Hi y'all. I'm looking for any info on Vincent Addison Witcher Lt.Col of the 34th VA cavalry. My family history has been handed down to me as follows, my 3rd great grandfather (James Maynard (Mainard) was a scout for Damrons Co 167th Home Guard in Wayne Co. VA and was murdered by Witcher after a skirmish on August 9 1862. It is said that Witcher stood trial for this and was found not guilty. When WV seceded from VA however, the courthouse was burned down and the records therein were destroyed. I have found very limited information on my grandfather but have hit a wall in trying to dig deeper so I am asking for your help. James' brother Lewis also served in the 167th, and James' son Aaron served in the 45th KY cavalry. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Glad to know y'all, God bless.
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CSA marauders/V.A.Witcher 34th VA Cavalry
- Thread starter Tarkeg
- Start date
- Joined
- Oct 17, 2012
- Location
- Middle Tennessee
Welcome.
East Tennessee Roots
Major
- Joined
- Dec 31, 2010
- Location
- Kingsport, Tennessee
Welcome from east Tennessee
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=67967968
Witcher is described by Daniel Ellis, the Union scout and refugee pilot in east Tennessee as basically an outlaw who made war on civilians . In the report below his military abilities are praised by no less than R.E. Lee. He was probably a man that asked no quarter and gave none, in a theater of the war where that was quite common. http://www.amazon.com/dp/1484068211/?tag=civilwartalkc-20
**************************************************************************************
NOVEMBER 5-12, 1864.--Witcher's operations in the Kanawha Valley,
W. Va., including the capture of the U. S. steamers Barnum and Fawn
on the Big Sandy River.
Reports of Lieut. Col. Vincent A. Withcer, Thirty-fourth
Battalion Virginia Cavalry, commanding expedition.
HDQRS. CAVALRY BRIGADE,
November 8, 1864.
GEN.: I have the honor to report that I captured and burned two
U. S. armed steamers, the Barnun and Fawn, on the 5th instant, whit
a quantity of small-arms, in Buffalo shoals, in Big sandy River. The
enemy's loss, two killed and five prisoners. The others were enabled to
escape, as I was unable to cross the river. Upon the same day I captured
and destroyed a large amount of military stores at Mellonsburg,
including the cooking utensils of one brigade, driving the enemy's
cavalry under his guns and fortifications at Louisa.
I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
V. A. WITCHER,
Lieut.-Col., Cmdg.
Gen. J. C. BRECKINRIDGE,
Comdg. Department of Western Virginia and East Tennessee.
[Indorsement.]
HDQRS. ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA,
November 28, 1864.
Respectfully forwarded for the information of the Department.
Col. Witcher deserves great credit for the boldness and skill with which he
has operated in the western part of this State.
Gen. R. E. Lee:
W. H. TAYLOR,
Assistant Adjutant-Gen.
The two grandfathers of my paternal grandmother were probably among the Union prisoners taken by Witcher's
command in this skirmish in east Tennessee. They both died as P.O.W's.
October 19, 1863 - Skirmish at Zollicoffer ( Bluff City, Tn. )
The account of a Confederate staff officer:
With a mournful pen I record the death of Lt. Col. Bottles, who was killed
yesterday in a fight below Zollicoffer. He was a Lt. Col. of one of the
Vicksburg Reg[iment]'ts, had me up a Batt'n of East Tennessee troops & been
serving as commandant of scouts, pickets, &c. was invaluable to us in East
Tenn.-as he was thoroughly acquainted with the country, & was a brave &
dashing officer. He was acting in conjunction with Lt. Col. Witcher & overtook
a Reg[iment]'t of the enemy 11/2 miles below Zollicoffer. In a charge upon
them Col Bottles was shot from his horse while leading his battalion. The ball
entered his right lung & he lived but two hours. We routed the Yankees, killed
& captured 57. We lost but two. . .
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Forum Host- Joined
- Dec 6, 2014
Hello and welcome from 35 miles north of Gettysburg!
East Tennessee Roots
Major
- Joined
- Dec 31, 2010
- Location
- Kingsport, Tennessee
Several men in this unit with the Mainard surname !
Aaron Mainard
Residence was not listed;
Enlisted on 10/29/1863 at Ashland, KY as a Private.
On 11/6/1863 he mustered into "E" Co. KY 45th Infantry
He was Mustered Out on 12/24/1864 at Catlettsburg, KY
After the War he lived in Wayne County, WV In 1890
......................................................................................
Louis Manard
Residence was not listed;
Enlisted on 7/18/1863 at Catlettsburg, KY as a Private.
On 10/10/1863 he mustered into "B" Co. KY 45th Infantry
He was Mustered Out on 12/24/1864 at Catlettsburg, KY
.............................................................................................
James R. Mainard
Residence was not listed;
Enlisted on 8/8/1863 at Ashland, KY as a Private.
On 11/6/1863 he mustered into "E" Co. KY 45th Infantry
He died of wounds on 6/20/1864
He was listed as:
* Wounded (date and place not stated)
................................................................................
