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Tag Archives: Wheeling

Absentee Landowners of Magnolia District (1870, 1886, 1889)

22 Monday Feb 2021

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Big Sandy Valley, Matewan

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A.J. Baker, Alexander Mounts, Anthony Lawson, Appalachia, Charles Mounts, Charleston, Christian M. Cline, Cincinnati, Four Pole Creek, genealogy, history, J.C. Alderson, J.D. Sergeant, Jackson Mounts, Jacob Smith, James Laidley, James OKeeffe, John Counts, John Mullins, Julius C. Williamson, Kanawha County, Kentucky, Lewis Ferrell, McDowell County, Minnesota, Morehead, Oswald Schaaf, Philadelphia, Pike County, Pond, Roane County, Stuart Wood, T.W. Blankenship, Tazewell County, W.W. Adams, Warren Alderson, West Virginia, Wheeling, William P. Payne, Wytheville

What follows is a list of absentee landowners in Magnolia Township/District of Logan County, WV, for 1870, 1886, and 1889… There are three significant categories of absentee landowners: 1) those who live outside of Logan County; 2) those who live in Logan County but outside of Magnolia District; and 3) those who own property, for example, at Mate Creek but reside, for example, at Grapevine Creek (both within the district). This list only includes the former.

1870

John Counts, Minnesota, 180 acres, Mates Creek

Charles Mounts Estate and Jackson Mounts, Kentucky, 150 acres, Sandy River

John Mullins, McDowell County, 150 acres, Tug Fork of Sandy River

Alexander Mounts, Kentucky, 100 acres, Sandy River

Alexander Mounts, Kentucky, 100 acres, Sandy River

Alexander Mounts, Kentucky, 100 acres, Sandy River

Christian M. Cline, McDowell County, 68 acres, Four Pole Creek and Sandy

John Counts, Minnesota, 50 acres, Mates Creek

Christian M. Cline, McDowell County, 17 acres, Four Pole Creek and Sandy

1886

Warren Alderson, Morehead KY, 2999 acres

Jacob Smith, Mouth of Pond KY, 2050 acres

J.D. Sergeant, Philadelphia PA, 1581 acres

Julius C. Williamson, Kentucky, 1353 acres

T.W. Blankenship, Roane County, 1200 acres

Anthony Lawson estate, Wytheville VA, 816 acres

Oswald Schaaf, Cincinnati OH, 650 acres

A.J. Baker, unknown, 300 acres

James Laidley, Kanawha County, 141 acres

1889

J.D. Sergeant, Philadelphia PA, 8976 acres

James OKeeffe, Tazewell County VA, 3592 acres

Stuart Wood, Philadelphia PA, 1093 acres

Warren Alderson, Morehead KY*, 800 acres

F. Slutienburgh, Cincinnati OH, 350 acres

J.C. Alderson and W.W. Adams et al., Wheeling and Charleston

Lewis Ferrell heirs, Pike County KY

Anthony Lawson heirs, Wytheville VA

William P. Payne et al., McDowell County

*Note: Residence located in Logan County in 1889 but in Morehead, Kentucky, for all other years.

Source: Land Book 1880-1886 and Land Book 1887-1892.

Buddy Griffin at Appalachian Heritage Day in Logan, WV (2019)

21 Saturday Sep 2019

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Logan, Music

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A Prairie Home Companion, Appalachia, Appalachian Heritage Day, banjo, bluegrass, Bobby Osborne, Branson, Braxton County, Buddy Griffin, Charlie Sizemore, Cincinnati, David O'Dell, fiddler, fiddling, Glenville State College, Goins Brothers, guitar, Jackie Whitley, Jeff Roberts, Jim and Jesse McReynolds, Katie Laur Band, Landon Williams, Larry Sparks, Logan, Mac Wiseman, mandolin, Missouri, music, Nicholas County, photos, Robert C. Byrd, Rocky Top X-Press, Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College, The Hard Times, Vandalia Award, Vetco Records, West Virginia, West Virginia All-Star Bluegrass Band, Wheeling, WWVA Jamboree

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Bluegrass fiddle workshop, AHD, SWVCTC, Logan, WV. Photo by Jackie Whitley. 24 August 2019

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Bluegrass fiddle workshop, AHD, SWVCTC, Logan, WV. Photo by Jackie Whitley. 24 August 2019

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Bluegrass fiddle workshop, AHD, SWVCTC, Logan, WV. Photo by Jackie Whitley. 24 August 2019

Buddy Griffin with Bluegrass Music Workshop

Bluegrass fiddle workshop, AHD, SWVCTC, Logan, WV. Photo by David O’Dell. 24 August 2019

