The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-08-07
SETTING UPA GOVERNMENT
TASTE IN 1865 OF THE WORE NO "
TO BE DONE IN CUBA.

rbs new task OF the United States Army Of
tearing down and setting up new local govern
nents in the West Indies brings out many rem
iniscences among Veterans OF a neglected or
balf-forgotten phase OF the civil war. Practi-
enIly the same work was done when the United
States forces reoccupied territory which had
long been under Confederate rule. Capt. c. b.
Fairchild OF the First New York Veteran Cav
airy tells the following story Of his brief career
"a a dispenser Of martial law. in small doses.
during April and May, 1885:
Il was Just out OF my teens" says the Cap
tnin, when the fortunes Of war placed me at
the head Of the Provost Marshal's bureau In a
district Of southwestern Virginia, which for
four years had been disputed ground between
the opposing armies. Headquarters was atthe
army OUTPOST on Loup Creek. We held the rod
Of martial law as gently as we dared over the
people within the lines, and. as our Govern
ment claimed to rule the adjoining territory as
belonging 10 the loyal state OF West Virginia.
the inhabitants outside the lines, who were not
under arms for the Confederacy. had rights
which we were bound TO respect and to protect.
"A few months training in the Office before
Gen Echol's Confederates abandoned the region
and started castle join Lee, on the James, gave
me an insight into the feelings of the people.
their wants and attitude, and in fact the whole
POLITICAL situation 50 new to all OF us. l had to
discipline disloyalists, armed partisans and
OUTLAWS. anu W loNOL ehN ASSNS N"S AONSA
men and women whose lives were disturbed by
years OF existence between two fres. 1mme-
diately after the surrender OF Lee, l was ordered
to advance into the hostile territory, COM
prigtnC several counties in the southeastern
part Of the State along the present line
OF Virginia proper, and set up a local
government. There had not been a show
OF Federal authority there for four years, ex-
ceptinE when our armed forces marched
through. to or from some battlefield on the
dlsputed border. But the Confederate soldiers
had departed. leaving the local authorities
without protection and very much In the fog as
to what would happen next. There were no
municipalities to deal with, only county gov
ernments. and these the prolonged war. with
the constant presence OF armies and armed
men. had reduced to a state Of chaos. Besides.
what had we to succeed them with1
MY orders instructed me to secure the pub
lie archives OF the several counties passed
through. TO appoint and empower new county
clerks to take them into custody and admins
ter the duties OF the oflces, and to place these
officials under bonds as required by law. But
there were no counties existing in that terrific
~ accounting to our view. We we're practically
face to face with aforeiGn sovereignty. smashed
to pieces by our conquest. The dominion Of
the newly erected State OF West Virginia had
never been extended over that region. and the
people and officials considered themselves out
side Of tne United States and in the plight OF
conquered foreigners.
AT the first county seat visited. Somerville.
Nichols county. l found that the Confederate
Incumbent, who bore the suggestive name Of
Alexander Hamilton. had allowed the Official
archives 70 I've taken into what was locally
Tolerate &c part Of The State, Fortunately had
with me on the trip. in. the capacity Of chief
Il y Of country, This was James Van Bitter
q the seventh West virginia cavalry tFeicral[;
T,, p,ll.r h-A Ipap "a rad ia thn rnyiDD and
moreover had travelled all through it repeat;
edly before the wer. When Virginia seeded
service and as soon as partial conquest had
been made returned to allegiance to the United
kn"wledGe OF the responsible and Influential
citizens and Of the temper Of the I.GCople was o.
bring back the archives. and continue to act
organized under the laws of West Virginia. He
ga So, ana less than a year ago learned that
The, niGft after leaving somerville I accept;
mating wore the old man tales Of bear hunting
inSS log and forgot ali about the worries Of 2
Toyernment, oftcial wrestling with points or
journey to LeW;isburg.D the seat Of Grreenbrler
G?iG oP5 t TwsntY niles iswi distant, I Nth ST9t 6 enm sto iaf9
contact with some of the leading ex-Gonfeder-
ate, among them Congressman r. NJ. 7. Hunter
anu Lieut.. -ITDN. Sdm 1Tlcp. ITice originally OPP
posed disunion. but finally took the ofice OF Lieu
te~napt-Governor under the Confederacy; These
sTeafiy. but were we're very very much amused over the
efforts Of a STRIPPING whose sole experience in
couple 0; :erms at teaching a district school. i
was glad to have their Endorsement OF my anna
lh sIlF IN Mei t49,b q 7 b sStf no a1 az iGa SSee an5 @as a lEF 70
ward brought TO book. Officially, as well a
n h3o ofieo y i BGt nv Ps sStien t0 stood eSdnIb, eennse r thers
'o&ysiIf itea 9eT Mob bonds nd. t for new {, S &pp2tnt sssDtv ,
had my first clash with any one assuming au;
'FFSSdd,s.4Taip T hhG s SsRt@d'P the 81 ar e lRSas RRS Sd ie F%sFff
ne clerk. and was running affairs himself
Finding In that the old c2Sppiederate clerk was will
panied by his s%ureties. all worthy citizens. and
RRaIa%GSssdl t the iRTSP ISg 7, And hTss all all ,Ss E ? in theil
Al uni9p Monroe dipped still further iRtG
divine right Of military power, 1t seemed tina
TWO couples from the mountains, who had moi
learned OF the state OF official chaos. were il
GET Zone SSs antfi | I' set the c co mSF CLERK i,seeoff ONCE IN
motion. Then there was a Question as T.
my appointee and perform the service. 50 t.
make sure, the parties proposed to ride
ton and procure new licenses and have IN,
fnots lisd there, They were I2or people an,
very much, After due inGnirics into their char
acteT. in which my faithful Van Bibber serve!
II martial law and declare the couples man AM
vile. Witnesses We're called and the ccremO
MES were performed In the most Impressive
manner, possible in the Office 81 the Count
llerk. Recently j have learned that these mil
ithry marriages held in the true sense Of IN
Word and the parties lived happily foreYe
The disgruntled Captain Of the home guar
AZ Union Monroe tried 10 avonge himself b
hrlnglng up the charge a. headquarters that
lad afil.intcI with rebels and appointed theI
u" ONE True, IN a region where al! wer
opel ! had sept under rebel roofs, eaten a
Gle tables, and TRANSACTED the business Of NJ
"nlco with tho aid Of rebel ro-workers. An1a
soon n my official report came under scrutin
NY acts were stamped approved, and never ur
lnhc Coy. pric" was the only unrepcntai
rrtel had g. do with on the whole trip. who
extended into several other counties withOI
new complications. Price was afterwaTd al
pointed Federal Judge OF Greenhrier count
hut refused 10 take tho ironciud oath Of allie
ElNnCn ~ Tho Inited States. AND hcnnc WIS lM