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The War of 1812 with England seems not to have created much enthusiasm among the people of
Harrison County, situated as they were so far from the field of operations that little notice was taken of it.
As far as can be ascertained two companies marched from the County to join the army. One commanded by Captain Joseph
Johnson afterwards Governor, which marched to Norfolk, and the other commanded by Captain John McWhorter, which
marched to the Lakes. David Wolf was a Lieutenant in this Company.
It has been found impossible to secure copies of the rolls of these Companies, as the War Department refuses to
give copies, or any account of their services.
When pensions were granted to the soldiers of this war, a few of them were still living in the County, but no one
seems to have considered it worth while to obtain any account of their services and now that they are all gone
what might have been an interesting part of the history of the County is gone beyond recall.
Thomas P. Moore, of Clarksburg, was appointed a Captain in the Regular Army and served through the war, took part
in the invasion of Canada and participated in the battle of Chrystler's Fields and was promoted to the rank of
major.
Zadock Mclntire, of this County served in this war in the army in Canada, was taken prisoner
and spent more than a year on a prison ship in the harbor of Halifax.
Of those known to have served in this war besides the names of those given who afterwards resided in the County
were Joseph Bailey, Cyrus Haymond, Notley Shuttleworth, John Core, John Gibson, Wilson Bartlett, James Reed. Richard
Powkes, Rueben Bond, Samuel Cottrill, John Gibson, Patrick Sullivan, Edwin S. Duncan, Frederick Harrison, Richard
Bond, Robert Cunningham, Edward Cunningham, William Hugill, James Barton, James Conley, George Davis, Benjamin
Stout, William Bell, Win. Blake, James Barton.
The second war with England was not popular, as a large number of people thought it was unnecessary,
and could have been avoided by the exercise of tact and diplomacy on the part of the Government.
The politicians of the Country hampered the administration in the prosecution of the war, and created distrust
and discontent among the people.
Military operations were badly conducted and finally resulted in the capture of Washington by a small British force
and the flight of the President, which has always been a source of humiliation and chagrin to the American people.
The Navy made a brilliant record but the only transactions of the army during the war that can be referred to with
pride are the invasion of Canada and the battle of New Orleans, which was fought January 8, 1815, after peace had
been declared, but before the news reached America.
This war resulted in Great Britain's surrendering the practice she had exercised of searching American vessels
on the high seas, and impressing American seamen, claiming them as British subjects, and settled other questions
as to navigating the seas.
It is shown by the official records of the War Department that Captain Joseph Johnson's Company of riflemen served
from August 31, 1814 to November 25, 1814 with the 6th Regiment of Virginia Militia, and from November 25, 1814
to February 22, 1815 his company was attached to the 4th. Regiment Virginia Militia and served at Norfolk.
Captain John McWhorter's Company served with the 1st. Regiment Virginia Militia, Colonel Connell's
from September 16, 1812 to April 15, 1813, and served under Gen.. Harrison on the Lakes.
Peter Davis, His Journal, 1812
September 20.
We started from Captain Nathan Davis' and that day marched and encamped at the widow Marsh's.
September 21.
We encamped at the foot of the Dry Ridge.
September 22.
We encamped at Sharp's.
September 23.
We encamped on the bank of the Ohio about one mile below Marietta.
September 24.
We arrived at Parkersburg at the mouth of the Little Kanawha where we laid two days.
We embarked and arrived at Belleville and on the 28th. we arrived at the mouth of Mill Creek.
September 29.
We passed Letart's Palls and encamped two miles above Point Pleasant.
September 30.
We arrived at Point Pleasant where we laid until the 20th of October, there we drew our arms,
knapsacks, tents, clothes and two months pay.
October 20.
We left Point Pleasant and crossed over the Ohio River into the State of Ohio and encamped in
a field on the bank of the river.
October 21.
We arrived and encamped at Gallipolis which is about four miles below Point Pleasant and encamped
in the town.
October 22.
We laid by and nothing particular occurred that day.
October 23.
We still laid there and we had a soldier drummed out of camp for selling government supplies.
About twelve o'clock we struck our tents and marched away. We passed through poor and uneven
land and crossed Big Raccoon Creek.
Went two miles and encamped in a field on the at the sign of the white horse.
October 25.
We struck our tents and marched away at ten o'clock through very poor and uneven land with very
few inhabitants. We reached the Sciota Salt Works, which are about twenty miles and nearly destitute of water.
October 26.
We struck and went on down Salt Creek fifteen miles and encamped in New Richmond, which is about
three quarters of a mile from the Big Sciota, and it a very rough poor country until we got to our camping ground.
October 27.
We start and it being a very rainy day, which rendered it very disagreeable and after marching
nine or ten miles we had to wade the Sciota River, and from thence four miles to Chillicothe, where we encamped
on the edge of the town on the bank of the Big Sciota.
October 31.
We struck our tents and waded the river, it being a cold blustering morning and marched fifteen
miles and encamped on the Pickaway plains.
November 1.
We started through the plains and at the distance of four miles we passed a small town called
Jefferson, and at the distance of three miles we passed another small town called Circleville. Not far from the
Walnut plains we passed some prairies and encamped on a large creek, which is twenty one miles from where we encamped
in the plains.
November 2.
We started and marched up the Sciota and encamped in a town
called F .
November 4.
Marched twelve miles.
November 5.
Marched thirteen miles and encamped near a small town called Delaware situated on Whetstone
River, a fork of the Big Sciota. Here we laid from the 5th. November until the 21st. of December, in which time
there was nothing in particular occurred. At this place we met with General Harrison and several Indian Chiefs
of the Shawnee Nation.
December 21.
Started and arrived at Norton at 3 o'clock and here we continued until the 2nd. day of January,
1813, for the purpose of guarding the stores, which was at a Fort called Fort Monroe.
January 2, 1813.
We started for upper Sandusky. The day before we started it began to rain and it continued to
rain all day and a part of the night, and then it began to snow, and at 11 o'clock the snow was half leg deep.
We went four miles and encamped at ------. We continued there the next day. The fourth day the snow ceased
falling and we started, the snow being about knee deep, and we reached the block house in the Sandusky plains,
which is eleven miles, and it being extremely cold. The next day we started very early and marched fifteen miles
and encamped in the plain with the Pennsylvania troops and here we laid until the ------ of January.
About four miles from this stands a town of the Indians called Green-town. These Indians are
of the Wyandotte nation. The time we laid here there came part of another Nation of the Wyandottes that lived at
Greentown, it was them that fought against General ------- at the rapids of the Maumee, and after four days 'General
Harrison concluded a peace with them by their promising to go in the front of the battle if called on.
January 23.
In the evening it began to rain. The snow began to melt and it being a level piece of ground,
the water ran into our tents. We were baking and cooking and preparing to march to the Rapids. It was about three
hours when our fires were all out and about three o'clock the water was knee deep in our tents, and we were obliged
to retreat from our tents and build a fire on higher ground, where we continued until day, it being a very rough
night. When daylight came we had to wade to our tents to hunt our baggage, which we found floating about the tents.
