Formation of Company K, 4^th WV Volunteers

It is little known, and almost universally undocumented, that the very first formal Union military organization of the Upper Potomac was at New Creek / Piedmont in the form of what was to become Company K of that same 4^th WV Infantry. It was made up of men primarily from Allegany Co MD and now Mineral County WV (then part of Hampshire). The most complete local accounting of the area military units, makes no mention of this unit.[1] It has become lost in time. Further because it was an earlier unit and not organized as a home guard unit, it became a part of the larger national army organizations, and served with distinction at Vicksburg, Jackson, Chattanooga and the Georgia campaign.

Military Organization in Western Virginia

Union military organization in western Virginia started with the formation of the 1^st VA—later to be known as the 1^st WV (3 months service) on May 25^th. Justified by the formal vote of secession by the State of Virginia of May 22, the unit was accepted into service under the command of Gen. Benjamin Kelley at or near Wheeling (W)VA. From there the organization of other western Virginia troops spread rapidly—though by what authority has yet to be understood. Most likely the Federal government, with the defacto government at Wheeling, devised the arrangement to solicit troop in the name of the Restored Government of Virginia. Early on, it became apparent that the first notion of “a quick trip to Richmond would solve the disagreement”, was not a correct assessment of the military situation, and troops were soon recruited on the basis of 3 years service.

Union activity spread quickly—the Confederate activity had begun some time earlier. According to the history of the formation of the next six (W)VA units, perhaps seven, the enlistment of a larger army in western Virginia began at once, with most of the units up through the 7th WV reporting enlistment dates in the early summer of 1861. Since the state of West Virginia did not exist until its organization in 1863, all the early troops were enlisted as Virginia Troops, but remembered in history as West Virginia – and so noted in this work.

On the Upper Potomac military activity began in early June with Wallace’s occupation of Cumberland (~June 10) and his subsequent attack on Romney (June 11), the destruction of most of the railroad bridges east of Cumberland rendering the railroad useless in that direction (~June 13), with the Confederate attack and burning of 21st Bridge (June 19), the reported burning of the bridge at Westernport-Piedmont (July 12), the Union occupation of Piedmont (July 13 to 27), and the attack and the skirmish at the Armstrong house (July 14^th) at New Creek Station, now Keyser.[2] The area was definitely feeling the effect of being “at war”. Since the military organization on the Confederate side of the Potomac had begun months before, it was now time for the Union side to react to the threat to home and property, and livelihood.

The Organization of the West Virginia 4th Infantry (Union)

One of the early Union WV military units to form was the 4^th WV Volunteer Infantry. In the authoritative account of the formation of the 4^th WV Infantry by Thomas Barton [3] of Syracuse, Meigs County, OH, concerning the troops along the Ohio River border, he states that a nucleus of organization began in his area about the first of June—probably a fallout of the limited call for 3 month troops—with the formation of a local militia company, that organized itself and directed itself in military organization and drill. Then, he writes:

“About the first of July, Judge P. B. Stansberry and William Brown, of Pomeroy, and Ephriam Carson, of Racine, began recruiting for the fourth regiment of West Virginia infantry They were assisted by Britton Cook, of Syracuse, and myself. A company was soon made up. I joined this organization and became a member of Company E.”

“Company E, was mustered into the United States services, July 22^nd, 1861, and went into camp at Mason City, West Virginia.

Formation of Company K, 4^th WV Volunteer Infantry

The very first organizing effort on the Upper Potomac was the formation of Company K (originally called Company A) of the 4^th WV Volunteer Infantry.

The Company was lead by Captain James H. Dayton of New Creek Station. Whether men of substance as in the model described by Barton—perhaps some of the five local representatives from Piedmont that participated in the first Wheeling Convention-- were the driving force, or Dayton himself, is uncertain, but Piedmont / New Creek was the rallying point.

