8 VIRGINIA CAVALRY, CONFEDERATE Wayne Co. WV Total Companies: 10 CO. K, formerly FAIRVIEW RIFLE GUARDS/ BIG SANDY RANGERS, mostly from Wayne County Col. J. M. Corns, Regimental Founder and Commander COMMISSIONED OFFICERS OF COMPANY K Joseph M. Ferguson, Captain, Co. K Samuel S. Vinson, 1 Lt., Co. K Samuel J. Ferguson, 2 Lt., Co. K William E. Wilkinson, 3 Lt., Co. K All above officers are in the 1860 Wayne Census, except for Samuel S. Vinson, who is in the 1860 Lawrence Co., KY, Census and in the Wayne Census by 1880. By January of 1864, the 8 VA CAV was attached to the command of Maj. Gen. Samuel Jones, CSA, Department of Western Virginia, and directly under Brig. Gen. William Jones, Commander of Jones' Cavalry Brigade. Col. Corns of Wayne County had been captured, and so Lt. Col. Alphonso F. Cook commanded the 8 VA Cavalry of Jones' Brigade in 1864. WAYNE CO., WV, ROSTER All household numbers and ages refer to Mullins' 1860 Wayne Co., WV, Census. All ranks are privates unless otherwise specified. WINCHESTER ADKINS, s/o Hezekiah and Nancy Spears Adkins HH #365, 35 CO. K Also served in 45 VA INF, Co. F, and 4 VA State Line, Co. G LEWIS AKERS, s/o John and Elizabeth Frasher Akers and nephew to Lewis and Nathan Frasher HH #312, 14 CO. K/E; Enlisted 1 Apr 1863 JAMES F. ANDERSON HH #583, 22 (with Harmon Loar) CO. E Formerly served with Fairview Rifle Guards Later served with 16 VA CAV, Co. A, 1 Lt. and Captain HARMAN ARTRIP (ARTHRIP), s/o William and Mary Artrip and brother to Noah HH #624, 22 CO. K; Enlisted 10 Nov 1861 Also served in 34 BATTALION, Co. A/G, and in Diamond's 10 KY CAV, Co. I POW in 1865 NOAH ARTRIP, s/o William and Mary Artrip and brother to Harman HH #624, 19 CO. K; Enlisted 20 Aug 1862 Formerly served in 29 VA INF, Co. A (Enlisted 10 Jul 1861) POW in 1864 JOHN LEE BILLUPS, s/o Samuel and Sarah Chandler Billups and maybe brother to Samuel HH #562, 18 CO. K, H; Enlisted 25 Jul 1861 SAMUEL A. BILLUPS, maybe s/o Samuel and brother to John Lee HH #405, 21 (with Patterson Thompson) CO. H; Enlisted 25 Jul 1861 (A Samuel A. Billups, b. 1839, m. 1865 Sarah Bowman in Tazewell County, VA, and settled there.) FRANCIS MARION BING, s/o John and Sarah Entsminger Bing HH #948, 19 CO. E; Enlisted 29 May 1861 Also served with 16 VA CAV, Co. E FRANCIS BLAIR, m. Martha Thacker, d/o Joseph and Jane Rutherford Thacker, abt. 1865 NOT in 1860 Wayne Census; In 1870, lived on White's Creek, Wayne Co., WV, but counted in Boyd Co., KY, Census; moved to MO in late 1870's CO. K, Enlisted 1 Nov 1862 Previously served in Witcher's Battalion, VA Mounted Rifles (Later, 34th Batt'n. VA CAV) BENJAMIN BLANKENSHIP, s/o John (Sarah Stephenson/Matilda Toppings) Blankenship HH #260, 18 CO. E WIA BURWELL BOOTH, s/o Samuel and Mero Spurlock Booth and brother to Francis Marion HH #116, 21 CO. K; Enlisted 28 May 1861 POW CHARLES BOOTH, s/o John Wesley and Matilda Vaughan Booth HH #225, 22 (with Burwell Ferguson) CO. K; Enlisted 28 May 1861 Also served in 16 VA CAV, Co. E FRANCIS MARION BOOTH, s/o Samuel and Mero Spurlock Booth and brother to Burwell HH #109, 19 CO. K, Corporal and Sergeant; Enlisted 28 May 1861 Also served in 16 VA CAV POW 1865 DAVID BOWEN, s/o Alderson and Ann Shelton Bowen and cousin to William HH #336, 16 CO. K, Corporal; Enlisted 20 Aug 1862 POW 1863 WILLIAM BOWEN, s/o Hugh and Susan Trout Bowen; cousin to David HH #94, 13 CO. K; Enlisted 20 Aug 1862 POW I864 DAVID C. CANNADY, s/o David and Jane Walker Canaday and husband of Frances Booton HH #541, 33 CO. K, 1st Sergeant; Enlisted 28 May 1861 LANE CARTMILL/CARTMELL, s/o James and Orpha Cartmill (m. 18 Sept 1872 Elizabeth Franklin in Lawrence Co., KY; Lived