DIARY OF WILLIAM S. PURGITT, 1865

OF NEW CREEK (KEYSER), WEST VIRGINIA

With Notes and Index

Transferred to Computer Media by

Gene C. Clem, March,1997

INTRODUCTION

The civilian population of New Creek Station (now Keyser), West Virginia, was not large in the year 1865, perhaps not more than 200-250 people. Not many of those living here kept a diary at that time. I know of only one who did so, Mr. William S. Purgitt, Clerk in the Post Office here.

I have had the fortunate opportunity to read this diary, through the kindness of Mrs. Ella Millar and her daughter, Mrs. Marietta Welch, and feel it should be preserved for future reference. I, therefore, have transcribed it and am placing a copy of it in the Keyser-Mineral County Public Library, where all who so desire, may consult it.

The diary is written in a small bock. mostly in pencil, which, after 100 years, is much faded. The entries are often hurriedly written and difficult to read. I have carefully examined each entry and believe this copy to be correct in most part. No claim to infallibility is made.

Mr. Purgitt was a large man, over 6 ft. tall (6 ft. 4 inches to be exact) and weighed over 250 lbs. In later life he was Post Master at Purgittsville, W.Va. and a Justice of the Peace.

His entries are characterized by terseness, well chosen words and facile expression of essential facts. Two of his grandsons live in Keyser.

I have added an Index, Notes and a Copy of a Virginia Land Grant made to Jacob Purget in 1796.

Those who read this diary will have an opportunity to get a picture of life as it was here 100 (now 133 years) years ago in the last six months of the Civil War.

November 19, 1965 Wm. W. Wolfe

Diary of Mr. William S. Purgett, Post Office Clerk, at New Creek, West Virginia (now Keyser, ) 1865.

Jan. lst., 1865 - Sunday

Jan. 2nd., 1865 - Monday

Jan. 3rd., 1865 - Tuesday

Jan. 4., 1865 - Wednesday

Jan. 5, 1865 - Thursday

Jan. 6, 1865 - Friday

Jan. 7th., 1865 - Saturday

Jan. 8th., 1865 - Sunday

Jan. 9, 1865 - Monday

Jan.10, 1865 Tuesday

Jan. 11, 1865 - Wednesday

Purgitsville. At home. Moderate. Rode H. Trout's horse home. Staid at home.

Jan. 12, 1865 - Thursday

Jan. 13, 1865 - Friday

Jan. 14, 1865 - Saturday

Jan. 15, l965 - Sunday

New Creek. Arrived at New Creek. Found all 0. K. Moderate.

Jan. 16, 1965 - Monday

Jan. 17, 1865 - Tuesday

Jan. 18, 1865 - Wednesday

New Creek. Moderate. Wrote to Jos. Pancake for corn. Sent by James Parsons.

Jan. 19, 1865 - Thursday

Jan. 20, 1865 - Friday

Jan. 21. 1865 - Saturday

New Creek. Cloudy & sleeting. No news of int.

Jan. 22, 1865 - Sunday

N. Creek. Went to Alkirs. Spent several hours. Drank apple jack.

Jan. 23, 1865 - Monday

Jan. 24, 1865 - Tuesday

New Creek. Cold & squally. No news of int. Cold, very cold.

Jan. 25, 1865 - Wednesday

Jan. 26, 1865 - Thursday

Jan. 27, 1865 - Friday

New Creek. Cold as usual. No news of int. Exceedingly dull.

Jan. 28,,1865 - Saturday

Jan. 29, 1865 - Sunday

New Creek. Cold. Went to Hughes' Took some good gin. Jake & myself.

Jan. 30, 1865 - Monday

New Creek. Moderate. Clear. No news of int.

Jan. 31, 1865 - Tuesday

Creek Station. Moderate. Edward Taylor has moved to H. Huffman's wife came down.

Feb.1st., 1865 - Wednesday

Feb. 2, 1865 - Thursday

New Creek. Sick with sore throat. My wife with me. Moderate.

Feb. 3, 1865 - Friday

New Creek. Still sick. Throat very sore. Raining. Liller shot VanFleet.

Feb.4.. 1865 - Saturday

Moderate. All quiet. My wife still here.

Feb.5. 1865 - Sunday

New Creek. Cold. Spent the day pleasantly with my wife.

Feb.6, 1865 - Monday

New Creek. Moderate. Heard of the capture of Gillmore and the killing of Capt. Stump.

Feb. 7, 1865 - Tuesday

New Creek. Snowing, cold. Not well. Dull all day.

Feb. 8, 1865 - Wednesday

New Creek. Not well. My wife still here.

Feb. 9, 1865 - Thursdav

Feb. 10, 1865 - Friday

New Creek. Cold & rainy. Pd. $16.00 for coat. No news of int. Wife still here.

