David Golladay's house (built circa 1809)  near Weyers Cave, Virginia

 

It is likely that most of the Golladay's in the Valley were not in favor of secession. However, once the battle lines were drawn, loyalty to the state of Virginia and state's rights caused the family to defend their land with Southern steel.

The valley was one of the worst places to be living during the Civil War. Great armies moved back and forth through this area. The house of Revolutionary War soldier David Golladay near Weyers Cave was not destroyed and still exists. But the mills he owned and the outbuildings are long gone. One account indicates these buildings were burned by Union soldiers, although further research is needed to verify this.

Near Powell's Fort, the family of Samuel Golladay and Delilah McInturff was hit hard when three of their children - Ellen, Sarah, and Laura - died in the diphtheria epidemic of 1862.  Their son John died of typhoid fever that same year.

The worst period in the Valley was during destruction of civilian property by the Union forces under the command of General Philip Sheridan. In one claim filed against the U.S. government in 1867, Reuben Golladay witnessed the following regarding a barn owned by Michael Wine: "he saw on the 7th day of October 1864 when General Sheridan's forces were moving down the Valley, some of said soldiers coming over the hill towards said barn and saw immediately after they got to the barn the smoke rise and soon the building enveloped in flames."

In Shenandoah County, Lucritia Golladay was widowed when her husband Onesimus Sibert was killed at Gettysburg in July, 1863. The husband of Rebecca Golladay, Walton A. Hawkins, was killed in fighting near Richmond in May 1864.
 

"The Southern land's a glorious land, and has a glorious cause; Then cheer three cheers for Southern rights, and for the Southern boys. We scorn to wear a bit of silk, a bit of Northern lace; But make our homespun dresses up, and wear them with such grace. And now, young man, a word to you; if you would win the fair, Go to the field where honor calls, and win your lady there. Remember that our brightest smiles are for the true and brave, And that our tears are all for those who fill a soldier's grave." Lyrics from a Southern woman's Civil War song "The Homespun Dress," also called "The Southern Girl's Song"