NEWS:  The Alleghanian; 16 Jul 1863; Ebensburg, Cambria Cnty., PA

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The Alleghanian
Ebensburg, Pa.
Thursday, 16 Jul 1863
Volume 4, Number 42


A Cambria Typo Wounded

In a late number of the New York TRIBUNE we observe that one of their late 
compositors, named George T. Swank, was severely wounded at Gettysburg. 

Mr. Swank whose family resides in Johnstown is doubtless well known to many 
of our readers.  He was engaged in the New York TRIBUNE office at the time of 
the call for nine months' men but deeming it his duty, he enlisted in the 27th 
Connecticut Volunteers because he "thought the 'Yankees' were actuated by 
principle in their fighting."  The report says he is doing well and that no fears of 
his recovery are entertained.


Co. A 

By intelligence lately received from a member of Co. A, 11th Reserves, we are 
informed that during the battle of Gettysburg, one of their number, whom we 
have noticed elsewhere was killed and four wounded.  The wounded are Lieut. 
D. Jones, John Keough, John Stevens and Edward E. Davis.  Lieut. Jones was 
very slightly wounded, being able to remain on duty. Of the extent of injuries 
sustained by the others we are not informed but hope they may not prove 
serious.


Bible Presentation

As announced in our last week's issue, the presentation of the Bible purchased 
by the 133d Regt. Pa. Vols., for their Chaplain, Rev. A. J. Hartsock, took place in 
the Presbyterian church on Thursday evening, 9th inst. 

The meeting was presided over by Mr. John Williams, who stated its object in a 
brief, pointed and patriotic address.  He was succeeded by Rev. D. Harbison, 
who portrayed in glowing language, the various scenes of conflict and danger 
through which the Regiment had passed during their nine months campaign and 
which had served to bring out more strikingly those traits of character which 
endeared Rev. Hartsock to the men under his care. His labors among the 
wounded and dying upon the sadly memorial field of Fredericksburg, as well as 
his care that those of that Regiment, who then and there yielded up their lives a 
sacrifice to their country, should receive Christian burial, were feelingly alluded 
to, thereby touching a sympathetic chord in the bosom of many present, who 
should meet their loved ones no more this side the river of Death.

Mr. Harbison was replied to by Rev. Hartsock who most warmly thanked the 
donors who had, through Co. F, presented him with such a priceless gift and 
assured them it would ever be carefully cherished as a token of their love and 
esteem for himself.

After a short but comprehensive prayer by Rev. Lemon, the meeting closed.

We very much regret our inability to furnish our readers the addresses entire, 
but the fact that Mr. Hartsock replied extempore, while we had no "short hand" 
reporter present, precludes all possibility of our doing so.


Letter from Our Soldiers 
Letter from Capt. Litzinger's Company

From Bedford to Huntingdon
Yellow Creek Gap
Back to Civilization
The Boys Receive their "Fighting Clothes," etc.
Celebration of the 4th of July
Dem. & Sent. and Copperheads in General, etc.

"Camp Juniata," 
Huntingdon, Pa.
July 12th, 1863

In conformity with orders received on Friday evening, 3d inst., our company left 
Bedford borough for Pattonsville, arriving at the latter point after a march of 
fourteen miles on Saturday morning.  Our Captain immediately reported to Lieut. 
Col. Yarnell, commandant of the post, who ordered us to take up quarters in 
Yellow Creek Gap, distant from town one mile.  This gap is one entrance to the 
celebrated Morrison's Cove, a rich and fertile valley teaming with animal and 
vegetable life.  The position is a natural fortification, its merits enhanced by a 
judicious application of pick and shovel. A hundred men should be fully 
competent to guard its right of way against a thousand. Saying which, we say 
about all that can be advanced in favor of Yellow Creek Gap.  It is a highly 
sequestered spot, away from the great throbbing heart of the nation – isolated, 
alone.  Railroads there are none, while telegraphs are viewed in the light of an 
impossibility.  As a consequence news is a rare commodity there. Papers are 
always a couple of days old when received, scarce even at that, and costing ten 
cents apiece!  To rely upon unreliable rumors, floating hither and thither is a 
rather indifferent method of becoming posted on matters and things; so it were 
safe to infer that the Yellow Creek Gap as a general rule are but indifferently 
posted.  Peace might be declared and they fight (provided an enemy chanced to 
make his appearance) for nearly a week without knowing it!

