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Thursday, March 12, 2026

CIVIL WAR - Week of Jun 6, 1861 - Just a Little Bit on Local Troops this week, Along with Not Much on the National Front - Col. Anderson (Fort Sumter) Planning to Visit Cambria County - Alleghenian

STEPHEN A. DOUGLAS
The telegraph on Monday announced the death of Stephen Arnold Douglas, which sad event took place at 9 o'clock in the morning of that day (June 3), in the city of Chicago. The announcement was not unexpected, however it may elicit the profound regret of the nation, as Judge Douglas had been seriously ill for several days, and in that time the fact was telegraphed that his life was despaired of by his family and his friends. At the time of his death he was 46 years old, having been born in Brandon, Rutland county, Vt., April 23, 1813.
CONTEMPLATED MOVEMENT OF THE FEDERAL TROOPS
Baltimore, May 31, 1861-- By well confirmed reports, we learn that in addition to Frederick, Williamsport and Hagerstown, Hannock and Cumberland, Maryland, were both about to be occupied by the federal troops. It would appear evident that the federal government is determined as part of its military plans, to take possession of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad as far as Wheeling, Parkersburg, Grafton and their intermediate points are already possessed by troops. 
EXCITING NEWS FROM WESTERN VIRGINIA
Cincinnati, June 3, 1861--Two columns of Virginia and Ohio troops, from Gen McClelland's command in command of Col. Kelly, left Grafton last night and after marching during the entire night, surprised a camp of rebels two thousand strong, at Philippi, Virginia, and routed them, killing fifteen and capturing a large amount of arms, horses, ammunition, provisions and camp equipage. The surprise was complete, and at the last advices the Federal troops were in hot pursuit of the rebels. It is probable that many prisoners will be taken. Col. Kelly was mortally wounded and has since died.--
Several others of the Federal troops were slightly wounded. 
Late dispatches state that the agents of the rebel government have explored Europe in vain for arms, munitions or money, to be had in exchange for their bonds. Mr. Dudley Mann had sought an interview with Mr. George Peabody, with the hope of negotiating a loan, but had been politely but firmly repulsed. In no case had they found their securities marketable at the largest discount they could offer as a temptation. 
THE UNION GUN--The monster "Union" gun recently cast at the Fort Pitt Works, has been completed, and is now being removed to the Pennsylvania Railroad depot, whence it will be shipped to Washington, and thence to Old Point Comfort, with as little delay as possible. It is intended for Fortress Monroe, and will be put in position immediately on its arrival at that point. The "Union" is heavier than the "Floyd," and will throw a ball between six and seven miles. It is perhaps the heaviest piece of iron artillery ever manufactured, and the result of the experiments which it is proposed to make with it will be looked for with interest. 
MONDERN NOTE: At the time of the Civil War, Fort Pitt Works was located in the Strip District across the street from the present site of the Senator John Heinz History Center.
The foundry had invented a new technique for producing large cannons that were stronger and more durable than any seen up until that time.
The Fort Pitt Foundry produced 80% of the Union Army’s heavy cannons and 15% of its field artillery during the Civil War. The foundry also produced more than 20,000 rounds of shot and shells of all calibers by the spring of 1862.
GONE TO THE WARS--On Monday, some five or six young men of this place (Ebensburg) left for Chambersburg to fill up the ranks of a company in the 10th regiment, stationed at that place.
DEATH OF STEPHEN A. DOUGLAS--
On the death of Hon. S.A. Douglas being known on Tuesday morning, the County Court (Cambria), which was sitting at the time, was adjourned over until the afternoon by the Judges, as a mark of respect to the memory of the illustrious dead. 
GONE TO CHAMBERSBURG-- The 2d and 3d regiments Penna. Volunteers left Camp Scott, York, on Monday evening, 27th for Chambersburg, where they arrived next morning. How long they may remain there is not known, as it is supposed they are to be marched toward the Potomac. 
It is reported that Col. Anderson (Fort Sumter Fame) is coming to the "mountains of Penna." to recruit his health. To Cambria, we hope.

Wednesday, March 11, 2026

May & June 1882 - Odds and Ends including Conemaugh Boro Triplets - Cambria Freeman

Menoher as in Boulevard.

J.H. Brown No.Blast Furnace Death

Emmanuel Blough has a little boy show up on his doorstep. Said his name was Scott Woodring from Johnstown.

Joseph Keagy of Johnstown beat up.

