USA > West Virginia > History of the Fifth West Virginia Cavalry > Part 6
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On the 10th of October, C. E. Ringler, with four others of the com- pany, went eight or ten miles out from camp at Bealington, on the look- out for a noted guerrilla in that neighborhood. Near midnight the party was fired upon by a band of bushwhackers and Joe Wright of the party was mortally wounded. Ringler and another comrade dragged and car- ried Wright, a very heavy man, in a speechless and insensible condition, through four or five feet of water in the creek and up hill about a quar- ter of a mile, where Joe had to be abandoned and died. Ringler "bor- rowed" a horse at the muzzle of a gun, rode to camp, returned early next morning with twenty-five more men of his company, secured Wright's body, killed the man who had harbored the guerrillas, burned the house and barn where they had slept, and cleaned the place out gen- erally, Concerning Wright, Ringler says, "I have often found men loth to follow where I was willing to lead, but Joe did deeds of cool
52
COMPANY B.
bravery and daring that made me tremble." While at Bealington a de- tachment of six of the company was detailed under Sergeant O. P. Bower to capture Paton G. Boothe, a confederate scout. AArriving at the house where he was stopping, at the foot of Laurel Hill, Boothe came out the back way and was mistaken for one of Company B by T. W. Carpenter, who asked him if he was not, to which he replied affirmative- ly and then jumped the fence to escape, when Carpenter saw it was Boothe and fired at him. striking him just above the knee, inflicting a slight wound. The courtesy was returned, Boothe's bullet barely miss- ing Carpenter's head. William Bibey, of Booth's party was captured.
January 5th. '62, Cap. Latham, with eighteen of his men, was ordered to Dry Fork, of Cheat river, to search for Bill Harper's gang of bush- whackers, who were stealing and driving stock away for the use of the southern army. They were joined by Lieutenant A. J. Weaver and a detachment from Company K. The party reached the river on the 7th, when Lieut. Weaver's men stopped at Snyder's farm house, and Cap. Latham's men proceeded up the valley about two miles, and lodged with an old bachelor by the name of Armentrout. Next day they proceeded up the river about a mile to the guerrilla captain's home, but found no one there, and then started on the return. Upon reaching an open bottom, about a fourth of a mile below where they lodged for the night, they were suddenly fired on by about forty guerrillas, who were in am- bush in heavy timber about twenty paces from them. Being with- out regular formation, on hearing the click of the enemy's guns, our men instinctively dropped to the ground as a volley was poured into them from the timber. Our party then dropped back, under cover of the river bank, where, standing and crouching in the water through a thin ice, they engaged the guerrillas for about two hours, when the latter withdrew with a loss of one killed and three wounded, our party having six men wounded, one, Fred Doph, the old- est man in the company. supposed mortally. a ball having passed through his body immediately above his heart. Company K's squad had started on the morning of the 8th to camp and were not in the fight, except two of their men who joined us. After the firing had ceased Captain Latham gathered his men together, carrying Doph to the Snyder residence, and left him in charge of the family. He was taken prisoner to Richmond and recovered, was exchanged, rejoined his company, got married, and was discharged from the service for dis- ability February 9, 1863. The men then pressed horses of the citizens into service and started with their wounded down the river. It began to snow and rain and they were compelled to wade streams filled with ice and plod on through rain and mud until Friday night of the 11th, when they reached Rowlesburg on the B. & O. railroad, thence by cars to Grafton, where the wounded were left in the hospital. After a few days rest here, Capt. Latham rejoined his company on Cheat Mountain, where it had joined the regiment.
53
COMPANY HISTORY.
Wm. E. Stafford relates how he and six other comrades of Preston county, A. C. Baker, J. G. Matlick, N. L. Lock, J. H. Dennison, R. M. Woodward and T. C. Nuzum, became members of Company B. Stafford was a captain in the militia, and went to Kingwood in May to drill, when Col. Hugh was to drill the men that assembled. They fell in line, but the colonel failing to appear, Col. John F. Martin took his place. At once Stafford stepped from the ranks, declaring he would not drill under a rebel officer, and started for home. At Fellowsville he met a crowd of union men with their rifles, banded to stop the advance of rebels into their town, whom he joined, but the alarm over he went home, and was informed that a force of the enemy was coming to compel him to muster his company into the rebel service. The party named then attempted to make their way to Pennsylvania to join a union regiment. and while at Grafton were met by Cap. Latham, and invited to join his company, which they did.
