USA > Virginia > Augusta County > Augusta County > Annals of Augusta county, Virginia, from 1726 to 1871 > Part 53
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ANNALS OF AUGUSTA COUNTY.
stroyed by the Yankees in Virginia. The people laughed at the de- mand, which was made at intervals three or four times, accompanied by a threat to burn the town if it was not complied with. As the people persisted in disregarding the demand, the town was finally set on fire. Our men say the affair was extremely painful to them. There is every reason to believe that Henry K. Cochran, of Staunton, was killed at Chambersburg, and he probably fell a victim to popular rage.
Saturday, August 13 .- We hear that a large force of the enemy
is pressing Early up the Valley. * * Heavy cannonading was heard all the morning from six to eleven or twelve o'clock.
August 14 .- Reported that our army and the enemy were con- fronting each other at Strasburg on yesterday. * * A large num- ber of army wagons came in to-day, probably 140 to 150 in all.
Wednesday night, August 17 .- Yesterday evening about 6 o'clock I heard the cannonading below Richmond very distinctly. The Reserves were sent to Richmond on Monday.
Friday night, August 19 .- News from the lower Valley this morn- ing that the Yankee army was retiring, and burning barns and mills as they went. Early had passed through Winchester in pursuit.
Wednesday night, August 24 .- Four hundred and fifty prisoners from the lower Valley brought in this evening. They are to be de- tained here till further orders from General Early.
August 31 .- I am again engaged in the ardnous labor of getting up a coat and vest. Five yards of coarse cloth, which I obtained by a trade, would have cost in our currency at least $200. Having pro- cured the cloth, the difficulty now is about trimmings and making. Two yards of skirt lining will cost $30. My jeans coat, made last year and lost at Hubbard's, in Nelson county, on the 11th of last June, was lined with an old cravat. Alas ! everything of that kind is now used up, so I must make the back of an old vest serve another "tour" to help out the new one. The usual charge of a tailor for cutting ont a coat and vest is $15, and a woman charges $33 for making. These prices are not high considering what the currency is worth. For coat buttons I must rob an old garment.
Saturday night, September 3 .- The Yankee prisoners sent up the Valley by Early, have been forwarded to Lynchburg. While detained here they were bivouacked on the Middlebrook road two or three miles from town. A sergeant-major preached to his fellow prisoners once or twice on last Sunday. They frequently hield prayer-meetings and their singing was heard all round the country. Twelve of them, from New Jersey, expressed a desire to take the oath of allegiance to the Confederacy, and all declared themselves heartily tired of the war.
Saturday night, September 4 .- Mrs. C. sent for me this evening to direct a letter to her husband, who is a prisoner at Camp Chase, Ohio. Such letters go from Richmond, by the flag-of-truce boat. While I was at Mrs. C.'s two children came in, and. inquiring who they were, I was told that their father also was a prisoner in the
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ANNALS OF AUGUSTA COUNTY.
enemy's hands. In a few minutes another little girl entered, and Mrs. C. remarked that her father, too, was a prisoner.
Tuesday, September 20 .- Our army defeated yesterday below Winchester. *
* A deep feeling of gloom seems to pervade the community. Life has no charms at present, and there is little to hope for the future. It is like walking through the valley of the shadow of death.
September 21 .- Still very few particulars in regard to the recent battle. Stage passengers report that our loss was three thousand, killed and wounded, -comparatively few killed,-and that the enemy's loss was very large. They say the enemy was repulsed twice and driven back two miles, but continued to bring up fresh troops. Early brought off his wagons and 400 prisoners taken during the battle. Our army was at Fisher's Hill, and there is a rumor of skirmishing there this morning.
