West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1904-05-05

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c<HN<tyi<<n>> ton Guards" VIII ic n
West Virginia Volunteer Infan,ry. Ahand-
some and imposing monument now marks
his grave ia the Grafton National Cemetery.
erected there by Reno Post No. 2, G.. a. r, ,
which is TO be unveiled this afternoon, the
zSih inst, The unyeiling cefmonics being in
charge of the State encampment Of the
Grand Army of the Republic. which will
then be in session. Judge John w. Mason,
of Farmont, will act as master OF ceremonies
by special invitation, aud viii also deliver
the dedioa,cry address. The cadets from
the West Virginia University will be
present aud will assist IN the exercises.
The monument is the work of ). J. willhide
the we'll known Grafton marble dealer, who
was member of Browns company. The
shaft, twelve feet in height, is Of white mar
hlc, aud stands on base composed Of six
sections. ariislically carved and lel,ered, and
ia addition to the date of birth and death,
hears the following inscriptions dedicated
by Reno Pos, No. :. G. a. r.. in memory
of +. Bailey Brown, of Compaay B, Second
West Virginia Volunteer Iniantry, Captain
George II. Latham, commanding The
frs, union soldier killed in the Civil war. at
Feuermau, w. Va, May ~, 1861, by
Daniel knight, Of Company a. Twenty
Fifth Virginia, c. 5 A., Captain John A..
Robinson, commanding.'
The Grafton Guards" was organized in
Taylor eonu,y. May 20. 1901, shortly after
Fort Sump,er WAS fired upon, The leading
spirits ia forming the company being Geo
X. Latham. Daniel Wilson, Bailey Brown
and +. a. Gather. When eighty men were
enrolled the company organized by the cleo
lion Of George X. Latham as captain. F. A !.
Cather, FIRST lieutenant, and Daniel Wilson,
second lieutenant.
Previous 70 this time George a. Porter
field, Of Jefferson county, who had seen
service in the Mesican war, had been COM
miSsioned a Colonel by Gov. LeIehcr, and
sent in northwestern Virginia to organize
companies for the Confederate army, under
the call Of the State Of Virginia for troops,
and he bad in rendezvous ai Fc,terman on
May 20, 1901. company from Marion
county. under command of William. +.
Thompson, which became Company a,
Thirty-frst Virginia, two companies from
Taylor county, one under command of John
A. Robinson, that became Company a. oi
the Twenly-6fth Virginia, and one under G
w. Hansbrough that afierward disbanded
On the z1d Of May they were joined by the
"1Iarrison Guards from Clarksburg, after.
ward Company {. Of the Thirty FIRST vir
ginia, aud the whole force marched that
evening to Grafton and back to Fe,lerman
The same evening Bailey Brown and Danie
Wilson, Of the "Graflou Guards went tc
Pruniyiown 10 inform some members Of The
company who resided there, II had heer
decided upon TO march by night through
the country and around the Confedefat,
camp at Fctterman and board train al
Valley Falls for Wheeling, to be mustered
into the service. While al Pruntytowi
Brown and Wilson were treated to tn,
drinks by the Pmniytown boys. Both @eri
brave and fearless men and were possibly
rendered indmcreei by the shmulanis giyei
them, and they decided TO fcturu by way o.
Fcitermsn. As they bad reached the rail
road crossing in Fetermau about uia'
o'clock at night, they encountered DAME
W. S Knight, a member Of Captain Robin
sons company, doing picket duty, an'
we're halted. Brown argued with Knigh
that they should be allowed to pass, beipi
private citizens travelling on The public high
way. aud Wilson aficrward stated 70 Mr.
William Brown, cousin Of Bailey Brown
now residing IN Gnfion. that he believed
they would have gotten by finally, but for lh
fact tha; he became angry at thu thought o
man Of Knights reputation stopyin,
people travelling on the public road an'
called to Brown to shoot him, he being ao
armed himself Brown immediately drey
his revolver aud fred. cutting ine lobe ol
Knights right ear, while almost simullan
eously knight fred his old aini lock muske
az Brown, three ~ the slaes with which
wax loaded. striking Brown IN a iriangula
position near his heart, producing death in
few minutes Wilson started TO rgn, bn
turned 10 see u Brown was killed. and sa,
him on bis hands and knees trying 20 rise
and when Wilson asked him % be was badl
hurt he said. "lIold on a minute and thin
can make g." George Glenn, also o
Capt Robiuson'5 company, then fred q
Wilson, striking him on the heel. and o.
FED TO fhe camp and reported the occurrence
Major w r. Cooper, Confederate, fclsie
that the mex, morning. in sxplalnine to Col
. Pouer6eld how the affair happened Knigh
said he "halied Blown two Or three lines
but be didnt stop aud came up aud sho
me through the ear. and Il made me 50 maj
! T shot him. ! hope didn', do any wrong
Colonel" The colonel told him tha, n b
, had done anything wrong ii vas in no
shooting sooner which seemed 90 rciieg
him very much
a detail was sent 10 The Confederate Col
onel asking ior Brown's body, which wa
fefuscd When the refusal 20 give up ID
( body was made known AZ the camp, CapI
Latham started to Fsucrman with the enuf
company, bent on more active measurel
bui when half way 10 Fs,terman they M,