The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1910-11-03
OLD WAR TIME CAMPS.
Early Military Organizations in This
County, and the Part They Played
in The Civil War.
WRITTEN BY CORP. M. M. HORTON.
Continued from last week.


In 1856 the Legislature of Penn
sylvanla repealed all laws relating
to the military then In force and
made new law, for the govern
ment of the military of the state,
which was essentially different
from any that had preceded it.
The members of the legislature
who enacted that law and the
governor who approved it builded
better than they knew. They
did not know that their action
was the initial step in Pennsyl-
vauias preparation for the great
contest which, only five years
later was begun in Charleston
harbor.
The passage of this new law
had the effect of arousing the
military spirit which had lain
dormant everywhere for years.
True, there was here and there
and organized military com pany,
such as the Bedford Rifiemen,
the Broad Top Rlfemen, and
Washington Blues, but I think 1t
Is safe to say that not more than
500 young men in Pennsylvania
had any knowledge of things
military at beginning of 1856, but
IN less than two years thereafter,
there were tens of thousands of
young men and many who were
older, in Pennsylvania who were
eagerly learning all they could of
the art of war. Companies were
organized everywhere and bat
talllons and regiments were
formed in every city and county
In the State Those young fel.
lows who constituted these did
not know that they were in train
ing for part IN that sublime ex
hibltion of courage, endurance,
patriotism and devotion to flag
and country which Pennsylvan-
ians gave during those long ter
rible years from Bull Run to Ap.
pcmattox. They did not know,
but He who presides over the des
tinies of nations did know, "How
wonderful are His ways and how
past finding out are His Judge
ments?"
The part the men of Fulton
county had In the great awaken
ing was the organization of three
companies IN spring of 1856, and
reorganization of Harrisonvllle
company IN 1859.
The new companies organized
were the National Guards at Nc
Connellsburg, the Fulton Rifle
men In Wells Valley and a com
pany of cavalry at Fort Littleton.
have forgotten by what name
this company was known. Some
correspondence with parties at
Hustontown and Fort Llttleton
fails to give me any information
10 reference to the company. The
nrst captain Of the company was
the late David F. Chestnut, after
ward Sheriff of Fulton county.
AT time of organization, w. w.
sellers was elected captain and
HI. b. SAMSON, 1st. Lieutenant.
AL next election, Lieut. SAMSON
became captain. Captains Sell
iers and SAMSON were the editors
q the Fulton Republican and
ruiton Democrat respectively.
me young Guardsmen-young
'nen-believed, evidently, that edl
'ors are well htted to be military
pmcers. ! have no infor nation
Y TO who the other lieutenants
xereand have failed to obtain any.
No records.
When the Fulton Rifiemen were
Drganlzed, W. II. Cunningham
vas elected Captain, ]. G. Moore
81 Lieut.. ]. IF. Stunkard End.
.'ent aud Allison Edwards 1st.
oegeant. The next election re-
'ulted In the choice OF the follow
ng' Capt. DR.. II. s. Wishart,
ss Lieut., w. W. Wlllett, End,
Aeut S. z. Wishart. These
mcers served from 1857 to April
ooi when Thomas A. Lyon be-
a'ne 2nd Lieutenant, and James
'shart 1st, Sergeant. These
ere the officers In Camp Nc