The war between the States (1861-1865): At this time in the history of our county there was no political doctrine more universally accepted by the Southern people than that of "State Sovereignty." Without entering into a discussion of the questions involved it is considered pertinent to say that when the election was held to ascertain whether the people of this county stood for or against secession, there were eight hundred and sixty-one registered voters in the county and the same number were cast in the said election and every vote was for secession. This, too, in the face of the fact that this county was practically an anti-slavery county, for we read in the records an exceptionally large number of deeds of manumission and in the wills a great many clauses of the same character.

     The first troops stationed in this county during this war was the brigade of General John C. Pemberton, composed of Ramseur's Artillery of North Carolina, and the Third North Carolina Infantry, commanded by Colonel W. D. Pender. They remained about one year, being withdrawn in April, 1862.

     The first Federal troops that invaded the county was a New York regiment of cavalry under command of Colonel Dodge. This was in July, 1862. They reached the courthouse.

     A slight action took place near Ducksville between a detachment of the Southampton Cavalry and Spear's New York Cavalry, and a few horses on both sides were killed. In a short while afterwards a detachment of Dodge's Cavalry, making a reconnaissance eastward from the courthouse having reached the neighborhood of Carroll's Bridge, came near surprising a body of Confederate troops from Colonel Claiborne's command, who were worshipping at a nearby church. A timely warning was given and the Confederates rushed out and engaged the enemy, killing and wounding several and capturing thirty-two men and twenty-six horses.

     In January, 1864, a Federal steamer in the James River was fired upon; the pilot and crew driven below deck and the vessel beached, but in a short while floated again by the assistance of the incoming tide, and carried the news to Newport News. Immediately the gunboat Smith Briggs, with about one hundred and fifty men, was sent up the river and to Smithfield, where the troops landed. They started into the country to intercept the Confederates and were met at Scotts Factory by Major Sturtevant with a section of artillery and a small force of infantry and cavalry. In the slight skirmish which followed, Lieutenant Giggett, of North Carolina, was killed. The Federal troops then retired to Smithfield, expecting to re-embark, but their vessel had gone and not returned. They were attacked the following morning by Major Sturtevant, and after a considerable action, forced them to surrender. While the fight was in progress the Smith Briggs returned and essayed to take part in the action, but Sturtevant's gunners soon sent a solid shot into her steam chest, which at once disabled here and put here out of commission. About one hundred and twenty prisoners were captured and a small quantity of supplies were obtained before setting the vessel on fire and blowing her up.

     In 1864 the Fifteenth Massachusetts Infantry landed at Burwells Bay and proceeded a short distanced towards Smithfield and were me by a small Confederate force, and after considerable firing from long range retired to their vessel without any casualties on either side, so far as is known.

     These constitute all the encounters of hostile troops in this county, but the Federal cavalry raided through the county and armed boats came to Smithfield frequently; but two things, happily, prevented them from remaining long in the county and in Smithfield, namely; The presence of a considerable body of signal corps men and scouts, whose whereabouts were uncertain, and the burning of the two bridges at Smithfield, making of it a "cul de sac" which they dare not enter to remain long.

Spanish-American War:

     There was no organized force from this county which participated in this struggle of short duration, and which was over before many citizens could enlist; and there was moreover, in the beginning of the trouble, much diversity of opinion as to the justice or the feasibility of making up a war upon the issues involved. However, a few of the individuals in the county joined various commands. Among those who did service in this "late unpleasantness with Spain" were: A. S. Johnson, who was lieutenant in the Fourth U. S. Volunteer Infantry (Immunes), George E. Morrison, a member of Company G, Sixth U. S. Cavalry, which took part in the battle at San Juan, Santiago; J. E. Tucker, O. M. Johnson, Robt. Drewry, D. T. Crowley and John I Clarke, all of the latter being members of the Fourth Virginia Volunteer Infantry.