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June 29, 1941 Haskew Ball, 97, Last Surviving Civil War Vet in Russell CountyHas Been Resident of Home County All His Life [see image]
Haskew Ball, venerable 97-year-old Confederate veteran of Russell county, is shown with one of his many great grandchildren. Despite his age, Mr. Ball is still active, reads without the use of glasses and recalls with extraordinary clearness the events of his youth.
Ninety-seven year old, Haskew Ball, of Honaker, va., is Russell county's last surviving Confederate soldier of the War Between the States. During 1861 to 1865 that county sent 1,450 young men into the fratricidal conflict.
Born Aug. 28, 1844, one mile south of Honaker, the son of John W. and Rebecca Ball, he was only 17 years old when the war broke out. He was one of a large family, and has resided in his native county all his life.
When a boy Mr. Ball attended the school in Honaker. The late Capt. E. D. Miller was one of his teachers. In young life he learned the cabinet trade under his father, the late "Turner John Ball." (His father was familiarly known by that name.)
Taught Before War
Before the War Between the States the young Mr. Ball taught in the public schools of both Russell and Buchanan counties. He quit the school room to volunteer, serving three and a half years.
After the war he again resumed his chosen profession of cabinet-maker, with his father "making" furniture, coffins, spinning wheels, both styles - large and small looMs, and many other items of general household use.
Mr. Ball was married to Miss Cynthia Hurt daughter of Moser and Polly Hurt, of Gardner. To them were born seven children, four of whom are still living.
Nearing the century mark Mr. Ball still can read without glasses and walk without a cane. He often rehearses incidents of earlier life, and tells how he marched almost barefoot through the rain, cold and heat.
Relates Some of Hardships
As an example of some of the hardships endured in the War Between the States, Mr. Ball tells of one occasion when his division marched all day, under "rush orders," in a downpour of rain, until a late hour before "pitch-tents" order halted their weary march. In the early part of the dark, stormy night, the storm grew more intense, tents were blown down, and the rain turned to snow. The boys had only their army blankets to protect them from the raging fury of the elements as they lay on the wet, cold ground.
When morning came several inches of snow had fallen, almost concealing the soldiers as they lay on the ground, their army blankets drawn close around them.
Weary Column Moves On
After a hasty breakfast the order "forward, march" was given and the weary column moved on.
Another favorite story Mr. Ball often retells is that of another march, but this one in very hot summer weather. Drinking water could scarcely be had for many miles. A thunder storm came up and a hard rain beat down, after which many of the solders lay down and drank water from the small puddles in the road.
Mr. Ball resides with his only living daughter, Mrs. W. E. Mutter, Blackford, Va., and in spite of his age enjoys reasonably good health.
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