Military:

Abner was a private in the 7th Cavalry during the latter part of the Civil War. He enlisted in the Union Army on January 1, 1863, at Charleston, (West) Virginia. He was mustered in on February 28, 1863, at Buckhannon. On page 8 of the unit history, 7th West Virginia Cavalry, it says that the unit was mustered out of service on August 1, 1865, at Coalsmouth (now St. Albans), West Virginia. However, Abner's military record, apparently dated January 21, 1865, has a note under Remarks which says, "Not to be mustered out term of service unexpired." I have not found a record that shows his actual muster-out date. There are only around a half-dozen cards in his "file" on microfilm. In any case, he was discharged at the end of his enlistment on December 31,1865, well after the end of the war. However, he probably went home in August when the rest of his unit did.

I can only surmise that Abner finally decided to enlist after the war was harshly brought to his doorstep. Clark Ramsey didn't discuss Abner's reasons for joining the army because he probably didn't know him very well. He said that he got most of the information about Abner from H. R. Bails. But Clark did go into some detail about his father's (J. R. Ramsey) reasons, and I feel sure the abuse and fear was felt throughout the extended family.

There has been a lot of confusion about the name of Abner's unit, so a brief evolution of the name is probably in order, to help understand the various quotes and references: Initially, he was in the 8th Virginia Infantry (8th VA Inf). On June 20, 1863 (when West Virginia became a state), the unit’s name changed to the 8th WV Mounted Infantry (8th WV Mtd Inf). On January 26, 1864, the unit’s name was changed to the 7th WV Cavalry (7th WV Cav). Abner was listed in Company K regardless of the unit’s name. Company K was generally commanded by Captain Elias Powell under General John H. Oley.

I will summarize Abner's service from the unit history to give an overview of his probable travels, actions, and battles. The records are just not complete enough to know with certainty where he was at any given time. I have assumed that he was always present for duty with his unit wherever it was. My assumption is based upon the fact that there are no entries in his record which show him to have deserted, been wounded (which would have had him on extended absence for convalescence), taken prisoner, or placed on extended furlough. These situations were important, not only at the time, but also when a pension was applied for after the war. So, most records include such information. They are exceptions to the normal operation. So, with that, I'll begin at his enlistment date.

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On January 1, 1863, Abner enlisted at Charleston, Virginia.

In February, he was mustered into service at Buckhannon, Virginia.

During the first half of 1863, the 8th VA Inf was transferred from Mt Pleasants, Virginia, to Buckhannon, Virginia. The regiment was divided into detachment at Bulltown (now Burnsville Lake), Frenchtown, and Beverly. Five companies were on expedition to Monterey, Virginia. The remainder were involved in skirmishes in Gilmer County. The companies were not identified.

On June 13, 1863, the 8th was sent to Bridgeport, Virginia, to be mounted and drilled as mounted infantry. Mounted infantry, sometimes called Dragoons, differs from the cavalry in that itis dismounted to fight rather than staying mounted as a cavalry unit does.

On June 20, 1863, West Virginia became a state, and the regiment was established as the 8th WV MtdInf. The regiment was then assigned to General Averell as Lee's troops moved into Maryland and Pennsylvania.

During the rest of June, the 8th traveled with General Averell and participated in operations against Mudwall Jackson. They traveled through Strasburg, Virginia; Franklin, West Virginia; Monterey,Virginia; Huntersville, Hillsboro and Grafton, West Virginia.

On the 2nd and 3rd of July, the regiment was at Beverly, West Virginia, for unknown reasons.

On July 4, the regiment was at Huttonsville, West Virginia. On July 7, the regiment was at Cumberland, Maryland.

On July 18, the regiment was at Hedgesville, West Virginia.

On July 18 &19, the regiment was at Martinsburg, West Virginia.

At some point in August of 1863, the 8th embarked on a raid. They traveled through Hardy and Pendleton Counties, West Virginia; Highland and Bath Counties, Virginia; Greenbriar and Pocahontas Counties, West Virginia.

