Pocahontas County History Preservation, Digitization, Community

Tuesday, May 28, 1861
Tuesday, May 28th, 1861.--It vexes me to find that my diary does not give the name of the good people with whom I was that morning, having received me as a stranger and treated me as a brother in Christ in the best in their power to bestow.
About the time it was clearly light a neighbor hurried in bringing the startling intelligence that the Union troops were looked for during the day, and the expectation that there would be a battle near Prunty Town some time real soon.
Early in the forenoon I set out to find the home of my relatives near Webster, and dined with them. Somewhat late in the afternoon I went to Webster where I saw the Virginia troops on their retirement to Philippa, where it was the intention to make a stand and offer battle if pursued by the Union troops. Thereupon I returned to my relatives, Mrs. Hannah Sissel's, and spent the night. the next morning she would have me go with her to make the acquaintance of her husband's family just in sight. In the meantime she informed me that he was one of the strongest Union men f the entire vicinity and to prepare myself to hear some wild talk. I found him a personality of very serious appearance and would have made a fine representation of how I imagine Jeremiah, the weeping prophet, must have appeared when he desired his head to be a fountain for patriotic tears for the troubles of his country, when he exclaimed in pathetic anguish, "Who will give my head waters and mine eyes a fountain of tears that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughters of my people?"
He received me very kindly indeed, but it seemed to have cost him an effort for he was intensely excited and tremulous with deeply agitated feeling. It was not long before the sad tale of his care was duly unfolded. His oxen had been impressed the day before in the service of the Virginia Provisional Army. He said that ever since the arrival of the troops he had tried very hard to stifle all feeling of revenge but for the time being he was overpowered when the news came that his oxen and waggon had been taken for military uses so dreadfully contrary to his wishes and principles. But he said, "As I worked in my field my prayer all day long was that these Virginia troops might all flee before the Union men, and that not one of them be hurt."
I remained several hours with him and made numerous inquiries as to how the praying people of his wide circle of relatives and friends and acquaintances felt towards the friends of Virginia in the stand the Provisional Government had taken. It became very apparent the religious feelings of most people were intense indeed. The burden of their tearful cries to heaven were not revengeful in their tone, but that all might flee before the Northern blast. Soon after dining with this praying Union patriarch I resumed my way toward Philippa. A few miles being made I was on the verge of nervous prostration and could hardly keep myself in the saddle. Moreover, being desirous to learn something of public sentiment in Barbour County, I called at Squire Woodford's, a prominent citizen of that county and, at that time, presiding justice of the county court. His manner towards me was quite cordial, insisted that I remain until morning as it would be quite late before I could reach Philippa. Our interchange of views was of a very frank, pleasant character. He was a "plain, blunt man" and called a spade a spade, a strong Union man, and he had a son in the Union Army, as he had left home a day or so previously for the purpose of enlisting as a Union volunteer. I was treated with hearty kindness, Mrs. Woodford was very cordial, and she joined in a pressing invitation to stay with them as much and as long as I could find it convenient to do so. I was inclined to remain with them during the forenoon at least. But as the day wore on I became uneasy in a measure in consequence of several persons coming and going. One man in particular was there a few minutes in the early morning who had not been in the neighborhood for several years, but had been in Ohio. He eyed me very closely and then withdrew with the Squire to have some private conversation with him beyond my hearing, and then went away. Early in the afternoon a young man called at the gate to deliver a message, but being told I was in the house he dismounted and came in. In conversing with a member of the family in an undertone I heard enough to ascertain that young Woodford had gone to meet the Union troops and that there were armed men gathering in the woods not far away. It was not long before I looked up my horse and inquired if there was a post office not far away. Mrs. Woodford pressed me to return after posting my letter and spend another night. When I reached the man road I headed for Philippa where I arrived at sunset, and was most kindly received by Mr. and Mrs. Morrall.