The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1865-09-15
The Military Record
OF
LIEUT.. COL. JOHN P. LINTON,
The Democratic Candidate for Survey OF
General.

We are indebted to Adjutant William H.
Rose, Of the 54th regiment 2, v, for the fol-
lowing succinct and graphic history oi Col.
Linton's military services:
HIS START IN LIFE.
Col Linton comes of good Democratic stock,
being the eldest son Of Robert z. Linton, who
has been life long Democrat and who has
served three terms as sheriff Of Cambria Coun-
ty, and has all along been a working partisan,
He was born in Johnstown, Cambria county.
in the year 1888, and is thirty-two years Of
/ age He was a student at Jefferson College
Cauonsburg, PENNSYLVANIA, but his evesight
failing, he was compelled 10 leave college He
did not, however, entirely give up his studies,
but continued 70 store his mind with a vast
fund Of uselul knowledge, gathered under such
/ adverse circumstances as would have utterly
deferred a man of less energy and determina-
tiun. III So his cyesigh! was sufficiently re
stored TO enable him to study, and he at once
entered the law Office Of Hon. c l.. Pcgsh.oG.
. Of Iah0sfowu where faT !hrce years he was an
.utaG.izabia student III 1855 he was admit
ted 10 the practice law. Immediately thcreaf
Ter be was taken into partnership with bis pre-
ceptor, Hon. c. /. Per.hiug in which he CON
tinged until 1883.
! uE SERVES IN THE THREE MONTHS CAMPAIGN.
Whilst in the midst Of successful career,
the war Of the great rebellion broke out, and
the call was made for troops Col Linton was
First Lieutenant OF a volunteer organization
composed almost if not exclusivly, Of Democrats.
The company at once elected him Captain, aud
he marched it to Camp Curtin, where it was
designated as Company +, Third Penna Vol.
Infantry.
HE GOES IN FOR THREE YEARS
Immediately after the termination Of the
three months campaign, under Maj. Gen. Pat
terson, Col Linton, in conjunction with bis pres
eut competitor, Col Jacob NJ. Campbell, set
about raising regiment for the three years
service. This was accomplished, and Linton,
by the unanimous voice Of his companions Of
the three months service, was selected as Major
The regiment was designated the 54th Pa Vols
sse-44er- -4tsz9 frsi1iys r-- - i4DSAh
Tile regiment was stationed for a long time,
along the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, guard
ING it, as well as protecting the lower tier Of
counties in Pennsylvania. We may here say
that, although for q long time unknown to
fame. this regiment occupied and protected ff-
ty-six miles Of that important artery Of supply
for Washington and the Army Of the Potomac.
It's duty was the most arduous and trying, re-
curing the utmost diligence and watcftulness
of both officers and men; but Il single compa-
ny ford, and these were miles apart, and
each exposed ~ vory imminent danger Of being
cut off and captured.
A SCOUT AND sKI83Tsu,
Major Linton was stationed at South Branch,
the extreme western post, until Lee invaded
FAIaryland. The regime ut at this time was
part of Col. d. ). Miles command When
Harper's Ferry fell, the 54th was the only reg
iment Of the command that escaped the sur
render. Back Greek Bridge, the extreme east
ern post, being threatened by the enemy, MAJOR
Linton was transferred from the west and as
signed to the command of the same. Whilst
the rear guard Of jacksou's army, marching to
invest Harpers Ferry, was passing, within one
mile OF Major LiDton's post, Col. Campbell
and Major Linton with thirty men pushed out
from LintOnS camp and suddenly attacking
threw the rebels into confusion, who. thinking
themselves attacked by large force, fled in eg-
cry direction. Returning to his post Major
Linton continued to hold it in the very face of
the enemy being constantly in sight Of their
lines, and liable at any moment to attack.
LIE GUARDS BRIDGE wTrH QUAKER GUNS"
After the battle Of Antietam, the whole rebel
army was concentrated at Martinsburg enqa-
ged IN destroying the railroad. Major Linton
with 4 single company Of infantry held post
i guarding an important bridge bot twelve miles
from the main body Of the rebel army and in
constant sight of their scouting parties BY
constantly scouting; by repeated 4kiTniehcs; by
erecting log breast-works, and mounting Qua
ker guns" by blowing up stumps mornings and
evenings, to initiate the discharge Of artillery,
he deceived the rebels effectualiy as to his
strength. In this he was Of course sustained
! by Col. Campbell who assisted in the deception
( by bringing companies from other posts by rail
to Back Greek, which were marched and c0un-
/ termarched in and out of the breas;works and
+ in face Of the enemy, with a great show Of
strength, when they were then quietly moved
off 10 their proper posts, leaving Linton alone
to keep the works. BY these devices the rebels
were deceived and held in check for two weeks,
/ but early one morning they marched with a
! large force of cavalry, infantry and artillery to
/ attack, and by their superior numbers compel
I led the Major TO fall back slowly three miles to
/ Cherry Run, where he was met by Col. Camp
I bell with reinfUrcements. An effort was made
to dislodge the rebels, but it failed, and Major
Linton was left with bat TWO companies of IN
| fantry at Cherry Run to watch the movements
and defend as best he could, the road BY con
slant diligence and activity, suddenly appear
1 ing at unexpected points, he succeeded in his
perilous dnty. At Maynard's Mill, he came
unexpectedly on force OF rebel cavalry, three
or four times his numbers and completely rout~
/ ell them. Not content with hearing how affairs
STOOD Major Linton always accompanied his
scouting parties and personally directed their
movements, after penetrating the rebel lines
and once barely escaping them