USA > Virginia > Augusta County > Augusta County > Annals of Augusta county, Virginia, from 1726 to 1871 > Part 54
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Thomas Poage, a lawyer, living in Pulaski county, was Colonel of the 50th Virginia regiment when he was killed, on Blackwater, in February, 1863.
Briscoe G. Baldwin, Jr., son of Judge B. G. Baldwin, educated at the Staunton Academy and the Virginia Military Institute. Ap- pointed Lieutenant-Colonel of artillery and assigned to ordnance duty in Richmond.
John H. McCue, son of John McCue, Esq., was practising law in Nelson county in 1861. Appointed commissary of the Fifty-first regiment, Colonel Wharton. Was with General Floyd's command at the fall of Fort Donelson. Captured at Waynesborough in March, 1865, while acting as volunteer aide and detained a prisoner till July.
In the battle near Winchester, July 20, 1864, General R. D. Lilley, while commanding Pegram's brigade, was wounded three times, -first, in the left thigh by a shell ; next, his right arm was shattered near the shoulder by a minie-ball; and, lastly, a minie-ball went through his already injured thigh. Being entirely disabled by the second injury, he dismounted, and as his horse was galloping to the rear he received the third wound. Weak and faint he lay down un-
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der a tree. A portion of the Federal army passed over him, and a soldier stopped long enongh to take off his field-glass. Left alone for awhile, he crawled to a shady spot among rocks and leaves. Soon a Federal straggler came up and robbed liim of his watch, pocket-book, hat, gold ring and pocket knife. Next, an Irishman in the Federal army came along, inquired about his injuries, and went nearly a mile to procure water for him. Finally, several of Averill's cavalry gathered near him, and while they stood there a moccasin snake glided across his forehead and stopped near his face. He called to the soldiers, and they killed the reptile. His arm was amputated at the shoulder by a Federal surgeon, and the wounded thigh was properly treated. The stolen watch was recovered through the agency of the surgeon and a Federal colonel.
Claiborne R. Mason was one of the most remarkable men of his day. He was born a poor boy, early in the 19th century, and reared in Chesterfield county. At an early age he was thrown upon his own resources, withont the advantages of education. After pursuing vari- ous vocations, he turned his attention to the construction of railroads, and a large part of the Chesapeake and Ohio railroad was constructed by him. By a mental process peculiar to himself, he made the most intricate calculations in mensuration, with promptness and accuracy. He accumulated several fortunes during his life, and lost nearly as many by his liberality. He was transparently honest, and, with much worldly wisdom, as guileless as a child. For about the last thirty years of his life he resided in Augusta connty. When the war arose in 1861, he raised a company for the Fifty-second regiment, but his services were more needed otherwise. He was first commissioned as quartermaster, with the rank of Captain. Soon, however, General T. J. Jackson attached him to his person and employed him in con- structing roads and bridges, obtaining for him the commission of Lieu- tenant-Colonel of engineers. An anecdote is related to show his ener- gy and skill : One evening General Jackson notified him to hold him- self in readiness to construct a bridge over a river they were at. The regular engineers sat up all night, drawing the plan, and in the morn- ing Mason was sent for to receive instructions. He presented himself at headquarters, with the annoucement that the bridge was up! His death occurred in January, 1885, when he was about eighty-two years of age. Up to the time of his last sickness he was actively engaged in constructing railroads in Pennsylvania, Kentucky and elsewhere.
CHAPTER XXIV.
AFTER THE WAR -- 1865.
The war closed when General Lee surrendered at Appomattox Courthouse. For many days afterwards all the roads in the State were full of weary men wending their ways homeward. Many homes were devastated and poverty-stricken. The army of the Confederate States had wasted away, and not only so, but the people were im- poverished. Some food was left in the county,-more, indeed, than was generally known of a few weeks before,-and the pressing need was for articles of clothing. Railroads had been torn up, factories de- stroyed, farms laid waste, towns wrecked, the banks were all broken, and there was literally no currency in the country. Farmers set to work to do what they could, and a few other people found employ- ment. Most white people were idle from necessity, and the negroes asserted and proved their newly acquired freedom by leaving the farms and flocking to town. The recuperation of the country, which began at once and has been so far consummated, is one of the marvels of the age.