On August 22, the regiment was still on raid at Huntersville, West Virginia. On August 24, theregiment was still on raid at Warm Springs, Virginia.

On August 25, they traveled through Jackson River, Virginia.

On August 25, they completed the raid at Rocky Gap, West Virginia.

From August 27 until November 1, 1863, the regiment was back at camp in

Martinsburg, West Virginia.

Beginning on November 1, 1863, the 8th WV Mtd Inf embarked on a raid against Lewisburg and the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad as part of General Averell's Brigade.

On November 1, they were in Mill Point, West Virginia, according to the Summary of Troop Movements included in the 7th WV Cavalry unit history. This differs from the more detailed account of these dates given in Lowry's book Last Sleep which describes the battle of Droop Mountain which occurred on the 6th of November.

Lowry says that the 8th departed Beverly, West Virginia, at noon on November 1 and traveled twelve miles to somewhere near Huttonsville where they camped for the night.

On November 2nd, most of the 8th continued with the main column to Bartow.

November 3rd, part of the 8th went through Greenbank where the first contact with the Rebels wasnmade on the raid. The 8th probably camped somewhere near Dunmore.

On the 4th of November, the 8th traveled to Huntersville by evening, but then got orders to press on to Marlinton to try to entrap fleeing Confederates before they reached Mill Point. When they arrived at Marlinton, they found that the Rebels had blockades on the road from there to Mill Point. The 8th then camped in Marlinton near the bridge.

(An old picture in the book shows a covered bridge that appears to be in the same location as the current bridge.)

Early on the morning of the 5th, Averell's Brigade was on the move toward Mill Point. The 8th got orders to remove all blockades on the road and advance on Mill Point. By daylight, Col. Oley,c ommanding the 2nd and 8th WV, as well as Ewing's Battery, had his troops in the saddle and moving. When they arrived at the Mill Point skirmish line, Oley was ordered to dismount his troops and take the 8th WV to the right along with the 14th Penn. At 1100 hours, Col. Oley was ordered to make a rapid advancement. The Confederates were quickly driven to the top of Droop Mountain by Averell'sBrigade. Most of the Union troops then went into camp early between Mill Point and Hillsboro so as not to drive the Confederates past Lewisburg before Gen. Duffie's troops could arrive to cut them off.

On November the 6th at 0730 hours, the 8th, along with the other mounted units, was ordered to Hillsboro. Once there, skirmishers were moved forward, and a Chinese fire drill of sorts was put on for the amusements and confusion of the Confederates. The skirmishing lasted about three hours during the morning. The diversion was to allow General Averell and his staff to ride along the base of Droop Mountain to gather information for a battle plan. In short order, a three-part plan was prepared.

Averell's three-part plan called, first, for Col. Moor to take the right flank. He was to fall back to Hillsboro and move his infantry along the obscure Lobelia-Caesar's Mountain Road in order to attack the weak Confederate left. It is approximately six miles from Hillsboro to the current park boundary via the Lobelia Road.

Second, Col. Schoonmaker would take the left. He would move the 14th Penn Cav and the artilleryand make a demonstration against the Confederate right and center. That action was intended todistract attention from Moor's advance. He was ordered to "maintain a steady fire on the enemy."

Third, Col. Oley would dismount the 8th and the other mounted units to make a frontal attack on theConfederate center. Part of Gibson's Battalion and part of the 8th were held in reserve. Three companies of the 8th led the advance out of Hillsboro. The situation facing the units attacking the Confederate center, which was near the current lookout tower in Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park, is described on pages104-5 in Lowry's book. He says, "Indeed, Averell's mounted infantry, fighting dismounted, would have to cross an open area known as the Levels [later referred to as the Yankee Flats], an expansive farmland between Hillsboro and the mountain base. For protection from enemy fire, the soldiers would have to utilize every rock, ravine, hollow, tree, stump, and piece of woods for cover." Also, on page104, Averell estimates the distance from the base to the summit of the mountain at the center as about two and a half miles.

