The World War II Letters of Billy J. Campbell, Letter 3

May 5, 1945

Pvt. Billy J. Campbell
Co. B - 28 Bn. 8th Regt. A.G.F.R.D. #1
Fort Geo. G. Meade, Md

Mrs. W. B. Campbell
Lebanon, Va

Fort Meade
Wednesday noon

Dear Mom

Well they are pretty liberal around here with their time. They give us 2 hours for lunch and I got 1 1/2 of it left yet. We haven't done much here since we have been here. Just getting processed and so forth. We start training tomorrow. It is just a refresher on what we have already had. I guess we will be a little busier when we start that. We are all split up here now. There are only 14 boys here now from the 1st platoon. The rest are around here somewhere in another Company. Everybody goes to Washington or Baltimore ever night. We get off at 6 p.m. and don't have to be back untill 5 A.M. the next day. We can get weekend passes as long as we are here if we aren't on orders or guard or K. P. I haven't had K. P. or anything else, so it will probably be my luck to catch one of them over the weekend.

[Editor's Note: Unfortunately the rest of letter has not been found.]

Russell County Newspapers, 1873-1931

Newspapers are a traditional resource for historians, and the increasing number of papers available online has been a boon to researchers who can now access millions of pages of newspapers from their home. Unfortunately, no Russell County newspapers are available online, although several neighboring counties have papers online, including the Abingdon Virginian, the Bristol News, the Big Stone Gap Post, the Tazewell Republican, and the Clinch Valley News. The Library of Congress website for Chronicling America has a Directory of United States Newspapers, which appears to have been created from various state resources. Unfortunately, the Virginia list only lists newspapers that have existing copies available.

In researching Russell County for over 20 years, I've come across mentions of quite a few other newspapers that existed in Russell County between 1873 and 1931. Below is a complete list of those papers I have found mention of, usually in other papers. The list does not include the Lebanon News, which I will cover in another post.

Russell Register, Lebanon, Va. 1873-1877. No copy known.

"Editorial Change. - Judge Fry has retired from the editorial care of the Russell Register and his place supplied by Mr. Wm. A. Ayers, a former resident of Bristol, who has purchased an interest in the office..." Bristol News, 2/27/1877.

"Saturdays, four pages, size 22x32, subscription $1.50, established 1873. W. A. Ayres, editor; G. M. Snodgrass & Co., publishers; circulation 540." Rowell's American Newspaper Directory, 1877.

"Saturdays; democratic; Geo. M. Snodgrass, publisher, circulation: 500." Pettengill's Newspaper Directory and Advertisers' Hand-book, 1877.

Vindicator, Lebanon, Va. 6/21/1877-1879. No copy known.

"The Russell Register has been changed to the Lebanon Vindicator, and under the editorship of L. A. Wall, Esq., made its appearance on the 21st inst. It is a nicely gotten up sheet, well printed, and bids fair to be a real spicy paper." Abingdon Standard, 6/28/1877.

 "The Lebanon Vindicator has again changed hands. Mr. L. A. Wall has sold out to Mr. Alexander Beavers, of Buchanan county. It must be a desirable investment, so many seem to want it." Abingdon Standard, 8/30/1877.

"ALEX BEAVERS has retired from the Lebanon VINDICATOR, and Dr. L. A. Wall takes the oar. We regret to part with friend Beavers, but welcome and salute the new Editor Dr. Wall. Bristol News, 4/16/1878.

"The gallant little county of Buchanan is to have a newspaper. The Ab. Virginian says Dr. Beavers is moving the Vindicator press to Grundy where he will issue the Va. Vidette. Now we wish the V. V. a career of glory and success, and congratulate those good people, who are generally a Democratic unit, on their good luck. Dr. Wall will soon reissue the Vindicator." Bristol News, 4/15/1879.