In his pension application[4], James H. Dayton of New Creek Station reported that on June 17^th, 1861 at Piedmont VA he enrolled in the Union army. Other early enrollments repeat that date—so it is likely the first day of the recruiting activity in the area. James Dayton was a merchant at New Creek Station, showing considerable financial position, especially for a man of merely 21 years age[5]. Dayton had established a mercantile business at New Creek, and it is reported by others that Dayton bought out the mercantile interests of E. M. Armstrong when Armstrong moved away from New Creek to take up allegiance with the south. The representative from Hampshire County, E. M. Armstrong had represented the local area’s pro-Union mood strongly at the Virginia Peace Conference of Feb – April 1861, but when the debate was lost and Virginia went for secession in the late May vote, Armstrong moved on to southern Virginia following his state as opposed to his stated position. He was likely gone or on the way in early June, the attempt to avoid succession having failed in the referendum of May 22. Whether Dayton had bought Armstrong out by that time is not known. But certainly, Dayton was a man of means with a lot to protect and it is not illogical that he would be one of the first to response to the call. James Dayton became the Captain of the new company. He would go on to provide meritous service in the 4^th WV, rising to the ranks of Colonel in command of the full regiment. The company was initially organized as Company A, 4^th Virginia Volunteers.

Additionally, Dayton was the son of Rev Roland Dayton, a farmer and minister located in the area of 21st Bridge, where the B&O crosses from Maryland into West Virginia just south of New Creek. Whether there was a significant community at 21^st Bridge, or if Dayton Sr just lived on his farm there with other locals, is not known, but Dayton Sr. and his large family lived near the railroad bridge that was a much desired target- so much so that it was occupied with the 50th Maryland Militia on guard duty at that time. And the strategic importance was confirmed on the 19th of June when contingents of Confederate A. P. Hill’s command working out of Romney, attacked the militia guard and destroyed the railroad bridge, cutting off rail communication from Cumberland to the west.[6] The rail communications from Cumberland to the east had already been broken in many places by the Rebel raiders about a week earlier. Some say that the bridge burning was a “pay back” for Wallace’s earlier foray into Romney; others claim just another attempt to totally disrupt rail traffic flow. It probably inflamed the area and made recruiting a lot easier for James Dayton.

Dayton’s enrollment at Piedmont began the recruitment process on June 17^th, and all further enrollments were listed as New Creek—and some on that same June 17^th date. Apparently Dayton had a following of recruits already established, and about 20 of his company show the sign up date of 17 June --- which is also the date of the beginning of records for the company. Interestingly, most of the enrollees on this early date were from the Virginia area; the predominance of the later ones would be from Maryland. The Maryland area was of course much larger from a population base at that time.

The enrollment continued at New Creek, and in a short time-about a month-- a complete company was raised. There are two conspicuously busy days of recruitment—Friday July 12^th and Monday July 15^th. Apparently the word was sent out that these were the days to enroll, and about 60 men enrolled on those two dates. The enrollment was at New Creek—quite likely at Dayton’s store-- one of the few buildings in town. The latest July enrollment at New Creek was on July 18^th-- which could be in error. It is probable that the men moved out by train at least by the day of the July 18^th , quite possibly earlier. The men mustered in according to the official records on 20th July, at Grafton, the rail head on the line where the Union was basing its western Virginia campaign at that time.

Ironically as the enrollment was in progress, Confederate activity against the Piedmont /New Creek area was at its peak, and the first Union skirmishes and occupation took place. Piedmont was attacked on the 11th or 12th of July, and again on the 15^th. It is possible that their recruitment was some of the motivation for the attacks. The general recruitment process in western Virginia had become contentious for the Confederate cause, often based in threats and physical seizure. Perhaps these attacks were meant to change the recruits allegiance. In response to the attacks, Piedmont was occupied by two companies of the 5^th PA Reserve Corp and one company of the PA Bucktail Wildcats, on July 13^th. J R Sypher in his book History of the PA Reserves[7], in describing the defense of Piedmont on the 15^th, tells of the “assistance of some troop being sent West – which might have been some of the new recruits. Since the railroad was of no use beyond Cumberland, it is not obvious who else would have been in the area.

Troubles also occurred in New Creek Station during these times. The earliest military action of that town was recorded as a raid on the Armstrong house, fortified by Union troops on July 14^th. Several accounts record the attack in detail, though it is not in the Official Records. Additionally a newspaper account attributed to Dayton, describes that his store was raided at the same time, as reported in the Wheeling paper, by the Grafton correspondent.

