USA > West Virginia > History of the Fifth West Virginia Cavalry > Part 8
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LIEUTENANT DAVID ECKER.
David Ecker was a native of Easton. Pa .. his parents being what is known as Pennsylvania Dutch. He was a private in a battery during the Mexican war, and an excellent drill master; and to him was due the credit of the efficiency that the company attained in skirmish drill and in the bayonet exercise. He resigned early in 1862, just when the com- pany began to show the training he had given them.
CAPTAIN JOHN R. FRISBIE.
John R. Frisbie was a native of Pittsburgh, Pa., his father being Amos Frisbie, and his mother Eleanor Johnston. His grandfather, John J. Frisbie, at one time lived in the "Old Block House " at the "Point," on the site afterwards occupied by old Fort Duquesne. Capt. Frisbie's parents died when he was a young man. and at an early age he was apprenticed to Messrs. Burke and Barnes, pioneer safe makers of Pittsburgh, and became an expert at his trade, and remained with the firm until about 1859, after which he was running on the river, learning to be a pilot, and was in New Orleans when the secession move- ment began. The boat started for Pittsburgh, and was thirty-one days in making the trip, owing to the frequent stops and detentions by the confederate authorities along the river. He enlisted in Captain Alex. Scott's company, known as the " Belmont Guards," which became Com- pany F of the Second Virginia. He was appointed sergeant of the company, afterwards rose to be first sergeant, and on May 20, 1862, was promoted second lieutenant, and assigned to Company D. July 7, 1862, he was promoted to first lieutenant, and May 1, 1864, was promoted captain of the company, vice Captain D. D. Barclay, who was promoted major of the regiment. Captain Frisbie served faithfully until mustered out June 16, 1864. The captain was a brave, cool and determined of- ficer, and in the most dangerous and trying places, displayed a coolness not often equaled. At the battle of Waterloo Bridge, August, 1862, he was detailed with a squad of volunteers, to set fire to the bridge, a feat which he and his men accomplished under a galling fire of artillery and musketry, and for which he was complimented on the field by General Robert H. Milroy. The captain returned to Pittsburgh at the close of his term of service.
70
COMPANY D.
LIEUTENANT JACOB COLMER.
Jacob Colmer was born April 1, 1842, at Duff's Mills, Franklin town ship, Allegheny county, Pa., his parents being natives of the state. His father, William Colmer. was born in Allegheny county, Pa., and his mother, Lavina Rosensteel, was born near Emsworth, in the same county, and both were descendants of the Pennsylvania Dutch. The son remained at home until he was 18 years of age, working at farming and in the blacksmith shop with his father. On the Monday evening follow- ing the call of President Lincoln for 75,000 three months men, Mr. Col- mer placed his name as first on the roll of a company of volunteers being recruited by Thomas Gibson, Jr., at a place called Cross Roads, not far from Bakerstown, Allegheny county. AAfter the company had been partly recruited, they went to Pittsburgh, but the quota from Pennsylvania was now filled, and the company was not accepted: but they still held their organization, and when the call came for three years men, they were again doomed to disappointment, so many troops being ahead of them. They then decided to equip themselves as an independent com- pany, and while preparations were being made to this end, word was re- ceived that they were wanted at Wheeling, Va., to which place they went. Mr. Colmer was mustered into the service as sixth corporal, but on account of good conduct and attention to his duties, rose step by step until June 17, 1862, he was promoted first sergeant of the company. and held this position until September 29., 1862. when he was pro- moted to second lieutenant. On several occasions he acted as adjutant of the regiment, and had command of his company on the Salem Raid. On April 27. 1864, he was promoted to first lieutenant. and detailed to the position of adjutant, but declined the position, as he had become so attached to the members of his company that he did not wish to be taken away from them. He served his full term of enlistment and was mustered out with the company. Lieut. Colmer received what educa- tion he had by careful attention to studies in the four months per year schooling then in vogue in country districts, and in the summer of 1860, took a course of bookkeeping in Duff's College, Pittsburgh. He was married on December 22, 1868, to Miss Mary E. Scott, of Sharon, Mercer county, Pa .. but a native of Allegheny county. The result of this marriage is a family of four bright children, the oldest, William H., now in his 21st year, Alice Scott 16, Lizzie Bell 14, and Charles Steven- son 4 years old. Since the war Lieut, Colmer has served in several re- sponsible positions. For a long time he was clerk in the Pittsburgh pension office; for over 12 years bookkeeper for one large firm in Alle- gheny City, and is now agent for the Allegheny Insurance Company, of Pittsburgh. He is now serving his 18th year as permanent secretary of Twin City Lodge, No. 241, 1. O. O. F., also as trustee of the same lodge during the last 18 years. He also served as secretary of Alle- gheny Lodge 223. A. F. and A. M., for six years after the close of the
JAMES MAY.
