USA > Virginia > City of Norfolk > City of Norfolk > History of Norfolk County, Virginia and representative citizens, V.1 > Part 9
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the enemy could offer would be sufficient to tempt them away. To drag them away, then, by force, would be the greatest cruelty. Yes, it is reserved for England, who boasts of her re- ligion and love of humanity, to practice this piece of cruelty, so repugnant to the dictates of civilization."
SOME SOLDIERS OF THE WAR OF ISI2.
Edward Moreland, private in Captain Shield's com- pany.
Jonathan Harrison, corporal in Captain McDonald's company. Benjamin Spratley, lieutenant in Colonel William Sharp's command. Alexander'Stewart, private in Captain Grimes' com- pany. William Langhorne, soldier.
The muster roll of a company of militia in- fantry,-attached to the 30th Regiment of the third requisition from the State of Virginia, commanded by Maj. Dempsey Veale and mus- tered into the service of the United States at the camp near Fort Nelson on the 26th day of April, 1813,- which was engaged in battle of Craney Island, is given as follows :
John Hodges, captain. . Tully R. Wise, lieutenant. Kader King, ensign. Thomas Blunt. sergeant. William Bruce, sergeant. Richard Carney, sergeant. Thomas Carney, sergeant. Solomon Creech, sergeant. Josias Eastwood. sergeant. John Wainwright, sergeant. Samuel Rose, corporal. Samuel Ross, corporal. William Pearce, corporal. George Foskey, corporal. James Taylor, corporal. William -Orton, corporal. William Aswell, private. Thomas Andrews, private. Henry Best, private. David Bowers. private. Henry Consaul, private. Daniel Clemons, private. William Dens, private. Edward Etheredge, private. George Ethieredge, private. Richard Etheredge. private. Samuel Freeman. private. Thomas Hadley, private.
Thomas Hollowell, private.
Thomas Hobgood, private.
James Hobgood, private.
William Harris. private. David James, private.
Theophilus Ives, private, promoted corporal. David Ives, private, promoted corporal.
Thomas King, private.
Keily King, private. Arnold King, private. John Love, private. Stephen McPherson, private.
John Miller, private.
Jeremiah Murden, private.
Robert Manning, private.
Willis Manning, private.
William Miars, private.
Joel Miars, private.
Thomas Nash. private.
Thomas K. Orton. private.
Daniel Peake, private. Samuel Powell, private.
Stephen Ross, private.
Jesse Taylor. private.
Thomas C. Tucker, private.
Thomas Taylor. private.
Richard Taylor, private.
George Wright, private.
William Wallace, private. Caleb Ward, private.
Capt. John Hodges was elected on joint ballot of both Houses of the General Assembly, brigadier-general of the Ninth Brigade in the Fourth Division of the militia of the Common- wealth and commissioned by Gov. John Tyler on the 7th day of January, 1826.
There were in the War of 1812. 155.364 soldiers,-the South furnished 96,812 and the North 58,552.
THE MEXICAN WAR.
Excepting Indian hostilities. there was a period of peace in the United States from 1815 to 1846 when the war with Mexico began. Al- though the seat of war was far away, it fired the Southern heart and the soldiers from "Dixie" nearly doubled the Northern soldiers who went to subdue Mexico. The South fur- nished 43,630 and the North only 23.054 men.
A meeting was called in Ashland Hall. Nor- folk, on the 16th day of December. 1846. at which eloquent speeches aroused enthusiasm and a volunteer company of young men was or-
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ganized. O. E. Edwards was elected captain. The services of this company were first tend- ered to the Governor of Virginia, who de- clined them, then they were tendered to the Governor of North Carolina, who also refused them: but finally the general government ac- cepted their offer and they embarked from Fort McHenry, Maryland, on the 27th of March. 1847, for Mexico. The company was assigned a howitzer battery and fought with great gallantty at the National Bridge and other places. After the return of Captain Ed- wards to Norfolk, his fellow citizens presented him with an elegant sword for his gallant and meritorious conduct.
Portsmouth also sent a volunteer company to Mexico. It was assigned as Company F, First Regiment Virginia Foot, Col. John F. C. Hantramch. Lieutenant-Colonel Randolph and Maj. Jubal A. Early. The following is the muster roll made in Mexico April 30, 1848, and certified by Capt. W. S. Duggan, Captain North Carolina Volunteers, Acting Inspector General.