in Buchanan, KY, where he built boats and did some blacksmithing.) HH #36, 16 CO. K; Enlisted 20 Aug 1863 JOSEPH COLLENS/COLLINS HH #908, 23 (with John Ferguson) CO. K, Sergeant Formerly served with 129 VA Militia, Baisden's Co. (Enlisted 2 Sept 1861) POW 1863 JAMES M. CORNS HH #222, 29 Colonel, Regimental Commander 8 VA CAV Formerly served with the Fairview Rifle Guards Also served in 167 VA Militia, Captain, and in 36 VA INF, Captain POW 1863 JAMES CORNS, s/o James, 49, and Jane Corns HH #125, 22 CO. E/K; Formerly served with Fairview Rifle Guards POW 1863 JOHN COX, s/o Flourney and Elizabeth Wellman Cox and h/o Nancy Lowe Dixon HH #860, 47 CO. E; Enlisted 29 May 1861 DAVID CRUM, s/o David and Nancy Adams Crum; first cousin to John HH #789, 22 CO. K; Enlisted 1 Aug 1862 POW, died 1865 at Camp Chase, OH, POW Camp JOHN CRUM, s/o William and Elizabeth Pack Crum; first cousin to David HH #766, 24 CO. K; Enlisted Aug 1862 MOSES D. DAMRON, s/o Samuel and Vashti Jarrell Damron, cousin to Samuel, and Samuel Sperry Vinson's brother-in-law HH #829, 21 CO. K; Enlisted 1 Aug 1862 Obit, Huntington Advisor: B. 1 Jan 1839, Wayne County, and d. 7 Apr 1924, Huntington; Buried Spring Hill Cemetery; Lumber and real estate business after the war SAMUEL DAMRON, s/o George and Sarah Branham Damron, Son-in-law to John Pratt, and cousin to Moses D. HH #722, 20 CO. K; Enlisted 20 Aug 1862 ABRAHAM DAVIS, s/o Daniel and Elizabeth Cyrus Davis and first cousin to James Davis, below HH #335, 16 CO. K/E; Enlisted 20 Aug 1862 POW 1863 JAMES HANSFORD DAVIS, s/o Marshall and Mary Morris Davis, brother-in-law to Thomas Jefferson Ferguson, below, and first cousin to Abraham Davis, above. HH #277, 24 (Dickinson has a James Davis, 28 in 1865.) CO. K Might also have served in 4 VA State Line, Co. G Note: Dickinson's roster says James Davis took the oath was sent north in 1865; another undocumented source says he died in 1864. WILLIAM FARRIS, husband of Minerva, d/o Samuel and Mary Frasher Webb HH #660, 38 CO. K, Enlisted 2 Aug 1862 Previously served in FERGUSON'S BATT'N., Spurlock's Co. Later served in SWANN'S BATT'N., Vinson's Co. ABRAHAM FERGUSON, s/o Edmund J. Ferguson, below HH #604, 17 CO. K; Enlisted 20 Aug 1862 POW 1863 ANTHONY FERGUSON, s/o Jameson and Cynthia Walker Ferguson; Brother to William below? HH #971, 22 CO. K; Enlisted 20 Apr 1862 POW and exchanged in 1862; Died in 1863 EDMUND J. FERGUSON, s/o Joel and Elizabeth Osburn Ferguson and father of Abraham HH #604, 41 CO. K; Enlisted 20 Aug 1862 HARVEY FERGUSON, s/o James and Mary Bromley Ferguson; (James and Mary Bromley Ferguson lost two sons during the Civil War: John, 16 VA CAV, in 1863 at Gettysburg and Harvey in 1864.) Brother to James M., Samuel J., Wade, Wayne, and William HH #966, 22 CO. K; Enlisted 1 Dec 1861 DIED 1864, in hospital HENRY E. FERGUSON, s/o James Harvey and Elizabeth Robertson Ferguson HH #1123, 16 CO. E/K; Enlisted 29 May 1861 Formerly served with Fairview Rifle Guards POW 1864 JAMES M. FERGUSON, s/o James and Mary Bromley Ferguson; Brother to Harvey, Samuel J., Wade, Wayne, and William HH #966, 18 CO. H; Lieutenant (THOMAS) JEFFERSON FERGUSON, s/o John and Elizabeth Bowen Ferguson, Brother to Persiville and Brother-in-law to James Davis HH #900, 27 CO. K, Sergeant Also served in Jackson's Company, VA Light Artillery, Corporal JOSEPH MARTIN FERGUSON, s/o Milton and Nancy Walker Ferguson, Brother to Col. Milton J. Ferguson, Commander, 16 VA CAV HH #1119, 25 CO. K, Captain Also served in 36 VA INF, Co. A, 1 Lt. POW 1862, released or exchanged; Reenlisted 1864 P. G. (PERSIVILLE) FERGUSON, s/o John and Elizabeth Bowen Ferguson Brother to Jefferson