Archive Record
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Metadata
Title |
Captain John Griffin in Dinwiddie County |
Dates of Creation |
1894 |
Scope & Content |
This letter by Capt. John C. Griffin is about life in Dinwiddie County in the vicinity of the opposing armies during the last years of the war. The 37 pages are typewritten and on the first two pages are glued a brief biography of Griffin. The line stating his date and place of birth are unreadable, but the next line refers to Virginia. The family moved to North Carolina where Griffin was educated. He attended Hampden Sydney College in Virginia, and at the age of twenty his grandmother placed him as the farmer in charge of a large farm near Burkville Junction, where he resided until 1857. Griffin married in 1854 and purchased his own farm in 1857 in Dinwiddie County six miles south of the Court House. In 1861 he was a candidate for the legislature but with the secession of the state he withdrew, and organized the Dinwiddie Greys. The Greys entered Confederate service with Griffin as its captain. This company became Company "C" of the 3rd Virginia Infantry with Richard A. Pryor as its colonel. Within a few months Griffin's health failed and he was forced to resign. He returned to his farm, becoming one of the justices of the county, and devoted his time to helping the soldiers and their families. In 1865 the soldiers of Dinwiddie County urged him to become a candidate for the legislature and he was elected. With the end of the war the government at Alexandria superceded the Richmond Government, and Griffin could not take his seat. In the fall of 1865 Griffin moved to Petersburg, where he opened the first office for the sale of real estate in the city; he was very successful. In 1895 he was a citizen of Chesterfield and lived on his farm. The county of Dinwiddie was for a period of nine months the theater of military operations. Griffin had many opportunities to witness events from June 1864 to April 1865. He begins by giving emphasis to the loyalty of the slave population, their conduct, and the justice they received. He states that during the last two years of the war, the Negro made no move to harm his master, and no such move was reported, which would have been disastrous. With few white men left on the farms there were countless opportunities to lay waste to homesteads and families. Some writers have suggested this was because martial law was enacted, but this is an untruth as no soldiers could have been spared from the front in order to perform that duty. In Griffin's neighborhood, six miles south of the Dinwiddie Court House and eight miles from the Federal lines, few slaves escaped and in fact when forcibly taken by Federal raiding parties, they would escape and return to their homes. Even after the close of the war, when their freedom was established, many would stay in the employ of their former masters. During the "Wilson Raid" by Federal Cavalry in the summer of 1864 Griffin relates two accounts concerning his Negroes, who, while on work details, were captured and escaped. Upon the return of "Charles" from his escape, it was suggested that Griffin leave his house because the cavalry were still in the area. With that in mind Griffin posted his workers to the different approaching roads. That night it was reported that cavalry were passing. The next morning, when horsemen were seen approaching the house, Griffin armed himself. The horsemen were Confederates troopers returning to their commands after being on furlough, and were looking for food. After the men were fed, Griffin proposed they all go toward the fighting going on at Monk's Neck Bridge. Heading for the Stage Road they approached with caution. When they dismounted they came upon other soldiers, covered in dust, lying in the grass in an orchard. Seeing Griffin and his comrades approaching, these men quickly mounted and rode off in the direction of the firing at Robert's Bridge over Stony Creek. When the dust had settled on the road that these unknown riders had ridden down, a strange sight came into view. One of the men in the fleeing party was lying on the ground in the road. His horse had fallen and caught his leg and he was trying to extricate himself. A few paces away was a mounted soldier, carbine in hand guarding the fallen horseman. Griffin, closing in on the mounted man with the raised carbine, thought it apparent that the fallen man was a Confederate and a prisoner. Seeing the raised guns of the newcomers, the horseman spurred his horse into the bushes. Strangely, the Confederate, getting free from his horse, remounted and rode off. Griffin suggested to his cavalry comrades that they go in the direction of the firing and enter the large field that bordered the road. His companions objected because they were reluctant to leave their horses. Griffin went on alone and soon saw twenty Federal soldiers, who no doubt had been routed by the fighting and were dismounted. The Federals continued on their route, leaving Griffin to go forward. Just then a Federal trooper rode down the hill, coming from the direction of the firing, and toward Griffin. The horse fell, the trooper then shot the injured animal, took off the saddle, jumped the fence and ran into the bushes. This he accomplished as Confederates