William Strother McNeill

Family/Spouse: Mary J. McNeill. Mary died in St Joseph, MO. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1850, District 8, Boone, Missouri, USA
• Residence: 1860, Grand River, Daviess County, Missouri, USA

Notes:

From Genealogies and Sketches of Some Old Families, genealogy.com, p. 176-

From Lieutenant Welton's letter which precedes this we learn that Captain McNeill died from pneumonia about the time he was recovering from this wound. Captain John Hanson McNeill was born and grew up to manhood in Hardy County (now West Virginia). He was a son of Strauther McNeill and his wife, a Miss Pugh, and descended from an old family who were among the very early settlers of the South Branch Valley; was from the same family as Daniel R. McNeill, who was one of the most influential men of the valley; lived to be quite old there, and owned a fine landed estate near Moorefield.

This family came, no doubt, from Ireland to Virginia among the early emigrants. Captain J. H. McNeill removed to Bourbon County, Kentucky, when quite a young man, but lived there only a few years, and then removed to Missouri, where he lived until the war came on, when he went early into it in Missouri, and was captured and sent to prison, but soon dug out and made his way in disguise to his native State, as has been already stated by Lieutenant Welton.

McNEILL'S CAPTURE OF CROOK AND KELLEY.

After reciting the death of Captain John H. McNeill, who was accidentally killed at Mount Jackson, and stating that his son, Jesse C. McNeill, First Lieutenant of the Rangers, knew of his father's purpose to endeavor to capture Generals Crook and Kelley at Cumberland, General Imboden proceeds to describe this daring enterprise as follows:

General Kelley had his headquarters at the Barnum Hotel, and General Crook slept at the Revere House near by, in the heart of the city of Cumberland, then with a population of about eight thousand, and there were eight to ten thousand Federal troops in winter quarters in and around the city. Jesse McNeill had amongst his followers several young men who had lived in Cumberland. One of these, Jacob Gassman, had been a clerk in the hotel where General Crook slept, and another, Sergeant James Dailey, was a son of the landlord and a brother of Miss Mary Dailey, afterwards the wife of General Crook, and who was then probably engaged to him; and still another of his trusted followers was John B. Fay, a native of Cumberland, and so familiar with all its approaches and streets that McNeill had sent him a few days before the expedition, with a comrade, C. R. Haller, a mere boy, from Missouri, to ascertain and report the exact position of the troops quartered there, the locality of their outposts and pickets, and, in short, get all the information useful in carrying out such an enterprise. Fay performed his duty admirably, and reported to Captain McNeill en route on the night of February 21, 1865. Lieutenant Isaac S. Welton, fully the equal of McNeill in courage, ability, and intelligence, was second in command, and also entirely familiar with all the country round about and enjoying the entire confidence of the men.

There was snow on the ground and the night was cold. McNeill had set out to cross the river far enough west of Cumberland to make his way into the old National road and enter the city from the north, not likely to be closely guarded in that direction; but as they approached the river the night had been so far spent that there would be no time left to accomplish so great a detour before day-break. Finding this to be the case, McNeill called a halt and hastily consulted with Lieutenant I. C. Welton and Isaac Parsons, Sergeants Dailey, Vandiver, and Cunningham and Fay, and several privates, amongst them R. G. Lobb, Charles Nichols, and J. W. Kuykendall (Parsons and Kuykendall were volunteers from Rosser's Brigade), when it was decided to take the shortest route across and down the river to the city, and when challenged to answer, "Friends from New Creek," where a garrison was in quarters a few miles west of Cumberland, and then to ride rapidly upon the pickets and capture them, and, upon a threat of instant death, to extort the countersign.

This scheme was successful, and the countersign, "Bull Gap," for the night was obtained, and two or three successive outposts were passed, and the party rode into the city along its principal streets singing Yankee airs and songs and chaffing a few belated stragglers. Separating, a squad of ten went to each hotel. It was lacking then only an hour and a half until daybreak; no time could be lost. Passing themselves off as a company of Ohio cavalry with "important information for the General," each squad had no difficulty in imposing on the sleepy guard in front of the hotels; and making right for each General's room, roused him from his slumbers, and as he opened his door, it was to look into the muzzles of several cocked pistols and to receive the information: "General, you are a prisoner! Dress quickly and keep quiet if you value your life. Any attempt to give an alarm will compel us to kill you instantly. Keep quiet and go with us, and you will not be harmed."

