Staunton Spectator
Staunton, Virginia
4 February 1862

Incendiaries in Pocahontas.

    On the 25th of January, between two and three o'clock in the morning, the stables of Mr. M. B. Gillilan*, of Mill Point, Pocahontas county, were consumed. Five very valuable horses, a considerable quantity of rye, oats, and corn—all he had—carriage, buggy, harness, farming utensils, and other articles were burnt. His loss is supposed to be about $1800. There is no doubt but that it was the work of an incendiary. The sufferer being an active Southern man, who, during the time Gen. Loring's command was operating in that section, acted as Assistant Quartermaster to Major Corley, it is supposed that some vile Union Traitor has sought revenge by applying the torch to his property. We hope the citizens of that section will exercise sufficient vigilance to detect some of these vile rascals and succeed in having justice meted to them.

*Michael Bright Gillilan

-transcription by Kate Maynard, 2013