CHARLESTON AND THE KANAWHA VALLEY.--A DOUBLE MURDER.--COLONEL TYLER
ASSUMES COMMAND OF THE POST.
After the engagement at Cross Lanes, five companies of the regiment
remained at Gauley Bridge, while the balance were at Charleston. The
latter part was commanded by Colonel Guthrie, of the First Kentucky
Regiment. At this time it was the seat of justice for Kanawha County,
and contained upwards of three thousand inhabitants. It is a neat
village, situated on the north bank of the Kanawha River, at a point
where the Elk empties into it. There is a fine suspension bridge over
the latter stream, which the rebels undertook to destroy in their
flight. Charleston is three hundred and eight miles west of Richmond,
and forty-six miles east of the Ohio River. It was named after Charles
Clendenin, an early settler, and an owner of the soil on which it is
built.
The Valley of the Kanawha is famous for its beautiful scenery. The
mountains on either side of the river sometimes rise to the height of
five hundred feet and more, and are liberally supplied with rich beds
of minerals and coal. At their base is located the famous Kanawha salt
works. They commence near Charleston, and extend for about fifteen
miles above it. Before the rebellion they gave employment to nearly six
thousand persons. The following extract will be of interest:
"It is a curious fact, and worthy of philosophical inquiry, that while
the salt water is obtained by boring to a depth of from three hundred
to five hundred feet below the bed of the Kanawha, it invariably rises
to a level with the river. When the latter is swollen by rains, or the
redundant waters of its tributaries, the saline fluid, inclosed in
suitable "gums" on the shore, ascends like the mercury in its tube, and
only falls when the river returns to its wonted channel. How this
mysterious correspondence is produced is a problem which remains to be
solved. Theories and speculations I have heard on the subject, but none
seem to me to be precisely consonant with the principles of science."
Before the presence of the army interrupted the manufacture of salt,
these works yielded about two million bushels annually, and are capable
of yielding much more with an increase of capital.
While Colonel Guthrie commanded the post at Charleston a most
disgraceful tragedy was enacted. An order had been issued that no
liquors of any description should be sold or given to the soldiers or
employees of the Government. During the time this order was in force, a
party of drunken rowdies from the First Kentucky Regiment stopped at
the grocery of an old man, and asked for some beer; when refused, they
demanded it. Being again refused they threatened violence, and
proceeded to put their threats into force, when a son of the old man,
occupying a room above, was brought to the window by the old
gentleman's cries for help, and, seeing his father thus set upon by a
mob, from the repeated assaults of which his life was endangered, fired
a revolver, the contents of which took effect on one of the assaulting
party, producing instant death. He was at once arrested and lodged in
jail, around which a strong guard was placed to prevent his being taken
out and hung.
That night Colonel Guthrie, in a speech made to the excited throng,
which had collected around the jail, said, in substance, that the life
of the criminal should be taken if he had to do it with his own hand.
Similar remarks were made by others, among whom was a captain who
afterwards sat as judge-advocate on the trial.
On the morning after the affair the members constituting the
court-martial assembled "in all the pomp and pride of glorious war,"
decorated with all the paraphernalia belonging to an officer's
equipment, but to declare a prejudged opinion.
During the trial the prisoner was as immovable as a statue, evincing in
his appearance a want of hope, as well as a preparation for the worst.
He made no defence. The announcement of the sentence of death produced
no change; he preserved a stoical appearance to the last.
When the hour of execution arrived the prisoner was brought to the
gallows in a heavy wagon, guarded by a double file of soldiers, who
were laughing as gayly as if on their way to some place of amusement.
During the afternoon the sun had shone through a cloudless sky; but
just before this terrible scene was enacted, the heavens were draped
with heavy clouds, and the rain fell in torrents, casting a gloom on
all around. The wretched victim ascended the gallows with a firm tread,
and addressed a few words, in a fearless tone, to those assembled
around. As the rope was being adjusted around his neck, the crowd
involuntarily gave way, showing that, although they had been clamorous
for the enactment of the scene, yet when the time came, they had not
the nerve to witness the death-struggle of their victim. There was but
little movement of the body after the fatal drop fell. This last scene
was sickening in the extreme, and all of us, moved by a common impulse,
turned and walked away in silence, our hearts being too full for
utterance.
This is one more testimony against the safety and justice of the death
penalty.
On the 19th day of October, Colonel Tyler took command of the post at
Charleston. He issued the following proclamation:
"In assuming the command of this post, one of my principal objects
will be to maintain order, and to see that the rights of persons
and property have the protection guaranteed by general orders from
department headquarters. To the faithful execution of this my
entire energies, together with the force at my command, will be
given. To this end I have established Camp Warren, where officers
and soldiers are required to be at all times, except when on duty
which calls them away, or on leave of absence, which will only be
granted at headquarters. Commissioned and non-commissioned officers
will be held personally responsible for any violation of this order
by members of their companies. Drunkenness, marauding, boisterous
and unsoldierlike conduct are strictly forbidden. To prevent this,
the sale of intoxicating liquors, directly or indirectly, to those
in the service of the United States, is positively and emphatically
prohibited; and I call upon the citizens to aid me in detecting
those who violate this order. The quiet of your town, the
protection of your property--in fact your lives and the lives of
your families--depend much upon the sobriety of our officers and
men; therefore, it becomes your duty as well as your interest to
lend me your aid in the execution of this order.
"E. B. TYLER,
"Colonel Commanding Post."
Under the rule of Colonel Tyler the post at Charleston assumed order
and quiet. Under the former commandant drunkenness was common, while
marauding parties were free to patrol the streets on their errands of
mischief. The property of the citizens was at the mercy of these gangs,
while their lives were not unfrequently placed in jeopardy. The people,
therefore, were much gratified with the change of rule. Camps were now
established at some distance from the village, while no soldiers were
permitted to visit it unless they first obtained a pass from
headquarters, which, being established in town, was difficult to
procure. A provost-marshal was appointed, with a proper guard subject
to his orders. This guard was instructed to arrest all soldiers found
in the streets of the village without a proper pass, as well as those
committing any depredations on the property or persons of the citizens,
with or without a pass.
About the middle of October the companies at Gauley Bridge came down to
Charleston. During their stay on the Gauley they performed much duty at
the outposts; several times being under the enemy's fire, though none
were injured. The detachment suffered severe loss, however, from
sickness. Lieutenant Robinson was among the number; he died of fever;
his loss was greatly felt by the regiment. When the news of his death
reached his company, they wept as for a brother.