JAMES M. ANDERSON
COMPANY HISTORY.
war. He now resides at Avalon, Pa., on the P. F. W. & C. Railway, six miles down the Ohio river from Pittsburgh. Lieut. Colmer served his country well and faithfully. He was a brave and accomplished officer, respected as such by all the men of the regiment, and a gentle- man held in the highest esteem by all his comrades. As a citizen there are none truer, and he is a worthy and honored son of the country he helped so ably to protect.
LIEUTENANT A. J. CHAMBERS.
A. J. Chambers was born in AAllegheny City in 1833, and learned the painting trade, but was engaged a number of years on Ohio river steam- ers. In April, 1861, he enlisted as corporal in company \ in Pittsburgh. He served very creditably in the position, was promoted to sergeant, then to orderly sergeant, and finally, July 7, 1862, his bravery and merit was still further recognized by a promotion to end lieutenant, and he was then transferred to company D of our regiment. After the war he opened up a paint shop in Allegheny and is still following the business. He represented his ward in Common and Select Councils for many years. He was married Aug. 25, 1853, to Miss Caroline A. Dougherty, and their union has been blessed by seven children.
COMPANY E.
Most of the members of this company were from Ohio, having been recruited by Simpson Hollister. Henry G. Jackson, H. B. James and others, in the counties of Monroe and Belmont. A portion of it was recruited by B. F. Bowers, in the counties of Wetzel and Taylor, on the Virginia side of the river, which with a squad of seven from Ritchie county, Virginia, made up the requisite number for organization. which was effected by the election of Simpson Hollister captain, Henry G. Jackson first lieutenant, and B. F. Bowers second lieutenant, on the 16th day of June, 1861, at Camp Carlisle. Like the other companies with which its fortunes were linked, it was made up of a great diversity of char- acter, including men of the professions and trades, farmers and busi- ness men, all animated by the same spirit of love for their country.
Western Virginia was racked and torn by the conflicts of the contend- ing forces of the Union and its enemies, but there was a large force of loyal men who refused to bend the knee to treason. The little squad referred to, may be taken as a fair average of the loyalty of that section. Thomas and Charles Day, Riley, Wigner, Moats, Adams and French, composed the little band that was the first to represent Ritchie county in the army for the Union. Some of them were Virginians by birth, some were not, but all were in the vigor of carly manhood, and being loyal to the heart, each had quietly and soberly decided for himself that duty re- quired from him a prompt response to his country's call, notwithstand- ing many of their friends and associates held very different views, and decided to cast their lot with the side of rebellion.
72
COMPANY E.
The sentiment for and against the union cause being pretty equally divided in that region at that time, it was not considered the most healthy thing for either party, to be very demonstrative; so in pursuance of a quiet arrangement, the squad met at Ellenboro station on the even- ing of June 14, 1861, each with his little package in hand, ready when the shadows grew long, to start on their first night's march to the Ohio river. The march of 16 miles to St. Marys was made without incident worthy of note. The packet Woodside landed the squad at Wheeling, on the morning of the 16th, and they were met by their future captain and ist lieutenant, and before noon were mustered into the service of their country.
In a short time afterward, this company and four others, were ordered to Clarksburg, where their actual duties as soldiers began. In a short time the movement on Rich Mountain was made, in which engagement a part of this little force took part. and then they proceeded to Beverly, where the company was assigned as company E of the regiment.