It was not anticipated at the close of the war that the Southern people generally would be subjected to pains and penalties. Edmund Burke said: "It is impossible to frame an indictment against a whole people." But the fate of many regarded as leaders was for some time in suspense.
We continue our extracts from the diary :
April 19 .- No rumors to-day of any consequence. Yesterday there was a report that Lincoln had been assassinated.
April 20 -The report of Lincoln's assassination was renewed this evening. *
* There is general regret in our community. * * We are now in a condition of anarchy. Bands of soldiers are roaming abont and taking off all cattle, sheep, horses, etc., they suppose to be public property.
Having borne the heat and burden of the war for so long, it is not strange that returned soldiers, having come home in a state of destitution, should feel that they had a peculiar right to Confederate
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property, nor is it strange that they sometimes mistook private for public property.
Friday night, April 21 .- I hear that a lady arrived this evening from Washington with a newspaper giving an account of Lincoln's as- sassination. Seward was assailed in his chamber at the same time and wounded.
April 22 .- Tlie assassin was an actor, named John Wilkes Booth. He and twenty or thirty others associated with him escaped down the Potomac on the Maryland side. He was not considered a Southern sympathizer, having left Richmond early in the war to go North. Rumor says that some persons at the North attribute the murder to the ultra abolitionists, who are disaffected on account of Lincoln's supposed leniency to the South. Vice-President Andrew Johnson has been sworn in as President of the United States, and has made several speeches, in which he announced vengeance against "traitors." He has withdrawn the invitation, or permission, for our Legislature to meet in Richmond.
Monday night, April 24 .- The Pierpont government is established at Richmond, and we will doubtless be required to recognize it as legitimate. * * The County Court was busy to-day trying to de- vise means for maintaining law and order.
April 25 .-- We have no mails, no newspapers, and no regular communication with the world. Occasionally some person arrives with a Baltimore or Richmond paper. * * There were many ex- citing rumors to-day. Among them that Andrew Johnson had been killed, and that Washington, Philadelphia and New York were in flames. Also, reported by some one who came up the Valley that Grant had been killed, and that fighting was going on in Washington city. * * Trouble, suspense, anxiety-a time when we have no government, and know not what will be on the morrow.
April 27 .- Reported that Andrew Johnson had not been poisoned, as was said, but was under arrest as an accomplice in the assassination of Lincoln !
Saturday, April 29 .- Several companies of the Twenty-second New York cavalry, under Colonel Reid, arrived to-day from Winches- ter. They came in very cautiously, having scouts on the hills before they entered. They evidently feared an ambuscade! Their camp is near the cemetery. * * It was a curious spectacle this afternoon to see Federals and Confederates mingling together on the streets. Every- body seemed to be at ease. Jesse Scouts were in town considerably in advance of the main body.
Sunday night, April 30 .- The day passed off quietly. Many Yan- kees were riding and walking about unarmed. Four officers and two other soldiers attended the Presbyterian church in the forenoon. The Episcopal church was not open, because Mr. Latane was apprehensive of trouble if he omitted to pray for the President of the United States. Surely these are evil times when churches are subjected to military control. * * Our town police arrested a drunken Yankee soldier last night and put him in jail.
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Monday night, May r .- Negroes are flocking to the Yankee camp, some of them having come from home on horseback. *
* The Yankees gave up stolen horses to their owners when called for. * The officers have told everybody that they did not wish the negroes to go off with them, and would furnish to them neither transportation nor rations, but they were not at liberty to send them home. This afternoon, however, the soldiers began a system of treatment which must have been discouraging to "American citizens of African de-
scent." A number of tents had been taken from the military hospital to the Yankee camp, and some of them were spread upon the ground and used as blankets for tossing up the colored friends. Men, women and children were thrown up at the risk of cracking skulls or breaking necks. One woman having been tossed up several times fell on her head, and at last accounts was lying insensible. * * This evening a Confederate and Yankee had a fist-fight in the street. The former got the better of his opponent, but both were put in jail.
Tuesday, May 2 -The Federal troops started early this morning down the Valley. Many negroes, men, women and children, accom- panied them. The negroes can't realize that freedom is possible in their old homes. One old man started, but soon returned, saying it was too far !
