Union Meeting in Pleasants County.
November 5, 1863
At a meeting of the Union citizens of Pleasants county, convened at the Court House of said county on Saturday the 31st day of October, 1863, pursuant to previous notice, Friend Cochran was called to the chair and Thomas d. Gorrell appointed secretary.
Joseph Hubbs, Esq., in a few appropriate remarks, explained the object of the meeting to be for the purpose of taking into consideration the most effectual means for the protection of the persons and property of the citizens of the county against the incursions of rebel thieves, for the detection of rebel spies among us, and of adopting some means for guarding against surprise from future rebel raids, and for the transaction of such other business as the exigencies of the occasion may require and the safety and welfare of the community demand.
Whereupon, Robert Harvey submitted the following preamble and resolutions, which were read to the meeting and unanimously adopted:
WHEREAS, Our community has recently been the theatre of depredations committed by a traitorous gang of those calling themselves Confederate soldiers.
And WHEREAS, There are those among us (known sympathizers with the rebellion) who we have reason to believe are secretly aiding these out-laws who are imbuing their hands in the best blood of our country, in an unholy attempt to overthrow our beloved government, to perpetrate these outrages upon us. Therefore,
Resolved, That as loyal citizens we claim the right to use all lawful means to protect ourselves from the intrusion and depredations of these traitors and their abettors, be they at home or abroad, in arms or otherwise, and against the contamination of their principles, as well as to guard ourselves against similar outrages.
Resolved, That we believe those in our immediate vicinity, known to be in sympathy with the rebellion, and who became exultant over the success of the rebels in their recent raid upon the loyal citizens of our community, have been secretly giving aid to them in their incursions among us; and are more dangerous and despicable than those in arms.
Resolved, That those who have gone from community and have been in the service of the Confederate army, will not be permitted to return to remain with us, and we hereby notify all such persons that their sojourn among us will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
On motion it was,
Resolved, That a Committee be appointed consisting of two suitable persons from each Township, whose duty it shall be to meet at the Court House of this county, on the 2d day of November next, to devise such plans and adopt such measures as they may deem most efficient in carrying into effect the object of this meeting.
Whereupon, John J. Williamson, Thos. Johnston, T. D. Gorrill, William N. Jones, John Coen, James Pethtel, Joseph Hubbs, E. N. Cook, Isaiah Morgan, W. G. Miller, Col. R. T. Parker and E. W. Johnson, were appointed said Committee.
On motion it was,
Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be signed by the Chairman and Secretary and a copy thereof transmitted to the Wheeling Intelligencer for publication.
On motion the meeting adjourned.
F. Cochran, Chairman.
T. D. Gorrell, Secretary.
Timeline of West Virginia: Civil War and Statehood: October 1863