NEWS: The Alleghanian; 28 Jan 1864; 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 Jan 1864 Volume 5, Number 18 Local and Personal Peter Smith, of Altoona, was seriously if not fatally stabbed on Monday last by a man named Christ Feeny. Local Correspondence Johnstown, Jan. 24, 1864 For some time past, several citizens of this place have been agitating the question touching the propriety of erecting water works for the purpose of supplying our growing city with an inexhaustible supply of the fluidical commodity. A public meeting to devise ways and means for putting the project into execution was held in Council Chamber last night when and where it was determined to apply immediately for a charter and committees were appointed in the different wards to solicit stock subscriptions. From the well known enterprise charactering the gentlemen having the matter principally in charge, I have no doubt the project will be entirely successful. Our Councils have taken in hand the matter of the building of a Town Hall. A committee of one from each ward has been appointed to consider plans, location &c., with instructions to report at special meeting tomorrow night. We are badly in need of a public hall of this kind and it is due the prosperity of town that one be erected. The present term of our public schools closes on Saturday next with an examination of pupils. In connection with this subject, I cannot refrain from paying a compliment to Wood, Morrell & Co., for their large hearted liberality evinced in employing a teacher and paying all the expenses incident to a free night school for the boys employed in the mines and about the mills, who are, of course, deprived of many of the advantages afforded by our beneficent school system. The idea of a night school for these boys originated with Mr. Morley, Supt. of the company's mines and was promptly taken in hand by Mr. Morrell. Mr. Freeman in charge of one of our day schools has been appointed teacher and the attendance already reaches seventy-five. Mr. Morrell, I understand, designs starting a similar school in Millville for the benefit of the boys residing in that vicinity. A short time ago a party of Germans, with their wives, concluded to take a little recreation after the manner of a sleigh ride. Accordingly all arrangements before perfected, they proceeded hence to a neighboring village, where the ladies betook themselves to one of the two public houses of the place. Meantime their lords and masters obtained possession of the other house, situate at the further end of the village, where, procuring a musician, they soon gathered a number of the country girls and amused themselves "tripping it on the light fantastic." The "better halves" became informed of the occupation of their liege lords and as supper for the entire party had been prepared at their house, they concluded as a retaliatory procedure to eat not only their own but also their husband's portions of the same! Which they did and the gay and festive benedicts perforce were obliged to return home supperless, doubtless convinced of the utter impracticability of getting ahead of women. Twenty-three of the members of Capt. Ryckman's six months' cavalry company are home on furlough, they having re-enlisted for the war. An effort will be made, by the inducements of liberal home bounties, to raise the entire quota of these districts by volunteering. [Signed] May Leon Arm Broken On Thursday last, Mr. Jacob Settlemoyer, whose nuptials we chronicled in these columns a couple of weeks since, met with a severe accident in this wise: He was coming to town, on the Eb. and Susq. Plank Road, with a load of shook when, some three or four miles out, his sled upset, throwing him to the ground and precipitating the shook upon him. His arm was fractured in three different places and he otherwise severely injured. We understand the sufferer is doing as well as could be expected under the circumstances. Railroad Accident The first accident of magnitude characterizing the Ebensburg and Cresson Railroad since its construction occurred on Saturday evening last. When rounding a curve near "Bradley's Cut," the locomotive and a freight car ran off the track and over a precipice twenty feet down, smashing the former considerably and piling the latter in fragments on top. The passenger car fortunately remained on the track and none of the passengers were injured. The engineer went over with the locomotive but was not hurt; the fireman jumped off and had his hand severely bruised. A gang of workmen were immediately put on the ruins and in a short time had the road in running order again. Wake Up! No effort has yet been made to fill the quota of Ebensburg borough and thereby escape the necessity of a draft. If anything is to be done and well down, 'twere well 'twere done quickly. A bounty of $100 or $200 would most likely secure us the required number of men. "Maternal Instinct" We are under obligations to the author, Dr. J. M. Toner of Washington City for the present of a copy of his lately issued book bearing the above title. The work is handsomely gotten up in blue and gold and bears internal evidence of penetration and deep thought on the part of the author. Seeing that the Doctor was at one time a resident of this county, we think "Maternal Instinct" should be allowed the compliment of an extended circulation among our people. Commutation Clause The conscription act reported by the House Military Committee contains but few amendments to the Senate Bill. The most important is that it reduces the commutation clause to the old sum of three hundred dollars and provides that persons who are physically exempt, but who have an income of twelve hundred dollars, shall