fired down from the top of the hill. The Confederate cavalry then continued to pursue the Federals on the Stage Road. Leaving the area, Griffin returned to his house, where he found his comrades with captured prisoners. The prisoners were kept near the house overnight with more prisoners being taken the next morning. Leaving the house Griffin headed for the Stage Road with the idea of capturing stray federals. On the approach to a neighbor's farm, he heard the familiar sound of clanking sabres. He headed for the neighbor's barn situated close to the road where he concealed himself. Leaving his hiding place he leveled his rifle and promptly captured three horsemen. One was white and two were Negroes dressed in uniform and mounted on mules. Griffen then took his prisoners back to his house to join the other captives. At the house Griffin made conversation with the white prisoner, who was attached to the 8th New York Cavalry. The young 18 year-old was given food and even engaged in conversation with Griffin's wife. The next morning all the captives were escorted to Dinwiddie Court House for delivery, at which point Griffin's comrades went on to join their units. When the "Wilson Raiders" departed the area their wounded were left at a shanty near the Boydton Plank Road, and at the home of Mrs. Crump near the Dinwiddie Court House. Griffin went to the shanty to give aid and found no one in charge, the wounded had not been treated. A physician, who had in the past attended the Griffin family, rode up and was asked to attend the wounded Federals. This act of mercy the doctor had no intention of doing, and at this point Griffin vowed never to allow this physician to treat his family or charges again. Griffin then began a search for another doctor. He was informed that a Confederate surgeon was at Mrs. Crump's residence. Arriving at Mrs. Crump's, he spoke to the surgeon who was outside near a wagon. He informed him of the plight of the wounded at the shanty. The surgeon's rude reply was that he would have time only after dinner; he then turned and went back to the house. Griffin was informed that the surgeon was too much occupied with the ladies. Griffin approached the house, nodded his recognition toward the doctor, and asked to speak to the young lady then in conversation with the doctor. Griffin discreetly informed the young lady of the wounded men's suffering. In short order she at once had the surgeon mounted on his horse and off on his mission of mercy. During the fall of 1864 it became unsafe around the Griffin farm due to the proximity of the enemy. Griffin rented buildings close to the Boydton Plank Road in a grove known as the property of the Butterworth Hotel, near the Dinwiddie Court House. His residence was becoming popular because it had the reputation of serving a free meal to any hungry Confederate officer or soldier. In early 1865, a force of Gregg's Federal Cavalry started their raid from their Petersburg lines toward the South Side Railroad, but only reached as far as Dinwiddie Court House. Griffin was notified of the Federal approach by friends from the Prince George Cavalry. A soldier (vidette) was posted at the intersection of the Boydton Plank Road to watch for the enemy. Griffin posted a servant at the Butterworth Hotel's portico to watch the movements of the soldier. Griffin then had his horse saddled and ready to ride in case of the need for flight. He called his servant to dispose of the apple brandy and bury his wife's jewelry. The sentinel posted at the hotel gave warning that the soldier was in retreat. Griffin mounted his horse and rode to the plank road in front of the hotel and called to his four friends inside. Soon all five were making haste up the plank road with some two hundred Federal cavalry on their heels. Mr. Butterworth, the hotel owner, did not escape and was told to "stand and deliver". In his possession were two jars of Confederate money, which were of no value to the Federal troopers. As he was no threat Mr. Butterworth was told to return to his house. However, Griffin and his remaining companions were hard-pressed by the pursuing cavalry. They split and Griffin turned in the direction of Dr. Smith's residence. The road taken contained a fifteen foot bridge, which Griffin remembered being in very poor condition. His horse cleared the bridge and leaped a fence, a gully, and another fence before halting. Turning to look back at his pursuers he found them stopped at the rotten bridge some 250 yards away. The pursuit ended; the Federals turned and went back to the Court House. On Griffin's return, he found that the enemy cavalry had caused no damage but his servant had been captured. The servant had been able to save the brandy, but it would be a few weeks before he made his return and could inform Griffin's wife where he had buried her jewelry. Griffin states that, toward the close of the war, desertions from the Confederate army were frequent. As a justice of the peace, Griffin was placed in the position of having to arrest any deserter at any opportunity. He relates that a young man wearing cavalry boots walked into the village inquiring about a Mr. Bryant, who was supposed to lived south of the Dinwiddie Court House and was a relative. When told that no Mr. Bryant was known to be nearby, the young man walked