Feb.11, 1865 - Saturday

Feb. 12, 1865 - Sunday

Feb. 13, 1365 - Monday

New Creek. Cold. No news of int.

Feb 14, 1865 - Tuesday

Feb. l5, 1865 - Wednesday

Feb. l6, 1865 - Thursday

New Creek. Warm & cloudy. No news of int.

Feb. 17, 1865 - Friday

Feb. 18, 1865 - Saturday

Feb. 19, 1865 - Sunday

Feb. 20, 1865 - Monday

New Creek. Cold but clear. Prospect of warm day.

Feb. 21, 1865 - Tuesday

Feb. 22, 1865 - Wednesday

Feb. 23, 1865 - Thursday

Feb. 24. 1865 - Friday

Feb. 25, 1865 - Saturday

New Creek. Cloudy. Sent a letter home by Pa. No news of int.

Feb. 26, 1865 - Sunday

Feb. 27, 1865 - Monday

New Creek Moderately warm. Do not feel very well. Anxious to go home.

Feb. 28, 1865 - Tuesday

March 1st., 1855 - Wednesday

March 2, 1865 - Thursday

March 3rd., 1865 - Friday

March 4, 1865 - Saturday

March 5, 1865 - Sunday

March 6, 1865 - Monday.

March 7, 1865 - Tuesday

New Creek. Went to Warner Taylor's Staid there all day and night.

March 8, 1865 - Wednesday.

At home. Some better. Rode D. Taylor's horse to E. High's. Sent it back by Ed. Taylor.

March 9, 1865 - Thursday

At Shoemaker¹s. Staid with Ceo. He is much better.

March 10, 1865 - Friday

March 11, 1865 - Saturday

At Oliver Liller's with my wife. Moderately warm. No news of int.

March 12, 1865 - Sunday

March 13, 1865 - Monday

New Creek. Warm. Clear. Do not feel very well. No news of int.

March l4, 1865 - Tuesday

March 15, 1865 - Wednesday

March 16, 1865 - Thursday

March 17, 1865 - Friday

March l8~ 1865 - Saturday

March 19, 1865 - Sunday

March 20, 1865 - Monday

March 21, 1865 - Tuesday

March 22, 1865 - Wednesday

March 23, 1865 - Thursday

March 24, 1865 - Friday

March 25, 1865 - Saturday

March 26, 1865 - Sunday

March 27, 1865 - Monday

March 28, 1865 - Tuesday

March 29, 1865 - Wednesday

March 30, 1865 - Thursday

March 31, 1865 - Friday

April 1st.1 1865 - Saturday

April 2, 1865 - Sunday

April 3, 1865 - Monday

April 4, 1865 - Tuesday

April 5, 1865 - Wednesday

April 6, 1865 - Thursday

April 7, 1865 - Friday

April 8 1865 - Saturday

April 9 1865 - Sunday

April l0, 1865 - Monday

April ll, 1865 - Tuesday

April 12, 1865 - Wednesday

April 13, 1865 - Thursday

April l4, 1865 - Friday

April 15, 1865 - Saturday

April 16,1865 - Sunday

April 17, 1865 - Monday

April 18, 1865 - Tuesday

April 19, 1865 - Wednesday

April 20, 1865 - Thursday

April 21, l865 - Friday

April 22, 1865 - Saturday

April 23, 1865 - Sunday

April 24: 1865 - Monday

April 25, 1865 - Tuesday

April 26, 1865 - Wednesday

April 27, 1865 - Thursday

April 28, 1865 - Friday

April 29, 1865 - Saturday

April 30, 1865 - Sunday

May 1st. 1865 - Monday

May 2, 1865 - Tuesday

May 3, 1865 - Wednesday

May 4, 1865 - Thursday

May 5, 1865 - Friday

May 6, 1865 - Saturday

May 7, 1865 - Sunday

May 8, 1865 - Monday

May 9, 1865 - Tuesday

May 10, 1865 - Wedesdav

May 11, 1865 - Thursday

May 12, 1865 - Friday

May 13, 1865 - Saturday

May 14, 1865 - Sunday

May 15, 1865 - Monday

May l6, 1865 - Tuesday

May 17, 1865 - Wednesday

May 18, 1865 - Thursday

May 19, 1865 - Friday

May 20, 1865 - Saturday

May 21, 1865 - Sundey

May 22, 1865 - Monday

May 23,1865 - Tuesday

May 24, 1065 - Wednesday

May 25, 1865 - Thursday

May 26, 1865 - Friday

May 27, 1865 - Saturday

May 28, 1865 - Sunday

May 29, 1865 - Monday

May 30, 1865 - Tuesday

May 31 1865 - Wednesday

June 1, 1865 - Thursday.

