The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1882-03-06
DISPUTED LAND
In VIrglnIa-A surveying Party Com
PEELED TO Surrender.

over series OF pitched battles which hay
been going on in that county betweel
armed bodies Of countrymen and sur
veying party headed by Captains Campbell
Strong and Barret. About q year ago Gen
B. F. Butler Of Massachusetts,, gained pos
ession Of IN immense tract Of land, know
as the Wilson survey. The land include
several hundred acres, stretching acrUs
Bath county, in Virginia, to Dillon's mill
beyond the border Of West Virginia
Much Of it embraces mountain businesses
which have been the stronghold OF illict
distilles and bands Of those daring mer
who, after the war, boasted that they
would never surrender, and retired to thest
almost imprcgnable abodes, where they
led q wild and independent life, ENJOYING
the occasional exciting skirmishines which
were forced upon them by the revenue
forces.
The Wilson survey, which General But.
Ter got hold Of, Is larger than q German
prinCipality, and embraces some splendid
land. During the latter part Of last month
he began TO pay some attention to the prop.
erty, and sent full corps Of surveyors tc
divide It The party, about twenty strong,
began their task early last week, and pro.
ceeded for several days without molesta.
tion, until they reached Dillon's Mill, when
their presence began to attract the attention
oil some OF the deer hunters in that section,
When the object Of the survey was known,
and when 1t leaked out that General But.
Ter was endeavoring to perfect arrange
ments and get possession OF the land,
the excitement became intense, and
the intelligence spread from cabin to
cabin. The hardy mountaineers and
farmers began to gather together very
rapidly, all armed and ready to resist what
they contended was an invasion Of their
rightful domain by a General against
whom many Of them at one time fought,
and for whom few Of them had any love.
Law or no law, they determined to resist
the surveying party. Messengers were sent
to Captain Campbell with the information
that he and his party must clear out or the
place would be made too hot for them.
The surveyors, who were well armed, took
no notice OF what they regarded as idle
threats, and continued their survey, but at
the same time notified the hostile parties
that 1t would be better for them to
attend to their own business. The
mountaineers and others then began to get
ready for fight.
Wednesdays company OF about fifteen
Of them, well armed with doube-barreled
shot.guns attacked the surveying party.
Campbell and his companions, however,
were well prepared for them, and as soon
as they came in sight warned them to come
no nearer. As the surveying camp at this
time occupied commanding position OF
the mountain side, and their force was
larger than the attacking party, the latter
Withdrew for reinforcements. Their force
was recruited rapidly, and yesterday they
again moved on the surveying party with
force Of seventy-fve men, their cry being,
"Down with Ben Buffers land sharks!7'
The surveyors were warned OF their ap-
proach, but did not retreat at the time, as
they believed the strength OF the attacking
party had been exaggerated. They, how.
ever, took the precautioR to intrench them.
selves well in their position.
Yesterday at - o'clock :he two parties
met, and a sharp engagement ensued, over
hundred shots being fired in few min
utes. 1t was kind OF Indian warfare, the
beseiging force being scattered and keep
ing behind the trees. The surveyors held
their camp behind natural fort OF bowl.
ders, and for time prevented their assail.
ants from gaining on them. Three Of the
mountainecrs were wounded in the en-.
gagement. Ten OF the assailants were then
sent out, and managed 10 creep through
the undergrowth until thew obtained DO
sition higher up the mountain side behind
the surveyors, and then they had an un-
obstructed range ut them. The sur
veyors were surrounded, for when
the skirmishers behind them began
to pour shot down on them they
had TO throw themselves on their faces,
uncovering their front and giving their
assailants ample time to charge up 10 their
fortress. This was done amid triumphant
yelling, "Charge 'em, boysw Campbell had
time to raise his white handkerchief on the
end OF his ramrod as sign OF surrender,
and so saved the lives Of many OF his party.
The camp was at once taken possession Of
and, although the party OF Virginians and
West Virginians, which composed the vic
torious foe, were excited they offered no
violence to their prisoners. They simply
warned them to leave the country, and
notified them not to come back unless they
wanted tar, feathers and brins.one.
Particulars just received here are to the
effect that seven OF the combatants were
wounded in the skirmiSh, but it is believed
none were mortally hurt. The surveyors
at once beat hasty retreat, and are now
on their way to this place, having given up
all idea, it is understood, OF attempting to
continue the survey. The people in this
section are much excited, and insist that
they will not submit to what they term
"Ben Buffers land grab" Gen. Butler, it
is understood, has a clear title to the vast
tract, but he will have trouble in getting
it. The civil authorities may be appealed
to, and possibly the Virginia and West
Virginia volunteers called out TO aid the
surveyors in completing their survey, if
necessary.
ReIlRi for ConBraaS