NEWS: The Alleghanian; 11 Aug 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, 11 Aug 1864 Volume 5, Number 46 Etchings Four teachers are wanted to take charge of the schools of Ebensburg borough. Bartley Hoy, of Taylor township, caught a catamount last Wednesday evening. Mr. Hoy had missed poultry from his poultry yard on several occasions and from the feathers that were left on the ground, and other marks, he was led to believe that it had been carried off by some wild animal. Accordingly he set a trap and was rewarded for his trouble by catching a catamount. The animal measured five and a half feet and evinced a most savage disposition. (from JOHNSTOWN DEM.) Items from Wilmore On the night of the 30th ult., the domicile of Capt. Wm. R. Hughes, Wilmore, was attacked by a gang of rowdies, names and number unknown, who completely riddled the windows and window shutters of the house through the use of that inevitable resort of all cowards - stones. The bed containing the Capt.'s children which stood close to one of the windows was literally covered with the particles of broken glass, while stones fell on and thickly around it, injuring none of the occupants, however, we understand. After this wonderful display of bravery, the besiegers retired, standing not on the order of their going, but going fast as their legs could carry them for fear of revolvers. The only hypothesis upon which this unseemly demonstration can be accounted for is that the Capt. is a thorough and unyielding Union man, whereas some of his neighbors – are not. On Wednesday morning last, Joseph Hanner and William Skelly, both of Wilmore, were arrested and taken to Provost Marshal headquarters at Hollidaysburg under the following circumstances: These men had been drafted several weeks ago and had reported to the Board of Enrollment sitting in this place. Upon examination they were exempted on account of partial blindness of the right eye of each. It seems, however that the blindness was feigned, that it was put on for the occasion through the aid of certain drugs and chemicals. So some of the citizens of Wilmore, themselves subject to draft and liable to be drawn to fill the deficiency occasioned by the fraudulent exemption of these two, laid the facts in the case before the Surgeon and demanded another examination. That was accorded and the men arrested and conveyed to Hollidaysburg as before stated. The upshot of the matter is that upon reexamination, Messrs. Hanner and Skelly were held to service, from which they only escaped by paying, respectively, the commutation fee of $300. Letter from Frederick Frederick, Md., August 6, 1864 Some excitement exists in this city just now, arising from the fact that predatory bands of rebels are in the vicinity. A skirmish came off eight miles from here last night, in which the rebels succeeded in driving back a small force of Union cavalry. The 6th and 10th corps, which have been in this vicinity for several days, moved last night to Harper's Ferry. Gen. Grant arrived here by special train last night and immediately proceeded to Harper's Ferry. A rebel invasion in force is anticipated. I had the pleasure of meeting here today Lieut. Dan Jones of Johnstown, now attached to the Signal Corps of this department. He informs me that the veterans of the 54th P. V. started for home on the 4th. This regiment suffered very severely in the late battles. Capt. M'Donald of the 12th Cavalry, who is recovering from his wound received in a fight here, starts for home on Monday and your correspondent will leave about the same time. [Signed] M. L. Local Correspondence Johnstown, August 8, 1864 To describe the excitement and uneasiness of our citizens during the beginning of last week, all on account of the rumored invasion, were beyond the power of my pen. Every place of business in town, from the great mill to the one-horse blacksmith shop was closed and the idleness of our inhabitants but added fuel to the fire of fears and vague surmises already agitating them. It appeared to require the whole of the day of humiliation and prayer, which was generally observed here by services in the various churches, to restore the public mind to its wonted equilibrium. It is to be hoped that many months will elapse ere we are again thus agitated, and if ever, may it be with as little cause. The Board of Exemptions sat here on Friday last to afford opportunity (which was well taken advantage of) to persons claiming exemption from military service on the grounds of physical disability, &c., to be heard and have their cases disposed of. I heard quite a number remark that the examining Surgeon, whose honesty is yet unimpeached, understood his business most fully, and those who tried to "gull" him were invariably outgeneraled. A good many names were stricken off the rolls, which will materially reduce our quota hereafter. A highly interesting though rather impromptu knock down occurred on Railroad street the other evening. A tall, stout-built Irishman, for want of something better to turn his hand to, attacked a smaller man of the same nationality, and for his pains received an "ilegant" and well-deserved thrashing. A grand picnic for the benefit of the new Catholic Church is on the tapis for the last of the present month and the young ladies of town (they know how) are making every exertion to insure a success. Can't you come down? Col. John P. Linton of the 54th P. V., arrived here on Wednesday. He is on short leave of absence to recuperate from the effects of his wound lately received through the shoulder. I must not forget to mention that the nomination of A. A. Barker for Congress gives great and general satisfaction to the Union here. A Fit Appointment Mr. James Quinn, of Johnstown, has been commissioned by the Governor agent for Cambria county to recruit in the seceded States. He formerly held the position of Captain of the "Anderson Troop," and saw service in the Southwest. He is understood to be a Union man and we know him to be a gentleman. Under the circumstances we unhesitatingly endorse his appointment. Chambersburg The following card relative to the condition of the sufferers by the burning of Chambersburg signed by a large number of the citizens of the town is published. We commend it to the consideration of the charitable everywhere: Chambersburg, July 31, 1864 On the morning of the 30th of July, 1864, the rebels, under the command of M'Causland, with a force of about five hundred men, entered Chambersburg, Pa., and demanded five hundred thousand dollars from the citizens, under threat of burning the town. This requisition was in writing and was signed by General Jubal Early. It is now established by indisputable proof that this demand was a mere pretext on the part of the marauders to cover up a purpose formed before they reached the town to burn it to the ground. Without giving any time to remove private property and scarcely time enough for the citizens to remove their families, they fired the houses of our citizens in perhaps fifty places. Over two hundred and fifty houses in the heart of the town were consumed, including all the public buildings, stores and hotels, comprising about two–thirds of a town containing six thousand inhabitants. Thus a large body of citizens are reduced from comparative wealth to absolute poverty. Many families have lost all their bedding, all their clothing, except such as they had on their persons. The loss will be largely over one million of dollars. Without aid from abroad there will be great suffering in our community. The Rev. John R. Warren of Gettysburg, providentially with us at the time, is the credited agent of our citizens for receiving subscriptions and contributions for our relief. [Signed] F. M. Kimmell Barnard Wolf and many others.