Outrages at New Creek and Vicinity---- We yesterday saw Capt J. H. Dayton, of Company A, 4h Virginia Regiment. He confirms the report of the recent outrages perpetrated by secessionists at New Creek and vicinity, on Friday last. After burning the bridges on Georges Creek, the rebel soldiers from the camp at Romney, went to New Creek and broke open Capt. Dayton’s store, and robbed it of not less than $10,000 worth of goods. A Union soldier named Kelly, formerly of Cumberland, who was lying asleep on the railroad platform was instantly murdered. The rebels took the drainers from Captain Dayton’s store and fed their horse in them. The arrival of some Pennsylvania troops caused the thieves and murderers to beat a hasty retreat, with a loss, we regret to say, of only two men.

From the Wheeling Intellingencer July 23, 1861.

Note: Although the account claims the event happened on “Friday last” it is nearly universally attributed to the raid on New Creek Station 14 July 1861, a Sunday morning. The other details agree with the supporting accounts.

It was probably the first of many troubles to fall to Dayton’s business

Chronologically, the second unit to be raised in the area was the 2^nd Maryland Potomac Home Brigade, recruited by Dr. B.B. Shaw at Piedmont—who reported enrolling himself on the 15^th of July, 1861. It is probable that the Company K was nearing completion, and the local enrollment activity taken over by Dr. Shaw – if in fact there was that much organization in the recruitment process. An interesting side light, Shaw had a commission from the new government of western Virginia, signed by appointed Governor Francis Pierpont and dated July 5^th, 1861, to raise the 77^th Virginia Militia[8]—a commission that he apparently never accepted, opting instead to enroll his charges as MD volunteers. Shaw’s group and a number of the West Virginia troops that would enroll after the 4^th WV were to be the “home guards” as the name suggests, troops that would basically stay near their enrolled area and provide fundamentally for the local defense. Such service was likely not guaranteed, but the groups were under that general premises. Exactly what the premise of the recruitment of the 4^th was, is uncertain. Dayton reports that his company was to have been “A” Company of the 4^th WV Infantry, and many of the early records refer to it as such, but in November it was changed to K Company.[9] Many of the other companies that made up the 4^th were recruited along the Ohio River, on both sides of the River. The Regiment had a mixed Ohio and West Virginia flavor to it. Bringing in Dayton’s group in late year looked almost like a after-thought; a need to get the numbers right. At any rate, the inclusion of Dayton’s group put them into a force and structure that would see them aligned with other Ohio troops, and hence serve on a more national basis. William Kepler in his book History of the 4^th OH Volunteer Infantry, refers to the unit in his writings as the 1st WV.[10] Early troop numbering certainly had some confusion to it.

After the mustering in, it is likely that Company K stayed at Grafton or that general area for but a short period. Several members who missed the enrollment at New Creek would catch up with the unit at Webster and enroll and muster in there—about 6 members. While the location of Webster is not known, it was in Taylor County, the Grafton area, as the following suggests.

On the 15^th August, Dayton’s company’s first military operations are noted in their field record—but they made no report. Here they are referred to as Company A. They were assisted in this action –listed as a skirmish—by the 25^th Ohio Volunteers who did report and wrote:[11]

“August 15^th—The said company [25^th OH], consisting of one captain, one lieutenant and seventy –three non-commissioned officers and privates, proceeded to Webster, Taylor County, under orders to report the company to Captain [James H] Dayton of the Fourth [West] Virginia Volunteer Infantry. Under command of Captain Dayton the battalion, consisting of Company A, Fourth [West] Virginia Volunteers Infantry, and Company F, Twenty-fifth Ohio Volunteers Infantry, marched to [illegible] in Marion County, [West] Virginia and surrounding country on a scout.

August 16^th --- Returning arrived at Grafton, [West] Virginia in the evening, having traveled by railroad cars two miles and on foot thirty-six miles in these two days. “

Note: Information in the brackets supplied by the editor of the government printing office.

