Nicholas G. Gibson and the Cannon Affair

The 37th Battalion Virginia Calvary was organized in August of 1862 and had four Companies. By June of 1864 it had increased to ten Companies. They were involved in battles through Tennessee, Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley. The Battalion disbanded in April of 1865. Lt. Col Ambrose C. Dunn was in command with Maj. Claiborne his second. Things went very wrong for Lt. Col. Dunn and Maj. Claiborne was assigned the command.  But this is not about either of them. This is about Dr. Nicholas G. Gibson who was an Assistant Surgeon for the Battalion. 

Nicholas is my Very Great Uncle and was born in Braxton County,  Virginia on 9 November 1824. In 1858 Nicholas was the Postmaster for a brief period for Birchtown in Braxton County.  Birchton, established in 1852 became Birchtown and in 1875 the name changed to Tate Creek. 

After the war in May of 1865 Nicholas shows up on an IRS Tax Assessment as a Physician in Centerville, Braxton County. 

In 1870 Nicholas who is 46 is living in Grant, West Virginia and is a Physician. Also living in Grant is the beautiful Rowena Catherine Groves. She is barely 19 and in 1871 they marry and decide to make their home in Sutton, Braxton County.  Upon their return to Sutton after the wedding, the town celebrates their newly married Doctor and his wife with cannon fire and celebration. Hidden somewhere near Wainesville was a cannon. It had been left by the Confederate Army after the battle of Bulltown. 

The Armies retreat up the hill would be faster and easier without the cannon so it was hidden in case they needed it again. They never did so the cannon sat unused and neglected from October 1863 until that day in 1871. A Confederate Veteran of that battle, Johnson Barker remembered the cannon and where it was located and with some help retrieved it. At some point during the celebration the cannon was charged and upon being fired exploded with an extraordinary loud boom. The cannon had burst and fragments went flying. No one was hurt and the event was talked about for years. 

Nicholas and Rowena had 3 children, John Jacob, Alfred Irvin, and Mary Elizabeth. Just 10 years after his marriage Dr. Nicholas G. Gibson passes.