"Lebanon, Vindicator: Saturdays; democratic, W. T. Thurman, publisher. circulation 800. The Vindicator is a live democratic journal which took the place of the Russell Register. It is devoted to the interests generally of the people of Lebanon and the county surrounding. Its circulation is among an intelligent and substantial class of people, who supply their wants without stint. The Vindicator is an excellent advertising medium." Pettengill's Newspaper Directory, 1878.

Russell Progress, Lebanon, Va. 1874-1877 (possibly 1881 or later). One issue known.

"A PAPER IN RUSSELL. The Grayson Ensign has been discontinued, and the Editor, Rev. J. B. Jones, announces, that about the 1st of February, he will issue the first number of the Russell Progress, at Lebanon, Va." Bristol News, 1/6/1874.

"NEW PAPER. We have received the first number of the Russell Progress, published at Lebanon, Virginia. It is a very neat sheet." Daily State Journal (Alexandria, Va), 2/6/1874.

"The editor of the Russell Progress is named Irons. His writings have a metalic squint." Daily State Journal (Alexandria, Va), 3/5/1874.

"Rev. I. B. Jones, editor." Bristol News, 7/7/1874.

"Tuesdays, four pages, size 22x31, subscription $1.50, established 1874. J. B. Jones, editor. C. E. Irons, publisher. Circulation 504." Geo. P. Rowell and Co.'s American newspaper directory, 1874. 

"Tuesdays, four pages, size 22x31, subscription $1.50, established 1874. J. B. Jones, editor. C. E. Irons, publisher. Circulation 240, estimated." Geo. P. Rowell and Co.'s American newspaper directory, 1875. 

"Saturdays, four pages, size 22x31, subscription $1.50, established 1874. J. B. Jones, editor. C. E. Irons, publisher. Circulation 504." Geo. P. Rowell and Co.'s American newspaper directory, 1876.

"J. B. Jones, ed. Russell Progress." Johnson's New Universal Cyclopædia: A Scientific and Popular Treasury of Useful Knowledge, 1881.

"The Russell Progress is the name of a new paper at Lebanon, Va. Mr. HENRY FRYE, a son of the late Judge FRYE of this city, is the editor." Wheeling Register, December 13, 1876.

Issue of 1/15/1876 available at American Antiquarian Society, Newspaper Project, Worcester, MA, all other copies missing.

Lebanon Gazette, Lebanon, Va. 1881-1882. No copy known.

"Thursday, independent democrat, established 1881, size 16x22, four pages, no circulation numbers, subscription $2.00." N.W. Ayer & Son's American newspaper annual, 1881.

"Thursday, four pages, size 16x22, subscription $1, established 1881, T. W. and M. L. Comann, editors and publishers." Geo. P. Rowell and Co.'s American newspaper directory, 1882.

"Weekly, circulation 450." (Edwin Alden & Bro.'s) American Newspaper Catalogue: Including Lists of All Newspapers and Magazines Published in the United States and the Canadas ... Their Politics, Class Or Denomination, Size, and Estimated Circulation. Also Special Lists of Religious, Agricultural, the Various Class Publications, and of All Newspapers Published in Foreign Languages, and a List ... by Counties, Volumes 1-2, 1883 (possibly for year 1882.)

Virginia Protectionist,  Lebanon, Va. 9/11/1885-6/14/1889. Several issues known.

"We are glad to note the growth of the Protective sentiment in the South. The latest evidence of this is the starting of an excellent paper at Lebanon, Virginia, to support the Protective policy of the country. The Virginia Protectionist, the name of the paper, promises from the admirable work of its editor, Mr. W. H. H. Frenger, in the first number, and its neat appearance, to be an able advocate of Protection and worthy of a wide circulation in the Old Dominion. It is not an ephemeral publication, but bears every evidence of having come to stay." The Bulletin of the American Iron and Steel Association, Volume 19, 1885.

"Fridays, four pages, size 24x36, subscription $1, established 1885. W. H. H. Frenger, editor and publisher, circulation K1." Rowell's American Newspaper Directory, Volume 19, 1887.

