Sheriffs, Constables, Coroners, Commissioners, and Surveyors of Russell County, 1835-1845

Below is an extensive list of elected office holders from Russell County from 1835-1845. The list was created by extracting names and offices from the county Will books and the Law Order books. Appointments and offices were scattered throughout the books and the list is incomplete.

Note that this list does not include County Clerks, Road Commissioners, School Commissioners, Overseers of the Poor, or Literary Fund members.

Subsequent years will appear in future posts.

1835

Sheriff
Samuel Gibson

Constables
Joel Bays
Stephen Benner
Robert Boyd
Jacob L. Burton
George W. Candler
Singleton Candler
George Colley
Jacob Dorton
Berry Evans
Andrew C. Ferguson
Benjamin Fugate
Fowler Fullen
Thomas Gibson
Charles C. Gibson
Charles H. Gilmore
Joseph Hackney
Schuyler Hamilton
Richard P. Hamilton
William Horton
Jefferson Jessee
George L. Jessee
David Jessee
Increase S. Judd
Alexander McFarlane
Richard B. Price
Samuel C. Price
James Sample
David Sergent
James C. Shoemaker
George Smith

Coroners
Robert Fugate
John Bays

Commissioners of the Revenue
Johnston Howard - Eastern District
Thomas Dickenson - Western District

1837

Sheriff
Samuel Gibson

Constables
Stephen Banner
Jacob L. Burton
Nathan E. Caldwell
Jacob Dorton
Andrew C. Ferguson
Benjamin Fugate
Samuel T. Gibson
James C. Gibson
Joseph Gibson
Thomas Gibson
Napoleon B. Gray
Richard P. Hamilton
Robert Hobbs
Nicholas Horn
William Horton
Jefferson Jessee
Joseph Lea
Alexander McFarlane
Patrick McQuown
John H. Moore
Isaac Munsey
James Robinson
David Sergent
George Smith
James H. Taylor

Commissioners of the Revenue
Isaiah Fuller - Eastern District
Henry D. Aston - Western District

1838

Sheriff
Henry Dickenson

Commissioners of the Revenue
Robert Boyd - Eastern District
Thomas Gibson - Western District

1839

Sheriff
Henry Dickenson

Constables
Stephen Banner
Henry D. Burdine
Joel Campbell
William Carter
Jacob Dorton
Berry Evans
Samuel T. Gibson
James C. Gibson
William Gibson
Napoleon B. Gray
Joseph Hackney
William P. Horton
William P. Horton
Jefferson Jessee
Alexander McFarlane
Patrick McQuown
Jacob Owens
James Robinson
James Samples
David Sergent
George Smith
James H. Taylor

Commissioners of the Revenue
Robert Boyd - Eastern District
John Fugate - Western District

1840

Sheriff
James Dickenson

Constables
James D. Hale
Henry Vencill
Shadrach White

1841

Sheriff
James Dickenson

Constables
Stephen Benner
Joel Campbell
Harden Dale
Jacob Dorton
Berry Evans
James H. Garrett
James C. Gibson
Stephen Gose
Napoleon B. Gray
Robert A. Horton
Jefferson Jessee
Alexander McFarlane
Aaron H. Nash
Jacob Owens
William Pippin
James Robinson
James Samples
David Sergent
George Smith
Henry Vencil

Commissioners of the Revenue
William Gibson - Eastern District
James M. Hanson - Western District

1842

Sheriff
James Browning

Constables
Nathan E. Burdine
Richard R. Campbell
Oliver H. Frick
Daniel W. Horton
John T. Howard
Patton G. Keen
James W. Wright

Surveyor
Harry Smith

Commissioners of the Revenue
William Gibson - Eastern District
James M. McFarlane - Eastern District
Charles H. Gilmore - Western District
John Fugate - Western District

1843

Sheriff
James Browning

Constables
Stephen Benner
Richard R. Campbell
James Colley
Harden Dale
James H. Dickenson
Jacob Dorton
Oliver H. Frick
Napoleon B. Gray
Joseph Hackney
Aaron L. Hendricks
Daniel W. Horton
Jefferson Jessee
Patton G. Keen
Alexander McFarlane
Jacob Owens
James W. Ramsey
James Robinson
George Smith
Samuel Smyth
Henry Vencil

Commissioners of the Revenue
Charles A. Smith - Eastern District
Joseph C. Fugate - Western District