June 2 1865 - Friday

June 3, 1865 Saturday

June 4, 1865 - Sunday

June 5, 1865 - Monday

June 6, 1865 - Tuesday

June 7, 1865 - Wednesday

June 8 1865 - Thursday

June 9, 1865 - Friday

June 10, 1865 - Saturday

June 11, 1865 - Sunday

June 12. 1865 - Monday

June 13, 1865 - Tuesdav

June 14, 1865 - Wednesday

June l5, 1865 - Thursday

June 16 1865 - Friday

June 17, 1865 - Saturday

(No entries in the diary from June 18th. to July 6th,, 1865).

July 7, 1865 - Friday

July 8, 1865 - Saturday

Dec. 25, 1868 - Friday

Dec. 26, 1868 - Saturday

(Entry below this is in a different handwriting)

June 14, 1877 - Thursday

These accounts seem to be purchases at John Hughes' store, New Creek.

A list of the names in these ledger leaves of the diary is given below:

D. M. Michae1 - 1865 Isaac Sites - 1877

Sol. Bosley - 1865 Dan C. Sites Jas. Kline - 1865 Samp G. Sites Jno. Michael - 1877 Johnathan Sites

Isaac S. Judy - 1877 Henry W. Yankey

Ben B. Swisher - 1877 Christopher Martin

Benj. Brooks - 1877 H. C. Youkim

Benj. F. Martin - 1877 James Kimble

Jno. S. Hiett - 1877 Geo. Aintower

Jno. Blue Lem F. Kline - 1877

Thos. Roberts - 1876 Stingley Clark - 1877

(Continued next page)

Geo. W. Doll - 1876 Benj. Grayson

Jacob Evans John Kitzmiller

Jas. Arnold John McDonald 1875

James Ours Jacob Hank

H. Kimell Geo. W. Buff

Wm. Johnson

On one of the pages of the diary is written this recipe, perhaps for a cough syrup.

"Teaspoonfu1 Keyenne pepper. Tie in rag. Boiling water - a teacupful. Let stand ten minutes. Then squeeze out, to it add one teaspoonful clorate of potash (potassium chlorate) dissolved. White sugar until lumps dissolve. Spoonful every 4 hours."

Examples of purchases made at store.

½ lb. Indigo 10 yd. Calico, dark for Em. Sulser

3# madder 3 yd. good medium calico for Poling

2 lbs. allu'n sugar 1½ lb.

1 lb. extract Logwood Red flannel

1 pr. ladies shoes 1 bolt Black B

No. 6 fine. one set 1 3/4 yd. buff gingham, If no gingham,

Hoops (medium) calico

Coffee $1.00 .

1½ $ worth Indigo

10 yd. mouslin for GIll

$4.00 dress for Mag.

Another account: --

1 lb. logwood Ext.

40¢ Viterol

3 lb. Madder

2 spools Brown Bass

(doz. #20 white (thread)

1 paper needles #9

1½ lb. allum.

Personal accounts of Wm. S. Purgit contained in the Diary.

John Hughes₃. debtor to Wm. S. Purgit

To work from

June 1st. to 15th.-----------------------$50.00

July 7th. to Aug. 15th----------------$120.00

______________________________________________________________________________

John Hughes due me 300.$ Jan. 1st., 1865 (Continued next page)

John Hughes due me on the 7th. day of April 1865 - 300.$

______________________________________________________________________________

June l7, l865, Recd' of Jno. Hughes--------------$27.00

Aug. 11 Rec'd of Jno. Hughes---------------$5.00

______________________________________________________________________________

Letter with Jno. Hughes on the 27th. Dec. 1864 and he owes me 354.$ the first day of January 1864.

______________________________________________________________________________

Jno. Hughes to Mr. Wm. S. Purgit Debtor

To amount due on

Quarter ending 31st. day of Dec. 1864------------------ 300.$

Due for 2nd. Quarter 31st. March----------------------- 300.$

600.$

Credit paid 100.

500 .$

(It would seem that Mr. Purgits salary was $100.00 per month~ which was a very good salary for that time.)

Other financial entries in diarv

Feb. 9, 1865 Paid Col. Dayton with int.-------------------$49.06

 

Paid Mrs. Davis 18.$ for bord

Paid to T. B. Davis Jan. 23, 1865

Chaplain Patterson May l9, 1865 5.$ cash

(Jno. Hughes was postmaster at New Creek Station from April 28, 1862 to Aug. 28 1867).

All references to New Creek, New Creek Station or New Creek Depot, refer to what is now Keyser, West Virginia. In 1865, the official name of this post office was New Creek Station West Virginia.