The following is the muster ont roll. showing list of members and their record. The company was mustered into the U. S. service May 25, 1861, and mustered out June 4, 1864. All the members not other- wise marked, were mustered out with the company. The recruits and veterans were transferred to the Sixth West Virginia Cavalry, when the company was mustered out.
NAME.
RANK.
RECORD OF SERVICE.
George R. Latham
Capt. Prom. to Col. May 25, '62. Wounded at Dry Fork Jan. 8, 62. Ist Lt Resigned May 20, '62.
Daniel Wilson
2d Lt Prom. to Capt. May 20, '62. Resigned April 22, '63.
Amos B. Hammer Asbury C. Baker Felix H. Hughes Oliver P. Bower H. F. Brohard Daniel K. Shields
Sergt Prom. to 2d Lieutenant May 20, '62. Resigned Dec. 19, '62. Prom. to 2d Lieutenant Sept. 4, '63.
1 st Sg Sergt ..
Prom. to 2d Lieutenant Company K. Nov. 15, '63.
William Jenkins
Wounded at Dry Fork Cheat River Jan. 8, '62, and Droop Mt. Nov. 6, '63.
Milton J. Thrayer Bailey Powell Thomas Kenney T. C. Nuzum Martin T. Bailey
E. T. Nuzum
66
John S. Newlon
Robert S. Gabbert Dennis Nuzum Ashby, Jos. M.
Wag Priv.
Allen, Jos. M.
Behen, John S.
Wounded.
Behen, Launslot
Wounded Jan. 8, '62, at Dry Fork Cheat River.
Bartlett, Thomas G. Boyles, Samuel J. Bayley, Marshall
Corp.
Shot in knee Cheat Mt. 1862. Discharged for disability.
Bartlett, Samuel C. Priv. Bailey, John H. Callahan, James Creel, Edward B.
Died at Flemington Aug. 19, '61
Wounded. Captured at Rocky Gap Ang. 27, '63.
Captured on Salem Raid Dec. 19, '03.
Fabricius A. Cather
60 Prom. to Capt. Jan. 27, '64.
Joseph W. Shahan
Corp.
54
COMPANY B.
NAME.
RANK.
RECORD OF SERVICE.
Corbin, Reuben J. Priv. Discharged for disability Nov. 16, '62.
Cooper, Jackson
Discharged for disability Sept. 6, '62.
Clarke, John E. .. Discharged for disability Aug. 1, '61.
Carpenter, David O.
Connell, Dennis
Champ, Jehu
..
Recruit July 5, 63. Trans, 6th W. Va. Cav. Shot in face at Bealington '1 ;.
Curtis, David B.
..
Recruit July 5. '63. Transferred Sixth West Va. Cavalry.
Carpenter, Thos. W.
Conn. Ephraim
Creel, C. G.
Dennison Jno. H.
Duncan David E. Dillon Daniel
..
Reenlisted as veteran January 5, '6.4.
Drabell Jno. F.
Demoss Chas. F.
Dillon Reuben H. Doph Fred
Downey Alpheus
Demoss Joab A.
Deserted February 28, '63.
Reenlisted as veteran January 5. . 64 ..
George Jno. R.
Hester David
Hebb Jas. T.
..
Recruit July 5. 63.
Hardin Jno. P.
Hemins Joshua Henderson Edward Ice Eli
Kirkpatrick G. H.
Kerns John
..
Kerns Benj. F.
Lafrance Jno. B.
Lock Nelinza L. Leese Jno. W. Moore Jno. W. Morgan David P. Maxwell B. W.
Martin Ignatius G.
Means Thomson D. Murray Martin Matlick Jacob G.
Mulrine E. W.
Miller Geo. W. McDonald Arch'bld McVicker Jos. McGee Chas. E.
