USA > Virginia > Virginia, a history of the people > Part 36
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Having once made their decision, the Virginians has- tened to arm. Their first thought was to protect Vir- ginia, and they enrolled themselves under the State flag. It was impossible for them to feel toward the new Con- federacy the immemorial allegiance which they had felt toward Virginia, - that was a part of the very life-blood of the people, and exerted an overmastering influence. Many of the best citizens of the State disapproved of secession. Like the illustrious Commander-in-chief of the Confederate army, General Lee, they " recognized no necessity for this state of things," and some of them, like him, "wept tears of blood" at the dire necessity which drove them to take up arms against the Union. But the State allegiance was paramount. Virginia called them and they obeyed the call.
Their decision once made, the Virginians entered on the war with ardor, and tlie State troops bore an im- portant part in military operations to the end of the struggle. There was at first in the minds of the people only a sentiment of defiance and indignation at the in- vasion of the State, but this ripened as the years wore
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THE WAR OF THE SECTIONS.
on, and General Pope and others ravaged the country, into a determined animosity which was thenceforth the prevailing sentiment. This will largely account for the desperate fighting which characterized the operations in Virginia, and for the bloody partisan warfare.north of the Rappahannock. In regard to the efficiency of the Virginian troops there has never arisen any question. They exhibited a peculiar endurance, an obstinate cour- age in action, and all the best qualities of the soldier. It is conceded that at the first Manassas, the regiments from the Valley under Jackson decided the fate of the battle ; and the most determined assault of the war, perhaps, that on the Federal centre at Gettysburg, was made by a division of Virginians. The Southern forces, as a whole, were doubtless as good soldiers as the world ever saw ; and it is certain that the troops of the Gulf States regarded their comrades of Virginia as men to be relied upon in any emergency.
As the war went on what was most notable in the Virginia troops and the people, was the resolute deter- mination not to give up the contest until they were forced to do so. The sufferings undergone, both by soldiers and citizens, will never be fully known. The State was ground under the armed heel until life seemed nearly extinct in it. The Federal forces occupied the bulk of the country, and used or destroyed the supplies of food of every description, until the army and people were threatened with famine. The ravages committed by certain commanders - notably by Generals Pope and Sheridan - were conceded, even at the North, to be in violation of all the laws of civilized warfare. The result was very nearly starvation to the families of the soldiers, and it was under circumstances so depressing
504 VIRGINIA: A HISTORY OF THE PEOPLE.
that the Virginians resolutely adhered to the struggle, refusing to the last to surrender their flag. Even at Appomattox the half-starved remnant received the intel- ligence of General Lee's capitulation with bitter anguish, and apparently refused to acquiesce in his conviction that it was necessary.
The facts here briefly stated are so well known as not to demand proof. They will remain the lasting glory of a people who loved peace, but chose war and were willing to fight to the end, rather than submit to what they believed to be a wrong. It is impossible that mag- nanimous foes did not and do not respect that principle. It has at least been the controlling principle of the Vir- ginians of every generation, and ought to be the princi- ple of the people of all the States of the American Republic in all time.
That even the old enemies of the South appreciated the motives of the representative Virginians in the war, is shown by the general mourning at the death of Jack- son and Lee. The one fell at Chancellorsville in the heat of the struggle ; and the other died at Lexington in the quiet days of peace - and both were equally re- gretted by generous enemies. It was known that they had acted from a sentiment of duty, and had been blame- less as men and Christians. Like the State of which they were the representatives, they had desired peace, and had shrunk from disunion and civil war as the greatest of all misfortunes to the country. But when no choice was left them they had followed their State flag ; had fought a good fight in defense of their native soil ; and even the enemies of the Southern cause con- ceded the purity of their motives, and honored their memories.
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VIRGINIA SINCE THE WAR.
XXIII.
VIRGINIA SINCE THE WAR.