Around 0900 hours on the 6th, General Echols arrived at Droop Mountain with reinforcements to the Confederate units already dug in along the crest of the mountain. That brought the Confederate troop strength to about1,700 and seven artillery pieces. Upon his arrival, General Echols assumed field command and placed Col. George S. Patton in command of the 1st [Echol's] Brigade. Gen. Echols immediately busied himself with the placement of his forces and artillery. However, he did not heed reports of a weakness in his position. On page 108, Lowry says, “Although Droop Mountain was a virtually impregnable, natural fortress, Echols seemed oblivious to the obscure country road which ran across the west side of the mountain, despite various reports circulated about its existence."

Around 1100 hours, the battle got underway when the Federal guns began firing on the Confederate cavalry horses and batteries. Gen. Echols said that the first shots were fired from rebel guns. In any case, on page 114, Lowry says, "Artillery would roar throughout the area during the day and could be heard miles away." On page 117, Lowry quotes Echols, "Soon after the opening of the artillery, skirmishing commenced along the line…."

Continuing on page 118, Lowry says, "The battle began to heat up around 1:00 P.M. as Col. John H. Oley received orders to place his 8th West Virginia Mounted Infantry to the left of the 2nd and 3rd West Virginia. The three units, fighting dismounted, were to assault Echols' line at the center and center right, in conjunction with Moor's strike on the left and Schoonmaker's pounding of the right. Oley complained his location 'was an exceedingly difficult one. The side of the mountain in our front was bare of trees, fences, or any protection from fire. The ascent was very steep..."' On page 122, Lowry quotes Capt. Francis Mathers, Company I, 8th West Virginia, "the 2nd and 8th West Virginia moved forward until they got within point blank range of the enemy sharpshooters, the 8th exposed to a galling fire from the rebel breastworks, and right [directly] under the rebel battery that opened...with shot and shell." Lowry continues,"... Capt. Mathers said the men lay on the ground to permit the artillery projectiles to pass over top of them."

Around 1400 hours on the 6th, Col. Moor's troops arrived on top of the mountain in front of the Confederate-left line. This was approximately where the present state park boundary is on the backside of the park. Lowry says on page 128 that the firing started as soon as the Federal troops were seen. As the fighting ensued on their left, the Confederates were forced to give way to superior force.

On page 131, Lowry quotes Averell saying, "intermittent reports of musketry heralded [Moor's]approach to Echols' left flank" and it was “evident from the sound of battle on the enemy's left and his disturbed appearance in front, that the time for the direct attack had arrived." On page133, Lowrysays, "Moor's contact with the Confederate left was the pre-arranged signal for all the Federal commands to come out of hiding and make a general assault upon the entire rebel line."

On page 159, Lowry describes the turn of the battle, "From his position with the Federal artillery, Lt.Denicke was the first to spot the collapse of the Confederate line and so communicated the information to Gen. Averell. Having received Denicke's communication of the Confederate withdrawal at approximately 3:00 P.M. Averell sent a verbal message ... "

"At the unofficial termination of the battle, at about 4:00 P.M., Echols received information that at 2:00 P.M. Gen. Duffie had advanced to the top of Little Sewell Mountain, 18 miles west of Lewisburg, advancing rapidly upon Lewisburg with 2,500 men and five pieces of artillery. At this time Gen. Echols knew it was useless to continue the unequal contest ... "

After the battle, Lowry says on page 171, "The 8th West Virginia, exhausted from climbing the steep mountainside, received orders from Col. Oley to halt and rest while their horses were brought up ... "

During the ensuing pursuit of the Confederate retreat, Lowry says on page 177, "The 8th West Virginia Mounted Infantry moved with the column as well until dark, at which time Col. Oley received orders to make camp."