"The Protectionist, Lebanon has changed editors. Mr. Dickenson retiring, while a Mr. Vickers succeeds him. For the retiring editor we held none but the kindest regard..." Clinch Valley News, June 17, 1887.

"Professor J. F. Vicars...former editor...will resume editorship..." The Educational Journal of Virginia, 1888.

"Friday, Republican, established 1885, size 24x36, four pages, subscription $1.00, circulation 800. J. F. Vicars, Editor; E. K. Harding, Manager." N. W. Ayer and Sons American Newspaper Annual, 1888.

"Friday, Republican, established 1885, size 24x36, four pages, subscription $1.00, circulation 815. E. K. Harding, Editor and Publisher." N. W. Ayer and Sons American Newspaper Annual, 1889.

Issues for 9/11/1885 through 10/2/1885 available at University of Virginia, all other copies missing. The Lebanon News of 6/5/1931 mentions the discovery of an issue from September, 1887.

Southwest Outlook,  Lebanon, Va. 1889-1892, 1901-1903. No copy known.

"We welcome among our exchanges The Outlook, a neatly printed six column paper published at Lebanon, Va., by L. L. and W. W. Bays." Lexington Gazette, 1/17/1900

"Thursday, independent, established 1899, four pages, size 15x22, subscription $1.00, circulation 800. L. L. Bays, Editor and Publisher." N.W. Ayer & Son's American Newspaper Annual, 1902.

Mentioned in 1/11/1901 issue of Richmond Times.

Lost register of subscribers in  1902 Lebanon fire. Asked subscribers (via the Lebanon News) in January, 1903 to report subscription status and pay subscription. L. L. and W. B. Bays.

Southwest Virginian, Bickley Mills, 1890. No copy known.

Two issues of the Johnson (TN) Comet (5/1/1890 and 10/9/1890) reference "The Bickley's Mill, Va., Southwest Virginia" and "Bickley Mill Virginian." No other mentions. Unknown if related to either the above or below papers.

The Bickley Mills Post. Bickley Mills, Va. 3/19/1891 - after 3/10/1892.

Editor Thos. W. Comann.

"The Bickley Mills Post, a four column weekly newspaper, is a new venture in journalism in our neighboring county, Russell. It is a very neat specimen of typographic art and we wish it success." Clinch Valley News, 3/28/1891.

Issues for 3/19/1891 through 3/10/1892 available at University of Virginia.

Honaker Journal, Honaker, Va. 1894-1898. No copy known.

"Fridays, democratic, four pages, size 16x22, subscription $1, established 1894, Humphreys & Honaker, editors and publishers, circulation between 100 and 1000, may have ceased publication." Rowell's American Newspaper Directory, Volume 32, 1900.

"G. H. Humphries, former editor of the Honaker Journal, was in the city today, en route to Pikeville, Ky., where he intended to start a Democratic newspaper. Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 7/7/1896.

Russell County Press, Honaker, Va. 1898[?]-1909. No copy known.

"Friday, Republican, established 1905, eight pages, size 15x22, subscription .75, circulation 630. C. A. Honaker, editor and publisher. " N.W. Ayer and Son's American Newspaper Annual, 1908. Ditto 1909, no circulation numbers. 

"The Russell County Press, which has been temporarily suspended, will resume publication about September 1st." Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 8/23/1908.

"C. A. Honaker, of Honaker, Va., formerly editor and owner of the Russell County Press, came in yesterday with the Norton excursion. Mr. Honaker has just sold his plant and paper to C. C. Bausell, of McLean, Texas. Mr. Honaker will probably look up another newspaper proposition since he has been in the business so long that it has become chronic with him. He was formerly with the Daily Telegraph and is a well known newspaper man." Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 7/25/1909.

"The Russell County press will come out next week under new management. Charley Bausell has purchased the outfit." Clinch Valley News, 7/30/1909.

Lebanon Outlook,  Lebanon, Va. 1898-1901. No copy known.