Friday evening, September 23 .- A report got out about 2 o'clock that Early had been driven from Fisher's Hill, with the loss of twelve pieces of cannon. *
* I thought we had reached the lowest stage of despondency on yesterday, but there was still a "lower deep." Anxiety was depicted on every countenance. Some persons report that the enemy is 70,000 strong, while Early has only 7,500 infantry. Edward Waddell arrived yesterday, badly wounded in the right hand. [He entered the military service, April 17, 1861, as a private in the " West Augusta Guard," 5th regiment, Stonewall Brigade, and par- ticipated in nearly every battle in which his command was engaged. He became 2nd Lieutenant, and commanded his company for more than a year ; but could not rise higher because the Captain and Ist Lieutenant, although disabled by wounds, held on to their commis- sions. The wound mentioned was the first he received. A spent ball, however, on one occasion, knocked out one of his front teeth. He is a son of Dr. Livingston Waddell, formerly of Waynesborough.] Reported that thousands of our soldiers are without arms, having thrown their guns away. Guns have been sent from Staunton since the battle of Winchester.
Saturday September 24 .- A dispatch from General Early this morning assured the people of Staunton that they were in no danger -- that his army was safe, and receiving reinforcements. He, however, ordered the detailed men to be called out. * * This county is now rich in all that is needed to sustain an army, and if the enemy comes the loss will be irreparable. General Early's dispatch has not quieted apprehension.
About 10 o'clock at night, September 24, General Early sent an order to evacuate the town, as he was compelled to retire from the Valley to Brown's Gap, in the Blue Ridge. During that night there was little rest or sleep to persons connected with the various govern- ment depots, and as early as possible the next day all army stores were started eastward by railroad and wagon trains.
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ANNALS OF AUGUSTA COUNTY.
.
The Federal army, some 3,000 men, under General Torbert, en- tered Staunton on Monday evening, September 26, and, passing through, camped on the Waynesborough road. A part of them went to Waynesborough on Tuesday, during which day the remainder of them occupied Staunton. They entered very few houses and commit- ted no depredation of any consequence. They impressed all the negro men into their service, and took them down the railroad to destroy the traek and bridges. The colored people were very indignant, and did much less damage to the railroad than they could have done.
On Wednesday, the 28th, the whole Federal command moved to Waynesborough, and late that evening they were attacked by a party of Confederate cavalry from Brown's Gap. The enemy were driven off, leaving about forty dead and more than eighty prisoners. They returned through Staunton late Wednesday night, in great haste and some disorder, and went down the Valley as they came up, by the Springhill road. They appeared to spend Thursday and Thursday night in burning barns in the direction of Middle river, the whole heavens being illuminated until a late hour.
Confederate cavalry entered Staunton on Thursday, the 29th. General Early afterwards moved his infantry from Waynesborough towards Mt. Sidney, and for several days North river, from Bridge- water to Port Republic, was the line between the two armies.
Jolın N. Hendren, of Staunton, was appointed Treasurer of the Confederate States in the fall of 1864.
Monday night, October ro .- The Richmond Dispatch of this mori- ing says that the New York Herald of the 5th published a letter from Grant to Sheridan, ordering him to burn every house in the Valley, to destroy every mill, kill every horse, cow, sheep, and hog; that he is determined to make the Valley a wilderness. * * It is said that when the Yankees were here recently an officer made an address to the negroes after they had finished tearing up the railroad track near town. He was anxious for the young men to go off with them, but would not advise the old men to leave their homes ; if, however, the latter chose to go, they would be taken to Washington city where arrangements would be made by which they could work for a living. "Humph," said an old negro, "plenty work here."
Wednesday night, October 12 .- At this usually abundant season of the year, people heretofore accustomed to live in luxury, are scuffling for the necessaries of life. Since dark we have been listening to the noise of a mill grinding sugar cane (sorghum); there it is, still, after 10 o'clock, probably half a mile off. Something sweet,-molasses, if not sugar,-is eagerly sought after. At Waynesborough, the other day, I drank at supper and breakfast " rye coffee " without sugar.
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ANNALS OF AUGUSTA COUNTY.
