posted them in line of battle, intending to storm the works in the morning. In the night Floyd having become alarmed at the strength of the attack upon him, silently fled, crossed the Gauley and destroyed the bridge after him. Rosecrans took possession of the camp, captured a few prisoners, and some arms and some stores. The union loss was 114; among the killed was the brave Col. Lowe.

At the time Rosecrans was operating against Floyd, Gen. J. J. Reynolds of Indiana, was stationed with his brigade at two fortified camps on Cheat Mountain, one called Cheat Summit, and the other Elkwater, seven miles apart by a bridle path. The rebel General R. E. Lee, desired to get into their rear into Tygart Valley, and once there with a large force he would have advanced against Grafton and Clarksburg, the principal military depots in Northwestern Virginia. On the 12th inst. he marched up the Staunton pike, with about 9000 men and from 8 to 12 pieces of artillery. He made attempts for several successive days to take these works; and was finally repulsed on the 15th. Among the rebels killed was Col. John A. Washington, proprietor of Mt. VerHe was shot by a small scouting party while reconnoitering, and at the moment he and his escort had turned to flee, the latter galloping off leaving their commander wounded and dying by the road side.

non.

"The party ran up to the wounded man, and found him partially raised upon one hand, attempting to grasp his pistol. As they approached, the dying man smiled faintly, and said "How are you boys? give me some water." One of the party placed his canteen to the soldier's lips, but they were already cold in death. A litter was made, and the body carried to headquarters, when an examination of the person was made. Judge, if you can, of the surprise excited, when upon his clothing was found the name of John A. Washington! Four balls had passed through his body, two entering either lung and any one inflicting a mortal wound. A flag of truce was sent the next morning to the rebels, offering to return the body, and all the colonel's effects. It was met by Lieut. Col. Stark, of Louisiana, who was coming to our camp to demand the body. When told that Colonel Washington was dead, Col. Stark was very deeply affected, and for some moments was unable to speak at all. He finally said, He finally said, "Col. Washington's temerity killed him; he was advised not to go where he did, but was on his first expedition, and extremely anxious to distinguish himself." Col. Washington was attached to the staff of General Lee, as engineer, from which it is judged Gen. Lee in person commands the forces in our front. What a sad commentary Col. Washington's death affords us. His illustrious uncle, the founder of our liberties, the great leader in the war for our independence! The degenerate nephew, taken in arms, fighting against the government his progenitor has called into being; losing his life in attempting to undo what that noble man had done! To be shot in the back was a proper termination to the career of a relative who in selling at an exorbitant price the Mount Vernon estate to a patriotic association of ladies, had speculated upon the bones of George Washington."

Guyandotte a town of about 600 inhabitants, situated on the Virginia bank of the Ohio, at the mouth of the Guyandotte, twelve or fourteen miles above the Kentucky line, was the scene of tragic events on Sunday night and on Monday, November 10th and 11th. The people were nearly all bitter secessionists. Col. Whaley was forming there the Ninth Virginia (union) regiment, and had with him on Sunday about 120 of his own men, and 35 of Zeigler's 5th Virginia Cavalry. A little after sundown this small body was surprised by a force of several hundred cavalry under the notorious guerrilla chief Jenkins. The

attack was entirely unexpected, and Whaley's men were "taking it easy, some at church, some sauntering about, some asleep in their quarters, and only a camp guard out and no pickets. The men rallied and gathered in squads, sheltering themselves behind buildings and making the best fight possible, in which the gathering darkness increased their chances for escape. The rebels pursued the squads, charging upon them around the corners, running down individuals, killing some, wounding others, and taking prisoners. After the fight was over, they hunted many from places of concealment. As our men fought from sheltering positions, and the enemy were in the open streets, the loss was supposed to be nearly equal in killed and wounded, -from 40 to 50 each. The enemy captured some seventy prisoners.