Thursday night, May 4 .- A movement was on foot this morning for a public meeting on Monday next, with a view to the reorganiza- tion of the State government under the Constitution and laws of the United States.
Sunday night May 7 .-- Information that a considerable body of Federal troops is on the way from Winchester. % ** General Smith, our fugitive Governor, is in town to-night, and has sent round notice that he will deliver an address at the American hotel.
Monday night, May 8 .- The county meeting came off to-day, and was attended by many people. A comuittee was appointed to go to Richmond and confer with the authorities there, civil or military, and ascertain what liberty will be allowed in regard to the re-establish- ment of the State government. The committee are Alexander H. H. Stuart, William M. Tate, John B. Baldwin, M. G. Harman and Hugh W. Sheffey. Resolutions were adopted declaring that the con- test is ended ; that a State Convention should be hield, etc. The Governor goes armed with a brace of pistols, and his servant carries a gun or two. He has returned to Lexington.
Tuesday night, May 9 .- The Federal troops entered town this morning. First came three or four scouts, next the cavalry (three regiments), and then three regiments of infantry. Brigadier-General Duval commands. Their principal camp is on the Parkersburg road, near town. The headquarters are at the Virginia Hotel. They have about 150 wagons, and supplies for thirty days. As the first infantry regiment marched in the band played " Hail Columbia." The private soldiers seem good-natured enough, but they are a low order of peo- ple, much inferior to our men, who have always whipped them when
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not outnumbered more than three to one. The officers are a spruce, dapper-looking set.
Wednesday night, May 10 .- The committee appointed by the county meeting on Monday called upon General Duval this morning. He was extremely civil ; said the only instructions he had were to re- store order by suppressing guerilla parties, and to parole Confederate soldiers. He had no instructions in regard to civil government. [There were no guerillas in the country.]
Friday night, May 12 .- We are tasting the bitterness of a coll- quered people. The Yankees are evidently trying to worry us because they are not taken into society. No disrespect is shown to them, but cold politeness. The officers ride and walk about, decked off in shin- ing coats, and evidently desire to attract the attention of the ladies. General Duval is not satisfied with the temper of the people, -- " they are still defiant." He has therefore resorted to various petty annoy-
ances. * * Yesterday he alleged that several persons had been murdered within four miles of Staunton,-" Union people," who had recently come back.
Nobody else had heard of it, and the statement is utterly false. * Citizens are not allowed to be on the streets after ro o'clock at night. * * This morning a Yankee soldier was found dead near town, but, strange to say, the "Rebels" are not charged with having killed him. Yesterday a body of fonr or five hundred cavalry came in from Charlottesville to open an office for paroling, not knowing that any troops were here. They returned this morning. We hear that the Yankees at Winchester have the negro men who lately went off from this place, working on the streets, guarded by soldiers, and that the women are begging from door to door.
May 14 .- Reported on the streets that President Johnson has issued a proclamation declaring the property of all aiders and abettors of the " rebellion " confiscated, declaring all public offices vacant, and setting aside all sales of real estate inade since 1860. Pierpont is recognized as the Governor of Virginia, of course.
May 15 .- A sentinel has been promenading to-day before N. K. Tront's residence, because, the Yankees allege, the girls "made mouths," or hissed at the band as they entered town a week ago. The girls deny the charge. But what if they did ?
May 16 .- Many persons in town have been making what money they could out of the Yankee soldiers. Betty, a colored servant girl at -'s, thought she would try her hand, although hier mistress is suspected of being a secret partner in the venture. At any rate, Betty went out to the canip with a lot of fresh pies to sell on reason- able terms. In due time she returned, greatly elated with her suc- cess,-she had a handful of notes. But, alas ! the rascality of the Yankees, and, alas ! Betty's ignorance of United States currency ! Upon examination, it turned out that the papers for which she had ex- changed hier pies were bottle labels, advertising cards, etc., without a cent of money among them. Betty probably told very freely where
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she lived, and during the day some Yankees called at the house and inquired if they could get any pies there.
