or her duty. By midday Captain Lapsley's company, as well as that of Capt. Powers, was completed, each numbering over eighty men. At four o'clock Power's Zouaves mustered at their hall, and an hour later Lapsley's Infantry assembled at the

armory.

At 6 o'clock the people en masse assembled in and around the Zouave Hall, for the purpose of presenting to each of the companies a flag, which had been procured by the women. Mrs. Sarah Maclay and Mrs. Alexander Hamilton had devoted their attentions to this object. Soon after 7 o'clock Daniel J. Morrell, on behalf of the ladies, presented the flags, and Lieut. Jacob M. Campbell received them on behalf of both companies. Three cheers were given for the ladies, three for the speakers, and three for the citizen soldiery. Abraham Kopelin and Rev. S. E. Babcock made short farewell addresses, and the meeting adjourned, as the hour for the departure of the first defenders was approaching.

At 10 o'clock both companies were marched to the Cambria House, now the site of the Merchants' Hotel, where supper had been prepared for those who were about to leave. The Cambria Brass Band and the German Brass Band were on the streets playing martial music. The time of parting had arrived, and near the midnight hour, or within forty hours after the call was received, Johnstown had two companies on their way to defend the Union. The spirit of the times was exemplified by an old lady, a Mrs. Thomas, who gave three sons to the same company, speeding them with her blessing and prayerful admonition to be true to the flag and to protect their country's honor. Thus closed the fifth day after the firing on Fort Sumter.

With a full quota of men the Cambria Guards met in their armory Thursday morning, April 18, and elected John P. Linton captain, and it was announced that they would leave for Harrisburg that evening. At 8 o'clock another meeting was held in the Zouave Hall, when Mr. Morrell, appearing for the ladies, presented the Cambria Guards with their colors, which were accepted by Capt. Linton. Cheer after cheer was given by the great mass for the third company of the First Defenders. Other patriotic speeches were made by Rev. Father O. P. Gallagher, C. L. Pershing, Abraham Kopelin, W. II. Rose and the Revs. B. L. Agnew and D. P. Mitchell. After the meeting the Guards were invited to the Foster House on the northeast cor

ner of Locust and Clinton streets for supper. Near midnight Capt. Linton's company embarked for the state capital, making an aggregate of 250 men ready for service in their country's cause, within seventy-two hours after the call by the gov

ernor.

George

Another incident shows the spirit of its men. Fritz and Alexander Hamilton had been members of Capt. Lapsley's Infantry, and had made all preparations to go with the company. The former was mechanical engineer and the latter superintendent of the mill, both filling such responsible positions that the management believed their presence in the operation of the works to be a necessity. Mr. Morrell appealed to them, but, feeling it their duty to go with their comrades, both declined to stay. Deeming the result of such action to be the closing of the works, an appeal was made to Captain Lapsley's company, which gave its unanimous judgment that Comrades Fritz and Hamilton would render more service to their country by remaining at home to make iron than could possibly be done on the field, and requested them to remain. Mr. Morrell, manager of the Cambria Iron Company, informed the volunteers that as long as the war lasted, their wives and children should have whatever was needed, "without money and without price," and as long as he had credit the mill should not stop.

The following Tuesday Capt. Easly's Allegheny Guards took its departure for Harrisburg, about the same time as the company of Capt. Richard White, of Lilly. A stand of colors was presented to the Guards, as well as a handsome Colt's revolver to Capt. Easly. The fourth company had left Johnstown within a week after the call.

The dispatch below was received at a mass meeting held to make arrangements for recruiting other forces:

General James Potts:

Harrisburg, April 25, 1861.

It is utterly out of my power to accept any more troops at present. I doubt not the Government will shortly call for more soldiers, when your men will have a chance. As far as possible let the men be drilled.

A. G. CURTIN.

On the same day a committee was appointed to look after the welfare of the families of those who were now absent: First Ward-Mrs. S. R. Keemle, Mrs. S. H. Smith, C. B. Ellis and Evan Roberts. Second Ward-Mrs. S. H. Maclay, Mrs.

Alexander Hamilton, John Swegler and J. L. Jeffreys. Third Ward-Mrs. Lewis Plitt, Mrs. William McPherson, James Morley and Louis Luckhardt. Fourth Ward-Mrs. George W. Martin, Mrs. Henry Yeagley, A. B. Kurtz and Joseph G. Holmes. Fifth Ward-Mrs. John Parks, Mrs. Joseph Layton, David Dibert and Joseph Kuntz. Conemaugh borough, now the Ninth and Tenth Wards-Mrs. John Harker, Miss Mary Griffin, Robert H. Canan and John Devlin. Cambria, now the Fifteenth and Sixteenth Wards-Mrs. Rebecca Llewellyn, Mrs. C. Mendall, John Ryan and Francis Gallisoth. Millville, now the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Wards-Mrs. William Lundy, Mrs. Charles Kennedy, Captain Patrick Graham and Col. James Cooper. General Trustees: D. J. Morrell, S. H. Smith and Lewis Plitt. This organization as such continued throughout the war, and rendered valuable assistance.

On Tuesday, April 30, another company, known as the Johnstown Guards, was organized, with Maj. John Flanagan as captain; William Horace Rose, first and Hiram Herrington second lieutenants, but their services were not accepted as per the order of Governor Curtin.