Forty-fifth Infantry (Mounted)
KENTUCKY
(1 YEAR)
Forty-fifth Infantry (Mounted). -- Col., John Mason Brown,
Lieut.Col., Lewis M. Clark; Majs., Nathan A. Brown, John C.
Henderson.
This regiment was at first designed as a battalion for local
service on the Virginia border and in the eastern counties of
Kentucky. Although the requisite number of recruits were
rapidly collected, the organization effected at Ashland and
the regiment put on active duty in Oct., 1863, the formal
muster in of two companies was unavoidably delayed until the
beginning of the following January, when Col. Brown was
assigned to the command and Maj. Clark promoted to lieutenant-
colonel.
It led the pursuit after Morgan in June 1864 and was the
leading regiment of the assaulting column at the battle of Mt.
Sterling. It participated in the battle of Cynthiana, in
which Morgan's force was finally destroyed, having, up to that
engagement been continuously on duty for 26 days and nights,
with no halt of as much as 4 hours.
In October the regiment formed part of Burbridge's command in
the unsuccessful attack on Saltville, Va., and covered the
retreat. In November and December it was with Stoneman at the
capture of Bristol Tenn., Marion, Abingdon and Saltville, Va.,
and participated in all the engagements of that campaign.
Besides the engagements mentioned it took part in a great
number of skirmishes of greater or less note and was mustered
out by battalions at Catlettsburg, Ky.; Cos. A, B. C, D, E and
F. on Dec. 24, 1864; G. H. I and K, on Feb. 14, 1865.
Source: The Union Army, vol. 9, p. 341
************************************************************************************
OCTOBER 29, 1864.--Attack on Vanceburg, Ky.
Report of Lieut. Col. Lewis M. Clark, Forty-fifth Kentucky Infantry.
VANCEBURG, KY., October 31, 1864.
GEN.: I have the honor to report that on the morning of the 29th
instant Col. John P. Williams, of the rebel army, with forty men,
attacked Vanceburg about 4 a. m. I collected what citizens about be
found, and met them one mile and a half from the town. We had a
considerable skirmish with them and completely routed them and drove
them twenty miles. They made better time than we, taking all the best
horses on the route. The last heard from them they were on Fox Creek,
in Fleming County, Capt. Underwood, of the Carter County home
guards, in close pursuit. These men say that they intend that this (Lewis)
country shall vote for McClellan. The citizens are much
frightened, and think they will return at or about the time of the
election. This is a loyal county--has sent over 900 men into the army
of the Union, and will give Lincoln a large majority in November. We
have neither arms nor ammunition. If it is possible for you to send me
some arms and ammunition I will place them in the hands of good men.
By so doing, I think we will be able to protect ourselves. This must be
done soon to enable us to accomplish anything. There was a large
amount of shotguns, muskets, and powder captured and turned over to
the brigade ordnance officer of the Second Brigade. Please send us the
arms or send us men to protect the polls.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
L. M. CLARK,
Lieut.-Col. Forty-fifth Kentucky and Recruiting Officer.
Maj.-Gen. BURBRIDGE,
Cmdg. District of Kentucky, Lexington, Ky.
Source: Official Records
PAGE 882-77 KY., SW. VA., TENN., MISS., ALA., AND N. GA. [CHAP. LI.
[Series I. Vol. 39. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 77.]
Rio Bravo
First Sergeant
- Joined
- Oct 6, 2013
- Location
- Suffolk, U.K.
Welcome from Suffolk, U.K.
I'm just wondering whether Lt.Col Vincent Addison Witcher was related to John Sheshol Witcher who was a Union Officer in the 3rd West Virginia Cavalry ? Could they have been brothers or Father/Son ?
I'm just wondering whether Lt.Col Vincent Addison Witcher was related to John Sheshol Witcher who was a Union Officer in the 3rd West Virginia Cavalry ? Could they have been brothers or Father/Son ?
East Tennessee Roots
Major
- Joined
- Dec 31, 2010
- Location
- Kingsport, Tennessee
Don't know, cousins maybe ? Like Vincent, he went to Utah following the war.
John Sheshol Witcher
Residence was not listed; 26 years old.
Enlisted on 12/13/1862 as a 1st Lieutenant.
