1894 Civil War Veterans Reunion in Paintsville

On September 28, 1894, a group of Civil War veterans gathered for a reunion at Paintsville, Johnson County, Kentucky. One of the day's featured attractions was CS General Humphrey Marshall's famed Williams Rapid Fire Gun that had been secreted from Marshall's camp in Ivyton, Magoffin County, on March 20, 1863, by Captain Reuben Patrick. Roaming through the sleeping camp, Patrick quietly unscrewed the 150 pound cannon from its frame, lifted it from its carriage and carried it into the nearby woods were he carefully camouflaging it with leaves. He later retrieved the cannon and brought it into the Union camp at Louisa.

After being stored in the arsenal at Frankfort for 30 years, the cannon was brought back to Eastern Kentucky by Captain Patrick. On September 28, 1894, Captain Patrick and local Civil War veterans proudly posed with their trophy. Johnson County Judge Joseph K. Dixon would also have the cannon brought to Paintsville for 4th of July celebrations. It is now on display at the Kentucky Military Museum in Frankfort, Kentucky.

Listed below are the Civil War veterans who have been identified up to this point. The photograph was found stored in a trunk in the attic of the home originally owned by Lt. Andrew J. Fox (standing on the right in the front row).  The house was torn down when Rt. US 23 was relocated.  It is now in the possession of a gg-grandson.

If you are able to identify the remaining unknown veterans, please let us know. Many thanks to Val McKenzie who graciously made this photograph available.

Front Row L-R

1. Andrew J. Fox, 1. Lieutenant, Co. K, 14th KY Infantry

2. William L. Ball, Sergeant, Co. D, 14th KY Infantry

3.

4. Reuben Patrick, Captain, Home Guard/Secret Service

5. Elijah H. Judd, Private, Co. D, 39th KY Infantry

6.

7. Wyatt Martin, Private, Co. F, 39th KY Infantry

8. Joseph K. Dixon, Corporal/Sergeant, Co. F/D, 14th KY Infantry



Back Row L-R

1.

2.

3.

4. Isaac Dixon, Private, Co. I/B, 14th KY Infantry

5.

6. James Lee Wheeler, Private, Co. B, 14th KY Infantry

7. Joel D. Long, Corporal, Co. B, 39th KY Infantry

8. George McKenzie, Corporal, Co. G, 14th KY Infantry



© May 2012. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of the images without express written notice by owner is strictly prohibited.

A Future President Comes to Visit!

One episode in the history of the Garred-Burgess House

The Garred-Burgess House, April 2004

On May 9, 2012, Lawrence County, as well as Eastern Kentucky lost an integral part of its history with the destruction of the Garred-Burgess House. Burned, bulldozed and torn down, with obviously little regard to its importance as a historic landmark, not a trace remains of the once stately home. A familiar sight for many generations of Eastern Kentuckians, it stood for nearly 170 years like a beacon on the Levisa Fork of Big Sandy River, near Patrick Gap in Lawrence County, Kentucky. The house had a rich history and served, among other things, as a hotel and maintained a reputation during the late nineteenth century "second to no other hostelry in the valley". Its final inhabitant was Dr. Francis Elam “Doc” Burgess, a much beloved local physician and poet.

And once upon a time, the Garred-Burgess House also sheltered a future president within its stone walls which is a little known fact.

In 1820, David and his wife Jennie (Graham) Garred, originally from Monroe County, Virginia, arrived in Kentucky and first moved to the falls of Tug River. The couple later settled on the property situated on the banks of the Levisa Fork and built a log house where they raised three sons and eight daughters. David Garrett died about 1838 and his wife in 1853. Both are buried in a stone vault above ground, located on top of the hill across the highway from the house. The entrance is of Vermont marble which was shipped to Kentucky from New Orleans by boat up the Mississippi, by push boat up the Big Sandy, and ox team up the hill. It was the first stone vault in the Big Sandy Valley, and could be seen two miles up and down the river - steamboat captains used it as a landmark.

