NEWS: The Alleghanian; 24 Dec 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, 24 Dec 1863 Volume 5, Number 13 Local Correspondence Johnstown, Dec. 20, 1863 Quite a number of petty larcenies have transpired here lately, of which I note the following. A dressed hog, which had been placed upon a barrel in front of Mr. John Dibert's store, was stolen about dusk a few evenings ago and although a number of persons were on the sidewalk at the time, the thief rightly conjectured he was running no risk, as they would doubtless assume that he had bought the "porker" and he thus escaped detection. The coop of Mr. H. Silverman was entered one night last week and twelve chickens and four turkeys extracted therefrom, leaving but a solitary gobbler to strut the erstwhile well-filled pen. No clue to the perpetrator of the theft has yet been found. A lady entered a Fancy store on Clinton street last week and requested the proprietor to show her a sett (sic) of furs. Different styles were submitted to her inspection and it was observed that while trying the furs on with one hand she kept the other concealed beneath her shawl. After trying various setts none of which appeared to suit, she left the store and the proprietor proceeding to rearrange the furs found that a sett valued at about twenty dollars was missing. He immediately suspected the would-be buyer and starting in pursuit, he brought her back. A search of her person was instituted but no furs could be found. She was permitted to leave, but was noticed by the proprietor shortly afterward trying to go down the cellar way of an adjoining building. Finding that she was observed, she left and suspecting that she might have dropped the furs in the cellar the proprietor examined and found them. The girl who had been living in the capacity of servant with a family in Kernville left for Lewistown in the early train next morning. Quite an animated free fight came off in a groggery near the post office a few evening since. During the melee the stove was upset and various articles of furniture broken. The "guardians of the peace," were as usual non est until after the disturbance had subsided. One evening last week a masquerading gentleman dressed in female attire and having a "lady on either arm," was taking a promenade through our principal streets. By some means he lost his companions, and our constable suspecting him to be a man, sailing under false colors, arrested him. He was taken before the Burgess and a handkerchief removed from the lower part of his face revealed a rather heavy set of whiskers for a "female woman" to wear. He alleged he only put on the clothes "for fun," but our worthy Burgess not seeing the fun, imposed a fine of three dollars and costs. In default of payment he was sent to the "jug," minus the bonnet and frock. A sympathizing friend shortly after appeared and paid the fine, thus liberating the prisoner. After his short incarceration in a cold cell he couldn't see where the "fun" exactly lay, and went home a "sadder if not a wiser man." The performance for the benefit of soldiers families came off as per announcement upon which occasion the hall was literally packed. The songs were excellent, our friend, John Crouse, Esq., eliciting a perfect storm of applause by his droll Irish songs, sung in character. Little Willie Watkins, scarcely nine years old, sang, "Grafted into the army." His childish voice was clear and distinct and could be heard in every part of the building. The applause which greeted the little fellow at the conclusion of his song was perfectly deafening. The singing by the German quartette club, led by Mr. Luckhardt, elicited universal admiration. The music by the Brass band and by Messrs. Hoeffner, Hohman and son, was also excellent. "Shamus O'Brien," recited by Mr. B. G. Childs, was rendered in a manner which swayed the hearts of his hearers, as the different scenes in the eventful life of "Jim O'Brien, if you please," were described. It was well worth the price of admission to hear Mr. C. describe the incidents in the career of the famous "Shamus O'Brien." "Bombastes Furioso," a comedy interlarded with a many local allusion. which the author never dreamed of, was well performed. Taken altogether I do not think I every passed a more pleasant evening at a place of amusement than at this. The proceeds will amount to over two hundred dollars. A Fair gotten up by the children for the benefit of the Sanitary Commission is to take place on Christmas evening at the Disciples' church. An admission fee of ten cents will be charged and I doubt not quite a handsome sum will be realized. Yours, [Signed] May Leon Jottings from Washington - Extracts Washington City, Dec. 17, 1863 [Snip] The country has met with a real loss in the death of General Buford which took place at the residence of Gen. Stoneman in this city last evening. His disease was typhoid fever, following protracted chronic diarrhea. He was one of the best cavalry Generals, if not the best, the service could boast. It is said of him that