The attack was accompanied by acts of savage barbarity. Some of the fleeing soldiers in attempting to cross the bridge over the Guyandotte, were shot, and those only wounded, while begging for their lives were thrown into the river to be drowned. Others were dragged from their hiding places in the town and murdered. Some poor fellows who had taken to the river were killed as they were swimming, or when they had crawled out on the other bank. One John S. Garnett, who hid on that side was busy at this bloody business. A witness testified that he heard them shout across "John! Ho! John Garnett, shoot them- -devils coming out of the water there," and two guns went off. "There is another just behind the tree.” "Oh! I have sunk that- -Yankee." Soon another shot and a yell, "I've got one of the dad's scalps and a first rate Enfield rifle."

Early the next morning, the rebels fearing pursuit, left the town, carrying off with them as prisoners some of the union citizens, having first taken and destroyed their goods. When they left, twenty one secession women all with their secession aprons on, paraded and cheered the visitors. Col. Zeigler with a few union troops immediately landed from a steamer, arrested ten of the leading citizens as prisoners. As the people had fired on the troops from their dwellings, the soldiers set fire to the houses of the rebels, which communicating to the others, from one half to two thirds of all the buildings in the place were burnt.

The guerrilla war in West Virginia was marked with many horrible atrocities and thrilling adventures. There was scarcely a county which did not contain more or less secessionists who degenerated into assassins. They shot down in cold blood their neighbors in open day, and at night stealthily burnt their dwellings. Hundreds of these villains were arrested, but for want of positive evidence discharged on taking the oath of allegiance: when they again renewed their acts of savage barbarity. So little was this sacred obligation observed, so venomous did they remain, that it had its proper illustration in the popular anecdote of the time, told of a union soldier who had caught a rattlesnake; and asked his companion "what should he do with him?" "Swear him and let him go," was the instant response. A writer of the time well illustrates the fiend-like spirit that was rife in these paragraphs.

A thrilling incident of the war occurred to-day, within two miles of Parkersburg. There lives in that vicinity a farmer named Smotherton. He is of the genus termed "white trash" by the contrabands; a renting farmer, who lives from hand to mouth, ignorant, quarrelsome and reckless. He has quite a family. Smotherton is a secessionist, a very bitter one, and he has imbued the idea and its spirit into all his family, from his wife down to his youngest child. The suc

cess of the federal arms has only served to embitter and enrage him, and time and again he has threatened to poison the water which supplies the camp at this place, to destroy by fire the property of his union neighbors, kill their cattle and mutilate their horses.

For several months he has done little else than make threats of this character. His wife was as bad with her tongue as he was, and even his children have been taught to hate and curse those who were for the union. Smotherton being informed that he would be driven from the neighborhood if he did not improve his conduct, replied that he would not leave until he had destroyed the property and shed the blood of some of the union men. "They can't hurt me for it," he continued, "kase the war's commenced, an' there haint no law." That seemed to be his firm belief.

To-day two sons of Smotherton, the oldest not yet thirteen years of age, was out in the woods with a rifle. They came across another lad, named King, about the same age, whose family is for the union, and reside in the same neighborhood. The young Smothertons, following the example of their father, immediately called him to account. Young King stood up for the union, which so enraged the other two boys that they threatened to shoot him. Young King then boldly straightened himself up and shouted, "Hurrah for the union." The oldest of the Smotherton boys-not yet thirteen years old, remember-deliberately raised his rifle, fired, and gave young King a mortal wound. To-night it is said he can not survive until morning.

As soon as the affair became known, a file of soldiers were dispatched from town to Smotherton's hut, which they surrounded, and, without resistance, took the old man, his sons, and two or three others prisoners. I need not say that the soldiers were disappointed in not meeting resistance, for they did not want to bring in any prisoners. The party was marched to town surrounded by bayonets, and committed to prison, to await examination before the military authorities to-morrow. An indignant crowd followed them, and many voluntarily stepped forward as witnesses. An intelligent country girl said that she heard the boy Smotherton declare, several days ago, that he would shoot the boy King if he did not stop hurraing for the union, for he (Smotherton) was a secessionist, and he wasn't agoing to stand it.