THE Civil War is the last great event in the history, of Virginia. The years following it have been only a dreary waste of party wrangling ; of political intrigue, personal ambition, bad faith in regard to the State debt, and, worse than all, with reference to the future, of the array of class against class, the black race against the white. The writer shrinks from the ungracious sub- ject, leaving the task of treating it to the writers of the future. It is this future which is going to try the pres- ent ; and the party leaders of the time who have brought the name of Virginia into discredit, would do well to remember the words of President Lincoln : "You can- not avoid history."
A few words relating to the process of " reconstruc- tion," and the present aspect of affairs in Virginia, will conclude this volume. The result of the war was to leave the State prostrate. The hardest fighting had taken place on her soil ; and it seemed that it would re- quire generations for the Commonwealth to recover from its effects. The whole face of the country betrayed the ravages of war, and confronted by this gloomy spec- tacle utter depression might have been looked for in the people. There was little then or thereafter. The Vir- ginia character is hopeful and disposed to make the best of things. The people refused to repine, and looked to the future with that obstinate confidence which is the mainspring of success in human affairs. The new order of things was accepted with philosophy, and it may be
506 VIRGINIA: A HISTORY OF THE PEOPLE.
added, with dignity. There was no disposition to pro- long the struggle or to nurse old grudges. Northern men who came to the State were treated with courtesy if not cordiality ; and General Ordway, of the Federal army, described the feeling of the inhabitants in a few words : " In Richmond the people behaved with becom- ing reserve and dignity. I found them reasonable, courteous, and desirous of submitting to or cooperating with every measure necessary to good government. I rode through the State for several weeks accompanied only by a mounted orderly, and never failed to receive the traditional hospitality of Virginia."
The process of "reconstruction," by whichi Virginia came back into the Union, may be summed up in a par- agraph. In the spring of 1865, after the surrender at Appomattox, the State was practically without a govern- ment ; and Francis HI. Pierpont, who had been Gov- ernor of West Virginia, assumed executive authority by direction of the Federal government. He issued writs for an Assembly, which convened in December of the same year; in 1867 the State was placed under military government; and in the winter of that year a. Convention was held which framed a new Constitu- tion. This was submitted to the people in July, 1869, and adopted by a large majority ; the clause disfranchis- ing Confederate officials and requiring an oath of past loyalty, having been rejected. Gilbert C. Walker of New York was then elected Governor; United States Senators were chosen; the fourteenth and fifteenth amendments were ratified ; the military occupation, which had been found unnecessary, at once ceased ; and Vir- ginia resumed her place in the Union.
A great change had taken place in society, chiefly
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507
VIRGINIA SINCE THE WAR.
occasioned by the emancipation of the former slaves. This momentous political event dated back to the niid- dle of the war, when President Lincoln had issued his proclamation that after the first of January, 1863, all persons hield as slaves in States then in rebellion, should be "thenceforth and forever free." The step was a war-measure, for which, it was conceded, there was no authority in the Constitution, but as yet the great ukase aimed at the South was merely waste paper. It was an authoritative statement of the Federal programme, but had no direct results. The slaves obtained their free- dom only in territory occupied by the Federal arms, - retaining elsewhere their former condition, and appar- ently perfectly willing to retain it. During the whole term of the war, there were few desertions by any of the colored population to the Federal side. They re- mained at home, in perfect quiet, cultivating tlie soil as before, and were often the best friends of their master's family. Numberless proofs might be given of this ex- traordinary faithfulness and attachment, and it remains the everlasting honor of this singular and despised race. When they had it in their power to work untold woe to women and children whose protectors were in the army, they exhibited the truest devotion, and not only would not desert them, but worked faithfully for their support.