1844

Sheriff
Thomas Dickenson

Commissioners of the Revenue
John Bays - Eastern District
Charles W. Carter - Western District

Constables

John H. S. Fugate

1845

Sheriff

Thomas Dickenson

Constables

Stephen Benner

Richard R. Campbell

James M. Crawford

Thomas W. Davis

William H. Dean

John N. Dickenson

Oliver H. Frick

John H. S. Fugate

Stephen Gose

Napoleon B. Gray

Aaron L. Hendricks

William Horn

Jefferson Jessee

Patton G. Keen

William Lockhart

Alexander McFarlane

Henry G. Meade

Isaac Munsey

Jacob Owens

James Robinson

George Smith

Henry Vencill

Commissioners of the Revenue
Daniel J. Ayres - Eastern District
Samuel B. Fugate - Western District

Bethlehem Church in the Loop, Russell County, Virginia, 1854

The following scraps of paper have come down through my family since their creation in 1854.  However, none of my direct ancestors appear on these pages, so it's a mystery to me.



[Page 1]

A book for the Society at Bethlehem meeting-house in the Loop.
J. Haskew P. E. [Presiding Elder]
A. F. Shannon P. C. [Preacher in Charge]

A. D. 1854

N. B. The friday before each Quarterly Meeting is set apart as a day of fasting and prayer for the prosperity of Zion and success of the ministry.

[Page 2]

Look for you new preacher on Teusday the 7th Nov 1854. Shannon

[This sentence appears to have been copied as writing practice by George W. Campbell.]


















[Page 3]

Nov. 12th 31 P. 46a. Rev. Shannon Text Ps 112
Nov. 27, 25 P. 52a Class M. [...]
Dec. 3rd 30 P. 47a Rev. Shannon Text Philis. 21
Dec 11th 28 P. 49a. Class Meeting
Feb. 25th, 24P. 53a. Rev. Shannon text Luke 22.v.33
Mar 18th, 38P, 52a. Rev. Shannon 29i. 15-11
April 8th, 34P. 46A. Rev. Shannon
June 3rd, 18P, 51A. Rev. Shannon
June 24th, 24P, 56A. Rev. Shannon
July 15th, 26P, 54A. Rev. Shannon

[Again, this paper appears to have been used as writing practice.]

[Page 4]

[Appears to be an attendance list with dates and preacher's names.]

Sep. 18

Nov. 12 Rev. Shannon

Nov. 27 Class M.

Dec. 3rd. Rev. Shannon cold

Dec. 11th C. M.

Feb. 25th 1854 Rev. Shannon

Mar. 18th 54 Shannon

April 8th

June 3rd 1854 Shan

June 24th 1854

July 15th 1854

70

Elisabeth Moore

s

p

p

d

d

a

a

a

a

a

71

Elisabeth Vincel

s

p

p

p

p

a

p

a

a

a

Removed

John Morrison

m

p

a

a

p

p

p

p

p

p

p

Elisabeth Morrison

m

p

p

p

p

p

p

p

p

p

p

p

Richmond Singleton

m

a

p

p

a

p

p

p

a

a

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75

Sally Singleton

m

a

a

a

a

a

p

p

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a

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76

Rachel Singleton

s

a

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p

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77

Michael Sword

m

a

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a

a

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a

I. B.

Mary Price

joined

p

a

a

a

p

S. S.

Nancy Dye

March 18th 54

p

a

a

a

a

M. B.

Elijah Webb

"

p

p

a

p

a

M. B.

Andrew Ciffers

joined Aug/54

removed

S. S.

Martha M. Chapman

Joined

S. S.

Rebecca J. Chapman

Sept 1854

S. S.

Margaret J. Shoemaker

S. S.

Rebecca Webb

joined Augt 1854

The World War II Letters of Billy J. Campbell, Letter 4

[May 5 or May 12], 1945

Somewhere in California
Saturday night

Dear Mom,

Well I got mail quicker than I expected it. I got a letter from you items from Chil and one from Margaret to-day. At least the mail system is good around here.

Well I saw a good part of the United States this week anyway. And some of it they can keep too. You could look for miles and miles and see nothing.

Boy if they don't quit feeding me in this Army I am going to have to change all my clothes. I am wearing 36 pants now. They are feeding us plenty now.

My buddy and I went to the gym to day and played a basketball game. I had almost forgotten how to play but it felt good to play again. The fellows are wanting to turn out the lights so I will close for tonight. Tell Susie & Ham hello and don't worry.

