Virginia Mountain Patriots, sometimes were so removed and isolated in their rural valleys and coves, that they had no knowledge of slavery, politics or the Civil War and would often ask, What Rebellion? These Virginia subsistence farmers, had few if any neighbors, had little if any contact with the outside world and were content with their survival and lifestyle on a day-to-day basis. Alfred Burnett relates the following encounter with a couple of totally removed Virginia characters.
“Going out with a party of scouts, one day, in Virginia, we espied, away up a little ravine, a log-house, completely isolated. Anticipating a good, substantial meal, we rode up to the domicile, where an old woman, with a face with all the intelligence of a pig beaming from it, came to the door, looking the very picture of consternation. We dismounted, and asked for something to eat.
“What! wittles?” exclaimed the horrible-looking creature. “Whar did you come from? And what be sogers doin’ on here?”
“Well, I came from Indianapolis,” said Captain Bracken, “and am after something to eat. Are there any Secesh in these parts?”
“Any what?”
“Secesh.”
“Why, gracious, what’s them?”
“Are you and your folks for the Union?”
“Why, sartain; thar’s the old man neow.”
Just at this moment there came a gaunt-eyed, slim-livered, carnivorous, yellow-skinned, mountain Virginian—no doubt belonging to one of the first families, as his name was Rhett.
“Look-a-hear,” continued the old woman; “this ere soger wants to know if you be for Union?”
The old man looked, if any thing, more astonished than the old woman at the soldier. In the course of conversation we asked the man, “What he thought of the war?”
“What war?” exclaimed the old fellow; “the Revolution?”
“Yes. The rebellion, we call it.”
“Ah! we gin the Britishers fits, didn’t we?”
It was evident the man knew nothing of the rebellion going on.
When asked if he heard the fight, the other day, only six miles from his house, he opened his eyes widely, and said he “heard it ‘thunderin” mighty loud, but couldn’t see no clouds, and didn’t know what to make on it.”
The fact was, these people live up in this place; raise what little will keep them from year to year; never read a paper, (’cause why, they can’t); and they scarcely ever visit anybody.
There are many cases of this kind within a few miles of this place, where as much pent-up ignorance is displayed. If North Carolina is any worse, in Heaven’s name send no more money to distant heathen, but attend to those at home.”
Virginia Mountain Patriots, were content in their oblivion to the politics and strife of the Civil War. The nightmare and carnage of the conflict didn’t impact their mountain bliss and their live and let live mode of existence, held them above the consequences of the national turmoil and strife. Sometimes ignorance can be a god send.
Bummer
Never would have thought such a thing was possible in Virginia of all places, as many battles as were fought all over that state.
Louis,
Some of the hill folk were so isolated and secluded, almost recluses, they had no need or interest in the current turmoil. Found that to be the case when Bummer and Data Miner, visited and interviewed some of the more remote folks and areas of the Smokeys, this past Spring. For several, not much has changed, other than the advent of the telephone and electricity.
Bummer