"A Democratic Banner. The Outlook, published at this place, is no more. It fell asleep Wednesday, February 7, 1901, aged about fifteen months. Judging from the dying statement made about job work, it must have died hard and in a delirious condition. The death of the Outlook did not come as a surprise, as it had lived about as long as any of the Lebanon News' competitors, the News having outlived the Virginia Protectionist, Southwest Virginian, Bickley Mills Post and Honaker Journal. The funeral services were conducted by W. C. Marsh, manager, after which the remains were interred by the side of the above named departed journals. When the roll is called on the judgement day, the Outlook will see, registered in four lined pica on the galley rack of immortality, that the Lebanon News is still doing business at the old stand, flying the colors of democracy. - Lebanon News" Richmond Times, 2/24/1901.

Confusion with Southwest Outlook 1901, 1902?

Honaker Herald. Honaker, Va. 8/17/1909-194?. Scattered issues from 8/14/1924 to 8/22/1935 available at Library of Virginia<1924:8:14> <1927:2:17, 3:10, 4:7, 5:19, 7:7> <1930:12:11> <1932:10:20> <1935:7:11-18, 8:1,22>).

"New Paper. The Honaker Herald is a new weekly paper from Honaker. The first issue came out last week and it starts off splendidly. Charles Bausell is owner and editor. We wish him and his patrons boundless success." Lebanon News, 8/13/1909.

"Thursday, democratic, established 1909, thirteen columns, size 13 1/4 x 19 3/4, subscription $1.00, circulation 900. C. C. Bausell, Editor and Publisher." N. W. Ayer and Sons American Newspaper Annual, 1918.

"Thursday, democratic, established 1909, six pages, 36 columns, size 94 x 280, subscription $1.00, circulation 1300. C. C. Bausell, Editor and Publisher." N. W. Ayer and Sons American Newspaper Annual, 1921.

Bluegrass Enterprise,  Lebanon, Va. 1929-1931. One issue known.

"Wednesday, non-partisan, est. 1929, 7 26 308 1.00, C. G. Combs, editor and publisher." Ayer Directory, Newspapers, Magazines and Trade Publications, 1931.

Issue for 3/18/1931 available at Library of Virginia, all other issues missing.

William P. Cooper Loses an Eye

William Powell Cooper was born on June 16, 1833 in Russell County, Virginia, the son of Jacob and Martha Meade Cooper. In 1858 he married Tabitha Fields. He enlisted in the 37th Virginia Infantry in September of 1861 and became ill with typhoid fever in May of 1862. In July of that year he was reported as a deserter. He returned to the unit and was wounded in the Battle of Chancellorsville on May 9, 1863. Doctor's notes read "Shell wound in right shoulder cervical region producing partial paralysis of right arm & loss of right eye."

After the wound Cooper was furloughed for 60 days in July, but did not return to duty until December 2nd, 1863. He was last reported on a receipt roll for clothing in April of 1864.

The State of Virginia passed multiple Confederate pension laws between 1888 and 1902. Even earlier, a law was passed providing compensation for soldiers who were killed or lost a limb in the war. Cooper applied for pensions in 1878, 1888, and 1902.

Cooper's pension application reads in part:

"I was a soldier in the late war between the States and was at that time a citizen of Russell county & State of Va and still am a citizen of said co & State. I lost my eye at the Battle of Chacellorsville on or about the 3rd day of May 1863. I was at that time in the Confederate service. In crossing breast works my eye was struck I thought with a piece of a shell, which exploded. I was at the same time struck with fragments of the shell on other parts of my body & rendered senseless and was carried away to the hospital. When I sufficiently recovered to examine the character of the injury I found my eye was hurt and Dr Hinkle the attending Physician upon examination of my eye, said it was distroyed, this Physician examined my eye the next day after I received the injury."

C. W. Powers "...states that he was in the same battle as spoken of by Applicant belonged to same Company & Regt know that applicant was wounded in said battle, his eyes were good & sound that morning before going into the battle, his eye was gone next time I saw him which was when he again returned to the command and entered the service, he was at the same time wounded in the shoulder."