Michael Doran - Open Hearth Accident

Burns Triplets

 

Slovak Catholic Sokol - 1930's


 

Tuesday, March 10, 2026

April 7, 1882 - Smallpox Outbreak, Conemaugh Borough Man Goes Nuts & East Conemaugh Attack - Cambria Freeman

MIss Gussie Morgan daughter of John Morgan dies of smallpox in Johnstown.

David Londregan - Conemaugh Borough

Young window woman named Arthur lives with her father a Mr. Varner - attacked in East Conemaugh.

 

April 1, 1882 - Nanny Goat Rescue in Johnstown, Idiot with a Gun=Trouble, Update on St. Vitus Victim & Look Back at Old Iron Furnaces - Alleghenian

William Gerhardt recues a goat off a hillside in Johnstown.

John Schnabel shoots himself in the head accidently. 

Miss Lizzie Berger dies of St. Vitus Dance. 


Johnstown Iron Furnace History

 

Civil War - May 30, 1861 - No Much Happening on the National Front - Cambria Guards - PA Military Camps - Raising Money for the Troops - Alleghenian

From 6,000 to 10,000 troops were sent over into Virginia at an early hour his morning. Firing was heard, occasioned by the forcing of Virginia Pickets. 
WASHINGTON, 9 o'clock--The New York Zouaves, 14th and 69th New York and New Jersey regiments hold Alexandria, while Arlington Heights are occupied by several other regiments. The entrance into Alexandria was attended by an event which has cast the deepest gloom over this community. Col. Ellsworth, who had hauled down the Secession flag from the Marshall House, was soon after shot and killed by a concealed foe.
When the Federal troops reached Alexandria the Virginia troops fired at them and fled. Visitors to that city say that the scenes were intensely exciting. The United States vessels were in the meantime before Alexandria. It seems to be true that a body of Federal troops has advanced to Fairfax Court House to take possession of the junction of the Orange & Alexandria and Manassas Gap Railroads, with the view of intercepting the advance of the Virginia troops towards Alexandria from Richmond and other points. 
The expenditure per week of the Soldiers' Relief Committee of Johnstown is about two hundred dollars. 
The "Cambria Guards" have not yet been notified to take up their line of march for the tented field. 
All the flags in this borough (Johnstown) were displayed at half-mast on Monday, in token of grief at the death of Col. Ellsworth. 
Lt. O'Connell, of the U.S. Army, was in town (Johnstown) on furlough during the beginning of the week. He is now stationed at St. Louis, we believe, as a recruiting officer. 
It is stated that Gov. Curtin contemplates establishing a military camp somewhere between Chambersburg and Pittsburg, and that Blairsville is one of the points under consideration. 
Quartermaster Jacob M. Campbell, of the gallant Third Regiment, is the right man in the right place.--A few days ago he visited Pittsburg and raised, on his own individual response for the use of his regiment, six thousand dollars, which he disbursed to his men. He also made arrangements for fourteen thousand dollars more for the same purpose, in case the Government should not make payment soon, Good for Campbell! 

Monday, March 9, 2026

February & March 1882 - Undertakers Refuse to Bury a Dead Child - So Smallpox Nurse does it herself, Awful Hot Cinder Accident at Hinckston Run & A Terrible Case of St. Vitus Dance - Sent to Poor House - Cambria Freeman

Undertakers Refuse Burial - instead Miss Zoler a nurse at the Johnstown Smallpox Hospital buried the dead child herself. Father was Policeman Ellsworth of Cambria City. 

Patrick Moran of Minersville burned by hot cinders along Hinckston Run.

German named Birke had Maggie Hoffman arrested and accused of stealing from him. 


Elizabeth Berger from Germany - case of St. Vitus Dance sent to Poor House to recover by her brother.She'd worked in the home of John Malor of Coal Street - Conemaugh Borough. 

 

Stone Bridge


 

Civil War - May 1, 1861 to May 23, 1861 - Johnstown Citizens Guard, Local Names Listed, First Local Wounded Acting LIke a Jerk - Ebensburg Alleghenian

