On April 18, 1861, less than a day after Virginia seceded from the Union, Lieutenant Roger Jones was stationed at the Harper’s Ferry Armory, with a company of 42 regular United States soldiers. Upon learning of the approach of Confederate soldiers, whose intent was to take over the armory, he made preparations for its defense, calling upon the local citizens for aid. Many responded, including George Koonce, a former town constable, according to the 1860 Census and Justice of the Peace for Jefferson County, who led the local men against the Virginia army of 2,000 soldiers. Koonce and his fellow citizens halted the larger Virginia forces at Smallwood’s Ridge, near Bolivar. Meanwhile, Lieutenant Jones, acting on orders received from Washington, set fire to the armory and arsenal, and with his men retreated northward. Koonce and his fellow volunteers did not return to Harper’s Ferry until it had once again fallen into the hands of the U.S. government in 1862.

       In June 1861, Koonce represented Jefferson County at the Second Wheeling Convention to vote on the secession of western Virginia. However, Koonce, a Unionist, and who harbored ill feelings towards the Confederacy after the events of April 1861, was not representative of the majority of the citizens of Jefferson County, most of whom supported the Confederacy.

        Koonce lost his home and his business as a result of his involvement in the April 1861 fight. During the Civil War period he operated a general store in Harper’s Ferry in partnership with a Mr. Horner from 1863 to 1864. Much of the material in this collection concerns Koonce’s efforts seeking compensation from the government for his losses.

       Following the war, Koonce became active in politics once again, serving as a member of the West Virginia House of Delegates (1865-1867) and a member of the West Virginia Senate (1870-1871), running on the Radical ticket. He was a member of the Corporation of Harper’s Ferry 1875-1876. He was also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Koonce died at 90 in Halltown, West Virginia in 1908.

1.     Public Sale. By Order of Judge of the Circuit Court of Jefferson County, I will offer at Public Sale, On Thursday 25^th November 1852, at Harpers-Ferry, in the Store Room lately occupied by Israel Russell, all of the Large Stock of Ready Made Clothing, of Isaac E Lobree, consisting in part as follows … November 15^th 1852. George Koonce, Constable.

2 .The United States Armory at Harper’s Ferry, To the Senate and House of Representatives: To the Senate and House of Representatives: The undersigned, late citizens and workmen at the Harper’s Ferry Armory, respectfully represent: That they have been banished from their homes and business by the calamities incident to an intestine war, and themselves and families have suffered in their persons and property – first, by the failure or inability of the Government to protect them, and next by the vandalism of the Rebels. …”

[Harper’s Ferry”: 1862] broadside, measuring 12 ¼ x 8 inches. Tope edge slightly browned and ruffled, pinhole in each corner, otherwise very good. Not in OCLC.

The broadside presents the memorial of 47 citizens of Harper’s Ferry, headed by George Koonce, presumably its main author, seeking assistance from the federal government for losses incurred both by the rebel invasion and for the destruction of the Armory and Arsenal ordered by the government on April 18, 1861. Many of the memorialists were presumably former employees of the Arsenal who were unemployed and unpaid after the Confederate takeover. The broadside also appeals to the government not to close the Armory stating that the buildings and infrastructure were not seriously damaged, and that its location made it easily defendable. There were plans at the time, 1861-62, to relocate the National Armory to a more secure location, including Peoria, Illinois.

“Of the Armorers and other persons employed, numbering from three to four hundred, fully two-thirds of them were loyal, and ready to defend the public property, their homes and firesides, if properly supported by the Government authorities, though they are not disposed to find fault with the military necessity which led to the destruction of the Arsenals by the officer in command, on the 18^th of April last.”

         This broadside is the first presentation in the collection of Koonce’s search for compensation or reparations for losses incurred as a result of his actions on April 18, 1861. This was to become a cause which occupied him for many years.

          Much of the correspondence and documents in the collection concern Koonce’s attempts to secure compensation for the losses he incurred as a result of his actions in defense of Harper’s Ferry in April 1861.

        Sample Quotes:

“Ordnance Office

Washington July 16/61

               The bearer of this letter is Mr George Koonce a highly respectable citizen of Harper’s Ferry. Mr. Koonce in consequence of his loyalty to the Union has lost nearly all the property he possessed and is desirous of obtaining such employment as will enable him to support himself & family. I most cordially recommend as a person worthy of trust & confidence.

J. G. Benton

Capt. Ordnance

US Army”

“Baltimore Sept. 30, 1863

        Mr. Geo Koonce

        Dear Sir,

             I did not get a letter from you last this morning or to day, went twice & sent twice but none; all waiting with anxiety so I understand from Mr. Risling to come over from Washington. He did not come today so Mr Byres just informed me from 6 o’clock  evening but will be over in the morning … I learn him & Mr McIlton start up to Harpers Ferry to dispose of the appointments in the upper country & Harpers Ferry – I have seen Mr Chaplain since 10 o’clock. He will present your claims & urge them all he can. I send this up by Mr. Allison, who will send it to you in the morning. I hope the privileges will be granted to the people of Harpers Ferry. I shall go to the post office tonight at 8 o’clock with a hope of getting a letter – or two. I have been so wearing did not send up the trunks & little hats to day & other little things will do so tomorrow. I have wearied & run and anxiety until I am sick - & hardly able to walk, you can imagine from your own feelings many times when you are wearing with Business – I wish you were in Washington tonight with your Papers & could have an Interview with the President I think it would insure your place – but that can’t be, Mr. Chaplaine will do all he can for you. He knows Mr. Risley well & is coming up with him & Mr. McIlton. Mr Byres expects a place in Shepherds town, or Loudon Co. very anxious about it but has to wait – Mr. McIlton told Mr. Frey to day goods would not go across for two weeks perhaps & that people would be allowed to come over for family supplies – as usual – I hope things will all go well … Jn Rissell”

