The Alleghanian, Ebensburg, Pa. Thursday, December 19, 1861 Volume 3, Number 13 Silver Grays We find the following notice concerning the Cambria County Silver Grays in the Harrisburg TELEGRAPH of Friday last: Captain Palmer marched into the city this morning from Camp Curtin, with the view of being mustered into the service of the United States, but as the ages of the members were considerably over the limit fixed by law, the mustering officer, Capt. Dodge, postponed that duty until he received further orders from Washington. The “Grays” then returned to Camp Curtin where they will remain until the question of their acceptance is determined by the proper authorities. Inasmuch as the formation of this company was countenanced by the State authorities, Gov. Curtin having given his express approval to it, we think it would be indeed bad policy to refuse to accept its service. The officers and members who experienced much inconvenience in the premises, got up the organization with the express understanding that it was to add its efforts to help save the Republic and their patriotic desires should not be interfered with now. We hope to hear of the Silver Grays being “sworn in” at the earliest practicable moment. Local Etchings The weather continues mild and pleasant in this latitude, more closely resembling Indian Summer than any season of which we have knowledge. The snow has entirely disappeared and we are obliged to send it under bare poles like good fellows. As an instance of the benefits of advertising we may mention the fact that during the past month two stray cattle have been recovered to their owners through the instrumentality of the columns of our paper. Portland, Va., Dec. 12, 1861 Here we are – away down in Dixie Land – about one hundred and thirty- seven miles east of Wheeling and directly on the line of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. You will remember that I left you on Monday. On Tuesday at about 7 P. M., I arrived at Wheeling and took breakfast at the McClure House where Gen. Rosecrans now has his headquarters. Much to my regret I did not have an opportunity of seeing that distinguished personage. The Suspension bridge here is a splendid affair. I passed through a small town named Fairmount, where there is another Suspension bridge, equal to the one at Wheeling. I also passed through Grafton. It is located somewhat similar to Johnstown but is not so large. There is a splendid hotel at this point erected by the RR company. The scenery all along the route is most grand. The road itself must have cost an immense amount of money in building. It winds through a very mountainous country and has a great many deep cuts. Besides there were no less than nine tunnels in the distance I traversed, one of which was about a mile long. The 7th Ohio regiment today passed through Portland for Cumberland Gap. The prevailing impression hereabout is that a fight will occur shortly about Winchester and Leesburg and that the rebels will be driven out of our territory and that order will once more prevail in Warsaw. There are no seseshers whatever here or in the immediate vicinity. The great body of the people are as loyal to the Union as are Pennsylvanians in general and a great deal more so than some few in particular that I could name in Cambria county had I the inclination. Signed: Uno Letters from Our Volunteers Extract from a private letter, dated Camp Pierpoint, Va., Dec. 8, 1861 Up to this time the 11th regiment has been out twice, on company with other regiments on reconnoitering excursions, otherwise foraging expeditions. On the latter of these, we marched within a few miles of Drainesville, the 2d brigade in front. Our train consisted of fifty- four four-horse wagons. Companies A and B of the 11th were detailed as wagon guards, that is to say, as a guard to “confiscate” the plunder. The rest of the regiment went out as pickets and scouting parties. We met no enemy in force. We took, I suppose, about five hundred bushels of corn, one hundred bushels of potatoes, twenty five or thirty hogs, quite an amount of wheat, an ox-team and a number of horses. Besides these several private appropriations of turkeys, chickens, ducks and other necessaries of camp life also occurred. Gunnell is the name of the late owner of the confiscated property. He is a prominent member in the Rebel Confederacy. This is a delightful climate. The weather is warm and dry. The effective troops on this side of the Potomac are in better condition and better sprits than any time since they crossed the river. Company A, as a general thing, enjoys good health. _________________________________________________________________ Get more out of the Web. Learn 10 hidden secrets of Windows Live. http://windowslive.com/connect/post/jamiethomson.spaces.live.com-Blog-cns!550F681DAD532637!5295.entry?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_domore_092008