October 15 .- Nothing talked of except the recent order calling into service all detailed men. One order has followed another in rapid succession from the adjutant-general's office. It seems that almost every male from seventeen to fifty years of age not in the army is to be taken to Richmond with the view of going to the field. The recent orders take millers from their grinding, but men sent from the army undertake in some cases to run the machinery. Farmers are ordered from their fields and barns and soldiers are detailed to thresh the wheat. All men engaged in making horseshoes are ordered off, so that our cavalry and artillery horses will have to go barefooted. The officials at Richmond are apparently in a state of panic.
Thursday night, October 20 .- This afternoon it was announced that Early had attacked the enemy near Strasburg, and captured 1, 500 prisoners. Before the first glow of satisfaction at this good news had left my face, we heard that Early had lost his cannon, and was retreat- ing before the enemy.
October 21 .- A number of officers and men who were engaged in the affair down the Valley, and many ambulances with the wounded, have arrived. They say the enemy was attacked early in the morn- ing and completely routed, being driven a long distance, with the loss of cannon, wagons, about 4,000 men, -in fact, almost everything. Early ordered a halt, and immediately his men scattered to plunder. The enemy rallied, and, another corps coming up, attacked our inen while they were dispersed. At the same time the Federal cavalry at- tacked the wagons in the rear of our army. The result was, that we were routed, and lost more than was gained at first, except in prisoners.
October 22 .- A large body of prisoners was brought in this morn- ing and sent off by railroad. The number was stated to be 1, 340, but I thought it at least 2,000.
Throughout the war the courts were open, and their authority was respected. In November of this year, several " detailed farmers," called into military service, sued out writs of habeas corpus, and brought their cases before Judge Thompson at Staunton. He decided that they were not liable to serve as soldiers, and ordered their discharge.
Thursday, November 10 .- From the means employed to provision Early's army it must be in great straits for subsistence. Commissaries and quartermasters, with details of men, are traversing the county in search of supplies. The mills are watched, and every barrel of flour is taken up as soon as it is turned out.
Thursday, November 24 .- A large part of Early's army is in this county.
December 7 .- Two divisions of Early's corps are on their way to Richmond, having reached Waynesborough.
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ANNALS OF AUGUSTA COUNTY.
Rodes' division passed through Staunton on the 15th, and Wharton's division on the 17th. Rosser went into quarters with his cavalry, near Buffalo Gap, and the infantry and artillery left under Early were stationed near Fishersville. General Early had his head- quarters in Staunton.
A report on the 20th, that the enemy was coming up the Valley, brought Early's small force up from Fishersville, and sent them down the Winchester road. By the 22nd the alarmn was over, and our men were back in their quarters. At 3 o'clock, on the morning of the 23rd, the cavalry were roused in their camp, and brought to town. The weather was bitter cold, the ground covered with snow, and the roads were slippery. The men were chilled and hungry, and went from house to house for breakfast.
Saturday night, December 31 .- The last night of a dreary year, full of wretchedness. * * Forage is very scarce, and many horses are dying.
Thursday night, January 21, 1865 .- The State sells salt to citizens at a less price than the market affords, and I have secured all I am en- titled to, as the best investment of Confederate money. Some time ago the article was distributed to the people of the town at the rate of 25 pounds to each person, and I then obtained 275 pounds. Another distribution was made to-day, and I received 220 pounds more. * * A lady's dress, which formerly cost $to to $15, now costs $400 to $500.
Monday night, January 16 .- Rosser has been to Beverley, Ran- dolph county, and has captured 600 or 700 Federal soldiers.
January 18 .- Pins sell in town at $12 a paper, and needles at $10. Flour in Richmond at $1,000 a barrel. Confederate currency is almost worthless.
Friday night, January 20 .- Many persons were encouraging them- selves to day with reports about foreign intervention. * The prisoners captured by Rosser at Beverley, (600 or 700), were sent off by railroad to-day. They have suffered greatly from cold and hunger, as our soldiers have. Several of them died on the way to Staunton, and others will probably not survive long. After the train started I saw one of the prisoners lying on the pavement at the corner of the court-house yard. A crowd was around him, some of whom said he was dying. He was taken to the Confederate military hospital. All the prisoners are from Ohio. One of them boasted, it is said, that he had been in many of the houses about here.