Just such people you will find all over Western Virginia, and as their cause sinks they become more desperate, and endeavor to support it by blood and crime. Until they are treated and dealt with as traitors, the war in Western Virginia, will not approximate a close. Our troops curse the policy that has heretofore governed the military authorities, and now they take no prisoners whenever they can avoid it.

Retalliation, as above stated, at last became the common rule. The union scouts learned to take no prisoners. One of the best pictures which gives the lights and shadows of this border war, is drawn by a writer in the first year of the struggle, an union soldier from the New England settlement of Ceredo. He says:

In February 1861, nine others and myself were threatened with expulsion from the "sacred soil" of the Old Dominion for voting for Lincoln: all residents of Ceredo. In May the war against us raged fiercer, and some of the marked ones left for fear of violence. Some of my neighbors could not leave if they would, and my courageous wife agreed with me that it was better to stay, for we might by that course do more for the good cause than in any other way.

In June and July the excitement was all the time increasing, and by the middle of the latter month it was publicly stated that the "Lincolnites" of Ceredo must leave, and notices to that effect were sent to us. We sent back word to them to " come on," we were prepared for them (but we were not though), and

defied them.

For several weeks in the middle of Summer we watched every night for the coming of the indignant secessionists. They looked for us to submit and take the oath of allegiance to the Southern Confederacy, or leave. It was during this time

of fearful peril-for we had sworn to stand by each other and resist to the death if necessary that everything else was forgotten. All business was abandoned. The farmers who had been influenced by our position and action, left their crops and joined us in consultation and watch. They were made to understand that they were risking all their property and their lives, and perhaps the lives of their families, by joining us. But they pledged themselves willing to make the sacrifice, if need be, for the sake of the union. Our fears were reasonably increased by the treatment of union men in the adjoining counties, and we did not hope for mercy. The enemy outnumbered us who would fight more than three to one; For many nights my yet our bold stand and defiant declarations kept them back. wife did not retire to rest with any certainty that she would not be aroused before morning by the torch and bullet of the rebel guerrillas, now organized in three different places in our own county, and in large numbers in the next and nearest county above us. A little band of twenty-five, and sometimes thirty or more, when our country neighbors came in, stood on guard through many summer nights, with such arms as we could pick up, waiting to resist the attack of three hundred or more; but I have no doubt we should have made a desperate resist ance. We had become so exasperated by the infamous threats of the rebels, and so incensed at their conduct toward union men up the country, that we all felt that it was our solemn duty to resist.

Then began the organization of a regiment. One of the old residents was urged to take the lead in this; we New Englanders pledged ourselves to sustain him. It was a fearful undertaking, but we had the right kind of a man to lead off, and it was successful. The rebels were of course indignant that we should attempt to have a military force in the "abolition" village of Ceredo.

It has been one continued whirl of bustle, and excitement and panic. It seems as though years ought to embrace the crowded events of the past few months. In fact, it does seem years since last June. I remember a few scenes, a few days, and the balance is one confused jumble of stirring incidents, panics, fearful and energetic struggles to calm the popular feeling, painful and tedious night watchings, long rides for reconnoitering, anxious consultations, and frequent renewal of pledges. It makes me shudder to think of the danger we escaped. I can hardly realize that we did pass through all and are yet safe, and that the dear ones at home were permitted to remain there, when danger passed so near,-and particularly since we have learned what nefarious plots were concocted for our destruction.

While the recruiting was going on we were all the time in danger, and before the regiment was half full we had men out constantly on the scout, either to hunt rebels among the hills, or to guard union men's property away from our camp. While our men were taking prisoners and running the scamps from hill to hidingplace, the union men in Cabell county were rode over rough-shod. Every one who had a shot-gun or rifle, or a grain of powder, was robbed. The robbers also took beef and corn, and the union men in that county said not a word, for fear of faring worse. The few who dared to say anything were driven away or killed. Two others were shot, but recovered, and are now in the union army. One who had always maintained the right of a Virginian, clinging to the old government, was called to his door one morning by some of Jenkins' cowardly crew, and shot dead-four of the assassins shooting at once. In our county, young men, who I can were out of the reach of our protection were forced into the rebel army. not describe with what a high band many outrages were perpetrated-how heartless and cruel, and with how little sense of honor, these "chivalrous southrons committed numerous wrongs upon loyalists, upon their rights, liberty and property. However, every prominent secessionist in our county has been killed or taken prisoner. This is some consolation, though it does not compensate for the suffering of the loyal men.