On page 185, Lowry lists the battle losses for the 8th WV, "The 8th West Virginia lost three killed, eight wounded, for a total of 11."

During the remainder of November and early December, the 8th WV was in and around Covington, Virginia, where they were involved in a skirmish during the raid on the Virginia & Tennessee Railroad.

On December 8,1863, the 8th was among the 3,300 troops of Averell's Brigade that departed NewCreek (Keyser), West Virginia, on the Salem Raid which was planned to lift the siege on Knoxville by cutting off Longstreet's supply line via the Virginia & Tennessee Railroad.

Note: On December 1, Granddad Clayton Adkins, who was in the 34th VA Cavalry, joined General Longstreet's siege with his unit under General Jones. The 34th then served as the rear guard as Confederate forces retreated from Knoxville whenGeneral Sherman was sent to reinforce the Union troops there.

From the 8th to the 11th, they traveled through Petersburg and Franklin, West Virginia, in route to Salem.

From the 11th to the16th, they traveled through Monterey, Back Creek, Gatewood, Callaghan, Sweet Sulphur Spring, and New Castle, Virginia, in route to Salem.

On the 16th and 17th of December, 1863, they attacked the Virginia & Tennessee Railroad in Salem, Virginia.

Note: On the 17th of December, Granddad Adkins was retreating north along the Holston River in the vicinity ofRogersville, Tennessee.

From the 18th until the 24th, they returned from the raid via New Castle, Sweet Springs, and Jackson River, Virginia, in route to Martinsburg, West Virginia.

On the 24th, they traveled through Beverly, West Virginia, and arrived back in camp at Martinsburg.

On January 26, 1864, the unit’s name was changed to the 7th West Virginia Cavalry in Martinsburg.

On March 15, until the beginning of April 1864, the 7th WV was in Charleston, West Virginia, on furlough.

During April, the 7th returned to camp at Martinsburg.

On May1, 1864, the 7th departed Martinsburg with Gen. Crook to participate in an expedition against the Virginia & Tennessee Railroad.

On May 6, they were in route through Rock Gap, Virginia.

On May 9, the 7th fought in the battle of Cloyd’s Mountain, Virginia.

On May 10, the 7th fought the battle of New River Bridge, Virginia. After the battle they began their return through Cove Gap, Virginia, on expedition.

On May 11, their return route took them through Blacksburg, Virginia.

On May 12, they traveled through Union and Pond Gap Mountain, West Virginia.

On May 24, they were in camp with Gen. Crook at Meadow Bluff, West Virginia.

On June 1, the 7th joined with Gen. Hunter at Staunton, Virginia, on a movement against Lynchburg, Virginia.

On June 6, they were in route to Lynchburg while traveling through Buffalo Gap, Virginia.

On the 11th, they traveled through Lexington, Virginia.

On June 16, the 7th WV traveled through Buckhannon and New London, West Virginia, on the returnfrom the Lynchburg expedition.

On July 1, 1864, the 7th WV was in Charleston, West Virginia.

From July 1, 1864, until August 1, 1865, the 7th WV Cavalry served in and around Coalsmouth (St.Albans), West Virginia.

Note: According to the 34th VA CAV unit history, on October 26, 1864, the 34th attacked Union Forces at Winfield in Putnam County. From there, they were pursued by the 7thWV Cavalry as they retreated up Loop Creek in Fayette County.This action was reported in the WV Journal.

On August 1, 1865, the 7th WV Cav was mustered out of service at Coalsmouth.

Although Abner's record has an entry that says he was not to be mustered out because his term of service was not expired, he must certainly have been released with the others in the unit. There is nonrecord of his being in another unit from August 1 until December 31,1865, when his enlistment terminated, and he was officially discharged.

Onpage 8 of theunit history, the author says, “…during four years of duty, this regiment lost a total of 236 men: 5officers and 28 enlisted men were killed or mortally wounded; 2 officers and 20 1enlisted men died of disease."