while he was always vigilant and always daring where there was hope of success, he never sacrificed a life unnecessarily or recklessly. The country will read with pleasure that the President on learning yesterday that the eyes of the brave Kentuckian were about to close forever, at once sent him a commission as Major General. Mr. Lincoln's kindness of heart never forsakes him. He has done this thing before. [Snip] The rainy season, - corresponding to the snow and ice, the sleigh bells and frozen apples of the North – has commenced along the Potomac. The campaign of Gen. Meade for 1863 may be considered at an end. [Signed] J. M. S. Piracy The steamer, Chesapeake, has had a short voyage in her new capacity of Confederate pirate. Unable from lack of men and coal or afraid to put to sea, the murderers who seized her have hung around the small harbors of Nova Scotia until justice has overtaken them. The Ella and Annie (herself but a few weeks since caught in trying to run the blockage) caught the Chesapeake in Sambro harbor, 30 miles from Halifax. Unfortunately nearly all the crew escaped and took to the woods; only three of the men who assisted in the seizure were taken, the others of those caught having been shipped in Nova Scotia. The Gunboat, Dakota, soon after came up and ordered both the vessels to Halifax. Upon their arrival at that port, intense excitement prevailed and a crowd at once rescued the pirates. The British Government officials who attempted to hold them were seized by prominent citizens and prevented from performing their duty. The pirates all escaped and were sent off out of danger of further molestation. Quill-Drives The Pennsylvanian Legislature meets on the first Tuesday in January. The wife of ex-President Pierce died at Andover Mass., on the 2d inst. Played out – the strike of the Broad Top coal miners. They have returned to work at old wages. Gen. Buford, the distinguished cavalry officer, died in Washington city on the 16th of typhoid fever. Late advices indicate that the guerilla Morgan, instead of being in Canada as was reported, has arrived safely in Dixie. Home on a visit – Jack Rhey, for several years back a departmental clerk in Washington city. He is one of nature's own nobleman. By decision of the State Superintendent, school teachers are exempt from duty on Thanksgiving days, Christmas, Washington's birthday and the Fourth of July. Capt. Thomas C. William, of Co. C, 19th U. S. Infantry – commander of a company recruited in this county – has been appointed Assistant Adjutant General on Gen. Rousseau's staff. The Rebel authorities decline allowing any more supplies to be sent from the North to our suffering soldiers in Richmond. Cause why – the Northern papers have charged the officials at Richmond with misappropriating said contributions. Apropos of the new year: An old female contraband with the Army of the Potomac places upon record the following prophecy. "In sixty-one, the wars begun; In sixty-two, it was half through; In sixty-three, the niggers were free; In sixty-four the war will be o'er." M'Clellan A Sunday paper says: "Gen. M'Clellan is now engaged upon a series of articles shortly to be published in a popular journal. They will be published as an electioneering document, in connection with his report. A life of M'Clellan by a popular New York journalist is also under way; and the three – his life, his report, and his explanatory articles – will probably be published some time during the coming March. It is believed that these publications with his supposed popularity with the people will give him a very fair show for the Presidency." Major Harry White The Indiana AMERICAN says that the resignation of Major Harry White, State Senator for that county, arrived there on last Wednesday, having been smuggled through the rebel lines by Sergeant Hosack. It is in the hands of his father, Hon. Thomas White, who is authorized to forward it to the Governor. The Judge, we understand, is making a final effort to have the Major exchanged and in case he fails, the resignation will be forwarded to the Governor who will order a special election to fill the vacancy. The nomination will be made by the County Committee. Thrilling Narrative of Libby Prison Dr. Wm. Forester of the 5th Kentucky Cavalry relates the following statement of cruelties on the part of the rebels to the Louisville JOURNAL: I was captured on the 21st of September, 1863, by the Eighth Texas Cavalry in Cooper's Gap of Lookout Mountain, fifteen miles from Chattanooga. At the same time some two hundred others of Colonel Watkin's Third Cavalry Brigade fell into the hands of General Wheeler's corps. The first act of Confederate kindness that I received was at the hands of a Captain who threatened to blow my brains out for refusing to inform him of the direction taken by our retreating column. He also kindly relieved me of my sash which I had refused to deliver to him. We were placed under charge of the First Kentucky (rebel) Cavalry. To Capt. Witt, of this regiment, I am indebted