Tuesday, January 31 .- Early has had his headquarters in Staun- ton for some time, and Fitzhugh Lee moved up from Waynesborough a few days ago.
Thursday, February 9 .- Two soldiers, convicted of desertion and robbery, were shot to-day near town.
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ANNALS OF AUGUSTA COUNTY.
Friday, February 24 .- General Crook entered Staunton this after- 110011 mider very different circumstances from his visit in June last.
He was brought in by McNeil's men, who kidnapped him in Cumberland, Maryland, although there were two Federal regiments in the town.
The people of Augusta, who assembled at February court, cou- tributed a large amount of provisions for the maintenance of the Con- federate army.
Tuesday, February 28 .- We were startled this morning by an or- der from General Early to pack up. The enemy in large force was coming up the Valley, and had arrived at Mt. Jackson.
This was Sheridan's command of mounted men, which swept through the Valley without tarrying at any point. They burnt Swoope's depot, Swoope's mill and barn, Bell's barn etc., on March 2.
General Early retired with his small force to Waynesborough, where he made a stand, but he was surrounded by a host of enemies, and his men were killed, captured or scattered. William H. Harman was killed there, while acting as volunteer aide. The General narrow- ly escaped capture. On Saturday, the 4th, a body of the enemy re- turned to Staunton with their prisoners, 600 to Soo, and the same day proceeded down the Valley, while the main body crossed the Blue Ridge at Rockfish Gap. Sheridan liad no wagon train, but subsisted upon the country, his men plundering, consuming and destroying as they went. While they were in Staunton they seized cooked food wherever they found it, and on the 2nd the writer's family had nothing to eat during the day except some potatoes which a servant smuggled into the house and roasted in the dining room. For several weeks afterwards there was no communication by railroad or telegraph be- tween Staunton and Richmond.
Early Monday morning, April 3rd, the news of the evacuation of Richmond flew through the streets of Staunton, and from house to lionse.
April 6 .- All things indicate that the days of the Confederate States are numbered.
On Tuesday morning, April 11th, vague reports of General Lee's surrender reached Staunton.
Friday, April 14 .- We heard last night from an authentic source that General Lee had certainly surrendered himself with his army. * * O'Ferrall is still operating in the lower Valley. The Federal commander in that quarter notified him that he was violating the terms of Lee's surrender, and O'Ferrall has sent to Staunton for in- formation. *
* Pierpont, the Governor of Virginia recognized by
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the Federal government, has been in Richmond. He was elected by a few votes in Alexandria, Norfolk, and possibly some other places oc- cupied by Federal troops during the war. Another State, called West Virginia, is presided over by Governor Bowman or Boreman. Nothing remains for us but submission.
Sunday night, April 16 .- Authentic intelligence to-day that two persons have arrived in Charlottesville from Richmond, sent by Lin- coln in search of Governor Smith, to invite him to return. At last accounts the Governor was flying from Richmond, on the tow path of the James river canal.
Monday night, April 17 .- Four years ago this day, the two military companies started from Staunton, and the war began. Now the war is virtually over, and we are-what shall I say ?
LIST OF AUGUSTA MEN
WHO SERVED IN THE FIELD AS CAPTAINS, MAJORS, ETC., IN THE
CONFEDERATE ARMY.
Antrim, George T .- Captain of Company H, Fifth regiment Virginia infantry. Disabled at Kernstown.
Arehart, Abraham .- Captain of Company D, Fifty-second in- fantry.
Baldwin, John B .- Inspector-General of State troops; Colonel of Fifty-second infantry. Disabled by sickness.
Balthis, William L .- Captain of Staunton Artillery, succeeding John D. Imboden. Disabled at Malvern Hill.
Bateman, Elijah .- Captain of Company G, Fifty-second infantry, succeeding Samuel McCune. Lost arm in battle, May 6, 1864.
Baylor, William S. H .- Major of Fifth infantry, Lieutenant-Col- onel and Colonel. Killed at second battle of Manassas, commanding brigade.