pay the three hundred dollars commutation so that if physically unfit for service, they shall nevertheless contribute the commutation price of a substitute. Jottings from Washington Washington City, Jan. 21, 1864 An incident occurred at Columbian College Hospital, this city on Monday of last week, which will possess unusual interest for the readers of THE ALLEGHANIAN and for all Cambrians who have had the pleasure of an acquaintance in years gone by with that estimable gentleman and accomplished physician, Dr. Wm. A. Smith, formerly of Ebensburg, afterwards of Philadelphia, but since the breaking out of the Rebellion, a Surgeon in the U. S. Army. The Dr. has been for many months one of the Surgeons in Columbian College Hospital and the incident to which we have referred grew out of his connection with that institution. Your readers, I know, will not think the space in your paper misappropriated which shall give the particulars of that incident. Here they are: The patients and attendants in the 3d division of the Hospital, desirous of manifesting their esteem and regard for their ward Surgeon, had procured a very handsome American silver lever watch with large gold key and guard, when, forming in line, they marched to his quarters and tendered the present. The visit was entirely unexpected and the recipient, Dr. Wm. A. Smith was completely taken by surprise at this sudden turn out of the men in his ward. Oliver Knapp, Co. B, 126th Ohio volunteers, then stepped from the ranks and spoke as follows: "We have come together, Dr. W. A. Smith, in behalf of Division No. 3, Columbian College Hospital, for the purpose of pressing upon your acceptation this present as a slight testimonial of our sincere respect and esteem. Our connection with you has been of but short duration, yet, on your part, has been most intimate, friendly and cordial. We have noted with pleasure and satisfaction your uniform kindness to us and your watchful care in the performance of your official duty. Your patriotism and integrity as a man, your fidelity and efficiency as an officer are too well known to call for repetition here; yet they are traits worthy of our imitation and have won our confidence, respect and esteem. With this slight memento of our appreciation, take with you our best wishes for your happiness and future success, hoping that the gates of plenty may be always open to you and when length of years has made you tired of this earthly existence may the angels of heaven attend your bed and take care that the expiring lamp of life shall not receive one rude blast to hasten its extinction." Dr. Smith responded in a brief and eloquent manner, and exhibited much emotion at this manifestation of feeling so unexpectedly evinced towards him. "He said that, surprised as he was, he hardly knew how to find words to express his feelings, but from the bottom of his heart he thanked them for their kindness – for their expression of good will toward him, and for the handsome present just made, which he regarded as worth more to him than its intrinsic value. He would endeavor to wear it through life and as time rolled on he should cherish the recollection of the events of this day for daily and hourly he would be reminded by this "memento" of the gratitude of the sick and wounded soldiers who had been under his care. To his children he hoped to transmit this "time piece," and felt assured they would look upon it as a legacy from those whose lives had been exposed whilst upholding the flag of the Union and defending the Constitution under which we have all heretofore lived so happily and whose names would never be forgotten. He spoke of the cause in which they were all engaged – the patriotism of the soldiers – his sacrifices, diseases, wounds and suffering endured – much of which he had witnessed during the rebellion – and of the devotion of the American soldier to the institutions of his country. Towards those who had so kindly expressed their good wishes today he could only say that he cheerfully reciprocated their sentiments and wished them a speedy restoration to health and hoped ere long they might enjoy the blessing of peace amidst their families and friends under the flag of the whole Union. He again thanked them for their kindness and liberality towards him and knew not what he had done to merit it; he had only endeavored to do his duty and felt gratified that his exertions had given satisfaction. The list of donors, which had also been handed to him, he should keep as well as the watch; and in conclusion, remarked that every time he counted the pulse of a sick or wounded soldier, he would be reminded of those with whom he had been so pleasantly connected in Columbian Hospital." Upon the conclusion of the remarks, Dr. Smith was loudly cheered and three cheers were given for the Union when the men were marched back to their quarters. Writing of Dr. Smith and his watch reminds me that Dr. M'Kee, formerly a physician of Hollidaysburg and who entered the army as an assistant surgeon some ten years ago and who was subsequently taken prisoner by the Rebels at the time of Twiggs' defection in Texas, is now the surgeon-in-charge of Lincoln hospital, one of the largest hospitals in the District of Columbia and which receives a large proportion of the important surgical cases which come up from the front. The position is one of great responsibility and of much honor and the Dr., I am pleased to say, is popular with the Government and his army of patients. The hospital is one of the best regulated in the district. The Dr. is still unmarried. As a humble member of the political party which did not help to elect Archibald M'Allister a Member of Congress from the Congressional