Will try to write more tomorrow night.

Love
Bill

Southern Cross of Honor Recipients

Here is a list of all Russell County Civil War veterans who received the Southern Cross of Honor between 1903 and 1913. To quote from Wikipedia:

"The Southern Cross of Honor is a post American Civil War medal created by the United Daughters of the Confederacy and given in recognition of "loyal, honorable service" by Confederate military personnel and veterans."

At least eighty-four Russell County veterans received the Cross of Honor. The register of recipients maintained by the United Daughters of the Confederacy lists the recipients name, unit, dates of service, rank, UCV camp, date of bestowal, chapter bestowing, state, and name of endorsers.

Last Name	First Name	Book	Page	Command	Served	Rank	Camp	Date of Bestowal	Chapter Bestowing	State	Names of Endorsers
Addison	Rodden	9	12	Co. B, 16th Va. Inf.	1862-1865	Private	835	June 1912	Abingdon	Va	J. W. Tuberville, S. H. Wyatt
Addison	William	6	9	Co. B, 16th Va. Inf.	1861-1865	Private	709	May 30, 1906	Abingdon	Va
Alderson	Charles W.	7	7	Co. A, 16th Va Cav.	1863-1865	Private	709	May 22, 1907	Abingdon	Va	S. D. Sanders, Jno. C. Vestal
Alderson	George	10	6	Co. H., Withers Va. Inf.	1862-1865	Private		Sept., 1913	Norton	Va	G. W. Kilgore, T. H. Wells
Alderson	Henry C.	7	12	Co. A, 16th Va Cav.	1864-1865	Private	Brown Harman	June 1908	Tazewell	Va	S. E. Graham, A. J. Steele
Astrop	Oliver	7	10	Co. C, 29th Va. Regt.	June 1862 – 1862, H. D.[...]	Private	835	Ap 26, 1908	Lebanon	Va	J. W. Bausell, C. W. Powers
Bailey	John H.	9	35	Co. G, 29th Va. Inf.	1863-1865	Private	835	June, 1911	Abingdon	Va	J. W. Bausell, H. D. Roberts
Banner	David K.	6	46	Co. I, 4th Ky Cav	1863-1865	Private	835	Oct 26, 1906	Lebanon	Va
Barton	Creed	7	48	Co. H, 29th Va. Regt.	1862-1865	Private	835	Ap 26, 1908	Lebanon	Va	J. W. Bausell, J. G. Burk
Barton	Creed	9	53	Co. H, 16th Va. Infty	1862-1865	Private	835	June, 1912	Abingdon	Va	C. K. Jessee, J. H. Sullivan
Bausell	James W.	6	46	Co. H., 21st Va. Cav.	1863-1865	Private	835	Oct 26, 1906	Lebanon	Va
Bausell	James W. 2nd cross	7	48	Co. H, 21st Va. Regt.	1863-1865	Private	835	Ap 26, 1908	Lebanon	Va	C. W. Powers, G. W. Seacatt
Bays	Hezekiah W.	9	53	Co. I, 34th Va. Infty.	1862-1865	Private	835	June, 1912	Abingdon	Va	J. W. Bausell, J. C. Gent
Bennett	D. M.	7	48	Co. E, 45th Va Inf	1861-1865	Private	835	Ap 26, 1908	Lebanon	Va	W. E. Fuller, S. H. Wyatt
Bowman	Peter	6	13	Co. B, 37 Va.	1861-1865	Private	709	May 30, 1906	Abingdon	Va
Buckles	William H.	7	48	Co. K, 3rd Tenn Regt.	1861-1865	1st Sergt.	835	Ap 26, 1908	Lebanon	Va	J. W. Bausell, G. W. J. Gray
Burk	John G.	6	46	Co. C., 37th Va. Reg	1861-1865	Private	835	Oct 26, 1906	Lebanon	Va
Campbell	Joel R.	6	60	Co. A, 16th Va Cav.	1862-1865	Sergt.	835	Oct 26, 1906	Lebanon	Va
Candler	Archer J.	9	93	Co. I, 9th Texas	1861-1865	Sergt.	1444	Jan., 1912	Farmerville	Texas	T. Y. Wilson, Ben S. King
Candler	John T.	9	99	Co. B, 29th Va. Inf.	1862-1865	Private	835	June, 1913	Abingdon	Va	W. Thomas, J. W. Barr
Carson	Robert P.	5	60	Co. F, 37th Va Vols	H. D. Disabilities – 1861 – 1862	Lieut. Col.		Jan. 05	Abingdon	Va