Copy of a Virginia Land Grant to Jacob Purgit, Aug. 5, 1796:

Robert Brooke, Esquire, Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, TO ALL TO WHOM these presents shall come, GREETINGS: KNOW YE, That by virtue of a Land Office Treasury Warrent Number twenty one thousand and thirty issued the thirteenth day of December one thousand seven hundred and eighty three, there is granted by the said Commonwealth unto JACOB PURGET a certin tract or Parcel of Land containing fifty acres of survey bearing date the second day of October, one thousand seven hundred and ninety four lying and being in the County of Hanpsliire, near the foot of Knobley Mountain adjoining his own and John Spencer's and bounded as followeth, to-wit:

Beginning at three white oaks, corner to his own land, thence with his line reversed South 68 degrees East 60 poles to a white oak and hickory, another of his corners, thence with another of his lines, South 21 degrees and 30 minutes West 175 poles to two Hickories and a white oak on a level corner to said Purget and John Spencer, thence with Spencer's line North 74 degrees, West 36 poles to two red oaks and a white oak in said line North 14 degrees East 180 poles to the beginning, with its appurtenances:

TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the said Tract or Parcel of Land with its Appurtenances, to the said JACOB PURGET and his heirs forever.

IN WITNESS whereof the said Robert Brooke, Esquire, Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, hath here unto set his Hand, and caused the lesser Seal of the said Commonwealth to be affixed at Ridimond on the fifth day of August in the year of our Lord, One Thousand Seven Hundred and Ninetv-six and of the Commonwealth the twenty first.

Robert Brooke

(on back of Deed)

Jacob Purge hath title to the within.

Wm. Price, Re'd Off.

Jacob Purget, 50 acres, Hampshire, Examined, Recorded and Entered,

Book X page 259

NOTES

Alkiro Judge Nimrod Alkire, born 4/13/1813 died 2/11/1901, father of Vatice, Charles & Nimrod Alkire owned several large farms, his home was at the end of Armstrong Street Extended, now the Amarican Legion Home. One time judge. He was wealthy and influential.

 

Apple Jack, Either apple brandy or more probably hard cider

Arnstrong, E. M. - Col. Edward McCarty Armstrong, son of Wm. and Elizabeth Ann (McCarty) Armstrong, born at Romney, Va., about 1815, died at Salem, Va., where a street is nained for him. Married (1st. wife) Hannah Pancake, born 2/26/1819, died 8/3/1854. Wealthy. aristocratic merchant. His store was at the Northwest corner of Armstrong and Main Streets (the Coffman-Fisher Bldg. Which at this writing is in the process of being rased to provide more parking for the Stray Cat Cafe 03-06-97) and faced the B. & 0. R.R. Crossing. Built in 1853 the brick mansion, which later was the home of Col Thomas B. Davis, and which stood on the present site of the Keyser High School Bldg. He was a captain in the 77 Va. Militia. Impoverished by the war, he spent his latter days in aristocratic genteel poverty at Salem, Va. He was a delegate from Hampshire County to the Virginia Convention of Feb. 12, 1861, which voted to seceed from the Union. Mr. Armstrong voted against the Ordinance of Secession.

 

Armstrong Wm. He was the father of Edward M Armstrong, was wealthy and prominent socially and politically at Romney. He died in the Armstrong Mansion at Keyser. He was at one time Sheriff of Hampshire Co.

 

Birth Of A Son - Mr. Wm. S. Purgit had the following sons and daughters. Dalton Purgit, Wm. S. Purgit, Jr. Isaac Cassin Purgit b. 1853 d. 1/24/1934 Edgar C. Purgit 1868-1951 Nashville Sommerfied Purgit, James S. Purgit, died a young man Martha Katerine Purgit, unrnarried, d . l935-4O Minnie Purgit

 

Blockade - Imposed by the Federal Army here. Only persons with passes issued by the Army could pass the picket line. Mr. Purgit was very helpful to his friends and neighbors in the Purgitsville area in obtaining such passes for them and in helping them get sugar, coffee and other contraband articles. He helped both Union and Confederate sympathizers.

 

Booth, John Wi1kes - The murderer of President Lincoln

Boys - The sons of Wm. S. Purgit, see "Birth of a Son".

Conspirators - Those hanged for complicity in the murder of President Lincoln: Mrs. Mary Eugenia Surrat, Lewis Paine, George A. Atzerott, and David E. Herold.

 

Dayton, Col. - Col. James H. Dayton) son of Rev. Roland Dayton of 21st. Bridge. Hc and his wife built the house, recently torn down, at the Southwest corner of Main & E. Piedmont Sts., in 1858-59. He was of the 4th. W. Va. Infantry and fought at Vicksburg.

 

Davis, Mrs. Martha A. - Sister of Wm. S. Purgit.

Davis T. B.- Col. Thomas B. Davis, son of Caleb and Louise (Warfield) Davis of Baltimore. Early developer of Piedmont W. Va. Banker. coal, 1umber and real estate magnate, race horse owner and breeder, millionnaire. Brother of Henry Gassaway Davis and brother-in-law of Senator Stephen Elkins, Member of Congress. Purchased the Armstrong Mansion and lived there until his death in 1911. Unmarried.