Whilst this was going on at the hotels, Sergeant Fay with a squad of men were playing havoc with the telegraph instruments and wires. Along with General Kelley, his Adjutant General was captured. In detailing the circumstances of his capture and abduction, General Kelley told me in Philadelphia that he and General Crook were ordered to send to the stables for their best horses by an orderly or sergeant as if nothing more serious had happened than that they wished in person to make an early visit to the outposts to see that the officers and men were doing their duty. He said when he and Crook first met on the street they looked at each other with such an expression of bewildered astonishment that finally both almost simultaneously smiled, and would have laughed aloud but for a hint to keep quiet and ride "side by side" together with a Ranger on their flanks and a squad in front and rear, all with drawn pistols in their hands.

They went down the river, passing on the outskirts of a part of their army then sound asleep, and soon to a camp guard, and were challenged with, "Who comes there?" To which McNeill replied, "Company B, Third Ohio Cavalry, with the countersign, and we are in a hurry." Instead of requiring the countersign, the officer on duty inquired, "What's up?" McNeill responded, "Oh, old granny Kelley had a nightmare or bad dream that the Rebs are about to come down on him, and he is sending us out this bitter weather to scout the other side of the river. I sometimes wish they would catch him. Don't you think he is a regular old granny in his nervousness whenever he hears there are a few Johnnies across the river?" "Yes, I do! Every time I am put on outpost duty such weather." And away they went at a gallop. General Kelley told me that during this colloquy Crook, who was at his side, kept nudging him with his knee and chuckling at his expense.

A similar chat occurred at the last outpost they had to pass, where McNeill, still personating the Ohio Captain, said, "I wish that General Grant would remove Granny Kelley from Cumberland and put Crook in command," and in this wish the outpost officer concurred, when Crook laughed audibly and again punched Kelley's leg next to him, and from that time till they got to Richmond, Crook lost no opportunity to poke fun at him. But after they had crossed into Virginia, he said McNeill and all his followers treated them with the utmost courtesy and consideration, but compelled them to ride at breakneck speed to escape apprehended pursuit. The total distance ridden by the Rangers, from starting on the evening of February 20th, till camped in the mountains on the night of the 21st, was ninety miles, in about thirty hours.

Great was the consternation in Cumberland that day, and furiously rode pursuing cavalry, doomed to disappointment and thrown off the track by civilian friends of the young confederate rangers. As, for instance, at the farm-house where they dined and fed, not far from Moorefield, two hundred pursuers arrived not twenty minutes after they left, and the commanding officer inquired of the farmer: "How long since these men left your house?" "Only about an hour and a half ago." "Do you know how far it is to any rebel forces?" The farmer replied he had heard there were a good many about Petersburg (a village only a few miles distant). "Who is in command of them?" "A Mr. Smith was down with them at my place"(Colonel George H. Smith was then in command of my brigade). "When did you see them?" "They were down this way day before yesterday." "How many of them?" "I don't know, but I would think about a thousand." "A thousand! Did you count?" "Oh, no, I just saw them riding around and guessed at them." "Well, sir, look at my line and tell me how many men I have without counting them." "Well," said the farmer, "I should think you had about one hundred and fifty men." "How often does Mr. Smith come down here?" "He comes every other day." "And when did you say he was here last?" "Day before yesterday." "What time of day does he come?" "From one to two o'clock in the evening." (It was now after twelve o'clock.)

This interview seemed to convince the Colonel that he was needed at New Creek or Cumberland, and turned back thither. "Mister" Smith had but a handful of men anywhere near Moorefield, the rest of my old brigade being many miles further South wintering. This interview is given in a recent letter to Lieutenant L. N. Potts, acting adjutant of one of my old regiments, who vouches for its truth. It is a graphic illustration of the shrewdness under the guise of rural simplicity often shown by our non-combatant sympathizers during the war.

The only official reports of the affair on record are the following, which I give verbatim:

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA, February 24, 1865.

Hon. John C. Breckinridge, Secretary of War:
General Early reports that Lieutenant McNeill with thirty men, on the morning of the 21st, entered Cumberland, captured and brought out Generals Crook and Kelley, the Adjutant-General of the Department, two privates, and the headquarters' flags, without firing a gun, though a considerable force is stationed in the vicinity. Lieutenant McNeill and party deserve much credit for this bold exploit. Their prisoners will reach Staunton to-day.

R. E. LEE.

CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND, February 21, 1865.

Major-General Sheridan, Winchester, Virginia:
This morning about three o'clock a party of Rebel horsemen came up on the New Creek road, about sixty in number. They captured the picket, and quietly rode into town, went directly to the headquarters of Generals Crook and Kelley, sending a couple of men to each place to overpower the headquarters' guard, when they went directly to the room of General Crook, and without disturbing anybody else in the house, ordered him to dress and took him up on a horse already saddled and waiting. The same was done to General Kelley. Captain Melvin, A. A. G. to General Kelley, was also taken. While this was being done, a few of them without creating any disturbance opened one or two stores, but they left without waiting to take any thing. It was done so quietly that others of us who were sleeping in adjoining rooms to General Crook were not disturbed.