Mccullough Jno. H. Mc Millan Jas. B. McMitt Stephen Newlon, Salathiel J. Nye, Otis J. Nuzum, Job.
Ordner, George W. Pfrom, John M. Powell, John H. Pell, William F. Pickett, Charles W. Peterson, Samuel P. Ryan, Richard Ringler, Cyrus E.
Corp. Priv.
Reenlisted as veteran January 5, '64.
. .
Captured on Salem Raid, December 19, '63 Discharged for Disability, March 28, '62 Promoted to Sergeant Major. Reenlisted January 5, '6.4.
Discharged September 6, '62. Killed at Monterey, Va., April 25, '62. Killed at Bull Run, August 30, '62. Deserted February 28, '63.
Re-enlisted as Veteran Jan. 5, '64. Wounded Cross Keys. Wounded Bull Run Aug. 30, '62. Wounded Jan. 8, '62, at Dry Fork Cheat River.
Discharged Oct. 22, '62. We'd by shell at White Sulphur spre. Aug.62. Drowned at Grafton Junet,'0;
Deserted Sept. 1, '62. Transferred to Company D) June 1, '61. .. Wounded Cross Keys. Wounded in hand at Bull Run.
..
Recruit March 7, '64. Shot through chest, Jan. 8, '02, at Dry Fork Discharged Feb. 9, '6 :
Died at Franklin, May 22, '62.
Grimm Nath'n'l K. Glendening G. M. Gandy Amos F. Glenn Elias J.
Harr Jno. M.
Discharged for disability, September 6, 62. Died October 10, '62.
Wounded, Bull Run, Aug. 30, '62, and Droop Mt. Nov.6, 63. Discharged for disability January 29, '62. Deserted November 27, '62. Died of wounds.
.. Transferred to Company I July 1, '63. Deserted Sept. 1, '62.
Recruit July 5, '63. Transferred Sixth West Va Cavalry Re-enlisted as Veteran Jan. 5, '64
DANIEL WILSON CAPTAIN.
55
COMPANY HISTORY.
NAME.
RANK.
RECORD OF SERVICE.
Ryan, Patrick
Priv. :
Roberts, Isaac
Discharged Nov. 8, '62.
Smitley, C. W. D.
Wounded. Re-enlisted as Veteran Jan. 5, '64. See Scout Chapter.
Shingleton, G.
Re-enlisted as Veteran Jan. 5, '64.
Stafford, Wm. E. Shepler, John W. Simpson, Kidd S. Vincent Isaac L.
Died of wounds at Phillippi July 17, '61.
Vanhorn, Wm. D. West, Jos. M.
Watts, Alex.
Corp.
Wounded at Cheat River, Dry Fork, Jan. 8, '62.
Wright, Joseph
Killed by guerrillas Oct. 10, '61. Barbour Co.
Wyckoff, William
Wounded Kelly's Ford.
Wright, John
Wotring, Samuel G. Bls'h Priv.
Wounded at Cedar Mt. Aug. '62.
Willhide, S. J.
Willhide, John W.
Wounded on Cheat River, right hip. See Scout Article.
CAPTAIN DANIEL WILSON.
Daniel Wilson was born in Guernsey county, Ohio. August 24th, 1824. His father's name was William F .: mother's, Jane-maiden name, Booth. His parents moved to Barbour county. Va., in 1825. He mar- ried Miss Naomi Reger, of Barbour county, in 1845, by whom he had seven children. She died before the close of the war, and he after- wards married a second wife, who bore him four children. He was en- gaged in farming till 1854, when he went to merchandizing, which he followed in Barbour and Taylor counties till 1860. He was a devoted friend of the union, never flinching from any duty, no matter how ardu- ous or hazardous. He ably assisted Col. Latham in the enlisting of Company B, in May. 1861, went to Wheeling with the company, and was mustered in as second lieutenant. ' He was promoted from second lieutenant to captain on the zoth day of May, 1862. He was never very robust in health, but was in all the engagements with his company and regiment, until compelled to resign on account of failing health, April 22d, 1863. In 1864 he was appointed post master at Grafton, which position he held until 1876, when he resigned and moved to Michigan, in 1877, on account of his health, and died there in 1878. He has one son, James L., who graduated with honors at West Point, and is now first lieutenant in the Fourth Artillery; and one son, Lloyd L., who is a practicing physician at Grafton, West Va.
