Reunion of Company D. Pleasant Gathering of Confederate Veterans at Moler’s–Snug Sum for Memorial Hall. The reunion of the surviving members of Company D, Twelfth Virginia Cavalry, Confederate States Army, at Moler’s Cross Roads, this county, last Friday, was a most enjoyable affair. The day was a cold and cloudy one, and the threatening weather doubtless kept many persons away, but nevertheless a crowd of four or five hundred persons were present. They began to gather early, and the scene was a touching one at times as the old soldiers greeted one another for the first time in many years. Captain Henry W. Kearney, of Alexandria, the commander of the company, was present, and Lieutenant John W. James came all the way from Iowa to greet the boys. The meeting between the Captain and the Lieutenant was an affecting one, and tears came into the eyes of the old comrades as they hugged each other. Lieutenant James has not been here since the war, and many of his fellow soldiers had changed so he failed to recognize them at first. Brown and black locks had given way to gray, and in more than one case there was no hair at all to serve as landmarks. Sergeant J. W. McCleary and Sergeant Geo. W. Watson, of Parkersburg, were also among those who were present. It was a joyous affair for the veterans, and many incidents were recalled and anecdotes related, while long-forgotten nicknames were given once more. The exercises of the day began about 11 o’clock. Col. W. A. Morgan called the assemblage to order and named Capt. Lee H. Moler as chairman. A lusty choir sang “Dixie Land” in a way that made the old Confeds smile. A fitting address of welcome was delivered by Captain Moler, which was responded to on behalf of the company by Hon. Charles H. Knott, who gave some interesting details of the history of the company. “The Bonnie Blue Flag” was then sung, and Col. R. P. Chew, of Charlestown, was introduced. He spoke of the gallantry of the southern soldiers and the daring deeds they accomplished, and referred to some of the results of the struggle between the armies. Mr. Knott then read letters of regret from Gen. L. L. Lomax, of Washington, and Chaplain Geo H. Zimmerman, of Romney, both of whom expressed themselves as being very sorry they could not join in the reunion. At this point dinner was announced. The ladies of the neighborhood had prepared a sumptuous repast, the proceeds of which was for the proposed Confederate Memorial Hall. Everybody on the ground had a chance at the bountiful meal, and what they did for it was a plenty. The “boys” compared it to some of the meals they had gotten during their four years of service, when green corn, persimmons or sour apples were the chief features. After dinner the crowd again gathered around the stand, where more southern songs were sung in a spirited manner. Mr. Wm. H. Wilson, the talented young lawyer from Charlestown, made an eloquent address that was deserving of the hearty applause that greeted it. Mr. Wilson spoke most gracefully and effectively. The two young daughters of Captain Kearney delivered several stirring recitations that touched responsive chords, and this pleasing part of the programme was greatly enjoyed. The Misses Kearney were vigorously applauded. Master Charles Knott, Jr., sang a comic song, “The Contraband,” most creditably, and Mrs. J. C. Reinhart rendered a solo very sweetly. Sergeant J. W. McCleary, of Baltimore called the roll of the company, and 43 members answered to their names. After the exercises were over the veterans formed in line and were photographed my Mr. McClung, of Charlestown. They also paid their respects to Mr. Joseph E. Yontz, a blind fellow soldier, and left him substantial tokens of their regard. The remainder of the afternoon was devoted to social affairs and individual reunions, though the lively singing of war songs kept a big crowd about the stand all the time. The ladies realized nearly a hundred dollars as a contribution for the memorial hall– a very creditable sum. Company D was organized in March, 1862, at Fisher’s Hill, by Captain John Knott, who fell while gallantly leading a charge at High Bridge just a few days before the surrender at Appomattox. Its members were principally from Jefferson county, and they saw hard service and were noted for their promptness in responding to every call of duty– a trait for which General Lomax complimented them. When Captain Knott was promoted to be major of the Twelfth Cavalry, Captain Henry W. Kearney was chosen to command the company, and remained with it until the close of the war. From first to last there were 151 names on the muster roll, though a number of these were with the company but a brief time. Of the 151 members, 15 were killed in battle; 33 died of wounds during the war or from natural causes since; 43 were present at the roll call Friday, and 60 others are living or not accounted for. It was resolved by the members of the company to hold a reunion annually hereafter, and next year it will be held at Shenandoah Junction, this county. The following is the complete roll of the members of Company D, with present post office addresses so far as known, indicating also those killed and those who died from wounds or natural causes. Those marked with an asterisk were present at the reunion May 1,1896.
OFFICERS. Major John Knott, killed. Capt. H. W. Kearney, Alexandria, Va. * Lieut. G. W. Engle, dead. Lieut. John W.James, Wyoming, Iowa. * Lieut. Benjamin Lucas, killed. Sergt. Charles Haines, Waynesboro, Va. Sergt John Allen, dead. Sergt. J. W. McCleary, Baltimore, Md. * Sergt. G. W. Watson, Parkersburg, W. Va. * Sergt. Andrew Higgins, dead.
