Blair County Newspaper Articles
News, obituaries, birth, marriage and death notices, by date.
Items from The Altoona Tribune, Altoona, Pa.,
Thursday, September 25, 1862
Proclamation of the President.
By the President of the United States of America.
A PROCLAMATION.
I, ABRAHAM LINCOLN, President of the United States of America, and Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy thereof, do hereby proclaim and declare that hereafter, as heretofore, the war will be prosecuted for the object of practically restoring the Constitutional relations between the United States and each of the States and the people thereof, in which States that relation is or may be suspended or disturbed.
That it is my purpose, upon the next meeting of Congress, to again recommend the adoption of a practical measure tendering pecuniary aid, subject to the free acceptance or rejection of all the Slave States, so called, the people whereof may not then be in rebellion against the United States, and which States may then have voluntarily adopted, or thereafter may voluntarily adopt the immediate or gradual abolishment of slavery within their respective limits, and that the effort to colonize persons of African descent, with their consent, upon this continent or elsewhere, with the previously obtained consent of the Governments existing there, will be continued.
That on the 1st day of January, in the year of our lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, all persons held as slaves within any State or designated part of a State, the people whereof shall then be in rebellion against the United States, shall be then, thenceforth and forever free, and the Executive Government of the United States, including the military and naval authorities thereof will recognize and maintain the freedom of such persons, and will do no act or acts to repress such persons or any of them in any efforts they may make for their actual freedom.
That the Executive will, on the 1st day of January aforesaid, by proclamation designate the States or parts of States, if any, in which the people thereof respectively shall then be in rebellion against the United States, and the fact that any State, or the people thereof, shall, on that day, be in good faith represented in the Congress of the United States, by members chosen thereto at elections wherein a majority of the qualified voters of such State shall have participated, shall in the absence of strong countervailing testimony, be deemed conclusive evidence that such State and the people thereof are not then in rebellion against the United States.
That attention is hereby called to an act of Congress entitled "An act to make an additional article of war," approved March 13th, 1862, and which act is in the words and figure following: -
"Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that hereafter the following shall be promulgated as an additional article of war for the government of the Army of the United States, and shall be observed as such.
"Article -: All officers or persons in the military or naval services of the United States are prohibited from employing any of the forces of their respective commands for the purpose of returning fugitives from service or labor, who may have escaped from any person to whom such service or labor is claimed to be due; and any officer who shall be found guilty by a Court-martial of violation of this article, shall be dismissed from the service.
"Section 2. And be it further enacted, That this act shall take effect from and after its passage."
Also to the Ninth and Tenth Sections of an Act entitled "An act to suppress insurrection, to punish treason and rebellion, to seize and confiscate the property of rebels and for other purposes." Approved July 17, 1862, and, which sections are in the words and figures following:
"Section 9. And be it further enacted, That all slaves of persons who shall hereafter be engaged in rebellion against the Government of the United States, or who shall in any way give aid or comfort thereto, and captured from such persons and taking refuge within the lines of the army, and all slaves captured from such persons or deserted by them and coming under the control of the Government of the United States, and all slaves of such persons found on or being within any place occupied by the forces of the United States, shall be deemed captives of war, and shall be forever free of their servitude, and not again held as slaves.
"Section 10. And be it further enacted, That no slave escaping into any State, Territory or the District of Columbia from any other State, shall be delivered up, or in any way impeded or hindered of his liberty, except for crime or some offence against the laws, unless the person claiming the said fugitive shall first make oath that the person to whom the labor or service of such fugitive is alleged to be due is his lawful owner, and has not borne arms against the United States in the present rebellion, nor in any way given aid and comfort thereto."
No person engaged in the military or naval service of the United States shall, under any pretence whatsoever, assume to decide on the validity of the claim of any person to the service or labor of any other person, or surrender up any such person to the claimant, on pain of being dismissed from the service. And I do hereby enjoin upon and order all persons engaged in the military and naval service of the United States to observe obey and enforce within their respective spheres of service the acts and sections above recited.
And the Executive will, in due time, recommend all citizens of the United States who shall have remained loyal thereto throughout the rebellion, shall, upon the restoration of the Constitutional relation between the United States and the people, if that relation shall have been suspended or disturbed, be compensated for all losses by acts of the United States, including the loss of slaves.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.
Done at the city of Washington, this, the 22 day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, and of the independence of the United States the eighty-seventh. - ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
By the President,
WM. H. SEWARD, Secretary of State.
Proclamation by the President.