district of which Cambria forms a part, I take pleasure in bearing my testimony to his unswerving loyalty, his sterling patriotism and his zeal in the service of his constituents – for many are the claims upon the services of a Congressman which are made by his constituents during this war for the Union. Mr. M'Allister is kind and obliging to all who seek his assistance and to a degree too, which might put to the blush the selfish conduct of a few members of this and the last Congress who have injured the Administration party to which they profess to belong, by their disregard of the obligations due from a Representative to his constituents or by their cupidity in stuffing their own pockets at the expense of a bleeding country. But his manhood shows itself most in his love of country above party and in his earnest, hearty support of the Administration in its effort to subdue the Rebellion. He is a member of the important Committee on Military Affairs, of which Gen. Schenck is chairman and Gen. Garfield a member. He is popular with all who know him and promises to become one of the influential, as he is one of the best looking Members of the House. I have a letter from Col. Campbell of the 54th regiment of Pa. Vols., dated at Cumberland, Maryland, on the 18th inst. The Col., among other matters, speaks of the present situation of his regiment. He says that on the night of the 4th inst., he was ordered to Cumberland by General Kelly with the 54th and a battery of artillery, an attack on that town being expected. No attack however was made. Four companies of the 54th have again been stationed on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad – A, E. F. and K. The other six are still at Cumberland and the Col. thinks they will remain there for the winter unless something extraordinary turns up. The boys are all well and in excellent health. [Signed] J. M. S. "Come in Out of the Draft" Major-Gen. Hancock ha issued the following circular which will doubtless receive a hearty response from the hardy yeomanry of the State: Headquarters Recruiting Service Second Corps Harrisburg, Pa. Jan. 15, 1864 Authority having been given me to recruit the 2d Corps to fifty thousand (50,000) men for such special service, under my command, as may be designated by the War Department, I appeal to the citizens of Pennsylvania to aid me in filling up the regiments and batteries of my command, which owe their origin to the State. They are as follows: 81st, 140th, 116th (battalion), 148th, 53d, 145th, 71st, 72d, 69th and 106th regiments of infantry and batteries F and G, 1st Penna. Artillery and C an F, Independent Penna. Artillery. Until the 1st of March next the following bounties will be paid by the General Government. For veterans, $402; for others, $302. All volunteers enlisted for this organization will be accredited to the city, county, town, township or ward which they may elect as the place to which they desire the credit given. When no such election is made the enlisting officer will give credit to the place of enlistment. Each locality is therefore interested in increasing the number of enlistments to the extent of its quota in the draft and any stimulus given – by local bounties or other efforts will have the effect of preventing those who desire to volunteer, from leaving the places of their residence and enlisting elsewhere where the inducements offered may be greater. The same regulations that have hitherto governed enlistments in this State as to the persons empowered to enlist, the rules for mustering and for furnishing transportation and supplies will apply in this case. Any one desiring to enlist in either of these organizations may do so in any part of the State by making application to the District Provost Marshal or any recruiting officer from the 2d Corps, no matter to which regiment said officers may belong. I have come among you as a Pennsylvanian for the purpose of endeavoring to aid you in stimulating enlistments. As this is a matter of interest to all citizens of this State – its quota being still nearly 30,000 deficient, I earnestly call upon you all to assist by exerting the influence in your power in this important matter To adequately reinforce our armies in the field is to insure that the war will not reach your homes and will be the means of bringing it to a speedy and happy conclusion and of saving the lives of many of our brave soldiers who would otherwise be lost by the prolongation of the war and indecisive battles. It is necessary to destroy the rebel armies now in the field to insure a speedy and permanent peace; let us all act with that fact in view; let it not be said that Pennsylvania which has already given so many of her citizens to this righteous cause should now at the eleventh hour be behind her sister States in furnishing her quota of the men deemed necessary to end the rebellion. Some States have filled their quotas; others will do so; a littler exertion of our parts will soon fill all the decimated regiments of the State and obviate the necessity of a draft. Let it not be that those organizations which have won for themselves and their State so much honor shall pass out of existence for the want of patriotism in the people. Unless these regiments are filled to the minimum strength they will soon cease to exist. It will be necessary to act quickly to insure success. Other States by having used greater exertions and by the inducements of local bounties draw away your young men. By giving bounties at home and stimulating the State pride you will secure to your regiments that portion of the male population whose circumstances readily permit them to take the field. [Signed] Winf'd. S. Hancock, Maj. Gen., U. S. Vols.