About 11 o'clock we started and it being very level we had to wade sometimes knee deep. We continued
our march for eight miles and encamped on a piece of woodland but very low and muddy. That night it began to snow.
In the morning we marched two miles and were stopped by a small river, it being very high. Here we continued two
days, and in that time we built two canoes but at the expiration of the two days it was so extremely cold that
the river froze completely so that it bore the troops comfortably. We all crossed safely and that day we marched
eighteen miles and encamped in a piece of woodland very level and rich.
January 28.
We took up the line of march at nine o'clock and marched through very low and swampy land. The
next morning we marched fifteen miles and came to where General Harrison was lying with about two thousand men
from Ohio and Kentucky.
January 29.
The whole command marched seven miles.
February 1.
Marched eight miles and reached the Rapids of the Maumee. Marched four miles on the ice down
the river and encamped on the South East side of the River.
Before we left camp General Harrison sent three men to Maiden with a flag of truce to get leave
to bury our dead at General Winchester's defeat at the River Rasin. When we stopped some of our men went across
the river and found the white flag with one of the men shot, tomahawked and scalped and the other two were taken
prisoners, one of them being wounded.
March 10.
This day Lieutenant ------ and another man went down the river a fowling. About two miles
down the other man not being well left the Lieutenant and returned to camp. He had not left him far until he said
he heard the Lieutenant shoot and after a little he heard another gun fire.
The next day the Lieutenant was found about one mile lower down shot, tomahawked and scalped
and put under the ice.
March 30.
This day received my discharge and Captain John McWhorter his company and Captain L and Captain
Prince and Simmons and their companies left Camp Meigs for the purpose of returning home. When we left the fort
we had to wade, and we waded two miles and encamped on a branch of the river.
March 31.
March six miles and crossed C ----- River, Went eight miles further and encamped on a
branch of the Sandusky River.
April 1.
Marched six miles and reached the C------- Block House. Here we continued until
the next day and our Ensign and some of our men went to the Lower Sandusky for provisions.
April 2.
This day we marched over about four miles of dry land passing two miles below Sandusky, a small
town lying on Sandusky River, which the Indians had left that day. We traveled ten miles and encamped
on the Sandusky River.
April 3.
Had a hard and rough march of about 25 miles and reached Sandusky Port.
April 4.
Marched 15 miles and camped at the Sciota Block House.
April 5.
This day we reached Fort Monroe in the township of Marlborough in the State of Ohio.
Here the journal ends and same was not continued on account of sickness.
Peter Davis was born in Drewsbury, New Jersey, September 16, 1783, and came with his parents to Western Virginia
when about six years old. His father William Davis was known as "Greenbrier Billy" to distinguish him
from the several other William Davis' in the neighborhood.
Peter Davis after his return from the war lived about four miles below West Union on the creek, later he moved
to the West Fork River in Lewis County to a place called Westfield. About the year 1820 he moved to Greenbrier,
Doddridge County.
He was for many years a minister of the Seventh Day Baptist Church and died March 4, 1873.
The war with Mexico was opened by the operations of the troops under General Zachariah Taylor on the Rio Grande
in Texas in May 1846, and was terminated by the capture of the City of Mexico by the American Army under General
Winfield Scott in September, 1847.
The announcement that war had been declared created great enthusiasm and the war spirit ran high in the County.
Public meetings were held and the Militia Regiments were ordered to meet in order to give their members an opportunity
to volunteer for the war.
The Harrison Republican in its issue of June 26, 1846, states that the 11th Regiment of Militia was paraded at
Clarksburg under Colonel Augustine J. Smith and that forty or fifty * * fell in for Mexico."
The 137th Regiment, Colonel Byron J. Bassel, met at Kniseley's Mills and formed a company of ninety four, and elected
the following officers: Captain, Byron J. Bassil; First Lieut., Wm. M. Blair; Second Lieutenant, George Davis.
The 119th Regiment Colonel Wm. Johnson, met at Bridgeport and a company of one hundred and one was formed under
the following officers: Captain, Hiram M. Winters; First Lieutenant, George T. Ross, and Second Lieutenant, Lemuel
D. Shinn
.
In addition to these at Clarksburg the Harrison Guards, Captain Cyrus Vance and the Rifle Company
Captain Cruger W. Smith tendered their services to the Governor.
Virginia's quota being so quickly filled none of these organizations were accepted, and the few who did go from
the County enlisted in the Regular Army under Captain Elisha W. McComas and Lieutenant Joseph Samuels who were
on recruiting service in Clarksburg and belonged to the 11th U. S. Infantry.
Among those who enlisted were George Duff, Hiram Applebay, Judson Holden and George Exline.
Edgar Haymond and his brother Alfred from Braxton County also enlisted, the latter dying while in the service and
Edgar shortly after his return.
At the time of the Mexican war there were two natives of Harrison County serving as officers in the Regular Army.
They were Lieutenant Forbes Britton 7th U. S. Infantry and Lieutenant Thomas J. Jackson 1st. U.. S. Artillery.
They were both graduates of the Military Academy of West Point and served with their commands in Mexico.
The Harrison Republican of July 10, 1846, contains a long letter from Lieutenant Britton written May 15, 1846 from
"camp opposite Matamoras" to a friend in Clarksburg.
He states that on May 1, General Taylor with the main body of the Army marched from that point to Point Isabel
on the Gulf of Mexico, thirty miles distant, for supplies and ammunition, leaving the 7th. Infantry and two companies
of the 3rd. Artillery with orders to hold the earth works hurriedly thrown up, afterwards called Port Brown opposite
Matamorus at all hazards until his return.
The Mexicans on the 3rd. opened fire on the American position with artillery from their side of the river, and
crossed over a large body of troops and invested and surrounded the little force of Americans. The fire was returned
and the Americans gallantly held on and returned the fire for seven days until relieved by the return of General
Taylor's command, who on his march to their relief fought the two battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma.
completely defeating the Mexicans and capturing many guns and war material.
Lieutenant Britton says that during the seven days siege the Mexicans threw 3464 shells and cannon shot into their
sand bank fort.
In one spot of seven feet square he counted nine shells that had struck in that small space.
Upon one occasion during the bombardment Lieutenant Britton states that just as he stepped out of his tent a nine
pound cannon shot struck the head of his cot and ranged down its whole length cutting off the back tent pole as
it passed out. He says "I am glad I wasn't in bed."
Major Jacob Brown, the commanding officer and one sergeant were all who were killed in the fort during the siege.
The town of Brownsville took its name from this officer. Britton was promoted to Captain during
the war, resigned from the Army in 1850, was a member of the Texas senate and died in February 1861.
In the Harrison Republican issued December 10, 1847, is the following: "From the City of Mexico
,
"We saw a letter received here at the Post Office yesterday from Lieutenant Thomas J. Jackson
of the IT. S. Artillery, dated City of Mexico, October 28th written to a friend, which however, does not give as
late news from the capitol as we have in the papers.