CAPTAIN A. B. HAMMER.
Amos B. Hammer was born September 23d, 1835. in what was then Monongalia county, Va. He received a common school education in the schools of Virginia and Ohio, by choice he became a machinist and at the breaking out of the rebellion was engaged on the B. & O. R. R., with residence at Grafton. He was one of the first to join in the
Wounded and captured at Rocky Gap Aug. 27, '63.
11
.. Deserted Feb. 28, '63.
Re-enlisted as Veteran Jan. 5, '64.
Whitehair, James
Priv. Discharged Jan. 3, '62, on account of wounds rec'd at Dry Fork, Jan 8,'62
Woodward, R. M.
Waldron, Thomas
Captured on Salem Raid Dec. 19, '63.
56
COMPANY B.
organization of a company and became identified with the interests of Company B, of which he was made a sergeant at the organization: and having a little knowledge of tactics, took an active part in drilling the men and bringing the company to an efficient standing. He was with his company during the Western Virginia campaign of '61, and while the company lay detached at Bealington, took an active part in the suppres- sion of the bushwhackers of that region. On one occasion, alone and in citizen's clothes, he penetrated the haunts of the noted Harper gang. and gained such information as led to the capture or driving out of most of these outlaws. In the spring of '62, at the solicitation of Gen. Schenck, the sergeant conducted the negotiations with a number of guerrilla chieftains, which were largely successful. On the Sth of May, 1862, at McDowell, Cap. Latham having been detached for staff duty, Sergt. Hammer was left in command of the company for a time, during which the company demonstrated its ability to meet an emergency, by taking a section of Johnson's battery into action. taking the guns up an almost perpendicular cliff to a plateau commanding the enemy's position. These were the only guns brought into action and determined the fate of our forces by enabling us to hold our position until after dark. On June the 8th, 1862, at the battle of Cross Keys, the company was in command of Lieut. Wilson. When Jackson succeeded in turning the left of Fremont's line, Milroy's brigade was compelled to change front under fire, and Companies B and D were ordered to the front as skirmishers and Sergt. Hammer placed in command. The conflict was desperate for a time, but the skirmishers were held to their work by the
Sergeant, until the evolution was completed. Gen. Milroy, in view of these services, asked that a commission be given to Sergt. Hammer, and a commission as first lieutenant was issued in June to date May 15th. Lieut. Hammer did staff duty with Generals Sigel and Milroy until in June. 1863, returning to the regiment, on the resignation of Cap. Wil- son. and remained in command until the company was mustered out at Wheeling in '64. During the three years service of Cap. Hammer, he participated in every campaign and engagement of his regiment except the battle of Droop Mountain, and during the entire period, though slightly wounded three times. and exposed to the most trying labors, was never in hospital and never absent but once, for two weeks on sick leave. In January of 1864 Lient. Hammer was promoted to captain of Company B. After being mustered out in '64, Cap. Hammer located in Christian county, Ill .. Finding his health impaired and being incapaci- tated for his former calling, he studied law, and in 1867 was admitted to the supreme court of his adopted state. Since that time he has con- tinued, with occasional rests. to practice that profession. removing to Kansas in 1872. and to Texas in 1880, thence to Oklahoma City in the wild rush of 1889, where he now resides.
CAPT AMOS B. HAMMER
CYRUS E. RINGLER.
57
COMPANY HISTORY.
LIEUTENANT F. A. CATHER.