By reason of the expiration of the three months' term the three companies returned July 31st. Their reception was cordial. Gen. Potts had the three companies of uniformed German Home Guards to receive them with music and flying banners. Three triumphal arches of evergreens, flowers and flags spanned Main street, one at Frazer's drug store and the Mansion House; another about 200 feet above Clinton, at Hoerle's cabinet shop, and the third at Orr's, near Jackson street. On Clinton, at Main, pictures of Washington, Scott and Ellsworth were wreathed as the soldier heroes of the day.

But the battle of Bull Run had been fought and the Union cause lost. Another call was made for troops. Capt. Patrick Graham had organized the Union Cadets, and was awaiting marching orders. Thursday, August 22, it took its departure. On the following Tuesday the first detachment of the McClellan Guards, with Capt. William B. Bonacker in command, left Johnstown for Harrisburg. On September 4, the Johnstown Zouave Cadets, with Capt. John P. Suter, left for Camp Curtin, accompanied by a squad of recruits for Capt. Lapsley's

company.

The following is a copy of a poster authorized by Capt. Thomas II. Lapsley when he was recruiting for Co. D.:

"RECRUITS

wanted.

"A few more Men are required to fill up to the maximum Comp. D. 54th Regt. Pa. Vols.

(Light Infantry)

"This Regiment, it is now certain will form part of the

GREAT PA. EXPEDITION

soon to be fitted out at Philadelphia, destined to sail for the SOUTHERN COAST.

"A rare opportunity is here offered to young men who desire to see the world, as well as to serve their country. The Regiment is composed of men recruited in this and the adjoining counties and persons going into active service will find it to their advantage to serve side by side with their neighbors and friends. "Apply to the undersigned at the office of John P. Linton, Esq., Corner of Main and Franklin Streets, Johnstown.

"T. H. LAPSLEY,

"Captain Company D. 54th Regt. Penn'a Vols.

"Feb. 8, 1862."

On July 21, 1862, Governor Curtin issued a call for 30,000 troops. A mass meeting was held on the Public Square to provide for its fulfillment. George S. King was chairman. Addresses were made by Abraham Kopelin, Daniel McLaughlin, T. L. Heyer, Gen. James Potts, Rev. B. L. Agnew, Rev. A. Ehrenfelt and Prof. J. E. Griffin. Vigorous resolutions were adopted, and $3,645 raised to further the object. On the following Monday another mass meeting was held on the Square, when speeches were made by Prof. S. B. McCormick, Moses Canan, J. E. Griffin, J. F. Barnes, T. L. Heyer, A. Kopelin, Mr. Singleton, Rev. A. J. Hartsock and Bishop Wagoner, Gen. Potts, and a Rev. Mr. Woolf, of Virginia.

Another meeting was held that week and the sum of $6,800 was collected, and two more companies organized. The officers of the first were Abraham Kopelin, captain; John Downey, first and Powell Stackhouse second lieutenants, the company to leave on Monday. Of the other company Charles Butland was captain, James C. Noon first and Abraham Culin second lieutenants. This company was to leave on Thursday, August 7, 1862.

On the preceding Sunday a farewell meeting had been arranged for Kopelin's company, to be held on the Public Square, under the auspices of the ministers of the churches. At the hour the company was in line in front of the speakers' stand, whereon were Bishop Wagoner, Revs. Ehrenfelt, Hartsock,

Vol. II-2

Agnew, Gessford and Mitchell, and Rev. Graham, from New Florence. It was one of the largest assemblies ever held on that famous commons. The troops were quartered at the Scott House, now the Merchants', the Foster House and the Mansion House, for the night, and at 5 o'clock the next morning they took their departure for Harrisburg. It was the first company with a complement of officers and men to respond to the second call. On Thursday morning Capt. Butland's company embarked for Camp Curtin. Cambria county was the first county in the state to furnish its quota of men under that call. On Tuesday evening, August 12, 1862, another meeting was held on the Square to raise a company. Addresses were made by Robert L. Johnston, Esq., of Ebensburg; Rev. D. P. Mitchell and Daniel McLaughlin, Esq., of Johnstown, and on the following evening, at the same place, Gen. Potts, J. F. Barnes and Rev. Ehrenfelt made patriotic speeches, with the result that on Saturday, August 23, Captain Josiah K. Hite, William McKee, first lieutenant, Robert Tommins, second lieutenant, and a complement of officers and men, known as the Morrell Guards, took their departure for Harrisburg.

On October 16, 1862, the first military draft was enforced throughout the country, but there was no drafting in Johnstown, as its full quota of men had gone forth. Substitutes were being furnished at prices ranging from $1 to $600, offers of even $1,200 being made.

UNION LEAGUE.

On Saturday, February 21, 1863, a large number of citizens met in the council chamber and organized a society known as the Union League of Johnstown. Samuel Douglass, Esq., was chairman, and John M. Bowman, secretary. Messrs. Cyrus Elder, Robert W. Hunt and R. H. Canan, a committee, reported a constitution and by-laws, which were adopted. Article 1 was as follows: "This society shall be known by the name of the Union League of Johnstown. Its object shall be the support of the United States, as recited in the preamble hereto, and the dissemination of true and loyal sentiments in this community."

After the society was organized, James Bell was chosen president; Col. Emanuel Shaffer, vice-president; John M. Bowman, secretary, and John Beam, treasurer. The League met in the chamber at weekly periods, and loyal speakers were present. The society continued during the war.