John P. Young. captain. John K. Cooke, first lieutenant. Edward T. Blamire. second lieutenant. William M. Levy. third lieutenant. John Lappin, first sergeant. Joseph H. James. second sergeant.
Eugene D. Councill. third sergeant. Francis L. Benson; fourth sergeant. John Mesley, first corporal. Nathaniel Dyes, second corporal. Henry Webster, third corporal. Sparrell Jones, third corporal. Aldrich, W. M .. private. Benton, Jesse, private. Bigham, James S. A., private. Burdine, John, private. Barnes. John, private. Butt. James W., private. Catterson, James, private. Callaghan, Thomas. private. Cohen, Louis, private. Cherry, William. private. Creekmur, Charles J., private. Callis, Baily, private. Cook, Charles, private.
Donnell. John S., private.
Forbes, John, private. Grimes, Joshua, private. Grimes, James, private.
Gayle, Benjamin. private. Hawkins. Nathaniel B .. private.
Howell. Richard S., private.
James, William D., private. Johnson, Richard E., private.
Lamb, Samuel, private. Lawrence, Christopher, private.
McCready, Jeremiah, private.
Manning, William W., private."
Miller, Samuel W., private. Morse, Daniel, private. Norfleet. Christopher, private.
Orton, George W., private. Overly, John W., private. Pitts, Virginius L., private. Parker, F. W., private. Reed. William, private. Reynolds, Samuel, private.
Richardson, George W., private. Rawlins, Edward, private.
Shelling, John. private. Spratt. James W., private.
Spencer, John, private.
Turner, Henry, private. Tottin, Samuel, private. Tabb, A. G .. private. Whitson, James, private. White, William, private.
SOME SAILORS OF THE MEXICAN WAR.
R. L. Page, captain. W. L. Rodgers, captain. R. B. Pegram, captain. David B. Park, sailing master. U. S. S. "St. Marys." William Whitehead, boatswain, U. S. S. "Missis- sippi. G. A. Creiger, apothecary.
James F. Milligan, officer ( rank not known). Hugh Mckay, officer ( rank not known). Daniel Knowles, officer (rank not known). John Gillis, officer (rank not known). John Smith. Charles Evans. Christian Jolinson. James Ray. Edward Hart.
John Owins.
John G. Orphelia. John Johnson. John Adams. Samuel Stansbury. . Lindsay Pugh. Marcellus George. Isaac Rosthentoll.
CHAPTER V
MILITARY HISTORY OF THE COUNTY-Continued
EVENTS LEADING UP TO SECESSION-ABANDONMENT AND DESTRUCTION OF THE NAVY YARD BY THE FEDERALS-OCCUPATION OF THE NAVY YARD BY VIRGINIA-FORTIFICATION .OF APPROACHES TO THE HARBOR-BATTLE OF SEWELL'S POINT-DEVOTION OF THE CONFEDERATE WOMEN.
EVENTS LEADING UP TO SECESSION.
The military spirit of Norfolk County was re-aroused by the invasion of Virginia by John Brown.
Every good' eitizen was moved by the in- spiration of patriotism ; old and young were willing and anxious to take up arms to main- tain the peace and dignity, and proteet the honor of this old Commonwealth.
Our -volunteer companies were called to frequent drills and new military organizations were formed and equipped for service. The in- dignation of the people was stirred from its depths and all were ready to avenge the affront in martial ranks.
The Republican candidate was elected President of the United States in the fall of 1860 on a platform highly obnoxious to the Southern people inasmueli as it proposed to restrict their rights and violate the funda- mental law., At the time of the adoption of the Artieles of Confederation, under which the War for Intdependence was waged, slavery ex- isted in all the States that were parties to that compact. The legal right to property in slaves was not .denied, but as the Republicans con- sidered slavery morally wrong, they were will-
to violate the Constitution by restricting slavery to certain limits and by prohibiting its introduction into the territories, which were the common property of all the States of the Union. "The fervid phraseology of the period is essentially, deceptive, and has done much to confuse the perceptions and mislead the sym- pathies of the world with the struggles of the South for equality of rights within the Union, and for security with independence by seces- sion. No charge was more unjust. for ex- ample, than the aceusation that the South sought the 'extension of slavery when it in- sisted on equal rights in the territories. The question was merely whether the slaveholder should be permitted to go with his slaves into " territory into which the non-slaveholder could go with his property of any sort. It was simply a question of the dispersion of slaves rather than of the 'extension of slavery.' Removal is not extension." If the rights and privileges of the citizens of the Southern States could be curtailed and denied in this partieular, why not in any other? Principle was the thing at stake and not slavery or the extension thereof. The ' very foundation of the Union would be up- rooted. the sovereignty and equality of the States lost if submission to this "Republican"?