But when the war ended the proclamation of eman- cipation bore its fruits. The Federal legislation per- fected the work. On January 31, 1865, Congress di- rected that an amendment to the Constitution should be submitted to all the States, prescribing that neither " slavery nor involuntary servitude " should thenceforth exist in the United States. This amendment, and those of 1868 and 1870, were adopted, and the former slaves,
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VIRGINIA: A HISTORY OF THE PEOPLE.
now made citizens, took their place as a constituent part of the American people. Every barrier between the races has been leveled with the ground, as far as the action of the General government could effect it. The Africans are now the political equals of all other Ameri- cans. They are competent to vote, to preside on the bench, to command in the army, to represent the country at foreign courts, to sit in the Senate, and to officiate as Governors of States, and as Presidents of the United States. It is not surprising that President Lincoln, walking through the streets of Richmond after the sur- render, should have gazed with " a pathetic wonder " on the African crowd around him. By his act they had become citizens, and it is possible that he wondered at the probable result.
The personal relations between the white and black races remain friendly. Left to themselves there would be no change whatever ; that which exists is the result of political intrigue. But even this has produced few social results. The African continues, in the main, to regard his former master as his best friend, retains his old and sincere attachment to the family with whom he has always lived, and only arrays himself politically against the whites under outside pressure. This friendly senti- ment results, in large measure, from his confidence in the regard felt for him by his former owner, and the known indisposition to withhold from him any right to which he is entitled. There is no such disposition. The Virginia people sincerely rejoice that African sla- very is done away with ; could not be persuaded to have it restored; and sincerely desire that the race may avail themselves of the system of public education and be- come well informed and respectalle members of the community.
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VIRGINIA SINCE THE WAR. 509
The effect of the war, and the subsequent changes in organic law, on Virginia society, is a large and interest- ing subject, which demands a separate treatment. Such treatment is impossible at present ; the causes have not produced their full results and are still in operation. The general drift of the times may, however, be dis- cerned without difficulty. New Virginia is moving in the direction of practical results. The fact is recognized that agriculture is not the only source of wealth, and the modern Virginian is now looking to mining, manu- factures, the construction of railways, and the develop- ment of all the resources of the Commonwealth. The " Bourbon " spirit attributed to the people is an absurd figment of political partisans. So far are the Virginians from having learned nothing and forgotten nothing, that their past seems to have been effaced, and the fu- ture to have become the sole thought of the people. It may be said of them that they are weary of being poor, and see the necessity of occupying their time witlı things more profitable than political discussions. The men who once dissipated their resources by extrava- gance have grown prudent ; the young, who were once suffered to be idle, are now taught to work; and the people of the country called "Old Virginia," in a spirit of respectful compassion, seem resolved to erect a New Virginia by energy and labor.
The resources of the State, especially in minerals, are known to be inexhaustible. In parts of the Tidewater, but chiefly in the Valley and the Alleghany region, are found gold, silver, copper, the best hematite, granite, marble, salt, and deposits of bituminous and other coal, rivaling those of Pennsylvania. The State has sent to the assay offices more than two millions in gold, and
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VIRGINIA: A HISTORY OF THE PEOPLE.
twenty-five million pounds of lead have been taken from one county. These are only a few of the mineral re- sources of the State, which, especially in the southwest, is a mine of wealth. Up to the time of the war this wealth remained undeveloped, and the absence of rail- ways discouraged capital ; but this obstacle is at last re- moved. New lines now penetrate the country, the most important of which are the Chesapeake and Ohio, cross- ing the State from east to west through the remark- able region of the Mineral Springs, and the Shenan- doah Valley, through the Luray Valley, from north to south. These railways already carry a vast freight and are rapidly developing the resources of the country ; and another line is projected to pass through the two Vir- ginias and connect Baltimore and Cincinnati by way of the Kanawha. Further details of the material condition of Virginia at the present time, - of her public institu- tions, finances, manufactures, and trade, -must be looked for in official documents. The population of the State, which in 1870 was 1,225,163, was in 1880, 1,512- 203, nearly that of the two Virginias in 1860. This population is contained in a territory nearly identical with that of the old Colony, which consisted of the region between the Chesapeake and the Alleghanies.
