Autobiography of an Octogenarian
By Robert Enoch Withers
When I first announced my purpose of settling in Russell County, some of my friends remonstrated because of the troubles which had broken out after the war between the returned soldiers and the horde of deserters and Union men occupying a section of country known as the "Doubles," lying between the farm I had leased and the Clinch River. In truth, there had been a great deal of trouble in that particular locality. The Union men, as they called themselves, only claimed this name as an excuse for keeping out of the service. After the surrender they became very aggressive, and, relying on the support of the army detachments quartered in every county, they sought to wreak their vengeance on the loyal Confederates, who had raided their fastnesses during the war and arrested them as deserters or robbers as the case might be.
Scarcely a Sunday passed without a collision, generally precipitated by an attack on some obnoxious Confederate officer or soldier, several of whom were shot and severely wounded. Finally they assaulted a returned Confederate officer named Fuller, belonging to an influential family in the county, and shot him dangerously one Sunday at church. An impromptu meeting was held and some one proposed to organize a party and clean out the "Doubles." No definite action was taken, however, but on the next day placards were put up in public places, signed by the ring leader of the union party, saying that such an expedition was in contemplation and defiantly inviting them to come on, as they were ready to receive them. Two mornings afterwards, as he came out from his cabin into a road running around my field fence and leading into a public road, he dismounted to let down a pair of draw-bars, and as he was leading his horse through, the crack of a dozen guns was heard, and he fell dead in his tracks. The party who inflicted this summary punishment rode directly to his house to call out his father, who had also been very conspicuous in the attacks made on the returned Confederates, but as they approached he fired on them, wounding one of the party seriously. The rest dashed into the house, after breaking down the door, but could find no one but women in the cabin, who alleged that the old man had escaped by the back door. This story was not accepted, and they began a systematic search of the premises, finally pulling up a plank from the floor which was loose, and there he was found. He was ordered to come out, and as his head appeared at the opening, one of the party blew his brains out.
They then went to the house of a magistrate near by, believed by all to be the chief fomenter of the strife, but too great a coward to take an active part personally, and gave him unmistakable warning, that if he dared to issue any warrant or legal process designed to procure the arrest of any of the party, his life would not be worth an hour's purchase. The men then returned home, but complaint was soon made to the officer in command of the military at Abingdon, requesting his interference. He detailed a squad of men, under command of a lieutenant, and sent them over to Russell, with orders to investigate and report the facts. This officer, fortunately, was a man of good sense and sound judgment, and after hearing the testimony, returned to Abingdon and reported that the two Hubbards had certainly been killed in defiance of law, but that they richly deserved the fate meted out to them. The only wonder was that the community had so long submitted to the outrages and violences committed by these men and their associates. This heroic remedy proved effective and put a stop to further violence.
I rented land to some of these very men after I came into possession of the farm, and never had any trouble or difficulty with any of them.Lebanon News, Lebanon, VA
1930
Killing in Doubles After Close Of Bloody Civil War
Sixty-five years ago were memorable days in Russell county. This period marked the return home of the grey clad boys who had faced the hardships of four years of war, or at least the return of those who did not fall on the field of battle. Today only a few of these old warriors remain to tell the story of this conflict.
The editor of this paper has just received a letter from Mrs. L. Askew, of Bellefontaine, Ohio, asking for information as to the fate of two men by the name of Hubbard in Elk Garden, following the close of the war.
According to the story, still familiar to the older generation, El Hubbard and his father, desperate characters, threatened the lives of every Confederate soldier in the county, and attempted to carry out that threat by going to Elk Garden church on a Sunday morning in 1865 and shot Will Fuller, one of the men who distinguished himself on the field of battle, capturing sixteen Yankees single handed. Fuller was badly wounded but survive and lived until about three years ago.
On Monday morning following nine old Confederates of this county who had but a short time before laid down their muskets, shouldered arms again and in the Doubles between Elk Garden and Honaker they met El Hubbard on horseback and nine minnie balls pierced his body, Hubbard leaping about four feet above his horse when hit. This incident happened near the old Bob Howard place on top of the Doubles.
John Hubbard, father of El Hubbard was followed to his home and took refuge under the house, and after he refused to come out he was shot to death while under the floor. This put an end to shooting Confederate soldiers.
No trial ever resulted from the killing of these two men.
Lebanon News
Obituary of W.H. Fuller
September 14, 1928
Injuries To W.H. Fuller Prove Fatal
W.H. Fuller, injured a few days ago when struck by a truck at his home near Barnett, died Tuesday morning, September 11, 1928.
The deceased was 88 years old and the aged wife to whom he had been married 62 years, survive.
He was a splendid man and citized and gave his best as a soldier in the Confederate army.
Single handed on one occasion during the bloody days, he surprised and captured 16 Yankees, disarmed them and marched them into the Confederate lines.
He was also a soldier of the Cross and was ready for the last bugle call.
Funeral and burial today (Wednesday.)
