The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1877-12-13
THE HORRORS OF WAR.
General Hunter In the Valley OF
Virginia Creigh's Ofense and
Punishment.

General ]. d. Imboden in the Philadel-
phla Weekly Times.
At the breaking out OF the war, David
5. Creigh, an old man OF the highest So
cisl position, the father of eleven sons
and daughters, beloved by sll who knew
them Tor their virtues and intelligence,
resided on his estate near Lewisburg, in
Greenbrier county. His reputation was
OF the highest order. No man in the
large county of Grcenbrier was better
known or more esteemed; few, If any, had
more influence. Beside offices of nigh
puOlIc trust in civil life, he WAS an
elder liz the Presbyterian Church o.
Levi. burg, one of the largest and most
respectable in the Synod OF Virginia. In
the early part of November, 1868, there
being u Federal force near Lewisburg,
Mr.. Creigh, on entering his house one
dav, found drunken and dissolute sol
der there using the most insulting l4a-
guage to his wife and daughters, ana at
The same time breaking open trunks and
drawers ana helping himself to their
contents. At the moment Mr.. CreIgh
catered the rutian was attempting
~ force the trunk of young
lady teacher in the family. Nj.
Creigh asked HIM TO desist stating
that II was the property OF Il lady under
ais protection The villain, rising from
the trunk, Immediately drew pistol,
cooked it, pointed 1t 1T MIR. Crelgh and
EXCLAIMED: "Go out OF this room. What
are you doing here? Bring me the keys"
Mr. Crcigh attempted TO DEFEND himself
and family, but pistol he tried to use
for the purpose snapped at the instant
l5e robber fired at him, the ball grazing
MS face and buryIng itself in the wall.
Tney then. grappied, struggled into
the passage and tumbled down
stars, the robber on top. They rose and
Mr.. Crelgh attempted TO wrest the pistol
rom the hands OF his adversary when it
was accidentally discharged and the lat
Ter wounded. Thev struggled into the
yorticc, where the rutiian again sac. al
Mr. Creigh, when u negro woman, who
hand and begged her master to use it.
He took 1t tIoul her and dispatched the
robber. After consultation and advice
with friends it was decided TO bury the
body ssd say ching about it.
The troops lett the ncigbborhoOd ana
did 10. return Till June, 1864, when they
were going through to join Hunter. A
negro belonging to u neighbor having
heard OF the matter wen. TO their camp
and told it. Search was made, the re-
mains found and Mr.. Creigh was
arrested. He made candid statement
Of the whole matter, AID begged TO be
permitted to Introduce witnesses I" :rOve
the facts, which was re!I ed, GEd Dc was
marched OF with the army, to be turned
over to General Hunter at Stsunton. On
| the 10th Of June Hunter csmped near
Srownsburg, on the farm of the Rev,
James Morrison. About dark rather
| elderly man knocked 1T the door, an
nOuncIng himself rs the Rev. Mr.. OsboTn
of UnioutOwn, Pa, chaplain in The
army. He requested to see Mr.. Nor
risOn. stating tnst they had with The
army g citizen of Green brier whose
name wss Creigh, who was about to BE-
executed; his doom had just been an
| nounceC 10 him. he stated that Mr
| Creigh claimed to be well acquainted
with Mr.. Morrison, and asked an inter
est in his prayers, rs he was closely con
fined in negro cabin and no communi,
cauon would be permitted with him. Al
! efforts - visit him that night were IN
vain. He was first ordered to be exc
cuted that night, but wss INDUCED TO 1--we
till mornlHg That he might write to bis
tamiiy. Next morning little after day
light, he was brought out, put into :
wagon and conveyed up little vale
about quarter Of mile north OF TIE
: b, Use ana IN full view OF it, and WAS
there hanged snd lett hanging tai after
the army had departed, wheE the VIE
! OF the venerable min'ster-he being toe
iceOle--wlth such assistance as she could
get, took Gown the body, wrapped Il n
y blanket, and buried it in "a grave dug
on the spot. M Creigh had no trial, nC
| witnesses, no counsel nor friends present
but Was ordered To be hanged ike dog
Tor al act Of duty to his helpless wit,
and daughters.