After the death of their father, sons Ulysses and David W., continued to live with their mother in the log house, and began construction of the stone house. Built by slave labor, the native sandstone was brought by ox team from a quarry site one mile distant. The two Garred brothers later divided the farm and property. Ulysses retained the stone house and surrounding lands, while David W. received the adjacent property to the south where he built a two-story frame house.

Eastern Kentucky historian William Ely noted in 1887 that Ulysses Garred, "has been ranked as one of the foremost citizens of this section" and "a model farmer and trader.” He was elected to the State Legislature in 1848, and again served from 1873 to 1875. He "filled many other offices of note in his county, always with satisfaction to the people."

During the early stages of the Civil War in Kentucky, Union Colonel James Abram Garfield, future president of the United States, arrived in Louisa on December 22, 1861, to take command of the 18th Brigade, consisting of the 14th and 22nd KY Infantry, and 40th and 42nd OVI. His given objective was clear - to drive the Confederates under General Humphrey Marshall, whose advance up the Big Sandy Valley had reached as far north as Prestonsburg, out of Kentucky.



James A. Garfield



On December 23, 1861, Garfield mounted his horse "Billy" and led his forces out of Louisa, consisting of nine companies of the Forty-second Ohio and three companies of the Fourteenth Kentucky. During the night the rain had turned into snow, and an icy north wind had frozen the mud in the roads and made the hills slippery with ice. Garfield's men marched along the Big Sandy, on a wretched road that closely hugged the river. After a march of nine miles, during which the soldiers forded a single stream twenty-six times, they reached the "Stone House".

One soldier in the 42nd OVI noted that Ulysses Garred was, "the only slave owner I have met outside of Louisa, and he is a strong Union man." It was here that Garfield decided to spend the night. He found in Ulysses Garred a congenial host. A fellow Mason, he also had a jovial nature, "knew lots of jokes and was a good mixer."

Meanwhile, the soldiers established their camp in a muddy cornfield adjacent to the Stone House, amid the dreary discomfort of a cold, wintry rain, without tents or food. The push boats, carrying the men's supplies, were expected to keep up with the column but much to their dismay, were nowhere in sight. Thus the boys helped themselves liberally to Garred's chickens and pigs, "which passed away like a vision," and used his fence rails as firewood to warm themselves. The following morning, before taking up their line of march once again, the drums sounded the long roll, and the Ohio boys, sensing trouble, ran to assemble at attention. They formed a hollow square in front of their colonel, who looked down on them from his horse with obvious anger.

"Men of the 42nd, I thought when I left our old Buckeye State at the head of this fine-looking body of soldiers, that I was the proud commander of a Regiment of gentlemen, but your actions this evening, were I not better acquainted with each and all of you, would bitterly dispel that illusion. Soldiers, we came to KY to help her sons free her scared soil from the feet of the rebel horde ... Show these Kentuckians, who are your comrades under one flag, that you did not come to rob and steal ... and hereafter I shall believe that I command a regiment of soldiers, not a regiment of thieves!" After this brief lecture on the sin of confiscation, Garfield paid his disconsolate host for his losses out of his own pocket.

Around noon, the push boats finally arrived and the soldiers filled their haversacks with dry crackers, killed two beeves and distributed them among the men, "giving to each man a small slice which they took and roasted in the fire on the end of their ram rod, as we had no cooking utensils with us." An hour later, the soldiers were on the move. In the late afternoon hours, the column reached the mouth of George's Creek which was the appointed rendezvous for reinforcements and supplies. "Camp George", as the camp was named, served as a base of operations until Garfield was able to unite his brigade and continue his operations against Humphrey Marshall which finally culminated in the Battle of Middle Creek on January 10, 1862.



The Garred-Burgess House, with Flower Moon, May 5, 2012.

Life continued in the Garred-Burgess House for another 147 years. It witnessed the end of the Civil War and slavery, and many other historic events that followed.  On March 2, 2012, it was hit by a tornado but stubbornly withstood the force of the winds. Sadly, the owner determined that it was beyond repair.  I respectfully disagree.  As of May 9, 2012, the Garred-Burgess House, once called "the most commodious stone house in the Sandy Valley", ceased to exist.

