davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-06-26
COLONEL WILLIAM WATTS
WAS A TYPICAL VIRGINIAN
Judge Cooke Writes of Beloved Commander Of
Twenty Eighth Virginia Infantry Who Led
His Regiment at Gettysburg.
BY HON. LUcIEN H. COOKE

Campbell county, on the Goth day OF
December. 1917, where his mother and
father We're then visiting at the home
OF his grandmother. In early life he
had the benefit of academic train
ing at the well known New London
Academy, in Campbell county, which
school was a representative type OF
tered though the State OF Virginia,
presided over by men of lofty char
aoter and distinguished literary at
tainments. the training In which was
calculated to bring out those high
qualities Of manhood and citizenship
which have made the term virginia
gentleman" eveywhere badge OF
honor and distinction. Later. he at
tended William and Mary College.
from which he graduated with hon
ors. and afterwards became a stu
dent at the University Of Virginia,
from which he graduated, both in law
and medicine. After his graduation.
he returned to Oaklands and began
the practice of law, which, with some
Interruptions, occupied his time and
attention throughout his life. Ha
was member Of the bar of the coun-
ty of Roanoke and adjoining counties
and soon demonstrated his ability in
his chosen profession. Although never
dependent upon the emoluments of the
profession and having, during all OF
his life, other cares and responsible
titles which divided his attention, yet
his well trained mind. accurate judg-
ment and his high convictions OF right
and wrong caused him to be sought
as an adviser and advocate in much
of the important litigation which
took place within the sphere OF his
activities. To him there was right
side and a wrong side on every ques-
tion that came up in which his In
huence either as lawyer or citizen
was invoked. and there was no In
tiuence, however strong, that ever
caused him to swerve from assisting
and maintaining that which he be-
lieved to be the right,
Believed In states Rights.
His early manhood came on DUR
ing that period of great political and
social agitation which finally culmi-
mated In the civil War During all
of the political controversies that
oeded the Virginia Convention of 1860,
ne was firm and uncon.promisinG
defender Of the right OF the State TO
govern its internal affairs in the man
ner which 1t had been accustomed 10
do under the Constitution transmitted
by the founders Of our government,
and as to Its construction. he felt.
as a lawyer. that there could be no
4 n + y = g 4
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-06-26

reasonable grounds OF honest differ.
ente Of opinion.
South Carolina had seeded and the
burning question before the people of
Virginia was whether or not their
own convention should decide to Join
their Southern sisters In the eyer
else OF Il constitutional right which
choutd not properly have been aucs-
toned
on this issue. he was the nominee
OF the party which desired that yir-
ginia ehould at once assert her con
stitut'onal right OF secession, He
was opposed before the people OF the
county by his friend and neighbor. Col.
George 2. Tayloe, who WAS elected on
the platform of preserving the Union
.--this as a matter of propriety, eNpe
diency and choice. but not by force.
Some months later. when Lincoln
called for armed men with the purpose
OF multiplying by armed force the acts
or secession adopted by the southern
States, Virginia became a unit in re-
slsting this act OF aggression and It's
own ordinance of secession at once
became n law.
Joins Twcnty-etEhth Virginia.
watts was ready to maintain on the
fisld OF battle that which he had adj
Vocated on the stump and In the TO-
rum. He Joined the first company that
left Roanoke county for the front
which In tho organization of the
army became Company /, Twenty
eighth Virginia Regiment. and was
elected lieutenant-colonel OF that reg
irnent. His regiment was part OF
the Army of Northern Virginia. and
its participation in The great battles
which has made GLORIOUS the history
OF that army is matter of record
md needs no repetition on this oc-
casion. No regiment was commanded
by drawer or truer man than wns the
Twenty eighth. and In no instance
was there bestowed upon a regimen
tai officer greater esteem and afrec-
tion than tina accorded to Colonel
Watts by the courageous men who
composed his command. On the field
at Gettysburg he became the colonel
OF the regiment by reason OF the
death of Colonel Robert G. Allen, who
was killed while in command on that
bloody field.
III health compelled Colonel Watts
TO retire on furloush from the active
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-06-26