The following is the muster out roll, showing list of members and their record. The company was mustered into the United States service June 16, 1861, and mustered out June 16, 1864. All the members not otherwise 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.
S. Hollister Thomas E. Day H. G. Jackson H. B. James Charles H. Day John C. French B. F. Bowers Jas. B. Smith R. H. Wigner Jos. Riley D. Danford John Johnson John H. Caton John Fowler George F. Dillon Henry Deut William R. Morris Jas. W. Umstead
Capt. [Resigned Dec. 1, '62.
Pro. from sergeant, Dec. 10, '62. Wounded at Bull Run Ist Lt Appointed adjutant, Aug. 23, '61.
Pro. from Sergt., June 24, '61 Killed at Bull Run, Aug 29, '62.
66 Pro. from Private to Second Lieutenant. Co. H, assigned to Co. E. as First
Lieutenant, transferred to Co. F. Nov. 9, '02, to Co. I May 24, '63. Pro. from Serg't lo Ist L't. Sept 9,'62. Wounded at Rocky Gap Ang 26,'63.
2d Lt Resigned Dec. 10, '61.
Promoted from private Jan. 13, '63. Ist Sg Wounded at Bull Run Aug. 29, '63
Corp
Wounded at Rocky Gap Aug. 26, '63. Wounded at Bull Run Aug. 29, '62. . .
A. Y. Montgomery M. E. Moore William H. Foulke A. McElroy Isaac S. Rice
Wounded at Waterloo Bridge Aug. 25, '62.
Wounded at Bull Run and Rocky Gap. Captured Died at Danville. Discharged for disability, Oct. 9, '61.
Feb. 28, 62.
Jan. 28, '63.
.. Feb. 28, '62.
Discharged Nov. 27, '62, on account of wounds received at Bull Run. Killed at Bull Run, Ang. 29, '62.
Killed at Droop Mountain, Nov. 6, '63.
Samuel K. Reamer William T. Bradford Mus. John W. A. Lilly
Ambler, Samuel M. Priv. Adams, Robert M .. Akers, Thomas J. Bear, James ..
73
COMPANY HISTORY.
NAME.
RANK.
RECORD OF SERVICE.
Beatty, James Bushkirk, S. A. Butcher, Geo. S. Beach, George Blair, James Castillow, D. Castillow, George Cox, William I.
Clark, William Cutlip William Conley, Christian Clark, Sanford Cox, Jacob W. Dent, George Dearth, George Dunn, Israel Davis, Asbury S. Freeman, Isaac Frankhouser, J. C. Fordice, James Gaver, Ed. Garring, Henry Garrison, Jas. F. Givens, Jasper N. Garroll, William Hill, Felix M. Hudson, S. L. D. Hess, John Hall, Elijah Hesselton, And. G. Jones, Samuel W. Kelch, R. D. Kirkland, D. Kay, James M. Lohmire, M. L. Moore, Marion Meredith, Robert C. Moffitt, William A. Moats, Andrew Miller, William A. Martin, Calvin B. Moore, Peter D. Messerley, William Murphy, John Moore, Moses McClary, Thos. D. McGee, George H. McDougall, John Pitts, Elijah Pugh, Samuel B. Pittman, Cornelius Rush, Morgan Robinson, Jas. A. Reader, John Reader, Martin Roberts, Leonard Ritchie, Jacob Schoonover, John Spencer, S. R. Smith, S. B. Smith, Jacob Sharp, Jere Sole, WVm. F
Priv.
Killed at New Creek.
Captured at Seneca Sept. 25, '63. Died in prison.
Killed at Bull Run Aug. 29, '62.
Deserted June 4, '63.
Dec. 5, '62.
Missing at Winchester Jan, '64
Re-enlisted as Veteran Jan. 5, '64. Captured at Winchester Jan. '64. Died in Andersonville, Discharged Oct. 29. '62. on account of wounds received at Bull Run
Discharged for disability Sept. 1, '62. Killed at Bull Run, Aug. 29, '62. Wounded Droop Mt.
