The Alleghanian, Ebensburg, Pa. Thursday, March 12, 1863 Volume 4, Number 24 NEWS Local and Personal It gives us pleasure to learn that our jovial friend, Brotherline of the Hollidaysburg WHIG has been appointed a paymaster in the Army. Success. Personal David Pryce of Co. F., 133d Penna. Vols., was at home on furlough for several days recently, returning on Sunday. He looked well. Sergt. Wm. C. Barbour of the 11th Pa. Cavalry was in town during the beginning of the present week. Capt. Burke of Co. A, 11th Reserves has gone back to his regiment. Apology No paper was issued from this office last week by reason of a severe indisposition of one of the members of the establishment. Our patrons will readily excuse us. Sickness like accidents will occur in the best regulated families. May the like not happen soon again. Court The proceedings in the Quarter Sessions last week were generally of a trivial and unimportant character. Benjamin Rodgers, indicted for the larceny of a silver watch valued at $30.00, the property of James Clifford was found guilty and is now in jail awaiting sentence. In the case of the Commonwealth vs. eight little boys charged with robbing the till of a store in Johnstown, the defendants were all found not guilty. The Johnstown nigger riot affair was held over until next term. Court adjourned Friday evening after having had a respectable attendance throughout. This week we understand the business is light and it is supposed Court will adjourn sine die today. But few strangers are in town. Fire On Saturday last during his absence from home the dwelling house of Martin Curtrouff, in Chest township, this county, together with all its contents was destroyed by fire. Nothing whatever was saved excepting the clothing worn by the family at the time of the occurrence. Destructive Fire On Sunday morning last, about 5 o’clock, the sawmill and coal mill of Mr. Jesse Woodcock at Hemlock, this county, was discovered to be on fire and in a short time was burnt to the ground. Loss about $2,000, and no insurance. >From Our Volunteers Letter from Co. F, 133d Penna. Vols. The Appointment of Officers &c., &c. Near Stoneman’s Switch, Va. March 7, 1863 Nothing worthy of record has transpired since my last letter. The dull routine of camp life still continues with nothing to vary the monotony and cause a little pleasurable excitement. The past few days of good weather, however, have told considerably on the muddy roads and this is a sure indication that something will be done before a great while. The election held by the members of our company for commissioned officers, of which I made mention in a former letter, will not amount to anything. Col. Speakman has since made other appointments – Sergt. John O. Evans for Captain and Orderly Sergeant James J. Will for First Lieutenant. Sergt. Evans is an excellent young man and deservedly popular with the company. He will make a first class commander. Since the 30th of January we have been commanded by Lieut. J. H. Lenheart of Co. B. He did his duty by us faithfully. Col. Speakman has returned to the regiment, he having fully recovered from his late illness. An order was read on dress parade last evening, directing all furloughed men to return to their regiments immediately and prohibiting the granting of leave of absence to any for the present. An order was also promulgated at the same time, inquiring as to the amount of ammunition now in possession of the troops. Does this mean a forward movement? We were visited during the past week by Lemuel Davis and David N. Evans of Ebensburg. They were welcome as the early flowers of spring. The boys are all well. [Signed] E. R. W. The War [extracts from lengthy article] The return of spring brings new hope to the country. A healthier condition of our armies is everywhere evident and the spirit of our soldiers is elevated almost to enthusiasm in the cause of liberty once more. The tide of opposition to our Government and its constitutional executive agents is turning and with the raising of the “mud embargo,” we see activity in every department. In the Department of the Gulf, Gen. Banks is ready to cooperate with other forces above in permanently opening the Mississippi or move upon Mobile at the pleasure of the Government. Beset by traitors and thus far unfortunate at Vicksburg we find Generals Grant, Sherman and McClernand vigorously pushing on against the rebel stronghold as indomitable as we could wish them to be. Gen. Grant is understood to have informed the authorities of Washington that the canal opposite Vicksburg is completed and that may be accepted as a signal for attack. The canal enables the gunboats and transport fleet to pass below Vicksburg where the troops can be landed and the siege of that stronghold pushed from a point most likely to ensure success. The latest intelligence from Yazoo Pass represents that the Carondelet and five other gunboats have reached