U.S. Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ -- USGenNet Inc. -- Please read the U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on the following page: ------------------------------------------------------------------- Eastham, Robert W. (b. 1842) ------------------------------------------------------------------- History of Tucker County, West Virginia From the Earliest Explorations and Settlements to the Present Time. by Hu Maxwell Kingwood, W. Va.; Preston Publishing Company, 1884. Pages 397-404 Robert W. Eastham, a native Virginian, born in Rappahannock County, February 28, 1842, is the son of Capt. B. F. Eastham, and is of English descent. He is one of the most perfect men, physically, in the county, State, or the United States. Above six feet in height, well proportioned, deep and full chest, muscular limbs, and erect figure, he presents as fine appearance as ever Sam Houston did. He is active and athletic, walks with grace, and is a splendid rider. He has had a history, that, so far as the war and consequent adventures are concerned, hardly has a rival anywhere. Going into the field in April, 1861, he fought almost every day as long as the war lasted, and fought in two battles after Lee surrendered. Being a supporter of the Southern Confederacy he supported it from principle; but the prospect of excitement and adventure had not a little to do in shaping his course. He is of a disposition that likes company, and he is seldom seen without a crowd about him. There seems to be some attraction in him for other people. In ordinary affairs, he is quiet and sociable; but when other people are excited, he is master of the situation. Fear has no part in his nature. Indeed, his bravery may at times amount to rashness. His sense of honor is such that he will not do an unmanly act; or, if he forgets himself for the moment and errs in this, he is ready to right the wrong so far as apologies have power to do it. He hates a lie and cowardice and deceit as he hates everything that is mean; and, one who sins in this particular must, before again gaining his favor, wipe out the contamination of the iniquity in a multitude of praiseworthy acts. When the war came on, in 1861, Eastham was among the very first to respond to the call, when Virginia threw her defense and her honor upon the heroism and manhood of her chivalrous sons. There was no hesitation as to which or what course to pursue. His first ambition was to show himself a man in repelling assault upon principles which he believed to be right. The intensity of Southern passion reached perfection in him; and, at nineteen years of age, when he knew that his native State was calling for protection, he hurried off to the front to offer his services in whichever department of the defense that they should be most needed. He joined Green's company, and was at once mustered into service and was quartered at Winchester. His battles began soon after. He marched to Harper's Ferry, April 19, 1861; and from Harper's Ferry he went to Alexandria. The troops that were with him were the first and last and only Confederate troops that were stationed at Alexandria during the war. They remained there until they were shelled out by Pawnee. He was attached to Field's brigade, and Ewell's division, and was soon back in Winchester. He was also with Jones and Wheat, and when Wheat died, Eastham was tendered his place, but saw fit not to accept. After this, he was principally on scouting duty up to the battle of Gettysburg, and was under Jones the greater part of the time. His adventures and escapes were thrilling. Fifteen thousand dollars was offered for him, dead or alive. At one time in battle, he was taken prisoner, but escaped before an hour. He was hunted by the Yankees with a perseverance surpassed only by the perseverance with which he hunted them. They feared and hated him, yet respected him for daring. So determined were they upon taking him, that large numbers made that their special aim. He rode a good horse, and they had no show of overtaking him in a race. While they ransacked the country for him, he was raking them in, as prisoners, every day. After the second battle of Bull Run, thirty miles from the field, Eastham and eleven companions took prisoner sixty-five Yankees, whom Jackson had demoralized and driven into a thicket of brush. In this skirmish, Eastham was wounded in the foot by a Minie-ball. He was not in the Bull Run fight, but was on the field next day. In another skirmish, a bullet passed through the horn of his saddle, one perforated his belt and one cut a button from his coat. In battle, he never used a saber. It is told of him, by those who were eye witnesses, that, when going into a fight, he would throw down his sword and cut a stout club, and with it knock right and left every one who came in his reach. He and his companions, thirteen in all, took eighty-six men in an hour. The men were retreating, by a road on which was a partly destroyed bridge. The Yankees ran upon the bridge and could not get over, and Eastham made them surrender. At another time, he and two others captured thirty-six horses and twenty-three men in one day. He remained with Jones until the battle of Gettysburg, and Jones was sent south. He made a special request that Eastham be allowed to accompany him, but the request was not allowed, and the scout was left to scout for Yankees in Virginia. They also hunted for him and many a time he had to save himself by flight or concealment. When, on one occasion, he had been out all day hunting for them, and had not seen one, he was coming down the road at dusk of evening and met an old negro whom he knew. The old fellow exclaimed in wonder, at seeing him alive: "Good heavens! massa, de whole world am full of Yankees huntin' foh you." At that moment he heard galloping horses in the distance. He took a grain-cradle and a basket which the negro was carrying, and climbed the fence into the field, having put his horse out of sight. He threw down a sheaf of wheat and sat upon it. The soldiers came by and saw him; but in the dusk of evening they did not recognize him. He watched them go by, and then mounted his horse and struck after them. He followed them boldly into town, dismounted and entered into conversation with them. He went into a store and bought him some tobacco, and made