At some point thereafter, the Company returned to the New Creek Station, and at least for a while, Dayton’s company was in charge at that location. On the 28^th of August, Dayton wrote to General William Rosencrans, commander of the forces in western Virginia at the time:

General Rozencrans (sic) 28 Aug 1861

I am left here in command of this post with about 150 men and would suggest an immediate reinforcement as I understand from a reliable source that the enemy is 700 strong at Petersburg in Hardy co. Also cavalry scouring our country think your immediate attention will greatly benefit our course. I shall do my utmost.

J H Dayton

Cap Co A 4^th WV

Further, one of the enlistees reports that he was stationed at 21st Bridge in the Fall of 1861[12] - probably a reinforced guard situation after the earlier attack. One would guess that the MD Militia unit was long gone.

Sgt John Elwood[13] reported that the Old Ringgold Cavalry were moved to New Creek on August 25^th—so that likely is the force that Dayton had at his disposal—his group of green recruits and the Ringgold. Shortly after, perhaps in response to Dayton’s note, several companies of the 8^th OH Inf were sent to New Creek under the command of Capt Hayes[14], raising the force to the order of 500 men.

The next engagement for Company K was soon at hand.[15] On Sept 23^rd, another assault on Romney was organized—and reportedly Company K, 4^th WV Inf, Captain James H Dayton commanding, was a part of the force. The overall force was in command of Lt Col James Cantwell, 4^th OH Infantry, along with companies of the 8^th OH Infantry, the Ringgold Cavalry, Co H 3^rd WV Inf, and Company K—a force reported to be about 1000 men. The small army attacked the Confederates on the 24^th, meeting a smaller Confederate organization, in what was to be known at the Battle of Hanging Rocks. The 4^th WV Company K were reported in skirmish action on Mill Creek Mountain that morning. The battle was significant for the time, and is well reconstructed in detail in other works. The city of Romney fell on the 25^th, and was held but for a short period, when the order to retreat was given to the Federal force and they retreated—the Confederate account would say were chased out of Romney and the intervening country-side, and back to their base at New Creek Station. Surprisingly this action is not reported in the Federal official reports, but is described in detail in the Confederate reports, perhaps an indication of who claimed the moral victory.

The next significant military activity for the 4^th WV Company K was based again from the New Creek area, when in early October, Gen Benjamin Kelley was ordered on October 25^th to again attack and this time occupy Romney[16] In a force consisting of two regiments—the 7^th WV Inf and the 8^th OH Inf, the Ringgold Cavalry, and 3 detached companies—of which Company K, 4^th WV, Captain James H Dayton, commanding, was one-- Gen Kelley attacked Romney and overran it, taking possession of the city which he held until the December 1861. The 4^th WV is noted in Kelley’s official report; it appears that their service was in a reserve role[17]

Company K was the first, and one of only two, Federal companies to be recruited in Hampshire- now Mineral County as WV units. The second was Company I of the 10^th WV organized at Piedmont by Captain James Jarboe in mid 1862. A significant number of other western Virginia residents did enroll in the Maryland troops on the other side of the river, and realistically the enrollment point primarily was Piedmont—the only significant town of the area at that time. The border didn’t mean much.

At some point most likely in November, Company K was incorporated in the larger 4th WV Infantry Regiment on the Ohio River. This larger Regiment had been organized as mentioned previously in the summer and was then located primarily at Pt Pleasant WV for the protection in the western part of the State of the newly constituted Restored Government , and the recently chosen Governor Pierpont took an active interest in the filling of the ranks and the deployment of the 4^th WV. It is likely that Company K was then moved to the west, and made up the last one or two companies to complete the ranks of the regiment. A letter date January 1862 bears the address of Camp Pierpont, Wayne Co VA. As experienced and tried troops, having had two battle actions, and several skirmishes by late ‘61, they would have been a good addition to the regimental command. From here the exploits of Co K blend into the larger accomplishments of the overall Regiment.

Beyond 1861

In the “official” regimental history of the 4^th WV in the autobiography of Thomas Barton, he records the main organization of the 4th WV occurred along the Ohio River, in both western Virginia and Ohio in the summer of 1861. Officially listed as formed from men “recruited at Mason County and neighboring counties in the State of Ohio”. Company H was recruited in the counties along the Kanawha river and Company K was recruited at Grafton- where they mustered in. This shows that these two companies were used to fill out the main group of the 4th WV. The regimental history and record of muster rolls is also included in the State of West Virginia, Report of the Vicksburg Military Park Commission, Charleston WV 1923, which is abstracted in the following brief summary. It is beyond the scope of this work to describe the complete service of the Regiment; for a fuller understanding of the Regiment’s history the reader is referred to Barton’s work.