WHEREAS, It has become necessary to call into service not only volunteers but also portions of the militia of the states, by draft, in order to suppress the insurrection existing in the United States, and disloyal parties are not adequately restrained, by the ordinary processes of law, from hindering this measure, and from giving aid and comfort, in various ways, to the insurrection:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDERED:
First, That during the existing insurrection, and as a necessary measure for suppressing the same, that all rebels and insurgents, their aiders and abettors, within the United States, and all persons discouraging volunteer enlistments, resisting the militia drafts, or guilty of disloyal practices, affording aid and comfort to the rebellion against the authority of the United States, shall be subject to martial law, and liable to trial and punishment by court martial or military commission.
Second, That the writ of habeas corpus is suspended in respect to all persons arrested or who are now or may hereafter, during the rebellion, be imprisoned in any fort, camp, arsenal, military prison, or other place of confinement by any military authority, or by the sentence of any court-martial or military commission.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set
my hand, and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed. [L.
S.] ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
Done at the city of Washington, this the twenty-fourth day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty two, and of the independence of the United States the eighty seventh.
By the President:
WM. SEWARD, Secretary of State.
THE SURRENDER OF HARPER'S FERRY. - The surrender of Harper's Ferry continues to excite indignation and disgust. There is no doubt that it could have been held. Three officers are accused of this shame - Col. Miles, who was in command; Gen. White, who should have been in command, and Col. Ford, who commanded the Maryland Heights. Ford publishes a card saying he can prove that in evacuating the key to the position, he obeyed the orders of his superiors. If he can prove that, it will clear his skirts; if not, on him must fall the odium. Gen. White has not been heard from.
Miles is dead, but his death should not prevent a full exposition of his conduct. There are those who assert that the surrender was deliberate treachery, on his part. It is a well known fact that Miles was drunk at Bull Run, misbehaving badly, and he should have been at that time dismissed from the service; but, as was the case with Mason, and a hundred others, he was retained until his misdeeds brought serious calamity to our arms.
By this surrender, it can not be called a capture, the rebels took fourteen thousand five hundred men, one hundred tons of ammunition, rations for fourteen thousand men for twenty days, fifty-seven guns, (some of them the best Parrott guns,) fourteen thousand stand of arms, and four batteries of field artillery.
STILL RETREATING. - A train of cars crossed the Monocacy on Monday morning. The road is now open to Harper's Ferry, where there is sufficient federal force for all purposes. The rebels are in hasty retreat from Maryland. They left between 1,100 and 1,200 wounded between Sharpsburg and the river. They are being paroled. Twenty-six stand of colors were taken during the battle of the Antietam, and have been received at headquarters; seventeen more, known to have been captured, are in the hands of different regiments. Further reconnaissance of the other side of the river in front of Washington, continue to demonstrate that there is no considerable force of rebels this side of the Bull Run Mountain.
ELEVEN REBELLIONS. - Since the organization of the Federal government, eleven attempts have been made to resist its authority. The first was in 1782 - a conspiracy of some of the officers of the Federal army; to consolidate the thirteen states into one, and confer the supreme power on Washington. The second, in 1787, called Shay's insurrection in Massachusetts. The third, in 1794, called the whiskey insurrection of Pennsylvania. - The fourth, in 1814, by the Hartford convention. The fifth, in 1820, on the question of the admission of Missouri in the Union. The sixth was a collision between the Legislature of Georgia and the Federal government, in regard to the lands given to the Creek Indians. The seventh was in 1830 with the Cherokees in Georgia. The eighth was the memorable nullifying ordinance of South Carolina, 1832. The ninth was in 1842, in Rhode Island, between Suffrage association and the State authorities. The tenth was in 1856, on the part of the Mormons, who resisted the Federal authorities. The eleventh is the present attempt of secession.
Altoona Tribune, Altoona, Pa., Thursday, September 25, 1862, page 2
LOCAL ITEMS.
VOLUNTEERS' FAMILIES. - We cannot see why it is that the families of men who are wealthy or in comparative affluent circumstances, are dearer to husbands, than are the families of persons who are compelled to labor daily to procure their bread; or why husbands of the latter class should be so much more largely represented in the army than the former who have the most at stake with the rise or fall of the government. Yet from facts which exist we might be led to the conclusion that the poor man has no family ties which are not easily severed, no ambition to gratify except an indulgence in the carnage of the battle field. But far from this is the case. Their home endearments and family ties are just as warm and strong as those of the man of wealth. Aye, warmer and stronger. Else why would they leave their homes and their almost destitute families for the battle field to uphold the flag under which they have been less prosperous than the men of wealth. Their bravery and patriotism is worth more than wealth, more than power, and they must be repaid for their labor and sacrifices. The country owes them a debt which can never be liquidated. We have their families among us, and it is the very least that those who remain at home can do, to see that they do not suffer in the absence of husbands and brothers to fight the battles of the country. There are probably but few necessary cases now, but there will be numbers of them before winter comes. To be prepared to care for them, look after their necessities and discriminate between those who are really needy and those who are not, organization is absolutely necessary. Hence the partial measures already adopted by aid and relief societies will prove insufficient. Let there be organization and system at once, and every precaution taken to secure the desired result. We know that the Legislature has made provision for the wants of soldiers' families, but considerable detail is involved in this process, and many families will suffer before they can obtain relief through this source. A plan must be adopted which will cover all emergencies.