Our camp was situated in the midst of a most luxurious forest.  The stately oak, 
the graceful pine, the grim old hemlock, hickory, ash and laurel, greeted us on 
every hand and intertwined their boughs and branches so recklessly that a sight 
of the "ether blue" was a rare occurrence, indeed.  Some poet, once upon a 
time, sighed for "a lodge in a vast wilderness."  He should go thither – the Gap is 
a wilderness that in point of "boundless contiguity of shade" would most likely 
suit him. In such case, then would the adage "there's no account for tastes," be 
verified; for, from our part, we could see the "lodge," but not exactly in an "oh"-
ing point of view.  On the contrary we preferred civilization. 

On the following Wednesday, 8th inst., when we received orders to break up 
camp and march hither, you may be sure it was with no unpleasurable emotions 
we prepared to obey.  We took the pike as far as Hopewell, seven miles distant, 
where we were furnished transportation on the Huntingdon and Broad Top 
Railroad to this point.  Arrived here without accident at midnight.  Through some 
mismanagement, instead of being run into town, where we could have obtained 
excellent accommodations we were "dumped" out about a mile below, across the 
river on a protracted piece of trestle-work belonging to the road – the latter fact 
necessitating some very skillful engineering on our part before we were enabled 
to attain terra firma.  The terra firma was found to consist principally of rocks 
and coal-ashes, upon which we had the pleasure of reposing our wearied limbs 
until next morning.

Your correspondent almost forget to say that all the troops stationed at the Gap, 
numbering probably four hundred from Chester, Delaware and Cambria counties, 
under command of Lieut. Col. Yarnell, accompanied us here.  With the exception 
of the Cambria men, they constitute part of the 29th Penna. Vol. Militia.

Thursday morning we proceeded to town and took up our quarters in the Court 
house yard.  Soon after, a requisition was made out and we were furnished our 
uniforms, knapsacks, haversacks, canteens, cartridge- boxes, &c.  Whereupon 
being in proper trim for soldier a la mode, we were marched to our present 
quarters, about one mile southwest of town.  "Camp Juniata" is a very pleasant 
location with the single exception that, being cleared ground, the rays of the sun 
are enabled to beat upon our devoted heads with a fury against which our 
shelter tents are but inadequate protection.  There are two other camps besides 
ours in this immediately locality, known respectively as Camps "Warrior" and 
"Jackson." 

We will most likely be organized into a regiment in the course of a day or two, to 
be composed of Huntingdon, Blair and Cambria men.

Our company celebrated the "glorious 4th" in gay old style. After the firing of a 
salute and the reading of the Declaration of Independence, Mr. Wm. T. Davis, 
our worthy Captain and Surgeon was called upon and delivered a thrilling 
address, brimful of patriotism and love of country.  He was rapturously 
applauded throughout.  This, at a point five miles south of Pattonsville.

The Bedford GAZETTE of late date in an article denunciatory of the doings and 
misdoings of the militia makes honorable mention of our company, by saying in 
effect that throughout the campaign in that locality we acted like gentlemen and 
scholars.  Which nobody can deny.  Coming from the source it does – a rabid 
copperhead journal – would it be improper to consider the acknowledgement in 
the light of a compliment?

En passant, your correspondent must not forget to return thanks to Mr. Joseph 
Durburrow of the Bedford INQUIRER, for many favors extended to us during our 
sojourn in his neighborhood.  May he live two hundred and fifty years!