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HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY
doctrine was endured. Honor could dictate no other course for the Southern States than separation. in peace if possible, by war if es- sential to maintain principle and honor.
South Carolina seceded from the United States for this great fundamental principle in December. 1860. and was soon followed by the other extreme Southern States.
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They formed a Confederacy and estab- lished their capital at Montgomery, Alabama, with Hon. Jefferson Davis as Provisional President.
THE CONFEDERATE WAR.
Most of. the Federal military posts within these. Confederate States were surrendered to the provisional government : but the command- er of Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor re- fused to capitulate. General Beauregard in command of the Confederate forces there pre- pared to force its surrender; but not until a Federal fleet was ordered to relieve Fort Sum- ter did he open his guns upon it. This fired the Northern heart. Fort Sumter after a vigor- ous bombardment from the Confederate forts surrendered and preparations for war were begun most vigorously on both sides.
Lincoln issued his proclamation calling on the States for 75.000 troops to conquer the Confederacy and then our Virginia State Con- vention, with its large majority in favor of the Union, passed the ordinance of secession.
Virginia made every endeavor for peace and the preservation of the Union upon the just principles that our fathers established : but Lincoln scorned her appeals and forced the South to enter into a war for self-defense and justice.
' Here in Norfolk County, war's excitement and rush held high carnival, when the link which bound Virginia to the Union was ser- ered. On and during the 20th day of April, 1861, the greatest excitement prevailed among the people of Norfolk and Portsmouth. All the military companies in Portsmouth were on that day called out by the State commander
and during the night of that day were stationed and picketed in small squads at various points around and near the Navy Yard. The entire county was excited. and on every hand arrange- ments of a warlike nature were being made for the sectional strife, which then it was ap- parent was imminent. On the day and night of the 20th of April, obstructions were being placed in the Elizabeth River leading to the harbor for the purpose of preventing the in- gress of vessels and the departure of the United States war vessels then in the harbor. About midday the gates of the Gosport Navy Yard were closed to all outsiders, and heavily guarded by United States marines. During the day the marines, sailors and attaches of the United States Navy on the vessels moored at the wharves within the yard could be seen de- stroying small arms, and throwing them over- board into the river.
On the evening of that day, about dark, the United States steamer "Pawnee" came steam- ing into the port from the city of Washington. with a large number of marines, sailors and i soldiers on board. She came in with banners flying and a band of music playing the national airs, her guns loaded and run out of their ports. She proceeded to the Navy Yard, and imme- diately disembarked the marines, sailors, sol- diers and their officers, and soon there began a general commotion in the Navy Yard. caused by the removing of valuable materials there- from, and the destruction of cannon and other articles which could not be removed from the Navy Yard. This commotion, removal and destruction continued during the entire night and shortly before daylight of the 21st, when all the marines, sailors, soldiers, officers and every person within the yard except one or two who made their escape therefrom during the night. were taken aboard the "Pawnee" and the sail frigates "Constitution" and "Cumber- land." The "Pawnee," with the latter two ves- sels in tow. then departed, and proceeded un- molested to Fortress Monroe. Simultaneously with the departure of these vessels. the ship- house and other buildings in the Navy Yard.
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and also all the other vessels left at the wharves of the yard and anchored in the stream. were fired by the United States forces, and all were consumed with great rapidity. Soon the fire was communicated from the ship-house to the main entrance government buildings, and from there to many wooden buildings in the city on Lincoln street which were entirely destroyed. They also attempted to blow up the stone dry- dock. but the fuse failed to ignite and this valuable work was saved for the Confederacy. The local soldiers and citizens after the Navy Yard was abandoned were actively engaged in work on fortifications until a cordon of earthworks embraced the twin cities. Forts were constructed on Craney Island. at Boush's Bluff, Lambert's Point, Sewell's Point, Pin- ner's Point ; and Fort Nelson of Revolutionary fame again bristled with great guns. The in- fantry companies were drilled in heavy artillery tactics; and manned these new forts. Troops came from other sections of Virginia, from Georgia. from Louisiana; and the Old North State, true to her Revolutionary traditions, again sent her soldiers to help Virginia.