 

Davis, Mrs - Mrs. Louise Davis, nec Warfield, mother of Thos. B. Davis, Henry Gassaway Davis and Mrs. Eliza Buxton. Mr. Wm. S. Purgit boarded with her at New Creek.

 

Elliott, Buck,- A friend of Wm. S. Purgit

 

Fort Fisher, A Naval Fort on the coast of N. Carolina.

Greenfield, Col. - Ccl. A. J. Greenfield of Washington, Pa. Cavalry. He was from Western Pennsylvania.

 

Haggerty) Geo. - Lived on a farm between Purgitsville and the South Branch of the Potomac, back near the river. He was the grandfather of Arnold Haggerty.

 

Harness - Member of the prominent Con federate family of Romney.

 

Harper’s Monthly - An illustrated magazine.

Heiskell, Jno. R., of Romney

 

High's - A very numerous family of Purgitsville. Two of the High boys were hanged by Confederate Scouts near the entrance of Shirley¹s Lane.

High, W. T,- School teacher and surveyor of Purgitbville.

 

Hoffman - Another numerous family of Purgitsville. Fred Hoffman was the grandfather of Dr. Thad "Buddy" Hoffman (Huffman) and Fred N. Hoffman, of Keyser.

 

Hughes, Jno.- John H. Hughes b. 1834 d. 1904, Post Master at New Creek Station from April 28, 1862 to Aug. 28, 1857. His store during the Civil War was in the Armstrong Store Building at the Northwest corner of Armstrong and Main Streets, now the Coffman-Fisher Bldg.) The post office was in his store until March 27, 1865. Soon after the War he operated a pottery, where stone ware jars and jugs were made, at 213 N. Water St. Later he had a Glove and Mitten Factory here on Main St. He was notoriously "bad pay and hard to get money out of" . He built the the brick house at 37 S. Main St., in 1867 and soon lost it. He went bankrupt. He married Eliza Catherine Frye 1841-1917. Children were: Cora L. Hughes 1865-1927 and Nettie Hughes, 1869-1940, who married Mr. Carrier.

 

Hughes, Mrs. Jno. had a baby 1/3/1865 - This was Cora L. Hughes. Mrs. Jno Hughes was Eliza Catherine Frey 1841-1917, daughter of Jacob Frey l864 - 1871 and Sarah Margaret Gaines 1820-1901. She was a good business woman and had a millinery shop at her home N. Main St. where the Keyser Television Cable Co. office now is.

 

Hull Mrs.- This is probably one of two Mrs. Hulls who lived near Ridgeville. Mrs. Amelia Hull, nee Liller wife of Wm. M. Hull., or Mrs. Sarah Hull; nec Thrush, widow of Wm. M. Hull. The Mrs. Hull mentioned in this diary evidently furnished meals and lodgings for travelers.

 

Kabrick Jim, Lived near Ridgeville. He was a Methodist lay preacher. Kate A daughter of Wm. S. Purgit. She never married. After her father's death, she was postmistress at Purgitsville for many years, succeeding her father in that office. She died about 1940. Her full name was Martha Katherine Purget.

 

Leps, Geo. E., Conducted a general store on Patrick Street on the present site of Burgess Feed Co.'s Store.

 

Markwood, Jack,- of Burlington-Ridgevillc area. Lived at Markwood. Confederate soldier Methodist lay preacher. His daughter Mrs. George Shoemaker, now lives at 262 South Main Street Keyser.

 

McDonald, A. W. II - the son of the celebrated Col. Angus W. McDonald and Leacy Ann Naylor, his wife, both of Romney, who were married Jan. 11, 1827, at Romney. Angus W. McDonald, Sr., was a West Point graduate, wealthy and aristocratic. At one time, 1853-1857, the McDonalds owned and Lived in the Old Stone House on Armstron Street Extended, now owned by Mrs. C. 0. Byrd. Col. Angus W.McDonaid, Sr. lived at Romney, W. Va. Hannibal, Mo., . New Creek Station, W. Va. and Winchester, Va.

 

Mc .Niel,- Lt. Hanse McNiel, commander of the famous McNic1's Rangers.

Nash,- Nashville Summerfield Purgit, son of Wm. S. Purgit. His wife¹s name was Rachiel Racey, born 1863.

 

Pine Church- The Old Pine Brethern Church near Purgitsville, W. Va. No longer used for regular services. Built about 1800.

 

Purgit, James S.- Son of Wm. S. Purgit. He died while a young man in his twenties. His leg was amputated without use of anesthetics in the front yard of the Purgit homeplace at Purgitsville. The operation was done while he was held on a table by several men, without anesthetic.

