Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1899-05-24
GOVERNOR elEaPoNT.
An Interesting Reminiscence Re
called by DR.. Wharton.

EDIToR ADVANCE Reading in
your valued paper receutly erlo-
~ on the life OF Goveftor Pier
point (who died lately by our mu-
tuol friend, Judge McDouGal, re-
called 10 my mind some incidents
In my own experience with the old
war Governor in the days when it
required a whole man and very
brave one to be Governor of this
State, or rather the State of Vir-
ginia, for it was before the dIvis-
ion. He must be ready for any
call to meet friend or foe, without
moments notice.
had met Gov. Pierpoint sever
nj times in the spring of 81, being
introduced to him by Gen. James
S. Wheat (my uncle) who At that
time held both the Office of Attor-
pey and Adjutant General of the
restored State of Virginia, and /
knew him to be a high-toned gem
tleman--loyal to the last drop of
blood-whose only desire was the
saving of his nation and the honor
of his native State.
i WAS commissioned as A assistant
Surgeon the latter part of August
of the same year, 1861, and order
ed to Parkersburg Post Hospital
for duty. A few weeks later / met
Col. Wilk inson, commander of my
Regiment, who asked: care you
needed at the hospitsl tor a few
days ?" replied: "Why, / hope
| make myself useful at all times
but if you need me / will try Ia
get relieved" We'll" he said
"This is the situation: Capt. Lar
kin Pierpoint. Co. f., of our Regi-
ment is sick at Webb's Mills.
which point is ten or twelve miles
from Harrisville, In Ritchie coun-
ty, and that is twelve miles from
the railroad. want YOU TO take
a horse at Pennsboro or Toll Gate,
and 60 over to Webb's Mills, see
Capt. Pierpolnt, find out if he is
doing we'll, and if he has satisfac-
tory medical attention. Should
he need you, you ought to remain,
but first let's find out If you can
be relieved from present duty" He
went with me TO Surgeon Wheeler,
and arrangements were made so
that | started next morning, via
q. & O. Found / could get u
horse at Pennsboro and that by
waiting a day could have al es-
sort Of ten men under a Sergeant,
they were sending out forty
lskets and ammunition for the
he in two.borse wagon
s1Bey were to bring back the same
number, for when the company
was first formed it had been fur.
nished with altered flint-locks and
now they were to be exchanged for
Springfield mIskets. As the road
was new to me, / thought best to
wait for them, and during that
tine heard much talk Of raids
made and injuries dobe by n Con-
federate Captain named Sourbeck,
and strict orders for special eau
ton were given the Sergeant.
Lieut.. Ireland had not let it bo
known that the guns were to be
sent, and they only arrived in
Pennsboro the very morning they
were TO start out, and the Sergeant
was directed TO press either horses
or wagons on the road 80 there
might be no delay; believing that
safer way than larger escort,
and he hoped to got them through
before Sourbeck should hear OF
them. We made the trip without
any trouble. ! never had more
delightful ride. The season was
pleasant and the country, even ~
war time, was beautiful. Though
the hills were IN evidence, the
rosd was excellent, and if Capt
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