duties of his position during the last
few months of the war, and whom
Appropriations came on he was at his
home Mt Oaklandg endeavorIng to re-
.cuperste sufficiently to place himself
once more at the head OF the Draws
men whom he loved go truly and 10
battle for tho cause that he knew 10
be just
1t was not to be so--ths end had
come---and thereafter much OF his life
was to be spen. in aiding and minis
tering TO those who had been his COM
panions in arms and with whose sttb-
seauent necessities he sympathized
most deeply and alleviated most gen.
erously.
His estates were removed from the
scene OF active conflict, and thence the
usual work at Oalsiands, under tho
well trained servants who were the
affectionate and devoted members OF
his household, had progressed with
reasonable regularity, and Mt the close
OF the war he found himself still pos.
sessed OF a considerable amount OF
agricultural products. His orders
were that no Confederate soldier
should be turned away from his home
empty handed. Hundreds of acres Oh
corn in this and the surrounding cou,i-
ties were grown as the result OF his
distribution of the contents OF his
barns among Confederate soldiers, who
had neither money nor resources with
which to purchase the necessary seen
corn to begin again their life work
which had been Interrupted by four
years service on the battlehelds OF
their State. His open-handed gener-
osity to his less fortunate comrades
has done no little to preserve and en-
rich his memory in the hearts of those
to whom the Lost Cause Is a sacred
IDEAL
1t was fitting years afterwards, when
when the surviving veterans of the
Confederacy residing in thfs vicinity
met in the city OF Roanoke for the
purpose OF organizing a camp which
would preserve the memories OF the
great conflict OF which each had been
part that they selected the name OF
Colonel Watts as the name by which
this camp should be recognized in the
roster or Confederate records.
Ito be continued.)
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-06-26

Continued From Last Sunday.)
He was related to Sir Thomas Pel-
ham and minded to kill his deer. For
this indlsoretion he was fined In the
Star Chamber $1,000 to the King and
ESQ to Pelham. In revenge he stoppe ed
Pelham one day and fred two balls al
his person. both OF which missed the
mark. happily. Pelham was bigger
man than Lunsford, and in 1898 that
young outlaw-Mr. Lunsford -. who
fears neither God nor man." was COM
mltted to Newgate. He escaped from
this "duranoe vile" In 1854. fed to
France and enlisted in tho service Of
that country. He remained abroad for
six years and gained a reputation for
courage and skill" He returned to
England In 1899, asked pardon of the
King, was given a command in the
army sent against the Scots. and won
fame at Newburn. In l641 he was APP
pointed lieutenant Of the Tower
which Infatuated the English people,
raise forces to support the royal
cause. Parliament declared him a trail
tor, but little cared he. and at the
end of the war he gained a great rep
utation for courage. This notice APP
peared in parliamentary paper:
when Colonel Lunsford was order
ed to surrender he said he would keep
the castle against 10000 Roundhead
soldiers"
3 He fought also at "Edgehill" and at
"Naseby." After this battle he went
to Wales to enlist soldiers for the
King, but was captured and sent to
the Tower. He obtained a release, and
worked valiantly for the king until
the King was beheaded. Then with
the other Cavaliers he fed to the Col
ony of Virginia. (which still held out
for the King" He had been created a
baronet in l647, Soon after his arrival
in Virginia we are told that he, Col
onels Philip Honeywood, Mainwaring
Hammond and Sir Henry Chichely
were spending few days most hi
lariously with Captain Ralph Worme-
ley at Rosegill.
In October 1850 he patented s42o
acres on tho Rappahannoels River,
which he named Portobago most
probably for the Island of Portohago
on which the. finest tobacco had been
raised. Portobago thenceforward pro-
duced much tobacco OF the hnest quail
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-06-26
BY w. l.. W.,
Third Company EIowitzcrs.


Forty-nine years ago--June 10, 1881
the first land engagement of tho
war was fought AS a participant in
that fight. remembering SO well the
incidents OF tho day. I have thought 1t
might be OF interest TO the survivors
and those OF this day to recall them,
especially as this was the first vic
tory that was recorded In the annals
of Confederate history.
On June 9. 1861. General j. B. Ma
sruder. commanding our forces. from
forces under General B. F. Butler. then
advance upon Bethel. where we were
posted. on Monday morning.
Accordingly. the boys were put to
work on temporary breastworks to be
in readiness for the attack. About Q
A. III. our pickets were driven In, and
in a short time the Federal army APP
peared with q force OF about 4,5oC
men. as against about 1.40o of the
army of General Magruder. Our force
consisted of the First North Carolina
Regiment. Fifteenth Virginia. and one
or two battalions OF Infantry. with
the Second and Third Companies OF
Richmond Howitzers, and a few cav
airy from Charles City county. COM
,nanded by Captain Douthat and Lieu
tenant John Lamb, our present Con-
gresham.
The enemy marched up the Hampton
Road under General Pierce in solid
phalanxt instead OF deploying on the
right and left of the road. covering
their advance. General Magruder and
General D. H. Hill, with Major George
W. Randolph, commanding the Howit-
zers, gave most. positive instructions
not to open fire until ordered by them.
though the enemy was In sight and
advancing in full force. We were at
tached to the first gun, and at their
command we opened the battle. The
fight continued until about l o'clock
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-06-26
WYATT, FIRST AT BETHEL"
WAS BORN In VIRGINIA
Veteran of Howitzers Skaters Another Ideal oil
North State as to First Soldier Killed
on Battlefield.