Has your friend, the DEM. & SENT., as yet arrived at the knowledge of the fact 
that the Rebel army under Lee has actually invaded Pennsylvania?  And has he 
heard of the battle of Gettysburg?  A couple of weeks since, your correspondent 
noticed that that delectable journal treated the "invasion" as a creation of the 
imagination – as a humbug – " big scare" – thereby affording the enemy all the 
aid and comfort within its power, by deterring men from rushing to the rescue to 
roll back the advancing tide of treason.  Within ten days thereafter, the bloodiest 
battle of the war was fought – and on Pennsylvania soil, too!  A big scare 
forsooth? - heaven preserve our loyal old Keystone from other scares like unto it!  
Had Meade and his gallant army been defeated, instead of overwhelmingly 
victorious in the late battle, we should have seen whether it would have proved a 
scare or a terrible reality.  Our proud old Commonwealth prostrated at the foot 
of a rapacious and insolent foe, her people subjected to taunts and insults and 
her wealth and substance squandered, would have fully attested the truth of the 
latter proposition. 

Your correspondent may remark, in conclusion, that our presence on the tented 
field in the present crisis is only one of the fruits of Copperheadism. Had all men 
in the North sustained the war for the Union, as they should have done – sunk 
the partizac (six) in the patriot – there certainly would have been no 
"emergency."  The Rebels never would have advanced north of Mason and 
Dixon's line had they not been led to suppose that they would find friends in our 
midst.  So they did, but their friends proved to be poltroons, for they failed to 
fight for either one side or the other.

Yours, etc.

[Signed]  "Jay"


Pennsylvania 

There have been unnecessarily but not unusually harsh things said against 
Pennsylvania in regard to her want of preparation for the recent rebel invasion.  
The distinction should be drawn between the last Copperhead Legislature and 
the entire action and spirit of the people during the war, from the time when the 
Pennsylvania soldiers were the first to hurry to Washington at the breaking out 
of hostilities to the present moment.  There is among the loyal States no larger 
State or aggregation of the smaller States, which has made  greater 
contributions of troops or suffered more in the war than Pennsylvania.  Up to the 
beginning of this year Pennsylvania furnished over two hundred thousand troops 
not including the fifty thousand militia under the call of 1862.  Before the battle 
of Gettysburg thirty seven thousand Pennsylvanians had laid down their lives for 
their country!  Pennsylvania is the only State which has organized at her own 
expense a first class reserve force amounting to nearly sixteen thousand men.  
This organization acted under Major Gen. McCall, Brig. Gen. Meade, Brig. Gen. 
Reynolds and Brig. Gen. Ord.  It was ready for service two years ago; and by the 
act of the Legislature authorizing its existence (under the Three Million State 
Loan) it was for the support of the military forces of the State or of the United 
States.  It was soon absorbed by the Army of the Potomac and variously 
distinguished itself.  The glorious death of Reynolds and the glorious work and 
position of Meade are proofs of the skill shown in the selection of the officers 
from among the Pennsylvanians commanding the Reserve.  Had the Reserve 
force been allowed to act as reserves, no rebel troops would have invaded 
Pennsylvania.


The Great Vicksburg Campaign

Among the reasons for the surrender, we may mention now, that within two 
weeks the topographical engineers of Gen. Grant's army discovered a high bluff 
on the river, which had been strangely overlooked before and which commanded 
the strongest fort that the rebels had constructed for the defense of the city.  
This hill was taken possession of by our forces and the guns that were on the 
gunboat, Cincinnati, before she sunk, mounted on it.  From this fact, it is evident 
that Gen. Pemberton, seeing there was no hope of holding out any longer, at 
once surrendered.

The series of campaigns, the last of which culminated in this great success 
began so long ago that it is not necessary to review them.  Admiral Farragut 
demanded the surrender of Vicksburg on May 13th, 1862.  The surrender was 
refused.  Passing the city with his fleet June 22d, he made a tremendous but 
unsuccessful attack upon the fortress the ensuing day.

