Augusta County: "William C. Geiger," by J. Y. Hitner, February 1916
Summary: An obituary of William Churchman Geiger, a soldier in the Staunton Artillery.
William Churchman Geiger, son of Franklin T. and Octavia R. Geiger, was born in Staunton, Va., November 30, 1844. When he was six years old, his father died, leaving three sons dependent upon their mother, who taught school for their support. He also taught in the blind asylum at Staunton for many years.
When the war came on, William Geiger, with his two brothers, applied for enlistment in the Confederate army. He was retained for the service of the State and had charge of the government stores and arsenal at Staunton, which supplied munitions for the armies operating in Northwest Virginia. With others, he was organized into a company known as the Staunton Artillery, or the Raid Guard, which was drilled for service under Captain Balthis. Several times they were called out to repel threatened raids; and in December, 1863, they encountered severe weather at Buffalo Gap, from which they suffered intensely. His company was regularly commissioned by President Davis. The only member now living is Newton Argenbright, Clerk of the County Court at Staunton, Va.
William Geiger joined the Stonewall Camp of Confederate Veterans at Staunton and was awarded the Southern cross of honor. On August 24, 1871, he married Fanny Crosby Churchman, who died several years ago. After the war he continued his work at the blind asylum until his eyesight failed. He then lived on his farm until his house burned, in 1904. Failing health preventing further work, he spent his latter years with his son, Dr. J. C. Geiger, at Huntington, W.Va., where he died February 15, 1916. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church and afterwards of the Emmanuel Protestant Episcopal Church. Though hindered by difficulties he faithfully aimed to perform his duties to his God, his family, and his State, and was a good soldier of Jesus Christ. Camp Garnett thus honors his memory.
Bibliographic Information: Source copy consulted: Confederate Veteran, Vol. 24, 1916, p. 561
