Pocahontas County History Preservation, Digitization, Community

June 20, 1861

How slowly, wearily and sadly these days came and went. If time ever moved on wings weighted with lead, it was about these days around Huttonsville and vicinity farther up toward Mingo. In the most feeling sense of the word, Tygarts Valley was now a vale of tears. Rumors were rife that the Unionists were gathering at Philippa and Buchannon in great force. In the meantime General Garnett came hastily over the eastern mountains with reinforcements and moved on toward Laurel Hill and Rich Mountain. Reorganization was the order of the day with the soldiers I had been identified with. I had some trouble finding my nice shotgun. It had drifted up to Mingo Flats and, when I found it, I turned homewards to McDowell by way of Marlin's Bottom. The citizens of lower Pocahontas had arranged to observe the 20th of June as a day of fasting and prayer, recommended by the Virginia authorities. In company with my venerated mother, Mrs. James Atlee Price, I attended two meetings, one in the forenoon at Buckeye, and the other in the afternoon at Hillsboro.

The services at Buckeye were led by the Rev. Joshua Buckley, assisted by Jonathan McNeill and Capt. William Cochran. It seemed to me that I had never seen people more devoutly humbled than the large audience that was present. The prayers had no spirit of revenge or complaint that twas perceptible. Nothing was solicited, but what God deemed just and right to grant. The Lord of Hosts was feelingly implored to lead our men in battle and to give success accordingly.

In the Hillsboro meeting in the afternoon, led by Rev. M. D. Dunlap, who read and commented on the 144th Psalm. My attention was very much drawn to the principle prayer that was made y a prominent layman of one of the churches represented on the occasion. It was exceedingly prolix and abounded in minute specifications of the wrongs perpetuated on Virginia and her people and her institutions, civil and religious. He arraigned the Unionists at the throne of grace to answer a long list of charges for invading the homes of peaceful and unoffending citizens, and for separating happy families who desired nothing better than to remain under their own vine and fig tree, with none daring to make them afraid as to social relations. Some of these families are now exiles from their homes and some are carried away as prisoners: our people being slain because they love their country and their rights purchased by tears and blood of revered ancestors.; and because they felt it their duty to obey God by being obedient to the powers that be, as His Holy Word enjoins. He most earnestly implored the making bare of the Almighty Arm to defend our people in this their hour of unspeakable trial.

Now, while all that person said in prayer was true and much to be desired, still I could not help feeling that such prayer is not of the proper spirit. It reminded me too much of the prayer who stood and prayed in the temple: "God I thank Thee that I am not as other men are." In prayer, it seems to me, we should look at our sins and leave the sins of the Unionists to God and themselves, if God would be interposing make the much desired peace a blessing to all concerned, Unionists and Virginians alike.