Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1894-07-06
THE PAPERS OF IMBoDEN's BRIGADE.

AN INTERESTING LETTER FROM STATE
AUDITOR. J. v. JOHNSON, OF WEST vIR-
GINIA-THE PAPERS MAY BE AT, OR
| NEAR FINCAsTLE.
We publish the following letter from
State Auditor Johnson, of West Virginia.
1t is not only interesting of itself, but gives
information which may lead to the recov-
cry OF the papers Of which he writes:
STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA,
AUDITORS OFFICE.
CHARLESTON, June 23rd, 1894.
GEN L. j. d. IMBODEN. Damascus, Va.
Dear General Il see in the ssHarrisonburg
Register an article copied from the ''Staun-
ton VINDICATOR,'' calling attention to the
fact that you are DESTROYS of recovering the
lost papers of your Brigade in order to write
a correct history of the part it took in the
war. You will probably remember me when
l tell you 1 was Major Shumate's Clerk from
December, 1862, to the time of the surrender,
and in his absence had charge of his papers,
&c. was from Barbour county, and was
brother OF Capt NJ. G. johnson, of the 62nd
Regiment who was killed at the Sinks, in
November, 1868, by a scouting party from
Beverly This much by way of introduction.
Your Brigade was moved from East of the
mountains in the winter of '65, to Pendleton
comfy to obtain forage for the horses. Col.
Smiths headquarters and Maj. Shumate's
were in Franklin. We remained in Pendle-
ton until sometime in April, the latter part,
think, when we were ordered to move and
did move, to the Valley, striking the pike
near Staunton. Upon reaching Staunton we
heard of the fall of Richmond We remain
ed there over night. On the next morning
the wagon train was moved out in the direc-
ton Of Lexington in command of Capt. Til
den, Q. M. of the 62nd, Major Shumate re-
naming behind, or probably going with the
Brigade in the direction, 1 think, of Lynch
burg. [ was with Capt. Tilden, and was di-
rectly in charge Of the papers and stores Of
the Q. M. Dept, and my impression is that
your Headquarters team was with u.s. but am
not certain. We moved on to Lexington and
then to Buchanan, and at Buchanan OF near
there, we heard of the surrender of General
Lee. We had some orders about that time,
though don't remember who from, to Join
Gen'l johnson or go into North Carolina. So
we moved on in the direction OF Salem, camp
ing beyond Buchanan, a few miles, for the
night, near the road leading to Fincastle. Re-
ports of defeats and surrenders, and of every
other kind. coming to us from those return
ing from the army of Gen'l Lee, we became
somewhat demoraliZed and turned off in the
direction of Fincastle. Upon arriving there,
and meeting the prominent citizens of the
tOwn nj whom ho1 met ont in no
army, and they all seeming to think that the
fight was lost, and that there was nothing for
us to do but disband and return to our homes.
We thereupon left at that place all our wag-
ons, about IS OF 20, unloading everything we
had in different places. We left the -four on
hand at one of the hotels, and the clothing,
shoes, papers, &c. we left at small house,
cabin think, of widow, as now remember,
with one daughter, in the outer edge, and
probably on the South of the town. OF
course we gave instructions to these people to
take care of the property. The horses and
mules, about 80 head-we brought back to
Staunton with us, returning by circuitous
route. meeting Mai. Shumate outside Of
Staunton, few miles, when we divided all
of them not belonging to individuals, among
two, I remember, one Of which l traded to
Col Nabenbousch for a months board at the
american Hotel" and selling him the other
for $4,000 in gold, which made up my estate.
Since that morning have meyer been in the
place, (Fincastle,) nor heard from the proper
ty, except that the people of the town raided
the -four soon after we left, and presume they
did the shoes, clothing, &C., likewise. Ii
your headquarter team was with us. and
am inclined to the belief it was, your chest
and papers might be in that vicinity yet. /
remember meeting Mr.. Mcdowell and a
Mr.. Price there. ! think the owner of the
hotel where we left the -four was named
Price, though l am not certain. If what
write will enable you to get on the track of
papers, which no doubt will now be valuable
to you in discussing the part taken by your
gallant Brigade, shall feel myself we'll re-
paid for this letter. Any further informa-
ton may hereafter be able to give you touch
ing these matters will be gladly given. I see
Col. George occasionally. He is looking
well. | hope you are enjoying good health
and that you are prospecting as every good
Confederate deserves to. am
Most truly your friend,
j. V. JOHNSON.