for the preservation of my hat, coat, boots and watch, which, but for his care, would most certainly have been taken from me. Numbers had already been robbed. Almost every overcoat and blanket had already been taken. It was amusing, even to a prisoner, to witness the manner in which this robbery was committed. If a Federal soldier was the possessor of a good hat or pair of boots, a rebel would approach him and with mocking politeness, invite our Federal to "Come down outen that ar hat; come up outen them ar boots." Rather quickly by some rough game that two played the boots and hat changed possessor. In some instances the Union soldier would be permitted to pick up some pieces of leather and felt to replace in some measure what had been taken from him. If the prisoner had provisions he was considerably relieved of them. That night, many a rebel mess rejoiced over a nice warm cup of Yankee coffee. On the night of our capture we were quartered in the camp of the 1st Kentucky cavalry. And here I would gratefully acknowledge the kindness shown me by Dr. William Gault, surgeon of the regiment, who generously shared his blanket and crust with me and did everything in his power for our wounded. My greeting also to Dr. Evans and Capt. Rogers of the 1st Kentucky. It was a cold night; the men were put into a lot, without shelter and with very few blankets. They built a fire, keeping from freezing as best they could. No rations were issued. On the following day (22d) we were escorted by details from the 8th and 11th Texas and 1st Kentucky cavalry, under command of Lieut. Brooks of the 1st Ky. Cavalry to Tunnel Hill. Lieut. Brooks proved himself to be a kind and humane gentleman. We started early in the morning, marching until nearly midnight, making short halts every few miles to rest. The prisoners, being cavalry men, were easily fatigued; besides, many were sick. Night came on by the time we reached Ringgold, the whole party nearly fagged out. Longing for rest, we certainly expected to remain in Ringgold until morning. But no; the inexorable man of authority ordered Lieut. Brooks to drive his prisoners on. On we went. And as the weary band pressed on, many a foot was blistered sore, many a throat became dry and parched, many a parched tongue craved for water, many a knee grew too weak to bear the wearied frame any further. For some the task was more than they could perform. Many dropped exhausted by the roadside. In these cases the guards showed more mercy and tenderness that we expected. A number of them dismounted, put the exhausted prisoners upon their horses, themselves in several instances leading the horses, which the riders were too weak to control. At last the longed-for end of the journey came and we were turned out on the common for the remainder of the night. We could hardly be expected to eat without food or sleep without covering. Finally about a pint of coarse cornmeal, for three men, and a small piece of bacon was brought to us and devoured with a relish. How the meal was made into bread and baked, I do not know. However, the Yankee soldier is very shifty and carries with him, even into captivity, his propensity for burning rails. On the 23d we were moved to Dalton; on the 24th to Atlanta. Still no rations had been issued. The reason assigned was that they had nothing. Weary, hungry and blanketless we were turned out upon the commons; confined to a small space by a company of Home Guards, who, with bright but trembling bayonets, compelled us to keep at a respectful distance. This space was horribly filthy, the ground without sod, covered by pebbles and jagged rocks. Here it was doubtless intended that we should repose and sweetly slumber. Heavy dews fell at night and no wood was allowed. Our condition was anything but pleasant. On the 25th we received first one and afterwards five days' ration, consisting of a few crackers and meat in proportion. Citizens who came to give or sell to the soldiers were driven away by the guard. At night we were driven into "Hell's Half Acre," an enclosure surrounded by a plank wall some eighteen feet in height with sentries walking their beats above us. We were guarded by graybacks without guns. The latter were very small and quite insinuating in their addresses, also said to be branded C. S. We called them Atlanta Home Guards. I can give but a passing notice of the "Hell's Half Acre," yet it has a tragic history, which will yet come to light. A large number of deserters from Bragg's army were confined there, waiting their fate; also a Tennessee major, with ball and chain, brought by disease to a mere skeleton; for what cause let those tell who kept him there until death released him. From Atlanta to Richmond we were guarded by Texas, Alabama and Georgia troops, commanded by Captain John W. Turner of the 19th regiment South Carolina infantry. By him we were treated universally with kindness and courtesy. Arrived at Richmond on the lst of October, 11 P. M. The enlisted men were sent to various buildings; the officers taken to the famous