History Of Clarke County Virginia And Its Connection With The War Between The States

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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1914 edition. Excerpt: ...When the day arrived, Co. "I" was detailed to guard the execution. It was not a pleasant duty, but it was not ours to object. We had to do as we were ordered. The place of execution was in a field just south of town. The prisoner was placed upon his coffin with his hands tied behind him, facing the firing party, who were from his own company of cavalry. Our company was divided into two platoons, and drawn up on each side of the coffin. At the command to fire from the Provost Marshal, Captain Botts of Charlestown, twelve guns loaded some with ball and some with blank cartridges, flashed and the prisoner was dead. An awful sight, but men became hardened to things of that kind. Early in March rumors of advance of the enemy were heard. Members of the company who were at home were hurriedly recalled, and everyone was in expectation of a fight. On the 11th of March, the army moved back towards Strasburg. After crossing Cedar Creek, the four companies before mentioned, "D," "H" and "I" of the 2nd Regiment, and one from the 4th, were again placed with the cavalry. When the enemy advanced we, with the artillery under Captain Chew, fought them from every hill from Cedar Creek to Mt. Jackson. At Fisher's Hill, just beyond Strasburg, the river makes a sharp bend above which are high bluffs. Our company was stationed here with Chew's two guns. When the enemy advanced through the town on the river road they came in full view of Chew, and he firing with great precision struck the centre of a regiment and killed and wounded a large number. It did not take many minutes for them to vacate the road. They then proceeded to form their lines, place their batteries and send out a swarm of skirmishers. It looked like we...

Although it is one of the smallest counties in Virginia, Clarke County has a remarkably rich history reflected in its cultural and natural resources. Located in the northern Shenandoah Valley and 60 miles northwest of Washington, DC, Clarke was formed from Frederick County, Virginia, in 1836. Native Americans roamed the area for centuries, and their story is reflected in the name of the Shenandoah River, which refers to "daughter of the stars." The Blue Ridge Mountains provide a dramatic eastern backdrop with recreational opportunities along the Appalachian Trail. Significant past citizens include Thomas Lord Fairfax, Gen. Daniel Morgan, and politicians Harry F. Byrd Sr. and Jr. After the Civil War, many of Clarke's former slaves stayed and built their own free communities. Unlike surrounding counties, Clarke has maintained the rural and agricultural traditions begun in colonial times. These and other distinctive stories that make up Clarke County's unique history are captured within this book.

In Clarke County, the spirits of the past bring history to life. The ghost of a brokenhearted Confederate soldier stares out a window waiting in vain for the return of the love of his life. Victims of a plane crash still linger at the scene of the tragedy forty-five years later. Union troops are still crossing the Shenandoah River through a hail of musket balls and cannon fire. From the legendary phantom coach of Carter Hall to lesser-known haunts along the county's back roads, a rock-throwing poltergeist, a smoky figure in a bedroom and strange creatures lurking in the woods, Michael Hess brings you the very best in Clarke County ghost lore.

These five consolidated volumes constitute a surname index, with corresponding microfilm locations, to the residents of the Pennsylvania counties of Berks, Bucks, Lancaster, Luzerne/Wyoming, and Northampton respectively, in the year 1850. (Wyoming County was formed from Luzerne in 1842.) Although it was not possible, for reasons of economy, to list every person appearing in the census by given name, each book lists all the surnames appearing in the census for the county(ies) in question (i.e., Berks, 7,000; Bucks, 8,000; Lancaster, 15,000; Luzerne/Wyoming: 10,000; and Northampton, 5,000).