ws_, October 17, 1862.

[90] Bruce Catton, _A Stillness at Appomatox_, (New York: Cardinal
Giant Edition, Pocket Books, Inc., 1958), pp. 318-319.

[91] Two items from the _Alexandria Gazette_ in July 1862 illustrate
the problems regarding these records. The edition of July 12, 1862
printed a letter to the newspaper stating that records of Fairfax
County had lately been found in Warrenton, having been removed there,
it was supposed, by lawyers. The new sheriff of the County took
possession of these records. The edition of July 23, 1862 reported
that the new County Court of Fairfax held its July term in the Clerk's
office, the courthouse not being in condition for that purpose, and
that one of the court's actions was to order that application be made
for a new seal, the old one not being found.

[92] Fairfax County Court Minute Book, 1863-1867, p. 130. This order
was entered November 25, 1864, and was rescinded by a subsequent order
entered November 22, 1865. Minute Book, 1863-1867, p. 289.

[93] The Unionists in northern and western Virginia met twice in
conventions held at Wheeling. In May 1861 a convention of some 400
so-called delegates from the counties in these regions met to consider
their stake in the State's constitutional crisis, but took no action
since Virginia had not yet ratified the secession ordinance. A second
convention at Wheeling was held in June 1861, and organized a Unionist
government for the State which claimed the authority of the General
Assembly (which it asserted had forfeited its authority by rebellion)
and other constitutional officials. Francis H. Pierpont served as
governor of this Unionist government of Virginia.

[94] The Congressional approval of West Virginia's admission occurred
in December 1862, but it was not until June 1863 that President
Lincoln proclaimed the admission of the new State and approval of its
constitution.

[95] Fairfax County Court Minute Book, 1863-1867, p. 2.

[96] _Ibid._ Minutes of a meeting of the court on January 19, 1863.

[97] _Ibid._ The practical effect of this order has been questioned,
however, since Mt. Vernon was sold out of the Washington family in
1859 to the Mt. Vernon Ladies' Association of the Union, and the
Washingtons had, by 1863, moved to Fauquier County, leaving neither
relatives or property in Fairfax County. Interview with Judge James
Keith, April 1972.

[98] As described in William Hemphill, Marvin Schlegel and Sadie
Engelberg, _