Our best scout, Corporal Jacobs, and Private Fenchard,
Company F, were murdered last night at Morris' mill on Gauley River, twelve
miles above Gauley Bridge. Jacobs was an awkward, pigeon-toed youngster, cool,
shrewd, brave; could walk fifty miles a day, go without food or sleep longer
than most men; very fond of scouting. Poor fellow! I have long feared that he
would be caught in this way. He was made one of the color-guard but was so
awkward — never could keep step — that we usually let him be excused from all
ordinary duty. Ordered Morris arrested, to be kept if no proof against him;
hung if guilty of the murder in any way.
SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and
Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 425
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