The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-08-03
VERNON TYLER
ON POINT PLEASANT

80 aAAoN Oi " d Qucty 'Vl pei
sonai recollection of an incident of the
war. Governor Tyler recently wrote the
following letter. which explains itself
and will be Of interest not only to tho
many friends of the Governor, but to
others not familiar with the Governors
record as a soldier. and of all who are
interested in the history Of the war
1t is being developed by tho RENT
absences OF the veterans as life for
them draws to its sunset:
'Halwick." East Radford Va.
May Is. 1913.
Mr.. A. B. Bohannan, Surry. Va:
My Dear Sir.-Your letter received
in due time. but absence from home
and a press OF business matters since
mr. return has prevented an earlier
reply
was stationed during the winter Of
1914 at Pleasant Point Buffers Army
came up the river In transports early
In the spring of 81; the first vessel
10 get opposite our station lowered
two boats OF colored troops. about
nifty in each boat These negroes
came up and attempted to surround us.
but failed We had only eight men at
the station under command of Captain
Il g. DeJarnette He ordered us TO
fro on them. which we did. but after
n few volleys we were forced TO fall
back TO the woods. The negroes fol-
lowed about one or two hundred yards
and then beat a hasty retreat 20 their
boats. We were back in time 10 re-
port the feet going UP the river and
lust as the last Of the 2l6 vessels were
passing our front, the same transport
which landed the negroes to attack
us put off several filed with negro
troops. and they slipped upon the next
station above us, across the river and
shout eight miles distant They sur
rounded our boys. eight OF them and
shot all Of them down like dogs. ex-
cept one who had hidden under shrub
In the yard. l witnessed this bu'chery
through spyglnss from our station.
The one that MAS spared was after
wards exchanged and sent back 10 us
but could never bear 10 have the occur
renee mentioned We afterwards lost
twice as many men, bur never any
under such distressing circumstances.
Nearly all seven Of the men were the
flower OF the company.
II my memory serves me right, Pleas =
aat Point was owned by Mr.. Jones
ITe had a daughter, Miss Mary. believe.
who was very much admired by those
of the company who knew her. especi-
ally by our captain.
There was young man named Clark
the company from your county
TIL n lie Will and his father
was called Colonel Clark. II Is my
Impression that II was his sister. Miss
Gusse. who was also greatly admired
j could recount many incidents OF my
winter at Pleasant Point-nearly MY
years ago-some OF them bright some
OF them sad
The next station below us was Hog
Island and there we received reports
from our scouts, who were under COM
uend OF Lieutenant Woodley. and their
duty was TO be In the enemys INES
ar much ms possible. He and others.
including our captain. were in General
Eutlers headquarters on two separate
nights before his feet started UP the
river We made full reports to Rich
mond of his intended movements CIV
ing number of men, guns. etc, before
his boats started Our captain was
captured a few months after this while
in the enemys lines near Petersburg,
ard Butler had him tried n spy, hav-
ing heard that he had been in his head
quarters. He was sentenced to be shot,
but for some reason unknown 10 MIN
!, the time, the sentence was not exc
cuted, though notices We're served on
him to prepare for death, and then
again the day would be postponed.
After this kind OF torture for five or
six months, confined in a dark cell at
Fortress Monroe. he was sent home be-
leved to be In dying condition. He
heard after he was released that hon.
/. H. Chandler, wha had served In the
old Congress with his uncle, Hon. Dan
tel o. DeJarnette, had interceded for
him, had his life spared and had him
returned to his home. He had not been
convicted, as was stated to him. they
could never prove that he had been a
spy, but kept up this cruel persecu-
ton, supposedly>to try to extrnct some
secrets about General Lees army. In
fact they offered to release him several
times on such conditions, but-blessed
he his memory!---he never faltered. He
died a few years ago in Richmond.
was afterwards in the trenches
around Petersburg for nearly year.
but my hardships and dangers in the
signal corps were as trying. If not more
10 than being n private in the lines.
Pardon me for such long letter, but
your invitation to write on the subject
has tempted me.
Believe me.
Very truly yours.
j. HOGE TYLER
p S-Hon. John G. Dew and his
brother. DR.. ]. Harvey Dew, of New
York, were Of the signal corps stationed
at Pleasa Point.-Southwcst Times
Review.
"a Northern Success