The letter is something of a curiosity being written upon a blank military commission, a folio post sheet of paper
with the Mexican Court of Arms engraved on it.
The writer states that John Thompson, formerly a resident of this place lost a leg in one of the battles near the
city, which resulted in his death subsequently.
Lieutenant Jackson is now pleasantly quartered with a Spanish family in the city, and has been favorably noticed
in the reports of (generals Pillow and Worth for his conduct in the engagements near the capitol.
Lieutenant Jackson is a resident of Lewis County, and graduated at the West Point Academy last year."
Note: The officer who wrote the above mentioned letter was the celebrated "Stonewall"
Jackson of civil war fame.
The result of the war with Mexico was the acquisition by the United States of that vast territory West of Colorado
and New Mexico, extending to the Pacific Ocean, which has ben erected into several States checkered with Bail Roads
and containing a large and prosperous population.
If it had remained as a possession of Mexico it would probably be still a vast uninhabited region, occupied by
cow boys, sheep herders and roving bands of Indians. In this case at least war has been a great civilizer.
It is not intended in a work of this character that a general account of the great war should be given, but only
an outline sketch of events occurring in the vicinity of and affecting Harrison County.
After the election of Mr. Lincoln in November 1860, the Southern States began to hold conventions and pass ordinances
pretending to dissolve their relations to the United States Government, claiming that the system of slavery would
be interfered with and began to raise troops and prepare for war.
The administration of President Buchanan which expired March 4, 1861, was temporizing and had no decided policy
even members of the cabinet sympathized with the rebellion and did nothing to check the rising tide that was rapidly
leading to war.
But the firing on the flag waving over Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor by the Southern troops on April 12, 1861,
folloWed by President Lincoln's proclamation calling for 75,000 troops to protect the government aroused the nation,
which rose in its might, shook off the lethargy of doubt and uncertainty and with a determination that no sacrifice
was too great to preserve the Nation intact began to prepare to meet this challenge to the field.
No one not living during those dark days of gloomy foreboding when "Grim visaged war" showed its "wrinkled
front" and stalked abroad throughout the land spreading terror to all hearts, and for four bitter troubled
years brought mourning to every hamlet in the land and put 350,000 young men in their graves can realize the depressing
gloom that hung like a death's pall over the Nation's life.
The events leading up to the actual hostilities in Western Virginia are as follows:
About 1858 there had been organized under the laws of the State at Clarksburg a military company, uniformed and
armed with the Harper's Ferry flint locked musket, known as the Harrison Rifles.
Cyrus Vance was Captain, Uriel M. Turner and George Hoffman were Lieutenants and Theodore F. Lang was First Sergeant
The Company paraded frequently and were fairly well drilled and presented quite a military appearance.
When the troubles commenced in 1861 the members naturally took sides and gradually fell away from each other.
Those who were for the Union formed the "Union Guards" and those who were for secession were in favor
of offering their services to the Governor of Virginia
.
The Harrison Rifles was composed of a remarkable body of young men taken as they were from the
residents of a country village, and they wielded an influence in the mighty events of the Civil War and in civil
life following that was not equaled by any body of young men in the State.
Nearly every member took part in the war, a large portion of them as officers although they were arrayed in opposing
armies, and the company was represented in all of the great battles of the war.
At the time of the adoption of the ordinance of secession, it was directed that this action should be submitted
to the voters of the State for ratification or rejection on the fourth Thursday in May, 1861.
But the authorities, without waiting for the action of the people, on the 24th day of May entered into an agreement
through Alexander H. Stephens, commissioner, transferring the whole military force of Virginia to the Southern
Confederacy, to be under its command upon the same footing as if the State were a member of said confederacy. This
was a high handed proceeding and a direct violation of all the principles of popular Government
.
When Col. Porterfield with his command reached Grafton the secession element of the Harrison
rifles, with quite a number of others from the County secretly fixed a day to rendezvous at Clarksburg and march
to join him.
On the afternoon of May 23, 1861, the residents of the town were startled by the appearance of several squads of
men coming in on different roads, a portion of them being armed with squirrel rifles and shot guns.
The Court House bell was rung long and loud, and the Union Guards with a large number of other citizens assembled
in the Court Room, and amid great excitement it was proposed that the new arrivals and all others who gave them
aid and comfort should be forthwith captured. But the arrival of some of the older citizens upon the scene undoubtedly
prevented a collision between the two bodies. It was proposed by a cool-headed speaker that a committee should
wait upon the secession body and ascertain their intentions in marching: into town under arms. This was very reluctantly
agreed to, and the committee retired, and after some time reported that the new arrivals had no hostile intentions,
but were there for the night and intended on the following day to march peaceably to Grafton to join Colonel Porterfield.
After a good deal of discussion it was finally agreed that the Secessionists should surrender their arms which
would be placed in the jail, locked up, and the key given into the possession of Waldo P. Goff. a prominent Union
man, and that they should be delivered to their owners on the following morning, and that they then should leave
town
.
This was done and a collision happily avoided. On the next day their arms were restored to them
and the Company marched down Pike Street on their way to Grafton.
A large crowd gathered on the pavement at the Old Walker House at the corner of Second and Pike Streets to see
them march away. It was a pathetic scene. Everyone seemed impressed with the solemnity of the occasion. There were
no loud hurrahs nor waving of flags as generally takes place when men leave to go to war. Some quiet good byes
were said between those leaving and those remaining, and as they crossed Elk Bridge and rounded the bend in the
street near the Catholic Church they were lost to sight. Very few of them ever saw their native town again; about
twenty of them were killed in battle and ten died from disease and only six surrendered at Appomattox.
Immediately upon arrival of the Federal troops in the State, Union men began to organize and recruit troops for
the war. Major General George B. McClellan U. S. Army, on May 13, 1861, assumed command of the Department of the
Ohio embracing Western Virginia with Headquarters at Cincinnati, and began to organize troops
.
Colonel Benjamin P. Kelly under direction of the War Department, had commenced early in May
to organize the 1st Regiment Virginia Volunteers en Wheeling Island
.
On May 26th Col. Kelly was ordered to move on Grafton, and on the 27th the troops started by
rail on the first expedition in West Virginia .Owning to the bridges being destroyed the command did not reach
Grafton until the 30th; and found that Porterfield's command had retreated to Philippi
.
Col. James B. Steedman had with the 14th Ohio moved on the 27th by way of Parkersburg
on Grafton, but was delayed also by burned bridges.
It was part of this command composed of two or three companies of the 14th Ohio Infantrys that reached Clarksburg
on the evening of the 30th of May being the first United States troops to enter the town.
Quite a number of troops had reached Grafton by June 1st the whole being under the command of General Thomas A.
Morris.
The authorities at Richmond became early aware of the dissatisfaction in North Western Virginia, and early took
steps to propitiate the people in that section. Military Commissions were sent to prominent men West of the mountains,
and points were designated where troops should organize and rendezvous
.