 

Stump, Capt. George, - Confederate Army, born 4/8/1821, died' 2/5/1865, killed while on furlough at his home near Romney, while he visited his sick father. He was there captured and killed at his home by an irregular Union group of caveiry men, known as Jessie's Scouts, commanded by Major Young.

 

Statton, John W. A clergyman who was the brother of Mrs. Wm S. Purgit. Lived in the West.

 

Sulser - A family who lived near Purgitsville. Adam Sulser bought a lot on N. Church St., after the war.

 

Wife Mr. Purgit’s wife was Areliah Statton.

Sandy Hook - A small village in Washington County, Md. In the immediate vicinity of Harpers Ferry, W. Va. It is one mile east of Harpers Ferry on the Maryland side of the Potomac River.

 

Trout H. - Henry Trout owned a farm at Ridgeville.

Trout, James - Merchant and politician of New Creek. Very active in organization of the State of West Virginia. A delegate from Hampshirc County to the 2nd. Wheeling Convention.

 

 

U. S. Soldiers Stationed at New Creek Station W. Va. During the Civil War. According to the Report of Brigadier General Benjamin F. Kelley, U. S Volunteers for Oct. 1861 - Company A, 1st. West Va. Cavalry (Kelley's Lancers):

Capt. John L. McGee Company H. 3rd. West Va. Inf.

Capt. Henry C. Hagen Company K. 4th. West Va. Inf.

Capt. James H. Dayton 7th. West Va. Inf.

Colonel James Evans 9 Companies, 8th. Ohio Inf.

Col. Herman G. Deputy The Ring gold Calvary (54 men)

Capt. John Keys, later to be the Co. A. 22nd. Penna Cavalry.

Sergeant G. F. S. Nixon

One smoothbore 6-pounder cannon (10 men) under Ordinance

In 1865, the Federal Troops stationed at New Creek Station were:

The 22nd. Penna Cavalry (Ring gold's) Companies - D. E. F. G. H. I. K. L. and M.

INDEX

The date givcn after each entry is thc month and day that the said entry is mentioned in this diary. For Exanple: 3/30 is March 30th.

A.

Adams) 3/30

Alkire 1/22, 4/9

Apple Jack 1/22

Armstrong, Edward M. 5/10

Armstrong, Wm. 5/9, 5/11

Arnolds, 4/24/4/26

Arnolds James, 4/23, 5/29

Arnolds Jno. 2/15

Arnold, Zack 6/16

B.

Babb & Co. 2/17

Balto. 4/27, 5/22

Birth of a Son 7/7

Blockade, 3/14, 4/25

Booth, John Wilkes, 4/27

Bowers 5/2

Bowman, Luke 4/3O~ 5/23

Boys, The, 1/16 2/17

Brown, John 5/2

Burning of a house, 4/1

C.

Cannon, tir. 1/4 ½

Capture of Gen. Crook & Kelley 2/21

Capture of a Train, 1/20

Carlisle, Old, 5/27

Carroll Mr., 1/4, 1/25

Cavalry, 6th. Va. 1/1, 1/17

Cavalry, 22nd. Pa. 1/1

Chambers~ 6/1

Clark County, Ohio 12/25, 1868

Conspir~.tors Hang~d~ 7/8

Crook, General, 2/21

Cumberland, Md., 2/21, 3/21,3/22, 4/3

D.

Dayton, Col. 2/9

David, 4/24

Davis, Mrs Martha A., .

12/25/1868

Davis, Mrs. 1/23, 3/15

Davis, Jeff, 5/15

Davis, Col. Thos. B. 1/23, 6/17

12/25/1868

E.

Elliott, Granville, 5/25

Elliott, Buck, 6/12

F

.

Fort Fisher, 1/17

Fuller, 3/17

Fuller, Sam. 3/15

G

.

Gillmore, 2/6

Gin, 1/29

gold, Price of, 5/5, 5/6, 5/7, 5/8, 5/31, 6/1

Grafton. W. Va., 3/2

Grant, General U. 5. 4/5

Granville, 4/27, 5/25

Greenfield, Col., 3/14, 6/11

H.

Hagerty, George 1/16, 5/11

Harness, Mr., 4/28

Harper's Monthly. 3/25

Headsville, W Va. 1/5

Heiskell, Jr. R.~ 6/7, 6/14

Henderson, J. D., 4/26

Henderson, Mrs. 4/26

Henderson, J. 6/4

Hershey, 5/1, 5/6

High, Alf. 5/3

High E., 1/20

High, Fred, 3/25

High, Jim, 5/20

High, Uncle John,

4/22,4/30,5/18

High, W. T., 6/7, 6/9

Highwater, 3/16

Huffnan, C, 4/24 4/25

Huffman, Dave, 1/13

Huffman, E., 3/28

Huffman, Elijah, 4/7

Huffman, Fred, 5/24

Huffman, H., 1/31

Huffman, H. D., 4/22

Huffman, Jno., 2/22, 2/23, 6/6

Huffman, Mrs., 4/17, 4/18

Horn, Doctor 2/1

Horn, 5/16, 6/6

Hughes, John H. 1/3 2/12, 4/27, 5/13, 5/22, 6/2

Hughes Mrs. John H. 1/3, 6/2

Hughes, Mrs. John had a baby, 1/3

Hughes & Chambers 6/1

House burned, 4/1

Hull, Mrs. 1/6, 1/14

J.