A native of Nicholas and Braxton counties, Buddy Griffin is a master musician on several instruments and a dedicated teacher and mentor. Raised in a musical family, Buddy began performing at an early age, excelling at banjo, fiddle, guitar, and mandolin. In 1973, he was hired in the staff band on the WWVA Jamboree in Wheeling, where he came into contact with Landon Williams, who lured him to Cincinnati to play in his band, The Hard Times. He and banjoist Jeff Roberts joined the Katie Laur Band in 1975. Buddy also played with the Goins Brothers. He later worked as an engineer at Vetco Records in Cincinnati and played in Charlie Sizemore’s band. He recorded with Mac Wiseman and has worked with Jim and Jesse, Larry Sparks, the Heckels, Sen. Robert C. Byrd, and Jesse McReynolds. He played in Branson, MO, for several years. In 1997, he returned to West Virginia and taught music at Glenville State College, where he was instrumental in developing the world’s first degree program in bluegrass music. He is a studio musician and has performed on various radio shows, including NPR’s “A Prairie Home Companion.” In 2011, he was awarded the Vandalia Award, West Virginia’s highest folklife honor. In 2016, he played fiddle with Bobby Osborne and the Rocky Top X-Press. He often performs with the West Virginia All-Star Bluegrass Band.

Old Hinchman Book at Pecks Mill in Logan County, WV (1936)

04 Monday Mar 2019

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Civil War, Pecks Mill

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129th Regiment Virginia Militia, 12th Regiment Virginia Militia, Abner Vance, Adam Browning, Appalachia, Barney Carter, Big Creek, Calvary Hatfield, Chapmanville District, Charles Staton, civil war, David Mullins, Eli Gore, Evans Ferrell, genealogy, George Avis, George Bryant, Gilbert Creek, Gordon Riffe, Granville Riffe, Green A. Clark, Guyandotte River, Hardy District, Harts Creek, Harvey Ellis, history, Huff's Creek, Jack Dempsey, James H. Hinchman, James J. Hinchman, John Chapman, John DeJournett, John Dempsey, John Hager, John Hatfield, John Starr, Joseph B. Browning, Joseph Hinchman, Logan Banner, Logan County, Louis White, Magnolia District, Martin Doss, Mingo County, Nathan Elkins, Pecks Mill, physician, Reece Browning, Triadelphia District, Ulysses Hinchman, Union District, Virginia, West Virginia, Wheeling, William Dempsey, William McDonald, William Stollings, Wyoming County

From the Logan Banner of Logan, WV, comes this bit of history for Logan County printed on November 3, 1936:

Time-Dimmed Record of Early Logan County Families in 1852-1877 Period in Old Books Found at Pecks Mill

Thumbing the now-dimmed pages of a yellowed book which recently came to light in old Peck’s Mill, members of Logan county’s oldest families may read in a painstakingly-kept record of the years 1852 to 1877 how their forefathers were brought into the world, married, educated, governed.

The record is written in pen and ink with the quaint flourishes and old-fashioned double letters of the 1800s by James J. Hinchman, who was clerk of the 12th regiment of the Virginia militia from 1852 to 1858; and by one, Ulysses Hinchman, who was clerk of the 129th regiment from 1858 to the Civil War; and later pastor, doctor, and trader.

The first entry, dated Nov. 3, 1852, records the meeting “at the house of Wm. McDonald near the mouth of Huffs Creek” of the Twelfth regiment of the Virginia militia in the days when Logan county was the property of Virginia.

Among the officers present were Major John Hager and Capt. James J. Hinchman, who was also clerk.

Most of the records at the first, which deal entirely with the regiment, are devoted to the salaries paid for “drumming and fifing,” the fines of 50 cents each for failure to report at meetings, and the excuse of members from duty “because of physical infirmities.”

Among the interesting entries is one relating, it is believed, to an ancestor of ex-champion Jack Dempsey, which reads:

“William Dempsey for fifing one day in Capt. Miller’s company.”

Two dollars, according to numerous accounts, was the regular salary paid for a day of fifing or drumming. For three days training, officers received $10.

Among regiment members mentioned are Calvary Hatfield and Reece Browning, forefathers of the Hatfield and Browning families of today.

On Sept. 10, 1858, the record is transferred to that of the 129th and is kept by Ulysses Hinchman. His first entry tells of a meeting at which John De Journett was elected colonel; K. McComas, first major; Reece Browning, second major; and Ulysses Hinchman, clerk. Officers attending were Captains George Avis, James H. Hinchman, John Starr, John Hatfield, John Chapman, and Barnabus Carter; and Lieutenants Martin Doss, George Bryant, Granville Riffe, Louis White, Charles Staton and Green A. Clark.

Interesting in these pages are the forming of new companies in which the names of the creeks and localities are for the most part the same as today. Among the familiar names are Huffs, Gilbert, Harts and Big Creek, Guyandotte river, and Trace Fork.

There is no mention of the Civil War, but it is mutely attested to by two entries, the first, dated 1862 at the bottom of one page and the second dated 1866 at the top of the next, which read:

“Apr. 5, 1862—Abner Vance and Nathan Elkins received their claims.

1866—Rec’d of Eli Gore, county treasurer for my last year’s services, $50.

“Ulysses Hinchman, superintendent of schools.”

The next year, we are gratified to learn, his salary has increased to $300.
We learn that Logan, which then included Mingo and Wyoming counties, was at that time composed of five districts, Union, Triadelphia, Hardy, Chapmanville, and Magnolia; and that the county’s finances were all handled through Wheeling, then the only city of size in West Virginia.