The siege was raised on the 24th.  The next organized attack was made by Gen. 
Sherman on the 28th of December.  Gen. Sherman was defeated.  He withdrew 
his troops on the 2d of January, 1863.  On the 22d, the army under Gen. 
M'Clernand prepared for siege operations.  General Grant arrived and took 
command Feb. 4th, since which date the operations against the most formidable 
of rebel strongholds have been under his supervision.  He commenced his first 
bombardment February 18th and continued it against brave resistance with few 
intervals of rest for nearly a month thereafter.  Admiral Farragut again arrived 
with his fleet, March 21st. Two of his gunboats ran past the batteries on the 25th 
and six more succeeded in getting by on the 16th of the following month.  On 
the 17th of April, batteries having been placed on the peninsula opened fire on 
the city. Admiral Porter came up past Grand Gulf soon after, shelling that place 
on the 29th.

Gen. Grant meanwhile being unsuccessful in his operations from above, crossed 
his army at Milliken's Bend, marched overland to Carthage, embarked his troops 
on transports, landed at Bowlinsburg, on the east side of the river, April 30th and 
moved on towards Port Gibson.  Then began the victorious march so 
comparatively recent and so memorable, which ended in the long siege which 
has been pushed with such indomitable energy and perseverance to final and 
complete success. The engagement and victory at Richmond took place on May 
12th.  The battle at Mississippi Springs ensured on the following day. Jackson 
was occupied May 14th.  On the 16th the battle at Baker's Creek was fought; 
and on the 17th the battle of Big Black river bridge.  Jackson, taken possession 
of on the march, was evacuated by our army on the 16th.  Gen. Grant pressed 
steadily onward and on the 18th invested Vicksburg and captured Haines' and 
Chickasaw Bluffs.  On the 19th Gen. Steele carried the rifle pits in front of the 
city and Gen. Grant's whole army assumed a threatening position, its right and 
left wings resting upon the river.  A fierce but fruitless assault was made May 
22d.  The operations were reduced to a siege soon afterwards, which siege 
varied occasionally by sudden assaults and approaches, has continued with 
comparatively little loss of life on our side during the six weeks which have since 
intervened.

We have taken over 27,000 prisoners besides about 4,000 non-combatants, 102 
field pieces, 30 siege guns, 50,000 stand of arms, ammunition, locomotives, 
cars, a few stores, 57 stands of colors.  Among the prisoners are Lieut. Gen. 
Pemberton; Major. Gens. S. Stevenson, Smith, Forney and Bowen, 14 Brig. Gens. 
and about 130 Cols.  There are 5,600 men in the hospital, half of whom are 
wounded.  Only 150 of the garrison are reported fit for duty. The stock of 
provisions was almost exhausted and for four days numbers had been eating 
mule flesh.  Of ammunition for heavy guns they had a fair supply but of field 
guns and musketry they were short. Eight caps to a man were allowed.  They 
had an excess of sugar, molasses and rice and these were all the supplies they 
had, except a little unground corn. The latest advices from the fallen stronghold 
are to the 5th instant, at which time the prisoners had not been started for their 
destination, understood to be Talladega, Ala.  Many of them are understood to 
be desirous to take the oath of allegiance and to come North.  The latest reports 
from Joe Johnson are that he is rapidly retreating and General Sherman is in hot 
pursuit.  An offer of assistance has been sent by General Grant to General Banks.


Cavalry Fight at Hagerstown 
Special Dispatch to the N. Y. TRIBUNE
The Front, Thursday, July 9

Intelligence has just been received here concerning the cavalry fight of 
yesterday, which occurred near Hagerstown. The enemy were part of Stuart's 
forces, not in command of that officer himself.  They were supported by infantry 
which took up a strong position in the woods south of the town.

