Pocahontas County History Preservation, Digitization, Community

May 25, 1861, Saturday, Philippa, Va.

Philippa, Va,. Saturday, May 25, 1861--Everything in Philippa bore a very animated aspect this morning. I call this town Philippa for Mr. Morrall says that is its proper name, as being named in honor off Philippa Carlyle, eldest daughter of the eminent lawyer, who began his career at this place and was grateful for the patronage and honor conferred on him by the people.

The two companies that received flags yesterday were preparing to go into camp at Grafton. In the meantime Capt. Stofer paraded the Pocahontas Rescuers in the Court House lawn, then marched them into the building and formed a hollow square within the bar.

The Captain was in a congenial mood and appeared at his best. Many a cup of good cheer had evidently been tendered him by patriotic hands. After all had been arranged to suit him, he made a happy address to the people of Phillippi, thanking them for the flattering attentions paid him and his company.

After recounting the wonderful exploits his devoted band were ready and willing to do and dare he fervently invoked an interest in the prayers and sympathies of the pure and spotless virgins, whose unsullied names must be protected, even if the crystal waters of the valley be made gory and crimson with their hearts' blood.

Upon a signal given, all arose to their feet in the presence of the ladies, and in response to their captain's sentiments solemnly pledged their lives in the defense of the fair ones present.

General William Skeen then arose and with a beautiful figure drawn from a description of a statue in the studio of Powers, the artist, spoke of his devotion to the American union at one time and of the sacred associations that clustered around the stars and stripes.

The statue has upon its brow a coronet of stars which is serenely turned toward heaven whither her uplifted hand is pointing while she leans upon a bundle of rods, firmly bound together, all emblematical of the sentiment that all our strength is from above. But the beautiful state and the glorious flag of our Union have no more hallowing and tender associations, because now they are emblematical of tyrannical usurpation of power and military despotism.

Gen. Skeen was followed by Hon. Samuel Woods, a distinguished resident of Philippa. He gave utterance to the feelings of his hear by a speech of some length. In his address he reiterated the oft repeated sentiments respecting Northern aggression. He denounced the treacherous duplicity of the North, their baseness in inaugurating an invasion of rapine and lust, under the guise of upholding the constitution and enforcing the law. He pleasantly alluded to the superior pleasure in the presence of the troops gave him and of the place they would have in the hearts of the Philippa people. All would anxiously peruse the details of battles to see who had fallen and to weep a tear of grateful gratitude to their memory. Green would be the grass ever waving over their graves, but greener still would be the memories in the hearts of these pure unsullied virgins of their own West Virginia mountains. At this the warm Secessionists bowed their heads and the ladies drew out their cambric preparatory to a copious effusion of tears.

Not long after this the exercises were closed by prayer, led by the Rev. Mr. Hindman, a minister of the M. E. Church. In a few minutes more all were on the march for their destination.

In the meantime I had repaired to my lodging at Mr. Morrall's were I remained until noon. Mr. Morrall's mother, Mrs. Harper, a lady more than eighty years of age, had attended the exercise and her feelings were much wrought up. I seem to hear as I write her plaintive oft repeated refrain, using the refrain of David: "These sheep, what have they done; somebody has sinned, but what have they done?"

Very soon I gathered up my luggage and followed on and I came to Grafton late the same afternoon. On the Fedderman Bridge I saw the bloody stains where a Union man had been shot a few nights before, among the first drops portentous of the bloody cloud outburst so near at hand.

At Grafton I found the men, my friends from Highland County, in very good spirits considering what was then the long and arduous march they had so hurriedly made. Being much fatigued myself I was glad to retire at an early hour. Col. George W. Hull, of McDowell, gathered up a bundle of straw and had me go with him to a commodious room of those occupied as quarters by Col. Hull's company. The straw was spread in a south east corner of a front room on the second floor, and we made our beds upon it. By putting our blankets and shawls together a very comfortable sleeping place was improvised. We had not been there but a little while until some soldiers relieved from guard duty came up the stairs and began to order us out of that room because of a previous claim or arrangement by one of their mess. One of them gave me a light kick and exclaimed with nameless expletives "What are you doing on my straw?" I remained perfectly still while the Colonel did the talking for us both.

We were permitted to remain, and they withdrew, seeking quarters elsewhere tough there was more than enough room for us all. About midnight an orderly, Samuel Gilmore, came through the barracks with a candle in his hand, touching the soldiers with his foot and arousing them in a whispered tone to get up, put on their shoes and wait for further orders. This alarm was occasioned by the firing of a gun accidentally near one of the outposts. This was ascertained in about a half an hour, and all became quiet.

I should have mentioned that about sunset there was a Union demonstration made in front of the barracks by a bevy of about twelve or fifteen half grown girls. They timidly promenaded the street, waving tiny Union flags and looking as if they expected to be fired upon any minute, Much to their evident surprise they were let strictly alone, and they glided away without any particular notice given them, and so failed their coveted martyrdom.