NEWS: The Alleghanian; 4 Feb 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, 4 Feb 1864 Volume 5, Number 19 Local Correspondence Johnstown, Feb. 1, 1864 A fire broke out about eleven o'clock last night in a stable owned by a baker named Sutenberger and for a while it was feared the adjacent buildings would become a prey to the destructive element. Fortunately the night was calm and though the flames communicated to the bakery, thro' the prompt assistance of a number of our citizens they were subdued without serious loss to the building. It is supposed the fire originated from a smoke house in the vicinity of the stable in which a quantity of meat was being cured. A fine horse which was in the stable could not be extricated and was burned to death. Mr. S's loss will foot up about $400. Nearly half the company recruited in this vicinity for Col. White's 55th Pa. regiment by Capt. O'Connell are home on thirty days furlough, they having reenlisted for another term. The boys all look as if the life of the soldier agreed with them. Lieut. Harry Crouse of the same regiment is with us for thirty days, he also having reenlisted for three years. Lt. Col. Jno. P. Linton returned home one day last week on brief leave of absence. Col. Linton has been in command of the 54th for some time and I understand is a very popular officer. He looks every inch the soldier and in his robust appearance it is difficult to recognize the lawyer Linton of other days. Various members of his regiment have been home during the past few weeks on ten days' leave. Capt. Ryckman is recruiting a cavalry company for the three years' service and the indications are that he will succeed. His roll already numbers about fifty. He designs attaching his company to the 21st Pa. Cavalry, now stationed at Chambersburg. A public meeting of the citizens was held in Council rooms on Saturday evening for the purpose of seeing what could be done towards raising a home bounty for volunteers. Committees were appointed to collect money from all persons liable to the draft and it is thought a bounty of $200 can thus be paid to each volunteer. By this means our quota will be filled without difficulty. The weather for the past week has been on the balmy delicious May day style, and one could almost imagine that bleak Winter had abdicated his throne and retired in disgust. Speculating on the weather, however, is about equivalent to speculating on the favors of a coquette – there is no telling when a change will occur. With this philosophical view of the matter, I conclude. [Signed] May Leon Home from the Wars The 55th Penna. Vols., having re-enlisted for three years more, have arrived home on a month's furlough from South Carolina where it had been stationed for over two years. The regiment is commanded by Col. Dick White, of this county, and comprises among its members two companies from this county. All of these, so far as we have seen, look hale and hearty and give a favorable account of their soldiering experience in the Palmetto State. Mr. Joseph Wherry, the only representative in the regiment, we believe, from this place is here. Success to them all! Honor to the Brave On Thursday evening a complimentary supper was tendered the reenlisting members of Co. A, 11th Reserves, at home on furlough, by the editor of this paper. The supper was given at Moore's Mountain House, about thirty soldiers and invited guests being present. After ample justice had been done the good things of this life prepared for the occasion, under which the beard absolutely groaned, the company proceeded to the parlor where short and appropriate addresses were delivered by Messrs. A. A. Barker, Samuel Singleton, R. Litzinger, E. Roberts and others. After which an hour or two of pleasant interchange of sentiment followed, enlivened by music. Altogether it was a most happy reunion and must go far to prove to our brave soldiers and especially to those who, after an arduous three years' campaign, have reenlisted for the war that their heroic efforts in behalf of the Union are duly appreciated by a grateful people. Five Hundred Thousand More! The President has issued his proclamation summoning 500,000 more men into the field. This call is based on the well known fact that the South is arming en masse for the Spring campaign, hoping, by a bold invasion with superiority of numbers to compel a speedy recognition of its independence. The order for these 500,000 men is interpreted to include the 300,000 men already called, being in effect a call for 200,000 additional men. Here is the President's proclamation: Executive Mansion Washington D. C. Feb. 1, 1864 Ordered, that a draft for five hundred thousand men to serve for three years or during the war be made on the tenth day of March next for the military service of the United States. Crediting and deducting therefrom so many as may have been enlisted, or drafted into the service prior to the first day of March and not heretofore credited. [Signed] Abraham Lincoln Capt. White and Col. Blair Col. Wm. H. Blair of Bellefonte is appointed Provost Marshal for the Lycoming district in place of Captain White, charged with corruption. The Conscription Law The amended Conscription Bill has passed both Houses and only awaits the signature of the President to become a law. Besides providing that an enrolled man may at any time secure complete exemption by furnishing a substitute not liable to draft, it now permits a drafted man to secure exemption from service by procuring a substitute liable to draft; but his name will be again enrolled for the next draft. The cost of commutation is retained at $300 and the name of the exempted man is enrolled, subject to draft under future calls, "when the present enrollment is exhausted." Commutation money must be applied to securing substitutes in the Congressional district paying the money. Members of religious sects, conscientiously opposed to bearing arms are to be considered, if drafted, as non-combatants and assigned to duty in hospitals or be exempted by paying $300 during the whole term. Every foreigner who has held office in the State or United States is to be enrolled. The two classes for enrollment and draft are merged in one which is made to include persons between the ages of twenty and forty-five years; credits to be given to cities, towns and wards, so as to equalize as far as possible the draft through each district. Drafted men, may, if they prefer, be transferred to the navy; such transfers being credited to their respective localities. Alterations are made in the details of the old act for conducting the draft and attorneys or agents are restricted to the fee of five dollars for preparing the necessary exemption papers. War News Gen. Rosecrans has been appointed to the command of the Department of Missouri, vice Gen. Schofield, removed.