The organizing officers of the 4^th were Col J. A. J. Lightburn of Lewis county, Lt Colonel H. H. Russell, and Major John F. Hall. The regiment was organized near Point Pleasant WV, with recruitment from June to September 1861. It is likely that it came together in pieces, and Barton claims that several companies were camped Mason City and Point Pleasant when they were called on for their first official duty- a patrol into Roane County, at Spencer to relieve a group of home guards that were being bothered by Confederate sympathizers. The job complete about the first of November the force, except for the detached Company E left behind to control the situation, returned to Point Pleasant. Company E rejoined the group about the first of December, and went into winter quarters with the 5^th WV Infantry at Ceredo.

In the spring of 1862, the 4th WV was in service in the Kanawah valley, combined in the command of General Cox. The deployment was two companies at Chapman, two at Brownstown, and two at Guyandotte, and the remainder at Charleston. The history reports as major activity a skirmish at Beech Creek, near Logan Court House, where a force of 48 men were attacked by about 200 Confederates, in which Major Hall and two privates were killed.

In late August, General Cox was removed to Washington for the defense of that city, and Lightburn was given command of the District of the Kanawah and command of the 4th and 9th WV, the 34th and 37th OH and two companies of 2nd WV Cav. It was with this command that Lightburn conducted his famous “Lightburn’s Retreat” when attacked by Gen Loring, in Sept of 1862, resulting in the battle at Charleston and the successful escape, to Point Pleasant where they were reinforced. The regiment went into winter quarters at Fayette Court House which was short lived. In mid December the 4th WV was combined with the 30th, 37th, and 47th OH Inf, under the command of Brig Gen Hugh Ewing- probably because of the heavy population of OH soldiers in the 4th- and this predominately OH brigade was order to join Grant’s Army of the Mississippi, 15th Army Corp, W. T. Sherman commanding. It will be remembered that Ewing was a prominent family in the political circles of OH, and in fact Ewing was the brother in law of Sherman.

The 4^th WV set out from Fayette Courthouse and secured transport on the Kanawah at Gallipolis, and from there was transported via steamer down the Mississippi, passing through Louisville on Christmas Day 1862—which must have been an eye-opener for the mountain / farm boys of the 4^th. In the Spring of ’63, Lightburn was made Brigade Commander of the combined Third Brigade of Sherman’s army, and James H Dayton was made Colonel in command of the 4^th WV —a fairly rapid rise for a merchant boy from New Creek Station.

The 4^th WV joined Sherman’s army at Young’s Point LA, where they participated in digging the famous and ill fated bypass canal on the Mississippi. From here the 4^th went on to great adventures and saw distinguished action particularly at Vicksburg. In mid May as the Federal Army moved on the positions around Vicksburg, Dayton was ordered with the 4^th WV to join the assault, and on the 19^th of May, Sherman’s army had circled the Vicksburg area, and driven the Confederate Army either off to east or primarily, into the fortified works at Vicksburg. In the swell of forces as they encircled Vicksburg, the honor was given to General Ewing’s command to lead the assault on Vicksburg, and hence the 4^th WV along with the 30^th, 37^th, and 47^th OH, participated in the famous storming of the works on 19th May 1863 attacking a fortified position in the line of Cemetary Road in the face of Stockade Redan- in which 137 of its men were struck down in the first 10 minutes of the attack. Of that, 27 died in the attack and another 10 would later die of wounds. The reinforced Confederate positions held, and the assault was beaten back. For Company K, one man died that day, and five were wounded. The spirit of the engagement is best caught up in the report filed later by Major Charles Hipp of the 37^th OH Infantry, written May 23^rd , quoted in part:[18]