Demolition Crew at work, May 11, 2012

However, it will never fade from the memory of those who loved and revered it. It is memorialized in one of Dr. Burgess’ poems – a most fitting epitaph.

An Old Stone House

Homes are many and vary in kind-
All havens of rest for the body and mind.
An old stone house is this kind of home,
Built of colorful native sandstone.
Of stone hauled on a lizard to the building site-
A machine back then was man and his might.
When one's daily bread was more earned than now,
By the hardest of work and sweat of the brow;
When to church on Sunday was a family must,
And in God our Father there was more trust.
Yes, homes are many and vary in kind-
All havens of rest for the body and mind.
An old stone house is this kind of home,
Built of colorful native sandstone.
May it ever proudly stand,
A memory of once a frontier land.

Francis Elam Burgess, M.D. (Echoes From The Highlands, p. 121)


Links of Interest
End of a 150 year legacy in Lawrence County. The Levisa Lazer, May 11, 2012
Photo of the burning structure. Big Sandy News, May 15, 2012
Garred House, Chapel, and Burial Vault (NRHP, text)
Garred House, Chapel, and Burial Vault (NRHP, photos)
Garred House. Photographed by Abandoned.
Dr. Francis Burgess Abandoned House | BluegrassPhotography.Net
Lawrence County (KY) Landmarks - Garred-Burgess House, History
Lawrence County (KY) Landmarks - Garred-Burgess House, Property Tour

Article researched and written by Marlitta H. Perkins, May 2012. Unauthorized use and/or duplication without express written notice by Marlitta H. Perkins is strictly prohibited. © 2012. All Rights Reserved.

Eastern Kentucky Civil War Claims

In 1871, the US government established the Southern Claims Commission to address southerners' petitions for compensation of supplies, livestock, and other items taken by the Union troops during the Civil War. These testimonial files include first-person accounts of how civilians survived the war, detailed circumstances regarding loss of property, and accounts of each family's history and loyalty to the Union cause. The information contained in these records may offer rare glimpses into the lives of people otherwise not found in census or church records, tax lists, etc.

In order to receive compensation, claimants had to meet the following requirements:

• Claimant held United States citizenship
• Claimant resided in a state that had seceded
• Claimant could prove his or her loyalty to the United States throughout the Civil War
• United States troops had taken the claimant's goods for official army purposes

Southern Loyalists (those who were Union sympathizers) from the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia qualified to file claims before the Southern Claims Commission (SCC) between 3 March 1871 and 3 March 1873. Congress initially expected the Commission's duties to last for two years, but extended its life until 1879 due to the overwhelming number of claims they received. 22,298 claims for property losses totaling $60,258,150.44 were filed. However, only 7,092 claims (32%) were approved for settlements totaling $4,636,920.69.

Even though Kentucky was not included in the above list, it appears that war claims were filed in the state and in some instances, approved. For Eastern Kentucky, these included the following:

Evan Jones, Floyd Co. KY, for $2,080.50
James Johnson, Carter Co. KY, for $25.15
Phebe Patton, Floyd Co. KY, for $130.00
Nathan Preston, Johnson Co. KY, for $400
John Scott, Pike Co. KY, for $616.40
William Womack, Carter Co. KY, for $112.50
[43d Congress, Second Session, 1875]


Additional Claims Filed
(H. R. 632) for the benefit of Alex. Drake, of Wolfe County, Kentucky ; to the Committee of Claims.
(H. R. 640) for the benefit of Abijah B. Gilbert, of Owsley County, Kentucky ; to the Committee on War Claims.
(H. R. 642) for the relief of Lewis C. Dils, late private Company B, Thirty-ninth Kentucky Volunteers; to the Committee on War Claims.
(H. R. 647) for the benefit of Samuel Beatty, of Lee County, Kentucky; to the Committee on War Claims.
(H. R. 651) for the benefit of Captain Lewis Sowards, of Pike County, Kentucky ; to the Committee on War Claims.
(H. R. 657) for the relief of M. B. Moseley, of Irvine, of the State of Kentucky; to the Committee on War Claims.
[46th Congress, First Session, 1879]