Clark	James	9	99	Co. D, 16th Va. Infty.	1863-1865	Private	835	June, 1913	Abingdon	Va	E. K. Jessee, W. Thomas
Combs	Fielding	9	99	Co. H, 16th Va. Infty	1863-1865	Private	835	June, 1913	Abingdon	Va	W. Thomas, A. B. Keller
Cross	Robert	9	99	Co. C, 48th Va. Infty	1861-1863, H. D.	Private	835	June, 1913	Abingdon	Va	J. W. Bausell, A. B. Keller
Daughtery	Andy	7	108	Co. B, 16th Va. Cav.	1862-1865	Private	835	Ap 26, 1908	Lebanon	Va	J. W. Bausell, C. W. Powers
Dickinson	John C.	7	97	37th Va. Reg.	May ‘61 – Nov. ‘63	Private		Jan’y 19, 07	Wm. B. Bate	Tenn	Jno. P. Hickman, C. R. Handly
Dickinson	Nathan E.	10	142	Co. H, Withers Va.	1864-1865	Private		Sept., 1913	Norton	Va	G. W. Kilgore, T. H. Wells
Duff	Samuel A.	7	108	Co. C, 37th reg. Va.	1862-1865	Corporal	835	Ap 26, 1908	Lebanon	Va	S. H. Wyatt, W. H. Fuller
Easterly	John E. C.	6	85	Co. I, 7th Va Cav.	1863-1865	Private	590	June 3, 1906	Cleveland	Tenn
Easterly	John E. C.	8	123	Co. I, 7th Confed. Batt.	1864-1865	Private	590	Jan., 1909	Cleveland	Tenn	D. F. Tally, I. J. Stamper
Elswick	John P.	10	161	Co. I, 15th Ky Cav	1863-1865	Private		June, 1913	Tazewell	Va	W. B. Norton, N. B. Cody
Farmer	Granville	7	137	Co. G, 29th Va. Inf.	1861-1865	Private	835	Ap 26, 1908	Lebanon	Va	J. W. Bausell, Creed Barton
Ferguson	Jackson	7	137	Co. H, 22nd Va Cav	1862-1865	Private	835	Ap 26, 1908	Lebanon	Va	W. H. Fuller, J. H. Sullivan
Fields	Andy F.	7	137	Co. A, 16th Va Cav.	1862-1865	2nd Lieut	835	Ap 26, 1908	Lebanon	Va	M. S. Hurt, V. Jessee
Fields	Cummings	7	137	Co. G, 29th Va. Inf.	1862-1865	Private	835	Ap 26, 1908	Lebanon	Va	J. C. Gent, S. H. Wyatt
Fields	John	6	102	Co. A, 16th Va Cav.	1862-1865	Private	835	Oct 3, 1906	Lebanon	Va
Fogleman	Charles W.	7	137	Co. G, 29th Va. Inf.	1862-1865	Private	835	Ap 26, 1908	Lebanon	Va	V. Jessee, W. Thomas
Francisco	Benjamin F.	9	165	Co. C, 37th Va. Inf.	1862-1865	Private	835	June, 1912	Abingdon	Va	Robt Cross, W. W. Meade
Fugate	James C.	10	184	Co. D, 64 Va.	1861-1865	Private		Sept., 1912	Lee	Va	J. F. Steele, S. M. Duff
Fugate	JC	6	102	Co. H, 22nd Va. Cav.	1863-1865	Private	835	Oct 3, 1906	Lebanon	Va
Fuller	Ira R.	6	102	Co. G, 29th Va. Inft.	1861-1865	Private	835	Oct 3, 1906	Lebanon	Va
Fuller	William H.	6	102	Co. C., 37th Va. Inft.	1861-1865	Sergt.	835	Oct 3, 1906	Lebanon	Va
Garrett	John A.	7	157	Co. A, 16th Va Cav.	1862-1865	Private	835	Ap 26, 1908	Lebanon	Va	J. C. Gent, S. H. Wyatt
Gilmer	Charles H.	6	110	Co. G, 29th Va. Inft.	1862-1865	Sergt.	835	Oct 3, 1906	Lebanon	Va
Gilmer	Lafayette	7	157	Co. C., 37th Va. Inf.	1861-1865	Private	835	Ap 26, 1908	Lebanon	Va	C. W. Powers, G. W. Seacatt
Gray	George W. J.	6	110	Co. I, 34th Va. Cav.	1862-1865	Private	835	Oct 3, 1906	Lebanon	Va
Honaker	Henry	9	257	Home Guards	1863-1865	Private	Deceased W.	Nov., 1912	Pulaski	Va	T. L. Tate, G. A. Calfee
Horton	Benjamin F.	7	174	Co. C., 37th Va. Inf.	1861-1865	Private	1346	May 22, 1907	Hamilton Wade	Va	Lewis Keon, F. W. Gardner
House	George W.	7	188	Co. H., Shal[...] Ky. Regt.	1861-1865	Private	835	Ap 26, 1908	Lebanon	Va	J. W. Bausell, Edward Earhart
Howard	Franklin	9	253	16th Va. Cav.	1863-1865	Private		Nov., 1912	Tazewell	Va	B. Reed, W. F. Tally
