The Story of a Confederate Boy in the Civil War. David E. Johnston
and preparations for war began in earnest. Volunteer organizations of troops were forming all over the state. Why and wherefore, may be asked. Not to attack the Federal Government, to fight the Northern states, but only to defend Virginia in the event of invasion by a Northern army. There was at this time in the county, already organized and fairly drilled, the volunteer company of Capt. William Eggleston, of New River White Sulphur Springs. Pearisburg and the region roundabout in the most part received the news of the secession of the state with apparent relief and gladness, and immediately James H. French, Esq., of Pearisburg, a lawyer and staunch, bold Southern man in education, sentiment and feeling, assisted by others, commenced the enlistment of a company of volunteer infantry to serve for the period of twelve months from the date of being mustered into service, believing that war, if it should come, would not last longer than one year. Enlisting men for war was something new; people are always ready to try something new, and as our people were possessed of a martial spirit, this, together with the excitement and enthusiasm of the occasion, made it no difficult matter to enroll a full company in an incredibly short time. Names were readily obtained, among them my own. I had to go with the boys—my neighbors and schoolmates, little thinking, or in the remotest degree anticipating, the terrible hardships and privations which would have to be endured in the four years which followed. The idea then prevalent among our people was that we were not to be absent a great while; that there would probably be no fighting; that Mr. Lincoln was not really in earnest about attempting to coerce the seceded states, and if he was, a few Southern men would suffice to put to rout the hordes of Yankeedom. If, however, the Northern people were intent upon war, our people were ready to meet them, because thoroughly aroused.
Our people had by this time arrived at the conclusion that war was inevitable; no settlement on peaceable and honorable terms could be had. They had therefore left the Union, which seemed to them the only alternative. Consequently we felt obliged to appeal to the sword for the settlement of questions which statesmanship had failed to solve; yet always willing to make a child's bargain with the Northern people—"You leave us alone and we will leave you alone." Extravagant utterances and speeches were made as to Southern prowess. It was even said that one Southern man could whip five Yankees; that the old women of the country with corn-cutters could drive a host of Yankees away; but the people who made these assertions knew little of what they were saying, for ere the war had long progressed we found we had our hands full, and it soon became evident that we might like to find someone to help us let go.
The organization of the company which afterwards became Company D, 7th Virginia regiment, took place April 25, 1861. The only contest for office worth relating was for the captaincy, which was between James H. French and Andrew J. Grigsby, and resulted in the election of the former. The following is a complete roster of the company, with dates of enlistment, rank, etc., to be followed later by a tabulated statement of losses in battle, by disease, desertion, discharge, etc.:
ROSTER OF COMPANY D, 7TH VIRGINIA INFANTRY.
| Date of enlistment. | Name. | Rank. |
|---|---|---|
| 1861—April | James H. French | Captain |
| 1861—April | Eustace Gibson | First Lieutenant |
| 1861—April | W. A. Anderson, | Sec. Lieutenant |
| 1861—April | J. Blackard, | Second Jr. Lieutenant |
| 1861—April | Allen C. Pack | First Sergeant |
| 1861—April | John W. Mullins | Second Sergeant |
| 1861—April | Joseph C. Hughes | Third Sergeant |
| 1861—April | Wm. D. Peters | Fourth Sergeant |
| 1861—April | Hamilton J. Hale | Fifth Sergeant |
| 1861—April | Allen L. Fry | First Corporal |
| 1861—April | Elisha M. Stone | Second Corporal |
| 1861—April | T. N. Mustain | Third Corporal |
| 1861—April | John W. Hight | Fourth Corporal |
| 1861—April | David C. Akers | Private |
| 1861—August | George W. Akers | Private |
| 1861—August | William R. Albert | Private |
| 1861—August | Daniel Bish | Private |
| 1861—August | Allen M. Bane | Private |
| 1861—August | Robert H. Bane | Private |
| 1861—April | Joseph E. Bane | Private |
| 1861—August | Jesse Barrett | Private |
| 1861—April | Alexander Bolton | Private |
| 1861—August | Travis Burton | Private |
| 1861—August | William H. Carr | Private |
| 1861—August | James M. Collins | Private |
| 1861—April | John R. Crawford | Private |
| 1863—March | William Crawford | Private |
| 1861—April | James B. Croy | Private |
| 1861—April | James Cole | Private |
| 1865—January | D. E. Dulaney | Private |
| 1861—April | M. J. Dulaney | Private |
| 1861—August | Tim P. Darr |