Cooper's application was approved and he was awarded a one time award of $30. In 1888 he applied for a yearly disability pension and was awarded $30 per year. As the Legislature expanded the scope of the Confederate pensions, Cooper continued to apply and be granted a yearly pension. Upon his death in 1905, his wife applied for and received a pension for his service.

William P. Cooper died on June 17, 1905, just one day past his 72 birthday. In his obituary his old comrade Charles B. Price wrote "He was loyal to the cause of the South, a brave and faithful soldier, an active member of McElhaney Camp, No. 835, U. C. V., a good citizen, and a true man."

The Civil War Diary of Thomas T. Dickenson

Thomas T. Dickenson was a Russell county farmer who kept a daily diary for over 50 years, starting in 1861. Below are the major excerpts from the diary mentioning the Civil War. After the date are exact quotes from the diary.

1861

4/12/1861 - Battle commenced at Fort Sumter

4/13/1861 - Battle ended at Fort Sumter, South conquered, lost no life

4/23/1861 - Regiments 72 & 77th called together to get volunteers

4/24/1861 - Put up militia notices

4/27/1861 - 72 & 77 Regts called together to get volunteers

[I missed copying May 20-31, 1861]

5/11/1861 - Regimental Muster at Glade Ville

5/18/1861 - A portion of citizens of Castles Woods met at John Banner’s to form a home guard.

5/19/1861 - Started to Lebannon to the training - went as far as N. B. Gray's

5/21/1861 - Trained.

6/1/1861 - Met at J Banner's to organize a home guard

6/2/1861 - J F McElhenney's Co left Abingdon

6/6/1861 - Notified my company to attend at the Old C. H. with all the guns they have Reported that there are 5,000 N Troops at Louisburg Va

6/7/1861 - All day notifying the militia

6/8/1861 - Regiment called to the Old C. H. to raise volunteers. The Louisburg report not true

6/10/1861 - First battle between the North & South Bethel Church

6/12/1861 - Virginia Convention convened

6/14/1861 - Retd from Lebanon via of Dump's creek where there was an entire volunteer company formed & organized

6/15/1861 - First weekly muster at John Banners Col. Lee get 8 volunteers

6/22/1861 - Mustered at John Banners

6/29/1861 - Mustered at John Banner's

7/2/1861 - Went to Court Col John A. Campbel made a speach for Volunteers

7/11/1861 - Battle at Laurel Hill the Southerners routed

7/12/1861 - Capt Woolf's Company of Volunteers got to Temple Hill, where the Citizen's of Castles wood gave them a dinner

7/13/1861 - Wise Company left Temple mustered at John Banner's Dump's Creek Company got 15 volunteers there

7/16/1861 - J. J. D. & I returned from Abingdon by way of the Campground where Candler's Company had a dinner by the Citizens of Mocasin

7/19/1961 - Notified my company to attend at the Old Court house on tomorrow

7/20/1861 - Went to the Old Court house with the Castles wood Company

7/21/1861 - Battle at Manassis Junction the South whiped them

7/27/1861 - Mustered at J Banner's

7/31/1861 - Went to see the volunteers at Temple Hill

8/2/1861 - Went over to see the volunteers

8/3/1861 - Mustered at John Banner's

8/10/1861 - Mustered at John Banner's had no music

8/17/1861 - Mustered at John Banner's with music

8/21/1861 - Capt Jessee's Company started from Temple for Abingdon

8/23/1861 - Mustered at John Banner's Wheeler & Ramsey musitions

8/31/1861 - Mustered at John Banner's with music

9/6/1861 - Mustered at John Banner's had music

9/11/1861 - A. H. Bickley retD from the army

9/14/1861 - Mustered at John Banner's

9/25/1861 - Mesanger from fro M[...] of troops being at Louisa Ky

10/2/1861 - Weekly muster dispensed with

10/5/1861 - Went to Banner's to muster, but was non

11/6/1961 - The Presidental Election

11/22/1861 - Went over to Temple Hill to see Gen Marshall's gun wagons and the Ky Cavalry