and brother-in-law to James Davis HH #267, 25 CO. K, 1 Lt. SAMUEL FERGUSON, s/o Kelly and Elizabeth Damron Ferguson HH #820, 18 CO. K; Enlisted 1 Aug 1862 SAMUEL J. FERGUSON, s/o James and Mary Bromley Ferguson; Brother to Harvey, James M., Wade, Wayne, and William HH #910, 28 CO. K, 2 Lt.; Enlisted 10 Jun 1861 Obit, Huntington Advisor: b. 24 Jan 1832 and d. 18 Jun 1903; Served as Justice of the Peace in Wayne County for many years after the war THOMAS (TALTAN?) D. FERGUSON, s/o Samuel and Martha Jackson Ferguson HH #946, 13 CO. K, Enlisted 1 Aug 1862 POW 1864; Transferred from Camp Chase, OH, to Pt. Lookout, MD, in 1865 TILLMAN FERGUSON, s/o Edmund and Polly Adkins Ferguson; Brother to William below? HH #499, 18 CO. K; Enlisted 20 Aug 1862 WADE (HUTCH) FERGUSON, s/o James and Mary Bromley Ferguson; Brother to Harvey, James M., Samuel J., and Wade, and William HH #701, 26 CO. K; Enlisted 15 Feb 1863; Disability discharge June 1863 WASHINGTON FERGUSON, s/o Thomas and Mary Jones Ferguson HH #544, 39 CO. K; Enlisted 20 Aug 1862 WAYNE FERGUSON, s/o James and Mary Bromley Ferguson; Brother to Harvey, James M., Samuel J., and Wade, and William HH #966, 17 CO. K; Enlisted 20 Aug 1862 POW 1864 Obit Huntington Advisor: Died 17 Mar 1917 in Kenova at 73 years of age; Was a merchant and worked for the U. S. Department of Internal Revenue; Buried Spring Hill Cemetery WILLIAM FERGUSON, s/o Edmund and Polly Adkins Ferguson and brother to Tillman or s/o Jameson and Cynthia Walker Ferguson and brother to Anthony or s/o James and Mary and brother to Harvey, James M., Samuel J., Wade, and Wayne (It is felt the age in Dickinson's roster could be in error. All of James and Mary Bromley Ferguson's sons enlisted into 8 VA CAV, if William is included, except for John, who enlisted into 16 VA CAV, the outfit his in-laws favored, and was killed at Gettysburg. A William is in the VA 16 CAV by 1864, the year this William reenlisted into the 8th.) HH #499, 21, or #949, 26, or #226, 33 CO. K; Enlisted 20 Aug 1861; Dickinson has this William as 25 in 1864 POW 1865 GRANVILLE FRASHER, s/o Hasten and Barsheba (Bathsheba) Berry Frasher Brother to Harvey, James Anderville, Nathan #631, William H., and Samuel HH #631, 19 CO. K, Sergeant; Enlisted 13 Aug 1861 POW 1863 HARVEY FRASHER, s/o Hasten and Barsheba Berry Frasher (name incorrectly listed as Harry) Brother to Granville, James Anderville, Nathan #631, William H., and Samuel HH #633, 34 CO. K, Enlisted 1 Aug 1862 JAMES ANDERVILLE FRASHER, s/o Hasten and Barsheba Berry Frasher; Brother to Granville, Harvey, Nathan #631, William H. and Samuel HH #631, 23 CO. K; Enlisted 1 Dec 1861 LEWIS FRASHER, s/o of John L. and Mary Wellman Frasher, brother to Nathan , #650, and uncle to Lewis Akers HH #651, 18 CO. K; Enlisted 20 Aug 1862 POW or disability discharge in 1864 NATHAN FRASHER, s/o Hasten and Barsheba Berry Frasher; Brother to Granville, Harvey, James Anderville, William H. and Samuel HH #631, 18 CO. K; Enlisted 20 Aug 1862 NATHAN H. FRASHER, s/o John L. and Mary Wellman Frasher, brother to Lewis, uncle to Lewis Akers HH #650, 18 CO. K; Enlisted 1 Aug 1861 POW 1864 SAMUEL FRASHER, s/o Hasten and Barsheba Berry Frasher; Brother to Granville, Harvey, James Anderville, Nathan #631, and William H. HH #650, 15, or HH #612, 25 CO. K; Enlisted 1 Mar 1861 WILLIAM H. FRASHER, s/o Hasten and Barsheba Berry Frasher; Brother to Granville, Harvey, James Anderville, Nathan #631, and Samuel HH #632, 39 CO. K; Enlisted 1 Aug 1862 ARCHIBALD HARRISON, s/o Guy T. and Clementine Harmon Harrison; Brother to Thomas HH #120, 23 CO. E Also served in 16 VA CAV, Co. E, 2 Lt. THOMAS HARRISON, s/o Guy T. and