“Major Hipp, with his detachment, rejoined the regiment at the opening of the fight, when the assault on the enemy’s works was in progress. [ Ed note: Hipp with three companies had been sent to the right flank to connect with General Steele’s Division—the 37^th would have been the north most of Ewing’s command in the assault] The regiment was then formed for the assault, with skirmishers in front, who by order of the general commanding, moved forward slowly, when the Fourth West Virginia and Forty-Seventh Ohio Regiments rushed forward, carrying with them some of our skirmishers and other on the left of the regiment. The companies arriving, with Major Hipp, were ordered to deploy on the crest of the hill, the balance being already over, and all were ordered to halt and open fire on the enemy. The regiment remained in the same position the whole day, constantly firing , withdrawing after night. The loss of the regiment [the 37^th] this day was 3 killed amongst whom were 2 officers, and 3 wounded.”

Or perhaps the report as filed by General Ewing:[19]

On the morning of the 19^th we took position on the right of the division. Resting on General Steele’s left, and. At the signal, at 2 p.m., charged the works of the enemy in line of battle, the Thirty-seventh Ohio on the right, the Forty-seventh Ohio on the left, the Fourth West Virginia in the center, and the Thirtieth Ohio in reserve. The left of our line, under Colonels Parry and Dayton, reached the enemy’s entrenchments, and the colors of the regiment waved near them until evening. [more follows]

Sherman, not a man to be easily stopped, organized another assault and the 4^th WV participated in the last direct charge on the works on the 22^nd of May, which was also ineffective. Sherman later settled for the siege, an effort that resulted in the conquest of Vicksburg on July 4^th, 1863. A monument has been erected at the Vicksburg Military Park to commemorate the effort of the 4^th WV, and stands today where they fought on the south side of Cemetery Road. The Vicksburg campaign was hard on the 4^th WV. While the loss in battle was in the order of only 30, the number lost then and later to sickness and disease was at least that number again.

Another area of distinguished service by the 4^th WV—which has been attributed to Company K was during the siege operation. During that period both sides dug in with typical containment positions, the Federals reinforced as history records by the continued bombardment of the city—to weaken or dishearten the opposition. Another form of assault was the undermining the enemy works, and exploding the mines—perhaps to present a breach in the outer defenses. Captain Wm Kossak, US Army, Engineers Office, filed a report of his efforts to sap and mine the emery works at the bastion in front of General Ewing’s command early in July, and reports[20]

“As I had no miners to spare for these two points, I called for General Ewing to furnish me 16 men from the 4^th WV Volunteer Infantry whom I knew to be old coal miners. These men started two mines on the night between the 3^rd and 4^th, one at Colonel Smith’s and the other at Col Malmborg’s sap.”

It is likely that these miners came from Company K, who had a number of veteran miners from pre war days in the George’s Creek Valley, as noted in the roster notes attached.

After Vicksburg, the regiment participated in Sherman’s capture of Jackson MS, and later in September, was marched to the other end of the state of Tennessee, and participated in the attack on Missionary Ridge- after the battle of Chickamauga- the Confederate defeat that opened up the south for invasion- a route exploited by Sherman. In the Spring of 1864 a portion of the command re-enlisted as veterans and were removed to Wheeling for reassignment. The non-veteran part of the 4^th WV combined with the 8 MO Inf and fought battles at Resaca, Dallas, and Kennesaw Mountain, on Sherman’s way to Atlanta. The term of this non-veteran portion expired before Sherman reached Atlanta.

The veteran reorganized forces were combined with the 1st WV Inf as the 2nd WV Vet Inf and were part of Hunter’s campaign in the Shenandoah Valley in 1864. The 2^nd Veteran Inf mustered out at the end of the war at Wheeling WV.

The Roster and its Story

The roster of the 4^th WV K Company as recorded in the Vicksburg Commission Report is as follows. The listing was improved by researching the service rolls of the regiment. A few records were not found- apparently the misspelling to great to recover. The service rolls data is from Series M508[21] which seems to be a research project from the Depression Era, i.e. not original documentation. That could also lead to errors.

The background information has been taken from the 1860 Federal Census, taking the best-fit data. It is apparent that the ages are often distorted—sometimes to increase age to be eligible for enrollment, sometimes to decrease age so as to not be rejected.

