Theresa Racer

In 1861, Guyandotte, Virginia was a town of divided sympathies, but Confederate sympathies were dominant. However, in October of that year, a Union recruit camp was set up in town under Col. Kellian Whaley. When word of this camp spread, the Border Rangers, a local confederate force led by Col. Albert Jenkins, were infuriated. Approximately 150 Union troops were stationed here, but they were untrained. Sickness ran rampant throughout the camp, and nearly 40 of the recruits were on leave, or had to be hospitalized. Col. Zeigler would lend Whaley 35 Cavalry men, but their commanding officer refused to allow his troops to patrol outside the town, consequently leaving the town open to attack. The first week of November, Confederate General John Floyd ordered a Cavalry force to "proceed in the direction of the Ohio River." About 700 horsemen from Fayette County descended upon Guyandotte, while the Border Rangers would seize the suspension bridge, and a detachment led by Maj. Henry Fitzhugh would move to the east end of town to complete the circle. The night of Sunday, November 10th, 1861 was quiet, as some of the recruits were returning home from worship services, and others were visiting friends. They were unaware of what was about to unfold. That night, Confederate forces raced into town unopposed. When the first shots rang out, the untrained Union soldiers dashed into the streets, curious as to the cause of the commotion. By the time the recruits realized they were under attack, it was too late. Many of the Union recruits tried to flee; some tried to cross the suspension bridge, but were cut down by the Border Rangers. Others attempted to swim across the river. A small resistance force bravely fought back, but were pushed back and forced to make a final stand, with a fierce charge from the Petersburg Rangers ending the battle. That night, at least three Confederates were killed, and ten others wounded. Ten Union recruits were killed, and at least ten others were wounded. Many of the wounded would soon die. The rest of the night was spent by the Confederates rounding up terrified Union recruits, many of whom were still attempting to flee or hide, as well as citizens known to have Union sympathies. Soldier and civilian alike were taken prisoner, held overnight at the Kennan home, and marched two by two to Richmond the following day. On November 11, as the Confederate troops withdrew from Guyandotte with their prisoners, the steamboat SS Boston, carrying approximately 200 Union soldiers pulled in from Ceredo after hearing of the attack. They marched into Guyandotte where they found a number of dead and wounded comrades. The Union troops and remaining sympathizers were outraged. Col. Zeigler figured the town's strong Confederate sympathies had caused someone to tip off Jenkins, and thus prompted the attack. In retaliation, he ordered the entire town be burned. The entire business district was destroyed, as were many private homes and churches.