The absence of any regularly established tribunal for the adjudication of claims by Southern Unionists, the dissatisfaction of many claimants with the outcome of their cases, and objections to the act of March 3, 1873, which declared that all claims not presented by that date “shall be deemed barred forever thereafter,” led to the Bowman Act of March 3, 1883 (22 Stat. 485), and the Tucker Act of March 3, 1887 (24 Stat.505). Under the provisions of these acts, Congress could reconsider any of the claims previously disallowed by the Southern Claims Commission and transmit them to the U.S. Court of Claims for review and recommendation. A number of such claims were filed here in Eastern Kentucky.

War Claim of William Large, Lawrence Co. KY

Bowman Act

Samuel May, Floyd Co. KY (H. R. 625, 48th Congress)
The bill provides for payment of $3,000 in settlement for quartermaster and commissary stores taken from him during the war. But the claim as stated in the papers is for the sum of $2,119, $80 of which is for grass taken and receipted for July, 1862.
The balance is for hay, corn, oats, and rails alleged to have been taken by General Burbridge's command during a raid upon Saltville in September and October, 1864, part of which was receipted for and part not. All these claims were presented to the Quartermaster-General for allowance under the act of Congress of July 4, 1864.
Two different agents of the Quartermaster's department investigated the case, reported the taking of the property, but that the claimant was disloyal.
This claim was within the jurisdiction of the Quartermaster's Department under the act of July 4, 1864; was rejected by that Department because of the disloyalty of the claimant. An examination of the evidence leads us to the conclusion that the decision of the department was correct, and that we are not justified in recommending a reopening of the case.


William M. Caskey, Morgan Co. KY (H. R. 25595, 60th Congress; Court of Claims. Congressional, No.13886, Elizabeth A. Caskey, administratrix of the estate of Wm. M. Caskey v. The United States)
Claim: During the late War, to wit, on or about October 28, 1862, the United States military forces took possession of and used and consumed the following property belonging to said William Miles Caskey, in Morgan County, Ky., to wit, potatoes, hogs, corn, fencing, and other property, amounting in value to the sum of $1,448;
Report: The evidence shows to the satisfaction of the court that whatever property of the kind and character described in the petition belonging to claimant's decedent was taken from him by the military forces of the United States during the Civil War for use of the Army has already been paid for.


R. W. Harris (administrator of the estate of John P. Harris), Floyd Co. KY (Congressional Case No. 4517, R. W. Harris, administrator of the estate of John P. Harris v. The United States)
The claimant in his petition made the following allegations:
That claimant's decedent was a citizen of the United States, residing in Prestonsburg, Floyd County, Ky.; that in the fall of 1864 United States forces under Gen. Burbridge took from deceased property of the value of $603 and appropriated the same to the use of the Army; said claim was presented to the Quartermaster General and the Commissary General and disallowed because they were not convinced of the decedent's loyalty. The property claimed for was 500 bushels of corn, 1,000 rails, 8 hogs, and hauling with team 21 days.


Harrison Swango, Wolfe Co. KY (HR. 4514, 49th Congress; H. R. 2351, 50th Congress; QM Claim Nos. 1701, 1703, 2287, 2291)
Harrison Swango, a farmer residing in Wolfe County, Ky., during the late war, filed in the office of the Quartermaster-General, US Army, a claim based on four counts, amounting in the aggregate to the sum of $2,315, for property and stores...and which he claims were taken from him by the United States troops during the late civil war for the actual and necessary use of the Army, and that all of said property and stores were so used. His claim was rejected on the 27th day of February, 1880, on the ground that the Quartermaster-General was unable to certify that he was convinced of the loyalty of claimant.

His claim was proven by the following witnesses in due form of law, viz, Harrison Swango, W. L. Kash, J. C. Swango, and W. F. Little - 6 tons of hay, 100 bushels of corn, 20 cords of dry wood ($165)

Also by claimant and Sarah Ellen Kash and Mariah McLain as to one horse, valued at $125, taken by Capt. Harrison Cockrell while in charge of his company...