Clementine Harrison; Brother to Archibald HH #120, 35 CO. E BURWELL LAMBERT, s/o Isaac, brother to James W., Double-first cousin to John Calvin Lambert, and first cousin to James Henry Lambert HH #706, 23 CO. K; Enlisted 20 Aug 1862 DIED of disease in hospital, 1863 JAMES HENRY LAMBERT, s/o James and first cousin to Burwell, James W., and John Calvin HH #566, 19 CO. K JAMES W. LAMBERT, s/o Isaac, brother to Burwell, Double-first cousin to John Calvin and first cousin to James H., HH #706, 27 CO. E/K; Enlisted 10 Jun 1861 POW, exchanged 1862; Reenlisted 1864 JOHN CALVIN LAMBERT, s/o Elijah, double-first cousin to Burwell and James W., First cousin to James H. HH #703, 20 CO. E/K; Enlisted 10 Jun 1861 Formerly served with Fairview Rifle Guards JOHN WARD LOYD (LLOYD), s/o Henry and Milly Lloyd HH #965, 15 (with William Walker, who also served in 8 VA CAV) CO. E; Reenlisted 30 Apr 1862 WILLIAM W. MARCUM, s/o Stephen M. and Jane Damron Marcum HH #586, 15 CO. K; Enlisted 1 Nov 1862 HARRISON MATHEWS/MATHIS, s/o Daniel and Sally Copley Mathews Brother to James HH #845, 16 CO. K; Enlisted 1 Aug 1862 Also served in 1 VA State Line, Co. A, and in 129th VA Militia, Baisden's Company (enlisted 2 Sept 1861) JAMES MATHEWS/MATHIS, s/o Daniel and brother to Harrison HH #792, 23 CO. K; Enlisted Mar 1864(Probably reenlisted) WIA, in hospital in July 1864 HARVEY MAY, s/o Jacob and Elizabeth May HH #915, 21 CO. K; Enlisted 1 Aug 1862 POW 1864 LAFAYETTE McCOMAS, s/o James and Lucy Hensley McComas HH #271, 23 CO. E; Enlisted 29 May 1861; Wounded in arm in 1862 and discharged from 8 VA CAV Formerly served in Fairview Rifle Guards Enlisted into 45 VA INF, Co., A, 24 Jan 1864 JESSE MEEK(S), s/o Henry and Elizabeth Meek(s) HH #327, 15 CO. E/K; (Meeks, according to Dickinson, not Meed) KIA, 1863 or 1864 JOHN R. MILLER HH #542, 24 CO. K; Enlisted 28 May 1861 KIA 1864 CHARLES W. MORGAN, s/o Robert and Emily Morgan HH #37, 14 CO. K; Enlisted 20 Aug 1862 WALTER RALEIGH OSBURN, s/o Edmund and Jane Kendrick Osburn HH #970, 20 CO. K, Corporal and Sergeant; Enlisted 28 May 1861 WILLIAM OWENS HH #433, 23 CO. G Formerly served in 129 VA Militia, Carter's Co. (enlisted 27 Aug 1861) Later served in 45 BATT'N. VA INF, Co. F POW, exchanged 1863; then joined 45 BATT'N. JOHN W. PERDUE, s/o John Meadows and Polly Ward Perdue HH #182, 16 CO. K; Enlisted 20 Aug 1862 WILLIAM A. PERDUE, s/o Obediah, a paternal uncle to John Meadows and Charles R. Perdue Cousin to John W. Perdue, above NOT in 1860 Wayne Census (John W. Perdue, HH #182, 1860 Wayne Census) William A. Perdue in 1870 and 1880 Wayne Censuses Born 1 Aug 1837; Age, 1860, 23 CO. K; Enlisted 15 Jul 1862 POW 1864 GARRED PETERS, s/o Jacob Hacker and Jane See Peters, brother to Noah and William D. (The Jacob Hacker Peters family lived around Louisa, KY/Ft. Gay, WV, area and felt at home on both sides of the Tug. Their G-uncle William, 60, is in the 1860 Wayne Census, HH #28.) NOT in the 1860 Wayne Census; In 1870 Wayne Census, #155 Grant, m. to Emma/Millie Maynard, 24, d/o Charles and Lucinda Maynard Preached in both Lawrence Co., KY, and Wayne Co., WV; married three times Garred's age in 1860, 16 (b. 1844) CO. K; Enlisted 15 Sept 1863 POW 1865 NOAH PETERS, s/o Jacob Hacker and Jane See Peters, brother to Garred and William D. NOT in 1860 Wayne Cenus; In 1870 Wayne Census, #68 Grant, m. to Cynthia Ferguson, 22, d/o Lewis and Margaret Osburn Ferguson Noah's age in 1860, 17 (b. 1843) CO. K; Enlisted 15 Sept 1863 POW 1865 WILLIAM D. PETERS, s/o Jacob Hacker and Jane See Peters, brother to Garred and Noah NOT in 1860 Wayne Census; Age in 1860, 15 (b. 1845) m. Tennessee Vinson and lived on