The following report of Maj .- Gen. Will- iam B. Taliaferro, of the Virginia Provisional Army to the Governor of Virginia regarding military movements in Norfolk County and Gosport Navy Yard, dated, Richmond, Vir- ginia, April 23. 1861, gives a detailed state- inent of the exciting events :
SIR :- I have the honor to report that in obedience to your orders I proceeded to Norfolk on the night of the 18th instant, to assume command of such troops of the State as should be ordered into service at that point, and to determine what course should be pur- sued with reference to the existing difficulties at that place. I was accompanied by Captain Pegrain, of the Navy of Virginia, who had been ordered by you to co-operate with me in all necessary naval operations. I reached Norfolk on the morning of the roth inst .. and found the city in a state of great excitement, which had proceeded to such an extent that in a meet- ing of the citizens. the affairs of the town had been committed to the management of a committee of safety. composed of some of the most respectable and intelli- gent citizens.
The cause of this excitement was the inauguration of certain demonstrations against the Washington Gov- ernment by the sinking of ships in the harbor by citizens i
of the town in the channel of the river, some nine miles below the city, thus attempting to prevent the egress of the vessels of war from the harbor.
I found the military force of the city. none of which had been called into service, to consist of a bat- talion of volunteers and a few detached companies, in all numbering not a great deal over 300 men, and the force of the town of Portsmouth to consist of a regi- ment of volunteers of . about.the same strength.
The militia of the two towns were without arms, and there was no naval force in the State service to co-operate with me. The only artillery consisted of a few 6-pounder field-pieces.
The harbor of Norfolk and approaches thereto were entirely unprotected against attack from Federal ves- sels. There were no works in condition at Craney Island, Fort Norfolk, or any point commanding the main channel, and even had their works been in per- fect preservation we had no heavy ordnance with which to make then available. On the east, fronting the sea and Lynnhaven Bay, the city was open to attack by a force landing at those points, and a large force had already reinforced Fort Monroe and might at any time menace the city from that direction.
On the other hand. the Navy Yard. occupying an area of 90 acres, and fronting upon Elizabeth River. whilst it was garrisoned by only a small force of ma- rines, and protected on the land side by a trifling brick wall. was commanded and covered entirely by the ships of war stretched out along the river, their heavy bat- teries bearing upon all parts of it. These ships had springs upon their cables with which to maneuver, had netting with which to resist boarding, and were using every precaution of guard boats, sentries, etc .. to pre- vent surprise.
The force on the ships and in the yard was about 600 men. but there was another element of the numeri- cal strength of the place to be considered, in the politi- cal opinions and sympathies of many of the operatives in the yard, not citizens of Virginia.
In this condition of affairs the alternative was pre- sented of either attempting to take, by boarding. the ships of war which commanded the yard, or of wait- ing until such heavy ordnance could be procured as would enable me to erect batteries with which to com- mand the ships, as well as to protect the harbor and keep off reinforcements, and at the same time to give me an opportunity of assembling such force as could protect the land approaches and justity me in making a demand for the surrender of the ships and yard .. which demand could be enforced if rejected.
Notwithstanding the excitement and eagerness of some ill-advised persons for immediate hostile action. I regarded the latter as the wiser plan under the cir- cumstances, subject, however, to be modified by sub- sequent events.
To have hoarded the ships would have required. by the estimate of some of the most experienced naval officers, at least 800 men,-sailors, or such men as were familiar with boats. We were entirely without such a force. and I regarded it as impracticable to board with volunteer troops unaccustomed to boats or vessels, uu- less such force were overwhelming.
The marine force in the yard was inappreciable, in
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my estimate, as it would have required only a few minutes to have overpowered them and possessed our- selves of the vard: but the condition to be satisfied was the ability to hold the place under the batteries of the ships. This I believed impracticable.
In this view I was sustained by the opinion, in writing. of Captain Pegram. that it would be, in his opinion, unwise to inaugurate offensive operations with . Jess than 5,000 men. unsupported by heavy artillery. Other officers gave much higher estimates.
I therefore telegraphed your excellency of the de- fenseless condition of the cities of Norfolk and Ports- mouth. and urged that heavy guns should be sent with which to protect the approaches to the harbor and to arm a field-work' I had projected at a point called St. Helena, commanding the naval anchorage and Navy Yard; and I also ordered the Petersburg battalion, . Major (David A.) Weisiger. to proceed to Norfolk. which force, when it arrived, I stationed in the rear of the city of Norfolk to observe any threatened attack from Fort Monroe.