off. Griffin was satisfied this man was a deserter. He borrowed a six shooter and rode off to arrest the man; he was followed by a contingent from the village. After halting the man, who had no way of identifying himself, Griffin stated he had to arrest him. The young man was furious and Griffin was forced to produce his pistol and point it at the man. Getting some help Griffin dismounted and walked with the man back toward the village. On the walk back the young man revealed that he lived in Texas and had gone with the Texas Rangers to war. He had kept himself mounted for four years, had been wounded, but when his last mount was killed he and other troopers were directed to be placed in the infantry. Feeling he had been treated badly he had determined that he would leave the army. Griffin had intended to place the trooper in jail until he could be turned over to the provost marshall in Petersburg, Feeling sorry for the trooper, Griffin said he would take him to his house instead, but only if he promised not to escape. At Griffin's home the trooper was treated like a guest, until the boy was taken under guard to Petersburg. Griffin learned that the boy had managed to make his escape from guards, after being there ten days. During the last week of March 1865, before the Federals made their final advance toward Dinwiddie Court House, Gen. "Rooney" Lee spent time at Griffin's farm. Before he left, the general informed Griffin that the Confederate lines would be moving back, leaving Dinwiddie open to the Federals, and that he should move his family. Griffin took his wife and children to her mother's residence, "Sunnyside", south of Dinwiddie Court House. Griffin, upon learning of the enemy's approach, advised several men in the village to leave, which they did. The county clerk 's office removed the court records to "The Cottage", a place five miles southwest. Heading in that direction, Griffin found Captain Adams (the county clerk),and Captain Hargrave, (the county surveyor) sitting in the yard. As they sat there they could hear unknown troops on the nearby road heading for the Boyden Plank Road. A lone rider, bare headed and wearing a blue overcoat, broke from a nearby wood. When he saw the group he turned and rode off. Griffin mounted his horse and pursued the lone rider. Overtaking him, Griffin demanded his surrender, but then recognized him as the son of Colonel Spratley, an acquaintance. They rode back together to the cottage and the young man related his day's experience. The Federals had charged his picket post and he was able to make his escape, without time to get his saddle, and had started in the direction of Dinwiddie Court House. Twice he had run into the enemy, receiving their fire. He took the Hawkins Church Road intending to reach the Boydton Plank Road but he was met by two enemy cavalrymen. He took to the woods and came out where Griffin and his friends were sitting. Just before dark he and Griffin left the cottage and headed for "Sunnyside". In order to reach their destination it was necessary to cross the Hawkins Church Road where troops were still passing. Young Spratley knew the troops had to be Federals. By crossing fields and woods they would skirt the road until it could be crossed. It commenced to rain and the thick woods compelled them to dismount and lead their horses. The night overtook them and both men slept until day-break. Reaching the road and hearing sounds of cavalry they quickly crossed. Entering the woods on the other side Griffin's horse stepped into a stump hole and threw him, injuring three ribs. Griffin insisted on staying to the road, which they proceeded down until they rode into the cavalry they had heard. It was still dark and Griffin tried to bluff his way through, by asking "Where is the wagon train?" but it did not work. Griffin was ready to fire his weapon when he was recognized. The person who had recognized him was Lt. Robert E. Lee who was in charge of a picket post at that point. Lt. Lee had been with his brother "Rooney" at Griffin's house a few nights previous. Griffin continued on to "Sunnyside" leaving young Spratley with what turned out to be Spratley's own command. Griffin finishes with one last story. A few days after the Spratley adventure Griffin rode over to a Mr. Young's residence to get his commission as a member of the legislature. A Captain Adams was visiting Mr. Young, and related to Griffin the following account. He, Adams, while attempting to reach his residence near the court house, was stopped and told he could not go any further. Small bodies of Federals occupied the area. He proceeded to his sister's home near Five Forks. On his return, two horsemen pursued him; he rapidly rode away from them. When he allowed his horse to slow, the pursuers overtook him, and one fired his weapon as he rode past. Adams, being an expert marksman fired his six-shooter and emptied both saddles. Whether he killed these men he did not know. While Adams was in conversation, a young lad whose mother lived close, came up. Adams gave the lad a two dollar greenback and told him to return because he might be of service to his mother. He told him to give half to his mother and half to his (Adam's) wife. Both women may have had everything taken from them by the Yankees. Sometime in April at the Heartwell house a deadly encounter took place in which Adams killed a young Confederate scout, and was immediately shot and killed by another Confederate scout. The incident resulted from a tragic mistake. Note. 1. When viewing images 13 through 19 there will be found multiple pages with the same content. It would appear that Griffin made corrections or additions to pages that were included with a final draft. 2. When viewing image 20 the page number on the actual page will show as page 16. It was found that two pages (14 and 15) are missing. Those missing pages possibly referred to a Mr. David G. Carr. Also, there is a reference to General Gregg. Gregg resigned on February 5, 1864 from both regular and volunteer service. |
