Timeline of West Virginia: Civil War and Statehood
March 10, 1863

Sherrard Clemens - How He Got Along At Middlebourne. - Sherrard Clemens was advertised to speak at Middlebourne, Tyler county on Tuesday. He made his appearance there and after he had attempted to empty himself of an harangue against the New State, somebody threw a rotten egg at him. The egg missed the speaker, but striking against the wall behind it be-splattered his clothing. Sherrard pulled out a revolver which he laid down beside him and intimated that he might be compelled to shoot somebody. This act only had a tendency to increase the anger of a few disorderly persons who had made up their minds not to allow Clemens to speak and the assault upon him was about to be so vigoriously [sic] resumed that he abandoned the field. The persons who thus interrupted Clemens are said to have followed him when he left Middlebourne and it was feared that some personal injury would be inflicted upon him, though nothing of the kind occurred.

Editors Intelligencer:

Permit me through the columns of your paper to give your readers a brief account of a New State meeting held in Middlebourne March 9th.

It was understood that Sherrard Clemens was to be here to deliver an address in opposition to the New State. He came, as expected, but we had our worthy Auditor here to defend our cause. Arrangements were made by some of our Union men that Mr. Crane should speak an hour and a half, Clemens to follow, allowing him the same time, Mr. Crane to close. This arrangement was made in order to keep down excitement that might arise, as it was said by some persons that Clemens should not speak. Notwithstanding high waters there was a good turn out of people, who were convened at the Court house, and the meeting was organized by electing W. I. Boreman President, J. C. Beaty Vice President and J. E. Boyers Secretary. Auditor Crane was introduced to the audience by the President. Mr. Crane's remarks were well received by the people. They were full of force and truth. The constitutionality of the New State was explained so clearly that no honest person could help being satisfied on that point. Other points that he dwelt on were fully explained. He is certainly the man to please the people. He is honest, patriotic and energetic, just the man who would suit us for our New State Governor. Mr. Clemens followed him, saying he was prepared to meet any emergency - thus trying to intimidate the Union men. They were completely disgusted with him, and nothing but the agreement before he commenced speaking prevented the people from taking him from the stand.

When he was nearly through some one threw a rotten egg at him barely missing his head. The meeting was promptly called to order, and the excitement produced by throwing the egg, would have been but momentarily, had not Clemens drawn his revolver upon the audience. Several soldiers present told him that they had been under fire (Antietam) before, and were not afraid of him. Also other soldiers present, drew their revolvers upon him. If Clemens had shot, he would have been killed on the spot. After all his threats he was compelled to surrender up his revolver to J. E. Boyers. His friends who were pleased to see him, when he arrived in town, forsook him when he needed them. The Union people of Tyler are fully aroused, and if the rebels desire peace they can have it by being quiet themselves, and keeping such men, as Clemens at home. For while our fathers, sons and brothers are fighting in the field against armed treason, it is our duty, who remain at home, to prevent treason and disloyalty being spread amongst us by such men as Clemens & Co., under pretence of being opposed to the New State. Our New State will be opposed by secessionists and their sympathizers. A true and loyal man, is a New State man.

Kanawha.

Sirs: -- In the Wheeling Daily Press - a rebel paper - of Monday, March 16th, there appears a card over your signature, in which you, in noticing your troubles at Middlebourne, West Virginia, use the following language: An egg was thrown against the wall of the Court House while I was speaking, by a man by the name of Harding, who was detected in stealing flour from Stealey's mill and who can be readily purchased at time to commit an immoral act." I now hereby give you notice that I am the man referred to by you, and the same who threw he egg at you, and I am responsible for that act. You are a stranger to me, and I presume you make the charge against me from information given to you by your rebel cohorts in this county. Therefore, I demand of you the names of your informants; and if you do not give me full satisfaction at once, I will hold you responsible to the full extent of the slander you publish against me. The time for ___-shinned, blue-bellied traitors to lie upon and slander Union men has gone by in Tyler county.

I demand an answer at once from you.

Edward Harding.
Middlebourne, West Virginia, March 27, 1863.

Timeline of West Virginia: Civil War and Statehood: March 1863