the Tallahatchie River. Thence they can descend into the Yazoo at a point to the east of Haines’ Bluff where the imprisoned transports of the insurgents have taken refuse. Intelligence of the same date represents the operations at Lake Providence as progressing favorably; and, inasmuch as the distance is shorter and the obstructions to the labor less formidable, we may infer that the communication from Lake Providence westward has been completed. This gives Gen. Grant three avenues of attack. The assault in front is the one referred to, probably by the Petersburg EXPRESS of the 28th ult., which announces that “a great battle has been fought at Vicksburg with heavy loses on both sides, but without any decided success.” On the 20th inst., a formidable array of gunboats and transports left the fleet at Vicksburg for the expedition to Haines’ Bluff via Yazoo Pass. There the attack was intended to be a combined naval and military assault and the plans were so well laid that a brilliant victory was anticipated. This point, it will be remembered, is a little to the east of debarkation of General Sherman’s forces, when he made his attack on Vicksburg. When Haines’ Bluff falls, that portion of our army in the Yazoo will doubtless seek to win new laurels by advancing upon the rear of Vicksburg over the graves of the heroes of December last. The Lake Providence point of General Grant’s forces is intended to operate primarily in cutting off communication to the west of Vicksburg and secondarily in flanking Port Hudson. [Snip] The Army of the Ohio is now operating in the main as a reserve for the “Army of the Cumberland” under Gen. Rosecrans. Gen. H. G. Wright, commanding the former army will use such gallant leaders as Gens. Gordon, Granger and Carter to advantage when the proper moment arrives. The army of the Shenandoah has rested quietly during the winter with the exception of Gen. Cox’s division of Ohio veterans, which has been sent to reinforce the Army of the Cumberland. The Army of the Potomac, reorganized and regenerated, is again ready to move and it will not be long idle. Just one year ago today this army left Alexandria for points on the York and James river to advance upon the Peninsula against Richmond. It is now prepared to move against that stronghold but by a different route. Affairs in the Department of Virginia are as quiet as the most peaceable man could desire. The large forces under Generals Dix, Peck and Keyes have spent a pleasant winter with scarcely sufficient skirmishing with the enemy to remind them that these are times of war. Gen. Pryor has been reinforced, but owing to a political difficulty with Jefferson Davis and his military advisers, will not probably be allowed to make a demonstration against the “reticent and harmless Yankees about Suffolk.” In the Department of North Carolina all is quiet. Gen. Foster is again in command, and has a considerable force - not sufficient, however, as yet, to make any important incursion, except in cooperation with General Hunter in the attack upon Charleston and Savannah. This is now imminent. On the 27th the troops were ready to embark and the next steamer will probably bring news of the assault. [Snip] Before many days in all probability the din of battle will reverberate from the heights of Vicksburg to be echoed by Rosecrans’ artillery in Tennessee and to probing its peal in the harbors of Charleston. The New Conscription Bill [extracts from lengthy article] The bill passed by the United States Senate for enrolling all the able-bodied men of the nation and for calling them out, when necessity requires it, for the suppression of rebellion or resistance to a foreign foe is one of the most important measures of the session. We give a synopsis herewith: All able-bodied male citizens of the United States between the ages of twenty and forty-five years and foreigners who had declared their intention of becoming citizens are to constitute the “National forces” and be liable to military service when called out by the President. The persons exempt from service are: Those rejected as physically or mentally unfit for the service; also, first, the Vice President of the United States, the judges of the various courts of the United States, the heads of the various Executive Departments of the Government, and the Governors of the several States; and second, the only son liable to military duty of a widow, dependant upon his labor for support; third, the only son of aged or infirm parent or parents, dependant upon his labor for support; fourth, where there are two or more sons of aged or infirmed parents, subject to draft, the father, or if he be dead, the mother may elect which son shall be exempt; fifth, the only brother of children of twelve years of age, having neither father or mother, dependant upon his labor for support; sixth, the father of motherless children under twelve years of age, dependant upon