Also by the claimant and G. B. Swango and J. C. Swango -18 mules and 1 horse ($1,655)
These items are each proven to have been taken by and used in the service of the US Army; the last named items, 18 mules and 1 horse, were taken by Col. John Dils, while in charge of a portion of his regiment on a raid.

Also, by Sarah Ellen Kash, Darius Brooks, and claimant, as to claim for 200 bushels of corn, valued at 75 cents per bushel, $150, taken and used by Federal soldiers on or about April 1, 1864, by a Michigan regiment commanded by one Colonel Brown.
On the question of claimant's loyalty, seven witnesses testify to the effect that they resided in same neighborhood during the late war from and including 1861 to and including 1866, and that his loyalty was never questioned to their knowledge. [The witness list included Hon. Geo. M. Adams, member of Congress (43rd ) and W. P. Taulbee, member of Congress (50th).] 

The record nowhere bears any intimation of disloyalty on the part of claimant save in a letter of one J. G. Trumbull, agent of the Quartermaster's Department, who states that the claimant was reputed in his neighborhood as being disloyal during the late war. The bill was recommended for passage.


Tucker Act

Emma F. Everman, Carter County, KY (H. R. 7629, 61st Congress; Court of Claims. Congressional Case No. 14468, Emma F. Everman v. The United States)
That during the said war (Civil War; MP), to wit, in or about December, 1863, the United States military forces, consisting of troops belonging to Company K, Fortieth Kentucky Mounted Infantry, in charge of Sergt. John C. Blevins, by proper authority, took from petitioner's premises, at or near Grayson, Carter County, Ky., at least 800 bushels of corn, which was then and there reasonably worth the sum of $800, for which no payment has been made.


Julia F. Yates, Lawrence/Johnson Co. KY (H. R. 7614, 61st Congress; Court of Claims. Congressional Case No. 14565, Julia F. Yates v. The United States)
The claimant, in her petition, makes the following allegations:
1. That she is a citizen of the United States, residing in the county of Lawrence, State of Kentucky, and that during the late Civil War she resided in the county of Johnson, in said state.
2. That during the late Civil War, to wit, in the spring of 1865, the United States military forces, consisting of the Thirty-ninth Kentucky Mounted Infantry, by authority of Col. David Mims and Capt. Thornsberry, of said regiment, took from petitioner, at Paintsville, Johnson County, Ky., one fine young horse of the value of $175 and converted the same to their use; that no payment has ever been made, either in whole or in part, for said property.


List of additional claims

H. R. 2402: For the relief of Andrew Howard, Sr., Magoffin Co. KY, Committee on War Claims

H. B.2429: For the relief of Hibbard Williamson, Committee on War Claims

H. B.2446: For the relief of Mrs. Lucy A. Johns, of Laynesville, KY, Committee on War Claims

[All claims, 53. Congress, First Session, 1893]

John A. Dawson, Montgomery Co. KY - SERIAL-SET-ID: 1272 H.rp.110: Jul 28, 1866

William Large, Lawrence Co. KY - SERIAL-SET-ID: 3043 H.rp.395: Feb 17, 1892

Elizabeth Layne, Floyd Co. KY - SERIAL-SET-ID: 3420 H.doc.145: Jan 15, 1896

Martin S. Johns, Lawrence Co. KY - SERIAL-SET-ID: 5156 H.doc.775: Mar 1, 1907

Presbyterian Church, Mt Sterling, KY - SERIAL-SET-ID: 5267 S.doc.96: Dec 11, 1907

James M. Hall, Montgomery Co. KY - SERIAL-SET-ID: 5376 H.doc.388: Dec 17, 1907

Methodist Episcopal Church South, Mt Sterling, KY - SERIAL-SET-ID: 5267 S.doc.189: Jan 22, 1908

Samuel Beatty, Lee Co. KY - SERIAL-SET-ID: 5230 H.rp.791: Feb 11, 1908

Joseph E. Lindsey, Montgomery Co. KY - SERIAL-SET-ID: 6180 S.doc.213: Dec 21, 1911