Robert E. Lee. who had recently resigned his commission of Colonel of the 2nd IT. S. Cavalry,
was appointed Major General and ordered to take command of the Virginia troops. On April 23rd the Governor, John
Letcher, issued a proclamation calling out the Militia, which was unheeded by those west of the mountains.
Peter B. Righter, a well to do farmer and grazer, lived in a handsome residence on Coon's Run about four miles
from Shinnston just over the Marion County line. He was a pronounced secessionist and his house was a headquarters
for those of like faith in the neighborhood.
He was reported to the Military authorities and a detachment of Company I of the 20th Ohio, under Captain Cable
from Mannington, was ordered to the Righter Farm on June 21, 1861. They were fired upon from the house, one of
his men was killed and three or four wounded, and John Nay, the guide, also wounded.
Captain Cable's command fell back to Shinnston and, receiving re-inforcements On the 22nd returned to Bighter's
and found the premises deserted. The house, barns and outbuildings were burned and all the horses taken and moved
to Mannington.
Banks Corbin, a resident of the neighborhood, while held a prisoner by the troops, attempted to escape, was fired
upon and killed.
This incident caused great excitement in the neighborhood, and brought the realities of war home to our people.
On the 30th of April General Lee ordered Major P. M. Boykin to proceed to Western Virginia to muster in volunteers
for the protection of that portion of the State and to take post at or near Grafton.
On May 10th Major Boykin reported to General Lee from Grafton that the feeling in nearly all the counties was very
bitter and every effort was made to discourage enlistment in the service of the State, and recommends that re-inforcements
be sent from the East, and states that John S. Carlile openly proclaims that the laws of the State should not be
recognized.
May 4th Colonel George A. Porterfield was ordered to proceed to Grafton to receive into the
service of the State a sufficient number of troops to guard the Railroads leading to Parkersburg and Wheeling.
He arrived there on the 14th) and on May 16th reported that there was much bitterness among the people and a great
diversity of opinion, and they apparently were upon the verge of civil war, and gives a discouraging account of
the situation from his standpoint
.
He was joined there by several unarmed companies, among them one from Harrison County.
On the 28th of May he retreated from Grafton, having learned that Federal troops were advancing on him on both
the railroads leading from Wheeling and Parkersburg and took position at Philippi.
On the night of the 2nd of June two columns of troops left Grafton, both moving on Philippi, on on the West
by way of Webster Station and the other on the East by Thornton Station.
The column on the West side of the river arrived in front of Philippi a few minutes before the
other column reached its position, opened fire on the town, resulting in the flight of Colonel Porterfield's command
in a disorderly route before they could be intercepted by Col. Kelly's column. This action was called the Philippi
Races
.
Colonel Porterfield retreated to Huttonsville in the upper end of Tygart's Valley in Randolph
County.
General Robert S. Garnett, who had recently resigned his commission in the 9th U. S. Infantry as Major, was sent
out to relieve Porterfield with large re-inforcements.
Two roads run west from Beverly, one the Staunton and Parkersburg pike by the way of a crap in Rich Mountain to
Buckhannon, and the other further down the valley over the same range of mountains to Philippi, but called by the
different name of Laurel Hill, the distance between these crossings being fifteen miles.
Colonel John Pegram, who had recently resigned his commission as Lieutenant in the Second U. S. Dragoons, was placed
in command on the Buckhannon road, and General Garnett assumed command on Laurel Hill, on the road leading to Philippi.
These troops were all from Virginia except one Georgia Regiment which was with Garnett
.
Both positions were established on the west slopes of the mountain and strong entrenchment's
built, Pegram having a detachment stationed in the gap at Hart's house in his rear.
The United States troops under the command of General George B. McClellan with Clarksburg as
his base, moved up by way of Buckhannon in front of the position held by Colonel Pegram on Rich Mountain; General
Thomas A. Morris, moving by the way of Philippi commanded the column to operate in front of Garnett's position.
On the 11th day of July General W. S. Rosecrans was detached from General McClellan's command and by a flank movement
up the side of the mountain to the right attacked and dispersed the force stationed in the Gap at Hart's house,
and interposed his force to the rear of and on the line of Pegram's retreat, who was compelled to surrender his
command of about 600 men on the 13th of July to McClellan.
General Garnett, funding that General McClellen was at Beverly cutting off his line of retreat, undertook to withdraw
East through Tucker and Hardy Counties. He was pursued by General Morris and in a skirmish at Carrick's ford on
Cheat River was killed July 13th.
His command was dispersed; and straggled into Monterey in a disorganized, demoralized and half starved condition
.
Later in the summer the Federal Troops under General Joseph J. Reynolds occupied and fortified
a position on Cheat Mountain east of Huttonsvile on the Staunton and Parkersburg pike and at Elk Water, South of
Huttonsville at the head of Tygart's Valley on the road leading to Pocahontas County.
Tn September an attack was made on these positions by General Robert E. Lee. moving from Huntonsville, which failed
of success. In this movement Colonel John A. Washington of General Lee's staff was killed. He was the former owner
of Mount Vernon.
Thus ended the attempt of the Confederates to obtain control of North Western Virginia, and their hopes of receiving
large numbers of recruits joining their standard and of extending their lines to the Ohio River were blasted, and
except an occasional raid the Federal held the territory until the end of the war.
While the subsequent great operations and battles of the war withdrew attention from what seemed
to be a small affair in Western Virginia, yet they were at the time of the utmost importance and far reaching in
their results.
The Union men were encouraged and protected and in the rear of the Federal lines they flocked by thousands to central
localities and were organized into Regiments for the war and did gallant service for the Union.
Governor Letcher ascertaining from the reports of the Military Officers that the people of the state West of the
mountains were largely in favor of the Union and against secession, and that but very few of them would enlist
in his regiments to serve against their country, on the 14th of June by his proclamation issued a fervent appeal
to the residents of that section to come to Virginia's banner and drive the invader from her soil, and closed in
these words: "The heart that will not beat in unison with Virginia now is a traitor's heart; the arm that
will not strike for home in her cause is palsied by a coward fear."
The Governor extended a cordial invitation for all to come to the camp at Huttonsville, where they would be met
as brothers.
But all was in vain, the proclamation and all other such efforts fell upon deaf ears, and no efforts of the Virginia
authorities could seduce the sturdy young men of the Western Counties to desert the cause of the National Government
.
The following is an extract from a letter from General Garnett to the Adjutant General at Richmond
dated:
"Camp at Laurel Hill,, Va., June 25, 1861
"The Union men are greatly in the ascendancy here and are much more zealous and active in their cause than
the secessionists. The enemy are kept fully advised of our movements even to the strength of our scouts and pickets
by the country people, while we are compelled to grope in the dark as much as if we were invading a foreign and
hostile country."
Again in a letter dated July 1, 1861, he states: "My hope of increasing my force in
this region has so far been sadly disappointed.
Only eight men have joined me here and fifteen at Colonel Heck's camp, not sufficient to make up my losses by discharges,
etc. These people are thoroughly imbued with an ignorant and bigoted Union sentiment."