his labor for support; seventh, where there are father and sons in the same family and household and two of them are in the military service of the United States as non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, the residue of such family, not exceeding two, shall be exempt; and no persons but such as herein exempt shall be exempt; Provided however that no person who has been convicted of any felony shall be enrolled or permitted to serve in said forces. These national forces are to be divided into two classes, the first comprising all persons between the ages of twenty and thirty-five and all unmarried persona about that age; the second class comprises all the other persons liable to military duty. For the purpose of enrolling the forces, arresting deserters and spies, etc., the United States are to be divided into districts, each Territory constituting one or more and each Congressional District one of these military districts. For each of these districts, there will be appointed a Provost Marshal, ranking as a captain of cavalry and under the direction of a Provost General at Washington, ranking as a cavalry colonel. The Provost General will furnish subordinates with full lists of deserters in their districts when reported to him; will furnish them with blanks and instructions for enrolling the national force and bringing them into service; will audit all the accounts of his department and report the same. The duty of the Provost Marshal is to arrest all deserters, to seize spies of the enemy; enroll the National forces and obey the orders of the Provost General. They are also Presidents of the Board of Enrollment, composed of a Marshal and two assistants, one of whom must be a surgeon, in each district. If they deem it necessary this Board may divide their district and before March 10th must appoint an enrolling officer for each who must proceed to enroll immediately all persons subject to military duty, noting their residences, occupations and the age they will have attained in July, next. This enrollment must be reported to the Board before April 1st and the Board to the Provost General before May 1st. Each class must be separately enrolled, and include only those who, on July 1st, will be between twenty and forty–five years. This enrollment is to be repeated every two years and all persons enrolled are liable for the two succeeding the enrollment, to be called into United States service for three years or during the ear. [Snip] The President immediately upon the act going into effect is authorized to issue a proclamation notifying all deserters who return immediately to duty that no further punishment will be enacted than loss of pay. Those who refuse to return as ordered are to suffer the full punishment of military law. Full arrangements are made for military courts. Crimes against civil law by soldiers are to be punished to the same extent as by the laws of the State in which the crime was committed. During the absence on leave of an officer, except for sickness and wounds, he is to be put on half pay. Commanders or regiments and batteries are empowered to grant furlough for a period not exceeding thirty days to five per cent of commissioned officers and privates of their commands. ----------------------------------------------------------------- DEATHS Sergt. William W. Evans In the list of jewels which Cambria county had been called upon to offer up during the present war as a sacrifice to our outraged nationality the name of Sergt. William W. Evans occupies a conspicuous and brilliant position. Educated and intelligent – with a mind well stored with useful knowledge – high-toned and chivalric, - his future was seemingly bright and glowing. No braver or better spirit ever buckled on the panoply of justice and went forth to dare Traitors to the issue than he; none nobler died in defense of the principles he had espoused. In the early morning of life, ‘ere his manly aspirations and dreams of worldly greatness had been nearly achieved, out from this tempestuous world of turmoil and trouble, he is gone! It were useless to attempt to draw a parallel of his beautiful life, for his history is already written in the hearts of those who knew him but to love him. He is gone! - and we drop a silent tear to his memory and encircle his name with a halo of glory which will last for all coming time. Sergt. Evans was born in Ebensburg and was about 22 years of age at the period of his death. His widowed mother, brother and sisters still reside here. On the breaking out of the rebellion, he was among the first to enroll his name in the “Cambria Guards,” for three years or during the war. He went out as a common soldier, but such was his worth and personal popularity that he was speedily promoted to a Corporalship and subsequently to a Sergeantship. He served with distinction during the entire campaign of his company up to the battle of Gaines’ Hill