          “Harpers Ferry Va February 10^th 1865

        To whom it may concern

                This is to certify that Geo. W. Cox went to Richmond Va and worked for the Rebel Government for several months. S. V. B. Strider J.P.

         This is to certify that we the undersigned know that Mr. Geo Koonce was authorized by the Superintendent of the U. S. Armory at this place, previous to the rebellion to collect and sell the condemned Hall’s Rifles loaned to the citizens during the “John Brown Raid.”

Isack Butt

John McClenen

William E Anderson

James Hyatt

Ambrose Cross

William C. Kirby

David Kelsey”

Harpers Ferry W^st VA. March 1, 1869

             W. B. Willey Esq.

              Senator U.S.

             Washington, D.C.

              Dear Sir,

                    I am solicited by Mrs. Graham, the widow of Wm Graham, who died during the war, and a good Union & Loyal citizen, to ask your kind interference in attaining for her son some situation or employment, in which he can be useful, and at the same time, afford her some compensation for his education and maintenance heretofore.

    Be pleased, my dear Sir, to afford this lady & her son all the aid you can  in furthering their application & oblige… George Koonce”

[Draft]

          “State of West Virginia Jefferson County

                At the request of George Koonce Esq. of the State & County aforesaid, I do hereby certify, as follows, namely:- that I was Lt Col. Substituting in command of the Rebel of the troops of Virginia, on the evening of their approach and attack on the U. States Armory and Guard at Harpers Ferry W. VA. viz the 18^th of April 1861 – That I am now a resident citizen of Charlestown, in said County – That on the night of the day above named, while the Rebel Virginia troops were in motion moving by the Turnpike to on Harper’s Ferry , they were met and halted by pickets of a company Mr Koonce then in command of a small body of citizen soldiers  of a company said to be the Floyd Rifles organized among the workmen of the Armory & commanded by Geo Koonce at the time that this occurred  about two miles over from the town of Harper’s Ferry. Mr. Koonce was accompanied by two or three other officers of his command and armed as soldier. That upon his hailing the Rebel troops, and demanding to know by what authority they were marching their armed forces into the town, a parley was held with him by Captain Turner Ashby and Col. Allen the commander of the Rebels, Virginia Troops, which resulted in the declaration on part not withstanding we were warned by Mr. Koonce that we would be resisted in our attempt to capture the Armory and Armory stores and Arms – that thereupon , the command was given our soldiers to Load with Ball cartridges, which was done, and in the meantime the delay was availed of by Mr. Koonce and his associates to move off, by the Turnpike, towards the town, that at a little distance he was hailed and ordered to return to the command which he refused to do – that this parley and delay, I have no doubt afforded him time to call in his pickets, and transmit the information of our strength and purpose, to the Federal Official in command of the Armory, and Armory Guard. That on our approach to the brow of the hill overlooking the Armory Buildings, which was in a few hours after the Parley with Koonce, we found all the Armory Buildings and Arsenal in flames – That the loss of the Arms in the Arsenals, said at the time to be about 17 or 19000 muskets & rifles, was a most serious loss & deprivation to the Rebel Confederate cause. That on our taking possession of the place, and retaining it, subsequent to the withdrawal of Captain Jones, with the soldiers, I was satisfied that Mr. Koonce and his little party (said to be only sixteen in number)  had performed not only a meritorious action, in behalf of the U. S. Government: but a most perilous one personally – that the sentiment of the secession population might have been so directed by their personal enemies, as to have that night culminated in their destruction.

                                           Sworn to, subscribed & acknowledged before me this     day of January 1871.”

        “Dear Sir

              Have this written just as I have interlined it & will sign with pleasure, & will also establish the facts as I remember them & while the war is over – I have cast aside all feeling on that score & will do all the good to justice I can … Jas. Lansdorff } Geo. Koonce”

          “Charlestown, Feby 9/94

           Geo Koonce Esqr.

           Halltown

           My Dear Sir,

                I am trying to get the claim of my father in law, late Thos. Hill-Willis in shape to go before the court of war claims. I write to ask if you are able to give any evidence as to Mr. Willis’ loyalty. Most of his neighbors who knew how he stood during the war have died. I think his claim is sufficiently proven as to property taken for Federal use, but some of the papers in his care are missing and the matter of loyalty has to be established. If you can aid me in the matter I will be glad to make an appointment to take your testimony. Yours truly,

      B.C. Washington”

“Washington, D.C. May 2, 1896

         Dear Sir,