You are here:   Cambria > Books > History of Cambria County, V.2
History of Cambria County, V.2

16 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
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 citizens 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. H. 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-


Previous page Title Page Contents Image Next page

Created: 14 Mar 2003, Last Updated:
Copyright © 2000-2003, All Rights Reserved
Lynne Canterbury, Diann Olsen and contributors