Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1880-01-27

About three years ago, Ex-Governor
Henry A. Wise, who died at Richmond
in the latter part of 1876. proposed to me
one day that as he and I, with one ex
ception, were the last surviving actors
connected with the very first inception
of military operation in Virginia result
ing in the capture of Harper's Ferry,
with its large government shops and
armory, in April, 1861, we should joint
iy prepare and attest with our signatures
a history of the event-which, in its de-
tails, had never been done-and deposit
the paper in the archives of the South
ern Historical Society, at Richmond, for
future reference. Accordingly. Governor
Wiae wrote so much of the narrative as
related to events in the State Convention
during the forty eight hours fits secret
proceedings, Immediately preceding the
passage of the ordinance of secession,
and also an account Of a secret meeting
held at the Exchange Hotel, in Rich
mond, to organize military movement
to capture Harper's Ferry, and supple
mented it with a detailed account of
what followed, eliminating in success
on the morning of April 10, 1861, when
the Federal guard crossed the Potomac
and body of Virginia militia occupied
the government works at Harper's Fer
ry. This joint narrative was carefully
prepared and. being signed by Governor
Wise and myself. was retained by him
Whether during his lifetime, or since his
,.eath. it was ever deposited with the
Society for which we intended it, l do
not know. AT all events [ have seen
no notice in print at any time of the
tact, nor have ever seen published an
authentic account of the circumstances
detailed in that paper.
Retaining a most vivid recollection of
all the incidents of those thrilling days
IN old Virginia. in some Of which I
participated in an humble way, aud be
lieving that such facts as were recorded
in the paper referred TO, are of sufficient
general interest for place iu The Week
IN Times Annals of the War; I cons
tribute them in condensed form as il
Illustrative of the earnest ness with which
the people Of an eminently conservative
Stale entered into the fearful contest for
constitutional rights in a Union Of
sovereign States.
UNION SENTIMENT IN VIRGINIA.
After Mr. LincO!n's election in No
vember, 1860, followed by the prompt Sc
cession of six of the cotton States, Vir-
ginia became alarmed for the peace OF
the country aud promptly called a con-
vention of delegates to be elected in
February, 1861. The sentiment of that
body was overwhelmingly III favor of
preserving the Union if it could possibly
be done consistently with their ideas of
the rights of the States. The secession
element, per Sc, was very small in the
Il Z
instead of seeking how to get out of the
Union addressed itself to the task Of
peacemaker between the extremists of
the North and South. The history Of
the efforts made to prevent on either
side an overt act of war, the mission of
delegation sent to Washington, with
the venerable Elk President John Tyler
at it's head, to bring about through the
agency of Peace Congress- settle
ment if possible, and the long refusal of
the convention to pass an ordinance of
secession Notwithstanding the earnest
appeal of the seeded States to stand by
them, are all facts too fresh in the pub
lie mind to be more than referred to
here.
Shortly after the con vention was elect
ed great change took place in the pop
ular mind of the State The conviction
rapidly gained ground that the Union
sentiment which had elected so large a
majority of the convention was misun-
derstood at the North; that the govern
meDt at Washington interpreted it as q
declaration on the part of Virginia that
she would sustain the administration of
Mr.. Lincoln in any measures-peace
Or forcible-it might adopt to bring back
the seeded States, when, in fact, it was
well known that the moment the State
should be compelled to take sides in
the fight once begun, an immense ma
jority of the Union members of the con
ventiOn, and of their constituents, would
unite with the government at Mont
gomery. So rapid was the change of
sentiment among the people, that even
before Mr.. Lincoln'a call for $4,000
troops, Virginia. tc furnish herquote, it
may be safely affirmed as fact that .
large popular msjority had become
ciamorous for prompt secession as Q
peace measure, upon the idea that if all
the slave States would 20 ont before ac-
| tuai hnsti!ities began, the North would
more fully realize the magnitude of the
impending struggle than she seemed to
do with an apparently divided South
and would listen to peaceful comprOm
ise of the difficulties While, therefore,
the convention was debating the issues
at sake the young men Ofthe State were
organizing or drilling military compa
MES fer the impending emergency, and
many OF their officers visited Richmond