Unless some direct attack or offensive movement is made by the opposing force, the country need not expect to hear of offensive movements on the part of the Federal troops by land within a fortnight or twenty days. The impatience of the troops here is natural, the impatience of those at home equally so; but the little fact which steps in to check great movements on the part of the Government is, that troops are not yet fully equipped, properly armed, or in any respect just as they should be. 
OUR SOLDIERLY--Annexed is a list of the several companies that have gone from this county, together with their Captains, the Regiments to which they belong and the Colonels thereof, the letter of the companies, and the Camps at which they are at present stationed. Our county subscribers should preserve it:
CITIZENS GUARDS. Company F, Capt. John Linton, 3rd Reg. Col. Minier, Camp Scott, York, Pa.
JOHNSTOWN INFANTRY, Company G, Capt. T.H. Lapsley, 3rd Reg., Col. Minier, Camp Scott, York, Pa.
ZOUAVE CADETS, Co. K, Capt. John Suter, 3rd Reg. Col. Minier, Camp Scott, York, Pa.
ALLEGHENY GUARDS, Co. H, Capt. George W. Easley, 10th Reg, Col. S.A. Meredith, Camp Slifer, Chambersburg, Pa.
WASHINGTON RIFLES, Co. G, Capt. James Carroll, 10th Reg. Col. S.A.Meredith, Camp Slifer, Chambersburg, Pa. 
"BE BRAVE"
From the Johnstown Tribune,
Mrs. G., whose sons, four in number, left their homes with the Johnstown volunteers, to defend their country, in parting with them, only uttered the words, "BE BRAVE!"
-------------------------------------
THE CAMBRIA GUARDS--This company held a special meeting on Saturday last, and decided to offer their services to the General Government, through Gov. Curtin, under the three years' requisition. Lt. R.A. McCoy and Sgt. R.M. Jones left for Harrisburg on Monday, to carry out the wishes of the company. We have as yet had no return of their success. 
A report was current last week to the effect that the remains of Washington had been stolen from the tomb at Mt. Vernon. It was altogether a mistake--the remains of the Father of his Country are untouched. 
SKIRMISH WITH THE REBELS.
New York, May 20-- Special dispatches to the Evening Post and Commercial report that one of the government coast guard got ashore last night at the mouth of the Potomac, and was attacked by an armed propeller from Richmond with a large force of the rebels. After a brisk contest the rebels were repulsed; their loss in unknown. Four U.S. soldiers were killed and five wounded. The latter were landed at Fort Washington, today. Another steamer, with fifty soldiers, has gone in pursuit of the pirates. 
AN OFFER FROM SCOTLAND--The most significant offer yet made to our Government is that just received from Scotland. Certain prominent Scotch merchants, doing business in this country are responsible for a tender of ten regiments of unequipped men, who are not earning eleven dollars per month above their living, and who are ready and willing to enter the service of the United States for the war, be it long or short, on the condition that. at the expiration of the war, Government will grant them each a bounty of land. 
THE TRAITORS OF MARYLAND,KENTUCKY, VIRGINIA AND MISSOURI, if not of North Carolina and Tennessee, will have their hands full at home. Western Virginia is a unit against the rebellion; and should the eastern portion of the state venture upon active measures against the government, a new state will be created, and volunteers enough take the field to hold the rebels in check. 
Kentucky is even more evenly divided. Already three full regiments have taken the field for the Union, and when Col. Anderson shall take his place at the head of "The Hunters" of his native state, an army strong enough to speedily crush out treason from its borders will make its appearance. 
In Missouri, ten thousand Union volunteers are already enrolled; and in less than ten days the loyal men of that state will show themselves too formidable to be attacked.  
Maryland has almost entirely recovered from her rebellious spasm. The true men of the state are bold and ready. They cannot be put down. Already our troops pass "through Baltimore" undisturbed and in a fortnight not a traitor will show his head except through a halter. 
WAR MATTERS! -- In obedience to an Act of Assembly, entitled "an Act to create a loan, and to provide for arming the State," an allotment of fifteen regiments directed to be organized has been made, and one company is set down as the quota of Cambria county. This, when some six or eight companies are organized and ready to march from our midst at any moment, may seem a small number; but our gallant fellows must remember that there be other counties in the State, as yet not at all represented in the Good Cause, who are willing, aye, and anxious, to go forth to the battle. And they must be respected. 
We believe it is settled beyond that the Ebensburg company, the "Cambria Guards." is to be the company to go from this county--indeed, it is reported that they have been accepted and ordered to "lay on their arms." But of this we have nothing definite. We hope, however for the sake of our brave boys, who are absolutely "spilling for a fight," that the report may prove true. 
SOLDIER SHOT AT CAMP SCOTT--On last Wednesday evening, a young man named George Glass, of Johnstown, was shot twice and severely although not dangerously wounded, by a citizen of York. He and a companion had been bathing in the stream near town, and on returning they stopped at a private house to get a drink of water. After drinking, they insisted upon being permitted to play a game of cards in the house. This was refused, when the companion of Glass attempted improper liberties with a woman in the house. At this demonstration, the citizen seized a revolver and fired at Glass' companion, but without effect. The second shot was fired at Glass, and took effect in his back, below the shoulder blade. A third ball took effect in his left eye, making a slight wound. He was attended by a surgeon immediately, and it is thought he will recover.