M. E. Church, Louisa - SERIAL-SET-ID: 6181 S.doc.652: May 8, 1912

Ascension Protestant Episcopal Church, Mt Sterling, KY - SERIAL-SET-ID: 6785 S.doc.633: Dec 7, 1914

George H. Witten, Johnson Co. KY - SERIAL-SET-ID: 6892 H.doc.1634: Mar 2, 1915

R. W. Harris, Floyd Co. KY - SERIAL-SET-ID: 7100 H.doc.201: Nov 8, 1915

Martin Preston, Johnson Co. KY - SERIAL-SET-ID: 8981 H.rp.2648: Feb 21, 1929


Links of Interest
Guide to the Records of the U.S. House of Representatives at the National Archives, 1789-1989 (Record Group 233)


Information compiled, transcribed and researched by Marlitta H. Perkins, April 2012. Copyright © 2012. All Rights Reserved.

Among the Guerrillas - Adventures of Alfred Harrison, Lewis County Surveyor

The following statement by the Surveyor of Lewis County, Ky., will be of interest, as the locality and party are well known to many of our readers. As an expose of the condition of affairs on the border it derives its chief interest. He says:

“I will say that I am the Surveyor of Lewis county, and while I was discharging my official duties as Surveyor in the eastern end of my county, in company with six other gentlemen, we called at the house of a gentleman named Bloomfield, who lives on the Laurel Fork of the Kinnekinick (Kinniconick), for the purpose of lodging with him for the night – About dark the house was suddenly surrounded by about thirty men who soon robbed us of what money we had and other valuables. I lost about eight or ten dollars in money; a mare that I had been offered one hundred and fifty dollars for, and also a saddle and bridle, worth about fifteen or twenty dollars. A man that was with me lost, as he said, over one hundred dollars in money, and also a valuable watch. Another one of our company lost some money and a watch, and also his hat. Others lost money and clothing. In short, all that we had that was valuable they took.

They also robbed the house of Bloomfield of everything that they could find that was desirable, even taking and eating the victuals that were being cooked for our supper. And all this we had to bear as best as we could, as they were armed with rifle muskets, shotguns and pistols and greatly outnumbered us, while we had nothing with which to defend ourselves.

This gang of rebel ruffians had the audacity to tell us that they were men who had been drafted in Lawrence county for Government service, and were on their way to report.

And after they had robbed us and left the premises a short time, they returned and inquired for the Surveyor. I immediately walked to the door and reported to which they replied they wanted me to point them to Greenupsburg. I told them I could not do it, as it was very dark, and did not know the way. They said I knew more about it than they did and I should go with them – So I concluded that “prudence was the better part of valor.” I put on my hat and mounted a horse that they had taken from Bloomfield, and hitched at the fence for me to ride, and off we went. I and a man they called Capt. Fults, rode in front. After we had traveled a short distance, he asked me if I could take them to Vanceburg. I told him I could. He then said I might take them to Vanceburg, and there would take passage on a boat to Greenupsburg.

Map of Vanceburg, 1877
David Rumsey Historical Map Collection

On the way he inquired of me particularly who had good horses in that section of the county, and who kept shoes, boots and ready-made clothing in Vanceburg for sale, and whether there were any soldiers quartered there. - They also inquired if George M. Thomas, an elector for Lincoln and Johnson, lived in Vanceburg, and if there was a flouring mill in Vanceburg, that made flour for the Government. As we traveled on our way, some one would frequently call the Captain towards the rear as I supposed, to hold a consultation with him, and the another man would ride up by my side. I would then seize the opportunity to ask him some questions. On one of those occasions a young lad rode up by me, and I,” When did you leave Lawrence county?” “Last Monday,” said he. Said I, “This is Friday night; where have you been all this time?” “We have been out on a scout,” said he. “Last Wednesday we were in Flemingsburg, and we lost four of our men there.” “How did that happen?” said I. “Why,” said he, “we went in there in the night, and either the citizens or Yankee soldiers shot at us from the houses and killed two of our men and mortally wounded two more of them.”