"At a special meeting of the Trustees of the Altoona Fair View Cemetery Association, held on Monday evening, Sept. 22, the following resolution was unanimously passed:
Resolved, That the circle plot in the Fair View Cemetery be appropriated for the purpose of interring all soldiers of this borough and immediate vicinity who have died or may die during this rebellion.
The following committee was appointed to wait on the relatives and friends of all deceased soldiers to inform them of the above resolution and request them to accept of the proposition: - A. A. Smyth, D. Laughman and G. W. Kessler.
DESTRUCTIVE FIRE. - A fire broke out in this place, about 10 o'clock on Wednesday night last, in the grocery store of Mr. Farrell, corner of Virginia and Allegheny streets, which consumed the building, together with all the contents. The dwelling house adjoining also took fire and was nearly burned to the ground. It was owned by Mr. Alex. Gwin, of Logan township. The family living in it saved some of their clothing and furniture, but in a damaged condition. The Good Will Fire Company was promptly on the spot, with their Engine, and by their untiring exertions, no doubt, saved the adjoining properties. What the loss is we cannot say. The store was partly insured in the Lycoming company,
For the Altoona Tribune.
MESSRS. EDITORS: - It has been asked "Why do not the Ladies of Altoona
do something for the comfort of the sick and wounded soldiers?" We
would say in reply that, while we have not had an organized society
since last year, yet during that time individuals have been laboring
constantly, and quite a number of boxes have been sent to different
hospitals. Since we organized, (on the 8th of this month.) We have
prepared and sent six boxes; three containing canned fruit, &c.,
and the other three were large boxes packed with lint, bandages, pads,
compresses, shirts, coats, towels, pocket handkerchiefs, pillows,
pillow-cases and sheets.
KATE E. GWINN, Secy.
ARE YOU ASSESSED? - Voters will remember the necessity of being assessed ten days before the election, in order to procure their votes at the coming October election. Those who desire to exercise that privilege will hunt up the assessor and hand him their names. John McClellan, Esq., is the assessor.
Killed and Wounded of the 125th.
We have not time this (Friday) morning to give a detailed account of our visit to the battle-field of Antietam and the hospitals in that vicinity, but in this short sketch will confine our report to those matters which more particularly interest our readers.
From the fact that the wounded of the 125th regiment were scattered all over the country in the various hospitals, and but few of them knew exactly how many members of their companies were killed or wounded, it was hard to obtain correct information. One would tell us that such a person was wounded, another that he was killed, and another again that he was not injured. Those who were wounded were immediately carried off the field and consequently did not learn the fate of their comrades who fell afterwards, or who were taken to other hospitals.
The killed and wounded of the regiment, so far as we were able to ascertain from the most reliable persons, are as follows:
Adjutant R. M. Johnson, of Williamsburg, wounded in the hip, died on Friday following.
Co. A. - CAPT. BELL.
Killed. - A. Womer, Jas. Hunter, Austin Crissman.
Wounded. - Lieut. W. F. Martin, arm; Alfred Abbott, slightly, A. C. Edwards, knee - flesh wound; Henry Crocker, breast; Charles Huff, severely; John Isenberg, leg; Erastus Kinsel, leg and shoulder; George Orr, slightly; James Roseberg, slightly; F. Wolf, leg and face; George Vaughn, slightly; Robert Kerr, slightly; Daniel Shaw, thigh and wrist.
Co. B. - CAPT. HUYETT.
Wounded. - Jas. Geiser, slightly; David Donnelly, leg; George McGonigle, thigh; John Mock, thigh; Milton Powell, hand; B. F. Wolfkill, slightly; John A. Teats, spine of back; Andrew Simms, back.
Co. C. - CAPT. WALLACE.
Killed. - Geo. A. Simpson, ___ Hood, David Kuhn, John McCoy, Uriah Hoffman.
Wounded. - B. Williams, D. Simpson, M. Cowen, David Henderson, slightly; Elias Zeke; Alfred McPherran, thigh - flesh wound; George Sprankle, foot, slightly; John R. Lefford, neck, slightly; Easton Robb, leg - flesh wound; M. B. Brenneman, Henry Hahn, N. Decker - wounded and missing; J. R. Knode, leg - flesh wound.
