Pocahontas County History Preservation, Digitization, Community

May 27, 1861

Grafton, May 27, 1861--This Monday morning I mainly spent in writing the first pages of this diary in the midst of much bustle and excitement. The lady with whom I had spent the night repeated over and over until it became a kind of refrain with her, that she believed the Virginia troops were all gentlemen and would not hurt her, still she believed it would be best to pack up a few of her most valuable things and be ready to move to the country at a moment's warning. She wished to know what I thought about it. In reply I told her it was one of those cases in which we could not be certain as to what would be the best to do. For subsequent events might show that moving was altogether unnecessary; then it might show also that it ought to have been done. To me it seemed that one thing was sure, that by moving one would be on the safe side. This advice I had occasion to repeat very frequently on the route from Huttonsville to Grafton.

Monday afternoon I left Grafton to visit a relative near Webster and find some repose from the wearisome depression I felt coming on me. I made a short stop at Fetterman where I met a fellow member of Lexington Presbytery, at whose licensure I had assisted some months previously at the Old Stone Church in Lewisburg, Rev. John Brunch. He seemed in much perplexity. His affinities were with the Provisional troops, while his people were mainly otherwise inclined. Many families of his charge had suddenly vacated their homes and he knew not where to seek refuge for his own. I made some arrangements with him for assisting in preaching for the soldiers.

From his house I went up to Fetterman Barracks, where Capt. Andrew G. McNeel;s company of cavalry from Pocahontas County was quartered. This appeared to be a select company composed of many of the choice young men of the county, but all seemed much discouraged and at a loss what to do with themselves. The w were without arms and, being on the most exposed outpost to Virginia, they were in hourly danger of being surprised and captured. they feelingly realized that they ought never to have come here in the first place, poorly prepared as they were. Their regret seemed to be that they had yielded to the advice and even persuasion of some over zealous friends to come with the expectation that if a cavalry outfit was not to be had they might be induced to dismount, send their horses home and form an infantry company. To this, it was found, very few would consent to be mustered in as infantry, consequently they should have been sent back at once. There were those however who were highly indignant at the idea of these young, inexperienced and unarmed troops to a post of comparative safety where they could drill and wait for arms, because of the moral effect it might have on friend and foe. It would injure the cause of Virginia, such argued, for the report to go abroad that a company was withdrawn because the requisite arms could not be provided. Such was the infatuation of even highly honorable men in times of war delirium. Some of these very persons did exert influence upon the policy of the commanding officers.

Upon leaving the camp I rode leisurely along towards Webster somewhat at a loss as to the right road to take for the home I had set out to find. At some distance from the road down a quiet and beautiful vale I observed a heat homestead embowered among the trees, on the fringes of a meadow as pretty as a meadow can be at this season. Being charmed by the surroundings of this dwelling and yielding to the impulse of the moment I left the road and turned my course towards it. The path I selected curved around a hill which led me rather away from the house but brought me in view of another homestead. I at once changed my purpose and rode up to the nearer house to make inquiry. A venerable man responded to my call, his benevolent face pleased me very much and I had no hesitation in making myself known and what I wished. He had a son in the Virginia Provisional army and he would be very much pleased to have me as long as I wished to remain in his home. The home circle as it then was consisted of the aged parents and two daughters, who had manifestly ripened into womanhood some time before the war had commenced. One of them retired quietly to what I presume was the wardrobe, and soon thereafter made her appearance in the company room with a Secession badge pinned over her heart, which was a highly pleasing token in its significance at the time. Mutual confidence soon possessed us all, and with a sense of security rarely experienced in wartimes among strangers I spent most pleasantly what remained of the evening. At family worship nothing seemed more appropriate than the words of the Psalmist:

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits, Who forgive all thy iniquities, Who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction, Who crowneth thee with loving kindness and tender mercies; Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's, the Lord executeth righteous and judgement for all that are oppressed." Ps. 103