Hurt	Andy F.	9	256	Co. G, 29th Va. Inf.	1862-1865	Private		Nov., 1912	Norton	Va	G. W. Wells, G. W. Kilgore
Hurt	Meekin S.	6	144	Co. I, 37th Va. Inf.	1861-1865	Sergt.	835	Oct 26, 1906	Lebanon	Va
Jessee	Ephraim K.	7	217	Co. G, 29th Va. Inf.	1861-1865	Private	835	Ap 26, 1908	Lebanon	Va	W. Thomas, V. Jessee
Jessee	Vince	6	155	Co. G, 29th Va. Inf.	1862-1865	Private	835	Oct 26, 1906	Lebanon	Va
Jones	William	7	217	Co. B, 16th Va. Cav.	1862-1865	Private	835	Ap 26, 1908	Lebanon	Va	C. W. Powers, W. Thomas
Kendrick	William J.	5	144	Co. G. 37th Va Vols	1861-1865	Captain	709	Jan. 05	Abingdon	Va
King	Tyler H.	7	226	Co. H., 50th Va. Infty	1861-1865	Private	835	Ap 26, 1908	Lebanon	Va	J. W. Bausell, G. W. Seacatt
Kiser	Cummings	10	312	Co. B, 29th Va.	1861-1865	Private		Sept, 1913	Norton	Va	G. W. Kilgore, T. H. Wells
Kiser	Noah W.	7	227	Co. B, 16th Va. Cav.	1861-1865	Sergt.	726	June 3, 1908	Tazewell	Va	J. H. Whitley, A. St. Clair
Kitchen	John W.	7	226	Co. C, 45th Va. Infty	1861-1865	Private	835	Ap 26, 1908	Lebanon	Va	J. W. Bausell, T. H. King
Martin	Harvey W.	7	272	Co. G, 29th Va. Inf.	1861-1865	Orderly Sergt.	835	Ap 26, 1908	Lebanon	Va	J. W. Bausell, Creed Barton
McElyea	Robert	9	395	Co. K, 22nd Va. Inf.	1862-1865	1st Lieut	417	Jan., 1911	Red Springs	NC	T. J. Wooten, J. D. Croom
Monk	Lafayette	9	367	Co. A, 16th Va Inf.	1862-1865	Private	835	June, 1912	Abingdon	Va	J. W. Bausell, A. B. Keller
Philips	Henry	9	434	Co. H, 29th Va. Inf	1862-1865	Private		Nov., 1912	Tazewell	Va	A. St. Clair, N. H. Newton
Powers	Charles W.	6	229	Co. C, 37th Va. Inf.	1861-1865	Sergt.	835	Oct 26, 1906	Lebanon	Va
Powers	Charles W.	10	462	Co. C, 37th Va.	1862-1865	Private	835	Sept, 1913	Ashland	Va	N. S. Dickenson, R. P. Carson
Powers	John Michael	8	383	Co. F, 37th Va Inf.	1863-1865	Private	61	Sept, 1910	Bristol	Va	J. A. Rush, J. G. Owen
Powers	John T.	4	378	Co. I, 27th Va. Cav.	1861-1865	Private	5	June 04	Knoxville	Tenn
Price	Charles B.	6	229	Co. C, 37th Va. Inf.	1861-1865	Corporal	835	Oct 26, 1906	Lebanon	Va
Puckett	John W.	9	455	Co. C, 16th Va. Inf.	1863-1865	Private		June, 1912	Abingdon	Va	W. Thomas, M. S. Hurt
Purcell	John W.	7	317	Co. A, 29th Va. Inft.	1862-1865	Private	835	Ap 26, 1908	Lebanon	Va	J. W. Bausell, V. Jessee
Reynolds	Bernard H.	6	244	Co. A, 16th Va Cav.	1862-1865	1st Lieut	835	Oct 26, 1906	Lebanon	Va
Seacatt	George W.	6	268	Co. C, 37th Va. Inf.	1861-1865	Private	835	Oct 26, 1906	Lebanon	Va
Steele	Henry	7	370	Co. C, 37th Va. Regt.	1861-1865	Private	835	Ap 26, 1908	Lebanon	Va	J. W. Bausell, M. S. Hurt
Sullivan	James H.	7	370	Co. I, 37th Va. Regt.	1861-1865	Private	835	Ap 26, 1908	Lebanon	Va	C. W. Powers, W. H. Fuller
Vermillion	Benjamin F.	6	287	Co. I, 37th Va. Inf.	1861-1865	Lieut.	835	Oct 3, 1906	Lebanon	Va
Walden	Lewis J.	7	435	Co. C., 37th Va. In.	1861-1865	Private	709	May 22, 1907	Abingdon	Va	W. L. Preston, J. L. White
Williams	George	7	444	Co. G, 29th Va. Inf.	1862-1865	Private	835	Ap 26, 1908	Lebanon	Va	J. W. Bausell, V. Jessee
Williams	Samuel D.	7	444	Co. G, 29th Va. Inf.	1862-1865	Corporal	835	Ap 26, 1908	Lebanon	Va	J. W. Bausell, C. B. Price
Wyatt	Samuel H.	6	310	Co. C, 37th Va. Inf.	1862-1865	Corporal	835	Sept. 25, 1906	Lebanon	Va

