The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1911-06-09
The War Fifty
Years Ago
continued from first page.j

quarters Mcclellan had on May 2G is
sued a proclamation to the Union men
of western Virginia, advising them
that he would throw his troops across
the river and asking them TO rally to
the support Of the stars aud stripes.
Mcclellan in his memoirs stated that
he took this action without any direct
authorization from Washington, ey-
cCpt such as was contained in the
assignment of western Virginia TO his
territory.
The Fight at Philippi.
On May 80 the Union troops occupied
Grafton, and on June General Nor
ris and Colonels Kelly, Dumont and
Lander after a rapid march encounter
ed the Confederates, 1000 strong at
Philippi The attack was made in the
early morning while the foe still slept.
The Confederates, being assaulted from
two sides at once, were compelled to
fee leaving 700 stand Of arms, ammu-
milton and other supplies, among the
rest being a number Of horses. Only
few soldiers were killed. Colonel
Kelly was severely wounded, but Te
covered This was the beginning Of
the campaign that drove the Confed-
crates out Of the western end Of Vir-
ginia and ultimately made Of that sec
tion a new state supporting the Union.
In the early part of the war much
Of the popular interest centered in
Harpers Ferry. This may have been
because u IOhn Browns final stand
thc:e CT because of the national ar
segai O- on account of the strategic
Importance oe the place as a station on
the Balti5noT2 and Ohio railroad COM
manding the entrance TO the fertile
Shenandoah valley. Whatever the Eea-
SOB. the cry Ce the north was 30 retake
liarpers Ferry. The Confederates evi- |
tenty had as high an opinion Of its
Importance, for ~ sooner had Vir-
ginia decided 70 go out of the Union
than a body OF STATE troops moved on
the place, whereupon the Federal COM
mander, with his handful of men,
burned the arsenal and retreated
On May 20 several regiments Of |
Pennsylvania troops started toward the |
ferry, arriving on the Goth at Cam
bersburg, where they halted for
time, awaiting the bringing up Of the
rest Of their forces. 1t was the ap- |
proach of these troops and others from |
Washington that two weeks later
caused the Confederates to evacuate.
Water Fight at Aqua Creek.
On May 81 and again on June 1 sey-
eral Union gunboats-the Freeborn,
Anacostia, Pawnee and Resolute-bom-
barded the Confederate batteries erect
ed at the mouth of Aqua creek, fifty
FIVE miles below Washington. This
creek flows into the Potomac, and at
Its mouth was then the terminus Of
railroad from Richmond which formed
Fart Of the through route from tine
south to New York. Because Of its
strategic position the southern troops
had gathered here in some force. On
both days the gunboats reported that
they had silenced the batteries, but
did not attempt to land troops to hold
the position, feaBing that they would
be attacked in turn by a superior force
from Richmond.
DAVIS Arrives In Richmond.
Up to this time the Confederate cap
ital had been in Montgomery. When
Virginia seeded there was an insist
ent call that the Davis government
should be removed to Richmond so
that it could be in close touch with the
war; the fercest part Of which would
be waged along the borders
Of Virginia. On May 20 Mr.. Davis ar.
rived in Richmond, amid scenes Of
that can be imagined.
Eight days later the forces of Virginia
were formally turned over to the Con
federacy, and henceforth till the end
Of the war the Virginia capital was
The seat of government On May p
he Confederate congress.tndiourned to