceful, unnatural peace; a base submission to those who are endeavoring to destroy our liberties; a concession of all we have struggled for since the commencement of the rebellion; the separation of the States, anarchy and chaos, sweeping into oblivion at one blow the precious memories of the thousands of brave and noble martyrs that gave themselves a sacrifice to liberty and free government – this is what the peace of the Democracy meant. Away with it! Such a peace is unnatural and debasing, worthy only unqualified loathing. It is incomprehensible to us how men pretending to be actuated by the spirit of American freemen can be so lost to all sense of honor and manliness as to even suggest such a solution of our National difficulties. The victory has been a most complete one and has blasted the brightest hopes of the Rebels, sorely wounded the cringing sympathizers and frustrated the plans of our foreign foes. It has given fresh vigor and confidence to our army and navy, nerved our leaders to firmer and more decisive action, encouraged the timid and diffused a spirit of cheerfulness throughout the friends of liberty everywhere. We have been told by some that the people were tired of the war and wanted peace on any terms; but we did not believe it. We are tired of the war, and want peace, but we can see but one road to the attainment of this object – through victory. The patriotism which dies at the end of six months, nine months or three years, we scorn. Real patriotism continues unabating and unflinching till our country is rescued from the foul grasp of the monster Treason now throttling her. It is more probable that the old regiments whose time expires next spring and summer will all re-enlist – that is to say, a majority of each. Our division, the Penna. Reserves, goes in pretty much as a body, the 53d P.V. unanimously and a large majority of the 91st P. V. The inducements held out by the government for re-enlistments in the veteran volunteer corps are very fair and encouraging. It promises on two-thirds re-enlisting to send each regiment back to its respective State to recruit and organize as also to grant fifteen or twenty days furlough to each member. In addition to receiving the $402 bounty, the unexpired time of his present enlistment will be credited to each soldier upon re–enlistment. How many of little Cambria's sons are going to join us under the President's late proclamation? We sincerely hope there will be not a few. Volunteering in old regiments is not expected to be so popular as in new organizations but in the former you will be of vastly more service to the government than in the latter and in these perilous times we should not consult self-interest so much as the interest of the civilized world. We should also consult the interest of coming generations or they may look back and say with just reproach that their fathers lost the heritage handed down to them by the sires of '76. Where lives the Spartan spirit that prompted the wife to say to her husband – "Trust me to heaven, my husband! This the son, The babe whom I have born thee, must be free! And sweet memory of our pleasant hearth may well Give strength – if aught be strength on earth. God shall be with thee, my beloved! – away! Bless but thy child and leave me; I can pray!" We have long lived in comparative ease and luxury, never feeling the hand of oppression. For these reasons we do not appreciate the blessing of liberty so highly as we should. Had we once experienced the stings of oppression perhaps we would now be awake to our duty. Arouse, fellow countrymen! To the work your God has prepared for you and your children will bless your memory when you are no more. [Signed] X The 300,000 More [extract] The quota of Pennsylvania under this call is 38,268 men. This number must be realized before the fifth day of January coming otherwise a draft will be ordered. The Governor in his proclamation it will be observed, offers neither persuasion nor threats as an inducement to enlist. He relies upon the patriotism and the love of country of the citizens of the old Keystone – a State which has never yet faltered in her devotion to the Union – for a prompt compliance to the demands of the General Government. We hope this reasonable expectation may not be doomed to disappointment. Every loyal man should consider himself pledged to see that the Proclamation is adequately responded to. Let an effort be made – a grand and glorious effort – and the necessity for another draft be obviated. It can be done if all classes unite with one purpose in seeing that it is done. War News Gen. Foster has been ordered to report at Washington and Gen. Butler transferred to Fortress Monroe. From Charleston we have the cheering news that Gen. Gilmore is again turning his undivided attention toward the reduction of that doomed rebel stronghold. He has thrown several shells into the very heart of the city, doing no particular damage that we have heard of, but evidently raising quite a rumpus among the chivalry. Odds and Ends Did I tell you ever, among the affecting little things one is always seeing in these stirring war times, how I saw on the Bull Run battlefield, pretty, pure, delicate flowers growing out of emptied ammunition boxes, a rose thrusting up its graceful head through the head of a Union drum, which doubtless sounded its last charge (or retreat, as the case may have been) in that battle, and cunning scarlet verbena peeping out of a fragment of bursted shell in which strange cup it had been planted? Wasn't that peace growing out of war? Even so shall the graceful and beautiful ever grow out of the horrid and terrible things that transpire in this changing but ever advancing world. Nature covers even the battle grounds with verdure and bloom. Peace and plenty soon spring up in the