Another Scare on a Large Scale!!!
June 13, 1864
From the Morgantown Post.
Last Sunday night added another raid (?) to the many that have occurred at this place. At about 20 minutes of 11 o'clock, P.M., after the citizens had all retired, two horsemen cam dashing into town with the report, "the rebels are coming!" This was enough. The news spread like wildfire. No more questions were asked, and everybody commenced making preparations for a big fight or a swift fight.
On inquiry it was ascertained from the messengers that a body of rebels, number not known, had made a sudden dash on the railroad, between Grafton and Fair most, capturing a great many horses, and destroying government property, and that they had surrounded Haymond's church, in Taylor county, at 10 o'clock that morning, capturing several horses, while the people were engaged in worship.
The scene that followed can well be imagined. Squads were to be seen standing on every street corner, all clamoring at once, and not two of the same opinion in regard to any particular point. Scouts were sent out on the principal roads leading to town, horses were being hurried away as fast as possible, women were crying, and everywhere was bustle and confusions. The militia were ordered out, but it was like trying to rally a lot of wooden men - some had no guns, and those that had had no ammunition; others had various excuses, and organization was entirely out of the question.
Thus the excitement continued unabated till nearly morning; now then bearing a fresh report - some starting the rumor to the effect that they numbered four thousand under command of Bill Jackson.
The scouts came in about 3 o'clock, AM Monday morning, and reported "no rebels in sight, and could hear of none." The fever then slowly subsided, and most of the people went to bed, though a great many determined to "see the thing through," and did not leave the street at all.
Timeline of West Virginia: Civil War and Statehood: June 1864