The records contain long lists of certificates awarded to teachers for $1, among the recipients being John Dempsey, Eli Gore, Joseph Hinchman, Harvey Ellis and Evans Ferrell.

In the midst of the records of 1866 and ’67 we come upon the terse paragraph which informs that:

“The sheriff failed to settle for taxes of 1861.”

The board of education’s budget for 1869 was $2077.60 and was apportioned to these clerks of the various townships; Union, David Mullins; Triadelphia, Gordon Riffe; Magnolia, Joseph B. Browning; Hardy, Adam Browning; and Chapmanville, Wm. Stollings. Increased expenses that year made it necessary to levy a tax of “5 cents on $100.”

An enumeration of all children “between the ages of 6 and 21” in 1868 totaled 2139.

In 1871, our patient scribe becomes “Dr. U.S. Hinchman” and the record his personal account book. We learn much of the practices and hardships of the first country doctors and that his troubles in collecting the pitifully small fees of those days were as great as those of any “specialist” of today.

Dr. Hinchman had no set rates, but based on his charges upon the number of miles traveled (usually 50 cents per mile); the number of days and nights spent, and—quite evidently—the circumstances of his patient.

His customary charge for a delivery, if it chanced to come in the day time, appeared to be $5.50; but if the child arrived in the night and required many miles of travel it was a more expensive proposition—the fees sometimes reaching as high as $9.

The birth of one of these $9 babies is graphically recorded as follows:

“Labor two nights and days–$7

10 miles at 50 cents–$5

Administering–$1

Received $5.”

The doctor’s highest charge was one of $10 on a case which required three days and nights.

Interspersed freely with the accounts of births, and sicknesses are frequent entries of marriages at $2 each.

Toward the last of the book, in 1877, the author’s handwriting becomes more labored and the fine shadings and flourishing gradually disappear—evidence that his years of soldiering, school teaching, and doctoring were taking their toll.

At this time, too, he begins to record not only his receipts, but his expenditures and trades, and we read, not without envy, of purchases of “one bushel of sweet potatoes, 50 cents,” and “one and a half bushel of Irish potatoes, 75 cents.”

One of the last entries, dated Aug. 1877, tells of his receiving for his professional services a large amount of coffee which he traded for $5 cash, a suit, and a round of shoes,” the latter evidently referring to horseshoes.

As, regretfully, we close the book; we feel that we know that patient and prolific old settler of Logan County, Ulysses Hinchman—his honor as a soldier and officer, his strict accounting of himself as a public official, his hardships and struggles as a country doctor; and through all, his conscientious, faithful keeping of records. And we share, with his descendants, a great pride in him.

Somehow we know that when, with failing hand, he concluded his long accounts in another book; his record was clear and straight—his house was in order.

Battle of Kanawha Gap (1861)

10 Sunday Jun 2018

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Barboursville, Big Creek, Boone County, Chapmanville, Civil War, Guyandotte River, Tazewell County

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129th Regiment Virginia Militia, 1st Kentucky Infantry, 34th Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment, 5th Virginia Regiment, Abram S. Piatt, Appalachia, Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, Barboursville, Battle of Kanawha Gap, Big Creek, Big Sandy River, Boone County, Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Camp Enyart, Ceredo, Chapmanville, Charleston, Chicago Daily Tribune, Cincinnati Daily Press, Cincinnati Gazette, civil war, Cleveland Morning Leader, Coal River, Confederate Army, Daily Green Mountain Freeman, David S. Enyart, Eli Thayer, Evening Star, George McClellan, Greenbrier County, Guyandotte River, H.C. Evans, Harpers Ferry, Herman Evans, history, J.V. Guthrie, J.W. Davis, Jacob D. Cox, John Dejernatt, Kanawha River, Kanawha Valley, Logan County, Logan Court House, M.H. Wood, National Republican, O.P. Evans, Ohio, Ohio River, Parkersburg, Pomeroy Weekly Telegraph, Portsmouth, Richmond Whig, Robert E. Lee, Samuel Smoot, Sewell Mountain, Southwestern Times, Staunton Spectator, T.W. Rathbone, Tazewell County, Tug Fork, Union Army, Virginia, West Virginia, West Virginia Division of Culture and History, Wheeling, William Baisden, William Rosecrans, William S. Rosecrans, Zouaves

The following newspaper accounts describe the Battle of Kanawha Gap near present-day Chapmanville, Logan County, WV, which occurred on September 25, 1861:

Cleveland (OH) Morning Leader, 3 October 1861

GALLIPOLIS, Oct. 2.

The expedition planned by Col. J.V. Guthrie of the First Kentucky Regiment, and sent out under Lieut. Col. Enyart and Col. Piatt, has returned. They encountered the enemy at Chapmansville under Col. J. Lucien Davis, of Greenbrier, and utterly routed them. The enemy lost between fifty and sixty killed. Our loss was four killed. The expedition returned to Charleston on the 30th ult.

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Col. David S. Enyart, 1st Kentucky Infantry (Union).

