The Alleghanian, Ebensburg, Pa. Thursday, January 22, 1863 Volume 4, Number 17 NEWS Local and Personal The board of Poor House Directors of this county have appointed George C. K. Zahm to be Treasurer of the Poor funds; James Kaylor, Steward of the Poor House; and Dr. William Lemon, Surgeon – all re-appointments. Lieut. Col. Charles Albright, of the 132d Penna. Volunteers (and formerly a resident of this place) is highly complimented by Brigadier General Marshall in his report of the battle of Fredericksburg. He says, “no braver, more intelligent and gallant officer ever drew a sword in defense of the Union” than Col. A. After the color bearer of the regiment had been wounded, Col. Albright gallantly rode to the front of the line, through a perfect storm of canister, shell and musketry and waving his sword, told his men to consider that, the colors during the rest of the fight! He escaped unhurt. >From Our Volunteers Co. F., 133d Penna. Reserves Facts Concerning their Participation in the Great Battle of Fredericksburg Sundries Seeing that two of your correspondents with this company – “O. K.” and “Walthams” – are lying cold in the embrace of death, within the lines of the late scrub of strife and carnage at Fredericksburg, I think it behoovest me to write you a few lines in order to keep the friends at home posted as to our doings in the field. Too much praise cannot be given the 133d for their gallantry in the late fight. Co. F especially suffered severely in the struggle. In the deaths of Capt. John M. Jones and Lieut. William A. Scott, we have lost two brave officers and excellent commanders. It were simply impossible for me to afford you an idea of the depth of sorrow that lingers in our bosoms since their untimely death. On the morning of the 11th December when our regiment broke up camp preparatory to moving into Fredericksburg, every man was in line, ready to do any duty asked of them. While thus standing, Capt. Jones returned to the head of the company, he having been absent for several days previous by reason of an attack of typhoid fever. Three cheers were given him for his prompt return to duty – and given with a will. We crossed the Rappahannock on Saturday afternoon, 13th ult., under a severe shower of shot and shell and after having traversed the principal streets of the city, our whole division (Humphrey’s) formed in line of battle behind the crest of a small hill a short distance out, unslung knapsacks, fixed bayonets and awaited the order to move. In the meantime a perfect storm of balls was passing overhead. After the lapse of a few minutes the order came to move forward at a double quick. No sooner was the command given than the whole line rushed against the Rebel position, the men yelling like tigers. In that terrible charge not a man flinched, but all bore themselves as heroes. The first in our company to fall was John F. Wiggins, shot through the abdomen and since dead. While the men remained in action two long hours, they fought like veterans. There was no straggling there – no shirking of duty – but each man stood up to the work nobly, loading and firing as rapidly as circumstance would admit. The fight being over, of course, we were all anxiety to know the fate of our comrades. Those who were wounded had been taken from the field during the action; nothing remained therefore, but to examine the faces of the dead and see whether we could identify any of our number among them. In this sad scrutiny we were but too successful. Here lay the body of David Morgan; there, John Fox, with his feet resting on Daniel Kallansee, both sleeping quietly in death; close by was the body of Levi Moore; a few yards further off, an officer could be seen lying with his face downward – Lieut. Scott, shot through the head and heart and instantly killed; yonder, reclining, Capt. Jones, mortally wounded – subsequently removed to our division hospital, where he expired at midnight. John M. Jones was instantly killed while coming off the field with Corp. James M. Thompson. It was an utter impossibility to inter the bodies at that time. The night was dark and gloomy and a shell from the enemy works would occasionally explode over our heads, while the fact of our possessing neither pick nor shovel was of itself an obstacle that could not be overcome. Much against our will we were compelled to leave the bodies to the tender mercies of the enemy. The remains of Capt. Jones and Lieut. Scott, however, were buried by the company and their graves marked that they may be easily identified hereafter. Among those who were severely wounded, I may mention Corp. Hugh J. Humphreys who died on Sunday following. When on his way to the hospital, he was met by Corp. Samuel W. Davis, who kindly tendered his assistance toward helping him thither. The offer was modestly declined in the following noble patriotic words: “Sam, I’ll get along the best way I can; you go and do your duty in the field.” Wounded and scarcely able to walk, yet like a true soldier that he was, he preferred to suffer death even than to allow our cause to sustain a defeat. Joseph Miller, shot in the breast, will not live many days. George W. Berkey, shot through right shoulder blade, will probably recover. William M. Evans had his left eye shot out and what has become of him is not known. Robert Deveraux, shot in the head and shoulders, is doing well; his wound was dressed by Capt. Jones during the action – a convincing proof of our Commander’s bravery and coolness. The balance of the wounded are not seriously hurt. We went into the fight