Fifth WV Reunion at Proctorville Ohio

FIFTH W. VA.
REUNION AT PROCTORVILLE.
INTERESTING GATHERING OF THE OLD BOYS
Ironton Register, September 18, 1890

The Fifth West Va. Infantry had its reunion at Proctorville, last Saturday. The members met in the G. A. R. Hall and had glorious handshaking. Over the stand was an emblazoned inscription, “Welcome, General Enochs.” The boys had received their old Colonel at the boat with fife and drum and escorted him to the hall. The reception was enthusiastic.

At the meeting, Comrade Creed Milstead presided. There were 70 members of the regiment present. Prayer was offered by Comrade Ray, of Co. G. After prayer, Comrade Downtain, the Secretary, said he tried to have the colors of the Regiment there and had visited Charleston personally to get them, but was astonished not to find them at the State Capitol, where they ought to be. The announcement created some indignation among the comrades. No one knew where the flags were.

Comrade Hall Freeman said he saw them at the State Capitol three years ago and it seems that was the last account there was of them.

Comrade Milstead said, “we never lost a flag in time of war, and it is a shame, we should lose them in time of peace.”

A committee consisting of Maj. Downtain, Gen. Enochs, and Comrade J. D. Foster were appointed to look after the flags.

Pres. Milstead then delivered his annual address as follows:

Comrades: – Twenty-nine years ago, on the 18th of this coming October, the 5th W. Va. Volunteer Infantry was mustered into the United States service for three years or during the war, at Ceredo, Wayne county, W. Va., under the commandership of the brave, the beloved and lamented Col. John L. Zeigler, who today fills a patriot’s grave and his immortal soul has gone to join many of his comrades in that beautiful land of the blessed, where the tocsin of war will never again be sounded. This regiment, as you all know, was organized under great difficulties.

The Confederates under the leadership of General Jenkins, Col. Ferguson, and Bill Smith, had almost complete possession of the border, reaching from Virginia Point, opposite Catlettsburg, Ky., to Point Pleasant, W. Va., and it was seriously believed that the enemy would invade the border of Ohio. Gen. Jenkins and Col. Ferguson were men of great influence and possessed the natural military ability. Brave and as fearless as any man who ever went into battle. Their acquaintances well knew that it would be a difficult task to cope with them.

The militia on the Ohio side was kept nearly constantly called out to prevent the enemy from crossing the river. What troops we had in the field at that time were sent to points apparently of more importance to the government than the above. The situation was getting to be more and more alarming every day. The enemy would make his appearance in force along the border of Wayne, Cabell, and a portion of Mason counties; steamboats on the Ohio river were frequently fired into by them and the loyal citizens on both sides of the river were in a high state of terrorism.

At this juncture, Squire John L. Zeigler, who was born in Franklin county, Penn., but had lived for fourteen years in Wayne county, W. Va., previous to the war, and had served as Justice of the Peace, for a number of years, well knew the men he would have to contend with. One day in July 1861, he hitched two horses to an old farm wagon and drove down to Ironton, Ohio, for the purpose of procuring guns, with which to defend Ceredo.

The guns belonged to a militia company there. The law then existing in Ohio, made the City Council responsible for the care and keeping of all arms, furnished by such companies by the State. He had the Council convened and briefly stated his mission. At first, the Council declined to let him have the guns, as they thought the chances for losing them were too great and they might have them to pay for. They felt certain that the Squire and his men would be captured before they were in Ceredo for twenty-four hours.

It suddenly dawned upon the mind of one of the Councilmen, that if Squire Zeigler was willing to risk his life in the defense of the border, they could surely afford to take the risk of letting him have the guns. A motion prevailed in the Squire’s favor. So he loaded up his wagon with muskets and on to Ceredo he went and there in the midst of the enemy with a small band of as brave, loyal, and patriotic men as ever let the sunshine on, he established his headquarters as firmly as the rock of ages, from which he was never driven. The Ironton Council never had a single musket to pay for, and today they feel proud of having assisted in this manner in the organization of a regiment that was an honor to the state to which it belonged.

