Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1909-01-29
A War Incident.

| We regret to chronicle the death of
| Capt. J. G. Lakin, former resident of
Ronceverte, who passed away at his
old home, in Deposit, New York, on
Sunday, Nov. %, 1908, aged Il years, 5
months and II days. He is survived
| by his wife and one daughter, Miss
Kittie. Capt Lakin came to Romeo
verte, 1880 and resided there until 1882,
| when he removed to the vicinity OF
Dunmore, Pocahontas county. There
he was engaged in the lumber business
until 1898, when he returned to New
York, his nativestate. Captain Lakin
was one of the bravest soldiers of the
civil war, and he made a most extraor-
binary record He entered the p New
York Infantry as a private. In 1867
he organized the First New York Cav
airy and became first lieutenant. He
participated in % general engagements
and many slxirmishes, and he was new
er touched by bullet. After the fight
at Fishersville, Va, he was the only
officer in his command not killed or IN
capaciated. He had five horses shot
from under him in the valley CAM
paigns of 1854. At the battle of New
Market, Va, he was ordered by Seigel
to charge Early's rear, and in that
charge every man in hiscommand was
killed or wounded but five. These were
Capt. Lakin himself, and brother, two
brOther-in-law and cousin.-WeSt Va.
News.
The editor of the SPECTATOR knew
Capt. Lakin well, and some years ago
he visited Staunton, and together they
went to the battle field of Piedmont in
this county, in which both perticipat-
ed, but on opposiae sides. 1t is on ac-
count of his part in that battle we
mention his death. The battles of
Fishersville and New Market are con-
founded in the above report with
Piedmont, we think. There was no
battle of Fishersville, and at New Mar
ket the Confederates were victorious,
hence their rear was not pressed. The
following is the battle evidently referr-
ed to. Capt. Lakin commanded COM
pany of New York cavalry at Pied
mont under Gen. Hunter. In the ev
ening when the Confederate left wing
w <A9 0lOACl13 SCl4s COACo w ~ hA4lCSA oA1o
retreat began, Hunter thinking there
was general stampede sent in body
of cavalry to charge our rear. Capt.
Lakin was in command. They formed
in the timber just south of Piedmont
and charged up the road toward New
Hope. When the head of this column
had gotten about three or four hundred
yards out of the wood into the road
two pieces of McClannahan's battery
under Lieut.. Carter Berkeley, and an
other piece near what was then Dr..
David Hangers house, under Liuet. A.
H. Fultz, opened on them with grape
and canister. The results were terri
BILE. So deadly was the fire that in a
few moments nearly every man in the
road was killed or wounded, and the
road made impossible with dead and
wounded men and horses. The charge
was repulsed. Capt. Lakin led this
charge and his escape was miracle.
Only few of his men were left I'M
hurt. He could not organize a COM
pany next day, so was sent in COM
mand of the prisoners captured there
and taken over the Staunton and Park
ersburg pike to West Virginia. He
abounded in those attributes which
make man, and must have been
brave and daring soldier. We believe
Sergt. J. w. Blackburn of this city,
was gunner in charge of one of the
guns in this action.