NEWS: The Alleghanian; 22 Dec 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, 22 Dec 1864 Volume 6, Number 13 No Paper In order to afford us opportunity to make some needed improvements touching the appearance of THE ALLEGHANIAN, no paper will be issued from this office for two weeks to come. In Town In town several days last week – Capt. W. B. Lowman of Johnstown; Squire John Porter of Hemlock and Messrs. P. L. Linton and Robt. E. Lucas of Pittsburg – all good fellows. Etchings Mr. Henry Hopple, the Carroll township German, whom we noticed last week as having been arrested by the military authorities on the charge of counseling resistance to the draft, &c., has been released on his parole of honor to sin in like manner no more. The salary of Rev. A. M'Elwain pastor of the Presbyterian church, Indiana, has been increased from $800 to $1,200 a year. Diphtheria is said to prevail it the neighborhood of Wilmore, this county. Rev. J. S. Lemmon, pastor of the M. E. Church, Ebensburg, having been appointed Chaplain of the 209th P. V., departed for the scene of his future labors on Monday. He carries with him the prayers and best wishes of this entire community that he may be successful in his new calling. Chaplains who are single, capable and efficient are scarce in this army. Mr. L will impart a dignity and character to the calling which will redeem it from much of the odium in which it is held, worthily or unworthily, in the estimation of the public. It is in contemplation to organize a literary society in Johnstown. Indications of oil have been discovered in Indiana county and companies are being formed to prospect for the hidden treasure. The sale of Government horses at Johnstown on Thursday last was largely attended. The Rosinantes were sold at prices varying from one dollar to seventy- five dollars. The Alleged Frauds on the 55th P. V. Our readers will remember that in March last in the State Senate a committee of investigation made a report charging Col. Richard White of the 55th P. V. and Capt. David Fox of Co. A, same regiment (both officers from Cambria county) with conduct prejudicial to the service in that they defrauded reenlisting members of their regiment and new volunteers out of bounty money to the amount of nearly $17,000 and recommending a court of inquiry by the Secretary of War to investigate the charges preferred. Pursuant to this recommendation, a court martial convened in Carlisle a couple of weeks ago and when and where in the conduct of the Col. and Capt. was exposed to official scrutiny. The result was that Col. White was honorably acquitted of the charge laid at his door. The finding of the court martial in the case of Capt. Fox has not as yet transpired. Letter from Co. C, 209th P. V. Meade's Station, Va., Dec. 13 On Wednesday, 7th last, our command still known as the provisional brigade, received orders to be ready to march at a moment's notice. As it was a fact patent to the whole army that Warren with a formidable force had moved to the left, the orders for a time were deemed precautionary merely. On Friday evening following, however, the order came to break camp and move to the left, the quarters to be left under guard until our return. The evening was cold, and the air keen. That evening the column moved to Hancock's station and there rested for the night in an open field. In the afternoon of the next day we changed our position for the protecting shade of a neighboring wood but the bivouac fire was scarcely lighted were we were put on the march to our former location, whence we commenced our tramp over the Jerusalem plank road which runs nearly due north of our lines. Warren, with his gallant old fifth corps, had moved against the Weldon railroad with but six days' rations, had been absent four and had not been heard from and fears were entertained that he would be forced to resist the attacking of overwhelming rebel columns. We were moving to protect him from a flank attack. About five in the morning the Nottoway river was reached, the object of the march gained and repose in sleep was found as easily as though the wet ground was the most delightful of couches. Warren had reached the other side of the river and all was well with the object of his mission gained. He had moved to destroy the Weldon railroad, below the point at which the rebels for some months have received their supplies. After daylight the positions were laid across the river and the "Bully boys" of the fifth corps as Warren himself called them, when they were tearing up the railroad, began to cross. But it is not my purpose to speak of the movement itself but only of the part borne by the provisional brigade. Shortly after three in the afternoon (Sunday) we commenced to wend our way back to camp. Rain threatened to fall and make bad roads, but in the fore part of the night it cleared off and the moon shone out brightly. About midnight the air turned exceedingly cold and blew fiercely so that one had to quicken his pace to keep from growing chill. But the cold perhaps braced the system and made it easier to reach our destination than it would otherwise have been. After reaching our lines, many evaded the vigilance of the rear guard and sought repose in sleeping in places sheltered from the wind. Of the advance column many of those who straggled were afterwards found dead by the roadside having been shot by guerrillas. Some of our cavalry scouts were also found shot and denuded of all their clothing. It was for this, I believe that the destruction of every building along the route was ordered. As the shades of night fell on that Sabbath evening the zenith was lit up with the flame of burning buildings, many of them of the finest character. At about twenty minutes past one on Monday morning a portion of the regiment reached camp, the remaining portion having through exhaustion delayed on the road. At daybreak we were again ordered to move to a place near Hancock's station, about