I entered the army as a private, determined to be useful. I was put where it was thought I could be of most use, and have been constantly and ceaselessly engaged. My duties have not prevented my making some observations of the character and the moral effect of our enterprise.

How curiously-to me it seems-has this matter operated. The northerner and Virginian, it appeared, never could affiliate. They never did. It was plain that a Yankee never would be respected by the Virginian; from the most ignorant to the most cultivated, there was the same inborn prejudice. If common courtesy and the studied politeness of the educated man (Virginian) led him into sociableness and cordiality of friendly intercourse for a time, he would all at once assume a coldness as though he had forgot himself and done wrong. Among the ignorant it was still more unpleasant; but now ail is changed. They now seem to think we are of one nation-we are all brothers-we should all be united-we should help each other-we should not remember that one was from a free state, and another was born in a slave state. This is of the union men. The secessionists hate us more, if possible, and hate their neighbors who have joined us still worse. Nothing else, it appears to me could ever have destroyed this prejudice. And to us, who have seen this inveterate prejudice, this appears strange. Is it love of country, or is it the danger? Who can tell?

I have witnessed many scenes in this brief time which I had never expected to see-altogether a great deal of the worst of the "horrors of war," and mingled with the soldiers who are roughest and hardest, and heard their talk and their nonsense. Instead of feeling as though I had been hardened, or had become callous to the suffering of men and the cruelties of war, it seems as though the best feelings were sharpened. I know men who never before appeared to have any real and natural love for their families, manifest the best and most encouraging aspects of fraternal affection-the most delicate and tender love for friends and families-since this war commenced. Men, unconscious of the best feelings of cultivated natures, manifest that tender and affectionate regard for their wives which we expect to see only among the most enlightened and harmonious families. Many of the natives are rough and uncultivated. The war does them good! So it seems to me. This is my question: why is it? How would you explain it? How is it possible that civil war, where there is so much of awful tragedy, and wherein neighbor will shoot neighbor, to say nothing of the lesser wrongs and outrages, will improve men generally? While they talk so glibly of this one and that one of their acquaintance who are rebels, as deserving to be shot, they seem to be progressing in other respects. They become less selfish, more confiding, more generous, more considerate, and better men, I think, altogether. And this while we have not the best discipline in our regiment, and there is none too little whisky in camp. Is it love for country? Is it that the union is in danger, or that their families are in danger? Would this last produce such an effect? Or is it that the love for country is such a great and noble virtue that it increases other good qualities in men? Yes, this is it, it can be nothing else.

The bitter contempt and hate with which the union men were held throughout the south at the outbreak of the rebellion, found full expression in their secession papers: of which the following extract published in the Jeffersonian at Barboursville, West Virginia, in May 1861, is a fair specimen:

Capt. Roger's company of volunteers are making active preparations for service. They are a fine body of men, as true as steel, and fighting in the cause of liberty, every single man of them is equal to a dozen of the base hirelings with whom they have to contend. In the hour of battle, we doubt not but what each man will prove himself a Spartan.

Should old Lincoln grow so insane as to send 100,000 of his box-ankled Yankees up through this part of Virginia, our mountain boys will give them a warm reception, and will be sure to save enough Yankee shin bones to make husking pegs with which to husk all our corn for a hundred years.

A few months of actual experience dispelled some of those pleasant delusions in regard to the cowardice of union men. As the rebels were soon driven by our brave volunteers from their various camps at Philippi, Laurel Hill, Cheat Mountain, Gauley river and other points, they