The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1863-04-23
NUMBER 80.
Military Matters I'm the west.
HEADQUARTERS PIONEER BRIGADE,
ARMY OF THE CuMprpIAvD

AhMn oF THE
MURFREEsBoRo, Tenn, Apra 8, 1868.
Correspondence of The Alleghanian.
1t has been a long time since your ever
welcome journal has been received; owing,
probably, to the fact of my not informing
you that L have been detached and am
now in the Pioneer Brigade. n6o
This brigade is composed of detach-
ments from each regiment in this depart
ment, each detachment consisting of one
commissioned and two non-commissioned
officers and twenty one privates. 1t num-
bers in all Gncluding Pontoniers, Pack
Mule Train and Construction Train) over
three thousand three hundred men, and
is commanded by Brig. Gen. J.. st. G.
Morton, of the Engineer Corps of the
regular army-an efficient officer. There
are also attached to the brigade two bat
| teries, one known as The "Board of Trade
from Chicago, and the other as bridges
Battery"
To-day Gen. Van Clcve's division re-
turned from five days scout in the di-
rection of Liberty. They were out
distance of forty miles from here. They
captured fifteen or twenty prisoners, and
brought in a large quantity of forage
During the trip, the rebels captured two
| of our men, but fearing recapture, they
lashed them to a tree aud shot them, kill
| ling one instantly and wounding the other.
| The wounded man extricated himself, and
was brought isto camp with the division.
The bullet lodged in the flcshy part of
his neck, but was removed by the sur
geons.
A man, representing himself as hailins
from the eastern part of Maine, and caIs
ling himself by name Locke, and wknhad
been in this department over a month
selling songs to the soldiers, was arrested
| to-day just outside the lines He was
| taken to Gen. Negley's headquarters, and
| aftcrward placed in confinement in the
guard house, with ball and chain appcn-
dagcs attached. A drawing and plan of
the -earthworks, forti6cations, &c, were
found on his person. Subsequently, while
the sentinel was asleep on his post, Locke
attempted to make his escape, and by 60
doing awakened the cavalry man, who,
picking up the sentinel's gun, started i'm
pursuit, crying ''halt ~ But Locke paid
| not the least attention to him; and the
cavalryman discharged his weapon, the
ball taking effect in the fugitive's leg
| This brought him to stand, but only for
moment. Determined to make good his
escape, Locke started again, when the
cavalryman fired the second time, the
ball taking effect in his breast, killing
him almost Instantly.
| On the 10th inst, private of the Goth
o. V. L. will be shot for deserting in the
face of the enemy on the 3Ist of last
December. A private of the 9th Ky.
Inf will also be shot on the 14th inst,
for being absent without leavsSfor more
than year.
Rosecrans is keeping the rebels on a
move all the time. He is as watchful of
their movements as general can possibly
be. They do not get chance 20 mass
a force in front of him without his know
ing. He is not to be ausht napping.-
On the contrary, he is willing and anxious
| to receive them at all hours and at all
| times.
The army is in good condition, and do
not complain of anything, except it be
of Northern s'Copperheads," the course Of
whom they abhor and despise. Vallan-
digham and his clique of compromise
| shriekers are in bad odor here. The boys
aver that they are traitors of the deepest
dye, and should receive the doom of
| traitors. | concur with them.
Spring has set in, and everything looks .
green and beautiful. The peach trees
have, been il bloom here for over two
weeks. SPACE-DRIvER.
rca The Charleston Merc,n saws moth.