Evening Star (Washington, DC), 4 October 1861

A Confederate Camp in Western Virginia Broken Up and Routed

CINCINNATI, Oct. 3 — A body of Federal troops, under Lieut. Col. Enyart, attacked a camp of rebels at Chapmansville, in Logan county, Va., near the Kentucky line, routing them, killing sixty and taking seventy prisoners. The same body of rebels were afterward intercepted in their retreat by Col. Piatt, who killed forty and made a large number prisoners.

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Col. Abram S. Piatt (1821-1908), 34th Ohio Infantry Regiment.

New York (NY) Herald, 4 October 1861

FIGHT WITH THE REBELS AT CHAPMANSVILLE

Cincinnati, Oct. 3, 1861.

The Kanawha correspondent of the Commercial of this city says that five companies of the First Kentucky regiment, four companies of the Thirty-fourth Ohio regiment and one company of the Fifty Virginia regiment, under Lieutenant Colonel Enyart, surrounded and attacked the rebels at Chapmansville, and after a short engagement completely routed them, killing sixty and taking seventy prisoners. The rebels in escaping were intercepted by Colonial Piatt, who killed forty and took a large number of prisoners. The country between Charleston and Wyandot river is now freed from secession power. This is the most effective blow given the rebels in this part of the valley.

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One section of the Kanawha Gap Battle Site, Chapmanville, Logan County, WV, 9 June 2018.

Daily Green Mountain Freeman (Montpelier, VT), 7 October 1861

Chapmansville, Va., the scene of the most recent engagement, is a small post village in Logan county, Va. Logan county is in the extreme Western portion of Virginia, the Tug Fork of the Big Sandy being the boundary line between it and the State of Kentucky. It is one of the largest, wildest and most sparsely inhabited counties in the State.

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Part of the Kanawha Gap Battle Site, Chapmanville, Logan County, WV, 9 June 2018.

National Republican (Washington, DC), 7 October 1861

THE SITUATION.

The two affairs at Chapmansville, reported three or four days since, in which the enemy lost one hundred killed and a proportionate number of wounded, will, it is supposed, restore permanent peace to the Virginia counties western of the Kanawha. Chapmansville is on the turnpike from Charleston to Logan county Court-house, and is about twenty-five miles to the south of Barboursville, the shire town of Cabell county. The secessionists in that part of Western Virginia have been numerous and pertinacious. They have once had possession of Guyandotte on the Ohio river and for a long time they threatened Ceredo (Mr. Thayer’s colony,) which lies on the river between Guyandotte and the Kentucky line. There have been two engagements with them in the rear of Ceredo, one at Barboursville, one at Logan county Court-house, one at Boone county Court-house (which town was burnt by the national troops,) and finally two at Chapmansville. The truth is, that in large portions of numerous, and, but for the early occupation of that region by the National troops, would have controlled it, not because they were the majority, but because one secessionist is, everywhere, a match for three Union men.

The secessionists are reckless, violent, and desperate, while their opponents, if not timid are at any rate remarkably pacific. We doubt, indeed, from all the information we can get, whether throwing out of the account Wheeling and Parkersburg, the terminal on the Ohio river of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, Western Virginia had more elements of Union strength than the Valley of Virginia. From Harper’s Ferry south for fifty miles, the Union men have been numerous from the first, and it is a matter of deep regret that it did not consist with the plans of military strategy adopted at the headquarters of the army here, to occupy (at least) the northern part of the Valley of Virginia. It is consoling, that a different policy was adopted in retrospect to Western Virginia. That region was promptly taken possession of, cleared of the rebel armies by Gen. McClellan, and has since been victoriously held by Gen. Rosecrans. All attempts of the enemy to affect a re-entrance into Western Virginia are promptly repulsed.

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Staunton (VA) Spectator, 8 October 1861

Status at Sewell’s Mountain.

The enemy, under Gen. Rozencrantz, and our forces under Gen. Lee, are both upon Sewell Mountain very near each other. A fight has been daily expected there for some time, but the enemy have been fortifying ever since they have been there, and there will not be a fight unless we attack them in their entrenchments. They are afraid to attack us, and it is probable that our force is too weak to risk an attack on them within their fortification. It may, therefore, be some time before an engagement will take place. We understand that we had sent a force of four regiments to their rear for the purpose of cutting off their supplies—that we succeeded in getting around them, but were compelled to return because we did not have sufficient supplies ourselves. We also learn that Col. Jas. W. Davis of Greenbrier, whilst commanding a force of militia in Logan county, attacked a part of the enemy, and was shot down at the first fire. The militia, after several rounds caught the Yankee fever which made their cowardly legs run off with their brave hearts, and they left their commander in the hands of the enemy, who, we fear, has died from his wound.

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New historical sign placed by the WV Division of Culture and History located at the 119 ramp in Chapmanville, WV. 26 April 2017.

Chicago (IL) Daily Tribune, 9 October 1861

A Splendid Achievement of the Ohio Zouaves–“Wood Up” the Battle Cry.