When it was known that a Regiment was being recruited on Wheeling Island Alexander C. Moore gave notice to the
Guards that all of them who desired to enlist in the Union cause should meet secretly on a certain Sunday afternoon
at the water tank, which stood a short distance West of the present passenger station of the B. & O. Railroad.
Secrecy was enjoined upon every one. as it was feared that the Virginia authorities would attempt to arrest all
who contemplated aiding the government and charge them with treason against the State.
At least one hundred young men met according to appointment and agreed to go to Wheeling and tender their services
to the United States in the Regiment organizing there.
Alexander C. Moore, who was the Prime mover in the enterprise j was chosen Captain. Notley A.
Shuttleworth and Oscar H. Tate, Lieutenants, and it was agreed that all would be ready to move when notified.
One man in the party, a traveling tinker, who was suspected of being a spy, was seized upon, and thrown headlong
into the Creek and told to drown or clear himself. He speedily did the latter.
Shortly after this meeting all were notified to meet at the Walker House on a certain night. They were on hand
at the appointed hour, marched to Wilsonburg between 12 p. m. and daylight and took cars to Parkersburg and thence
to Wheeling by boat. Rumors were afloat that state troops were then at Grafton, and that the Company would not
be permitted to take cars at Clarksburg, was the reason for marching to Wilsonburg as they were unarmed.
Upon their arrival, they found that the regiment was recruited to the limit and they were not received into the
service. They returned home by the same route, and all were afterwards mustered into Company ? and G of the 3rd
Virginia Infantry, Colonel, David T. Hewes at Camp Hewes, where Glen Elk is now located.
The fact that two companies of young men nearly all known to each other and many of them intimate friends marched
almost at the same time, and from the same town, to take their stand in opposing armies all believing they were
right, is a sad commentary upon the condition of the times
.
Leading spirits in organizing the Union Guards were Alexander C. Moore and Notley A. Shuttlesworth,
and with a courage and devotion that no threats or dangers could daunt urged upon the youth of the County the necessity
of entering the service of the United States
.
Both of these young men became Captains of Companies in the 3rd Virginia Infantry, Captain Shuttleworth
resigning after an ardent service of more than a year.
Major Moore, after serving sometime in the Infantry, recruited a light Battery and served until
the end of the war.
Not only was Clarksburg the whirlpool of civil commotion, but it was also the war center of North Western Virginia.
It had strong, able, enthusiastic supporters of the Union and aggressive, active supporters of the Southern cause
though the latter were largely in the minority.
When it is remembered that the advocates of the Union, and in favor of dividing the State, were liable to be tried
for treason against Virginia, arrested and dragged to Richmond, it can be imagined what courage was required to
face the difficult situation.
Clarksburg, all through the war, was an important military station and supply depot.
The County furnished about eight hundred soldiers for the United States Army and about three hundred and fifty
for the Southern cause.
The following full companies were recruited in the County:
Company G, 12th West Virginia Infantry, Captain James Moffat.
Company E, 12th West Virginia Infantry, Captain Cornelius Mercer.
Company B, 3rd West Virginia Infantry, Captain Alex. C. Moore.
Company G, 3rd West Virginia Infantry, Captain Notley A. Shuttles-worth.
Company E, 3rd West Virginia Cavalry, Captain Lot Bowen.
Besides these regularly organized companies a great number enlisted in different organizations at different times
throughout the war.
Native or adopted Citizens of Harrison County who held commissions in the United States Army
during the war:
David T. Hewes. Lieutenant Colonel Robert S. Northcott.
Majors.
Nathan Goff, Brevet Brig. General. Theodore F. Lang, Brevet. Colonel.
Captains.
Alexander C. Moore, Brevet Major. Lot Bowen, Brevet Major. Henry Haymond, Brevet Lieutenant Colonel, John H. Shuttleworth.
Notley A. Shuttleworth, W. W. Weminger, Lewis A. Myers, Asa Hugill, Cornelius Mercer, James W. Moffit, Timothy
P. Roane, James P. Law, Lee Haymond, Brevet Major, Samuel R. Steel, George I. Stealey, Gwin Minter, Daniel
Sheets, John W. Kidwell, Henry C. Goff.
Lieutenants.
William L. Hursey, William B. prison, Henry H. Link, Benj. P. Wicks, Henry Meyer, James B. Lovett, Leonard Clark,
Elam F. Pigott, Van B. Hall, George W. Portney, Henry R. McCord, Asltorpheus Werninger, Jr., David T. Hewes, Jr.,
Frank Lowrey, James R. Durham, Oscar H. Tate, T. Moore Goff, Assistant Surgeon Charles T. Lowndes.
Native and adopted citizens of Harrison County, who held commissions in the Confederate Army.
Lieut. General Thomas J. Jackson (Stonewall) Brigadier General William L. Jackson, Colonel George Jackson, Colonel
John S. Hoffman, Lieut. Col. Chapin Bartlett.
Majors.
William P. Cooper, P. B. Adams. G. D. Camden, Jr., Andrew T. Owens, Thomas D. Armsey, Rezin C. Davis and
John L. Sehon.
Captains.
John G. Gettings, Charles McCally, Uriel M. Turner. Augustine J. Smith, Benj. M. Smith, Robert J. Smith, Silas
Owens, Wm. P. Gordon, Hugh H. Lee, Warren S. Lurty, Alvin N. Bastable, Samuel M. Sommers, James M. Blair, Asbury
Lewis.
Lieutenants.
Norval Lewis, Frederick W. Bartlett and Edward Lynch, O. T. Bond, William J. West and James M. McCann, Joshua
Rodabaugh.
Captain Augustine J. Smith's states of the Company that marched from Clarksburg to Grafton to enter the Confederate
Army,
That: "In anticipation of hostilities a company of Volunteers was organized in Clarksburg in January, 1861,
with the intention of offering their services to the Governor, and included in its membership eight attorneys at
law, two editors, one civil engineer, several merchant clerks, mechanics and farmers and numbering about sixty
men.
Uriel M. Turner was elected Captain and William P. Cooper and Norval Lewis Lieutenants.
On May 24th they marched from Clarksburg under orders to proceed to Grafton and join the forces collecting there
under Colonel Porterfield.
On the second day they arrived at Fetterman and camped in the old covered bridge over the valley
river at that place, and that night Bailey Brown, a member of a Union Company in that vicinity, was shot and killed
by a member of the company who was on picket guard, being the first man killed in West Virginia in the war, and
to whose memory a monument is erected in the National Cemetery at Grafton ton.
Upon the Company's arrival at Monterey it was designated as Company "C" and assigned to the 31st Virginia
Regiment of Infantry.
The Company participated in the following engagements: Surprise at Philippi, Laurel Hill, Greenbrier
River, Allegheny Mountains, McDowell, Front Royal, Winchester, Cross Keys, Port Republic, Seven days' fight
at Richmond, Cedar Mountains, Second Bull Run, Antietara, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Monocacy, Winchester
again, Fisher's Hill, Wilderness. Spottsylvania Court House, Cold Harbor, Weldon Road, Hatcher's Run, Petersburg
and Appomattox.