There was almost no descriptive data in the files for K Company. A number of the other companies did have descriptive information. It would appear that the data was destroyed; Capt Vance, who later commanded the company, responding to request for information, writes at one point:[22]

“I have had trouble verifying the records….. the Company was on a retreat from Fayetteville towards the Ohio River, and by order of Capt J A J Lightburn all the regiment and company property was ordered to be left and burnt, and in pursuant of said order…… all was burnt” [Ed note: this would have been the Lightburn’s retreat of August 1862]

Hence, much did not survive—and the descriptive record must have been part of that. Of course, being such an early unit, it is possible that it was never recorded.

Within the roster there are many stories and interpretations of interest.

One can see the “whole family” response to the War, or perhaps the whole family response for the need to find some steady work. Of the 100 or so men that made up the unit, there were 17 pair of what appear to be brothers—and four of those, Kooken (Cogan), Liller, Brooks, and Feevay have three members in the enlistment.

One of the soldiers Thomas McGuinness was wounded at the Battle of Romney in ’61—one of the very early encounters, and was discharged.

John Murphy fell (physically) early in the first year of the War while on picket duty, and was disabled and discharged.

The Castell (Castile) brothers, John and William, deserted within the first two months- according to the service records. Army life was not for everyone.

The divisiveness of the area—the split of allegiances north to south is particularly poignant in a letter from one of the soldiers, James Crawford—seeking relief for his father who was imprisoned as a spy and a traitor to the Union cause. Apparently the Crawford family farm was outside of New Creek Station towards Romney, an area that was even more so on the cusp of the dividing line, though not for James who had joined the Union cause as a charter member of Co K. Their farm was visited on the return from one of the Romney battles and the father was later imprisoned for sympathies to the South. James wrote to Major Darr:

Camp Pierpont [ ] Wayne Co VA Jan 19 186[?]

Major [Darr][23]

Dear Sir: I take the liberty of addressing a few lines to you in reference to my Father. Now detained as a prisoner in your city.. he has a family at home depending on his support, and are no doubt suffering at this time. What money I get for my services in the army, add only little to their comfort. I am Corporal in Capt J H Dayton’s company 4^th Regiment Virg Volunteers. I know my father would like to be home if [ ] and would do whatever was [ ] for the Union banner. He was [persuaded] of by the [domineering rascals] around that country and I know sorry for it the [hearts content]. [Now] Major if you could do anything for him if only he’d get a leave of absence for a while. I would thank you a thousands times. Yes than you forever. There have been a great many false statements made in regards to my Father. Things he was never guilty of. In our retreat from Romney in October. When our men passed our house some of the men gave out. they were taken in the house and cared for. Especially one of them belonging to the 8^th Ohio Regiment. He was wounded. He was taken in and placed on the best bed in the house and remain there several days. He thanked them very kindly. If I could see the Srgt I would try to get his name. My mother also stood in the yard and handed our [provisions] as long as they lasted [thinking] nothing about what they would do for themselves. My mother cared water bucket after water bucket as long as the [whole] column were passing. To wash their [thirsts] and wet their parched lips. Indeed they were wet to their [waists] when through. They also say Major that my Father sent out my sisters to New Creek as spies which is false. Thank God my sister would never stoop to such a mean action as that. They did come to New Creek which is true. But I had persuaded them. By writing to them. To bring me some clean clothes. That is all that brought them there. Which if necessary I would prove to you by some of the boys . Now Major if it is in power to do anything for the release of my father please exercise it. And the god above will reward you for it. I know he will be honest and true to our cause hereafter. He has seen his folly I know. And will repent. Major I mailed a letter to my Father yesterday and addressed it to your care thinking that he would get it sooner. Now Major by your kind attention to this I will forever be grateful to you and I know the whole of the family will forever thank your.

I remain your obedient servant

James Crawford

Ed note: The letter is written in near perfect English and grammar as shown except that each sentence beginning is not capitalized—which this software will not permit to show. The words in brackets are hard to read, and represent the best interpretation available. Major Darr is likely Major Joseph Darr – his location is not known.

It is not known if the elder Mr. Crawford was released.

The Battle of Beech Creek ( 1862) was tough for K Company—Thomas Lamb was killed, Sanford Liller and Fredrick Feevay taken POW and imprisoned.