Killed at Rocky Gap Aug. 26, '63.
Wounded Bull Run. Re-enlisted as a Veteran Jan. 5, '64.
Captured at Bull Run. Re-enlisted as a veteran Jan. 5,'64. Killed New Creek Nov.'64. Dishonorably discharged May 27, '63. Died Nov. 24, '63, from wounds received at Droop Mountain
Wounded Droop Mt. Killed Rocky Gap Aug. 26, '63.
Killed at Bull Run Aug. 29, '62.
Died at Beverly Dee. 9, '61, of typhoid fever.
Discharged Sept. 24, '63, from wounds received at Bull Run. Wounded Bull Kun.
..
Captured on Salem Raid.
. .
Wounded at Bull Run Aug. 29, '62. Re-enlisted as a Veteran Jan. 5, '64.
Captured Rocky Gap Aug. 26, '63. Died at Andersonville.
Captured Sencca Sept. 29, '63. Discharged for disability Nov. 10, '62. Killed at Droop Mountain Nov. 6, '63.
Re-enlisted after time was out in 6th W. Va. Inf. Wounded at Winchester, Va. Died in prison.
Recruit March 24, '62. Discharged for disability Sept. 8, '62.
Re-enlisted as Veteran Jan. 5, '64. Wounded at Bull Run, Aug. 29, '62 and Rocky Gap Ang. 26, '63.
Re-enlisted as Veteran Jan. 5, '64. Died.
Killed at Bull Run Aug. 29 '62. Captured at Bull Run.
Recruit, Dec. 25, '62. Recruit, July 5, '63. Died of wounds received at Rocky Gap.
74
COMPANY E.
NAMES.
RANK.
RECORD OF SERVICE.
Stonebreaker. J. W. Priv.
Wounded at Elkwater, '61. Re-enlisted as veteran, Jan. 5, '64.
Schaub, Fred
Wounded and captured at Rocky Gap. Died In Andersonville.
Smith, Thos.
Killed at Bull Run, Aug. 29, '62.
Sponholtz, Aug.
Died Mar. 10, '63, at Beverly, of erysipelas.
Tillet, Thos. B.
٠٠
Discharged for disability, Oct. S. '62
Taylor, John C.
..
Deserted July 30, '61.
Williams, Jas. L.
..
White, H.
Wounded at Rocky Gap.
Waters, Levi
Wilson, Jasper
Webb, John D.
Williams, John
Discharged for disability Nov. 1, '62.
Yonking, Jackson
11
Re-enlisted as veteran, Jan. 5, 64.
CAPTAIN SIMPSON HOLLISTER.
Simpson Hollister, the first captain of the company. was a native of Monroe county, Ohio, and was mainly instrumental in recruiting the company. At the breaking out of the war, he was a member of the Woodsfield bar, and was a delegate to the Chicago convention that nominated Abraham Lincoln for president. Capt. Hollister was a large hearted man, and had his physical condition been good, he could have distinguished himself in the service; but he soon discovered that he was unfit for active campaigning, and after spending some time in the re- cruiting service, he, from a sense of duty, resigned his commission and returned to civil life. His present home is in Leavenworth. Kas.
CAPTAIN THOMAS E. DAY.
In 1861 when the call was made for three years volunteers. Thos. E. Day was a member of the bar at Ritchie C. H., Va. He was a widower at the time with two very interesting little boys, to whom he was very strongly attached; but notwithstanding his surroundings were not of the most favorable character, he was a union man from principle, and leav- ing one of his little treasures with his deceased wife's parents and the other with his father and mother, who then resided at Ritchie C. H., he became one, and rather the acknowledged leader, of the squad of seven who were the first to represent Ritchie Co. in the Union service.