[The following letter is exclusively devoted to the fight which the Piatt Zouaves had with the rebels near Chapmansville, Va. It is distinct from the victorious fight which the command of Lieut. Col. Enyart had with another body of rebels, in the same vicinity. EDS. CINCINNATI COM]

CAMP ENYART, KANAWHA, Oct. 2, 1861. EDS. COM.: The Zouave Thirty-fourth Regimens, Ohio, have had a chance to show their metal. This was on Wednesday, on Kanawha Gap, near Chapmansville, Va. After marching 42 miles, they came upon the enemy, who were behind breastworks, but could not stand our boys’ steady fire, for they retreated in utter consternation, their Col. J.W. Davis, of Greenbrier, Va, (but the traitor is a native of Portsmouth, Ohio,) being mortally wounded. We killed 20, took 3 prisoners, a secesh flag, 20 feet long with FIFTEEN STARS, 4 horses, 1 wagon, 10 rifles (one of which I claim), 12 muskets, and commissary stores (very low.) We lost 3 killed, 9 wounded, one since died. The route of the enemy was complete, although they had a brave, skillful commander, and strong position, with two days’ information of our intentions. They fled the moment their commander fell. The fight lasted about 10 minutes opposite the breastworks, but a running fire was kept up previous to that, by the Bushwhackers and rebel cavalry for two hours. At every turn of the road over the mountains, they would fire upon our advance men, wheel round, and gallop away. This kind of fight was kept up till we came suddenly upon their breastworks, immediately in line of our entire column. It was made on the side of a knoll, between two mountain sides, the road running between the mountain on our left. The wily rebel commander had adroitly cut down the brush on the right, placing a force of 100 men on the mountain top on our right, who raked our column from the front to the center. This was to draw our attention from their breastworks. Our men naturally fired upon the rebels on their right, steadily advancing up the road, until within 20 feet of the enemy’s works, when the rebels suddenly opened fire, from their right, left and center. The order from Col. Piatt and Lieut. Col. Toland, to flank right and left was immediately responded to by the Zouaves with a hurrah, a Zouave yell, and a cry of “wood up” from Little Red; a dash by our boys upon the enemy’s breastworks, above which about 300 rebel heads suddenly appeared, unknown by our men till that moment. They sent a perfect storm of bullets around, over, under, and into our men. A few minutes more and our boys were inside the breastworks, chasing them over the mountains, the enemy running away like cowards as they proved to be. They left 29 dead behind. Their force was 450 infantry and 50 cavalry. Our force was 560.

We buried our three brave dead comrades that night, carried our wounded to the house wherein the rebel Colonel lay, mortally wounded, deserted by all his men but one. Our whole column finally marched into the little town of Chapmansville, formerly headquarters of the enemy, and camped for the night.

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34th Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment, Piatt’s Zouaves, Captain Photo.

Pomeroy (OH) Weekly Telegraph, 11 October 1861

Brilliant Action in the Kanawha Valley.

CHARLESTON, Va., Sept. 30, ’61. Eds. Cin. Com.–Information having been brought to Col. J.V. Guthrie, commanding this post, that a large force of Rebels were gathered at Logan Co., Lt. Col. Enyart, of the 1st Kentucky, was at once sent to engage them. His force was composed of five companies of the 1st Kentucky, four companies of the 34th Ohio–German Regiment–under command of Col. A.S. Piatt, and one company of the 5th Virginia Regiment, under command of Maj. M.H. Wood.

Col. Enyart, with the Kentucky force, surrounded and attacked the Rebels at Chapmanville, and after a short but decisive engagement, completely routed them, killing 60 and taking 70 prisoners. The Rebels, in escaping, were intercepted by Col. Piatt, who surprised them and killed 40 men, and took a large number of prisoners.

The force of the Rebels is now completely broken up, and the country between this point and Guyandotte River is now freed from Secession power. This is the most effective blow given the Rebels in this part of the Valley.

In great haste. Further particulars by next boat.

Very respectfully,

M. CLEMENS,

Lieut. Col. 5th Va. Reg’t.

34th Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment, Piatt's Zouaves Soldier Photo

34th Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment, Piatt’s Zouaves, Soldier.

Evening Star (Washington, DC), 11 October 1861

THE BATTLE OF KANAWHA GAP.

The Western Virginia correspondent of the Cincinnati Gazette gives the following account of the late engagement at Kanawha Gap:

There were about 1,050 troops under the command of Colonels Enyart and Piatt, who left their camp Monday morning, 30th ulto., and took up their line of march for the enemy.

The forces moved together until they reached Peytona, on Cole river, where they separated; Col. Enyart going up Cole river. Col. Enyart did not meet the enemy in force at any place but his men did meet and ford swollen rivers, and marched on short rations, and were anxious to meet with the running enemy of Old Virginia. Col. Enyart did not meet Col. Piatt until they met on the Kanawha, on their return.

Col. Piatt’s command immediately proceeded thence to Boone Court House, and camped that night one mile beyond. The next day, after proceeding some sixteen miles,t hey came up with the advance guard of the enemy, consisting of cavalry, when a brisk fire was exchanged, the cavalry retreating. After the retreat of cavalry the battalion was immediately put in order of battle. The advance guard of fifteen men was led forward by Adj’t Clarke, proceeding along the road. Scouts were sent out on either side of the road to meet and repulse the sharp-shooters of the enemy.