Berkeley, Frank B .- Chief of staff of Brigadier General Imboden, with rank of Captain.
Brown, S. Bradford .- Captain of cavalry ; General Lee's body guard.
Bucher, David .- Captain-quartermaster of Fifth infantry.
Bumgardner, James, Jr .- Captain of Company F, Fifty-second regiment, succeeding Joseph E. Cline.
Burke, Thomas J .- Captain of Company L, Fifth infantry, suc- ceeding James H. Waters.
Byers, John S .- Captain of Company C, Fifty-second infantry, succeeding Wm. E. Dabney. Disabled by wound.
Christian, Bolivar .- Captain-commissary of Fifty-second infantry. Afterwards on special service with rank of Lieutenant-Colonel.
Cline, Joseph E .- Captain of Company F, Fifty-second infantry. Retired from disability.
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ANNALS OF AUGUSTA COUNTY.
Cochran, George M., Jr .- Captain-quartermaster of Fifty-second infantry.
Cochran, James .- Captain of Company I, Fourteenth Virginia cavalry, succeeding F. F. Sterrett. Promoted Colonel.
Coiner, C. Benton .- Captain of Company G, Fifty-second in- fantry, succeeding Elijah Bateman.
Curtis, E. L .- Captain of Company I, Fifth infantry, succeeding O. F. Grinnan.
Dabney, William E. (of Albemarle) .- Captain of Company C, Fifty-second infantry. Killed at Fredericksburg, December 13, 1862.
Davis, Robert C .- Captain of Company A, Fifty-second infantry, succeeding Edward Garber.
Dempster, John J .- Captain of Company E, Fifth infantry, suc- ceeding L. Grills.
Dold, James A .- Captain of Company H, Fifty-second infantry, succeeding J. D. Lilley. Killed at Bethesda Church, below Richmond, 1864.
Doyle, Robert L .- Captain of Company C, Fifth infantry, Lieu- tenant-Colonel of Sixty-second infantry. Killed at Piedmont while acting as Captain of reserves.
Fultz, Alexander H .- Captain of Staunton Artillery, succeeding A. W. Garber.
Garber, Asher W .- Captain of Staunton Artillery, succeeding W. L. Balthis. Promoted Major.
Garber, Edward .- Captain of Company A, Fifty-second infantry, succeeding J. H. Skinner. Killed at second battle of Manassas.
Gibson, James W .- Captain of Company H, Fifth infantry, suc- ceeding G. T. Antrim.
Grills, Lycurgus .- Captain of Company E, Fifth infantry, suc- ceeding J. W. Newton. Died in service.
Grinnan, Oswald F .- Captain of Company I, Fifth infantry.
Hall, William .- Captain of Company G, Fifth infantry, succeed- ing R. Simms. Killed at Wilderness, May 5, 1864.
Hanger, Henry H .- Captain of Company I, Fourteenth cavalry, sticceeding Joseph A. Wilson.
Hanger, Marshall .- Captain and Major on staff of General J. E. B. Stuart.
Harman, Asher W .- Captain of Company G, Fifth infantry, Col- onel of Twelfth Virginia cavalry.
Harman, John A .- Major and quartermaster of Second Corps Army of Northern Virginia.
Harman, Lewis .- Captain of Company I, Twelfth cavalry.
Harman, Michael G .- Lieutenant-Colonel and Colonel of Fifty- second infantry. succeeding J. B. Baldwin.
Harman, William H .- Lieutenant-Colonel and Colonel of Fifth infantry, succeeding K. Harper. Killed at Waynesborough, 1865, acting as volunteer aide.
Harper, Kenton .- Colonel of Fifth infantry.
Hotchkiss, Jed .- Major and topographical engineer of Second Corps Army of Northern Virginia.
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ANNALS OF AUGUSTA COUNTY.
Hottle, Joseph F .- Captain of Company D, Fifty-second infantry.
Humphreys, Jolın F .- Captain of Company I, Fifty-second in- fantry, succeeding Samuel Lambert.
Imboden, George W .- Colonel of Eighteenth Virginia cavalry.