12/2/1861 - The Va Legislature convened

12/10/1861 - Col More's Regt Campt at Lick Creek to night

12/14/1861 - Col More's Regt left Lick Creek

1862


1/1/1862 - Cannon pased here for Prestonburg Ky

1/4/1862 - J F Bickley came home from the Army

1/10/1862 - Battle at Middle Creek Ky Stanford L. Jessee killed

2/6/1862 - Cols Moore & Trig's Reg'ts got to Creek

2/7/1862 - Col trgs Regt crossed the river

2/8/1862 - Commensed feeding 15 Army cattle sent for Dr Gibson

2/13/1862 - Col Moore's Regt left the river

2/15/1862 - Col Moore's Regt went from mud fort to copper creek

2/20/1862 - Col Trigs & Mores Regts to start back to Ky

2/21/1862 - Prsonor's brought to A Nashes from Pound gap Regts turned back

2/23/1862 - Col Trigs Regt here to night Lieut Col Edmonson here

2/28/1862 - thirty of forty of Col Trigs Regt sick at Temple

3/6/1862 - I went to the old Court House where the officers of the 72nd Regt met to organize the militia A souldier died at Uncle John's

3/17/1862 - T. T. D. went to Lebanon all the officers called there returned at 7 o'clock in the night

3/18/1862 - The Malitia ordered to the Old Court House. t. T. went an returned

3/19/1862 - T. T. went back to the Court House with his Comp to enter service

3/21/1862 - The Malitia was mustered into the confederate service

4/8/1862 - The Militia dicharged at Lebanon also reorganized

5/3/1862 - Militia called out for Wednesday

5/8/1862 - The Militia discharged yesterday

5/31/1862 - 70 yankees came to Gladeville and burned 3 Houses & took some [...]

6/27/1862 - Commensed fighting at Richmond Va

6/29/1862 - Fighting at Richmond

7/21/1862 - The Militia called together to enrol the conscripts J J Dickenson C. C. J. Dickenson & H. J. Dickenson volunteered

8/1/1862 - Conscripts met at Lebanon

8/11/1862 - Capt Stoner's Co Retd from Ky Six of them here to night

8/12/1862 - Col Galespi's Regt. fom Tenn got to J Bickleys

8/13/1862 - Capt Baldwins company come to C's Woods

8/15/1862 - Cat Stoner Brought Horses here

8/18/1862 - Capt Stoner Came here from Abingdon

8/20/1862 - Capt Stoner & Jas Young started to Estleville

8/26/1862 - Col More's Regt came to C Woods

8/27/1862 - I went to Brigade & Bought some flour barrels

8/28/1862 - Col Stoner sold his horses

8/29/1862 - Edward Guerrant came here

8/30/1862 - Samuel Crooks came over from Headquarters at Temple

8/31/1862 - Edward Guerrant Samuel Crooks, Put Ewing spent the day here

9/3/1862 - Ewing & Stoner Retd from Junction started to Ky

9/4/1862 -  Ewing & Stoner started to Ky

9/5/1862 - Slemp's Battallion started for Ky. I went to see Gen. Marshal at Temple

9/6/1862 - Col Mores Regt started for Ky

9/7/1862 - Gen Marshall & staff left Temple for Ky

9/8/1862 - Lieut Sam Crooks paid his bill

10/6/1862 - I went to Col Gibson's & bough a gray horse from a Kentuckian

10/14/1862 - I got to the salt works and found that they had quit leting salt out under the Gove's Proclamation

10/18/1862 - J C Dickenson got home from the Army

10/27/1862 - Gen Marshells troops comeing back from Ky. The Georgia Battalion started to Temple

10/28/1862 - The Georgia Battalion msted[?] at Temple

10/31/1862 - Col Moore's Regt passed her & Col Slemps Battalion

11/1/1862 - E Guerrant came here Camerons Battalion came to C's Woods

11/2/1862 - E Guerrant left here for Abingdon

11/21/1862 - Went to Abingdon to see Gen Marshall

11/22/1862 - W. J. D. & I returned home by way of A Alderson's but got no money for the militia

12/21/1862 - Col Hawkin's Regt campled at Temple

12/22/1862 - Col Hawkins Regt left Temple for Abingdon

12/31/1862 - The war has now been going on for about two years and no hopes of a peace.

