November 21, 1862
Riding on a Rail.:We learn from a gentleman who arrived yesterday morning from Parkersburg, that on Sunday morning last, a soldier named Venus, formerly a resident of this city, but now a member of Capt. Dickey's company, 6th Va. Infantry, was drummed out of camp and through the streets. It appears that Gov. Peirpoint, not long since received a letter from a member of the company, severely censuring the officers and members of the company, and charging them with all sorts of immoral practices. The letter was sent to Colonel Hoy, commander of the post at Parkersburg. The letter was read in presence of the company and the various members called upon to deny or acknowledge its authorship. By some means it was discovered that Venus wrote the letter. Immediately a rail was procured and he was put astride of it and was thus carried all about the camp by one of the most disgraceful modes of conveyance ever invented. It strikes us if there are any regular and authorized means by which soldiers are to be punished they should have been observed in this instance. There is something wrong about the officer who would wink at a proceeding of this sort, particularly on a Sabbath morning.
Timeline of West Virginia: Civil War and Statehood: November 1862