Jacob
Darrah enrolled in Co L, 6th WV Vol
Inf., on Nov. 12, 1861. He was wounded
in New Creek, VA and mustered out on Nov
12, 1864.Jacob was born on Jan 13, 1843 in Marshall Co., WV and died on Feb. 14, 1931 in Marshall Co., WV.
John William Mercer
enrolled in Co. C, 15th Vol. Inf. on Aug
19, 1862 and was mustered out in
Richmond, VA on June 14, 1865.He was born Aug 11, 1844 in Tyler Co., WV and died Mar 24, 1924 in Wetzel Co., WV.
This soldier was in the following engagements: Cloyd Mountain, May 9, 1864...New River Bridge, VA, May 10, 1864...Middle Brook, VA, June 10, 1864..Lexington, VA, June 11, 1864...Lynchburg, Va, June 17, 18, 1864...Snickers Gap, July 18, 1864...Hall Town, VA, Aug 24, 1864...Berryville, VA, Sep 3, 1864...Opequon Creek,VA, Sep 19, 1964...Fishers Hill, VA Sep 22, 1964...Cedar Creek, VA, Oct 13, 1864...Cedar Creek, VA, Oct 19, 1864...Hatchers Run, VA,Mar 31,1865...Petersburg, VA, Apr 2, 1865...Rice Station, VA, Apr 6, 1865...Appomattox Courthouse, VA, Apr. 1865....Signed by John McCaskey, Capt. Co. C, 15th Regt. WV Vol Inf
Note: John is wearing his medal and GAR ribbons.
Records show that Fielding Youst of Marion County, VA (WV) was appointed Assistant Surgeon, Virginia Forces May 16, 1861, and was assigned to Colonel Porterfield's Command, stationed at Grafton.
He was arrested by Union Troops in October, 1861, and was sent from Grafton, VA to the Federal Prison at Wheeling.
His name appears on a Return dated March13, 1862, of citizen prisoners at Camp Chase and Wheeling, as released on Oath, date not stated.
This is a letter written by Fielding Youst to General Rosecrans while he was in prison.
Wheeling Prison, Dec. 25, 1861
Gen Rosecrans,
Sir in approaching you through this
means I wish to give you an honest and
detailed account of my case, concerning
my arrest and confinement and the causes
that led to it.
On the 17th of last May I received a
notice from Gen. R.E. Lee that I was
appointed as an assistant surgeon for a
camp of instruction to be gotten up at
Grafton and that I should report myself
immediately to the officer in command. I
left home on the 27th of May to go to
Grafton and see what was going on there,
but intended to return home on the next
day and so promised my family, but when
I got to Grafton to my astonishment I
found that the United States troops have
came in behind me and I was told that if
I returned home that I would be either
killed or made a prisoner of, and that I
had better go down east with others of
my friends who were going from Marion
Co., which I did. But would have gladly
returned home to my family as I had
promised to do had I not been
afraid.
I never accepted the place
to which I was ordered to report, nor
any other connection with the rebel
army, but strenuously avoided having any
connection therewith, being determined
to return home when ever opportunity
offered. And knowing that I could not do
so with safety if I had a connection
with the Southern Cause. I was
repeatedly offered a comission but
refused and for no other cause than that
I was determined to return home and be a
loyal citizen.
About the first of
October in company with a friend who was
determined upon the same purpose, we
left the east to make our way home and
after making around the Southern forces
at Greenbriar River we came inside of
the Federal lines and was arrested and
taken before Gen. Kelley at Grafton who
sent us to this prison to await the wish
of our Union friends, who have sent two
liberally signed petitions forward for
my release. What has become of these
petitions and whether they ever came to
hand or not I don't know.
I employed
Mr. F. Smith of Marion Co. to set my
case before the authorities but he has
treated me badly and for that reason I
have chosen to appeal to you
myself.
I did vote for secession
which I have ever regretted and am today
as sorry for the destruction of this
once glorious Union. As any other man
with my capacities I always expected
to take an oath of allegiance to the
government, which I today am willing to
do and obey.
I have a wife and five
small children depending upon me and my
restoration to them would be received as
the greatest favor at your
hand.
I have been in confinement for
about two and a half months. My
health is declining and my spirits are
gone.
The above Sir is a fair and
honest representation of my case which I
humbly hope you will consider, and if at
all consistent that you will grant my
release and you will be ever remembered by your most obedient
servent, F. H. Youst, M.D.