1863

1/30/1863 - T T went to conscripts meeting at Lebanon

2/16/1863 - 15 Negros ran off from this neighborhood last night. Dave among the balance

2/17/1863 - T. T. & Chas. went to hunt up the negroes.

2/18/1863 - The returned with all the Negroes.

3/18/1863 - Saml Crooks here for Dinner Gen Marshall going to Ky with his cavalry

4/24/1863 - Edward Guerrant & Mr Southall here

4/29/1863 - Col Edmonson's cavalry at [...]

5/10/1863 - Davidson's Batery at Bickleys

5/22/1863 - Army took 5'96' [...] bacon from me at 1$ per [...]

5/28/1863 - Giltners men took their horses from Father's. Election for govenor Representatives

5/29/1863 - I went over to the Regt

6/26/1863 - Conscript Board at Lebanon

9/12/1863 - The Court met at Lebanon decide whether this County would furnish her quota of slaves to the Confedrate Government They decided not to act in the matter and appointed D Carter to wait on the gov

9/21/1863 - Went to Lick Creek to Col Prentices Batt they sent & got 2 wagon loads of corn and fodder yankees reported to be at Abindgon

9/27/1863 - Some excitement about the yankees in Wise

9/29/1863 - Learned that there is no yankees in Wise

10/14/1863 - Fighting about Bristol between Gen Williams Con & Gen Hooker

11/3/1863 - I went to Lebanon to Court Gave in my taxable property to the Confederate States

11/8/1863 - Couch brought a horse that he has attached and left him

11/10/1863 - Lieut Mitchel and Rutherford came and took the horse Couch left here

11/17/1863 - Col Candler horses brought from Gladeville to my house and fed on my tithe of hay & corn

11/18/1863 - Col Candler horses left here Sold a Beef to the men Capt A W Smith Comdg

11/25/1863 - Cap Everet Started to Kentucky from this [...] with some troops

11/30/1863 - Went to see Couch & took him some summones J. J. D. Started back to his Regt

12/7/1863 - I went to Col Prentice


1864

1/2/1864 - Battle commensed at Jonesville Lee Co Va

1/3/1864 - Fight at Jonesville Confederates victorious

2/8/1864 - The justices met at Lebanon to apportion each slave holder his quote of slaves to be sent to Richmond

3/14/1864 - Court convened to apportion the slaves to work on Public works

3/23/1864 - Lieut Crooks here last night

4/15/1864 - Gen Jone's Brig passed up from Lee by the Old C H

4/20/1864 - Gen Hodges Brig returning from Ky

4/25/1864 - Col Prentice men got 53[...] Bacon

4/27/1864 - Col Prentice's men left Castles Woods

5/27/1864 - Gen Morgan's men geting to C's Wood for Ky

6/1/1864 - Col Mays Regt came here and camped and pastured my meadow

6/2/1864 - Col Mays men left here [...]

9/29/1864 - Gen William's Divs came to Castles Wood

9/31/1864 - The Army got 40 Bus corn from me Everetts Squad came here to my barn and fed much oats & corn Yankees came to Gladeville

10/1/1864 - Much excitement about the yankees coming Some reports say they are at R. P. D's though in fact they started back this morning from Glade ville.