track of devastating campaigns and all the things in nature and society shall work out the progress of mankind and harmony of God's great design. Exemptions from the Draft The following is an abstract of exemptions granted to Drafted Men by the Board of Enrollment of the 17th District, Pennsylvania, during the week ending Oct. 17, 1863, with the cause of exemption stated in each case: Henry Shomo, White, paid commutation Dennis Cawley, Clearfield, paid commutation Joseph Doyle, Clearfield, paid commutation Jacob Witlers, White, disability Jacob Stiger, Carroll, only son, widow Adam Esch, White, unsuitableness age John A. Krise, Chest, unsuitableness age Samuel Kuhn, White, disability David Westover, White, paid commutation John T. Peterson, White, disability David A. Watt, Chest, unsuitableness age Gideon Byers, White, disability Henry Foster, White, disability Daniel Mathews, White, father, motherless child Arthur Wharton, Clearfield, disability Thomas J. Burns, Chest, paid commutation William Cochran, Clearfield, father, motherless children Thomas Burns, Clearfield, only son, widow Michael Waltz, Chest, only son, infirm parents P. M. M'Kenzie, Chest, paid commutation William Wharton, Clearfield, disability John Bardine, White, unsuitableness age David Brown, Clearfield, unsuitableness age John Troxell, -----, non-residence Frederick Ranstead, White, unsuitable age Peter Flanagan, White, unsuitable age James Devor, Clearfield, unsuitable age James Hartzel, White, disability James M. Towle, Clearfield, disability John Conrad, Chest Springs, paid commutation Henry Wagoner, Clearfield, paid commutation John C. Hughes, Clearfield, election by parent Jacob Matthews, White, paid commutation. John T. Burns, Clearfield, paid commutation Michael J. Dunegan, Clearfield, paid commutation N. T. Holmes, Chest Springs, disability G. A. R. Barker, Chest Springs, paid commutation Samuel B. Rutler, ----, paid commutation Ambrose Lancy, Chest, paid commutation W. D. Herrington, Johnstown, paid commutation Hiram Herrington, Johnstown, election mother Sylvester Little, Loretto, disability Henry Fick, Munster, unsuitableness age William Carroll, Washington, unsuitableness age Philip Farren, Munster, disability John G. Kaylor, Munster, father, motherless child Geo. M'Culloch, Munster, paid commutation John H. Kennedy, Washington, disability William Brown, Washington, only son, widow Peter Hellsehein, Chest, paid commutation John Divor, Munster, disability John Carroll, Washington, only son, widow John Steinbiser, Ebensburg, disability David F. M'Cartney, Washington, father, motherless children James A. Brown, Munster, paid commutation John W. Gillespie, Summerhill, disability James Christ, Munster, election by father Samuel F. Noel, Munster, election by father Michael M'Call, Washington, only son, widow Patrick Bradley, Washington, alienage Francis O'Hara, Munster, disability James Myers, Washington, disability Charles O'Hara, Munster, paid commutation John Itel, Washington, paid commutation William Brown, Washington, only son, widow Thomas Lego, Munster, paid commutation James S. Luckett, Carroll, only son, aged parents William Behe, Washington, furnished substitute Henry Shultz, Carroll, furnished substitute John Roland, Washington, paid commutation William Durbin, Washington, paid commutation Thomas Boland, Washington, non-residence Samuel Mowery, Wilmore, unsuitableness age George Dieopp, Summerhill, disability James Skelly, Summerhill, only son, widow William Kick, Summerhill, only son, infirm parents Lewis E. Dilahunt, Wilmore, paid commutation Albert Wilson, Croyle, only son, widow Aaron Sherbine, Croyle, paid commutation Joseph Plummer, Croyle, furnished substitute Daniel C. Morris, Johnstown, paid commutation William Neff, Croyle, only son, infirm parents J. B. Piper, Summerhill, disability Daniel K. Davis, Summerhill, paid commutation Woodburn Benson, Summerhill, disability John Litzinger, Summerhill, unsuitable age William W. Porter, Summerhill, asthma William Smay, Summerhill, disability Michael Skelly, Summerhill, disability William Clossin, Summerhill, disability Michael Hammers, Summerhill, disability Joseph Martz, Summerhill, disability Jesse H. Diamond, Summerhill, only son, infirm parents John Dougherty, Ebensburg, disability Bernard Conly, Summerhill, paid commutation Richard Roberts, Summerhill, paid commutation N. S. George, Croyle, disability Joseph Knepper, Croyle, non-residence John Bomhopt, Richland, paid commutation Daniel Varner, Richland, paid commutation Hiram Shaffer, Richland, substitute in service 3d March David C. Strayer, Richland, disability William Noon, Conemaugh, disability George Huntley, Ebensburg, disability Daniel Bumgardner, Richland, disability Isaac Orris, Richland, disability David W. Harshberger, Richland, paid commutation J. B. Fyock, Richland, paid commutation Charles Helsel, Richland, paid commutation David Stull, Richland, paid commutation Levi Wingart, Richland, unsuitable age Manassas Miller, Richland, paid commutation Peter Follmer, Richland, paid commutation Jacob Grumling, Richland, unsuitable age Joshua Helsel, Richland, only son, infirm parents Levi C. Lehman, Richland, paid commutation John Bumgardner, Richland, disability John O'Harra, Richland, disability Christian Myers, Richland, paid commutation George Fye, Richland, paid commutation Christian Bumgardner, Richland, paid commutation George Custer, Richland, paid commutation John Orris, Richland, paid commutation Samuel Burkhart, Jackson, disability James M. Signer, Jackson, disability Jonathan Wissinger, Richland, paid commutation Samuel Varner, Richland, paid commutation Joseph H. Livingston, Richland, paid commutation David Costlow, Richland, paid commutation Edward Lynch, Richland, paid commutation [Signed] J. D. Campbell, Capt. & Pro. Mar.