The force proceeded in this order for about two miles, meeting the pickets of the enemy, exchanging shots with them incessantly, and driving them back with increased confusion at each charge.

Being unable to ascertain the position of the rebels, the entire force halted for a few moments, and Col. Piatt rode in advance and took observations with his glass, but could not ascertain their force and position, as it was covered with a thick growth of underbrush. After these observations a command was issued to forward the column. The scouts moved on the rapidity and enthusiasm, the main body moving up the narrow road cautiously and firmly. The fire continued to increase, and shots were rapidly exchanged from the right and left with the enemy, until our advanced guard reached within sixty yards of their main force. The column was some eighty yards from the enemy when they received a perfect volley of fire upon their right, indicating that the rebels were in force in that direction. Company “A,” commanded by Capt. Rathbone, was ordered to deploy as skirmishers to the right, up the side of the mountain, and if possible to flank the enemy on the left. Company “C,” commanded by Capt. Miller, was ordered to the right, up a similar mountain, to flank the enemy on their left. Company “I,” commanded by Capt. Anderson, was ordered directly up the ravine, on the left. In this position he drew the concentrated fire of the rebels upon his company, who made use of the knowledge thus obtained by rapidly charging upon and destroying the enemy’s breastworks. The center moved directly up the road. With this disposition of the forces, Col. Piatt routed them from their confusion. Capt. Anderson was the first to mount their breastworks, his men following him in the face of a terrible fire without flinching or confusion.

As Capt. Anderson sealed the breastwork, Capt. Miller closed upon the left and Capt. Rathbone came in upon the right, his men crying “Zouave!” The main column moving up the road in double quick–until they were brought to a temporary halt by obstructions placed in the road by the enemy.

The rebels, terrified by the strange bravery and almost wild enthusiasm that was exhibited by each advancing column, ran in confusion, leaving their dead, wounded, clothing, guns, horses, &c., making their escape by Capt. Rathbone’s right; his company being too far up the mountain to cut off their retreat. Capt. West, commanding company F, was detailed to scour the mountain on the west, on the left of the road. Capt. O.P. Evans on the west side of the mountain, on the right side of the road. Capt. Herman Evans, commanding Company H, on the east side of the mountain, on the left of the road.

Each of these companies moved with dispatch, yet such was the knowledge of the rebels of teh by-paths in the mountains, and belonging to the “F.F.V.’s,” and having been drilled at running all summer, that but two were captured.

Among interesting objects captured was a genuine secession flag, captured by Lieut. Brown.

The enemy’s loss was thirty killed and fifty wounded.

We regret to know that four of our men were killed and eight wounded.

34th Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment, Piatt's Zouaves Soldiers Photo 2.jpg

34th Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment, Piatt’s Zouaves, Soldiers. Here’s a link to Captain T.W. Rathbone’s Civil War diary: http://resources.ohiohistory.org/ohj/browse/displaypages.php?display[]=0071&display[]=33&display[]=56

Burlington (IA) Weekly Hawk-Eye, 12 October 1861

The fight at Chapmansville was a sharp and bloody affair. Five of Piatt’s Zouaves were killed. The rebels lost thirty-five killed.

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Part of the Kanawha Gap Battle Site, Chapmanville, Logan County, WV, 9 June 2018.

National Republican (Washington, DC), 17 October 1861

The thirty-fourth regiment (first Zouaves) have been actively engaged since they came to the Kanawha Valley. Since the glorious victory they won near Chapmansville where the rebel commander, Colonel Davis, was mortally wounded, the Union sentiment has advanced on the Cole River. Two companies have been organized, and are ready to go to work to defend their own homes and give the organized regiments an opportunity to advance into the heart of the enemy’s country.

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Part of the Kanawha Gap Battle Site, Chapmanville, Logan County, WV, 9 June 2018.

Cincinnati (OH) Daily Press, 22 October 1861

Captain H.C. Evans, of Piatt’s Zouave Regiment, yesterday called in our office and exhibited a Secesh flag, captured at the Chapmansville fight, on the 24th ult.

34th Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment, Piatt's Zouaves Soldiers Photo

34th Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment, Piatt’s Zouaves, Soldiers.

Clarksville (TN) Chronicle, 25 October 1861

The Fight in Logan County, Va.

[From the Richmond Whig of the 15th.]

We yesterday published the Yankee account of a battle in Logan county, which as usual, was manufactured out of whole cloth. The following are the facts as given by the South-western Times, (Tazewell county) of the 10th inst.:

From Samuel Smoot, Esq., of Boone county, who was in the fight, we learn the following particulars of the battle near Chapmanville, Logan county, on the 25th ult: The Yankees numbered 700, and commenced the attack upon our troops–the Logan militia–in a low gap between Guyandotte river and Big Creek, where they were engaged in raising a temporary breastwork. Our troops numbered 220, but there were only about 80 of them engaged in the fight. They were commanded by Col. J.W. Davis, of Greenbrier, a brave and gallant officer, who was severely, but not dangerously wounded, in the arm and breast. As soon as it became known that Col. Davis was wounded, the militia commenced a retreat. The commanding officer of the Lincoln troops afterwards confessed to Col. Davis, who was taken prisoner, that at the same moment a portion of the Yankees were running, and that one more round would have completely dispersed them.