when we drove them back panic
stricken. TO the guns OF Fortress Mon
roe. pursued by our cavalry. About
that hour Major winthrop, grandson
of the Ex-Governor of Massachusetts
led the New York zounves against
advance was killed, while on the right
Lieutenant Greble. said to have been
the finest artillery officer in the United
States Army, was also killed.
In the face OF these losses the Fed
erals became demoralized and re-
treated. The victory belonged to the
Contederates. and we claimed was a
stimulus to the troops at Manassas on
July 2 following.
After the battle a flag of truce
was sent in for the body of Major
prominence. The question was then
asked by the commanding officer:
What artillery was that that did
such magnificent fringe"
General Magruder, in his peculiar
style, replied: Only a parcel of school
boys with primers in their pockets
And 1t was practically true.
During the engagement the sharp
shooters occupied n small building in
front of our line and picked out our
cannoneers as targets. annoying them
STedtly. LeHerdt NldBTuOcr Cdlicu lOT
volunteers to fire the building, when
Wyatt, of the First North Carolina,
and others came forward and started
out to do the work. In the advance
Wyatt was killed, and to-day North
Carolina claims he was the first man
killed In the war. 1t may be noted that
Wyatt himself on the day ef the battle
told me that he was born In Rich
mond and Joined the First North Car
DINA, as he was living in that State
at the beginning of the war. A meme
Der of the First North Carolina cer-
tainly killed Winthrop in his advance,
but thatythe first man that fell in the
battle was North Carolinian Is an
a
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-06-26

OF English origin, his people had
taken part in the early settlement
and struggles which resulted in the
building up OF Great Britain's proudest
and most successful colony in America.
When troubles arose which made 1t
necessary for virgiaians to assert
their inherent rights, his ancestors
were not lacking In that courage and
patriotism which made them ready
to sacrifice all In defense Of un-
Just aggression
q colonel III the Continental Army and
later one Of the organizers of tho
society OF Cincinnati, In recognition
Of his services during the War OF the
Revolution, large grants OF land. To-
cate in the Miami Valley Of Ohio,
were made to him by Congress.
His grandfather. William Watts.
was g. resident of Farmville, Virginia.
distinguished lawyer OF Revolution
airy times, and member of the great
Virginia Convention Of 177S which
framed the organic law Of tah new
Comm onwealth.
Col. Watts's Father.
His father, Edward Watts. was a
graduate Of Princeton College, shar-
ling the highest honors of his class
with Nchalas Biddle, of Philadelphia,
and the warm friendship contracted
between them In youth continued
throughout their lives, he, In later
years, assisting his friend In the great
contest which he had with President
Jackson over the extension OF the
charter OF the Bank Of the United
States. o which Biddie was then pres
ident. Early in life, about the year
1910, he moved from the home of his
mother in Campbell county. to build
a new home for himself and his chill
dren across the mountains in Bote-
tourt county. He located at Oak
lands. then In Botetourt, but now In
Roanoke county. which continued to
be the home OF himself and his de-
scendants until quite recent years,
and which still remains the proper
ty of his great grandchildren. For
fifteen years he presided over the Vir-
GINA Senate, and was honored With
the position of general in the militia
forces of the Statae.
Born In Campbell County.
t William Watts. the subject OF this
sketch was born at Flat Creek, In
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-06-26


