A Telling of Two Darsts

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The Darst family has deep roots in Pulaski county and the town of Dublin; the Darst name first surfaced in the Americas after Abraham Derst immigrated from Pfeddersheim to Philadelphia. Eventually moving to Frederick County, Virginia and gave birth to his son Benjamin Darst, who was a established citizen in Lexington, Va. Benjamin Darst went on to have three children whom would populate and build the foundation of Dublin. One of his sons, named Thomas Welch Darst was a prominent figure in the community through his work as a farmer and stock raiser. Thomas Darst's sons John Welch Darst and William Benjaman Darst would eventually find themselves as Confederate soldiers in the Civil war.

The Darst Family

John Welch Darst (left)

William Benjamin Darst (right)

Born in Pulaski County to Thomas Welch Darst and Margert Jane Miller Darst in 1840. Responded to the calling of troops to form the Pulaski Guards, organized by James A. Walker following John Brown's raid in Newbern.

Born in Pulaski County to Thomas Welch Darst and Jane Miller Darst in 1843. At 17 he enlisted in the Pulaski Guards with his brother, although it is said this was at much protest from his family and friends.

The Darst Brothers

First Battle Of Manassas

On the early morning of July 21st 1861 the 4th Virginia regiment and its sister regiments found themselves at Henry House Hill before the battled ensued. The 4th regiment was placed near artillery stands to secure and protect them, which included the Darst Brothers.

For the Brothers first introduction to battle, this was a violent and intense sight to see for such young men. It is said that John Darst was nearly hit by a musket ball, and it pieced through the fabric of his sleeve. It was also rumored that William Darst's weapon had broken, and he was forced to pick one off another fallen soldier.

Following the Battle of First Manassas, William Darst was given orders to watch over a wounded soldier. This would go on for weeks and upon this wounded soldier's death, William would be sent back to service. It is upon his return where he contracted typhoid fever and was put under the care of another soldier due to the hospital being filled to capacity. Eventually, William and the others wounded were given permission to return home. After the strenuous pursuit home William would end up passing away just nine days after he returned home at the age of 21.

This is a photo of the gravesite of William Benjamin Darst, located in "Fancy Hill," Pulaski County.

The Passing of William Darst

Battle of Second Manassas and the wounding of John Darst.

John Darst was wounded by a piece of artillery shell, which would puncture his right hip and come out of the other side, shattering the bone entirely. He would live until September 8th, where a doctor would attempt to amputate his leg after John's request. It was during this procedure where he would pass away due to complications during the operation at 19 years of age.

There are written accounts of John being arrested weeks before his death, which was said to have been because he fell asleep on duty, and after the arrest was diagnosed with a fever. After hearing about his son's arrest and condition, Thomas and William Darst made their way to Manassas, where John was being held. The next day he was sent to Greenwood where a doctor would give him a leave of absence and turn him over to his father and grandfather. Once home his doctor gave him another leave of absence for fifteen more days and soon his trial was up in Winchester. John successfully won his case and was back with the 4th Virginia company staunchly.

Darst Letter collection

The Darst Collection has many letters that have been kept safe throughout the years. These letters give us a glimpse into the thoughts, actions, and ideas held by the Darsts at the time. Some of these letters are not specific to the story of William and John Darst; however, their importance in the overarching story still stands.

My very dear wife,

    I have but a minute to write before the train starts. Mr. Cecil came in last evening from Alder Hospital he was with poor Jack Thursday after the fight. Says he was wounded with a shell in the thigh near the joint. Thinks he cannot probably live but a day or two. The Drs done nothing for him, thought it not worth while . I am well as could be expected. Will start in a few minutes for Rapidan station. I can't turn back while I hear of my boy being alive. I have company Mr. (?), Dr. Haller, Robert Sawyers. I don’t know what conveyance we will have, have to walk, if we do will take our time, maybe I can stand it. Don't know when I will get home, may not for ten days & will write if I have an opportunity. I must close as the train is starting. I have no hope of seeing our son alive. Love to our remaining children. Kiss my dear Pat. Love from your bereaved husband,

                                                                                                                                                   Thomas Welch Darst

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This specific letter is by Thomas Welch Darst acknowledging the wounding and ultimate death of John Darst.