After a determined resistance on their part, the arrival of Gen. Buford toward 
night resulted in a gallant charge of our men – the 5th Michigan distinguished 
themselves particularly upon the ground occupied by the rebel infantry, driving 
them from the wood, a feat almost unprecedented, considering the advantages 
of infantry in a wooded country – our force occupying the ground first chosen by 
the rebels.

We lost from 50 to 100 killed. The enemy lost about equally, with the addition of 
upward of fifty prisoners.  Gen. Kilpatrick who is erroneously reported dead, 
charged the enemy in person and drove them for at least three miles.

At least 1,000 prisoners passed through Frederick on their way to Baltimore 
today, among them several officers.  

Washington
Thursday, July 9

The news from the Upper Potomac is much more encouraging.  It is almost 
certain that Gen. Lee will be brought to battle on this side of the river, and under 
great disadvantages.  It is ascertained that he has only managed to cross his 
wounded and a part of the Pennsylvania spoils, having, so far as is known, no 
bridges but a large number of boats.  Gen. Meade has been too quick for him 
and Lee now has his choice of fighting with his whole force or of losing his 
artillery and at least one third of his army.

The two armies were at last accounts not more than 10 miles apart, Gen. Lee's 
stretching from Hagerstown to Williamsport, and Gen. Meade's being upon the 
march from Boonsboro on two roads toward him. Our telegraph is already 4 
miles beyond Boonsboro, our advance being at that point.  Gen. Couch is slow at 
coming up, but there are other forces in a position enabling them to approach 
the flank of Gen. Lee.  Should he manage to cross the river, as is exceedingly 
improbable, it is not to be inferred that he will escape the victorious Army of the 
Potomac, which has ample means of following him.

Near Hagerstown, Md.
July 9

The rebels still hold the line from Hagerstown to Williamsport.  It is supposed 
their main body rests on the bank of the Potomac.  Lee is making the most 
desperate efforts to cross.  In the present condition of the river it is believed by 
the best informed officers of our army here that Gen. Meade will force him to a 
final engagement before he can possibly escape.

In this event the next battle will undoubtedly be found upon or near the old 
Antietam field within the next 48 hours. Our constant cavalry skirmishes with the 
enemy reveal his anxiety to cover his rear and avoid a general engagement 
rather than a desire to give us battle.  We have at least a live, a cool, a 
temperate, vigilant man at the head of the Army of the Potomac who will do all 
that mortals can to finish the work so gloriously begun. Our officers and men are 
inspirited with a confidence and hopefulness I have never before witnessed.

Special Dispatch to the Philad'a. INQUIRER
Frederick, Md.
July 8 - 12 M
 
Gen. Meade and staff arrived here yesterday from Gettysburg and left this 
morning for the front which is now the line of the Potomac and the old Antietam 
battlefield.

Gen. Meade was presented with boquets (sic) of natural flowers by the ladies of 
Frederick and was serenaded last evening at his hotel by the fine band of the 
New York 7th regiment. The General sent his compliments to the ladies and 
apologized for not being able to grant them an interview, as his time was entirely 
occupied with very important business. He tendered them his thanks for their gift 
and their patriotic expression in favor of the good cause.

Information received here leaves no doubt that the rebel army has succeeded in 
reaching the Potomac at Williamsport in considerable force and on Monday night 
and yesterday were engaged in ferrying over their ordinance and wagon trains 
on flat-boats, canal boats and every species of material that could float a man, a 
horse or a wagon.

In anticipation of this, General Buford's and Kilpatrick's cavalry has been sent 
forward to Williamsport to intercept the retreat and prevent their crossing the 
river.

Early yesterday morning Buford's and Kilpatrick's forces combined, arrived at 
Williamsport and attacked the rebels who had a large cavalry force at hand.