Editor Genealogical Column:
A woman in this place handed mo
the inclosed clipping from your paper
OF November s. 1909, and asked me
IL could answer 1t. AS my great
grandfather was the Rev. William e.
Waller. Of Spotsylvania county. Va.
I took the matter up by letter with
my brother, Rev. Maurice Waller. D.
D.. Presbyterian minister. of Mays
Vile, Ky. who. believe. is one OF the
best informed persons I know. in
reference to the genealogy OF the Wal
Ter family His answer to my letter
inclose, which you may publish IL
you would like to do so.
IL you will put me In correspondence
with the Subscriber 1 think my
brother or myself will be able to
straighten him ,or herr out in refer
ence to his Cor her) ancestry
j. WALLER,
Kenova. w, Va.
Pastor Kenova Presbyterian Church
Maysville. KY. May IL, 1910.
Dear Brother.--Your letter OF tho
10th instant oame yesterday with in-e
closed. There is a mistake made IN
this statement in the clipping. Rev.
William e. Waller did not have a
daughter named Sallle: he had but two
daughters, Mary and Nancy Jane. Mary
never married: Nancy Jane married.
hrst. Major Joseph I. Hawkins, and
second. a Mr. Burch. II you will put
me in correspondence with this lady
/ may be able to find out some
thing about her ancestry. Another
mistake: William E. Waller did not
settle In Woodford county when he
Came to Kentucky, but first in Garrard
county, then in Fayette, and after
ward In Shelby county, His son, Ed
mund. settled In Woodford county FOR
time. MAURICE WALLER,
This may help Subscriber" with his
genealogical problem.-Ed.
Editor Genealogical Column:
VIII you some time kindly give the
genealogy Of the Ward family Mar
garet Ward married William Kitchen.
and lived In LoudoMn and FairfaN
counties. va. Eight children were
born to them. The children's names
are as follows:
Daniel, married Mary Vaughn; Eliza
beth. married Ralph Cotton; Thomp-
SON. married Mary Vaughn; Jemima.
married Daniel Seale: Margaret, mar
| rled Joseph Leigh; Nancy. married
Stephen Leigh: Susannah. married
Thomas u. Harrison. and John ANY,
Information concerning these Kitchens
or Wards will be very gratefully re-
ceived II Will give mo pleasure to
give what data have concerning
these families, 70. a. FONNER,
Dubuque, Iowa
ANY information on this Inc VIC
will be happy to punish. S J,
Is ~
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-06-26

Contributions to this column are
requested from Confederate veter-
nnA ana OtIicr persons fnmllinr with
tho history OF the War Between
the States. Narratives OF pnrticu-
lar engagements md personal nd-
ventures nrc especially requested.
All contributions should lie sent to
the Editor OF the Confederate
Column, Timcs-Dispntch, Richmond,
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-06-26

No appreeiAtive or adequate sketch
OF the life and character OF Colonel
William Watts can be written without
some allusion to the long line of
distinguished ancestry of which he
was the lineal and worthy descen-
The Salt Lake herald-Republican. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1909-1918, 1910-03-05
COMPANY REORGAN|zES
Belknap Power Proposition May Be
Financed By Eastern Capital
Mining Company Reports.

Especial to The Herald Republican.)
Richfield. March 4-The Belknap
Power company was reorganized at a
meeting held here yesterday. The
designations Of n. c. Clawson and
James Long as directors were accept
ed, and w. H. Seegmiller and William
johnson were elected. The officers of
the company are: w. H. Seegmiller.
president; ]. c. Wright, vice president;
M. L. Weimer, secretary; William
Johnson. treasurer; ]. B. Weimer,
manager. The company has a small
force of men at work on the approach
TO the proposed tunnel, and Manager
Weimer expects to go east in few
days an assist A. C. Steele of st. Paul
In the financing of the proposition.
The directors of the B. w. & H. Min
ing company have held a meeting.
Manager Hawley reported on the body
OF ore which has been encountered.
The showing is such that the directors
ordered the sale of $4,000 worth of
treasury stock, the proceeds of which
viii be used for development purposes.
The recent warm weather has sent a
flood down the Sewer river and the
temporary dam constructed at the
Piute reservoir site has been washed
away. This will delay work on the big
project until after the high water sea-
son is past
The Salt Lake herald-Republican. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1909-1918, 1910-03-05
PARK CITY COUNCIL HAS
ELECTION ON ITS HANDS
Especial to The Herald-Republican)