F. A. Cather was a native of Harrison county, Va., born May 12, 1840. His occupation before and after the war was farming. He was received into the membership of the Baptist church at Flemington, Va., and was baptized in 1856. He was a man of upright character, and of strong convictions in his devotion to his country. He cast his first vote in May 1861, against the ordinance of secession, and was firm and true in the trying scenes that preceded the war. He enlisted in Com- pany B, and was commissioned First Lieutenant. He was with his com- pany in all its service to January 1862. In consequence of exposure his health was much impaired, and he was assigned to recruiting service at Clarksburg, Va., Jan. 10, 1862. His health continued to grow worse, and May 20, 1862 he was pronounced unable to stand military duty, and he offered his resignation, which was accepted. He tried to regain his health by travel and seemed to improve, and desired to re-enlist, but his physician advised him not to do so. He was dissatisfied to remain at home while his comrades were serving their country so bravely. In March 1864, he enlisted in the First West Virginia Veteran Cavalry, and was commissioned First Lieutenant. He was promoted to Captain of Company K. February 7, 1865, and Major June 8, 1865, and was honorably discharged in July 1865. He was in the campaign with Hun- ter and Sheridan in the valley of Virginia, and took part in the closing battles of the war, when General Grant's forces compelled General Lee' to surrender. He was in several severe battles, having his horse shot under him on two separate occasions, and proved himself to be a brave and true soldier, a worthy member of his old regiment. Major Cather was married in Grafton, W. Va., August 17, 1865, to Miss Helen V. Mallonee. His health became very poor, and in 1871 he moved to Sedgewick county, Kansas, in the hope of finding relief and health, but he died at his home in that state October 7, 1876. He was steadfast in his faith in Christ, and the evening before his death he talked calmly about it, and said he hoped soon to be with those who were rejoicing.
LIEUTENANT ASBURY C. BAKER.
Asbury C. Baker was born in Preston county, Va., August 3, 1839, and died August 16, 1885. At the beginning of hostilities in 1861, he was attending school at West Liberty, Va. Feeling it to be his duty to serve his country, he quit school and entered the Union army, as a pri- vate in Company B, serving with distinction, and was promoted to Sec- ond Lieutenant of the company. A few months later he was forced to resign on account of his failing health, a result of his arduous service. Soon after resigning, he was appointed adjutant of a regiment of mili- tia of Preston county, and was appointed to an honorary position on the Colonel's staff, with the rank of Colonel. He was twice elected superintendent of public schools in Preston county, served one term in the state legislature as delegate from his county, and was twice elected E
58
COMPANY B.
prosecuting attorney of the same county, and held the office of county surveyor at the time of his death. He was a good lawyer, a fine scholar, and was deservedly popular with the people generally. His remains are interred in Bluemont cemetery, Grafton, W. Va.
SERGEANT O. P. BOWER.
Oliver P. Bower was born in Fairmont, Marion county, Va., Septem- ber 3, 1836, where he worked on a farm during his early boyhood. After reaching manhood. he was engaged on the B. & O. railroad most of his time, until he enlisted in Company B, in which organization he served until the company was mustered out, bearing the rank of sergeant. He was orderly for General Benham, when that officer pursued and de- feated General Garnett at Carrick's Ford, and was in the front when the confederates were defeated. He served well and faithfully. After mus- ter out, he returned to farming, and was married August 5, 1864. He now lives at Big Bend, W. Va., his wife being an invalid, and to whom he gives his time and faithful attention.
SERGEANT H. F. BROHARD.
Humphrey F. Brohard, a native Virginian, was born January 20, 1833. near Flemington, Taylor county, Va., now West Va. He remained on the farm with his father until 1855, when he followed teaching and car- pentering until 1861. He enlisted in Company B, serving with fidelity and bravery until mustered out June 14, 1864. The history of the com- pany is his history, and is therefore a noble and honorable one. He began merchandising in 1864, and has continued at that and farming ever since. He was married to Miss Mary F. Bailey December 6, 1866. Mr. Brohard was one of that noble class of Virginians to whom too much honor cannot be paid. Loyal, brave and true, they did their full duty to their country.
CORPORAL CYRUS E. RINGLER.
