NEWS: Alleghanian; 21 Jul 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, 21 Jul 1864 Volume 5, Number 43 Etchings We are happy to chronicle the arrival in our midst of our young friend, Mr. John H. Evans, who has been rusticating in the oil regions for the past year and more. He is looking gay and genial was usual as though the climate of his new home agreed with him fully. To prevent undue inquiry on the subject we may as well state here as not that the gentleman has not "struck ile" as yet. We wish him plenty of enjoyment during his stay with us. The quota of Cambria county under the Governor's call for twenty-four thousand one-hundred day militia is 242. Local Correspondence Johnstown, July 17, 1864 The telegraph last week brought us the painful intelligence that Capt. M. M'Donald had been mortally wounded on the 10th inst., whilst leading a cavalry charge against the rebels at Frederick, Md. Later intelligence confirms this and some particulars are given. With the impetuosity and bravery characteristic of this gallant young officer, he was leading his men forward when they received a full volley from the enemy, killing three of his men and wounding the Captain in the hip and through the breast, just below the heart. His horse fell dead, pierced by nine balls. And thus closes the short but brilliant career of a young man who entered the service of his country through no mercenary motives. As a private under Capt. Linton in the three months' service, he evinced a restless longing for adventure, which no circumstances or surroundings could curb and shortly after his return home he enlisted in the cavalry, as more likely to satisfy his bold, dashing spirit than any other branch of the service. By promotion he rapidly advanced from the ranks to the Captaincy of his company. As is attested by his men, fear was a total stranger to him. He was relied upon for dangerous scouting service beyond any officer in his division and became of great use in keeping in check the guerrilla bands which infest the valleys of Virginia. A few weeks ago as I stated in your paper he was dismissed the army but it was found his services could not thus easily be dispensed with and when next we hear of him, it is at the head of his company, in the command of which he had been honorably reinstated with his face to the foe. I hope to be pardoned for thus alluding so particularly to the career of this brave officer. For years I have been intimately acquainted with him and could not but admire his manly and generous spirit and the principle which led him to say as he did in my hearing, that, "he had embarked in the cause of his country and would not sheathe his sword until her national honor was again restored." He may die from his wounds, but his memory will linger with his many friends in this locality long after his body shall have mouldered to its primitive dust. The names of the killed in Co. M, 12th Cavalry, in the engagement are Sergt. Singer and Frank Gallagher, the latter a substitute from this place and John Griffith. There were two wounded, whose names I did not learn. I have just received a letter from Sergt. Herd of the 12th, who stated that the wounded are receiving the kindest attention from the ladies of Frederick and that outside of the above casualties, the company is all right. A number of meetings were held here last week for the purpose of raising militia for the one hundred days service. A squad of sixty left for Harrisburg on Saturday under charge of W. R. Jones, and T. L. Heyer will follow tomorrow with another squad. Saw Mill Burned The steam saw mill of Messrs. Pryce & Griffith, situated in Cambria township, about four miles north of Ebensburg, was burned to ashes on Friday night last. The principal part of the machinery, along with the other contents was consumed. The mill was a comparatively new structure and had been in running operation only a few weeks. It is not known how the fire was communicated to it. The loss which is estimated at $1,500 must needs bear heavily on the gentlemen who invested their capital in the concern and whose enterprise was just beginning to reap its legitimate reward of profit. "For One Hundred Days" The following instructions have been issued by Gov. Curtin to govern the accepting and mustering into service of the one-hundred days militia: Headquarters Pennsylvania Militia Harrisburg, July 5, 1864 General Orders No. 50 In response to a call of the President of the United States this day made, for twelve thousand militia for volunteer infantry, to serve at Washington and its vicinity for one hundred days, unless sooner discharged, IT IS ORDERED: I Troops will be accepted by squads or companies, as hereafter indicated and will, as rapidly as possible be formed into companies and regiments. II Persons proposing to organize companies will be accepted under the following provisions, viz.: To be commissioned a captain, the applicant must have furnished forty (40) or more men who have passed surgeon's examination and been mustered into the United States service. To be commissioned a first lieutenant, from twenty-five (25) to forty (40) men must have been furnished as above. To be commissioned a second lieutenant, from fifteen (15) to twenty- five (25) men must have been furnished as above. III Camps of rendezvous will be established by the United States at Harrisburg, Philadelphia and Pittsburg in charge of which camps, commanders and skillful surgeons will be appointed. IV Transportation will be furnished on application in person or by mail to Col. J. V. Bomford, U. S. A., superintendent of volunteer recruiting service at Harrisburg for the western district; or to Major C. C. Gilbert, U. S. A., superintendent of volunteer recruiting service at Philadelphia for the eastern district of Pennsylvania; to the camp or camps of rendezvous in their respective districts to whom report must be made. V Actual and necessary expenses for boarding and lodging of troops, raised under this order will be paid by the United States disbursing officer at the proper post for a period not exceeding fifteen (15) days at a rate not exceeding forty (40) cents per day for each man mustered into the service of the United States, on the affidavit of the officer furnishing the men, supported by the receipts of the party to whom the money was paid. Names of the men and the dates between which each man was boarded and lodged must be stated in the accounts rendered. VI The troops will be organized according to the general regulations of the service, armed, clothed, paid, transported, subsisted and supplied as other troops in the United States service and mustered into the service of the United States by regiments as soon as filled to the minimum strength, the term of service to be reckoned for the date of muster into the United States service. VII As a reward for meritorious conduct and also to secure valuable experience, appointments of field officers will be made, except under peculiar circumstances for men who have been in service and have been honorably discharged. VIII No bounty will be paid the troops nor will this service exempt from draft; but if any officer or soldier in this special service should be drafted, he will be credited for the service rendered. By order of A. G. Curtin, Governor and Commander-in-Chief A. L. Russell, Adj't. Gen. Penn'a.