Vintage Johnstown: Civil War - Week of August 8, 1861 - Local Troops Letters Home But Nothing Much Happening on the National Front

Friday, March 20, 2026

Civil War - Week of August 8, 1861 - Local Troops Letters Home But Nothing Much Happening on the National Front - Alleghenian

LOCAL AND PERSONAL

CAMP NEAR WASHINGTON (DC) City, Sunday, August 4, 1861

We have now been here a little more than a week and it seems almost as much like home to us as Camp Wright did, tho' we have been obliged to dispense with many of the comforts and conveniences of our former abode. In the woods here no one has any boards that we can "take" to floor our tents with. Then we have no stoves, but do all our cooking over regular camp fires,which is all very nice--when it don't rain. And last, but not least, we must eat our dry bread without the aid of mountain butter.

I believe it is arranged that the whole Reserve Corps of Pennsylvania (fifteen Regiments) will be kept together; they will be formed into Brigades, and the command given to Gen. McCall. He is now here, attending to getting improved arms, etc. The flanking companies of the 11th regiment, A and K, marched to the arsenal yesterday morning for the purpose of getting rifles, but were disappointed as Gen. McCall would not allow his men to be armed with the rifles left there by the three months' men, until they were thoroughly overhauled and put in good order.

The State is paying off the Reserve Corps as fast as the paymasters can do it, and we expect our turn this week.

We find it difficult to get the news-- The Washington papers are brought out every morning, and sold at three cents per copy. They contain about one-fourth as much reading matter and news at the Pittsburg 'penny-papers". We occasionally get hold of New York Heralds or Tribunes, which are always read until there is nothing left of them.

Gen. McClellan is very strict with the officers and soldiers about here. They are not allowed to visit Washington without a pass from the Col. commanding--stating their business. All officers or soldiers found about the streets, hotels, or public buildings with such passes are arrested and put in the guard house.

We do not know when we will be moved from here. The 15 Regiments P.R.C. are to be placed in a camp by themselves soon. I believe the place chosen is about five miles up the Potomac.

With the exception of a few cases of measles, the Cambria Guards are in good fighting order. Locals are awful scarce. Hope to be able next week or soon to give you an account of a "brush" with the enemy.

RETURNED SOLDIERS--On Saturday, Lt. Wm. Linton, George Brown, Sam Goodwin, Joe Wherry, Thomas Jones, Robert Marlett and John Murray, all of whom belonged to various companies of the three months' volunteers, and who were discharged and paid off at Harrisburg last week, arrived at the homes in this place (Cambria County). They all look hale and hearty, and give it as their unanimous opinion that "sojering" is decidedly the thing for these degenerate times. Their only regret is that being in Gen. Patterson's division, they were not enabled to measure strength with the Traitors.

Adj. J.C. Noon of the 3rd regiment also arrived home of Thursday--Since his return, we are sorry to say, he has been prostrated by an attack of sickness from which we hope he may soon recover.

We forgot to notice last week that our friend, Peter Linton, who was also connected with Gen. Patterson's division, had returned.

We learn that Lt. Wm. Linton intended returning to Harrisburg almost immediately, to organize a company for the war.

RETURNED VOLUNTEERS - On Wednesday last , three of the companies from this county, comprising the Zouave Cadets, Johnstown Infantry and the Citizen Guards (Johnstown), returned to their homes in Johnstown. They were received by the German Home Guards (Johnstown) and a large concourse of relatives and friends. Capt. Easley's company also returned last week, being the last of the three moths' men who were absent from this county.

HEMLOCK (Between Portage and Lilly), August 5, 1861

The Washington Rifles (Co. G, 10th regiment) arrived home safely on Saturday. They were received at the station by a large concourse of friends who had met to welcome them back. Capt. Behea's Home Guards were to have acted as escort, but through some misunderstanding this past of the program was omitted.

The volunteers all look exceedingly well, and say they bever experienced better health in their lives. To judge from appearances, camp life suits them exactly; and a large number express their determination of re-enlisting "for the war". They are determined to have a brush with the enemy, and to use their own expression, would have had one before now only "the cowardly miscreants wouldn't stand fire".

They had many stirring stories to tell concerning events that transpired during their sojourn in the enemy's country, none of which surprised me more than the report that the ladies in that section are all opposed to Union!

Our quiet little town, as you may well imagine was in a high state of excitement until about 10 o'clock in the evening, when the crowd dispersed, our citizens to dream of friends and relatives returned, and the soldiers to enjoy the luxury of a feather bed once more.

By the way, our friend, "the clerk" is on hand again, looking well as usual. He will enter upon thr duties of his arduous and responsible office immediately, I believe.

I understand that Major white arrived home on Saturday morning, but I have not yet seen him. He has not enjoyed very good health for some time.

DEAD--A teamster hailing from Westmoreland county, who was present at the battle of Bull Run, died in Altoona last week from wounds received by being run over when the Federal forces were retreating.