Virginia has thus resumed her old boundaries at the time of the Revolution, and the character of the people remains substantially the same. They are, however, confronted by new responsibilities and duties, and look forward to the untried future with hope and confidence. The mighty pulse of the modern world is beating in the hearts of the people; and the future of Virginia depends now, as in the past, on the Virginians.
INDEX.
ACADIA, the French expelled from, 108.
Accomac granted to Arlington and Culpepper, 233 ; Berkeley takes ref- uge in, 266 ; scenes of the Rebellion there, 274-277, 293 ; people of, 368. Adams, John, his opinion of the first Congress, 421 ; seconds the motion for independence, 440 ; Callender's satire upon, 482.
Alexander, Archibald, 325 ; his works, 94.
Alien and Sedition Laws, 480, 481 ; trial of Callender under, 482; ef- fect of on the fortunes of the Fed- eral party, 483.
America, origin of the name, 4. Amonate, a naine of Pocahontas, 103. Andros, Edmund, Governor, 302. Annapolis, battle near, 214.
Anne, Queen, proclamation of, 309 ; popularity of the name in Virginia, 309.
Appomattock, Queen of, 31, 35. Archer, member of Council, 63; is ar- rested by Smith, 65.
Argall, Samuel, 56 ; takes Pocahontas prisoner, 93; expels the Acadiaus, 108 ; sails up the Hudson, 108; ap- pointed Goveruor, 111 ; his rapacity and treatment of Brewster, 112 ; his character, 112.
Argall's Gift, one of the original bor- oughs, 115.
Arlington, the Earl of, obtains a grant of all Virginia, 233 ; provisions of grant to, 233.
Arnold, Benedict, invades Virginia, 456 ; captures and hurns Rich- moud, 457 ; returns to Portsmouth, 458.
Arthur, said to have visited America circ. A. D. 600, 3.
" Articles at the surrender of the Country," 197.
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Assembly, General. (See Burgesses.) Attorney, mercenary, laws in refer- ence to, 203, 204.
Axacan, the Indian name for North Carolina, 1.
BACON, NATHANIEL, his origin and tem- perament, 238-240; proclaimed a rebel, 242; defeats the Indians at Bloody Run, 243 ; is arrested, 245 ; his interview with Berkeley, 246; his submission, 248, 249 ; escapes, 257 ; returns, 259 ; his violence, 260, 261 ; appointed General, 262 ; again declared a rebel, 264; at Middle Plautation, 271 ; at Jamestown, 278 ; seizes the wives of the Berke- ley-men and places them on his earthworks, 279-281 ; defeats Berke- ley and burns Jamestown, 282; his violence in Gloucester, 285, 286 ; his death, 286; the question of the cause of his death, 286, 287 ; burial, 288; character, 288-292.
Bacon, Nathaniel, Sr., draws up Ba- con's confession of guilt, 247 ; Lieu- tenant-Governor, 301.
Baptists, persecution of, 221, 222, 337, 391 ; the first churches, 390 ; ardor of the, 390 ; in 1774, 392 ; their hos- tility to the Establishment, 392-394. Baltimore, Cecilius Calvert, Lord, col- onizes Maryland, 177.
Baltimore, Sir George Calvert, Baron, visits Virginia, 176; reception by the people, 177 ; obtains a grant of Maryland and dies, 177.
Barber, Gabriel, "Dust and Ashes," 146.
Batte, Henry, visits western Virginia, 234.
Beaujeu, De, attacks Braddock, 350 ; is killed, 351.
Bennet, Richard, Governor, his mod- eration, 201.
512
INDEX.