Hurricane; Lumber business and merchant CO. K; Enlisted 15 Sept 1863 POW 1865 WILLIAM PITT, born in England HH #96, 23 (with Jesse Adkins) CO. K; Enlisted 26 May 1861 A saddler by trade, Mullins' 1860 Census POW 1864 JOHN PRATT, s/o John and Rachel Pratt, father of Samuel, father-in-law to Samuel Damron, above HH #716, 44 CO. K; Enlisted 20 Aug 1862 SAMUEL PRATT, s/o John and Mary Porter Pratt HH #716, 18 CO. K; Enlisted 10 Jun 1861 ALEXANDER (ALI) PRESTON, s/o Thomas and Anna Pinson Preston Brother to Dennis, Goodwin, Henry, Thomas, and William HH #798, 17 CO. K; Enlisted 1 Aug 1862 DENNIS PRESTON, s/o Thomas and Anna Pinson Preston Brother to Alexander, Goodwin, Henry, Thomas, and William HH #800, 33 CO. K; Enlisted 1 Mar 1863 GOODWIN PRESTON, s/o Thomas and Anna Pinson Preston Brother to Alexander, Dennis, Henry, Thomas , and William HH #798, 23 CO. K, Corporal; Enlisted 20 Jun 1861 HENRY PRESTON, s/o Thomas and Anna Pinson Preston Brother to Alexander, Dennis, Goodwin, Thomas, and William HH #801, 27 CO. K; Enlisted 1 Aug 1862 THOMAS PRESTON, s/o Thomas and Anna Pinson Preston Brother to Alexander, Dennis, Goodwin, Henry, and William HH #798, 19 CO. K; Enlisted 1 Aug 1862 WILLIAM PRESTON, s/o Thomas and Anna Pinson Preston Brother to Alexander, Dennis, Goodwin, Henry, and Thomas HH #798, 25 CO. K, Sergeant; Enlisted 10 Jun 1861 POW, 1864; Died in 1866 THOMAS SHORT, s/o Nora and grandson of Samuel and Elizabeth Breeding Short HH #535, 26 CO. K; Enlisted 20 Aug 1862 POW and released 1863 ALBERT SMITH, s/o John and Elizabeth Perdue Smith, first cousin to Eldridge and Richard, Brother-in-law to William Walker HH #505, 21 CO. K, Corporal; Enlisted 28 May 1861 POW and released 1862; POW, 1864 DAVID SMITH HH #335, 23 (with Daniel Davis) CO. K, Sergeant; Enlisted 28 May 1861 or CO. K; Enlisted 1 May 1862 DAVID SMITH, s/o John N. and brother to William S., below? HH #1120, 36 (School teacher in 1850 Lawrence Co., KY, Census) CO. K, Sergeant; Enlisted 28 May 1861 or CO. K; Enlisted 1 May 1862 ELDRIDGE SMITH, s/o Eldridge and Sarah Cole Smith and first cousin to Albert and Richard HH #437, 16 CO. K; Enlisted 20 Aug 1862 H. (Henry?) B. SMITH?, s/o William J. and Jane Hazelett Smith; cousin to William S. HH #254, 16 CO. K; Enlisted 1 Oct 1863 HENRY SMITH, s/o Henry and Elizabeth Finley Smith and brother to James HH #794, 19 CO. K (In Wayne County, 1860, this is the only Henry Smith who would have been 24 in 1865, the age and year when this Henry Smith took the oath.) POW, 1865 JAMES SMITH, s/o Henry and Elizabeth Finley Smith and brother to Henry HH #723, 31 CO. K; Enlisted 1 Nov 1862 POW, 1863 JAMES W. SMITH, husband of Jane R. Garrett HH #509, 43 CO. E, Sergeamt, Enlisted 29 May 1861; or CO. K, Bugler, Enlisted 17 Dec 1861 RICHARD H. SMITH, s/o Robert G. and Mary Wilkinson Smith and first cousin to Albert and Eldridge HH #100?, 16 CO. K; Enlisted for the second time 15 Jan 1863 POW and released 1863; Reenlisted 1864 While POW, he was termed a "bushwhacker." Bushwhackers were referred to as sharpshooters by their comrades and as bushwhackers by the enemy. WILLIAM S. SMITH, s/o Dr. John N. and Sarah Brown Smith, maybe brother to David #1120, and cousin to Henry HH #115, 30 CO. K Note: Dickinson's annotation in his roster says that William S. Smith, detached with Gen. Floyd of the Virginia State Line in Jul of 1862, was known as "Rebel Bill," and re-enlisted into 8 VA CAV Wayne County in 1863. In 1864 a confederate William Smith did form a battalion and wreaked havoc upon the Big Sandy Region. This would have been after Col. Milton Ferguson's (16 VA CAV) capture in Wayne County, after the WV Militia had become