Thursday, May 18 .- A pistol or gun was fired in one of the streets last night, and General Duval imagined that he was shot at. Early in the morning the town was surrounded by pickets, and no one was allowed to come in or go out. Every house was searched for fire- arms, and every weapon, however rusty and useless, was triumphantly seized and earried off. It is said and believed that a gun in the hands of a Federal soldier was accidentally discharged. But General Duval firmly believes that the "rebels," having sacrificed the head of the nation, are trying to kill him, the next great man. * The soldiers have been tossing negroes in blaukets at their camp, and it is reported that one was killed and buried yesterday.
May 19 .-- Several stores have been opened in town by army sut- lers and others. The report of President Davis' capture is repeated
May 20 .- A second public meeting was held to-day in the court- house by General Duval's permission, and another committee was appointed to go to Richmond, etc., etc. It was a sham affair. * * Yesterday no one was allowed to leave town unless he had taken the oath of allegiance. All restrictions were removed to-day, but no one is permitted to be on the streets after 8 o'clock, P. M.
Sunday, May 21 .- This morning, after the Presbyterian congre- gation had assembled for worship, through some bungling, a Yankee chaplain was escorted to the pulpit where the Rev. Mr. Baker was seated. The chaplain only wanted to give notice that he would preach elsewhere in the evening, but persons outside, hearing of the intrusion, as they regarded it, spread the report that he had usurped the pulpit and intended to preach by force of arms. The affair caused great in- diguation at first, but afterwards mueh amusement. The scene which outsiders imagined was exhibited in the church is described by Walter Scott in " Woodstock," when the Rev. Nehemiah Holdenough was thrust from his pulpit by one of Cromwell's soldiers and his comrades, who exclaimed : "We will pluck yon Jack Presbyter out of his wooden sentinel box and our own watchman shall relieve guard and mount thereon, and cry aloud and spare not." According to report, some of the Federal officers don't spare the chaplain. They asked him if he had preached to-day, and he replied : " No, neither preach. pray, nor sing." He did sing, however, at the Presbyterian church.
Monday night, May 22 .- Pierpont is recognized by the Washing- ton authorities as the legitimate Governor of Virginia. We are appre- hensive that no one will be allowed to vote or hold office unless he purges himself by oath of all sympathy with the "rebellion," and thus nearly the whole people will be excluded. No doubt some will swear they never did sympathize. The applicants for office upon the restoration of the monarchy in the person of Charles II were not more debased than some people now-a-days.
Monday night, May 29 .- Yesterday evening United States flags were hung out at several street corners, so that persons going to the Episcopal church should have to pass under them, and a small paper
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flag was suspended over the church gate. This morning a small flag was found pasted to the portico of A. F. Kinney's house, and Ned Kinney, who first discovered it, took it down. For this act of treason he was arrested and threatened with banishment to a Northern prison. A large flag was then put at Kinney's gate.
Tuesday night May 30 .- The Pierpont Constitution of Virginia, framed at Alexandria during the war by sixteen men, and never voted for by anybody else, is to be imposed upon us by Federal bayonets. It wipes out slavery now and forever, etc., etc.
May 31 .- Most of the county committee, No. 1, have returned from Richmond. Pierpont insists upon his Constitution with its pro- vision restricting the right of suffrage to those who can, or will, take what is called "the iron-clad oatlı." But it seems that the Legisla- ture may remove the restriction.
Thursday night, June 1 .- General Duval's flags are spreading themselves. Another string of theni is stretched across Augusta street near Main. The General says the flags were not put up by his order, but being up they must be respected.
Friday night, June 2 .- The " last agony " from Washington ap- peared this Morning-President Johnson's proclamation of pardon to rebels on certain conditions. There are so many proclamations and oaths of one sort and another that it is hard to keep the run of them. All military officers above the rank of lieutenant, all civil officers of the " pretended," or "so-called," Confederate States, and all persons worth more than $20,000 are excluded from the benefits of the oath last prescribed by the President. Persons belonging to these classes miist file petitions to his excellency for pardon, and he promises to be liberal. Why persons worth over $20,000 are specially guilty is hard to see. Many a flagrant "rebel" is not worth a dollar in ready money.
June 2 .- There is a good deal of talk about emigrating to Brazil. But it is not worth while. No doubt the first man met on landing would be a Connecticut vendor of wooden nutmegs.
June 5 .- A man in a sulky, while passing under the flags on Sat- urday, cut at them with his whip, for which grave offence he was put into the guard-house and kept there until to-day.