The most noted battle action of the 4^th – the assault on Vicksburg of May 19 to 22, 1863 was hard on K company—two were killed (one in action, one later died) Thomas Canfield and Thomas Carney, 4 were wounded, and one James Riley must have been one of the storied members to reach the parapet—and was taken captive.

Charles Holstine was commissioned as Major of the 2^nd Mississippi Colored Infantry.

But the most notable story is the illness, suffering, and death due to disease. Of the company, 18 died of disease – or about 15%-- and the primary cause was chronic diarrhea—from the bad water and poor sanitary conditions that they had to endure. Many of the records indicate periods of hospitalization, some extensive. In fact, as few records are remarkable in that there is no hospitalization noted. I have marked these, though not universally, with the notation of “clear record”. The number is small.

Tom Kooken

At North Andover MA 30 April 2004

Soldier	Age	Background	Rank	Enrolled	Mustered	Personal Notes	Service Notes
Dayton James	24	Merchant from New Creek WV	Capt	Jun 17 1861 at Piedmont	July 20, 1861		Promoted to Colonel 4th WV Inf, March 1863, command of entire regiment
Mansell James	32	RR Conductor born England, PO Westernport, family lived Cumberland	Capt	July 12, 1861 at New Creek	July 20, 1861		Promoted to Captain in command of K Company, Mar 1863
Beall, Alpheus	21	Prob Farmer PO Cumberland--- father lives there	1st Lt		July 20, 1861	Wounded at Vicksburg	Promoted to Adjutant Sept ‘63
Clise Enoch	20	Blacksmith , PO Cumberland	1st Lt	July 24, 1861 at Webster Va	July 20, 1861	Gun shot wound in arm July ‘64
Hartley John C (also Hatley)	24	Carpenter born Hardy Co VA , also Laborer Moorefield by census	1st Sgt	Jun 17, 1861 at New Creek	July 20, 1861	Wounded in knee at Snickers Ford Jul 18, 1864	Veteran
Mullen William	36		1st Sgt	July 25, 1861 at New Creek	Jul 25, 1861	Clear record	Transferred to Non Com Staff Sgt Major 22 Sep 1863
Clice John P	22		Sgt	July 24, 1861 at Webster VA	July 24, 1861		Recruit
Cogan Joseph M [actually Kooken]	18	Blacksmith Bloomington MD ?	Sgt	July 15, 1861 at New Creek	July 20, 1861		Veteran
Cogan, John W [actually Kooken]	25	RR Laborer Bloomington MD ?	Sgt	July 15, 1861 at New Creek	July 20, 1861	Hospitalized at Larkinville AL late ‘63	Promoted to Sgt Aug ‘63
Holstine Charles	24		Sgt	July 7, 1861 at New Creek	July 20, 1861	Transferred to 52 USCI Sept ‘63	Promoted to Major 2nd MS
Liller William W	35	Farmer New Creek West	Sgt	Jun 17, 1861 at New Creek	July 20, 1861		Discharged for medical disability 25 Jun 1863 at St Louis hospital
Michael James H	24		Sgt	Aug 20, 1861 at New Creek	Aug 29, 1861	Promoted to Sgt Sep ‘63	Recruit
Stewart Milton	19	Prob son of Milton Steward of Cassville, Logan Co VA	Sgt	July 12, 1861 at New Creek	July 20, 1861	Promoted to Sgt 24 Oct ‘61	Promote to Capt 13th WV Inf
Betz Anthony (also Betts)	28	Reenlisted: miner born Germany	Corp	July 15, 1861 at New Creek	July 20, 1861	Wounded at Snickers Gap	Veteran
Fry Joseph F	21		Corp	Oct 24, 1861 at New Creek	Oct 24, 1861	Disabled at Newton VA 28 Oct ‘64	Recruit
Hackette William T	24	RR conductor Georges Creek MD area, bn Howard Co MD	Corp	July 25, 1861 at New Creek	July 20, 1861		Veteran
Liller Sandford S	19	Farmer New Creek West	Corp	Jun 17, 1861 at New Creek	July 20, 1861	Taken POW Beech Creek Logan Co VA , confined Richmond to Apr ‘63	Veteran
Walsh Robert R