Having got his teams, the Captain left, swearing we were a bully Quartermaster.

Just before going into the fight at Cross Lanes, he addressed his men as follows:

"Snake Hunters! there's going to be a fight. Go in, you thieves! You have no characters to lose or win. If you don't kill some of the Secesh, you ought to be killed. You have no characters at home, and if you're killed it would be no sacrifice, and nobody will cry after you. You and I both have come here to hold up the Government, and without it we're nothing. Whisky and the Government is our pride. Every body says you are thieves. It may be true, but we defy a lady to say we ever insulted her. We're the oldest company in the three year service in Western Virginia. Who first came to the rescue of the loyal people of Nichols, Braxton, and Greenbrier? Why, Captain John Baggs and his Snake Hunters-who never stole nothing from nobody. Your lives are worth more to you than to anybody else. When I give the word, pitch in with a yell. We'll all take a drink!"

CHAPTER VIII.

ARREST OF THE "SECESH."

THE Union men of Western Virginia are vindictive and unforgiving. Without being able to assign a reason for so doing, and without thought, hundreds of men declared for Secession, left their homes at the approach of the Federal troops, believing that their triumph would be followed by the immediate execution of every man who had voted for the ordinance of Secession. In the mountain counties, where the people are almost wholly uneducated, the leaders so excited their fears, that they fled at the approach of our soldiery as though fleeing from death. When they found they had been deceived, very many desired to return, and expressed a willingness to take the oath of allegiance, and to support the Government in good faith. This met with determined opposition from Union men, who too often gratified their private piques by causing the arrest of their neighbors, who upon examination were frequently discharged, the evidence against them being insufficient to warrant their detention. Men who, before the rebellion, had no position, socially or politically, suddenly loomed into importance, arrogated

to themselves leadership in the Union movement, for which they were not fitted by nature or education, and claimed to be exponents of the Union sentiment. Pot-house politicians aspired to prominent positions, and their ambition was frequently gratified for want of better material. The policy inaugurated by General McClellan, and adopted by General Rosecrans when he assumed command, of not interfering with or molesting persons who did not take up arms against the Government, or give "aid and comfort to the enemy," met their unqualified condemnation, and they appeared determined no man who ever entertained a Secession thought should repent his error. We have a case

in point. E. W. Patton was a leading man in Harrison County. Although possessing little education, he is blessed with strong common sense, and is, we are informed, a devoted friend and a good hater. A politician, he possessed the confidence of his party, and was a favorite leader. In an evil hour he embraced the odious doctrine of Secession, and proclaimed it from the stump. When the troops arrived at Clarksburg, many of his friends were arrested. Patton residing at Milford, a few miles distant, being informed he was a "marked man," left home, and proceeded to the Greenbriar country, with the intention, as he declared, of returning as soon as the excitement was allayed. Shortly after, the battles of Laurel Hill and Rich Mountain were fought, and he was pre

vented from doing so. wrote to his relative, Hon. Charles S. Lewis, exMember of Congress, who submitted us the letter, and desired to know if we thought the military authorities would permit him to return, were he to take the oath of allegiance. We could not answer the question, but remarked, if he was not sincere he would be a dangerous man. We are permitted to give the following extract from the letter:

After several months, he

"Since the beginning of hostilities, I have occupied a strictly neutral position, never having aided either party, in any shape or form. I have been, as before stated, in the Southern States ever since I left home, but the reason I left and am now here, has also been fairly stated. I voted at the election for the ordinance of Secession. My object in now writing you, is to procure through you, from the Commander of the Federal forces in Western Virginia, a 'pass,' that will enable me to return to my home and family among you. Every interest I have in the world, social, civil, and political, is united, and indissolubly bound up, with the people of Western Virginia; and, in the language of one of old, 'Thy God is my God, thy people are my people, where thou goest I will go, where thou diest I will die, and there will I be buried.' Occupying the position you know I do, why should I not return, and that soon? You now have it in your power to confer upon me such a favor as it is

seldom one man can confer upon another. Yes, you can restore me to my home, to my wife and little children, who are in constant need of support and assistance from me, and who can not possibly pass the approaching winter without my assistance, or some other equally efficient aid. Will you do it? Can you refuse when my all is at stake? Won't you act, and that immediately, and grant me relief? The statement here made is strictly correct, and I would be willing to append my affidavit thereto.

"Your cousin,

"E. W. PATTON.”

A week later, Patton made his appearance in Clarksburg, and the whole town was in a fever of excitement. Although he announced he had taken the oath before Colonel John G. Kelley, at Grafton, who had administered it by order of Brigadier General Kelley, commanding the district of Grafton, the meddlesome ones denounced him as a traitor and spy, and, at their instance, Patton was arrested by the Commandant of the Post, when he produced the certificate of Colonel Kelley that he had taken the oath, and was entitled to the protection of the military authorities. Their curses were loud and deep. At first the document was pronounced a forgery; General Kelley was telegraphed upon the subject, and when his reply came Patton was discharged. It was resolved he