10/19/1864 - Eleven of Pete Everetts squad came here from Ky

10/20/1864 - Everett's squad left here

10/22/1864 - Nearly every person between the age of 17 and 50 are now ordered to Richmond

11/7/1864 - Some of the slave holders summonsed to Lebanon for the purpose of pressing 5 slaves from Russell

11/12/1864 - Reported that Nash's Wise [...] to Kentucky

11/15/1864 - William & I went W. C. Bickleys to fix his claim against the Confederate States

11/29/1864 - I went to Lebanon to the inspection of all permanently & temporarily exempt men

12/15/1864 - Report of the yankees coming to Abingdon from Ten

12/19/1864 - I went over to Lick Creek A. M. Lee [...] me to met the yankees

12/23/1864 - [...] 6 thousand yankees came to [...] Saltville

12/25/1864 - the last of the yankees got from [...] about [...] I & Chas went to where they camped P. M. [...] yankees stoped at Guests Station

1865

1/13/1865 - John C Dickenson went home The Negros hired out belonging [...]

2/8/1865 - I heard at Lebanon that all hopes of an armistice between the US & C. S. A. ever blasted

3/7/1865 - I went to  Returned from court They were trying to get provisions subscribed to send to the Richmond army the yankees hav cut off communication [...] the S. W. Virginia

3/15/1865 - Confedrate Govt Commensed enlisting Negro troops

3/28/1865 - The court met at Lebanon to lay a levy for 15 [...] of [...] male slaves between the ages of 18 & 55 years, adjourned over to Saturdy next

4/1/1865 - The court convened at Lebanon to on the Negro question they adjourned over to the 26th inst and asked exemption for the County of the Gov

4/2/1865 - Peters Burg Evacuated by the Confederate troops

4/6/1865 - I & Father's Chas. went to R. P. Dickenson's Following some rogues who took my horse Davey and two from Father last night got more of the horses

4/11/1865 - Capt Halls squad got some corn & meal at Fathers

4/13/1865 - Capt Hall got 23 lls Bacon & gave me a Receipt

4/15/1865 - We got the first news of the surrender & Disbandment of the confederate troops in Virginia

4/19/1865 - Several Ky Confedrate commands passed through Castle's Wood and stopped about Lick Creek

4/20/1865 - All the Kys left this settlement this morning to go home to surrender to the Federals in Ky

5/13/1865 - I went to Lebanon to a peace meeting

5/28/1865 - The Federal recruiting officer came to this settlement from Lebanon geting all negroes

5/29/1965 - The negroe souldiers at Lick Creek

6/1/1865 - The negroes much excited about their freedom & some of them leaving home and highering themselves out

Campbell Hardware Store, Lebanon, Virginia

The earliest evidence of Campbell's being involved in the mercantile business (as opposed to farming) is the following advertisement in the Lebanon News of 1903.

 

Here's more information. 

Joel R. Campbell was the father of William Elbert Campbell, and James Vincent and William Harvey Campbell were their cousins. William Elbert and James Vincent Campbell are my great-grandfathers.

34 Year later, in 1937, William Bertron Campbell, the son of William Elbert Campbell, opens a store at Meadowview, Washington County.

 

In 1939, W. B. Campbell was advertising Rams for sale.

 

In 1941 there appeared this advertisement.

 

In 1954 William B. Campbell's son Joe traveled to the Netherlands as part of a Farm Exchange program. The Virginia Cooperative Extension came to Russell County to take pictures. Virginia Tech has the original images. Below are three pictures taken at the same time, although possibly not by the Cooperative Extension.

William Bertron Campbell in front of Campbell Hardware Store, 1954. Note the phone number - "8"!

The store with William B. Campbell, Doris Bundy, Daisy Campbell, and Bill Campbell in front. The name on the brick top says Lebanon HDWE and Feed Co and the windows have the later name of Campbell Hardware and Furniture. The area to the left is the hardware section and the area on the right was all furniture. The basement had larger tools and replacement parts like plow blades. Behind and on the other side of the street, was a warehouse. To the right of this warehouse, another cinder block building was build to hold feed and seed. The upper floor of the building had apartments and housed the County Extension Service.

Billy and Joe Campbell in family store. Taken in 1954 for Joe’s IFYE trip to the Netherlands. IFYE is International Farm Youth Exchange.