As in the Civil War, Why? couldnt the Slave owners and the Generals fought that war. Yes, slavery was a terrible thing, no human should ever be in shackles and chains. Yet, you could not be an objector on either side. If you were a man or boy of age, you had better not be caught at home if Union or Confederate soldier happened by your town. So every person had to choose their side and they did.
Thomas Church was taken away, by Union soldiers, in a buckboard from Buchanan County in the early part of the Civil War. He was never seen again by his family. He starved to death in a Maryland Prison and was buried in a grave only marked by a number.His great- gr-gr grandson, just recently has found the records through the Historical Society in Maryland.
Jacob Church and his brother William Church, sons of Joel Jr. and Nancy "Layne" Church, served in the 10th Kentucky Calvalry. It was called the "Yankee Chasers" Also, serving with the 64th Virginia Infantry were, John and Isaiah Church, the sons of Gabriel and Jane Church, and Silas Church the son of Emanuel Church. They were at the Battle of Saltville Virginia, a terrible Battle from what I have read. If you read about it anywhere it will tell you that it was a terrible massacre, according to who is telling the story. I have been to the battlefield. It is a very small town, in a small valley. From the way it is told, the salt works there was being used for the Confederates. It was a Confederate town. The Union had to destroy the salt works there. A General by the name of Stephen Burbridge marched over 5000 Union troops into this small valley.There were two "colored brigades" with him. Thinking that were only about 400 soldiers there to stop him. The Confederates sent out small groups of soldiers to fight with the army and to delay it so that reinforcements could come in. When Burbridge tried to advance into the Valley with over 5000 soldiers he was met with a fierce resistance. On October 2, 1864 a Battle raged all that day, yet the Yankees couldnt take make much headway into the valley. They were running out of ammunition. So during the night Burbridge had his soldiers to build up small fires so that the Confederates could see that they were still there. and during the night the majority of the Army left the Valley, leaving behind his wounded soldiers and his Colored Army. The next day the wounded soldiers were shot and also any black soldiers that was found. This is called a massacre, by some writers. I call it a cowardly act by a General who would lead his troops into a valley that could in no way hold a fraction of them. Then he slips off during the night and leaves his wounded and dying soldiers there and also leaves his black soldiers there to face the Confederates. They were shot the next day according to some reports. I dont know how many. Some say a small number and others say a large number. The number of troops on the Union side was over 5000, even after reinforcements came there was only about 2000 Confederate troops. The Union should have won. But because it didnt the Confederates were accused of a massacre.