Libby. The sensation a prisoner feels on seeing Libby for the first time is indescribable. He certainly feels as if he had already lost all his friends and now his own turn had come. In the office of the prison as much of our money as could be heard from was taken from us and credited. No search was made. We were taken into a third story, directed down a dark pair of stairs into a darker room and to "go down thar." A horrible stench greeted us; the floor was wet and covered from one end to the other with human bodies. By climbing upon and under a large table in the room we managed to find space upon which to lie. The rations of the officers we found to consist of eight or ten ounces of light bread, two or four ounces of spoiled or badly cured bacon, smelling so badly that we were obliged to hold our nostrils in order to eat it. In addition to this we received a small quantity of peas, full of worms, or in lieu of peas, three quarts of rice for fifty men. We afterwards received about four ounces of beef per day, instead of bacon, and corn bread took the place of wheat bread. At one time the ration of meat was stopped, two or three small frosted sweet potatoes being given instead. The reason for issuing such potatoes being that they were commissary stores and unless used would rot entirely. At times we received no food for two days. Then meat would be withheld for several days and the privilege of buying denied us. The surgeons left Libby on the 24th of November. On the 21st, 22d, 23d and 24th no meat had been given us and the bread was of such character that we could scarcely eat it. On the 20th of November the prisoners in Castle Thunder had been nine days on bread and water. One of them, a citizen prisoner from Connecticut, named Thompson, had received from home a box containing clothing valued at perhaps $50, which he offered to give freely for one pound of meat. Sometimes our supply of wood was cut off for a day though many cords were lying within twenty years of our prison. It may well be asked how we could live on such fare. I am certain that not more than five officers of the hundreds in Libby lived for more than a week at any time upon the rations furnished by the prison authorities. Those who attempted it, from being too proud or too foolish to receive from their more fortunate fellows soon became lean, lank, canaverous frequenters of the kitchen to keep warm or were sent as patients to the hospital. We were divided off into classes of about thirty each, with one of the members a commissary who levied a weekly tax upon those who had money. This money was spent for vegetables to put in our soup and hash; sirup (sic) and burnt rye to be used as coffee. We also divided ourselves into smaller messes from four to six members with a caterer, who would buy butter, eggs, coffee, meat and extra bread for his mess. When the market was denied us, long faces were decidedly in the ascendant. Besides the privilege of the market, officers are allowed to receive boxes of provisions from home. These boxes, I believe, are almost without an exception, received by those to whom they are sent. The officers were confined in six rooms, each 43 feet wide by 102 feet in length. In one end of each room was the sink, which, often neglected, would become so offensive that we could scarcely bear the stench. The floors were frequently washed and scrubbed just before dark and this gave us a wet floor to sleep upon, thus adding another item to the list of our many discomforts. For a time many of the officers had no blankets or other bedding – the bare floor to lie upon, nothing to keep them warm. Very few had more than one blanket until supplied by the U. S. Sanitary Commission and friends at home. There was no glass in the window; hence, many were compelled by the cold wind whistling through, to pace the floor for half the night to save themselves from freezing. Such is but a faint description of the officers' fare in Libby. Of the private soldiers I do not know enough to give a just idea. I do not believe pen can portray his sufferings. You have doubtless seen many accounts published by persons released from Richmond. Most of the accounts I believe to be true yet much very much is still untold. Those officers who have been in Belle Island tell of suffering and privation endured that makes your blood run cold. I have seen prisoners, Federal soldiers, pick up old, hard, musty corn bread out of the muddy gutters of the street and eat it. I have seen them, when stooping for this bread, fall upon the ground from weakness – from what I believe to have been starvation. I have heard them when offered clothing by the Federal officers to say, "Give us bread first – we are starving." I know that they were robbed of their blankets and clothing at Atlanta and in Richmond. I saw hundreds of them being sent off to Danville without blankets, without overcoats, without shoes, without socks. I am certain that not one in fifty had a blanket. Our Government may well look after the prisoners taken to Danville.