June 6. - The flag farce has reached the ne plus ultra of absurdity. Yesterday two soldiers went to O. C. Morris' and demanded a flag they said he liad. He stated that he knew of no flag on his premises, and the men rushing by him found a negro child having a little red rag tied to a switch, which it had been playing with at the kitchen window. Full of patriotic ardor, the soldiers seized the rag, and tearing it in pieces warned Morris that his whole family would be put under arrest if the offence were repeated.
Monday night, June 12 .- Two regiments of infantry, under a Colonel Stewart, arrived to-day, from Winchester, to relieve Duval's command.
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Tuesday night, June 13 .- The two infantry regiments of Duval's command marched out this afternoon, on their return to Winchester, followed by an immense train of negroes. The other infantry regi- ment was sent to Harrisonburg several weeks ago. The officers of the Ohio regiment, which left to-day, are apparently gentlemen, and we are sorry they did not remain, as we are still to have Federal troops here. Colonel Duval (no relation of the General) and Lieutenant- Colonel Wilson have always conducted themselves as sensible and liberal men, and have freely expressed their disapproval of the Gen- eral's fooleries. The General's coach was a luxurious vehicle, drawn by four elegant gray horses. It is said the cavalry have gone also.
June 14 .- United States treasury notes, called "greenbacks," and national bank notes constitute our paper currency. Very little current, however.
Tuesday night, June 20 .- The poor negroes flock to town as if they could not be free in the country. One small tenement, in which an old couple lately lived, is now occupied by thirty.
June 21 .- A report that four hundred Yankee negro troops, in Texas, demanded the surrender of some Confederates, and were at- tacked and all but sixty killed. As we are now a part of the United States, the way of telling this news on the street is: "The Rebels have whipped our people again."
Monday night, June 26 .-- A military order is posted in the streets to day, requiring " Rebel" soldiers to take off all insignia of rank, brass buttons, etc. The days of "the '45," when the Highland plaid was proscribed, liave come back again. * The "so-called " Legislature of Virginia, -- the Senate composed of four men, including the Lientenant-Governor, -lias met at Richmond, and passed an act allowing persons to vote without taking " the iron-clad oath." There can be no courts till October.
June 29 .- Many stores in Staunton. Goods said to be very cheap, -- that is, it seems so because we have not forgotten Confederate prices.
July 2 .- Federal soldiers have been enforcing the order for Con- federates to strip off military clothing. Some of them have stood at street corners with shears to cut off brass buttons, etc. Every negro, even, wearing an old Confederate coat or jacket has lost his buttons. Most of our poor fellows have nothing to wear except their old uniforms.
Wednesday, July 5 .- The negroes gave the Yankee officers a din- ner yesterday at their barracks. The town was full of negroes of both sexes, who celebrated the Fourth by walking about. A number of drunken soldiers were also on the streets. At night there was quite a mob of them in town.
Wednesday night, July 19 .- The first election for county officers under the new order of things was held yesterday. The vote was quite full, contrary to expectation. Most of the late incumbents of the various offices were re-elected, but the present Attorney-General
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has published an opinion, received here after the election, in which he lays it down that all persons who have held office under the " so- called " Confederate States government are ineligible to office, which will probably cut out many of the successful candidates. * * " Loyal " men are so much afraid of acknowledging the Confederacy that they generally preface it by the words " so-called."
Saturday, July 22 .- The Fifty-eighth Pennsylvania regiment came here last week from Richmond, or somewhere east. The men are discontented and lawless. * * We have no mails, although the railroad trains and stage-coaches run regularly.
Tuesday night, July 25 .- The two regiments under command of Colonel Stewart started down the Valley this evening. Everybody regrets the departure of Stewart. We expect nothing good from the Pennsylvania regiment which remains here. The officers seem afraid of the men. It is currently reported that a soldier gave his captain a whipping a few days ago.
August 13 .-- Governor Pierpont has ordered new elections of county officers in place of those recently elected, who had hield Con- federate offices. The county magistrates elected on the 18th of July, met recently and adjourned over to the regular court day in this month. The corporation election took place last week, and I believe the military have made a formal surrender of the town to the civil au- thorities.
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