The Most Hated Man in Clarksburg
Charles Leib was a fascinating individual and other than a book that he personally authored about his assignment as the Assistant Quartermaster General in Clarksburg, Virginia (now West Virginia) that described his military duties and an article “Dr. Charles Leib: Lincoln's Mole?”, by Rodney O. Davis, Journal of the Abraham Lincoln Association, little is known about this fascinating character. Leib crossed paths with some of the most remarkable individuals in the antebellum and Civil War periods. He’s a schoolboy chum of George McClellan, a school trained doctor, an unwitting participant in the “Bleeding Kansas” affair, a journalist and newspaper editor, a political hack and a friend of Abraham Lincoln. Charles Leib was commissioned as a Captain in the Quartermaster Corps at the beginning of the Civil War and posted to a critical, yet obscure, post in western Virginia where he established a major logistical operations center to support Generals McClellan and Rosecrans in the early days of the Civil War. Captain Leib quickly faced the ire of local businessmen and members of the “First Families Of Virginia”, the local elite, as he developed the Quartermaster Operations. This is his story.
The Most Hated Man in Clarksburg
Excerpt from Chapter 3
Robert Leib was an apt student. By the end of the summer he could accurately recite and identify all of the major body parts, identifying them with their Latin nomenclature. He was well on his way to being able to identify all 206 bones in the human body. He was forced to study Latin in order to read the Samuel Thomas von Sömmerring Encyclopedia of Anatomy that was published in 1800. It was the best and most detailed book available on the human anatomy and Doctor Humber had ordered a copy sent from France at great expense. Robert was fortunate enough that Father Peters was a Latin Scholar and he was able to assist Robert with his language studies.
By August, Doctor Humber was confident that his apprentice could pass one of the basic medical examinations; if he did so he could begin moving his student on towards the next phase of his medical training: diagnosis. One weekend Doctor Humber gathered the local physicians in his study and they spent the entire time quizzing Robert on his knowledge of human anatomy. Doctor Jeremiah Richards, perhaps the most professionally trained physician in the community, was satisfied that this young man was certifiable at this point in his studies to proceed. The other doctors concurred with his findings. It was a hard weekend for Robert but he managed to pass his examinations easily. Doctor Richards even suggested that Robert should be considered for admission to the newly created Jefferson Medical School in Philadelphia.
Robert and Doctor Humber discussed the possibility of him attending the Jefferson Medical School but when they considered the cost of admission and tuition it was currently out of his reach. Besides his father had signed an apprenticeship agreement with Humber and that required that Robert work and study for a minimum of five years or until he could successfully complete his training and be certified. This was a gentleman’s contract and was socially, if not legally, binding on both parties.
While he was pursuing his medical training he also was becoming deeply involved with the Humber household and making a number of acquaintances in Sunbury. His friend Richard Shurr would invited him to go on excursions with him on Saturday afternoons which were Robert’s day off. The would drive out into the countryside and go fishing, hunting, or hiking along the river.
Richard was single and it had been said that he was one of the most eligible bachelors in the community. He was tall with light sun bleached hair. He worked hard in his business and it was thriving. He had developed a number of contacts in Philadelphia and Baltimore and his store was considered to be on of the best stocked establishments in the county. Folks would come for miles around to shop in his emporium and purchased everything from basic necessities to the fine clothing and the best fashions from the major eastern cities. What Richard didn’t have in stock he could order and have it delivered within one week.
Shurr was an active member of the community. He had been admitted to the Masonic Lodge and had advanced to the Fellow Craft level in his lodge. As a result of his lodge membership he associated with the ‘gentleman’ of the surrounding area and he was involved with a number of business dealings other than his mercantile operation. Robert felt privileged to have been accepted into Richard’s social circle. On one of their outings he asked Robert about his feelings towards Maria Humber.
At first Leib was shocked by the question.
”What do you mean, Richard? She’s a very young woman and has lived a very sheltered life. While I am accepted as a member of the family I am still a lowly apprentice and as such the Doctor is my employer. I value his friendship. I feel obligated to respect his family as if it was my own and it would be improper for me to consider any potential relations with his daughter. I’ve come to believe that he considres me the son that he never had the way that he treats and mentors me.”
“Robert, all of that mgith be true, but I’ve seen the way that she looks at you when you aren’t paying attention and she’s definitely interested in you, even if you have no specific interest in her. When she danced with you at Rebecca’s coming out you said something to her and she turned as red as a blushing bride. I would pay attention to her if I were you. It is not unusual for hirelings to meet and marry the daughter of their employer. I’d pay close attention if I were you!”