The fight was short but severe and our troops, finding themselves outnumbered, 
retired toward Hagerstown and between Williamsport and Hagerstown, they 
encountered another large body of cavalry and a division on of infantry believed 
to be Longstreet's corps which was quickly brought into position and attacked 
our troops. Finding his force unequal in to the contest, Gen. Buford withdrew 
toward Antietam, taking along twenty-five prisoners captured in the fight.

The prisoners were mostly from Alabama and Louisiana regiments and they state 
that their army is all together and well on its way to the river.  They arrived in 
Frederick last evening.

It is reported here that our cavalry pickets at Antietam were driven in last night 
by the rebels indicating that they were in considerable force in that vicinity.  This 
move is evidently with the design of accruing another crossing point at 
Shepherdstown.

Gen. Meade is acquainted with all these matters and is making his  movements 
accordingly, with great rapidity in remarkably good order.  Today or tomorrow 
perhaps at the furthest the two armies will meet each other near the scene of 
the old Antietam battlefield where a battle will most probably take place, if Lee 
should feel in a fighting mood and if he should not wax belligerent, Meade will 
certainly attack him.

According to all accounts, Lee's army is very much disorganized.  The result 
cannot be doubtful.  All the fear is that they may escape across the river before 
Meade can overtake them.

At home you must withhold criticism if a large portion of Lee's army should 
escape as it was not possible to remove troops from Gettysburg to the Potomac 
faster than our troops have moved.  Not an hour's delay has occurred, except to 
provide the troops with supplies, without which they could not move.

The rebels fleeing for dear life marched day and night to escape Meade and 
doubtless by this time a large number of them may have reached the river but its 
swollen condition will prevent them from crossing over so quickly as they 
expected.

Maryland Heights have again been reoccupied.  It has rained almost constantly 
for three days.

The New York 7th arrived here yesterday from Baltimore and has gone to the 
front.

Loudon, July 8 – Noon

Eight of Kilpatrick's cavalry engaged in the fight on Monday evening, near 
Williamsport, have just arrived.  They were cut off from their regiment, the 1st 
Michigan.  Kilpatrick's Division took Hagerstown with slight loss about Monday 
noon, leaving one brigade and two guns to prevent being flanked.

He pressed towards Williamsport and engaged the troops there on the front 
while Buford's Division pushed from Sharpsburg and both were engaged heavily 
for some time, shelling the town.

Kilpatrick's force, meantime, at Hagerstown were attacked by an overwhelming 
force of Ewell's Corps, infantry, cavalry and artillery.  They fell back to the main 
body, losing two cannon.

Both divisions of cavalry retired toward Boonsboro on Meade's infantry.  The 
enemy have two pieces of heavy cannon planted on the south side of the 
Potomac, commanding the Williamsport Ford. They intend taking the line of 
battle ground on the west side of the Conococheague.  One hundred rebel 
cavalry came into Greencastle last night, taking away three citizens as prisoners.

A scout, just returned from Clearsprings, six miles from Williamsport, says 
Imboden is at Williamsport with five thousand wagons, guarded by seven 
thousand men. Sixteen pieces of cannon tried up to noon today to cross the river 
but they got only three over.  Gen. French attempted to get at Williamsport 
yesterday but failed to reach it, being repulsed.  Lee's headquarters is at 
Hagerstown today.


The Question of Rank 

The question of rank between the Major Generals of the army has been decided 
by a board of officers to which it has been submitted by determining the 
following order of precedence:

Maj. Gen. M'Clellan, appointed May 14th, to take rank from the same date.

Maj. Gen. Fremont, appointed July 1st, to take rank from May 14, 1861.

Maj. Gen. Banks, appointed June 5th, to take rank from May 16, 1861.

Maj. Gen. Dix, appointed June 14th, to take rank from May 16th, 1861.

The decision is upon two grounds:  First that an appointment may be anti-dated 
by the President as in General Fremont's case; and second, that order in which 
the names stood on the list when the appointments were sent into the Senate.  
It decides the rank between Banks, Dix and Butler without regard to actual date 
of appointment by the President.