The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1913-02-22
SENATOR eoEE.

CGlI VI h1AlAy u AAAA WI W -
century, many incidents Of his early
history will be revived. one Of the
most interesting Of these relates. to
his capture and Imprisonment as q
prisoner OF war. We are permitted to
copy true history Of this from a
speech delivered before the Hayes and
Wheeler Club OF Grafton by Judge
Johu W. Mason in August, 1876. Judge
Golf was then the Republican nominee
Afor Governor. Mr.. Mason said in part:
1.-The Republican party offers you d
man OF whom we are justly proud-a
man against whom the foul mouth OF
SANDER itself has not dared TO raise its
voice--a man OF ability, patriotism and
itrue reform. Perhaps cannot do bet.
Ter than read you letter hold in my
hands. addressed to me by Maj. Arm.
sey, ana With the reading OF 1t shall
'have done
Gen. Golf was during the war a
Major of the 4th West Virginia cav.
airy; on the goth day of January. 1864,
he was captured near Mooreheld. and
taken 10 Richmond where he was held
as a prisoner Of war until the Sd day
OF May, 1864. when he was informed
! that he was held as a hostage for Mai.
Armsey. The first news that reached
! Richmond in relation to Major Arm
sey. was that he was to be shot, and
Maj. Goft was notified that IN case
Armsey should be executed he would
be also. Maj. Golf remained in this
very unpleasant position for several
days, when he was sent to North Caro-
| lima and imprisoned in the common
penitentiary until about the last of Au-
gust Before leaving Richmond he
wrote the following noble letter to
Senator Wiley. found it on file in
the War Department at Washington,
and have received aud hold in my
hand an official copy
"'Cell in Libby Prison.
Richmond. Va. May 16. 1864.
'"Hon. W. r. Wiley, Washington.
: d. c.:
dear Sir--On the 18th day OF Jan
uary last. in an engagement near
Moorefield, ". Va. was captured by
body Of Confederate cavalry. From
the date OF my capture to the I'd OF the
present month was treated as pris'
oner OF war. was then notified by
the prison authorities that ! had been
selected BY the Confederate Govern
ment to be held as hostage for a
Major Armsey, c. S. Army, now held
by the United States. was also
placed in small cell In the basement
OF Libby prison.
81 would willingly suffer and endure
this torturlng confinement, il thereby
my Government derived the slightest
benefit: but to be thus confined-to
suffer for the misdeeds OF others
without beneficial results to the cause
for which contend. is certainly very
calling,
"'Confincd in the small cell that I
now am, with the diet receive, it is
impossible for my constitution to
stand imprisonment long. Hence, |
am induced 10 request that you will
use your influence in my behalf and If
at all possible accomplish my speedy
release.
"Maior Armsey. for whom 7 am
held, has now been confined over I"
year, and understand his case is MOI:
without extonuating circumstances.
Cannot my Government consistently
exchange him for me, and place one Of
her soldiers. now imprisoned, in the
field, where he is, not only willing but
anxious to fight her battles? am
willing to give my life TO my country
on the field Of battle; but the slow, lin-
eerlng death Of hopeless confinement
and starvation is uncaIled for and void
of glory.
May ask that you will give the
matter your personal attention; and
| IL convenient will you honor me with
IA communfcaao iHpon the subiect2
am sif, with much respeet, *
9PP !
,iisiof III N. Va. eaYalis
Prisoner d War
alipon receipt Of mis- document Z
I'd. o.. oil. .... .|.I||.I||||u |II