The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1911-08-18
TETRD VETO NE SSAGE u
SENT TO HOUSE B1 e
I.El S ON GIVES PRESS
COFF'S II
AS Well as One by Major
Armsey Both Interest
ing Documents.
IIFaIrmont W. VIrglnian.I J

TTFairunont West Virginian-l
The recent reference to Judge Goif
as a probable candidate for untted
states senator revives an interesting
! event In his history. The story Of THIS
incident together with a statement
from Mai. Armsey. were first given 70
the public in an address delivered
by John W. Mason before the
Hayes and wheeler Club Of Graf-
ton, IN August, 1876, when GQh
was the Republican candidate tos
governor The address Containing
these letters were published as
campaign document. we have been
shown one OF these old Documents
by Judge Mason, which Is reproduced
mot as a political item, but as re-
cital OF interesting events In the, life.
OF one OF our most distinguished Cit
liens:
General Cor was during the warzs
major of the Fourth West virginia
cavalry; on the 29th day Of Janu-
AIRY, 1864, he was captured near
MooreheId, and taken to Richmond
where he was held as a prisoner of
war until the Srd day of May, 1855
held as a hostage for Major ArmseY,
The first news that reached Rich
mond in relation to Major Armsey'
was that he was to be shot, and Ma
jor Con was notified that in case
Armsey should be executed he would
be also Major CON remained In this
very unpleasant position for several
ldays. when he was sent to North
Carolina and Imprisoned in the come
mon penitentiary Before leaving
Richmond he wrote the following
noble letter to Senator wiley
found it on fIe-in the war depaEt-
ment at washington, and have re-
ceiyed and hold in my hand an of-
ficiaI copy:
"Cell in Libby Prison,
"Richmond, Va. May IS, 1854.
4Hoh. w. n Wiley.
Washington, d. c.
Dear Sir:-on the 29th day OF
January last, in an engagement near
MoorefeId, W. Va, I was captured
by body of Confederate cavalry
From the date OF my CAPTURE to the
2Oth of the present month was
treated as a prisoner of war. I WAS
then notified by the prison author
tiles that / had been selected by the
Confederate government to be held
as a hostage for Major Armsey, G. 8
Army now held by the United
States. was also placed in small
cell in the basement Of Libby prison
~ would willingly suffer and en-
dure this torturing confinement II
thereby my government derived :,
the slightest benefit; but to be thus
confined-to suffer for the rnisdeeds
of others-without beneficial results.
to the cause for which 1 contend. Is
certainly very CALLING.
confined in the small cell that
now am, with the diet receive, It
is impossible for my constitution to
stand Imprisonment long. Hence
am Induced to request that you
will use your influence in my behalf
and II at all possible accomplish my
speedy elease.
Major Armsey, for whom 1 am
held, has now been confined for over
a year and 1 understand his case -
not without extenuating circum-
stances Cannot my government con-
SiStently exchange MIN AoA AAVS 49,
place one OF her soldiers, now Inn
prisoned, in the field where he is not
only willing but anxious to fight her
battles. 1 am willing to give my
life to my country on the field OF
battle, hut the slow lingering death
of hopeless confinement and starva-
ton is uncalled for and void OF
glory.
May 1 ask that you win give the
matter your personal attention: ana
If convenient. win yOu nonor me
with communication upon this
subject?
81 am sir. with much respect.
~. GoWF JR-.
Major 4th Cavalry. Prisoner OF
War"
Upon receipt of this document, /
awaited myself of the opportunity to
apprise Major Armsey (who is citt-
zen OF our town OF its contents.
After having heard It read, that gem
tIeman with tears in his eyes, and
with strong emotion manifest I'm
face and voice. referred to that dark
period In his history mentioned in
Continued on page gixl