with fifty-four men, rank and file, of whom eight were killed, seventeen wounded and three missing. The missing are Richard M. Jones, Sergt. Nathan Bracken and Elbridge G. Evans. The latter, however, has been heard from; he was taken prisoner and paroled and is now in camp near Alexandria. Nothing whatever has been seen or heard of the other two and we are almost satisfied that we shall never behold them more on earth. Thus, you see, dear reader that Co. F has indeed been called upon to offer up a precious sacrifice in behalf of the country. May God grant that it may not have been in vain. What is left of the company now occupy the quarters which we had built prior to the fight. They are comfortably situated. Lieut. F. M. Flanagan, who now commands the company, bore himself with unexampled bravery throughout the action. The men fairly adore him and entertain high hopes that he may be promoted to be our Captain. Last week, Philip S. Noon, Esq., Edw. Thomas and Joe and Ben Thompson paid us a short visit. The former came in quest of the remains of his brother, Adjt. James C. Noon, of our regiment who was killed in the battle of Fredericksburg, and lies buried inside the enemy’s lines. To our great sorrow, he failed in obtaining a flag of truce to cross the river and was obliged to return home without accomplishing the object of his mission. Edwin E. Roberts of our company is now seriously ill in the regimental hospital. His complaints are inflammation of the lungs and typhoid fever, and but faint hopes are at present entertained of his recovery. [Signed] E. R. W. ------------------------------------------------------------- DEATHS Corp. Hugh J. Humphrey Of the many excellent young men of this vicinity who testified their devotion to their country by pouring forth their life blood on the plains of Fredericksburg, none died more universally regretted than Corp. Hugh J. Humphrey of Co. F, 133d Penna. Vols. The following letter conveys the sad announcement of his demise and pays a touching tribute to his worth and high moral character: Near Falmouth, Va. Dec. 19, 1862 Mr. John Humphrey: Dear Sir: It becomes my painful duty to inform you of the death of your beloved son, Hugh J. Humphrey. He died on Sunday afternoon in the hospital at Fredericksburg, Va. He had been wounded in the bowels the Saturday previous. I found him in a church and had him conveyed to our hospital and got a bed for him and made him as comfortable as possible. Corporal Stearns was with him during his last moments. He was fully conscious of death approaching and was perfectly resigned to his fate. He did not suffer much until a few hours of his death. He died as a Christian and a brave soldier and with the full assurance that he had done his duty by his God and his country. He was universally loved and esteemed by all who knew him. We all sincerely sympathize with you in the loss of your dear son. Yours, very truly [Signed] T. L. Heyer The Chaplain of the regiment, Rev. A. J. Hartsock also bears testimony to the uniform uprightness of conduct of the deceased. In a letter to the father, the reverend gentleman says: Dear Friend: I truly sympathize with you in your bereavement. I can cheerfully testify to the upright conduct of your son. When I found him, after the battle of Saturday, he was praying and as fully resigned as any man ever was when about to retire to rest for the night. There were no signs of fear, but he was perfectly calm. He lived until Sabbath about midnight and during that time was perfectly resigned and gave every evidence of a preparation for death. You may rest assured that his soul now rests with God. Shortly before his death, among other messages home, the deceased gave utterance to the following beautiful sentiment: “Tell my father I died for my country; my trust is in God, my hope in Jesus Christ, and all is well with me.” Corporal Humphrey was born in Cambria township, this county, where his parents still reside and was about 29 years of age when he fell. A few years ago he removed to Harrisburg where he became engaged in the service of the Adams’ Express Company. Subsequently he was appointed an Express messenger on the Pennsylvania Railroad, running through from Philadelphia to Pittsburg, in which capacity he continued to serve until last summer. At home on a visit in August, when Capt. Jones’ company was being recruited, he enlisted and offered his services and his life, in behalf of his country. He has gone! – and his fall will bring sorrow to many loving hearts. But his memory will be enshrined among the most sacred reminiscences of patriot souls forever. Honest and true, kind and generous, gifted and manly and brave, he has passed away from the chivalrous spirit of a hero and the hopeful bearing of a Christian. Green be the turf above him! William W. Davis Soldier Dead: By a letter from Sergt. Wm. W. Evans, written in Libby Prison, Richmond, to his friends here, we learn that William W. Davis, a member of Co. A, 11th Penna. Reserves, who has been missing from his company since the battle of Fredericksburg, died in the Rebel Bastile on the 24th December. He had been wounded in the leg so severely as to necessitate amputation, from the effects of which operation he failed to recover. The deceased resided in Cambria township and was an estimable young man. He was aged about 22 years. _________________________________________________________________ Windows Live™: Keep your life in sync. http://windowslive.com/explore?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_t1_allup_explore_012009