Berkeley, Sir William, Governor, 182; his character and courteous man- ners, 182-184 ; persecutes the Puri- taus, 184; their opiuiou of him, 184; captures Opechancanough, 186 ; his reply to Stuyvesant, 189, 190 ; befriends the Cavalier exiles, 183, 191, 192 ; deposed, 199 ; rein- stated, 217 ; offers to declare for Charles II. before the Restoratiou, 217, 218 ; the "servant of the As- sembly," 190, 219; suppresses the Oliveriau Plot, 221; his report of the condition of Virginia in 1670, 224-226; deuounces schools aud printing, 226; iudignatiou of the people against, 235 ; proclaims Ba- con and his followers rebels, 242; concessions of, to the people, 244 ; arrests Bacon, 245; their inter- views, 246, 260; takes refuge in Gloucester, 265 ; in Accomac, 266; executes Carver, 277; captures Jamestown, 278; defeated by Ba- con, 281, 282 ; executes Wilford and Farlow, 293 ; insults Mrs. Cheese- man, 293 ; executes Drummond, 294; his bloody proceedings, 295; returns to England and dies, 296; contrasts in his character, 296, 297. Berkeley, birthplace of President Harrison, 148.
Bermuda Hundred founded, 91.
Bermuda Islands, superstitions in re- gard to, 2 ; wreck of the Sea-Ven- ture upon, 58; the scene of the "Tempest," 58, 59 ; included in Virginia, 113.
Beverley, Major Robert, refuses to surrender the Journals, and is fined and imprisoned, 299.
Beverley, Robert, the historian, his opiniou of Smith, 79; description of Harvey, 165.
Bickerton's, Captain, festivities at, 373.
Blair, James, commissary of Virginia, brings charges against Nicholson, 303 ; secures the charter of William and Mary College, 305; appointed first President, 306; his personal appearance and character, 308.
Bland, Giles, sent to Accomac, and captured, 274, 276; executed, 295. Bland. Richard, his personal appear- ance, 406 ; member of Committee of Safety, 435 ; of first Congress, 420. Blandford Church, 333.
Blair, John, Lieutenant-governor, 400. Bloody Run, defeat of Indians at, by Bacon, 243.
Boroughs, the original, 115.
Botetourt, Norborne Berkeley, Lord, Governor, 400 ; dissoives the Bur- gesses, 401; death and character of, 402, 403.
Boucher, Rev. MIr., his testimony as to the treatment of slaves in the Col- onies, 367.
Braddock, General Edward, sent to Virginia, his plaus, 345; his char- acter, 345 ; arrives at Cumberlaud, 347 ; his march through the Great Woods, 348; is attacked near Fort Duquesne, defeated aud falls, 350- 353 ; his death, 354.
Brandon, said to have visited Amer- ica, circ. A. D. 600, 3.
Braxton, Carter, member of Commit- tee of Safety, 435.
Bruton Church, 333.
Bucke, Rev. Mr., wrecked in Sea- Venture, 60; minister at James- town, 110; chaplain of first Assem- bly, 115.
Bullit, Captain, saves the remnant of Graut's forces, 357.
Burgesses, House of, the first, 115; appearauce in session, 152 ; regula. tions of, 170; recognition of, by Charles I., 184 ; depose Harvey, 166; actiou of, on the death of Charles I., 193; the " representa- tives of the people," 202 ; under the English Commonwealth, 202 ; depose Matthews, 206; reinstate him, 207 ; reinstate Berkeley, 219 , a scene iu the, in 1676, 250-254; their resolute protest, 299; their altercations with Spotswood, 312; royal recognition of authority of, 383; appearance of in 1765, 384, 385 ; the last under the royal au- thority, 432.
Burr, Aaron, trial of, 483 ; charges against, 483 : is discharged, 484.
Burwell, Lewis, Lieutenant-Governor, his accomplishments, 407.
Burwell, Miss, persecution of, by Gov- ernor Nicholson, 303.
Butler, Nathaniel, his " Unmasked Face of Virginia," 130.
Byrd, William, of Westover, visits Spotswood at Germanna, 319-333 ; founds Richmoud and Petersburg, 329, 330 ; his personal appearance and character, 362, 363 ; his works and epitaph, 362, 363.
CABELL, WILLIAM, member of Commit- tee of Safety, 435.