Year Range from |
1894 |
Creator |
Griffin, John C. |
Year Range to |
1894 |
Subjects |
Acquaintance Address ( Oration ) adventures Advice Afro-Americans Animals Antelopes Apple brandy Armies Arrests Assistance Ball (cartridge) Bareback riding Barns Barrels Battles Black Americans Blockade running Boots Born Box Branch (stream) Bread Bridges Bugles Building Bullets Bushes Camp Candidates, Political Captain Capture & imprisonment Carbines Carriage and horses Cedar trees Character Chivalry Cider Citizen Civil War Civil war battles Clerk of court Clothes Column, [military] Command Commandant Commissary Companion Confederate money Confederate soldiers Confederate veterans Conspiracy Constitutions Conversation Corn County court County government Courier Court houses Creeks Crises Crops Dams Death Deer Depots Deserters, Military Destination Dining District Division Doctors Dress (wounds) Dust Election Employees Escapes Events Exhaustion Face Farmers Fathers Fear Federal Federal cavalry Fence Field Fire Flies Forts & fortifications Furlough Gardens General Assembly Gentlemen Gold braid Government Governors Grandmothers Greenbacks Ground Groups of people Guards Guests Gullies Guns Hat Health Hills History Holes Homesteads Horseman Horses Hostilities Hotels Humanity Hypocrisy Incident Indignation Infantry Information Inmates Interviews Invitations Jails Jars, Candy Jewelry Justice Justice of the Peace Justices Knowledge Ladies Lameness (OF horse) Language Law Leg Legislation Letters Lines (military) Loyalty Magistrates Males Mares Marksmanship Marriage Martial law Masters Matches Materials Medicine Memory Merchants Mills Mint julep Missions Money Mothers Mules Narrative Navy six-shooter Negro servant Negroes Neighborhoods News Oaths Orchards Overcoats Passions Physicians Picket post Pines Pistols Pockets Porches Porticoes (Porches) Prisons Property Provost marshal Pursuing Raid Rain Real estate business Rear (military) Reminiscences Reorganization Reputation Request Residences Resignation (from the army) Retreats, Military Ribs Rifles Roads Sabre Saddles Sardines Satchel Scouts, Military Secession Sentiments Sentinels Service (military) Shanties Shoes Shotguns Silence Silverware Situation Skirmishers Slaves Sleep Soldiers Sons Staff Statement Straw hats Students Stumps Summer Supplies Surgeons Surrenders Surveyors Swords Teamsters Tears Temper tantrums Territory Theater (military area) Thoroughbred Throats Treatment Trench Troops Uniforms Vicinity Vidette Views Villages Voice Volley Wagon trains Wagons War Watches White Wife Wounded Writers Yankees |
Search Terms |
3rd Virginia Infantry 8th New York Cavalry Alexandria,Virginia Archbishop of York Boydton Plank Road Brisseau Hotel Burkville Junction Chesterfield County, Virginia Civil War Confederacy, the Confederate Army Confederate Veterans Creative Displays, Inc. Dinwiddie County, Virginia Dinwiddie Court House, Virginia Dinwiddie Greys Dunn's Mill Eighth New York Cavalry Ettenborough's Field Flat Foot Road Ford's Depot Granville County, North Carolina Greenville County Hampden-Sydney College Hampden-Sydney, Virginia Hawkins Church Road Merter Branch Monk's Neck Bridge New Orleans New York City Nottoway County, Virginia Nottoway River Old Richieville Petersburg, Virginia Prince George Cavalry Ream's Station, Virginia Richmond, Virginia Robert's Bridge Robert's Bridge Roneys Mill Rowerty Creek Safony Cross Roads Scottish Laird South Side Railroad Spencer Mill Stage Road Stony Creek Sunnyside Texas Texas Rangers Third Virginia Infantry Union Army Union Cavalry Vaughan's Road Village View War Between the States War Talks of Confederate Veterans Weldon Railroad White Oak Road |
People |
Adams, William A. Bernard, Geo. S. Bernard, George S. Bland, Robert E. Bland, William Boisseau, Jas. B. Bryant, [unknown] Butterworth, John W. Carr, David G. Chamberlain, Wilson Chambliss, Walter Cleale, [unknown] Craighead, Robert Cross, Charles Crump [unknown]l Evans, (Unknown) Grady, Henry Woodfin Gregg, David McMurtrie Griffin, John C. Griffin, Spencer Calicote Haraway, Roney Hargrave, Thomas E. Heartwell, H. Jerard Jackson [unknown] Lee [unknown] Lee, Robert E. (Lieutenant)) Lee, William Henry Fitzhugh (Rooney) Nelson, Thomas Pryor, Roger A. Ragsdale, Ann Roberts, [unknown] Sandys, Mary Craighead Scott, Thomas Smith, E. Harvey Spratley, William H. Wilson, James Harrison Young, J. F. |
Event |
Civil War |
Collection |
George S. Bernard Collection |
Imagefile |
023\200975040.JPG |
Number of images |
37 |
Object Name |
Letter |
Object ID |
2009.75.040 |
Extent of Description |
37 pages, size 8" x 13" |