before Richmond where he was slightly wounded. On this occasion he fell into the hands of the Rebels and underwent a captivity of some five or six weeks. At the battle for Fredericksburg, after fighting long and gallantly he was severely wounded in the thigh. Here again, he fell into the hands of the enemy and nothing whatever was heard of him until, three or four weeks since, a letter written by himself was received by his friends here, stating that he was wounded and a prisoner, but recovering as rapidly as circumstances would admit and expressing the belief that he would be exchanged and sent to Washington shortly. Alas! His hopes were destined to be crushed in darkness; for the next news heard of him was the announcement of his death in Libby Prison, Richmond, January 28th. Away from friends and home - from all he held most dear – he yielded his life on the altar of his country and went forth to claim the reward due those of whom it can be truly said, “Well done!” All that was mortal of him fills an unknown grave beneath the sanguinary soil of the Old Dominion; but – happy thought! - although his presence has gone out from us, his influence remains forever, “They never fail who die In a great cause: the block may soak their gore; Their heads may sodden in the sun; Their limbs Be strung to city gates and castle walls - But still their spirit walks abroad.” By profession, Sergt. Evans was a printer, in which capacity he imbibed a partiality for reading and composition. For a long time after his connection with the army, he acted as war correspondent for THE ALLEGHANIAN and the letters under the signatures of “W” and “E,” were much admired for their terseness, vigor and descriptive power. He was of a kind affectionate disposition, cheerful and buoyant – the life and light of his immediate circle. By this death a vacuum has been created, both at home in and in his company, which can never be filled. May he rest in peace! Augustine G. M’Ateer Died on Monday, Feb. 9, 1863, at the General Hospital on Bedloe’s Island, Augustine G. M’Ateer of Company G., 12th Pa. Cavalry, aged 19 years. The deceased was a resident of Loretto, Cambria County, which place he left on January, 1, 1862, under Capt. Hartman. The company were quartered in Camp McReynolds near Philadelphia until May when they moved to Manassas Junction where they remained until McClellen retired from the Peninsula. The 12th Cavalry then fell back to Alexandria where Augustine took sick on the 11th of September. He was taken to Mt. Pleasant Hospital, Washington, where he remained until the battle of Fredericksburg when he was removed to Bedloe’s Island. The deceased was much loved by his companions, both at home and in the field, who deeply mourn a comrade gone. [From HOLL. REGISTER] Killed A miner named Patrick Jones was killed on Saturday afternoon last in one of the Cambria Iron Company’s Coal Mines by the premature discharge of a blast. The unfortunate man’s head was almost entirely blown from his body and he was otherwise terribly mangled. He leaves a wife and four small children without aid or protection. Several others of the workmen were more or less injured. So says the Johnstown TRIBUNE. Richard M. Jones, Dec’d. Following is a tribute of respect to the memory of Richard M. Jones, a member of Co. F, 133d Penna. Vols., who was killed at the battle of Fredericksburg: Highland Lodge No. 428, I. O. of O. F. Ebensburg, Feby. 25, 1863 Whereas, The melancholy duty devolves upon us to announce to this Lodge the decease of our much beloved brother, Richard M. Jones; Brother Jones fell at the battle in front of Fredericksburg, Va., on the 13th day of December last – he fell like a brave man, with his front to the foe – he fell alongside many of his noble comrades, who were each moment lessening under a fierce and overwhelming attack of an outnumbering enemy – he fell with these words upon his lips, “If I die this day, I die happy.” Brother Jones was a warm and generous member of our Order; he was of a fine and commanding appearance; intellect, frankness and generosity were stamped upon his features; his smiles were cheerful, his manner genial, nor did the outward appearance belie the man – he was what he seemed to be. Therefore, Be it Resolved, That the loss of our deceased Brother will be a source of regret and will be deeply felt by our Lodge, Resolved, That we clothe our Lodge in mourning for the space of thirty days, in memory of our deceased Brother. Resolved, That the above Preamble and Resolutions be published in the two newspaper in Ebensburg and a copy of the same be forwarded to the parents of our deceased Brother. Geo. W. Wisegarver, George C. K. Zahm, C. T. Roberts, Committee _________________________________________________________________ Windows Live™: Keep your life in sync. http://windowslive.com/howitworks?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_t1_allup_howitworks_012009