Page 140 - History of Rockingham Co
P. 140
ROCKINGHAM COUNTY
hats. I saw one man in this crowd when I was about ten years old; he
had on tow-linen pants and shirt, coarse shoes, no stockings; around
his waist was a bright red woolen sash: he had a rusty slouch hat on,
without band, and torn at the edge. On the front of the hat was a long
—white feather with a scarlet top he felt as proud as a general. I saw
several soldiers there at one time with bright yellow coats trimmed with
black, and green flannel ones trimmed with white or silver. I suppose
these uniforms were some of the remains of the War of 1812. My aunt
told me that my father had raised a company which he had uniformed at
his own expense.
Some men on muster day carried old umbrellas, cornstalks and sticks
of wood instead of guns and swords. I suppose the officers were tired of
trying to beat sense into these men, and gave up in despair, marching
them out to a field in the N. end of town to try to drill them.
After marching the militia out to the field, the Light Horse Company,
of about fif cy men, under Col. McMahon, went out also. After all the
men were on the field the staff officers went out to the Colonel's house to
escort him to the field. Not one of them was uniformed. The Colonel
had on a blue uniform with metal buttons, a red sash around his waist,
and a helmet with a cow's tail on it, hanging down behind. The whisky,
beer, and ginger-bread sellers were in their glory, as this was their har-
vest, many persons taking home a jug full of something and a handker-
chief filled with ginger-bread.
I always loved dearly to hear the fife and drum, and got as near to
them as I could, listening to them until the tears ran down my cheeks.
I was never so affected by any other music.
All the gentlemen of that day ordinarily wore knee
breeches with silver buckles, some of these buckles being set
with paste; they had shoe buckles to match; silk hose in
summer, and black lamb's wool hose in winter.
According to a letter written January 16, 1911, by Mr.
D. M. Kaylor of Bellefontaine, Ohio, a famous ginger cake
baker of the time was Mrs. Christopher Warvel, who lived
near McGaheysville. Mrs. Carr mentions a Mrs. Nye of Har-
risonburg who was also noted for her ginger cake, as well as
for her molasses-beer and taffy.
Through the favor of Mr. J. L. Argubright, of Dayton,
I am able to reproduce the following interesting roll, from
the original manuscript. It is a valuable piece of source
material in Rockingham military history.
-121-
hats. I saw one man in this crowd when I was about ten years old; he
had on tow-linen pants and shirt, coarse shoes, no stockings; around
his waist was a bright red woolen sash: he had a rusty slouch hat on,
without band, and torn at the edge. On the front of the hat was a long
—white feather with a scarlet top he felt as proud as a general. I saw
several soldiers there at one time with bright yellow coats trimmed with
black, and green flannel ones trimmed with white or silver. I suppose
these uniforms were some of the remains of the War of 1812. My aunt
told me that my father had raised a company which he had uniformed at
his own expense.
Some men on muster day carried old umbrellas, cornstalks and sticks
of wood instead of guns and swords. I suppose the officers were tired of
trying to beat sense into these men, and gave up in despair, marching
them out to a field in the N. end of town to try to drill them.
After marching the militia out to the field, the Light Horse Company,
of about fif cy men, under Col. McMahon, went out also. After all the
men were on the field the staff officers went out to the Colonel's house to
escort him to the field. Not one of them was uniformed. The Colonel
had on a blue uniform with metal buttons, a red sash around his waist,
and a helmet with a cow's tail on it, hanging down behind. The whisky,
beer, and ginger-bread sellers were in their glory, as this was their har-
vest, many persons taking home a jug full of something and a handker-
chief filled with ginger-bread.
I always loved dearly to hear the fife and drum, and got as near to
them as I could, listening to them until the tears ran down my cheeks.
I was never so affected by any other music.
All the gentlemen of that day ordinarily wore knee
breeches with silver buckles, some of these buckles being set
with paste; they had shoe buckles to match; silk hose in
summer, and black lamb's wool hose in winter.
According to a letter written January 16, 1911, by Mr.
D. M. Kaylor of Bellefontaine, Ohio, a famous ginger cake
baker of the time was Mrs. Christopher Warvel, who lived
near McGaheysville. Mrs. Carr mentions a Mrs. Nye of Har-
risonburg who was also noted for her ginger cake, as well as
for her molasses-beer and taffy.
Through the favor of Mr. J. L. Argubright, of Dayton,
I am able to reproduce the following interesting roll, from
the original manuscript. It is a valuable piece of source
material in Rockingham military history.
-121-