On 12/13/1862 he was commissioned into "G" Co. WV 3rd Cavalry
He was Mustered Out on 6/30/1865 at Wheeling, WV
Promotions:
* Capt 9/8/1863
* Major 5/23/1864
* Colonel 3/13/1865 by Brevet
* Brig-General 3/13/1865 by Brevet
* Lt Colonel 5/6/1865
Other Information:
born 7/15/1836 in Cabell Court House, VA
died 7/8/1906 in Salt Lake City, UT
- Index to Compiled Military Service Records
- Official Army Register of the Volunteer Force 1861-1865
- Heitman: Register of United States Army 1789-1903
- Dyer: A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion
- Brevet Brigadier Generals in Blue
- Photo courtesy of Massachusetts Comma
East Tennessee Roots
Major
- Joined
- Dec 31, 2010
- Location
- Kingsport, Tennessee
Here is the rest of the story I promised earlier today.The James "tarkeg" Maynard account as handed down to me through Moses Maynard, Milton Maynard, Manley Maynard, and Owen Maynard my Dad. The family lived near twelve pole in Wayne county, VA. (West Virginia split from Virginia and became a separate state later on June 20, 1863) Popaw Jim was a scout for the Union army. He and some 8 or 9 other men were out in the hills and came upon a band of marauders loyal to the confederacy. The scouts were spotted and the marauders lit out after them. Popaw Jim split off and run to the house. He told his wife (Elizabeth "Betty" Damron Maynard) I gotta go, they're coming after me. And he took off to the woods and crawled up inside a hollow tree. When the marauders got to the house, Momaw Betty said he ain't here, he's gone off. They had a little dog in the house and the dog run off and the marauders followed it and it ran out among the woods straight to the hollow tree where Popaw was hiding. Well the marauders drug him out of the tree and literally beat his brains out. They left him there on that piece of land which belonged to John Jones. Momaw found his body, picked up the pieces and placed them in her apron to take home. The family got permission to bury the rest of his body where he laid. The account goes that this band of confederate marauders was led by Vincent Witcher and he was brought to the Wayne county courthouse to stand trial for war crimes. Momaw took the pieces of Popaws brain and put them in a pitcher of water and brought it to the courthouse. Each time Vincent answered a question, Momaw held out that pitcher and asked "would you like a cool drink to swallow down with that lie?" Well, he was found not guilty by the jury and the trial was held in a confederate state mind you. The family then after the trial convened out on the courthouse lawn and took an oath that they would never again vote a Democrat ticket. And that is the story as told from his son on down to their sons for four generations. My own personal note here, Popaw did what he thought best at the time. Rebs were raiding houses and he was protecting his own. I honor him for standing up for what he believed in and because of this I do not find it offensive to display my southern cross. I have always loved it and supported states rights, small government, less government intrusion and tyranny. Deo Vindice and God bless America!
-Brett Maynard
On a side note, I had help this past July in finding Popaw James' grave. We all knew the story but couldn't pinpoint where it might be. I was so thrilled when I got to see it, I was the first in the family to see his grave in two generations. We didn't know what to expect for a grave marker. The most fascinating part was that as I crossed over the hill and descended on the gravesite, there not more than 10 feet away stood an old hollow white oak tree.
-Brett Maynard
On a side note, I had help this past July in finding Popaw James' grave. We all knew the story but couldn't pinpoint where it might be. I was so thrilled when I got to see it, I was the first in the family to see his grave in two generations. We didn't know what to expect for a grave marker. The most fascinating part was that as I crossed over the hill and descended on the gravesite, there not more than 10 feet away stood an old hollow white oak tree.
I
It is better than great Sir, I got more info from y'all in a few hours than searching on my own for many years.
Not sure if related but I have seen several posts about V.A. and a son who were tried for I believe the murder of two brothers around 1859. They were found not guilty then as well.
PeterT
1st Lieutenant
- Joined
- Mar 29, 2015
- Location
- Melbourne Australia
Welcome from Melbourne Australia!
What a family story you have there!
What a family story you have there!
- Joined
- Feb 19, 2011
- Location
- Germany
Don´t know. Vincent had his uncles and a whole bunch of cousins (especially second grade) serving the south during the war, but I have no clue about John´s family.
EDIT: And welcome from Germany.
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- Joined
- Apr 20, 2013
- Location
- East Texas
Welcome to CivilWarTalk.
7th Mississippi Infantry
Brev. Brig. Gen'l
- Joined
- Sep 28, 2013
- Location
- Southwest Mississippi
Welcome from South Mississippi.
You have a very interesting family story.
You have a very interesting family story.
- Joined
- Mar 22, 2009
- Location
- Collierville, TN
16thVA
First Sergeant
- Joined
- Dec 8, 2008
- Location
- Philadelphia
re Gettysburg-
After the war, Witcher wrote: "I shall never, no never, forget that eventful night when accompanied by one courier, my Adjutant Edwards and Sergeant Major, both being wounded, I full of grief and bitterness, rode to the barns in our rear and saw with tears in my eyes, my brave fellows from away over the mountains in West Virginia, laid out in windrows, torn and bleeding. I shall never forget that night or the next mornings parade when I could muster but 96 enlisted men. Brave fellows, not a slave holder among them."
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~wvwayne/34thvacav.htm
After the war, Witcher wrote: "I shall never, no never, forget that eventful night when accompanied by one courier, my Adjutant Edwards and Sergeant Major, both being wounded, I full of grief and bitterness, rode to the barns in our rear and saw with tears in my eyes, my brave fellows from away over the mountains in West Virginia, laid out in windrows, torn and bleeding. I shall never forget that night or the next mornings parade when I could muster but 96 enlisted men. Brave fellows, not a slave holder among them."
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~wvwayne/34thvacav.htm
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