Jack, 3/25

Jako, 1/29, 3/26

Jessie, 5/14

Jno. 4/28

Johnson, Prcsident Andrew 6/1

Johnson, General (Confedcrate) 4/28

K.

Kabrick, Jim 5/28

Kate, 5/14, 5/16

Kentucky Bat. 5/20

Ke11ey, General, 2/21

Killed, Capt. Stump 2/16

Kingwood, W. Va. 2/14

Kline A., 6/13

L.

L, Colonel 3/2

Lee, Gen. Robert E. 4/8, 4/10

Laps, Georg E., 3/27

Liller, 2/3

Liller, Jas., 3/10

Liller, Oliver 3/11

Lincoln, President Abe 4/14, 4/15, 4/19

Little, Kno, 1/20

Ludwick, Mr. 4/23

Lunchburg, Va. 4/14

Lynn, Hcnry 3/18

M.

Mahew, Mrs. 2/19

Marker, Haven 4/29

Markwood, Jack 5/2

Martha, sister, 5/18, 12/25/68, 12/26/68

Mat. 1/2

McDonald, Angus W. Jr. 6/5

McNiel, Lt. 5/5

McNiels Rangers 4/18, 5/5, 5/6

Michael, 1/4

 Moorefield, W. Va. 4/26, 6/11

Mydinger, John 4/9

Myers, 3/5, 4/5

N.

Nash, 4/8, 4/9, 5/16

0.

O'Ncal, Denny 6/17

P.

Pa (father) 2/25, 4/8 4/9, 4/23, 6/2, 6/3, 6/15, 6/16

Pancake, Joseph 1/18

Pancake, John C. 5/26

Parel, John 5/25

Parsons, James, 1/18

Patterson Creek 3/30

Petersburg, W. Va. 4/18, 4/21, 4/26, 5/23

Photograph 5/17

Pine Church, 5/14

Pony, 1/6

Post Office (New Creek Station) 3/16, 3/23, 5/7

Post Office moved, 3/27

Post Office closed all day 4/19

Prisoners, Confederate 2/19

Prisoner, J. High taken 2/22

Purget, D. Z. 1/17

R.

Richmond, Va. 2/11 3/29, 4/3, 4/4, 4/5

Ridgeville, W. Va. 3/12, 3/18, 4/4, 5/28

River, Potomac 6/4

Robey, Mr. 7/7

Romney, W. Va. 5/11

S.

Sandy Hook 1/17

Scott, Capt. 4/24. 4/28

Seward Secretary of State 4/5

Sheetz, Robert 4/12

Sheridan, Gen. Phil. 1/16, 3/19

Sherman, Gen. Wm. T. 4/25, 6/6

Shoemaker¹s 5/23

Shoemeker, Arch 1/12

Shoemaker, George 3/9, 3/27

Shoemaker, Grenville 2/15, 4/1, 4/5, 4/12, 4/13, 4/27., 5/25

Shoemaker, Wm. H. 1/13

Shoemaker's Wagon, 5/16

Shooting 2/3, 6/7

Simpson, Bert 1/23

Simpson, Mrs. 3/30

Statton, John W. 6/4, 6/10

Stump, Capt, George,. killed 2/6

Sulser, Adam 1/20

Sulser, Mat. 1/20

Sulser; H. 1/19, 1/20, 5/6

Sulser, Jas. 1/5

Swimming in River 6/16

T.

Taylor D. 3/8

Taylor, Ed. 1/31: 3/8, 3/23

Taylor, Elijah 2/23

Taylor. John 4/22

Taylor, Nan J. 2/18

Taylor, Tirzah 5/4

Taylor, Warner, 3/7, 4/22, 5/15, 6/5

Thompson 5/8

Tooth pulled 2/1

Train captured 3/30

Trout, H. 1/11, 4/4, 5/28

Trout, James 3/5

3/11, 3/12, 6/3, 6/8.

Troxwell 4/10

Tucker, Mrs. 1/5

Tumblars and glasses 1/4

V.

"V"., Arch., 4/1

Van, Mrs. 1/26

Van Fleet shot 2/3

Volunteers 4/3

W.