Knowing how important it was to secure a supply of powder for the State, I determined to seize the pow- der magazine at old Fort Norfolk, and accordingly, on the night of the Ioth. I directed Captain (General) Terry Sinclair, of the Navy, to proceed to the maga- zine with Captain Taylor's company of infantry, to be so disposed as to prevent attack: and I directed Cap- tain Harrison, of the Navy, to impress the "Glen Cove" steamer. and with Captain (Jacob) Vickery's company of artillery and two 6-pounder pieces to watch the har- bor and fire into any boats from the Navy Yard which might attempt to land at the magazine.
This duty was performed without any attempt at resistance. and about 1.300 barrels of powder were transferred to lighters and vessels, and sent to Rich- mond on the 20th. The residue, estimated at over 1.500 barrels, was transported in carts to a point beyond the range of the guns from the water. To accomplish this it was necessary to press into the service of the State all the carts and horses which could be procured.
The whole volunteer force of Norfolk, under Major Taylor. was ordered out to aid in removing the powder from the magazine, all of whom worked with extraor- dinary zeal and uncomplaining patience, notwithstanding the severe labor and danger they encountered. A quan- tity of ordinance stores were removed at the same time.
Ascertaining that one 32-pounder and 10 18-pounder pieces had been found in the old custom house, I direct- ed carriages to be immediately constructed for them. : and ordered them to be placed in battery at old Fort Norfolk as soon as the powder was removed. The guns were transported to the fort on the 20th, but were not 'put into battery until next day.
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I did not think it prudent at the time to throw up earthworks at Craney Island or any other point, be- cause in answer to my telegrams, I was informed that the freshet 'in the James River rendered it impossible to transport the guns from Bellona Arsenal (Virginia). and it was useless to expose the working parties to attack until I had pieces to mount, when the works could be speedily erected under cover of night and without loss.
Such was the condition of affairs when, on the .
night of the 20th, the sloop of war "Pawnee," passing the obstructions in the harbor, steamed up to the Navy Yard with a force of 500 inen. shortly after which, under the orders of Flag-Officer Paulding, was inau- gurated and in part consummated one of the most cowardly and disgraceful acts which has ever disgraced the government of a civilized people. The ships of war were sunk, and most of them burned at anchor ; the ship-houses and some other property fired; and, to render the atrocity of the act still greater, the dry dock was mined and a slow match, which was arranged so as not to ignite the train until our people should . have filled the yard and the works in their efforts to save the government property, set fire to and left burning.
When this diabolical act had been committed. the steamer, with the marines on board, passed down the river, and in the course of that evening anchored under Fort Monroe.
I immediately directed Colonel (James G.) Hodges with the Portsmouth regiment to take possession of the Navy Yard, to endeavor to extinguish the flames wher- ever it was possible, and to protect the government property.
Fortunately, the damage was not so great as that at first apprehended. Only an inconsiderable portion : of the property, with the exception of the ships, was destroyed. and some of the ships may yet be made serviceable.
Two officers-Captain Rodgers, of the Navy of the United States. and Captain Wright, of the Army of the United States-were taken prisoners, having been cut off from the ships by the flames. These gen- tlemen I sent, under charge of Major Robbins, to this place to await the decision of your excellency as to what disposition should be ultimately made of them.
On the same morning I directed Colonel (T. M. R.) Talcott, of the Engineers, to proceed with a force of militia and with all the negroes I could press into the service of the State to erect earthworks at Hos- pital Point : and under the superintendence of Captain Fairfax, of our Navy, I ordered heavy guns to be placed in battery at old Fort Norfolk. I also directed Colonel Talcott, under cover of night, to proceed to Craney Island and repair the old works there, and gave orders for the immediate mounting of as many pieces as would be necessary to supply the several works. It was won- derful with what promptness these several orders were executed.
Before night, with the large force employed, con- siderable progress had been made on the works, and many guns were in condition to be placed in position. and with the obstructions in the channel, placed under the supervision of Captain Arthur Sinclair. I regarded the city as safe from any immediate attack.
On the night of the 21st I received your order assigning Major-General Gwynn to the command, and on the 22d, in obedience to an order of that date. returned to Richmond. I presume Flag-Officer For- rest, who was assigned by your order to the command of the Navy Yard, will make a full report of the , damage done to and return a schedule of the property saved and on hand in the yard ..
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