The Fourth of July is at hand--the eighty-fifth anniversary of our nationality. What shall we do with it? Is John Adams' glowing prophecy to prove false, after so many years and instead of bonfires, bell-ringing, processions and universal hilarity, are freeman to hand their heads and hide themselves? God forbid.
FROM WESTERN VIRGNIA
Grafton, Va. June 27, 1861--Corporal Hayes, and twelve men belonging to Col. Wallace's regiment of Zouaves, while scouting on Patterson's Creek, twelve miles east of Cumberland, the night before last, encountered a party of rebels, numbering about forty. A sharp engagement ensued. Seventeen of the enemy are reported killed, and a number wounded. One of Hayes'
party was killed and himself wounded. They captured a number of horses. The rebel force at Buchanan is reported to have been increased to 4000.
SKIRMISH NEAR WASHINGTON
July 1, 1861--Reports have reached the city from good authority stating that a skirmish took place across the river during the night, between the Federal Zouaves and the rebels, in which four or five of the latter and two of the former were killed, and several wounded.
SKIRMISH NEAR CHEAT RIVER, VA
Grafton, Va. June 30, 1861--a skirmish took place at Bowmans, twelve miles from the Cheat river bridge, yesterday, between portions of the 15th and 16th Ohio and the First Virginia Regiments, and a company of rebel cavalry. The former were sent to protect the pools, and the latter mistaking their numbers attacked them and were routed with a loss of several men, among them the Lt. of the company, and several horses. The only loss on our side was N.O. Smith, of the 15th who was buried today.
GOVERMENT RESOURCES FOR THE WAR--The Sec. of War has informed the President that there are now 225,000 men enrolled in the service of the United States.
THE THREE MONTHS' MEN-- Letters for the Pa. volunteers near the Maryland line, and those in Baltimore enlisted for three months, say that very few of the men will be disposed to remain when their term expires, because of the manner in which they have been treated. The clothing of many of them is worn out, and their food is not as good as they expected, or as might easily be furnished. If these matters were remedied in time, the writers think the soldiers would yet resolve to remain, and certainly it would be to the advantage of the Government to have them do so, now that they have become familiar with arms and are properly disciplined.
CAMP WRIGHT, June 30, 1861
Nothing of material interest has occurred here lately. The discipline is much stricter in camp now than formerly, in consequence of some of the soldiers having taken too much outside liberty, The Cambria Guards get their full share of guard duty, and as I think, a little more. There are about forty companies here sworn into the three years' service, three of which are detailed each day as camp guard. By this ratio our company should be called out only once in 13 days; but instead of such being the case we have been detailed twice during the same week. This is unfair and it is clearly
the duty of the officers of the day to see that such occurrences do not happen. The Cambria Guards were sworn in for three years, unless sooner discharged, on last Tuesday. Ben Rodgers, George Williams, Milton Hoffman and John Longenecker were honorably discharged on account of there being an excess in our ranks. Another important duty was also performed the same day.--The entire company, from the Captain down, were marched to the hospital and then and there vaccinated. It is probable that we will be armed and uniformed by the 4th of July. Maj. Gen. McCall and staff visited our camp on Friday, and reviewed the troops. We made quite a soldierly appearance.
CAMP WRIGHT, June 26, 1861
Capt. Litzinger arrived yesterday with a dozen as fine looking recruits as could be found in the State, all brimful of enthusiasm. The company were immediately called together and marched to headquarters, to be "sworn in". Upon counting noses, we found than we numbered 81 men--four more than could be received.
Lt. Hall, the mustering officer sent here by the State then read some of the "Articles of War", assuring us that DEATH was the penalty of desertion, and requesting all those that did not wish to take the oath to step out of the ranks. No one moved. He then said, "Gentlemen, four of you MUST withdraw, and you can now do so honorably, and be pass to your homes free of expense." This last appeal had no effect whatever, unless to make the Guards
stood firmer in their places. So Capt. L. was obliged to strike off the names of four whom he considered least able to endure the hardships of camp life, and had absolutely to order them from the ranks.--
The company then took the usual oath for three years, after which we gave (three times three and a tiger) for the "Union and Constitution" and marched to our quarters.
MODERN NOTE:
The “Three Cheers and a Tiger” in the Civil War
During the American Civil War, Union troops — especially those in the Army of the Potomac (AoP) and Army of the Cumberland (AoC) — were known to give a distinctive cheer: “Three cheers and a tiger” CivilWarTalk. This was a rallying cry used to boost morale, often in response to enemy fire or during intense moments on the battlefield.
What it sounded like
Historical accounts describe it as “Three huzzahs and a growl/roar” CivilWarTalk. The “three cheers” were typically “Hip! Hip! Hooray!” (or “Hip! Hip! Hurrah!”) repeated three times, followed by a deep, guttural “tiger” sound — a roar or growl rather than a literal animal cry Straight Dope. The “tiger” was meant to be manly and deep-throated, in contrast to the Confederate “rebel yell,” which was often described as a high-pitched, yipping sound CivilWarTalk.
DISTINGUISHED VISITORS AT CRESSON.
Col. Anderson, the Fort Sumter hero, accepting the invitation of Mr. G. Mullin, lessee of the Mountain House, Cresson, this county, to pass the heated time with him, has arrived at that place
COLONEL ANDERSON VISITS EBENSBURG!--Col. Anderson, the distinguished hero of Fort Sumter--whose memory will be ever enshrined in the hearts of his grateful fellow countrymen--paid our town a visit on Monday. He stopped at Thompson's Mountain House and remained several hours, during which time he was visited by a large number of our citizens.
MILITARY--Capt. Humphrey's company, the Chess Springs Highlanders, has been disbanded. Capt. Mills' (Gallitzin) company has been accepted and ordered to report to Philadelphia this week.
MORE BUTTER--Another firkin of butter was shipped to the soldiers at Camp Wright last week. By the way, the credit of these donations should be laid at the door of the patriotic farmers of the neighborhood instead of the "good citizens of Ebensburg" as we stated last week. Honor to whom honor is due!
SEND A STAMP!--We take this occasion of impressing upon those of our readers who correspond with any of the soldiers in camp the entire propriety of enclosing a stamp when you require an answer. The boys have not yet been granted the privilege of "franking" and Uncle Sam pays but once a month--a state of affairs that may occasion some slight inconvenience now and then.
MODERN NOTE: The franking privilege is a long‑standing U.S. practice that allows certain government officials to send mail without paying postage. Instead of a stamp, the mail is marked with the authorized person’s signature or a “frank” stamp, and the U.S. Postal Service is reimbursed for the cost.