The company was recruited while at Philippi to about one hundred men, and had very few accessions afterwards, and
had only six members at the surrender at Appomattox.
The following were killed in battle: .
Ethelbert Smith, James Smith, Alvin Nutter, A. J. Cropp, John W. Whitman, Samuel Dawson, Wm. West, John W. Wallingham,
H. H. Holden, Joseph Snyder, Jonas Great-house, Luther Dawson. Others were killed whose names are not given, bringing
the list of killed up to about twenty.
Several died from disease, among them being Norval Lewis, Silas Greathouse and Aaron Young.
Nearly every member of the Company was wounded, some as often as five times. Louis Carmack, John W. Pridmore and
William Taylor were disabled from wounds.
Captain Charles Leib Assistant Quarter Master, who published his experience in a little work called "Nine
Months in the Quarter-Master's Department, or The Chances for Making a Million" from which extracts are given
below
:
He arrived in Clarksburg in June 1861 and entered upon his duties, which were many, various
and perplexing.
He speaks of the following troops encamped there: The Seventh and Eighteenth Ohio, Howes Battery "G,"
4th U. S. Artillery, The Sturges Rifles of Chicago, Barker's Chicago Dragoons, Burdsall's Cavalry and a portion
of the Third West Virginia Infantry then being organized.
Clarksburg was shortly made a depot for supplies for General McClellen's Army operating on Rich Mountain and afterwards
when encamped at Cheat Mountain, and later in the summer and fall for General Rosecran's Army in the Gauley River
Region.
The Captain constructed large store houses to store Quarter Master and Commissary Supplies, one of which he describes
as being 80 feet front by 144 deep.
A corral for animals established in the square now included between Pike and Main and Oak Streets and Maple Avenue,
and he speaks of having at one time on hand two thousand horses
.
He had a small army of employees under him, and his troubles and trials were many.
As he was short of teams and as but few owners would hire them it became necessary for him to impress them from
the surrounding country to haul supplies to the troops in the field South of town. This raised an outcry and he
gives the following as a sample of the many interviews he had with the wrathy team owners:
"Captain Leib your men have impressed my team. It can't go." "Are you a Union Man" "Yes
one of the best in the County. I have done all the hauling I can for the government) but this pressing Union men's
teams is going to have a bad effect upon the cause."
"All I have to say is if Jeff Davis and his army get in here they would take your horses
and wagons, strip your farm of everything, mayhap set fire to your residence and not pay you one cent, while
I will pay you for their use. Our troops have come here from across the Ohio to protect you. You know we have two
armies in the field, one at Cheat Mountain and one at Gauley bridge. I am required to supply them; they want bread
and must have it. I am sorry to disoblige you, but your team must go."
"But, Captain."
"I have no time to discuss this matter. It is settled."
"It is mighty hard if a man can't do as he pleases with his own property."
The Captain says of the three hundred men whose teams he was compelled to impress, there was not one who
did not curse him during the time the impressment continued.
This, with his refusal to pay many claims against the Government, made the Captain intensely unpopular.
He was the subject of an indignation meeting, and was severely criticised and denounced by the Cincin-natti
newspaper correspondents.
He gives the following as the character of the kind of bills presented him for payment:
NOVEMBER 1ST. 1861.
September 19th. United States.
| To house burnt by Rebels |
$400.00 |
| To 5 apple trees burnt by fire $5.00 each |
30.00 |
| To 7 plum trees burnt by fire $5.00 each |
6.00 |
| To 2 peach trees burnt by fire $3.00 each |
6.00 |
| To tools |
73.75 |
| To 1 grind stone |
2.00 |
| To bedsteads, chairs, table and other furniture |
37.14 |
| To brass kettle and tinware |
10.00 |
| To 1 clock |
16.00 |
| To 1 set harness, bridle and collar |
5.10 |
| To loss of crop on account of the Rebels |
39.16 |
| Total |
$625.15 |
Sir: The within account is the amount of damages I sustained by the infernal secession outbreak,
and would be glad if you can intercede in
refunding back my losses. The Rebels called on me to fight for the South as I was a Southern
man. I told them rifey. They made me leave my home, then I enlisted. They then burnt my house, and I am now in
the service of the United States.
L. S."
Another from a citizen of Braxton County:
| Captain Leib, United States, |
Dr. |
| To 17 turkeys took by soldiers |
$ 20.00 |
| Ditto 31 chickens |
5.00 |
| Ditto 1 calf killed |
6.00 |
| Ditto 2 pigs |
16.00 |
| |
$ 46.00 |
This account was refused and the Captain scored another enemy.
Captain Leib disbursed immense sums of money and had charge of and shipped enormous amounts
of supplies to the armies in the field, and was a man of vast resources, great energy, and did enough work to break
down a half dozen men. But alas, his enemies were too many for him. He failed of confirmation by the Senate) and
was discharged from the service in February 1862.
What is commonly known as Jones' raid is celebrated in the war annals of West Virginia, and is the only instance
during the civil war in which an armed body of Confederates appeared in the limits of Harrison County.
The commander of the Brigade was General William E. Jones, a native of Virginia who graduated from the West Point
Military Academy in 1848 and served as a Lieutenant in the Mounted Rifles until his resignation in 1857. At the
commencement of the civil war he entered the Confederate Army and was killed at Mount Crawford in the Valley of
Virginia in 1864.
The troops engaged in the expedition were all Cavalry and composed of the following Regiments, 6th Virginia
Col. Thomas S. Flourney; 7th Virginia Col. Richard Dulany; 11th Virginia, Col. Lunsford L. Lomax; 12th
Virginia Col. A. W. Harman and Brown's Maryland Battalion.
The Brigade moved from its winter camp near Harrisonburg in April 1863 across the mountains by way of Moorefield,
and struck the B. & O. Railroad at Oakland and thence to Rowlesburg) doing what damage they could to the bridges
and track, which was not very effective as the Artillery had been left behind and they had no facilities for blowing
up bridges
.
From Rowlesburg the command moved Northwardly by way of Kingwood to Morgantown, gathering all
the horses and cattle they could find and confiscating all hats, boots and clothing out of the stores along their
route.
From Morgantown they moved to Fairmont, and after a skirmish there with some troops and militia, destroyed the
Railroad Bridge over the Monongahela and continued on to Shinnston, and after a skirmish at Maulsby bridge crossed
the West Pork River and moved np Simpson's Creek by way of Bridgeport to Philippi. At this time it is stated that
General Jones had captured about 3000 head of cattle and 1200 horses. Colonel Harman was detailed with his regiment
to escort this herd of live stock over the mountains by way of Beverly to Staunton.
The remainder of the command proceeded by way of Buckhannon Weston, and West Union to Burning
Springs, then the center of oil production, where great quantities of oil in barrels were destroyed, together with
derricks and other property by fire
.
