By Clarence W. Woods, SR.

Frederick Wood, born May 1846 at Wood's Gap, Patrick Co, Virginia. to Richard and Lucinda “Lucy” Via-Wood. Fredericks mother Lucy died when he was nine years old, three years latter at age twelve his father died. He and his three sisters Ruth, Laura, Harriett and younger brother William found themselves to be orphans.

Prior to Richard’s death the family farm was given to Richard's older son Alexander from a previous marriage, Alexander had a large growing family and the idea of having his five siblings come and live with them was out of the question, there was an arrangement made to have the children live with local families in Patrick and surrounding Floyd Counties, although the children were separated they did have occasion to visit each other.

Early in 1861 Virginia succeeded from the union of the United States and joined the Confederate States of America. The Abraham Lincoln administration called for 75,000 troops to bring the succeeding states back into the Union. The country was in a state of war. The local men and boys hearing about the coming conflict wanted to get in on the fray before it was over so, many hurriedly joined the newly organized Confederate States Army. Frederick was one of those eager young men, on September 1,1861 at age fifteen Frederick along with several local boys rushed to Jacksonville Court House in Floyd County to join the army to help defend Virginia from the threat of the invading Union army.

Frederick enlisted into Company “C”, 54th Virginia Infantry Regiment for a period of one year, after his enlistment tour he was given a fifty dollar bonus for one more year which turned out to be for the duration of the war. The 54th Virginia Infantry Regiment moved to nearby Christainburg and setup a basic training camp, this made Christainburg the most populated town in Southwest Virginia with a population over a thousand people.

Training for the mountain men of Virginia was new and interesting at first but, as they began their rifle training they became excited as most had been hunting since they were big enough to hold a gun and were proficient in shooting of a rifle. Unlike their tidewater counterpart they were short on discipline and did not like to be told what to do, some had to be severally disciplined to conform to army life. I imagine Frederick Wood was one of the later.

NOTES!!!

Frederick let his beard grow he trimmed it down to his cheek bone the way of the Amish. sometime during the war he acquired the nickname of “Cricket”

He married Emily Spangler, 10 Feb1870, daughter of Henry H. Spangler of Floyd Co, VA. 1870 farmhand w/ Henry Spangler

The couple settled in Indian Valley, Floyd Co. VA.

The couple issued five children: Mary C. b.1871, Wm Byrd b. 1874, John, James Bethel b. 1880 and Margaret “ Maggie” Woods.

Son John struck and killed by train in Huntington, WVA. Age 29

Frederick injured right arm and shoulder, while working at the grist mill this injury presented him with severe pain through out his remaining life.

Cricket was a resourceful good natured person who enjoyed his family and life in general.

Frederick at age 79 succumbed to end of his life in 12 Nov 1925.

He is buried at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Willis, Floyd Co, VA.

Lucy Via Born 1820, Ruth E. b. 1841, Nancy b. 1843, Laura b. 1845, William b. 1849/

VIRGINIA AT WAR

Life of Frederick Wood