The alarm was given within ten minutes by a darky watchman at the hotel, who escaped from them, and within an hour we had a party of fifty cavalry after them. They tore up the telegraph lines, and it required almost an hour to get them in working order. As soon as New Creek could be called, I ordered a force to be sent to Romney, and it started without any unnecessary delay. A second force has gone from New Creek to Moorefield, and a regiment of infantry has gone to New Creek to supply the place of the cavalry. They rode good horses and left at a very rapid rate, evidently fearful of being overtaken. They did not remain in Cumberland over ten minutes.

From all information, I am inclined to believe that instead of Rosser's, it is McNeill's Company. Most of the men from that company are from this place. I will telegraph you fully any other information.

ROBERT P. KENNEDY,
Major and Assistant Adjutant-General.

This paper is indebted to Mr. Hunter Robinson and Mr. George Gassman for the copy of the above account from the pen of General Imboden.--Cumberland Alleghanian of February 23, 1899.

John married Jemima Harness Cunningham on 19 Jan 1837. Jemima (daughter of William Cunningham, IV and Sarah "Sallie" Van Meter) was born on 8 Mar 1819 in Moorefield, Hardy, Virginia, USA; died on 10 Apr 1900 in Champaign, Illinois; was buried in Mansfield, IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Strother married Amy Pugh on 11 Feb 1810 in Hardy County, WV. Amy (daughter of Daniel Pugh and Sarah Hiett) was born in 1770; died in 1818. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

William married Sarah "Sallie" Van Meter. Sarah (daughter of Isaac B Van Meter and Elizabeth Inskeep) was born on 8 Sep 1791 in Hardy County, West Virginia, USA; died on 9 Apr 1867 in Hardy County, West Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Military Service: 1774, Salt Creek Twp, Pickaway County, Ohio, USA; Camp Charlotte Lord Dunmore's War
• Residence: 1790, Colerain, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA
• Residence: 1793, Salisbury, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA
• Residence: 1800, Salisbury, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA
• Will: 17 Jun 1806, Hardy County, West Virginia, USA
• Probate: 9 Jul 1806, Hardy County, West Virginia, USA

Daniel married Elizabeth McDougall Pritchett about 1768. Elizabeth was born in 1732; died after 1788 in Monongalia County, West Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Probate: 10 Sep 1794, Hampshire County, WV

Daniel married Sarah Hiett. Sarah was born on 9 Oct 1753 in Sandy Ridge, Capon Drains, Hampshire County, WV; died on 7 Jul 1827 in Hampshire County, WV; was buried in Locke Farm, Wadesville, Wood County, WV. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: William Cunningham
• Birth: 20 May 1760, Virginia, USA
• Birth: 20 May 1760
• Birth: 20 May 1760, Virginia, USA
• Death: 15 Jun 1823, Hardy, West Virginia, USA
• Death: 15 Jun 1823, Virginia, USA

William married Jemima Harness in 1780 in Virginia, USA. Jemima (daughter of John Harness and Eunice Pettice) was born on 17 Nov 1760 in Hampshire, West Virginia, USA; died on 24 Jan 1827 in Hardy County, West Virginia, USA; was buried in Hardy County, West Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Birth: 20 May 1760
• Birth: 17 Nov 1760, Hardy, Bedford, Virginia, USA
• Birth: 17 Nov 1760, Hardy County, WV
• Birth: 17 Nov 1760, Hampshire, West Virginia, USA
• Death: 24 Jan 1827, Hardy, Bedford, Virginia, USA
• Death: 24 Jan 1827
• Death: 24 Jan 1827, Hardy County, WV

Notes:

Buried:
Welton Cemetery

Other Events and Attributes:

• Birth: 10 Dec 1757, Old Fields, Hardy, West Virginia, USA
• Residence: 1810, Elizabethtown, Hardin, Kentucky, USA
• Residence: 1820, Hardy County, West Virginia, USA
• Residence: 1830, Hardy County, West Virginia, USA

Isaac married Elizabeth Inskeep on 27 Jun 1780 in Hardy County, West Virginia, USA. Elizabeth (daughter of Joseph Inskeep and Hannah McCulloch) was born on 3 Feb 1763 in Virginia, USA; died on 20 Sep 1827 in Hardy County, West Virginia, USA; was buried in Old Fields, Hardy, West Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Birth: 3 Feb 1763
• Death: 20 Sep 1827