The command then turned Eastward by way of Glenville to Sutton and at this point owing to the
scarcity of supplies, the Brigade was divided into separate detachments and directed to go by different routes
to the Shenandoah Valley, and to unite again in Harrisonburg.
Many amusing incidents are told of the terror inspired when Jones' rough riders suddenly dashed into the various
towns of West Virginia. All of the men hid or fled from their approach, but as a rule the women and children remained
to prevent if possible the destruction of their homes or loss of property.
The merchants were plundered of their stock, principally of boots, shoes, clothing, blankets and groceries. The
farmers suffered in the loss of forage, horses, cattle and other live stock.
General Jones, in his reports of the expedition, states that he left Lacey Spring, Rockingham County, Virginia,
on April 21, 1863, and marched by way of Moorefield near Rowlesburg, Evansville, Kingwood, Morgantown to Fairmont
where on April 29 he captured 260 prisoners and destroyed the Railroad bridge over the Monongahela River at that
place
.
On the morning of April 30, his command moved towards Clarksburg by way of Shinnston. He states
"From some captured furloughed men finding Clarksburg occupied by the enemy we crossed the Monongahela, went
up Simpson's Creek and captured the force at Bridgeport five miles East of Clarksburg. This work was done by the
Maryland Cavalry under the gallant Major Brown. Forty seven prisoners were captured with their arms and a few horses.
A bridge to the left of the town was destroyed and a captured train run into the stream. Tall tressling to the
right of the town was burned."
Captain Frank A. Bond commanding First Maryland Battalion says in his report "That when within four miles
of Bridgeport Company B was sent on picket on the Clarksburg road. They were soon after attacked by what seemed
to be a body of mounted infantry numbering about 200. They retreated before them to the ford, and there made a
stand, which checked the enemy until our object was accomplished. Owing to the small number of long range guns
in Company B they had to reply to the infantry with their pistols, which while keeping them in check prevented
our inflicting much or any loss upon them."
Colonel Lunsford L. Lomax, 11th Va. Cavalry, reports that in an attack upon the rear of the column on April 30
by the enemies cavalry on the Clarksburg road Private Peter Armstrong, Company "C" was killed.
His regiment reached Bridgeport at 3:30 P. M.
It is said that a Union Soldier named Sims who was home on furlough shot and killed one of Jones' scouts on Tunnel
Hill between Clarksburg and Bridgeport.
The following is a sketch of the situation at the time of the Jones' raid by that gallant soldier Walter M. Morris,
Company 3rd W. Va. Cavalry, who participated in twenty eight engagements.
"Clarksburg remained within the Federal lines throughout the civil war, and was an important point for the
concentration of troops of various commands, where they were further equipped, drilled and otherwise prepared for
more active and vigorous military operations.
One of the first considerable force to disembark here was General Tyler with his Brigade in May, 1861. Moving from
this point by night he surprised a small force of the enemy at Weston at the break of day, and thence on to menace
General Wise's command then at or in the region of Sommerville and Gauley Bridge.
This move was soon followed by the arrival of Generals McClellan and Rosecrans in June, which force moved on against
General Pegram at Rich Mountain and Carrick's ford. The concentration of these forces in the mountains of South
Western Virginia necessitated the adoption of Clarksburg as a base of supplies.
For this purpose large commissary and quartermaster ware houses were built near the B. & O. R. R. depot for
the storage of these supplies, and it was not an unusual sight to see fifty or more wagons, loaded with provisions
and munitions of war, leave these ware houses in a single train to be hauled to the several detachments of the
army then occupying different positions in the mountains of West Virginia
.
A large corral was also built here where a large number of horses and mules were collected for
the use of the different branches of the .army. This necessitated the purchase of a considerable amount of hay
and grain for the subsistence of these animals. No important battle was fought on Harrison County's soil, but in
April 1863 while General Roberts was in command of the forces at Clarksburg, Weston, Buckhannon, Beverly and Sutton,
General Jones of the Confederate Army began his invasion of Central West Virginia} coming via Oakland, Morgantown
and Fairmont, while Gen.. Imboden was approaching from the south by the way of Beverly and Buckhannon.
This simultaneous move on the part of the confederates so alarmed General Roberts that he promptly withdrew his
forces from the outposts and after destroying all his military supplies at Buckhannon and Weston he united his
forces at Clarksburg on the 28th. He now had fully 5000 men under his command at this place. Meantime Jones was
approaching from the North, and was in Shinnston on the 29th, while Imboden following in the wake of Union troops
was approaching via Weston, Jane Lew, Lost Creek and Peel Tree. General Roberts was greatly lacking for cavalry
for scouting purposes, One company under Capt. Lot Bowen being his only available cavalry at the time.
On April 30 Capt. Bowen with 62 men rank and file was sent to re-connoiter the situation down the river towards
Shinnston, while the Infantry and Artillery were mounting their guns and otherwise preparing for an attack by Imboden
from the South. When the Cavalry had proceeded eight miles down the river they met a portion of Jones'
Command, three hundred strong, in column at the crossing of Lambert's Run. A charge was made by the gallant "blue
jackets" and grange to say, although every gun of both commands was emptied at very close range jit is not
known that anyone was hurt on either side by that terrible volley. This was accounted for by their horses galloping
at such a rapid gait that made their aim unsteady and uncertain, but as the handful of Federal Cavalry rushed into
the enemy's ranks with drawn saber, the confederates suddenly wheeled their horses "about face" then
began a nock and neck chase for life, in which several prisoners were captured, some of whom bore oad saber scars
as a memento of their reluctance to surrendering their arms after being captured. The "Blue jackets"
were having it all their own way until the Maulsby bridge was reached; some fifteen or twenty of them dashing on
through the bridge, were met by a fresh volley of bullets from the enemy at such close range that private J. W.
Ouster was killed and Sergeant W. H. Jones and J. C. Swentzel were wounded. N. G. Tygart's horse was also shot
under him. After this volley the Rebels again galloped off on their retreat, while Bowen's command returned leisurely
to Clarkslurg taking with them 13 prisoners and 19 head of horses the result of their daring charge. The confederate
loss was two killed and several wounded, number not known.
This charge at Lambert's Run so confused Gen. Jones that an attack on Clarksburg was abandoned, and instead he
turned his column eastward, going up Simpson's Creek. and crossed the B. & O. R. B. near Bridgeport moving
on Southward to form a Junction with Imboden's forces then lying at Peel Tree, Rockford, Jane Lew and Weston.
On May 1st Colonel Thompson with the 3rd W. Va. Infantry, 28th Ohio, one section of Ewing's Battery and Bowen's
troop of cavalry was sent to Lost Creek where a small force of Imboden's men had collected, but on approaching
the place as Captain Ewing's guns were being unlimbered in Squire Bassel 's field on a knoll overlooking the cross
roads where the village of Lost Creek now is, the Rebels hastily fled, some towards
Jane Lew, but the largest column going towards Roekford. both columns being closely chased by
the contingent of cavalry ever ready for a chase of this kind, while the belching of the two guns in Squire Bassel's
field sending their screeching shells after the fleeing rebels tended to further augment their terror and speed.
