The Alleghanian, Ebensburg, Pa. Thursday, January 8, 1863 Volume 4, Number 15 War News The Pennsylvania Reserve corps have been ordered to return home, it is said, for the purpose of consolidation and reorganization. General Mansfield Lovell has been dismissed from the service of the rebels for incapacity. He is the first major general that has been dismissed for incompetence in the United States during the present war. The Navy has suffered a serious loss by the sinking of the famous Monitor, south of Cape Hatteras. She was going south, in tow of the steamer Rhode Island, when foul weather came on; the Monitor sprung a leak early on Thursday morning and went down in a few hours. Two officers and nine men are missing, probably lost. Several men are also missing from the Rhode Island. Army of the Cumberland The news from the Army of the Cumberland indicates that Gen. Rosecrans after five days’ hard fighting has gained a most signal victory at Murfreesboro. The entire Rebel army has been scattered to the winds and is reported fleeing toward Tallahoma in great disorder. We now fully occupy Murfreesboro. Our loss is estimated at 1,000 killed and 5,500 wounded; theirs is much greater. From Mississippi we have the report promulgated through Rebel sources that our forces occupy the important city of Vicksburg! Battle at Vicksburg Cairo, Jan. 3 Dispatches from Gen. Sherman on Battle Field, Vicksburg received at Helena state that on Saturday 29th ult., he debarked his forces on the left bank of the Yazoo ten miles above the mouth and forming in line of battle advanced towards Vicksburg. After passing beyond the range of the fire from the gunboats, he encountered the enemy in force and a terrific conflict of five hours ensued. The enemy was driven back beyond two bayous that girt near Vicksburg and from their entrenched works on the hill by shell. On Saturday night the two armies lay on their arms with two bayous intervening. During the night pontoons were constructed, notwithstanding a terrific fire from the enemy under cover of the undergrowth. At daylight on Sunday a concerted advance was made by Sherman’s whole force. Steel held the left, Morgan and Blair the center. A. J. and M. L. Smith the right. Steel turned the enemy’s right so as to communicate with Morgan’s Division, having been separated by swamps running at right angles to the main land. By sunrise the whole force was engaged and up to ten o’clock the musketry and artillery fire was severe. The rebels in front of Morgan’s and Smith’s divisions were entrenched on high ground. This position was finally carried by storm. The gunboats did not cooperate but the Benten engaged the fortifications at Haines’ Bluff. During the action several of the crew were killed. Capt. Gwinne, commander, was mortally wounded. Banks and Farragut were expected to cooperate but had not arrived. Later news, through Rebel sources, indicated that the Federal forces now have possession of Vicksburg! -------------------------------------------------------------------- MARRIAGES Davis-Evans Married in Pittsburg on Thursday 1st inst., by the Rev. Wodridgue Williams, Mr. Lem. Davis to Miss Jennie A. Evans, both of Ebensburg. Going! Going! Our young friends, we mean – those who have grown up with us and been our bachelorie companions in everyday life. As regards the one here more particularly spoken of – gone! Well, such is life the world over and so it will be until the end of time. This being the case, we embrace the opportunity of presenting the “happy couple” our warmest wishes for their future welfare. May their existence always enjoy the couleur de rose – their lives be an extended honeymoon. Remembering that “tis no common tie that binds their youthful hearts,” may they live in each other and for each other until the end of the chapter so that their children and their children’s children may rise up and call them blessed. “Thrice happy, they! The happiest of their kind! Whom gentler stars unite and in one fate Their hearts, their fortunes and their beings blend.” Leavie-M’Dermit Married in St. Michael’s Church, Loretto, on Tuesday, 3d inst., by the Rev. Reynolds, Mr. Wm. A. Leavie to Miss Mollie J. M’Dermit, both of Allegheny township. “As down the stream of life you glide, May gentle breezes swell your souls, No tempest mar the peaceful tide, No cloud cause Love’s bright star to pale.” Valley [surname might be Varley, word is smudged]-Robinson Married at the residence of the bride’s parents in Ebensburg on Thursday 25th ultimo by the Rev. Harbison, Mr. Jefferson Valley [or Varley] of Chest Springs, this county, to Miss Mollie Robinson. We congratulate our young friends, the bride and groom upon the auspicious termination of this little affair of theirs and bespeak for them a pleasant and prosperous voyage down life’s turgid stream. To them: “May fleeting time Mark only joy’s increase; And may their days glide gently In happiness and peace.” Styles-Simmons Married in Pittsburg on Saturday, 27th ultimo by the Rev. Welch, Mr. Samuel Styles of Ebensburg to Miss Lizzie Simmons of Jackson township, this county. Well done for our friend Samuel! To be sure the announcement rather took us by surprise, but then, well