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In addition to Granddad Abner's military service, I believe some events concerning his brother James Riley are interesting enough to share the space.

First of all, let me offer a brief digression before I relate a little about James Riley's military service. Apparently, James Riley was something of a stone mason. On page 54 of Vol. 1, James Clark (Riley's son) says, “Another sample of his work are those old stone bridge pillars at the mouth of Gauley. These were built under his management in 1849. Look at them and notice how smooth and exact and substantial they are. His work never had to be done over again, from building a chimney to sharpening a hoe or building a house or hoeing corn."

James Riley lived on 400 acres in the Wilderness District of Nicholas County. He was a captain in the Nicholas County Militia during the Civil War. On page 58 of Volume 1, Clark Ramsey begins the account of his father's war experience. He says, "J. R. Ramsey tried to remain neutral at the beginning of the war but voted against secession and of course was looked upon as a Union man.When his property was taken by the Confederates and one of his sons killed by rebel sympathizers and another son taken prisoner and sent to Richmond prison, and J. R. Ramsey's life threatened, he decided to raise a Company of home guards as perhaps a safer life protection than to stay out by hiding. He applied to Governor Francis H. Pierpont, then Governor of the reorganized government of Virginia who commissioned him Captain of a Company of 50 men..."

The following is, perhaps, his father's first encounter with rebel forces; although, that isn't clear in the book. Clark witnessed the battle as a child: "First, as J.R. Ramsey and, I believe, four of his Company were at his home, suddenly they were fired on by a bunch of rebels... J.R. Ramsey commanded them to go in the house and get their guns, but they were gone in a moment. He tried to go in the house and get his gun, but the women pushed him back and told him to run. As he left, he had to cross two fences and the bullets hit the fence at both crossings. My brother Jake and myself cut them out of the fence rails afterwards... They (the women) were in the kitchen with the door open facing the rebels. On(e) bullet hit the wall of the kitchen and another bullet shot into the kitchen and struck three legs of a falling leaf dining table..."

On page 60, Clark gives a description of his father's fort at (Kesslers) Cross Lanes and an account of another battle, "...A. A. Hamilton of Cross Lanes took quite an interest in showing me the site of Capt. J. R. Ramsey's fort that was captured and burned by Confederate soldiers in August (2)1864. The fort stood just above Zoar Baptist Church on the hill west of Kessler's Cross Lanes. It was 100 ft. by 110 ft., built of split timber about one to two feet in diameter. The logs were split in halves and planted four feet deep in the ground making a solid wall perhaps 12 feet high... There is little if anything to show where the fort stood. The site is now being used as a burying ground, and I am told that in digging graves pieces of the lower end of the logs are found still in the ground.When the fort was attacked by the Confederates, Capt. J. R. Ramsey and a part of his men were away on a scout, perhaps in Fayette. There were in the fort at the time it was attacked, about 22 men or more commanded by T. Addison Ramsey who was First Lieutenant. The Confederates were undercommand of Col. V. A. Witcher who was making a raid through Nicholas and Braxton Counties ..."

(This was Granddad Clayton Adkins' unit - the 34th Virginia Cavalry)

Note: The fort was captured and burned sometime during September 1864, according to the 34th's unit history. The 34th was accompanied by Thurmond' s Partisan Rangers - all under the command ofCol.Witcher.

He continues, "Some of the Union soldiers were pitching horseshoes out on the west side of the fort when the rebels appeared on a rise perhaps less than 100 yds. from the fort..." "I have been told that after the Union soldiers had fired a few rounds at the rebels that the rebels sent ... (a demand to) surrender ... (T.A.) Ramsey agreed to surrender ..."

Clark Ramsey gives several details of the surrender. I found one particularly interesting: ''The fort was captured August 2,1864, and we started our trip (apparently the twenty, or so, soldiers who wereleft to guard the fort) to prison. We crossed the river (Gauley) at McVey's ferry [mouth of Meadow River] and reached the top of the cliffs and camped."