Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-02-05
Experiences of the civil War I'm Western
Virginia.

Experiences of the civil War fin Western
Virginia.
PARKERsBURG, VA, January, 1862.
In February last nine others and myself
were threatened with expulsion from the
sacred soil" of the Old Dominion, for voting
for Lincoln all residents of Ceredo. The
coal oil excitement for a time withdrew atten-
ton from us, but in May the war against us
ragged tercer, and some of the marked ones
left for fear of violence. l had leased some
land, and planted corn, and potatoes, and beans,
and did not at all relish the idea of leaving.
Tie labor was pleasant, though ii promised
no profit. l anticipated much pleasure in the
new occupation of cultivation and harvest
Besides this, some of my neighbors could not
leave if they would, and being about in the
same circumstances, l could not see that it
was my duty to try to go away from the
threatened danger. My courageous wife
agreed with me, that it was better to stay, for
We might in that course do more for the good
cause than in any other way. And it was
certain that many of our acquaintance, natives
needed all the encouragement we could afford.
/ We decided that it was better to stay and
eight it out" than to be driven away because
| OF our devotion to the old government.
In June and July the excitement was all
the time increasing, and by the middle of the
latter month it was publicly stated that the
"Lincolnies" of Ceredo must leave and notices
to that effect were sent TO US. We sent back
word to them to Come on" we were prepared
for them (but we were not, though, and defied
them. We had been somewhat encouraged
and the secessonsls thought we had some
strength unknown TO them, and did not then
dare to come to put their threats in force
For several weeks in tie middle of summer
We watched every night for the coming OF the
indignant secesslonists. They looked for us
to submit and take the oath of allegiance to
| the southern cOniederacy, or leave. 1t was
| during this time Of fearful peril TOR we had
sworn TO stand by each other and resist TO the
death, if necessarily that every thing else was
forgotten. All business was abandoned The
farmers, WHO had been influenced by our posi-
ton aud action, left their crops and Joined us
in consultation and watch. They were made
property and their lives, and perhaps the lives
Of their families, by joining us. But they
| pledged themselves willing to make the sacri-
| tCe II need be, for the sake OF the Union. Our
fears were reasonably increased by the treat
ment OF Union men III the adjoining counties
and we did not hope for mercy. The enemy
outuumbered us who would fght more than
three 10 one; yel our bold stand and defiant
declarations kept them back. For many nights
did n IN ,rit
| that she would not be aroused before morning
| by the torch and bullet Of the rebel guerilas
| now organized IN three different pie es i'll our
| own county, and III large numbers in the next
! anG nearest county above US. a little band
of twenty five, and sometimes thirty or more
when our country neighbors came in, stood
on guard through many summer nights, with
such arms as we could pick up, waiting to re-
sist the attack OF three hundred or more. But
l have no doubt we should have made IA des-
perate resistance. We hal become 50 exas-
perated 10y the infamous threats of the rebels,
ami so lncensed at their conduct towards
Union men up the country, that we all felt
that 1t was our solemn duty TO resist.
Then began the organization OF regiment.
One OF the old residents was urged TO take the
lead ia this, we New Euglanders pledged our
selves TO sustain him. Ii was fearful under.
taking, but we had the right kind OF IL man to
lead OIL and it was successful. This, howev-
err, drove away from us some who had acted
with US only 10 defend our homes and fire.
sides, not TO begin the aggressive or offensive
The rebels were OF course indignant that we
should attempt to have military force i'll the
abolition" village OF Ceredo.
1t has been one continued whirl OF hustle
and excitement, and panic. 1t seems as
though years ought 10 embrace the crowded
events OF tile past lew months. In fact, it
does seem years since last June. | remember
few scenes, a few days, and the balance is
one confused tumble OF stirring incidents, pan
les, fearful and energetic struggles to calm the
popular feeling, painful and tedious night
watchings, long rides for accommodating, anx-
ious consultations, and frequent renewal of
pledges. 1t makes me shudder to think of The
danger we escaped. | can hardly realize that
we did pass through all and are yet safe, and
that the dear ones ut home were permitted TO
remain there, when danger pressed so near
and particularly since we have learned what
neiarious plots were c0ncocted for our destruc.
ton.
Our Kentucky friends promised to aid MS if
we needed but the large forces of rebels gath.
ering III the back part OF our county and the
organization Of the jenkins cavalry compauy
in Cabell county, frightened our Kentucky
friends more than us. Three hundred and
fifty, with two energetic leaders, were all pre-
pared to come down 10 our place and FIX
things up on the night after the Gay that
Kentucky regiment OF Union troops
landed in Guyandotte, ten miles from
us. That regiment drove our would.be
destroyers back. Some Of them went to aid
in driving the "invader from the sacred
soil, aud the sharpest Of the rebel leaders
the one who planned the Cleaning out OF Cere
do'-was killed. When we got little strong
er we took prisoner the other Of the rebel lead
ers, and sent him to Columbus where he now
is safe enough This ncensed the cowardly
crew, but the auuaclty Of the act yet kept them
away from us. We continued to take pronIi.
nent rebels as prisoners, whenever we could
find 'hem. We were much aided by sharp.
! cute young man from Ohio yankee by BIRTH,
who had been in service on the frontier, who
is quick witted, brave, and cunning.
Our stand and our danger excited the inter
est OF friends in Ohio and along the borders,