9/8/1862

Gordonsville, VA

This letter is from RGG (unknown), describing his experience with the Pulaski guards

7/9/1862

New Richmond, WV

Transcription

Dear Mother,

I take the present opportunity of letting you know how I am getting along. I am well except my face is very sore. I came very near having my head blown off the other day. I was standing by a tree where one of the boys had left his gun standing. It went off the ball passed close to my cheek. The powder burnt my face right smart. I think a carbide box fell on the lock. I then came back to the baggage which is here about three miles from Richmond. The Army is 25 miles below. They are laying in sight of each other. I don’t know whether we will try to keep them down there or not. This was one of the biggest fights that has ever been in America. The battlefield is sixteen or seventeen miles long. The graves are thick in some places. The Yankees lay in piles I never saw anything like it. The weather is very hot down in the swamps the water is not good. I would rather be in the valley although we had hard time there we have had as hard here. I think the Dr. got all the powder out of my face. It will be well in a few days. I have no news. I wrote to you a day or two ago.Write soon to your devoted son RGG. Give my love to all. Also to Mr. & Ms. Brown and all the Blacks.

July 11, 1862

As I did not get a chance to send this letter when first written I thought I would write you a few more lines. I have (?), our Brigade has come back to this place. They are still holding the Yankees down at the river. I don’t know whether we will stay here or not as James Caddall got here yesterday with our things. I was mighty glad to get the eatables the (?) time. Mr. Silver is mistaken I think about sending a quire of paper home don’t recon he knows what a quire of paper is. I told him that you would let his wife have some and forgot to tell you about it. I will write again

from your son RGG.

Unmarked Letter

This letter is from Bella (unknown) to Ms. Nannie Glendy reguarding Jack's bullet wound in the battle.

My dear Nannie,

                          I have just received a letter from Mr. Darst he was at Gordonville, he said Mitch Cicil had just come in from the hospital, he seen poor Jack on Thursday, he was wounded with a shell in the thigh near the joint. Thinks he could not live but a day or two, the Dr’s had done nothing for him, thought it not worth while, Mr. Faris, Dr. Haller, Robert Sawyer & Mr. Boothe is with Mr. Darst, he thinks they may have to walk from the Lapidan to the hospital almost 50 miles but he says he must go on & see if his dear son is alive. Tell Bettie her Pa sends his best love to her. Oh Nannie are we not deeply afflicted in the last four years we have lost four dear sons & oh this last is harder to hear than any. To think he has died far from home & friends, oh Nannie god alone can confort our bleeding hearts. Mr. Darst says he will write again the first opportunity but don’t know when he will get home, Mother is quite poorly with rheumatism in her knees, but let your Papa know about poor Jack, your deeply distressed sister,

                                                                                                                            Bella.

Transcription

8/25/1861

Lynchburg, VA

Letter from From William Miller detailing his interaction with Jack Darst

My Dear Wife,

I wrote you a letter from Manassas the evening I arrived there, giving you such a history of my mission as I thought-right, in which I told you that we found Jack Darst sick with fever in the hospital thought it might be typhoid. The next morning after our arrival at Manassas Dr Fisher (who is I believe the head surgeon of the army there) sent all the sick away from Manassas that were in condition to be removed Jack among the next.

Mr. Darst and myself did not leave Manassas till the next day after Willie and Jack came away having that a court martial would set there that day, thinking its probable that something might come up in Jacks case that we would feel interested in, but there was no court martial held that day, we also expected to see Capt Gardener or some of his company who could give us some information about Jack’s arrest, but there could be no passing from one camp to the other as that day( the distance ten miles,) so it was a failure allsensed.

Yesterday Mr. Darst and me left Manassas for this place expecting however to stop at Charlottesville if Jack was there, when we got those we met with Willie who told us that he had taken Jack to the hospital shaken of (which I have forgotten the name) so I declined going there with him and his Pa, expecting them to be home this evening, I was at the college hospital in this place this morning when there is room for 25 more persons(200 men in it) a beautiful situation for the sick and no doubly well taken care of Dr. Owen the physician, the distance from the depot the only objection which is near a mile and a half.

In the letter I wrote you from Manassas I told you all I knew about Jack arrest I think it not serious, Mr. Darst wrote to Becca the day I wrote you and again the next day. I would like for you to send me a horse to the depot tomorrow evening(Monday) as I expect to come home if I am not detained on Jack’s account.

NOTE: This is not a full transciption, but important sections in this letter that detail John Darst