The loss of the Yankees, by their own confession to Col. Davis, was 40 killed and a number wounded; among the former were four Union men, all of whom are represented by the Yankees to be most arrant thieves and cowards. Our loss was two killed and three or four wounded, besides Col. Davis, whose valuable services are at present lost to the Confederacy, being paroled by the enemy.

On the following day our scouts killed one of their pickets, and wounded another, at a point about half way between Logan Court House and Chapmanville, promising to give them particular thunder before daylight next morning. This with some news from a lady on the road, and some account of the militia of the surrounding counties, found on the person of Col. Davis, caused a hasty stampede for their headquarters, in the valley of the Kanawha. It seems that high water, bad roads, nor anything else could impede their rapid flight. They tore down a meeting house in Boone county to make rafts whereon to cross the river. They drowned two of their wounded, lost a wagon containing their entire stock of ammunition, and were fully persuaded that they were followed by two thousand cavalry, of which the Yankees in the West are about as fearful as their Eastern brothers are of masked batteries.

Upon the whole, we are much gratified at the result of this fight. It has, for the present, driven the cowardly thieves from the country, given renewed energy to the true patriots of Logan and the adjoining counties, fully convincing them that with the assistance of two or three hundred of their gallant friends in Tazewell county, they will be fully able to thrash any number that Gen. Cox or his friends shall dare to send against them.”

Note: An almost identical version of this story appeared in the Staunton (VA) Spectator on 22 October 1861.

IMG_7149.JPG

Record relating to the 129th Virginia Militia (Confederate), which was present at the Battle of Kanawha Gap.

History of Logan County as Political Subdivision (1926)

02 Tuesday Jan 2018

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Giles County, Holden, Logan, Native American History, Tazewell County

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Accawmack Shire, Appalachia, Augusta County, Botetourt County, Cabell County, Cayuga, Charles City Shire, Charles River Shire, Elizabeth City Shire, Essex County, Fincastle County, G.W. Bickley, Giles County, Henrico Shire, history, James City Shire, John Logan, Kanawha County, King and Queen County, King William County, Littletown Tazewell, Logan Banner, Logan County, Mingo County, Montgomery County, Ohio, Orange County, Russell County, Simon Cotterel, Spottsylvania County, Tazewell County, Virginia, Warroskuyoak Shire, Warwick River Shire, Washington County, West Virginia, Wheeling, Wythe County, Yellow Creek, York County

From the Logan Banner of Logan, WV, comes this item relating to county history dated October 22, 1926:

AS POLITICAL SUBDIVISION, LOGAN CO. IS DESCENDANT OF FIRST EIGHT SHIRES

Logan county was formed in 1824 from parts of Tazewell, Giles, Cabell and Kanawha. In 1895 Logan was bisected in two almost equal parts, from the southernmost of which Mingo was created. Logan’s area is 455.82 square miles; Mingo’s 423,50_ square miles.

Tracing this county’s ancestry back through Tazewell it will be found to have a long line of distinguished progenitors.

The county was named after John Logan, a famous Cayuga Indian but not a chief, who was changed from a staunch friend to an unrelenting foe of the whites after his family had been murdered at Yellow Creek, Ohio, not far from Wheeling.

Tazewell was formed from Wythe and Russell in 1799. It derived its name from a political strategem. Simon Cotterel, representative from Russell, introduced a bill to authorize the creation of a new county. A Mr. Tazewell, representing Norfolk County, opposed the measure. Cotterel induced him to suspend his opposition pending the rewriting of the bill. Then Cotterel erased the proposed name and substituted that of Tazewell. That silenced the objector, who then voted for the amended measure. According to G.W. Bickley’s history of Tazewell County, the Tazewell referred to was not Littletown Tazewell, who was governor of the state from 1834 to 1836.

At that time Tazewell county had an area of 3,000 square miles–two and a half times the size of Rhode Island and more than six times the six of Logan county.

Wythe county was formed from Montgomery in 1789, Russell from Washington in 1786, Washington and Montgomery from Fincastle in 1772, Botetourt from Augusta in 1769, Augusta from Orange in 1738, Orange from Spottsylvania in 1724, Spottsylvania from King and Queen, Essex, and King William in 1720, King William from King and Queen, and through a series of changes, descended from Charles River Shire, which was changed to York county, in 1643. Ten years before that “The General Assembly holden at James City the 21st of August, 1633, divided Virginia Colony into eight shires, named James City, Henrico, Warwick River, Warroskuyoak, Charles City, Elizabeth City, Accawmack and Charles River.”

 

Dr. W.W. Baker of Hamlin, WV

29 Wednesday Mar 2017

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Hamlin, Huntington

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Appalachia, Fred B. Lambert, genealogy, Hamlin, history, Huntington, life, Lincoln County, Marshall University, McMaster's Hospital, medicine, Morrow Library, physician, W.W. Baker, West Virginia, Wheeling, William Ward Baker

Dr. W.W. Baker 5.jpg

Dr. W.W. Baker (1841-1920) of Hamlin, Lincoln County, WV. Photo copyright: Fred B. Lambert Papers, Special Collections Department, James E. Morrow Library, Marshall University, Huntington, WV. https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=47399295

Dr. Baker's Foot Amputated HuA 11.19.1898

Huntington (WV) Advertiser, 19 November 1898.