Warner, 6/5

Whipp's_s Sa1e 4/5

White, Colonel 6/14

White, Sandy 6/13

Work, Major 4/10

Wife, 1/12, 1/13 1/28, 1/31, 2/2, 2/4, 2/5, 2/8, 2/10, 2/15, 2/28,

UNCLE RICHARD’S FIFE

A silver-mounted rosewood fife, long an heirloom in our fanily, belonged personally to Richard Hornbuckle Thrush, musician, killed in the Cival War. At first Richard had been the fifer in the local company of thc Virginia militia in western Hampshire County (now Mineral County, West Virginia), a military organization corresponding to the national guard of these later times. Captain George Sheetz, of Sheetz's Mill (Headsville) was company commander, and Robert Welch, who lived out on The Ridge (grand- father of Lyle Wilson in Keyser) was the first lieutenant.

At the beginning of the Civil War in the spring of 1861, when Governor Wise of Virginia called the state militia into active service, Capt. Sheetz's company assembled at Burlington on a designated day. After something to eat and a rest around noon the Company formed in front of the John Vandiver House (now the Old Homestead) My father, Vause Rogers Thrush, a boy of twelve and next younger brother of Richard, then nineteen) sat on the steps of the old portico and watched what was going on. He had brought from home some additional clothes their mother had sent for Richard.

More orders were given, and the company was on its way down the road, through the covered bridge and on toward Rornney, the county seat. The marching tune that Richard played on his fife was "The Girl I Left Behind Me."

Late in the afternoon at a ceremony in front of the old court house in Romney, the ladies of the community presented the company just arrived with a new silk flag. ·When the flag was unfurled it was a new flag sure enough, the flag of the Confederacy.

Captain Sheetz knew his boys well many of them near neighbors. He knew they were not all of one mind, and divided in their loyalties. In what was certainly a dramatic moment as they stood before him, he announced₁ "I know this flag does not represent the sentiments of some of you. Those who do not want to follow this flag, may now fall out. The rest of us are going through to Richmond.

About half the men in the company fell out. They hunrried back to New Creek Station (Keyser), and thereabouts. In a matter of days a new company was being formed, a Union company. James A. Jarboc was named captain) and John M. Jarboe first lieutenant, brothers, and both of Piedmont. Isaac N. Trout, of Ridgeville, was first sergeant. This outfit became Company I, 10th. West Virginia Infantry. Rance Powell, also from Piedmont, was the drummer boy. Richard H. Thrush, the fifer.

Company I, 10th. West Virginia Infantry, saw continuous hard service. First at Laurel Hill near Beverly, then in the upper Potomac country in the vicinity or Petcrsburg and beyond, later in the Valley campaigns and what was left of it was on a hillside at Appomattox, when the end of the war came. In the meantime, Mike Thrush, a cousin, had died after being wounded in one of the Winchester battles. His grave is in the Winchester Military Cemetery, buried by mistake with the dead of a Maine regiment. Of nineteen captured in a fortified church near Lahmansville and sent to Andersonville, all but one had died there. These included Jack and Will Staggs, cousins of the thrush boys. (In l958, William E. Rogers, of Westernport, visited Andersonville Cemetary and found the grave of William L. Staggs, no other identification.) Only Race Powell, the drummer boy, "Little Red Cap" of the Andersonville stories, survived that ordeal.

Richard was killed two days before the memorable battle at Cedar Creek in the Valley south of Winchester. This was in October, 1864. Although a Musician and not ordinarily subject to such duty, he had volunteered to go out with a party to try to locate a Confederate cannon hidden in some woods. He was killed instantly by a bursting shell.

The winter following the battle at Cedar Creek, John S. and Sanford, older brothers of Richard, went with team and wagon to the battlefield, found the blanket-wrapped body in the shallow grave near where he had fallen and brought him home to the little family burying ground on the hill. Roland Dayton preached the funeral sermon. His grave is marked by a govenment stone.

Dave Crawford, one of the older men of Company I, whose home was on top of Crawford 's (Sears) Hill, had written Richard 's father the sad message about him. Richard had been named for his father. We have that letter, also a letter that was written to Richard when he was home on sick leave that concludes "Your little drummer boy, Rance Powell." (I’d like to know what became of Rance Powell.) These letters are included with a sizable packet of letters from Richard to members of his family The frequent use of OK in his letters interests me.

Richard played his fife for Company I until he was issued one, and then sent his own fife home; it has always since been in the family.

_________________________Richard W. Thrush

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sources: W. Va. Dept. of Archives and History

Simon Rudolph - Confederate veteran, with Ashbey's men at Lahmansville

Mr. Tasker - Union veteran, Co. I. Carried Mike off the battlefield

Mr. Martin - Union veteran, Co. I. At Appomattox

Vause R. Thrush - Richard's brother

Aug. 27, 1955

ADDENDUM FROM MATERIAL PROVIDED BY RICHARD W. THRUSH