Cyrus E. Ringler was born in Johnstown, Pa., September 20, 1835. His father, Jonathan Ringler, a descendant of the Philadelphia Quakers, was killed on the railroad between Johnstown and Hollidaysburgh, Pa., in 1837. His mother was a native of Stoystown, Pa., and soon after the death of her husband migrated with her two little boys to the south- eastern part of Maryland, where she married a Virginia carpenter, with whom she followed up the construction of the Chesapeake and Ohio canal, and then the extension of the B. & O. railroad, west of Cumber- land. Mr. Ringler learned the printing trade before reaching his majority and applied himself to the improvement of his education. He grew up a strong pro-slavery Democrat, and held a military commission under Governor Henry A. Wise, of Virginia. but with the first acts of secession, he took a decided stand for the Union and was probably the first man in Harrison county, Va., to procure names for the Union ser- vice. He sought the first opportunity of becoming a soldier, a desire that had haunted him from boyhood, and became a member of Captain
JACOB G. MATLICK.
SAMUEL J. BOYLES.
59
COMPANY HISTORY.
Latham's company in May, 1861. He was offered command of a com- pany of volunteers as well as other positions, but preferred to remain in the ranks of his own company. He was the first member of the com- pany inside of the confederate lines at Laurel Hill, as a spy, near to General Garnett's headquarters, and only escaped capture by riding down the middle of the creek at night, and after scrambling in the brush and obstructions about the enemy's position, in the dense dark- ness and rain, and narrowly escaping being shot, he reached his camp at Phillippi the next morning.
October 10, 1861, he took four others of his company at Bealington and scouted on the lookout for a noted guerrilla, resulting in a combat with bushwhackers and the death of Joe Wright, an account of which is given in the history of the company. At Monterey he was detailed to the brigade department, yet at McDowell he was in the skirmish line with his company, and was stunned by a musket ball that shot the cord off his hat. At Cross Keys he was stunned by a rebel shell and later in open ground, he became the target for fully a hundred hostile muskets, escaping with a scratch on the face and a sting on the back of the neck. At Cedar Mountain he was chased back to the Union lines by five con- federate cavalry, and was arrested on suspicion by the Union pickets. The next day he was accosted beyond the lines by a confederate general, who was reconnoitering, as to his regiment. "'Second Virginia," he replied. "You're a little too far from your command, you'd better get back," was the general's response. There were two Second Virginia regiments there. In hunting for his regiment in line of battle on the Rappahannock, he rode down to the river in front of a rebel cannon, and seemed as little disturbed as if a fly had buzzed between him and his horse's cars, instead of a cannon ball. Within ten minutes after Colonel Latham had asked him to help hunt up his scattered regiment, after the terrible repulse at the railroad cut, Bull Run, he was shot in the stomach and in the right hand. When asked to occupy an ambul- ance he replied "wait till I fall down," and the next day he was in a storm of grape and canister. He asked the surgeon for a pass that he might go where he pleased without being molested. "My God!" said the surgeon, "If you want any better pass than you have, I can't give it to you." Two days afterwards he succumbed to his wounds, help- lessly prostrated in a hospital at Alexandria.
Back in West Virginia, when Confederate General Jones raided part of that state he obtained leave to go to Grafton, where he and a com- rade of his regiment went on a scout, and among other services captured two of General Jones' cavalrymen, whom he turned over with their horses to General Mulligan at Grafton, and on returning to his com- mand at Beverly soon after, he was confronted with charges of deser- tion. Subsequently he was acting on the provost staff and employed in ferreting out and breaking up guerrilla dens in the mountains, and
60
COMPANY C.
participated in the succeeding battles of Huntersville. Droop Mountain and the Salem Raid.
From January till April, 1864, he acted on courts martial and enquiry at Martinsburg, being no longer fit for active duty and was mustered out in June, 1864, and in about two months accepted a lieutenancy in the Seventeenth West Virginia Infantry, from Governor Boreman. Mr. Ringler often declared that he would rather be a private soldier in front of battle, than anything else, and his conduct fully verified his state- ment. He is a studious Bible reader, is identified with the Methodist Protestant church and believes in a full, free, personal salvation, in the loftiest and most liberal sense.
S. J. BOYLES.
S. J. Boyles was born in Marion county, Virginia, Jan. 21, 1835. He was one of the early members of the company, and served with honor as private soldier, until the company was mustered out in 1864.
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