Mustered Into U.S. Service October 1, 1861 This Company has been engaged in the following Battles and Skirmishes:--
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When the civil war broke out Wellsburg proved to be loyal to the Union of the States, and many patriotic demonstrations took place. At an early day, Joseph Applegate, Campbell Tarr and David Fleming, of this place visited Washington City in behalf of the Union party, and obtained from the Secretary of War, Hon. E.M. Stanton, after a consultation with President Lincoln a quantity of muskets and ammunition. It is said that when the application was made the secretary of war could not just find where the law was authorizing the issue of arms to citizens, but allowed them to have them, saying “that he would find the law for it again”. The gentlemen named above gave their note collectively for the value of the arms and ammunition. When the war actually began, these arms were issued to the loyal Virginia troops. The muskets were brought here and stored in the pork house, on Charles street, afterwards the Globe Foundry- now the wood working establishment of Exley and Bigerstaff. One night soon after the arms were brought here, the men guarding them were notified to be on the lookout, as it was reported that the Rebels were coming to capture them. The whole town and its vicinity were aroused from its slumbers and all able bodied men were requested to report at the armory for duty. A musket and ammunition were given to all who could and would take the oath on the spot to be loyal to the state and the United States and were immediately assigned to a post of duty at the different approaches to the town.
A cannon about four feet long and of about three and a half or four inches in the bore, cast at the foundry by the workmen there, used for firing salutes, was charged to the muzzle with deadly missiles and planted on the river bank, as it was feared that the expected enemy would come by steamboat. A steamer hove in sight, and being hailed, stopped and answered inquires, had she not, there is no doubt but what the contents of the little piece of ordinance would have been sent whizzing toward her. Such was the feeling of the people on that long to be remembered night, that is was dangerous for any but avowed Union men to be out of doors. When the war began, and the call was made for volunteers for three months, two companies of infantry were raised forthwith. Company F. Captain Thomas C. Parke and company G. Captain James I. Kuhn. These two companies were assigned to the First Virginia Volunteer Infantry, Colonel B. F. Kelley, and served three months. When the call was made for three years, company B Captain James White and company G. Captain Oscar F Melvin were organized and mustered into the First Virginia Volunteer Infantry, Colonel Joseph Thoburn.
A large number of the men of these companies enlisted as veterans ands served until the close of the war, The call of 1862 for more volunteers found Wellsburg still ready and willing to do her part in the great struggle. Company K. Captain Thomas White, Sr., was organized and was mustered into the Twelfth Virginia Volunteer Infantry. Many men were recruited for the different commands of infantry, cavalry and artillery and assigned call was made, and Wellsburg and the county of Brooke were required to furnish more troops and volunteers could not be obtained and a draft threatened them, her citizens offered a large bounty, raised the required number and avoided the impending draft. That Wellsburg was one of the foremost towns in the state in declaring herself for the everlasting union of the states, at the commencement of the rebellion, cannot be gainsaid. Union meetings were very frequently held. October 4, 1860, the Virginia Republican Club of Brooke county, was organized. It had for its object he election of Lincoln and Hamlin.
All white male citizens over sixteen years o age were allowed to become members. The minute book of this club shows the names of fifty-three that joined the club at its organization. In 1868, the Grant and Colfax Cub enrolled one hundred and nine. The organization of the first Republican club was attended with some misgivings. As is well known to the present generation, the principles advocated by Republicans were anything but popular in Virginia in 1860. It is for these reasons that we here give the account of this new party which came into power at the inauguration of the great rebellion. As will be seen the members of the Republican club were but few, but in 1861, when the war commenced, the preservation of the Union being the watchword, party was mostly laid aside, and an overwhelming majority rallied around the standard, and by work and deed labored for the cause. Patriotism ran high, flags soon made their appearance from several buildings. The first flinging to the breeze was that on the office of the Wellsburg Herald and its editor and proprietor soon conceived the idea of placing the emblem of freedom at the head of his columns, with the words “Nailed to the mast” attached and it is there to this day, with every prospect of its remaining as long as the present proprietor controls the paper. The next one was placed upon the paper mill of Harvey, Manser &Co. and they were soon flying at different places in town.
On one occasion there was a large Union meeting at the court house. The ladies of the town had made a very large flag. Sometime during the day, they with a number of gentlemen, assembled at the residence of E.F. Moore, where the flag was made. The ladies and gentlemen formed in double file, preceded by the band, and marched to the old Virginia House, bearing the flag upon their shoulders, where it was flung from the roof of the building amid deafening cheers. The crews of passing steamboats would pay their respects to the flag by sounding their steam whistle. The Pittsburgh and Wheeling packet, S.C. Baker, was particularly attentive in her respects to the flag.
During the war a company of Home Guards was organized with William H. Harvey as captain.
In olden times there were two volunteer military companies n Wellsburg. The first commanded by Capt Congleton .which was probably the same that he commanded at Norfolk, Va during the war of 1812-14.
About 1837 or 38 the “Wellsburg Guards” came into existence commanded by Capt. Campbell Tarr. I was succeeded by the “Lafayette Guards”, commanded by Capt. James McCluney. At present there is no military organization in the town.
For further listing of names, see the History of the Pan-Handle 1867 page 333-34-34)