operational, and after the Confederate end had become inevitable. "Rebel Bill" Smith of Smith's Battalion was addressed by the rank of colonel, but it is unknown whether or not he ever received a commission--more than likely, he didn't. At least one source says Col. Smith of Smith's Battalion was William O. Smith. Because of that and the fact that no confederate records indicate that William S. Smith ever received promotions in 8 VA CAV, I dismissed the possibility this could be the famous/infamous Col. William Smith , "Rebel Bill." However, I ran across a 1903 (the same year William S. Smith died) article from Big Sandy News, "REBEL BILL" SMITH: Early Life and Adventures of Col. William S. Smith, a Noted Rebel," and so I now think it's quite possible that Wayne County's William S. Smith just might be Col. William Smith--"Rebel Bill"--of Smith's Battalion. The time he spent with Gen. Floyd's Virginia State Line would have given him opportunity to form ties with regional Confederate companies, and, since he was never reported to have deserted from the 8th in 1864, it's quite possible Smith's Battalion operated with tacit approval from 8 VA CAV. After all, Co. K of 8 VA CAV evolved from the Border Rangers, a group dedicated to working behind enemy lines. William S. Smith just might have been a guerilla commander hidden within the 8 VA CAV. Genealogical research into William S. Smith identifies him as the son of John N.--a doctor, according to the article-- and Sarah Brown Smith of Wayne County. John N. Smith, born 17 Nov 1793 in Beaver County, PA, was the son of David Smith and married Sarah Brown 8 Aug 1822 in Cabell County. After David Smith made out his will 16 Feb 1822, John N. and Samuel moved to Wayne County. John N.'s father had married twice; the children of the second marriage all stayed in PA. John N. and Samuel's two full sisters, Ann, b. 19 Sept 1795, and Mary Elizabeth, b. 26 Oct 1798, might have stayed in PA as well, for I've found nothing in Wayne County about either of the sisters. John N.'s brother Samuel m. Temperance Merriman in PA and had at least four children, two found in the 1860 Wayne Census: Harrison, 40 in 1860, m. Frances Hazelett 28 Apr 1850; William Jackson, 39 in 1860, m. Jane Hazelett. A third son, Samuel, a Primitive Baptist preacher, m. abt. 1845 Almiranda Newman, probably d/o Peter and Fanny Newman, since they sold Samuel and Almiranda 75 a. of land on Price's Mill Creek, according to a 1839 Cabell Co. deed book. Almiranda died, and Samuel m. a Mary Rife in 1857, probably connected to the Tazewell County Rifes, who were also Baptists. By 1860, Samuel, Jr., lived in Lawrence Co., KY. I have not found Samuel Sr.'s fourth child, Sarah Christine, b. 1834, in the 1860 Wayne Census. John N. and Sarah Brown Smith are in the 1860 Census, with some of their children listed with them. In the "Rebel Bill" article, William S. says he is the fourth son born to his parents, and so at least four sons are not listed with John N. and Sarah Brown Smith in 1860. The article identifies one older son as David Smith, senior partner of Smith & Adkins Store at Trout's Hill in 1847, and Judge of the District Court at Gunnison City, CO, in 1903. There is a David Smith, 36, in Wayne's 1860 Census, who was a school teacher in Lawrence Co., KY, in 1850. Maybe the merchant, teacher, and judge are all one person. William S. Smith is listed as 30, m. 28 Jan 1852 to Serilda Roberts, 28, and looking like Col. "Rebel Bill" Smith. HURSTON SPURLOCK, s/o Burwell and Nancy Garrett Spurlock HH #114, 26 CO. K; Taken prisoner and paroled in 1862 Also served in 16 VA CAV, Co. E, Captain POW and released in 