Co. D. - CAPT. HOSTETTER.
Killed. - J. A. Brown, John E. Davis, John A. Kelly.
Wounded and Since Dead. - Emanuel Burley, John Rose.
Wounded. - Capt. Hostetter, side, not fatally; 1st Lieut. A. Marshal, run over by a horse and slightly injured; 2d Lieut. Tries, arm and leg, slightly; Sergt. E. L. Russ, bowels, severely, but now on fair way of recovery; Levi Burley, leg; W. B. Blake, leg; F. Bowen, leg - since amputated; S. H. Williamson, hand; John Rollin, side, with shell, severely; Stephen Aiken, jaw; John Walton, shoulder; Joseph Robison, thigh; Lewis Minehart, stunned with shell; Pat Haney, hand.
Joseph S. McGlaughlin, reported killed, but up to Wednesday evening his grave had not been found.
Isaac Markley is missing but is supposed to be safe.
Corporal William Burley, reported killed, has since been heard from. Is at Keatysville, wounded.
Co. E. - CAPT. McGRAW.
Killed. - Franklin Baker.
Wounded. - John Dunlap, hip; Adam Burge, foot; David Harklerholde, hip; Jesse Benton, arm; Wm. McGinnis, ear.
Co. F. - CAPT. SIMPSON.
Wounded. - Capt. Wm. Simpson, Lieut. Wagner, Daniel Shorthill, Chas. Bryan.
Co. G. - CAPT. McKEAGE.
Killed. - Corp. Jas. H. Gibboney.
Wounded. - Sergt. David E. McCahan, leg; Joseph Reed, shoulder; John Prunkhard, finger off; Jas. Morrow, arm; Albert Beamer arm - since amputated; Jas. Holler, hip; James D. Riddle, stomach; Thomas Charles, leg; Jos. G. Price, foot; Bascom H. Sharrar, leg; D. R. P. Johnson, shoulder; John Sanders, arm.
Co. K. - CAPT. GARDNER.
Wounded. - Fred. C. Ward, hip, since dead; William Beales, leg; Stephen Beales, arm; Abram Rhodes, left shoulder; George Jones, left thigh, flesh wound; M. A. McDermott, left ankle; Hiram McGuire, right thigh; John Commerford, right shoulder; Fred Hoeffler, hand; Pat. F. Kearney, right leg; Charles Dillon, right shoulder; Robert Smith, head; A. H. Bortman, hand; Simon Bender, right shoulder; Fred. Bierman; Simon McCleary, head.
Missing. - Wm. Myers.
We were unable to obtain any correct information in regard to company's H, and I, further than that Capt. Thomas, of Huntingdon, was wounded, and James G. Snyder, of Capt. Gregg's company, wounded in right leg.
Geo. R. Everson, of the 8th Regiment, R. C., was killed on last Sunday at the battle of South Mountain by a bullet shot through the head.
James Maxwell, of this place, member of Baxter's Zouaves, of Philadelphia, was wounded in the hand.
All the wounded men above named are doing well, and will recover. They are being moved to Harrisburg and Frederick City, Md., as fast as the ambulances and the nature of their wounds will admit. - We would advise those who intend visiting their wounded friends, not to be in too great haste. They may not be to-day where they were yesterday, and they can have no assurance that they will find them until they are placed in a regular hospital in some of the cities. Besides this, it is impossible to obtain board in the neighborhood of the hospitals near the battleground, as all the houses are deserted by their owners.
Next week we shall endeavor to give a sketch of our observations on the battleground and at the hospitals, but we know that we shall fall far short of the reality. Words cannot portray the scenes we there witnessed.
MARRIED.
On the 7th inst., at Williamsburg, by the Rev. John Moore, Mr. Arthur M. Jones, of Petersburg, Huntingdon county, to Miss Mary Jane Ketner, of Cove Forge, Blair county.
DIED:
In Allegheny township, Mrs. Mary Reep, aged 52 years, 7 months and 27 days.
Near Newry, on the 14th of Sept., 1862, Johnston R. Yon, aged 7 years, 1 month and 2 days.
On the same day, Samuel Blair Yon, aged 4 years, 9 months and 9 days.
On the 21st of Sept., Thomas Bell Yon, aged 2 years, 7 months and 2 days.
The last three named were children of Mr. Henry Yon and Mrs. Mary A. Yon; and all fell victims to that terrible scourge, Diphtheria.
On Sabbath afternoon, Sept. 21st, Sallie Cochran, daughter of Benjamin F. and Maria E. Rose, aged 3 years, 7 months and 23 days.
Altoona Tribune, Altoona, Pa., Thursday, September 25, 1862, page 3