CONTENTS Johnstown-Its patriotism in the field and at home during the Civil war-How the news of the bombardment of Fort Sumter was received-Three companies sent to the front within seventy-two hours-The collection of the funds by the people and the borough-The Bloody Run campaign-The town fortified at Ben's creek- How the calls for troops by Lincoln and Curtin were answered-The drafts and what Johnstown did-The History of Cambria County. CHAPTER I. THE WAR OF 1812-MEXICAN WAR-SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR. Capt. Richard McGuire, of Loretto, commanded a company from Cambria county in the war of 1812. An examination of the roster discloses the names of many families who now reside in the northern part of the county, namely: the Burgoons, the Coyles, Daugherty, Delozier, Elder, Gallagher, Glass, Lilly, Magehan, McGough, McGuire, Nagle, Troxell, Weakland and Will. The first call for troops was made by Governor Snyder, May 12, 1812, and Capt. McGuire recruited his company in June and July. He marched to Stovestown, and there, on September 13, it was assigned to the First Brigade, under Gen. Jacob Saylor, of Somerset, subsequently led by Gen. Tannehill, and in the Twelfth Division, commanded by Maj. Gen. Alexander Ogle. It was a part of the First Battalion of the 142d Regiment of Infantry. The battalion left Stoyestown for Meadville on Monday morning, September 14, under the command of Maj. Graham. The troops procured dinner at Jennertown from John Dennison, and that night reached Laughlinstown, where they were quartered among the people. On Tuesday they arrived at Gibson's, four miles east of Greensburg. At this point they were joined by Capt. Jonathan Rhoades' company of rifleman from Jenner, whose uniform consisted of a yellow hunting shirt and yellow trousers. There were then too many men to lodge in the house and barn and they were forced to sleep on the ground. On Wednesday they reached Greensburg and were lodged in the court-house, and the following day they marched to Turtle creek, where tents and cooking utensils were supplied. John Stoy, of Stoyestown, who was driving a team for Henry Beaver, of that place, was pressed into the service to haul the equipments of the troops. Mr. Beaver subsequently became major. Vol. II-1 They continued the march to Pittsburg, thence to Meadville, where the regimental officers were chosen, as follows: Colonel, William Piper, of Bedford; major, Henry Beaver, of Stoyestown, and a Mr. Foster, of Erie, for major inspector. Gen. Adamson Tannehill took command of the brigade. They remained at Meadville for some time and there received twelve dollars for two months' service, marching from there to Buffalo. The term of enlistment was for four months, which was about expiring, and most of the men did not reenlist. A most interesting fact, given by William H. Welfley in his "History of Somerset County," recounts that when some of these troops from Somerset county returned, about forty Indians accompanied them for forty miles and stopped at an Indian village. It will be observed this was as late as 1813, and probably referred to the tribes in northern New York. Rev. Ferdinand Kittell, in the "Souvenir" of Loretto, relates an incident of two members of this company returning without permission, and who attended Father Gallitzin's church on the next Sunday, expecting to receive a cordial greeting. They advanced, offering their hands, which he declined to accept, while speaking aloud so that all could hear, "I never shake hands with one who deserts his post." The rates of pay per month for the officers and enlisted men were: Captain, $40; lieutenant, $30; ensign, $20; sergeants, $8; corporals and musicians, $7.33; and privates, $6.66. ROLL OF CAPT. RICHARD M'GUIRE'S COMPANY. Muster-roll of the Rifle Company attached to the First Battalion, 142d Regiment, Pennsylvania Militia, who have volunteered their services in substitution of the draft required from said regiment: Captain, McGuire, Richard; lieutenant, Feltz, John; ensign, Scantlin (Scanlon), John; drummer, Keyler (Kaylor), Peter. Privates: Adam, Ignacies; Adams, Thomas; Burgoon, John; Burgoon, Joseph; Coyler (Coyle), David; Curren, Hugh; Daugherty, John; Delosier, Daniel; Elder, James, Esquire; Elder, Patrick H.; Galagher, Joseph; Glass, George; Keene, Christopher; Lilly, Richard; Magehan, Joseph; McGaugh( McGough), Arthur; McGehan, James; McGuire, James L.; Nagle, Jacob; Noigle, John; Nowel (Noel), John; O'Connor, James; Plot, Joseph; Troxel, Jacob; Warthin, Stannes Lewis; Weakland, John; Will, Jacob; Will, John. I do certify that the foregoing is a true copy of a return made to me by Col. Proctor, in substitution of the draft from the 142d Regiment. . GEORGE GRAHAM, THE MEXICAN WAR-1847-1848. There were two companies from Cambria county in this war-the "Highlanders," from the Summit, commanded by Capt. John W. Geary, and the Cambria Guards, from Ebensburg, under Capt. James Murray, who resigned and was succeeded by Charles H. Heyer. Geary was promoted to be colonel of his regiment when Capt. John Humphreys commanded the company. The companies left Ebensburg, January 2, 1847, and were taken to Pittsburg over the Northern pike in wagons furnished by the people of the vicinity. The first day took them to Blairsville, the second to Murrysville, and the last into Pittsburg. There they joined eight other companies: Capt. Lozier, from Reading; Capt. Johnston, from Philadelphia; Capt. Naylor, from Harrisburg; Capt. William Roberts, from Uniontown; Capt. Porter, from Pittsburg, and Capt. Robert Klotz, from Mauch Chunk, one from Greensburg, and the other from Columbia county, and organized the Second Regiment. At that time Roberts was chosen colonel, and Geary lieutenant-colonel. The regiment remained in Pittsburg for a few days, then embarked on the "Wisconsin," and had a very pleasant voyage down the Ohio and the Mississippi rivers to New Orleans. They went into camp about seven miles below the city, the site of the old battlefield under General Jackson. The "Highlanders" were Company C, and the "Guards" were Company D of the Second Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. In about ten days the troops embarked in a sailing vessel, the "General Vezea," for Vera Cruz, after some delay on account of smallpox developing in another company, which placed all the men in quarantine. On August 7 the regiment left Perote, Mexico, and in three days reached the crest of the Cordilleras, whence was spread out a splendid view of the Valley of Mexico, with the city, the object of the journey, nestled in the midst. The capital, however, was guarded by three times as many men as were in Gen. Scott's army, and the fortifications were numerous and formidable. Then followed the succession of victories-Contreras, taken almost be |