When the squad was enlisted and formed a part of the organization, known afterward in the regiment as Co. E, Thos. E. Day was the only one who received any recognition beyond that of a private soldier, and he was appointed 3rd sergeant. When H. G. Jackson was made adjutant, Orderly Sergeant James was commissioned first lieutenant in his place and Sergeant Day was made orderly sergeant, and on the resignation of Lieut. Bower who left the Co. to take a position in John- ton's Battery, Sergeant Day was commissioned second lieutenant in Jan. 1862. Early in the morning of the first day's fight at the Second Bull Run battle, Lieut. James was killed while in command of the Co., Capt. Hollister being absent on recruiting service, and Lieut. Day assumed com-
Taylor, McKnight
Wounded at Bull Run. Re-enlisted as veteran, Jan. 5, '64
75
COMPANY HISTORY.
mand, but in less than ten minutes received a severe wound in the left arm which disabled him for some time. Having been commissioned first lieutenant, he joined the regiment at Wheeling, when Gen. Milroy's brigade was transferred from the army of the Potomac, to the Great Kanawha valley, in Sept. 1862. Capt. Hollister, resigned the captaincy late in the fall of 1862, and Lient. Day was commissioned to fill the vacancy which he did to the end of our three years' term, with great acceptance to those under his command and with credit to himself.
Capt. Day was a true soldier, and while at times his methods of dis- cipline appeared harsh, and to one who was not well acquainted with him seemed cold and austere, yet he had a kind heart and was true to his friends and his country's cause. His present home is Mexico, Au- drain county, Mo.
LIEUTENANT HENRY G. JACKSON.
Henry G. Jackson was a native of the city of Philadelphia, Pa., and having been a soldier in the Mexican war, possessed more knowledge of military affairs than most of his fellow officers of the line, so upon the organization of the regiment, he was made its first adjutant. He was one of the first officers to resign from his position in the regiment, and accepted a captaincy in the 62d Ohio. In this capacity he served for some time, but on account of his failing health, resigned and returned to his native city.
LIEUTENANT H. B. JAMES.
Hamilton B. James was a native of Belmont county, was a carpenter by trade, but at the outbreak of the war, was a clerk in the business house of Hutchinson & Bro., Beallsville, Ohio, and Justice of the Peace. He was chosen as first sergeant of the company, and served as such until the promotion of Jackson, when he was commissioned first lieutenant, and for a considerable time had command of the company. Lieut. James was a quiet, unassuming gentleman, ever faithful in the discharge of duty, and specially interested in the welfare of the men under his command. He was the first man killed in the company at the second battle of Bull Run. August 29, 1862.
LIEUTENANT CHARLES H. DAV.
Charles H. Day was born in New Market, Frederick county, Md., December 25, 1838; attended public school until he was 14 years of age, after which he learned the printing business, and worked at it until shortly before entering the war as a private in Company E. After act- ing as adjutant for a time during the spring and summer of 1862, he was commissioned second lieutenant and assigned to Company H: was pro- moted to first lieutenant, September 1, 1862; served as A. A. General of the brigade during the fall and next spring, and as Judge Advocate of General C. M. during the following summer; he was transferred from Company H to E: thence to Company F; thence to Company I, where he was serving at the battle of Droop Mountain, being wounded in the
76
COMPANY E.
battle: was mustered out March 9, 1864, by orders from the War De- partment, having been off duty more than three months from wounds received in battle. Re-entered the service as first lieutenant and adju- tant to organize the 17th Regiment West Virginia Infantry, , August 13, 1864; was promoted to major, September 10, 1864, and to colonel, March 13, 1865, being mustered out June 30, 1865. Since then he has lived in West Virginia and Missouri, and is now on a farm at Occoquan, Prince William county, Va., where he has lived since 1872.
LIEUTENANT J. C. FRENCH.