free with all about him. None recognized him, until a little negro came along. The little scamp knew him and yelled out: "I do 'clah! tha's Bob Eastham!" Immediately the whole town full of Yankees started up and rushed at him. He sprang on his horse and dashed through them, knocked them down and rode over them, and finally reached the edge of the town. By this time the whole body of the enemy had mounted, and horsemen were galloping in every direction to hunt him down and head him off. He dashed up the mountain and escaped. So daring was he that no Yankee could feel safe when he was in the country. He would cross the lines and ride through the camp, and probably carry off a prisoner. Once he went to a house and got dinner, when the house was full of Yankees, and at another time he went into a stable, where several Union soldiers were sleeping, and took away the officers' horses. This is why they so hated him. He was upon them before they were aware of it, and he always, or nearly always, came out best. But, sometimes he had to hide and slip about in the quietest manner to keep from being taken. He had to bury himself in a rail-pile, and lie flat in a potato patch and conceal himself under a stone fence, while they were all around him. But, he always escaped, and finally came to believe that it was impossible for him to be hurt. With this belief and assurance he went to his father's house when he knew that Yankees were thick around and while the $15,000 reward was on him. While he was in one room, two Yankee officers were in another. He heard them talking of him, and how much they would like to see him. But, they had little idea of seeing him so soon. For, he kept quiet until they had gone to supper, and then he concluded to give them an opportunity to take him, if they liked. While they were eating, and seemingly in full enjoyment of the substantial fare which Virginian hospitality had placed before them, he walked boldly into the dining room where they sat at the table. His father introduced him to them as "My son, Robert, the man you are looking for." They turned and looked at the tall figure before them, clad in full Confederate uniform, and armed from head to foot. His belt gleamed with the hilt of a saber and with the handles of pistols. The officers evidently would rather have been excused from making new acquaintances that evening; but, they had the presence of mind to make the best of the situation. They shook hands, and he sat down at the table with them, and talked two hours. They made no attempt or showed no disposition to capture him, and he was allowed to depart in peace. He was with Mosby in his raids, and was all through the Valley of Virginia. He was in Jones' Raid in June, 1863, through Preston County, when Rowlesburg, Kingwood and Morgantown were taken, and when E. Harper piloted the Rebels that burnt the Fairmont bridge. He was in the 6th Virginia, which "locked sabers" with the 6th New York fourteen times during the war. In the battle of Fairfield the New York regiment was finally overthrown. When the news was received that Lee had surrendered, Eastham was one of the many who refused to believe it, because he did not want to believe it. He remained in the field and refused to surrender. He fought two battles after Lee had laid down his arms. Eastham never surrendered. He escaped without that humiliation. He remained with Mosby until that guerrilla leader disbanded his men. After the war was over, he returned to the farm and went to work. But after his four years of war he could not feel satisfied with the tame existence of a farmer; so he sold out and went South. He visited North and South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee, and finally grew tired of roaming. He returned to Virginia, and married Mary C., daughter of Dr. A. W. Reid, of Rappahannock County, Va. This was in 1869. In 1876, in May, he came to Tucker and bought land in the Canaan Valley, 30 miles from St. George. His farm of 276 acres has 40 improved and in grass. He built a farm house and other buildings, and was prospering well enough when a fire in the woods caught his house while he was absent, and burnt everything. He had not a dollar left, nor even a coat to wear. Everything that would burn was burnt, except two horses, a cow, a dog and a cat. His financial condition was not flourishing. However, he borrowed a coat, and went to Oakland and bought a suit on credit. He went on to Eastern Virginia where he had a little property. He came back to St. George, where the town authorities had some charge against him, and attempted to arrest him. In the scuffle, Frank and Dock Pifer tore his coat off of him, and some one else got his hat, and he had to go home coatless and hatless. When he went to Canaan there were only three families there, Solomon Cosner, John Nines and James Freeland. Eastham lived there till 1883, and farmed and raised stock with various success. By that time the W. Va. C. & P. R. W. was coming into the country, and was no longer a subject of speculation. It was confidently expected that it would greatly enhance the prosperity of Canaan. At the mouth of Bever the site was selected for the terminus of the road. The contract for clearing away the timber for the city was given Eastham, and soon after he moved there with his family, and built him a residence. This was the first house built in a city which is to be called Davis. As yet, there is no city there. The floating population amounts to twenty or more. But a town must be there in the near future, and Robert Eastham will be regarded as the founder of it. Under his supervision all the work so far has been done. In consideration of this, it would be no more than justice to name the city EASTHAM. It is a genuine English name, and is a suitable name for a town, and such ought to be its name. In 1882, Eastham was a candidate for the Legislature, to be elected by Tucker and Randolph Counties. Although not elected, he ran a heavy poll, and carried his own district by an overwhelming majority. ------------------------------------------------------------------- If you've reached this file through a SEARCH, you can access other biographies for Tucker County, WV by going to the following URL: http://www.us-data.org/wv/tucker/bios.html -------------------------------------------------------------------