World War I Letters of Russell County, December 13, 1918

The following letter originally appeared in the December 13th, 1918 issue of the Lebanon News.

"Somewhere in France.
Oct. 27, 1918.

Dear Uncle Joe:

Will write you a few lines to let you know how I am getting along and also to tell you about a few things in France. I have been in the hospital for some time but think I will be out in a few days.

There is lots of things here in France for a lonesome dough boy to while away the time with back at the hospitals. The Red Cross have movies and many other ways of entertaining the wounded and sick. The Red Cross sure is doing a great work here for the wounded and unfortunate soldiers.

I must not forget to tell you that we are well entertained up at the front, but it is not as amusing as some of the others, but it puts a greater impression on the mind, one that a man will never forget, but is great sport to see the Huns scuttling through the brush with his ears pinned back like jack-rabbits running through sage brush.

The most widely known thing to the dough boy (dough boy is a nick name for the infantry or fighting soldier) is what is known at the "G I cans and whiz bangs." The "G I Cans" is a very long shell and a very high explosive. The whiz bang is a small high explosive shell. The whiz bang gets its name from the noise it makes - all you hear is zip and bang and you won't hear that much if you happen to be near it. But the big shell is much slower and a fellow has some chance to duck behind something and save himself.

I must not forget to tell you about the planes. They are taking a great part in the war and the flyers are regular dare-devils. I have seen some of the Yank airmen pull off stunts over the front lines that looked as though they were flying into eternity, but most of them come out without a scratch.

Uncle Sam has two great railway systems in Europe with millions of employees. The best known system is the Hob Nail Express. Everyone knows all the dough boys wear hob-nail shoes and carry a pack that weighs about one hundred and fifteen pounds. The Huns look to me very much like a gang of hungry razor-backed hogs in a corn field gobbling up everything around them. You know they will not pay any attention to a bunch of pups barking at them, but when a big dog runs in with his bristles up he causes a panic among them right away. So this is what happened when the Huns were gobbling up France - they didn't give the French and British much notice, but when the Yanks ran into those dirty brutes they flopped their ears back and took to the tall timber yelling "kamerad" every jump.