three miles from Meade's station, where the regiment now lies, supporting some movement of which I am unable to inform you. None of our company are missing and all are just recovering from their fatigue. Out of sixty- six hours none scarcely got more than from two to four hours sleep; and in about thirty-three of those hours, we marched scarcely less than from forty to forty-five miles. This is under rather than over the mark. [Signed] Gamma Emeute in Clearfield County A military force consisted of a part of the 16th regiment Veteran Reserve Corps, under Maj. F A. H. Gabel, visited Philipsburg last week, to look after the deserters in Clearfield county. Resistance to the draft having been inculcated by the Democratic leaders in Clearfield county, it has become a rendezvous for deserters from other parts of the State. Knox township was especially notorious, a large number having congregated there under the leadership of a noted outlaw, named Tom Adams. On Tuesday evening, 13th inst., Major Gabel received intelligence that there was to be a "deserters' ball" at Adams' house in Knox township. Capt. J. M. Southworth with a detachment of ninety men was sent to look after the "guests." About half the force were in sleighs and the remainder were mounted. They arrived at the house about midnight. The Captain posted his cavalry around the house and then advanced with his infantry to the door. Just as he reached the steps he heard someone say, "Here are the soldiers!" He immediately made a rush with his men, and succeeded in seizing all in the house, nineteen of whom proved to be deserters. In the meantime, Adams appeared at an upper window from which he fired at the soldiers surrounding the house, instantly killing Edgar L. Read, one of their number. He then jumped to the ground and attempted to make his escape but was suddenly brought to the end of his iniquitous career by a volley from the comrades of the murdered soldier. On the prisoners, ten revolvers and three guns were found. Capt. Southworth and his men deserve great credit for the manner in which the affair was managed. It has already struck terror into the deserters thronging the log-camps throughout Clearfield county, and has made men, disloyal sympathizers, quake with fear. Maj. Gabel is determined to arrest every deserter and every disloyal man who has assisted in fomenting this resistance to the Government. He will make thorough work of it. War Bulletin Sherman – Official Bulletin Washington, Dec. 18, 1864, 9 P.M. Major General Dix, New York: An official dispatch from General Sherman was received today, dated near midnight, December 13th, on the gunboat, DANDELION, Ossabaw Sound, Georgia. It was written before Gen. Foster had reached him. He reports, besides some military details of future operations which are omitted, the following interesting particulars of his operations: On Board "Dandelion," Ossabaw Sound, 11:50 P. M., Dec. 13, 1864. Today at 5 P. M. General Hazen's Division of the Fifteenth Corps carried Fort M'Allister by assault, capturing its entire garrison and stores. This opened to us the Ossabaw Sound and I pulled down to communicate with the fleet. Before opening communication we had completely destroyed all the railroads leading into Savannah and invested the city. The left is on the Savannah River, three miles above the city and the right is on the Ogeechee at King's Bridge. The army is in splendid order and equal to anything. The weather has been fine, and supplies abundant. Our march was most agreeable and we were not at all molested by guerrillas. We reached Savannah three days ago, but owing to Fort M'Allister, we could not communicate, but now we have M'Allister and go ahead! We have already captured two boats in the Savannah River and have prevented their gunboats from coming down. I estimate the population of Savannah at twenty-five thousand, and the garrison at fifteen thousand. General Hardee commands. We have not lost a wagon on the trip, but have gathered a large supply of mules, negroes, horses &c., and our teams are in far better condition than when we started. My first duty will be to clear the army of all surplus negroes, mules and horses. We have utterly destroyed over two hundred miles of railroad and consumed stores and provisions that were essential to Lee's and Hood's armies. The quick work made of Fort M'Allister and the opening of communication with our fleet and consequent independence of supplies dissipates all their boasted threats to head me off and starve the army. I regard Savannah as already gained. Yours truly, [Signed] W. T. Sherman, Maj.-Gen. Hon. E. M. Stanton, Sec'y. of War War News Six more deserters have been captured by Captain Ensminger's company of the 201st regiment and were taken to the Provo Marshal's headquarters at Chambersburg. The men were captured in the vicinity of Bloody Run, Bedford county. Capt. Ensminger's men are doing a good work in the benighted region in which the company is stationed. Numerous captures have been made and the deserters in all cases forwarded to headquarters without a single escape being elected. Victory! Gen. Thomas achieved a signal victory over Hood at Nashville on the 15th. Hood has pushed his columns up to the very gates of that city, with an eye upon our stores collected at that point, when Thomas concluded he had gone about far enough and so attacked him. The grand result can be told in few words. Hood was thoroughly whipped; his army was routed; he lost many wagons and ambulances, hospital tents, a vast amount of supplies &c., together with forty- nine pieces of artillery and 15,000 killed, wounded and prisoners. Our loss was about 3,000 killed and wounded. Having vanquished the rebel chieftain in a fair fight, Thomas is now putting him to a test of swiftness of heels and powers of endurance. He is pursuing him most vigorously and it is scarcely possible the rebel army will escape, unless it be as a broken, disjointed demoralized mob.