Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1860-08-04
The Troubles at Occoquan.

tlOD Oh lI}S law vi IUe Stdtc
On the 4lh Of July last, The Black Re-
publicsns, of whom some sixty reside IN
the vicinity of Occoquar, Instituted an as
sociallon and agreed TO erect pole-lo
bear aloll flag with the names OF Lincoln
and Hamlin. The pole was accordingly
erected, the following persons participated
in the pole.raisiug
John Underwood, w. G. Aihev, Il.
Curtis. Oliver Underwood, II. w. Rives,
J. w. Miller, Wan. Davis, (boyl Stephen
Hammill, Jno. Taylor. Andrew Under
wood, Marion Grigg, #. o. Coulter, Jas.
Gould, Thomas Rives, Jr., ii. F. Daty.
W. H. Johnston, II. l.. Selecman. John
Virgin. Wm. Western. Al: A. Selecman,
Edward Roberts. (Englishman) Tasco
Harris, (frce negro Jim Snyder, Gree ne
gro) Albert Harris, Qree negro.)
Upon the raising OF the pole, the pole
rsisers were armed with muskets ard
made quite military demonstration. A
meeting was held al which Black Repub'
ican speeches were made by w. G.. Ath-
ey and ]. Wright. the latter Of whom, a
new conner, is said 10 be quite an orator
Many persons in the neighborhood op-
posed the erection Of The pole, believing ii
to be standing menace TO the peace OF
the county, bu, al first there was no indi-
caion Of an attempt 10 disturb it. The
Republicans when spoken 10 on the sub
| iect answered that "there Has no one in
the county who dared 10 touch the pole. ="
There were men enough TO defend H."
&c. On one occasion an old resident oil
| The neighborhood was assaulted because
he had declared ths. the pole was nui-
.ance, and on another. threats were made
10 ride upon rail, gentleman living near
by, because he had spoken Southern SEN
timenls freely in Occoquan. Letters were
published in the Wheeling lnteligencer,
declaring that "the people in the county
wanted the pole removed, but had not the
heart TO do it,"
This raised much feeling in the neigh
borhood, and al meeting at BrentsvIle,
some time about last court, it was agreed
that the flag was an insul, 10 Sthe peo-
pie OF Virginia, and iDcendiaIy in the OBJ
leci il was raised to promote. and should
be torn down on Friday, the 9Th day of
July.
Intelligence of this determination soon
reached Occoquan, and on Monday night
Republican meeting was held there TO
devise measures for The defence of the
flag pole. On the following morning Mr..
j. G. Albey visited Washington, and sent
10 Gov. Letcher the following dispatch
ave, the citizens of Occoquan. are
threatened with invasion by an armed mob
Of three hundred men from distant par,
of ,he county, on Friday next, at twelve
O'Clock NJ, and cali upon you for pro!ec.
ton in this emergency, otherwise we
shall have 10 defend ourselves.
w. g. ATHEY, on behalf OF Citizens.
To which the Governor responded in
Sfaater, as follows
"Orders will he issued at once to Gen
eral Hrnton for the protection OF your
citizens" JOHN LETcHER.
The Governor accordingly sent orders
to Gen. Hunton, who directed Col.
Brawner TO hold troop OF horse in readi-
ness TO give such protection as was neces-
s3ry.
When the dispatch was received on
Tuesday night from Gov. Leicher. great
rejoicing was manifested by the Republi-
cans.
Whilst in Washington, Athey made ar.
rangements with certain "Republicans" TO
furnish 40 or so fire arms of approved
make, with amuni,ion therefor, which
were to be sent to Occoquan on Tuesday
night by wagon. The dispatch from
Gov. Leicher, however, induced the aban-
donment of this plan. AT the meeting at
Occoquan, and amid grea, enthusiasm. il,
was resolved that the people shoald be de.
Tended to the death unless the assslanis
numbered more than three 10 one of The
Republicans.
On the night of Thursday, several of
the wives of the residents at Occoquan,
fearing bloodShed would occur The next
day. attempted to demolish the pole. In
the attempt, the wife Of MIR. Duty was Sc
rionsly wounded by blow from her axe.
The men gathered, however, and took
the women away from around the object
of their attack.
On the morning OF the 9Th yesterday
the Republicans" hoisted the American
flag and the party ensign bearing the
names Of "Lincoln and Hamlin." Du-
ring the morning most of lbe women leii
the village. and the place seemed quite
deserted, bul no preparations were made
Tor defence, and memorial to the Colo
mel asking projection was prepared and
numerously signed.
AT 80 the Prince William Cavalry.