You all remember the months of July, August, and September 1861, how the time was employed in recruiting, drilling, and scouting the country up the Big Sandy. The regiment was composed largely of brave men from West Virginia and Kentucky, who had for expressing their Union sentiments, been driven from their families and humble homes, and those homes, in a great many cases, reduced to ashes, for their loyalty to the government that they loved so well.

It has been often saying, more in a spirit of good humor than anything else, that the 5th W. Va., was not a well-disciplined regiment. We will admit that there were regiments more stylish and handled themselves more gracefully than ours, but they had remained for months in camps in instruction, drilling incessantly, while we received our military education under the enemy’s fire. We were not inclined to be dudish, but like the bedbug, we got there all the same.

Comrades, we had hoped that you would be permitted to fondly look at the tattered, weather-beaten, battle-scarred, and bullet-riddled old regiment colors. Oh! What memories they would bring to our minds of the awful days of the war. We remember that when they were new and every star shining in the silken banner as brightly as stars in glory. We see them when you and I were boys, full of life and vigor, with the bloom of youth on our cheeks. We see them as the regiment proudly marched out of its old camp at Ceredo to participate in the first campaign of the war. We see them as the regiment receives its first baptismal of blood-fighting the advance of Stonewall Jackson, at McDowell, Va., on May 8, 1862.

We see them again in the battle at Cross Keys, June 8, ’62, in which engagement one of them went down and with it went out the life of its gallant bearer, and today that glorious banner is stained with his young lifeblood. You again see them in the battle of Cedar Mountain, on August 10, Rappahannock Station on August 21, Freeman’s Ford, on August 22, Sulphur Springs, on August 23 and 24, Waterloo Bridge, on August 25 and 26, and in the second battle of Bull Run on 29th and 30th of August.

You again see them in the battle of Lynchburg, Va., June 17 and 18, 1864; Kearnstown, Va., July 24; Halltown, August 21, 23, 25; Berryville, September 4th; Winchester, Va., Sept. 19; Fisher’s Hill, Sept. 22, and capping the glorious climax, at Cedar Creek, Va., October 19, where the gallant Phil Sheridan so completely defeated the Confederates that in the hour of triumph telegraphed that night to Gen. Grant in front of Richmond, that he had defeated Early and captured every d—– thing he had on wheels.

Comrades, you see them today in their faded condition, never again to appear on dress parade or in line of battle, for their work is forever accomplished. In this blessed hour of peace, you, as gray-haired veterans on the retired list, can with pride trace memory back to 1861, when you left your happy homes to defend, and if need be to die in defense of that grand old banner, which you returned unsullied and without the loss of a single star, each one of which shines with greater brilliancy and now that we know that through your four years of hardships and heroism, they are forever fixed in the constellation, which together united makes this the greatest and grandest nation the world has ever shown.

Therefore, it is well for us to meet and recall our marches, bivouacs, and battles; to talk of our old commanders in our part of the army, such as General Sheridan, Gen. Crook, Hayes, Duvall and Zeigler, and also our late beloved regimental commander, General W. H. Enochs, who is with us today as he was always with us in the army, and under whose leadership you have so often rallied for the fray.

Now, comrades, our marches are nearly over. None of us but what have passed the middle milepost of life and are traveling rapidly down the western slope of time. As the years go by let us meet annually in reunion as long as there is a member of the old regiment. Nothing has so great a tendency to strengthen our comradeship and bind us closer together than these gatherings. Here we meet and renew the old friendship that was formed on the march, in camp, on the lonely picket post, and amid the shock of battle, as well as in the prison pen, that has long since been forgotten.

We will not be permitted to enjoy many more reunions here on earth. The head of our column is advancing on the double quick towards the silent camp across the river, where so many of our comrades have preceded us and today their tents are pitched on fame’s eternal camping ground, and they are waiting and watching on the parapets of heaven for us to come. It is my hope that when the hard trials of this life are over we may all meet on Heaven’s parade ground when the angels call the roll all ready for inspection in the morning.