Well, I have just finished a big feed of beef stew and irish potatoes so I will continue to write. Some of the boys have begun to sing and play the fiddle so you see I have a great difficulty in collection my thoughts sufficiently to write. I guess I had better leave the war path now and tell you a few things in the agricultural lines. It would surprise you very much to see what fine crops they raise with every nook and corner under cultivation. The land is tough clay sub soil with plenty of lime and in some places there is so much lime that the land is white. There is not a spot of land in the United States that is any better than the average land here. They also have fine horses and cattle - some of the finest horses as I have ever seen. I have not seen a poor or worthless horse since I have been over here except some on the front that had been gassed.

I have seen lots of stallions that were equally as good as the horse the Ex-Governor Stuart had. The common draft horses are far better than the horses in the United States. The cattle as well bred, very heavy, short-legged, look something like our red short horn, also they have fine milch cows. Another surprise for me was to see the people wearing wooden shoes. About half the population wear them and I think I shall bring a pair back with me for a souvenir. I had a nice collection of souviners but lost them all when they brought me to the hospital.

I visited some old historic buildings, forts and castles. I have been in Bluebeard's castle and dungeons and I have seen castles that were so old that the stone walls have crumbled into dust almost. In fact, I have seen every thing in France that is worth seeing - been through Paris three times. The buildings are queer looking and not as high as those in cities in the United States. The houses in the small villages are made of clay, sticks or stone. I have not seen a single house made of wood except where the U. S. Government put them up since the war.

I have just been out chestnut hunting. There are two large trees about thirty steps from the ward that I am in. The chestnuts here are about the size of the Moccasin ridge buckeye.

Monday morning - Well I was interrupted yet again yesterday. We had a band concert just in front of the ward and they sure could make some music.

The farmers are still setting out cabbage plants and several other varieties of garden plants. They have very peculiar ways of tilling the soil here. I have seen a few wooden plows also some good gang plows, several good reapers and binders but they were made in the U. S.

Well guess I had better close for this time.

Your nephew,
JONATHAN K. BOYD."

"War Incidentals of 1861-2-65 Statement by M. S. Hurt"

One morning about the first of June 1862, I with 15 sick comrades, was started on ahead to get out of the way.

John L. Fletcher was sent to help me along some three or 4 miles above Strasburg Va. Some Yanky Cavelry dashed in an capturd the 15 who was a short distance ahed. Jon and I escaped by hiding in a fence-corner under the cherry sprouts.

A few days afterward I left for home on 30 day furlow signd by Dr. Doak. Shortly after reaching home I commencd shoing up the soldiers stationd nearby, continueing it until I reinlisted by joining B. W. Jenkins Cavelry Co. was obedient unto his orders ever after ward untill the war closed.

I was in two raids or scouts. One with him and one with Lieutenant Scofield, and on the 16th of April 1865 I served as Corporal over a squad of men stationd on the Fincastle road north of Salem Va and was honorably discharged by him on the 13th of April 1865 by Capten himself.

M. S. Hurt

PS my left leg continued to give trouble the Dr said it was about to run into white swelling an I had better have it split and the bone scrapt that was in September 1865 it finely got better with out it.

[Written by Meekin S. Hurt of the 37th Virginia Infantry, October, 1925, as a part of his pension application.]

Leonidas Blackwell Gets Conscripted

Leonidas Blackwell was born in Washington County, Virginia on August 10th, 1829, the son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Venable) Blackwell. He married Nancy C. Spurrier on January 27th, 1859. By the next year they were living in Russell County, and Leonidas was working as a blacksmith.

Leonidas was technically exempt from military service due to a part of his right foot having been partially cut off. He had a surgeon's certificate which verified this fact.

Leonidas avoided military service until June of 1864, when he was served with a written notice to appear before the Enrolling Officer for Russell County. He appeared and was sent home for three months. Three months later he was conscripted and ordered to report to Lynchburg on October 3, 1864. The Saturday before he was due to appear in Lynchburg, he was captured by Union scouts approximately 10 miles from Saltville, Virginia.

On October 26th, Leonidas was in Lexington, Kentucky, a Union prisoner. On October 22nd, he was sent to Camp Chase, Ohio. He remained at Camp Chase until February 1st, 1865, when he was released after taking the Oath of Allegiance. His description at the time was: light hair, light complexion, 5 feet 10 inches tall, with grey eyes and 35 years of age.

He returned home and soon moved back to Washington County where he again took up the occupation of blacksmith. In his 1900 pension application, he claims to have lost an eye to small pox while at Camp Chase.

Leonidas lived a long life and eventually died on December 28th, 1916, in Washington County, Virginia.