1862 JEFFERSON STEPHENS, s/o John and Bidsy Jackson Stephens HH #950, 15 CO. ? JAMES (M.?) STEPHENSON, s/o Benjamin and Morning Stephenson? NOT in 1860 Wayne Census; in 1850 Wayne Census as James, age 9 (Father, Benjamin, in HH #379, 1860 Wayne Census) CO. K POW 1862; Released 1863 JOHN WESLEY STEPHENSON, s/o Benjamin and Morning Stephenson according to Dickinson NOT in 1860 Wayne Census; in 1850 Wayne Census as Wesley, age 11 (Father, Benjamin, in HH #379, 1860 Wayne Census) CO. K; Enlisted 30 Dec 1862 Later served in 16 VA CAV, Co. H THOMAS HARVEY STEWART, s/o William and Eleanor Stewart and brother to Harrison D. HH #40, 16 CO. K, Corporal; Enlisted 10 Nov 1861 WIA and died 1864 in Baltimore Co., MD HARRISON D. STEWART, s/o William and Eleanor Walker Stewart and brother to Thomas Harvey HH #40, 24 CO. K, Corporal; Enlisted 20 Aug 1862 EZEKIEL STONE, s/o James and brother to William and Moses HH #539, 21 CO. K; Enlisted 1 May 1862 Also served in 16 VA CAL, Co. E, Sergeant Major MOSES STONE, s/o James and brother to Ezekiel and William NOT in 1860 Wayne Census; age, 22 CO. K; Enlisted 1 Aug 1862 POW 1865 WILLIAM MARION STONE, s/o James and brother to Ezekiel and Moses HH #539, 18 CO. K; Enlisted 20 Aug 1862 JAMES W. STRATTON, s/o Milton and Martha Leslie Stratton HH #808?, 20 CO. K; Enlisted 1 Aug 1862 OWEN THOMPSON, s/o Elias and Elizabeth Webb Thompson and brother to Wade H. NOT in 1860 Wayne Census; Age, 22 CO. K; Enlisted 20 Aug 1862 Captured and escaped 1864 PATTERSON THOMPSON, s/o Patterson and Sarah Thompson and brother to Thaddeus HH #405, 14 CO. E; Enlisted 1 Oct 1863 POW, 1864; Died at POW Camp Chase, OH, 21 Feb 1865 THADDEUS THOMPSON, s/o Patterson and Sarah Thompson and brother to Patterson HH #405, 17 CO. E, Enlisted 30 Apr 1863 POW and released 1863; Reenlisted POW 1865, Camp Chase, OH, where he arrived three days after his brother Patterson died WADE H. THOMPSON, s/o Elias and Elizabeth Webb Thompson and brother to Owen HH #721, 27 CO. K; Enlisted 20 Aug 1862 POW 1864 ALONZO TONEY, s/o William and Jane Toney and brother to Napoleon HH #34, 14 CO. K; Enlisted 30 Aug 1862 NAPOLEON TONEY, s/o William and Jane Toney and Brother to Alonzo HH #34, 17 CO. K; Enlisted 1 Aug 1862 FRANCIS MARION VINSON, s/o Stephen Marcum, s/o Josiah, and Rhoda Sperry Vinson Brother to Lafayette and Samuel Sperry HH #687, 29 CO. K, Sergeant; Enlisted 8 Aug 1862 JAMES VINSON HH #777, 19 (with Alexander Gaws), or HH #807, 17 (with Sylvester Marcum) CO. K; Enlisted 1 Mar 1863 One of these James Vinsons also served in 1 VA State Line, Co. A, and in Swann's Battalion. LAFAYETTE VINSON, s/o Stephen Marcum, s/o Josiah, and Rhoda Sperry Vinson Brother to Francis Marion and Samuel Sperry HH #686, 24 CO. K; Enlisted 8 Aug 1862 SAMUEL SPERRY VINSON, s/o Stephen Marcum, s/o Josiah, and Rhoda Sperry Vinson Brother to Francis and Lafayette NOT in 1860 Wayne Census; In 1860 Lawrence Co., KY, Census; Age, 37 CO. K, 1 Lt. ; Enlisted 10 Jun 1861 JOHN (W.?) WALKER HH #593, 21 (with William Walker, 36) CO. K POW 1864 WILLIAM WALKER, s/o Dr. Harrison Walker and brother-in-law to Albert Smith HH #965, 25 (Henry J. Lloyd family also in household) CO. K; 28 May 1861 (This William Walker served as a nurse in a hospital and enlisted the same day as Albert Smith. Plus, John W. Lloyd also in 8 VA CAV.) JAMES H. WARD s/o Asa and Susan Sink Ward and uncle to Melchizedeck and Obediah, below HH #33, 23 CO. K; Enlisted 2 Aug 1862 POW 1864 MELCHIZEDECK WARD/WORD, s/o Jesse M. and Mary Perdue Ward Brother to Obediah, and nephew to James H HH #39, 15 CO. K; Enlisted 20 Aug 1862 OBEDIAH W. WARD/WORD, s/o Jesse M. and Mary Perdue Ward Brother