This unit’s colorful commander was known for giving bellicose speeches, but his courage was of the liquid variety.
The Pocahontas Rescues was a Confederate company raised in May 1861 in what is today Pocahontas County, West Virginia. “Count” Daniel A. Stofer (1821-1891), a boisterous attorney, organized the unit. Fifty-seven men mustered in at Huntersville, a village east of the Greenbrier River, for a period of one year on May 18, 1861. New recruits later brought that number to 64.
Capt. Daniel Stofer, a Mexican War veteran, was a heavyset man who enjoyed liquor and giving bellicose speeches. At the Barbour County Courthouse in Philippi he reportedly said, “I could take a peach tree switch and whip all of Lincoln’s 75,000 Yankees if they invade Virginia.” (or “I can chase Mr. Lincoln’s invaders off the soil of Virginia with the limb of a peach tree.”)
Stofer was officer of the day the night of June 2, 1861 when Brig. Gen. Thomas A. Morris and 3,000 Union troops were descending on the Confederates camped at Philippi. Fortunately for the Confederates, two civilians gave prior warning of the approaching force. Unfortunately for Stofer, he was reportedly drunk on duty and did not comport himself in a military manner.
The Pocahontas Rescues were involved in the Action at Philippi on June 3, 1861. Captain Stofer, perhaps suffering from a hangover from the night before, deserted his unit and ran ahead of them on the road wearing only his britches. When asked where his men were, he replied they were “coming up behind me.”
After the disaster at Philippi, the company became Company D, 9th Battalion, Virginia Infantry (Hansbrough’s) in the Army of the Northwest. It was in Leedsville during the battles of Laurel Hill and Rich Mountain, and joined Brig. Gen. Robert S. Garnett’s retreat to Corrick’s Ford. Approximately seven men, including Captain Stofer, were captured during the retreat.
As part of Hansbrough’s Battalion, The Pocahontas Rescues fought at Cheat Mountain on September 12, 1861, and Camp Bartow on October 3rd. In 1862, it joined the 25th Virginia Infantry Regiment as its 2nd Company I.
Spirit of '61 
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