Jacob D. Cox Letter (1861)

18 Sunday Sep 2016

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Chapmanville, Civil War

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Appalachia, Chapmanville, Charleston, civil war, George W. Workman, H.J. Samuels, history, Jacob D. Cox, Union Army, Virginia, West Virginia, Wheeling

The following letter from Jacob D. Cox dated December 11, 1861 at Charleston, Virginia, to Adjutant General H.J. Samuels in Wheeling, Virginia, offers insight into war conditions in Chapmanville, Logan County.

Charleston, Va. 11 Dec 1861

Sir:

Geo. W. Workman, residing at Chapmansville, Logan Co. is represented to me by reliable parties as a reliable loyal man, & I have confidence in the representation. He desires authority to raise a company of home guards to protect that vicinity when marauding bands are doing mischief from time to time. Will you please give such authority as may be needed to enable him to organize a company & get it armed etc.

Very truly,

Your obedient servant,

J.D. Cox

Source: Adjutant Generals’ Papers, Union Militia 1861-1865, Ar 373, Letters, Logan County. West Virginia State Archives, The Culture Center, Charleston, WV.

Francis M. White

08 Thursday Oct 2015

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Civil War, Logan

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7th West Virginia Cavalry, Bertha White, Bilton White, Carlos B. White, civil war, deputy sheriff, Francis M. White, genealogy, Henry H. Hardesty, history, James White, Janette White, Logan, Logan County, Mary M. White, Mary White, merchant, Millard White, R.A. Brock, Richmond, Sarah White, Union Army, Virginia, Virginia and Virginians, West Virginia, Wheeling

From “Virginia and Virginians, 1606-1888,” published by H.H. Hardesty, we find this entry for Francis M. White, who resided at Logan Court House in Logan County, West Virginia:

Is now engaged in merchandising and farming in Logan county, owning a large store and residence at Logan C.H., and a valuable farm in the neighborhood. He has held several important offices of trust, among them that of deputy sheriff of Logan county for three terms; was postmaster at Logan C.H. for eight years, besides many others, all of which he filled honorably and with an efficiency that proves how fully he merits the confidence of his fellow citizens. At the age of 18 he enlisted as sergeant of Co. I, 7th W.Va. Cav., U.S.A., and served most gallantly from 1862, the date of his enlistment, until 1865, when he was honorably discharged and mustered out at Wheeling, W.Va. After the close of the war of the rebellion, against which his service had been rendered, he returned to his native county, and was there married to Miss Mary Riffe, July 25, 1866. Of this union the following are the issue: Sarah, born July 23, 1867, died Oct. 14, 1875; Mary M., born Oct. 4, 1868, died March 23, 1869; Carlos B., born Jan. 3, 1870, resides with his parents; Bilton, born Sept. 17, 1871, died Oct. 11, 1875; Cora, born July 12, 1875, resides with her parents; Janette, born Nov. 20, 1877, resides with her parents; Bertha, born Aril 13, 1879, resides with her parents; Millard, born Sept. 23, 1882, resides with his parents; James, born Set. 3, 1885. The father was born July 26, 1844; the mother Nov. 15, 1841. Mr. White is a descendant of an old and honorable family that has for many years been looked up to as leaders on account of their sterling worth and strong influence. The subject of this sketch is one of the most popular citizens of Logan co. Besides the business above spoken of, he is engaged in the management of his other valuable estate.

Source: Dr. R.A. Brock, Virginia and Virginians, 1606-1888 (Richmond, VA: H.H. Hardesty, Publisher, 1888), p. 845.

The Buzz (2015)

10 Friday Jul 2015

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Lincoln County Feud

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American History, Appalachia, assistant professor, Brandon Kirk, Brumfield v. McCoy, Earl Ray Tomblin, history, hsitory, Lincoln County Feud, Lunch With Books, Marshall University, Ohio County Public Library, SWVCTC, West Virginia, West Virginia Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission, Wheeling

SWVCTC's "The Buzz" newsletter, 9 July 2015

SWVCTC’s “The Buzz” newsletter, 9 July 2015

Wheeling, West Virginia (2015)

24 Wednesday Jun 2015

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Lincoln County Feud

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Appalachia, Blood in West Vorginia, Boney Lucas, books, Brandon Ray Kirk, Cain Adkins, feuds, Guyandotte River, Harts, Harts Creek, Hatfield-McCoy Feud, history, Huntington, Lincoln County, Lincoln County Feud, Linda Comins, Logan, Logan County, Paris Brumfield, photos, Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College, West Virginia, Wheeling, Wheeling Intelligencer, Wheeling Register

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Do you think Milt Haley and Green McCoy committed the ambush on Al and Hollene Brumfield in 1889?

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Who do you think organized the ambush of Al and Hollene Brumfield in 1889?

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