Imboden, John D .- Captain of Staunton Artillery ; Colonel of independent command : Brigadier-General.
Koiner, Absalom .- Major of Fifth infantry, succeeding W. S. H. Baylor.
Lambert, Samuel .- Captain of Company I, Fifty-second infantry. Died in service.
Lilley, John D .- Captain of Company H, Fifty-second infantry. Promoted Lieutenant-Colonel.
Lilley, Robert D .- Captain of Company D, Twenty-fifth infantry. Promoted Lieutenant-Colonel, and Brigadier-General. Lost an arm at Wincliester, 1864.
Long, William .- Captain of Company B, Fifty-second infantry. Killed at McDowell, May 8, 1862.
Mason, C. R .- Commissioned first as a post-quartermaster with the rank of Captain ; afterwards as Lieutenant-Colonel of engineers in the field.
McClung, James A .- Captain-quartermaster of the Fifty-seventh Virginia regiment.
McClung, Thomas .- Captain of Company E, First Virginia cav- alry, succeeding William Patrick.
McCoy, Charles D .- Captain of Company D, Twenty-fifth infan- try, succeeding R. D. Lilley.
McCune, Samuel .- Captain of Company D, Fifty-second infantry. Merritt, C. G .- Captain-quartermaster of Twenty-fifth infantry.
McKamy, William C .- Captain of Company D, Fifth infantry, succeeding W. H. Randolph.
Newton, James W .- Captain of Company E, Fifth infantry. Pro- moted Major. Lost a leg in service.
Patrick, William .- Captain of Company E, First Virginia cavalry. Promoted Major. Killed at Second Manassas.
Randolph, William H .- Captain of Company D, Fifth infantry, succeeding H. J. Williams. Killed at Cold Harbor.
Roberts, St. Francis .- Captain of Company F, Fifth infantry. Disabled by wounds in battle.
Simms, Richard .- Captain of Company G, Fifth infantry, suc- ceeding A. W. Harman. Killed at Second Manassas.
Skinner, James H .- Captain of Company A, Fifty-second in- fantry, Lieutenant-Colonel, and Colonel. Wounded and disabled, May 12, 1864.
Sterrett, F. F .- Captain of Company I, Fourteenth cavalry.
Thompson, James .- Captain of Company B, Fifty-second infantry, succeeding William Long.
Trevy, J. M .- Captain of Company C, Fifth infantry, succeeding R. L. Doyle.
Trout, E. Stribling .- Captain of Company H, Fifty-second in- fantry, succeeding J. A. Dold.
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ANNALS OF AUGUSTA COUNTY.
Waters, James H .- Captain of Company L, Fifth infantry. Cap- tain and commissary of regiment.
Weller, Charles L .- Captain of Company C, Fifty-second in- fantry, succeeding J. S. Byers.
Williams, Hazel J .- Captain of Company D, Fifth infantry. Promoted Lieutenant-Colonel.
Wilson, Joseph A .- Captain of Company I, Fourteenth cavalry, succeeding James Cochran. Lost an arm in battle.
Wilson, Peter E .- Captain of Company F, Fifth infantry, succeed- ing St. F. Roberts.
The following natives of Augusta, who, however, were not living in the county when the war arose, were officers in the military service :
William D. Stuart, son of Thomas J. Stuart, Esq., of Staunton, born about 1830, and educated at the Staunton Academy and the Virginia Military Institute. Was principal of a school in Richmond, in 1861. Appointed by Governor Letcher, Lieutenant-Colonel of the Fourteenthi Virginia regiment. At the reorganization in 1862, was elected colonel of the Fifty-sixth regiment. Mortally wounded at Gettysburg, and died in Staunton.
James A. Walker, son of Mr. Alexander Walker, "of South river. Educated at the Virginia Military Institute. While practising law in Pulaski county was appointed Lieutenant-Colonel of the Thirteenth Virginia regiment, commanded then by A. P. Hill. Became succes- sively Colonel, Brigadier-General, and Major-General.
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