The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1876-10-06
Gen. cons Record ny a soldier.

fair fame Of the Republican leader in
hi, contest az gallant and patriotic
Union soldier during the war. We are
b,ppy 10 know that it isnot in the power
of those who are seeking to elect as Gov.
rrOor rebel who fought TO destroy this
Government, to cast shadow over the
reputation Of such a man US Got.
lisa matter, Of personal recollection
with many of our Wheeling readers that in
M,y 1897, when PorterIield's rebels held
the Bltimorc & Ohio road at Grafton, .
steamer from Parkersburg arrived at our
wharf one morning bearing nearly a full
company Of young men from Clarksbnrg
aud surrounding country, who. had come
hitler by that roundabout route to Ell
Ii.t in the First Virginia Regiment.
was then held by company Of
rebels who, like tue Democratic candidate
for Governor, had taken up arms against
the flag Of their country. Tho brave
boys who came here from Clarksburg hau
left the place in squads to avoid observa'
ion and arrest by Mathews friends, and
had taken the cars at neighboring stations
for Parkcrsburg, and came thence by
steamer to this city, eager to join the
First Regiment. The patriotic Latham
whom we shall never forget for his SER
vices in that critical hour came through
from Taylor by marching AROUND Col.
Por,erfeld,s and Bill Thompson's men in
the night, and taking the cars for Wheel
ing at point west Of them. Gen.Goa-
or, as the boys called him, "Nnte" Goif-
then youth under 90-was one Of the
CInrksburg boys who came up here in
the steamer on that May morning 10 en-
list in the First Virginia. But the regi-
Iuent was full and they returned to
Clarksburg (which was cleared Of rebels
by the time they got back) and formed
the nucleus Of the Third Infantry, which
Col. lIews was commissioned to raise.
Latham and his men, it will be remem-
bered, returned to Grafton and formed
the nucleus Of the Secondly
Golf enlisted in the Sd Infantry, as IN
private in May. 1861, Mt the very begin
ming Of the war, and was constantly in
active service until his capture by Mat
thcvs' rebel friends in January, 1864. In
June, 1861, he was commissioned I'd
Lieutenant. In August, 1862, he was pro-
NOTED to be lst Lieutenant and made
AljutaRt Of the regiment. In January,
1868, he was commissioned as Captain
and A. D. G. and in the following Sep
ienber was promoted to Major and trans.
ierred to the 4lh Cavalry. In these vari-
Gus grades Of service hc constantly shared
tue fortunes Of his regimen. and passed
through the battles OF Mcdowell, Cross
Keys, Front Royal, Warrenton Springs,
RaPpahannock (wherc there was cOntin-
GUS lighting for days along the rivcr) Sec
Ond Bull Run, Rock Gap, Droop Mountain,
and other battles that We do not now recall
Not only was his conduct that ofa brave
soldier, but he won an enviable reputa.
ton for personal gallantry and military
capacity such ms all the rebels in West
Virginia can never destroy.
In January, 1864, Major GoF fell into
the hands Of Malhews'rebel friends during
their raid under RosSer and lmboden on
New Creek and Cumberland, while rally
Ing his men in defense Of supply train
going from New Greek to Petersburg,
The Union force was about 400 Of the 4th
cavalry, under command OF Col. 10. Sny-
der. The train they were protecting was
attacked by Rosscr's cavalry about 1000
strong, snyder's command was driven
back and part Of it captured. Colts
horse was shot under him, and being sur
rounded on all sides by Rosser's men
with n rebel pistol levcled at his head-hc
was compelled to surrender. The files
Of the lSrELLI0ENcER for that date show
that Gois gallant conduct in defense OF
the supply train reflected honor upon
him. "lIe did everything in his power
to rally his men and prevent panic
Anongthe teamsters, and was surrounded
BY the rebels while CALAMITY doing his
duty"
The fate Of Gen. Goff after he was
taken to Richmond and thrown into Lib
by prison has recently been set forth In
our columns. lie was closely confined In
aI1lO damp cell and held as a hostage
'oF Major ArmesCy, his only diet being
corn bread and bean soup. In this close
cell hewas confined for many weeks, and
suffered severely in his health in conSe.
qaence. While he thus languiShed in
'Ai cell a number Of his old comrades in
'rRa petitioned tho government in the
strongest terms for his exchange. Our
ale' show among these documents most
aascIionate testimonial from the officers
Of the 9th West Virginia Cavalry, in
Which, among other things, they say this
Of him:
I'VE have been associated with Major
Soa over two years and have seen him
vp many hotly contested battle field.
Ne know Of his many brave deeds, his
Ssoanity and high moral character, We
snow that he was at the head Of his regi.
Ient leading his men when his horse was
saot and he fell into the hands Of the en-.
ny. he i loo good, loo young and 6rave 10
SEV|4ted 10 die in a re6tl prison."
WsoOuldOccupy a much larger portion
F" Our'paCe this morning in dwelling up.