Colonel Thompson's force remained in the vicinity of Lost Creek for several days, but. excepting some scouting
and picket duty by the cavalry, nothing of note occurred, and on the fourth his command moved back to Clarksburg
while the Confederates were permitted to return to their own grounds unmolested, and no aggressive move was made
against them until General Roberts was relieved by General Averell on May 22, 1863
.
This was the last time that any of the Confederate forces ever got within the territory of Harrison
County during the civil war.
While Colonel Thompson's force was lying at Lost Creek an incident occurred while not "thrilling" was
at least "unusual."
Sergeant J. C. Kildow was sent with six men to picket the road leading to Milford one mile from the Camp at Lost
Creek. This threw the sergeant's reserve post within 100 yards of his mother's door and at the old log school house
within whose walls the rudiments at least of an education had been taught to several of the boys then under him.
One of them, W. M. Morris, while sitting in his saddle on sentinel duty could see his father's house a half mile
distant to the South while another one of the boys, E. W. Sullivan, lived to the North of the Post, no further
away.
How vivid and sacred were the memories that rushed back into the minds of the boys that night while meditating
upon the scenes of their 'School Boy" days and silently but watchfully guarding the home of their youth and
the loved ones there who knew not that their boys were near."
General Jones' command took a large number of horses and cattle out of the country and looted all the stores on
their route.
The people of Harrison County as a rule suffered but little loss of property from the Acts of War. Some few depredations
were committed by unauthorized persons, but they raised their crops as usual and could sell them at good prices.
Some of the inhabitants were arrested as Southern sympathizers and imprisoned at Camp Chase near Columbus, Ohio,
which may have been and doubtless was in some cases a stretch of authority. But no property was wantonly destroyed
by the Union troops and it is not now recalled that a single house in the County was burnt by direction of the
military authorities.
The first Union troops to arrive in Clarksburg was a portion of the 14th Ohio Regiment on the night of May 30,
1861, and from that time during the succeeding four years many thousands of troops either were encamped at or passed
through the town.
Troops were stationed at Beverly, Buckhannon, Weston and Sutton during the war, and Clarksburg was an important
Military Station where were accumulated large quantities of supplies for the use of the soldiers and where were
hospitals established.
Troops were arriving and departing almost daily and in the shifting scenes of the drama of war sometimes many thousands
were encamped around Clarksburg at one time. The principal camps were on the Jackson place near the old depot,
the new depot, the Weston road and where Adamston now is.
For the protection of the town earth works were thrown up on Criss' Hill and Pinnickinnick had a fort on its summit
mounted with a number of guns. The remains of these works can still be seen.
It was a trying and exciting period for the inhabitants, numerous alarms were given of the approach of the enemy
and more than once the prominent Union men fled to Wheeling and Parkersburg.
The money of the Merchants National Bank was removed out of town by its officials on two or three occasions. Once
Nathan Goff, the President, took the funds as far as Pittsburgh, and at another time Luther Haymond, the cashier,
taking them in an ambulance with an armed escort to Grafton to avoid falling into the hands of the enemy who were
reported advancing on the town.
During the four long weary years of war's alarms, the Courts of Harrison County were open and never failed to hold
their regular sessions, the merchants and others plied their usual vocations, money was plenty and) were it not
for the presence of soldiers, there was nothing to indicate that war prevailed in the land.
At the close of the war the government made sale of all its war material, wagons, horses, harness and commissary
supplies and the last troops withdrew in 1865.
There was great rejoicing at the close of hostilities. The long nerve racking and excitement attending the living
amid the dread scenes of war was at last ended, and the quiet of peace was more than welcome, and all were grateful
that:
The war drum throbbed no longer And that the battle flags were furled.
From the roar of Sumter's guns on that April day in 1861 to the surrender of the sword of the Knightly Lee to the
silent soldier Grant on that other April day in 1865 upon the Held of Appomattox the sons of old Harrison
were present on all of the great battle fields of that long and bloody struggle and sustained the honor of their
native county and the courage of their race.
The Wheeling Convention on June 19, 1861 passed an ordinance that all officials elected by the people should be
required to take an oath to support the re-organized government and in case of refusal the office was to be declared
vacant by the Governor and a special election held to fill the vacancy.
Several of the Harrison County officers refused to take this oath and were ousted from office, among them being
the Clerk of the Circuit Court and the Sheriff.
The Richmond Convention on June 27, 1861 passed an ordinance "That any citizen of Virginia holding office
under the Government of the United States after the first of August, shall be forever banished from this State,
and is declared an alien enemy and shall be so considered in all the Courts of Virginia."
It was further enacted that in addition to the above penalties any citizen who may hereafter undertake to represent
the State in the Congress of the United States shall be deemed guilty of treason and his property be confiscated
for the use of the State.
On account of the friction caused by the treatment of the inhabitants of Cuba by the Kingdom of Spain, who claimed
jurisdiction over the Island, and on account of the blowing up of the United States War Ship Maine in the harbor
of Havana in April, 1898, war was declared against Spain by an act of Congress approved April 25, 1898.
West Virginia furnished two Regiments of Infantry for this war, both being equipped at Charleston, Colonel Baldwin
D. Spilman commanded the First Regiment and Colonel D. T. E. Casteel the second.
Two companies were recruited at Clarksburg for this war, one of them had for some time been organized as Company
K of the first regiment National Guards and was assigned to the First Regiment of Volunteers as Company "D"
with the following officers: Captain Harry R. Smith, First Lieutenant Cyrus Earl Vance and Second Lieutenant Cuthbert
A. Observe.
This company was mustered into the United States service May 13, 1898 and mustered out with the Regiment February
4, 1899.
It had been the long period of thirty seven years since the streets of Clarksburg had witnessed
soldiers marching to war, and on the evening of April 27, 1898 nearly the entire town turned out to do honor to
their departure.
The Company was presented with a flag by Mayor Matthew G. Holmes and a band of music and Custer Post No. 8 Grand
Array of the Republic and a large number of citizens escorted them to the depot.
One other Company was recruited for the war and left Clarksburg on June 27, was mustered into the 2 Regiment July
4,1898 and mustered out with the Regiment April 10, 1899. The officers were Captain Melvin S. Sperry, First Lieutenant
Robert H. Ramsey and Second Lieutenant John H. Clifford.
These two regiments were held in reserve in the Southern States during the war and were not called upon for active
service in the field.
At the time of the Spanish war there was one officer from the County serving in the 5th. U.
S. Infantry Regular Army, First Lieutenant Melville S. Jarvis who is still in the service as Captain.
Charles A. Morgan was at this time a cadet at the Naval Academy at Annapolis and was serving on the war ship Indiana
and took part in the battle of Santiago when the Spanish fleet was annihilated.
Charles J. Goff of Clarksburg was appointed a Captain in the Quarter-Master's Department and served in Cuba and
also in the transport service.
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