Cabot, John, lands on the Continent and claims it in the name of Eng. land, 3.
513
INDEX.
Caldwell, Jobn, settles Prince Edward and other counties, 326.
Callender, John Thompson, prose- cuted under the Alien and Sedition Laws, 482, 483. Calvert, Cecilius. (See Baltimore.) Calvert, Sir George. (See Baltimore.) Calvert, Leonard, founds Maryland, 177 ; his struggle with Clayborne, 179 ; is driven from Maryland, 180 ; regains his authority, 181.
Calvinists, the, of the Valley, 323.
Camm, Rev. Mr., proceeded against for marrying, 307.
Cape Merchants, 16. Carr, Dabney, 404.
Carrington, Paul, member of Commit- tce of Safety, 435.
Carter, Colonel Robert, his large grant in the Valley, 327 ; Lieutenant-Gov- ernor, 329.
Cartier, Jacques, claims Canada in tbe name of France, 4.
Carver, Captain, goes to Accomac with Bland, 275 ; captured and ex- ecnted, 276, 277.
Cary, Archibald, his descent, 229; personal appearance, 406 ; threat- ens to stab Patrick Henry, 406, 40S. Catbolics, the Maryland Roman, tol- erance of, 181, 210 ; persecution of, 211; overthrow of, 213, 214; return to power of, 215.
Cavaliers, the central political idea of the, 161 ; " distressed" in Virginia, 183, 190-193 ; in power again, 216, 217 ; causes of immigration of, 226- 228; ascendency of, 228; number and character of Virginia, 228, 229; leaders of the Revolution descended from, 229.
Charles I. succeeds James, 133 ; pro- poses a monopoly of the Virginia tobacco, 171 ; licenses Clayborne, 178 ; recognizes the Assembly, 184 ; fondness for the works of George Sandys, 140 ; execution of, 191; ac- tion of Burgesscs on death of, 193 ; effect of the execution of, in Vir- ginia, 193, 194.
Charles II., recognition of, by Vir- ginia, 193, 194 ; restoration of, 216 ; Berkeley offers to proclaim, 217; grants away the Northern Neck, 233; and all Virginia, 233 ; his re- ply to the Virginia Commissioners, 234 ; presents a frontlet to the Queen of Pamunkey, 252; his opinion of Berkeley's proceedings, 295.
Cbarter, the first American, 13; pro- visions of, 15, 16; of 1609, provis- 33
ions of, 56; of 1612, provisions of, 113, 114.
Chase, Judge Samuel, presides at tbe trial of Callender, 482, 483.
Cheeseman, Major, thrown into prison and dies, 293; his wife's offer to die in his place, 293.
Chesapeake Bay, meaning of Indian name of, 19 ; Spanish name for, 4, 5; Smitli's exploration of, 43, 44. Chiclicley, Sir Henry, takes refnge in Virginia, 191 ; Governor, 299.
Chickahominy River, Smith's expedi- tion up the, 33.
Chickaliominy tribe, the, disown Pow- hatan's authority, 32; make a treaty with the English, 98.
Childs, James, persecuted as a Bap- tist, 391.
Christauna Fort, Spotswood's Indian mission at, 313 ; ceremonies at, on his visit, 313.
Church edifice, the first in Virginia, 20.
Church, the, at Jamestown, 86; cer- emony at, under Delaware, 86; Po- cahontas married at, 97 ; burned in the Great Rebellion, 282.
Church of England in Virginia ; all persons to conforin to, 169; scar- city of ministers in and laws in ref- erence to tliem, 169; number of parishes in 1670, 225 ; attacks on by James II., 300; irregularities of ministers of, 303, 332 ; apathy in, 331; excellent character of the first ministers of, 333 ; hostility between dissenters and, 390; overtbrow of, 393 ; number of parislies and min- isters of in 1802, 444; desecration of property of, 395; first Bishops of, 395 ; revival and present char- acter and condition of, 396.
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