The address was greeted with loud applause. Gen. Enochs was then called upon and gave the boys a happy talk. He told of the organization of the regiment, its history, its battles, privations, and the devotion of the brave men who belonged to it. He referred to the fraternal feelings existing among the survivors and gave expression to hopes and kind wishes, which was very impressive.

We observed that a good many of the boys shed teas as the General spoke of the past, and of the comrades who went down in the terrors of war. As he had to speak in the afternoon, he only spoke a few moments in the morning and wound up his remarks by reading the farewell order that he issued to his regiment, on July 24, 1865, when it was mustered out on Wheeling Island. It was as follows:
HEADQUARTER }
FIRST VETERAN W. VA., VOLUNTEERS }
WHEELING, W. VA., July 24th, 1865

To the Officers and Soldiers of the First West Virginia Volunteers:

The time has, at last, come for us to quit the duties of the soldier. Our record commences and ends with the war, being among the first to enlist and the last to be discharged. Your State, families, and friends have reason to be proud of your reputation, of your battle-torn flag. Your bravery and soldierly qualities have won for you the respect of your Generals and the armies with which you served. The impetuous charges and countercharges that you have so often made on the enemy’s lines will be recorded by the future historian with the history of the brave. I regret very much to part with you, as we have been associated together for four years.

The winter marches of 1861, the indecisive campaign of 1862 in the Shenandoah Valley, under Gen. Fremont; east of the Blue Ridge under Gen. Pope; the great battle and defeat at Bull Run; the skirmishing and scouting in the Kanawha valley in 1863; the brilliant and victorious campaign in 1864 under Gen. Crook, Hunter, and Sheridan. These with the great battles, raids, and other events, so frequent during our term of service, will illustrate the part we took in suppressing the great rebellion. We are not likely to forget them.

In calling them to mind we will be reminded of each other, and of the friendly relations that have so long existed between us. Well, may we feel proud of the part we have borne in this great struggle when we can say with truth that in the darkest hours of the history of our country we enlisted and re-enlisted? Our scars and shattered limbs will show that our blood has flowed freely in the cause.

But in our rejoicings at soon meeting our friends, let us not forget our absent comrades, many of whom are yet suffering in hospitals from severe wounds. But how many more, whose sufferings are over, sleep beneath the sod of these battlefields of Virginia, already so renowned in history. Their absence on this happy day speaks more eloquently to our hearts of the sacrifices made for free government than the bronzed veterans, that constitute our ranks. Go, then, my comrades, to your homes, families, and friends that have so long waited to greet you. “You deserve well of your country.”

I am glad that I served with you until the close of the war, and whatever may be our fortunes, I shall not cease to feel a deep interest in your welfare and your reputation; and if my orders could last longer than the few hours that we are to be together, I would say, be as faithful, kind and forbearing to your wives, families, and sweethearts as you have been to your officers and comrades. Be as alert and suspicious of those that would seduce you from the paths of honesty, temperance, and industry, as if they were the scouts of the enemy. Serve your God with as much energy and zeal as you have served your country, and your last days will be your best.

W. H. ENOCHS, Colonel Commanding

The reading of the order was listened to intently and awakened fond recollections.

Secretary Downtain read letters of regret from Col. Tomlinson, Gov. Fleming, and J. W. Henson.

The following officers were elected for the ensuing year: President, Creed Milstead; Secretary, J. G. Downtain; Treasurer, John Zimmerman.

The place for the next reunion was then discussed. Comrade Fullerton spoke for Ironton; Maj. Weimar, for Ceredo. There was a vote, and Ironton was selected by a big majority, but Weimar opened again for Ceredo, moved to reconsider, spoke of the next reunion as being the 30th anniversary, and Ceredo where the regiment was organized, and actually carried the reconsideration, and had Ceredo adopted without a dissenting vote.

The following were appointed a Committee of Arrangement for the next reunion: Maj. J. B. Weimar, Capt. Ham Willis, Charles Fortune, Henry Stock, Jno. T. Jones, Hall C. Freeman and W. H. Enochs.

A resolution of thanks to the people of Proctorville for their hospitality was then adopted, and the meeting adjourned.