to Melchizedeck, and nephew to James H. HH #39, 14 CO. K; Enlisted 20 Aug 1862 JOHN HANSFORD WATTS, s/o Ambrose and Jane Swearingen Watts HH #1078, 39 CO. K; Enlisted 15 Apr 1862 POW 1865 JOHN WEEDER. born in Switzerland, husband of Susan, d/o Samuel and Sarah Billups HH #98, 28 (with Daniel Stephenson) CO. K, Enlisted 20 Aug 1862 A gunsmith by trade, Mullins' 1860 Census BEVERLY G. WILKINSON/WILKERSON, s/o William and Mary Smith Wilkinson and brother to William Eldridge below HH # ?, Age, 21 CO. K; Enlisted 28 May 1861 WIA 1863; Reenlisted 1864 WILLIAM ELDRIDGE WILKINSON, s/o Willam and Mary and brother to Beverly HH # ?, Age, 19 CO. K, 2 Lt. Surrendered after Appomattox ELIAS WILLIAMSON, s/o Alden and Mary Elizabeth Jackson Williamson Brother to James, uncle to John, cousin to Joseph HH #323, 56/51 CO. K; Enlisted 1 Aug 1862 in Wayne (Dickinson says this Elias died in 1880/81 at age of 71.) JAMES WILLIAMSON, s/o Alden and Mary Elizabeth Jackson Williamson Father to John, brother to Elias, cousin to Joseph HH #322, 50 CO. K; Enlisted 20 Aug 1862 in Wayne (No other James Williamson in 1860 Wayne Census except for his son James, 11, and Alden's son James Harrison, 9) JOHN WILLIAMSON, s/o James and Cynthia James Williamson Nephew to Elias, cousin to Joseph HH #322, 18 CO. K; Enlisted 10 Jun 1861 JOSEPH WILLIAMSON s/o Alden and Clarissa Marcum Williamson or Richard and Jane Wiley Williamson HH #325, 22 CO. K; Enlisted 1 Mar 1863 GRAHAM WILSON, s/o Charles Wilson and brother to Jackson HH #672, 30 CO. K; Enlisted 1 Aug 1862 JACKSON WILSON, s/o Charles Wilson, 1850 Wayne Census, and brother to Graham NOT in 1860 Wayne Census HH #24/22, Lincoln (1870 Census), 28 in 1870 CO. K; Enlisted 20 Aug 1862 POW and released 1863; Arrested, violation of oath 1863 ALFRED WORKMAN, s/o Pleasant and Sarah Ferguson Workman First cousin to Joseph and Stephen HH #108, 18 CO. K Also served in 16 VA CAV, Co. H POW 1864 JOSEPH PLEASANT WORKMAN, s/o Joseph and NancyOsborn Workman First cousin to Alfred and Stephen HH # 9??, 21 CO. K STEPHEN WORKMAN, s/o Stephen and Catherine Edwards Workman First cousin to Alfred and Joseph HH #303, 28 CO. K; Enlisted 1 Aug 1862 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE: In May of 1864, several of this group were listed as deserted. What that ususally means is that they left the outfit, not the war. About the time they left, two new battalions were being formed-- SWANN'S and SMITH'S ("Rebel Bill"). SWANN'S rosters are poor, names often having just one initial and a surname, when they can be found; SMITH'S rosters seem to be non-existent. SMITH's BATT'N. was especially adept in guerrilla warfare, whereas SWANN'S was more conventional in warfare. (See "Rebel Bill" for a possible Wayne roster of SMITH'S BATT'N.) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sources Ancestry.com, Civil War Service Records Dickinson, Jack L. 8th Virginia Cavalry. H. E. Howard, Publisher. Lynchburg, Virginia 1986. Library of Virginia. On-line Digital Database, Confederate Rosters Morris, Bryan T. "Out of the Past," Wayne County News, December 18, 1980. On-line at ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/Glen Gallagher/8thva.htm Mullins, Billie Hill. Wayne County, West Virginia, 1860 Federal Census. Logan, WV. Pettit, Sheri K. 1870 Wayne County, West Virginia Census, Annotated. 1997. Huntington, WV. World Tree. Rootsweb.com Wayne County Genealogical and Historical Society. 1880 Wayne County Census, Annotated, Wayne, WV. January, 2001. WCGHS@CITYNET.NET Weaver, Jeffrey. Virginia Civil War Home Page, user.aol.com/jweaver300/grayson/vacwhp.htm Submitted by June White, juja@inetone.net