J. Calvin French is the youngest son of George M. and Mary Porter French, and was born in Washington county, Pa., October 10, 1836. His mother died when he was less than three years old, and much of his early childhood was spent with relatives in Fayette county, Pa. At the age of 12 he returned to his father's home, remained four years, and then became an inmate of the family of Wm. Lindly. He was a boy of all work in the summer and attended school in the winter, but was denied the privilege of a thorough education, which he so much desired. At the age of 19 he accepted a position in the house of R. Porter, at Ritchie C. H., Va. After one year's service here, he associated with three other persons in the hoop and stave trade, on the B. & O. R. R .. at points east of Parkersburg. This company erected the first estab lishment for the manufacture of oil barrels in that region, after the de- velopment of the Kanawha field. The war destroyed the business of the company and caused heavy financial losses. In closing up the affairs of the company, Lieut French found himself possessed of little else save good health and a determination to contribute himself to the cause of the union. Seeking an interview with persons like-minded, an arrangement was made by which he became one of the seven who first represented Ritchie county in the army of the union, mentioned in full in the history of Company E. After serving as private. sergeant and orderly sergeant, and having been left in command of the company at Second Bull Run, one of the commissioned officers present being killed and the other wounded, he was commissioned second lieutenant September 9. 1862, and assigned to Company H: then commissioned first lieutenant and assigned to Company E, December 3, 1862. He was assigned to the command of Company B for a short time, while that company was on duty at Bealington. While in command of a portion of the skirmish line in advance of the artillery, at the battle of Rocky Gap, he received a severe wound near the left knee, which distorted the joint and has measurably disabled him ever since. Having been rescued by com- rades from falling into the hands of the enemy, and conveyed by ambu- lance to Beverly, he was there kindly sheltered and cared for by Mrs. Jonathan Arnold. When recovered, he returned to his regiment and was commissioned adjutant, and served as such until the regiment was disbanded, but chose to be mustered out with what remained of his
JOHN C. FRENCH, FIRST LIEUTENANT.
JAMES B. SMITH, SECOND LIEUTENANT.
77
COMPANY HISTORY.
company. In August, 1864 he returned to Washington county, Pa., and on September 7th, that year, was married to Miss Sevilla Vaile, in ful- fillment of an engagement made in early life. He engaged in merchan- dizing, was elected Treasurer of the county in 1873, and on the expira- tion of his term returned to his home in Prosperity, where he has since been engaged in farming. He and family are members of the Presby- terian Church of Upper Ten Mile, and is commander of Luther Day Post, No. 395, G. A. R. Four children have been added to his happy home, Dr. Edward E., of Bentleysville, Pa., Leah Mary, wife of Dr. Booth, Bentleysville, Charles Clinton, who died in infancy, and J. Cal- vin, Jr., who is acquiring an education. There was no braver officer in the regiment, and Lieut. French deserves special mention for his gallant conduct at the second battle of Bull Run, and for his splendid leader- ship in the extreme advance, in the dash where he was wounded at Rocky Gap.
LIEUT. B. F. BOWER.
B. F. Bower was a young man about ready to be admitted to the bar in New Martinsville, Wetzel county, Va., in the spring of 1861. When the effort was made to organize a three years' regiment from the loyal element in Virginia, he set to work to recruit a company in Wetzel and Tyler counties, but he found the work somewhat difficult, and finally with about twenty men from the Virginia side of the river, he united with Hollister and Jackson from the Ohio side, and with a few from other quarters, had the required number to form a full company, which accord- ing to date of organization was lettered E, and he was commissioned its first second lieutenant. Lieut. Bower only remained with the regiment a short time, but it is but due to him to say that having been overstep- ped in the way of promotions he did what any spirited officer would have done, viz resign, and take a position elsewhere, which he did in Johnston's battery of light artillery where his worth was more appre- ciated. Lieut. Bower is now enjoying a fair practice in his profession at the New Martinsville bar.
LIEUTENANT JAMES B. SMITH.
James B. Smith, a student of Nineteen Summers, left his home in Tyler county, Va., and found his way to Wheeling, in time to enlist in Company E. On account of his youth, size, and bright and cheerful expression of countenance, he was one to attract attention, so that when the Ritchie squad was instructed to select one to increase their number from seven to a mess of eight, Smith was looked after, when the situa tion was explained to him, and he at once consented to join the mess and ever afterward was identified with the Ritchie squad. His service as a private soldier, was marked for coolness, vigilance and courage. At the Second Bull Run battle in 1862, when Colonel Latham called for volunteers, one from each company, to reconnoiter in front of our lines his lithe form was the first to the front from the company, and among
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