May 21, 1861
For the Kanawha Valley Star.
Logan C. H., Va.
May 12th, 1861.
Dear Rundle: I hasten to give you a sketch of the spirit of Logan at this day; that it may be known she will fight as well as secede.
A large concourse of people assembled at Chapmansville, in this county, on the 11th may, to witness the raising of a Southern rights flag.
It was a beautiful flag, the work of a noble old lady who told her son to volunteer in its defense. It was Mrs. Chapman, of Chapmansville. She is a cherished link that connects us with the matron spirits of '76.
Secession is not the talk here now, we have lost sight of all such petty quibbling, in the full realization of the determination of the Lincoln government to reduce us to military despotism, to emancipate the African and enslave the Anglo-Saxon race.
Our hearts, minds, souls and bodies revolt at so deep and damnable a degredation [sic] of the proudest and freest people on earth.
The people were addressed by L. H. McGinnis, and A. C. Ferrell and appealed to, by other patriots, including Esq. Ballard, of Boone, to stand by the flag of Virginia and the South.
The efforts made on this memorable day in Logan, are better expressed in facts than in words.
After the address a call was made for Volunteers, and in thirty minutes a full and complete company was enlisted, of young, athletic men of the neighborhood.
Each one spoke and looked like "victory hung on his sole arm," and their determination to die in the holy cause of liberty, was plainly visible on every countenance.
They declared their readiness to march to any place to defend Virginia, her rights and institutions. During the enlistment I saw old men and woman [sic] urging their sons, and sisters their brothers, to do and defend their State from invasion. Although this company was just made up and the day very unfavorable, rain pouring down, they determined to elect officers to lead them on to battle.
Lieut. James A. Neighbert, of the Logan volunteer Rifle Company, full of joy at the extraordinary spirit of resistance, poured his whole soul into the move, and with an umbrella over him, to protect his paper from rain, took names of candidates and superintended the election of officers.
And I must say a wiser choice of efficient, fine, brave intelligent men could not have been selected.
Charles J. Stone, son of the Chief Justice of our County Court, was elected Captain.
Hugh Toney, son of Wm. Toney, one of the oldest and most respectable citizens of Logan, First Lieutenant, John R. Chapman and Wm. T. Butcher, of the most respectable families in the county, Second and Third Lieutenants.
I must not pass over the significant fact that not only did the fathers and mothers tell their sons to enlist, but every man over forty-five year old enlisted in a Home Guard, pledging the remnant of their lives to the defense of their neighborhood and county, when their sons are called away, and declaring solemnly that no abolitionist or other enemy of Virginia should longer polute [sic] the sacred soil of Logan. And you may be assured, that is the determined resolution of the men and women assembled on the memorable 11th day of May, 1861, at Chapmansville. The flag was raised by the ladies, amid outbursts of joy from the whole assembly, drowning the more melodious sound of "Dixie," sung by a band immediately under the flag as it went up.:The flag is as beautiful as ever floated over a free people, with the glorious shout of "Liberty," on one, and "Union of the South" on the other side.
The fifteen stars are emblematic of our heartfelt desire and united determination as to the destiny of the Southern States. Virginia, the proud mother, and fourteen daughters and sisters girdling her, by this motto we will stand or fall. We may be "annihilated" but never can be enslaved.
An acknowledgment of our independence and proof to the world of our superiority over our Northern enemies, are now our only offers of compromise.
The God of nature gave us these and we will die rather than surrender them.
The Logan C. H. and the Chapmansville Home Guards are able to protect their homes, and the "Logan Riflemen" and "Chapmansville Daredevils" will go forth to meet the enemy on the banks of the Ohio, or any place they approach our soil.
Several of our citizens start tomorrow to raise the third volunteer company in Logan in the Southern part of the county on Sandy river, and judging by their past success, we look for the news ere long of a company of Logan and Pike Co., Ky. Sharp Shooters.
Southerner.
Timeline of West Virginia: Civil War and Statehood: May 1861