PRIVATES. James Allen, Brucetown, Va. fames Athey. W. A. Adatus, Shepherdstown, W. Va. * John Andrews, dead. Daniel Andrews, Louisiana, Mo. Isaac Brubacker, dead. George Brantner, dead. Charles Berlin. Garrett Bane, dead. P. Burley. Washington Banks, Shepherdstown, W. Va. John Badger, Mo. H. C. Backus. George D. Bowers, dead. George Barnhart, Ohio. J. H. Coffinberger, Shepherdstown, W. Va. * Geo. W. Caton, Moler’s. * Nathaniel Conrad. Charlestown. * Alexander Conrad, Harrisonburg, Va. George Cook, killed. James Cook, dead. Daniel Clymer, killed. Frank Clymer, Baltimore, Md. I. M. Chambers, dead. Charles Currie, dead. J. C. Dickson. Edward Deck, Martinsburg, W. Va. Frederick Deck. Thomas Dodson, killed. Charles Elliott, killed. Benjamin Engle, Alva, Wyoming. Martin Furrey, Kearneysville, W. Va. * David Fraley, Moler’s, W. Va. * James Fraley, Snyder’s Mills. William Flanagan, dead. Jno. B. Farnsworth, Summit Pt., W. Va. James Frazier, dead. George Gall. James Gay, dead. Thomas Hipsly, Baltimore, Md. J. W. Hicks. Charles Hess, dead. D. Grove Henkle, Uvilla, W. Va. * Owen Higgins, Winchester, Va. Wm. Hayslett, Middleway, W. Va. John Hayslett, Middleway, W. Va. George Hagley, Charlestown W. Va. * Mason Hough, Charlestown, W. Va. * Danl. W. Hendricks, Uvilla, W. Va. * Tobias Hendricks, Shepherdstown, W. Va. James M. Hendricks, Moler’s, W. Va. * David Hoffman, killed. Geo. Hoffman, Kearneysville, W. Va. * John Hoffman, Moler’s, W. Va. * William Hanby. Charles Hudson, dead. Daniel B. Hastings, dead. E. G. W. Herr, Shepherdstown, W. Va. George Hartman, dead. David C. Holmes. —- Heckroach. Robert Halpin, dead, Samuel House, Washington, D. C. William Johnston, killed. C. K. Johnston, Leetown, W. Va. * George Johnston, Leetown, W. Va. * Harry Kilmer, Martinsburg, W. Va. * Charles H. Knott, Moler’s, W. Va. * Charles (“Tip”) Kephart, dead. Jacob Kephart, Duffields, W. Va. * Richard Keys, .Shepherdstown, W. Va. * James Keys. Joseph Kisner, Charlestown, W. Va. John Lewis, Middleway, W. Va. David Lewis, Middleway, W. Va. Andrew Leapole, dead. Jno. C. Licklider, Shepherdstown, W. Va. * Frank Licklider. Jos S. Licklider, Roanoke, Va. John Loudoun, Moler’s, W. Va. * Chas. O. Lambert, Martinsburg, W. Va. * Charles Morningstar, killed. Joseph Minghini, Martinsburg, W. Va. * Geo. Moore, dead. James Melvin, Halltown, W. Va. Bart Moore, dead. D. Griff. Moler, Moler’s, W. Va. * Rollin Moler, killed. Raleigh Moler, Uvilla, W. Va. * George Moler, dead. Jacob Moler, Bakerton, W. Va. * H. Clay Moler. dead. William Moler, Bakerton, W. Va. Newton Moler, Bolivar, W. Va. Frank Morgan, dead. Patrick Mackin, Richmond, Va. Henry Merritt, Ilchester, Md. Wm. McBee, Martinsburg, W. Va. * Jas. W. McGarry, Shenandoah Junction, W. Va. * Lewis Nichols, Halltown, W. Va. Geo. Osbourn, Shepherdstown, W. Va. * Alex. Osbourn, Shenandoah Junction, W. Va. * Jas. B. Osbourn, Shenandoah Junction, W. Va. * Robert Osbourn, Shenandoah Junction, W. Va. * John J. Ogden. Samuel Tolly, dead. James Patten. Harper’s Ferry, W. Va. Charles Prather, dead. Dent. Prather, Bunker Hill, W. Va. Wallace Pretzman, dead. Robert Roberts. James Roberts, Leetown, W. Va. Samuel Reed. George Ronemus, Warrensburg, Mo. Phil. Reinhart, Shepherdstown, W. Va. * Wm. Reinhart, Shepherdstown, W. Va. * James Ritter. Thomas Rutherford, Shepherdstown, W. Va. * George Roc, dead. William Smith, Miss. George Smith, Charlestown, W. Va. * Howard Strider, dead. John Simpson, Snickersville, Va. James Shirley, Greenwood, Va. Harrison Swimley, Summit Point, W. Va. Samuel Swimley, Brucetown, Va. Jno. Shewbridge, Summit Point, W. Va.* William Staley, Selma, Cal. John Slavin, dead. Collins Show, Shepherdstown, W. Va. * James Snyder, killed. John Snyder, dead. James Wright, Charlestown, W. Va. William Watson, killed. Eph. Watson, Leetown, W. Va. * Michael Welsh. Bart Watson, Middleway, W. Va. * James Whitington, Duftields, W. Va. William Wintermoyer. John Wilson. Darkesville, W. Va. Isaac Zombro, Middleway, W. Va.