Especial to The rald-Republican.)
Park City. March 4-The regular
meeting CT the city council was held
Thursday evening. Monthly bills to
the amount of S1,702.S0, including the
city pay roll, were ordered paid. The
following candidates for membership
in the Park City volunteer fire depart
ment We're accepted: Bernard Woods,
Alex. Mcdonald. Phil Tobin. Storm
Platt, Jack Townsend, William NAL
vey, Joe Stanley, Jim Kinzy, George
Huddy, Jr., viii Wright, Charles
Wright, Ernest Ivory, John c. Schat-
tin, Frank Stewart, Vern Wilson and
Thomas Malvey.
Mayor DAILY was empowered to ap-
point a committee of three councilmen
to make arrangements for the special
election Monday, March 81, for the
purpose of voting to bond the city for
$4,000 for establishing and maintain
ing a water system.
The Salt Lake herald-Republican. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1909-1918, 1910-03-05
MANY BUSINESS CHANGES
DURING THE PAST WEEK
Especial to The Herald Republican,


COalvilie, March 4.-The following
business changes have taken place in
Coalville during the past few days:
j. w. Lee of Hoytsville has purchased
the Eldredge store building, formerly
owned by the Summit Furniture &
Mercantile company. On the 10th OF
April Mr.. Lee will take possession and
open a grocery store.
Il. r. Leeming, who has been occu-
plying the E!dredge building, has let
the contract for the erection Of two
story frame building on lower Main
street, where he will conduct a pool
room, restaurant and rOOming house
The property purchased by Mr.. Leem-
ing was known as the Gentry lot, on
which J. H. Lamb had a blacksmith
shop. Mr.. Lamb has sold out and ex-
poets to leave soon for Salem, Utah
where he will locate 7. E. Moon, the
blacksmith, has purchased the Farms
worth lot in Main and First South
streets and will erect a new shop
shortly
The Salt Lake herald-Republican. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1909-1918, 1910-03-05
Ogden News
Circulation Department ass twenty
fifth street
SNOWSL|DE OVER ROAD
Trolley Line and Highway Are Com
pletely Blockaded by Tons of
Rock From Mountain.
Especial to The Herald-Repubncan.)

Especial to The Herald-Republican.)
Ogden. March 4.-Carrying everything
before it, a mass of snow and rock swept
with a roar down the north slope of Og-
den canyon early this morning, and again
blocked the county road and the trolley
line of the Transit company. Fully 5OO
tons of rock and snow were piled into the
roadway, tying up traffic completely be-
tween this city and Ogden valley.
Fortunately, the slide missed the newly
constructed county bridge, and, although
IT will be several days before the roadway
is cleared, the damage will be slight as
compared TO that wrought by the ava
lanche which struck the bridge last De-
cember.
Snow and rock many feet deep cover the
roadway for a distance of 100 feet, and
dynamite will be necessary TO remove
many of the boulders. Danger from other
slides In that vicinity makes the work OF
clearing up the debris exceedingly dan
gerOuS.
The Salt Lake herald-Republican. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1909-1918, 1910-03-05
BEET GROWERS DEMAND
HIGHER BEET PRICES
6snecial to The Herald-Republican. }

Especial to The Herald-Republican0
Ogden. March 4.-Citing the prices paid
by other sugar companies throughout the
beet growing belts of the United States,
and claiming that local farmers are paid
less for their beets than in any other
section, the newly formed Beet Growers
association of Weber county in an open
letter to David Eccles, head of the Anal
gamated Sugar company, today continue
their demand for an increase.
Figures compiled by the beet growers
show that farmers are paid from $4.75 TO
Sc. 90 per ton for beets. The local dema nd
is for s475 and better hauling facilities.
They also show that the cost OF manu-
featuring the sugar is no higher In this
section than in others
The Salt Lake herald-Republican. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1909-1918, 1910-03-05
VISITORS LOSE DEBATE
Park. City High Victorious Over Salt
Lake Boys.
(specIal to The Herald-Republlcan)

Especial to The Herald-Republican)
Park City. March 4.-The debating
team of the Park City High school de-
feated the Salt Lake High school team
at the Orpheum theatre tonight before
an audience of 400 persons. Taking
the affirmative side of the question,
Resolved, That Tariff Should be I'M
posed for Revenue Only" the Park
City orators won the verdict unani-
mously. The Park City team was
composed of Clara Kimball, Roger Nc
Donough and Ira Sherman.
The Salt Lake debaters, who took
the negative side, were Ernest Quayle
Vermont Hatch and Fisher Harris
The judges were City Attorney L. B.
Wight, A. P. Daley and Henry Welsh.
D. Van Colt and Bert Deichton were
the timekeepers.
During the evening the Park City
High school orchestra of fifteen pieces
furnished a program of music, under
the direction of H. o. Minnich.