The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1906-08-15


providence of God we should be delivered from our
troubles The address was accorded close attention
and its positions and sentiments concurred in
by the large ajority of the people, but afterwards
learned that there were dissentients, who
thought that the time for a rupture between the
North and South had come, and alert to bring
it about
The country perturbed and the outlook so
threatening that President Buchanan set apart jan
uary 4th, 1860, as day of National Fasting, HUI
initiation and Prayer, which largely observed in
Virginia. L preached efully-prepared discourse
on that day, the manuscript of which has been pre-
served 1t dealt chiefly with the sins and evils
prevailing and the call for repentance, but also dis
tnctly with the enormites perpetraed by the Repub
can party and the duty of calm, concerted and stead
fast resistance to their Vaccinations 1t adapt
ed to awaken serious reflection the part of all my
hearers and the antagonism of none
The chief subject which there was substantial
difference of opinion during this in Amelia and
Eastern Virginia, Secession. Not that there was
much doubt OF its abstract right Constitutional
question: but of its feasibility practical mode of
settling the difficulty. Some thought that Secession
meant war. Others secuted the idea said satiri
cally that they would eat all the men killed in bat
tie. The State divided into two parties
UniOnsts and Secessonists. and most of NV
friends belonged to the former party and when the
constitutional Convention of Virginia met in 1861,
it was largely Unionist and continued SO until the
untoward and unconstitutional act of President Lin
sovereign States
precipitated 1t then evident that Virginia
had to fight side the other. The noble
old Commonwealth hesitated not moment, but, in
voking the blessing of the God of battles put her
panoply and her rushed forth calamity to her
defense.
At the time that the denoument came in President
incolns Proclamation and the Secession of Virginia
was in Fredericksburg attending the spring meet
ing OF East Hanover Presbytery. No tidngs of the
PROCLAMATION had reached that city when L arrived
there. L and my brother n-law the late Mr. John
Stevenson, of Petersburg, commissioner from Tabb
Street Church, Hospitality entertained by one of
the elders of the church. a native of New England q
man of unmpeachable character and a merchant of
excellent standing who had lived in the city many
years and became an ardent Southerner and Secs
sonist. L was earnest Unionist and discussion
was inevitable. 1T was kept up somewhat warmly
till about midnight, when went to bed The next
day the Presidents Proclamation appeared when L
and the people of Virginia generally Topped over to
the other side, became rabid Secessonists and were
ready for a fight
The next day the Constitutional Convention as.
sembled in Richmond and adopted the Ordinance of
Secession. This action settled the question for all
loyal Virginians of whom L claim to be one On
Saturday obtained leave of absence spent the Sab
bath in Petersburg and preached for DIR. Arnold
Miller of Tabb Street Church. who remained in Fred
ericksburg On Monday morning L wendell nv way
home, my mind being firmly resolved to enter the
army During that week L co-operated with others
in an effort to public meeting at the court
house for the following Monday, with the view of
raising additional military company three COM
panes from the county having already profered their
services to the State.
The appointed time rolled around, a large con-
course OF people assembled a patriotic spirit pre-
vailed; speeches were made, and by midday a com
pany of sixty four men had been enlisted
The name chosen for the company was "The
Amelia Minute Men," afterwards Company H. 44th
Virginia Volunteers, G. S. A., Colonel William c.
Scott, commanding. The commissioned officers of the
company elected were: Captain, Thomas f. Coleman;
First Lieutenant f. r. Farrar; Second Lieutenant