of course, that was his business and not ours. Bully for him again! He has “acted the wise part,” and we congratulate him upon it. Go thou and do likewise! ----------------------------------------------------------------- DEATHS Daniel Powell Daniel Powell, a member of Co. F, 133d Pa. Vols., died in hospital at Frederick, Maryland of fever a couple of weeks since. His remains were brought home and interred. The deceased was a son of Mr. David Powell of Cambria twp., and was aged about 18 years. John F. Wiggins Wounded Soldier Dead – John F. Wiggins, a member of Co. F, 133d Pa. Vols., who was severely wounded in the abdomen at the battle of Fredericksburg, died in hospital at Washington last week. The deceased was originally from one of the Eastern States but had lived here some time prior to enlisting. He was an excellent young man, honest and intelligent and his death will be widely mourned. Rest in peace. Capt. John M. Jones and Lieut. William A. Scott Tribute of Respect. To the memory of Capt. John M. Jones and Lieut. William A. Scott killed at the battle of Fredericksburg, Va., Dec. 13, 1862: Summitt Lodge, No. 312, A. Y. M. Ebensburg, Pa., Jan. 5, 1863 Whereas, In the mysterious providence of an All-wise God, our beloved brethren, Capt. John M. Jones and Lieut. William A. Scott have been suddenly removed from our midst whilst nobly defending the honor of the American Flag from the assaults of Traitors at Fredericksburg, Va., Dec. 13, 1862, therefore, Resolved, That in their deaths this Lodge mourns the loss of two of its brightest ornaments. Kind, courteous and fraternal, they embodied in their general walk and conversation the essential principles upon which Masonry is founded. To be allowed the privilege of calling such as they brethren were honor indeed. We sorrow and mourn as a body at their untimely taking away; a community deplores their loss; while to their respective relatives and friends, the bereavement will be absolutely crushing. Resolved, That in the decease of Brothers Jones and Scott we recognize the workings of that great Architect of the Universe who doeth nothing amiss. In the rush of contending armies gallantly battling in defense of the secret principle of Right, have their lives been taken from them – and the sacrifice will not have been in vain. Those who die for their Country never die in vain. And hath not He promised that not so much as a sparrow even shall fall to the ground without His knowledge? They have died well and their deeds will live after them. Resolved, That the Lodge room be draped in mourning for thirty days as a token of respect and esteem for our deceased brethren. Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be presented to the relations of the dec.’d, and a copy be handed in for publication. [Signed] C. T. Roberts J. H. Evans Wm. Tibbott, Committee John Roberts Among those noble spirits who gladly gave up their lives for their country, at Fredericksburg, none died more universally regretted than John Roberts. He was a man of no common mould. Endowed by nature with talents of a superior order and possessed of a fund of energy and ambition he was well qualified to make a mark in the world. His affability of manners won for him a large circle of warm friends, indeed it were almost impossible to find one of his years so widely known and esteemed. His name was always spoken in words of praise. That his death will create an irreparable vacuum in our community, those who knew his pleasant winning ways may easily imagine. The deceased was born and passed the major part of his life in Ebensburg. His parents, however, now reside in Ashtabula county, Ohio. In the beginning of the war, over eighteen months ago, he enlisted in the first Ebensburg company that went out – Co. A, 11th Penna. Reserves and at Camp Wright was promoted to be Drum Major of the regiment. He resigned this position in the course of a few months, however, since which time he has served in the capacity of private, participating in all the battles in which the Pennsylvania Reserves were engaged. During the Seven Days’ Fight before Richmond, he in common with the regiment to which he belonged, was taken prisoner by the Rebels and held six weeks. After his exchange he was detailed on recruiting services in which capacity he visited this place last summer, staying about three months. He had rejoined his regiment but a very short time when he met his death. He was aged about 28 years. The following brief note from the Captain of his company conveys the official announcement of the death of Mr. R.: Quarters, Co. F, 11th Regt. P. R. C. Dec. 17, 1862 Edward Roberts, Esq. - Dear Sir: It becomes my painful duty to inform you of the death of your nephew, John Roberts. He was killed in the battle of Dec. 13th, whilst charging on the Rebel batteries. Nobly he did his duty and fell fighting bravely. Truly it can be said of him that he died the death of the brave. The entire company mourns his loss as he was a general favorite. You will please accept the company’s and my sympathies. The body was found and buried yesterday. Yours respectfully, J. C. Burke Poor John! Thou art gone, but thy memory will remain green in our hearts forever.