On our way, the Captain and some others called at the house of a man named Blankenship, and took from him two coats, and a gun. A little further on they all stopped to feed their horses with some corn and fodder, which they took from the field of a Mrs. Cooper, and while their horses were eating they robbed several other houses. We then mounted our horses and rode to within about three miles of Vanceburg, but we had advanced but a short distance until we were met by Col. Clark and five other men on horseback, all citizens of Vanceburg. “Halt,” said the gallant Colonel. We halted. “Who are you?” said he. “We are conscripts from Lawrence county,” responded the rebel captain. “We are going to Greenupsburg to report. “Advance, one in number,” said the Colonel. “Who are you,” said the rebel Captain. “We are citizens,” was the prompt reply of the Colonel. Receiving this answer, the Captain then ordered his men to fire. – It was done. The Colonel and his men returned the fire and then retreated. The rebels pursued, but soon received a volley from some noble Union citizens who were waiting in ambush to receive them. The rebels then retreated a short distance and held a council. Some were in favor of making another effort to go into town. Others opposed it, saying that the road was lined with bushwackers. The Captain asked me if there were not Yankee soldiers in town. I told him I did not know. “But,” said I, “I do know there are a great many home guards there, and I have no doubt but they will give you a warm reception if you go in.” They then retreated in haste.

Time and space will not allow me to give particulars, but suffice it to say that they robbed every man they met on the road, taking their money and stripping off their clothes, boots, shoes and hats, and carrying them off. They also robbed almost every house on the way, searching the stables and took every good horse they could find. They even carried off in triumph, every good horse that they met on the way, either under saddle or in the harnesses. Such are the acts of a set of scoundrels, with whom many of the men living in the Loyal States, and pretending to be good citizens sympathize. But these are nothing more or less than fair specimens of the great masses of the people who are seeking to overthrow this Government. And, now, I will close this sketch by saying, that those who read this may hear from me at some other time.

Alfred Harrison
Lewis county, Jan. 2 (1865)

Notes
Alfred Harrison, found in the 1860 Lewis Co. KY Census, HH# 241/241. At the time of the incident he was about 42 years old.

Alfred Harrison mentioned a gentleman by the name of Boomfield but it is unclear if it was John, James or Reuben Bloomfield's house where he and his party planned to spend the night.

George M. Thomas, 1860 Lewis Co. KY Census, HH# 821/821. In 1864, he was 36 years old. George M. Thomas was born on November 23, 1828, on Salt Lick Creek, near the valley in Lewis County, educated in the common schools in the county — taught school, read law, and was admitted to the bar in 1851. Elected school commissioner in 1850, and served nine years. Elected county attorney in 1854, and served four years. Elected a member of the Kentucky Legislature in 1859, and re-elected in 1861. In 1862 elected Commonwealth attorney in the Tenth Judicial District, and served six years.

William Blankenship, 1860 Lewis Co. KY Census, HH# 1369/1369. At the time of the robbery on his farm, Blankenship was abt. 53 years old.

Several Coopers lived in William Blankenship's neighborhood. Mrs. Cooper was most likely the wife of Hiram B. Cooper who owned a farm next door to Blankenship. 1860 Lewis Co. KY Census, HH# 1370/1370. Hiram B. Cooper was away from home at the time of the robbery, serving in the Union Army in Co. K, 16th KY Infantry. He would not return home before summer 1865, leaving it up to his wife Catharina to run the farm and deal with situations like guerrilla raids.

Captain Fults' identity remains unknown. Harrison indicated that Fults was of Confederate persuasion which seems unusual since all Fults/Fultz men who ever served in the military in Kentucky during the Civil War were in the Union Army. Further research is needed.

Source: Ironton (OH) Register, January 19, 1865
Transcribed and annotated by Marlitta H. Perkins. Copyright © 2012. All Rights Reserved.

Links of Interest
Kinniconick Creek: A natural and historic treasure of Lewis County, by Dr. William M. Talley

1865 - Not Necessarily the End of the Civil War

In 1865, when Kentucky Union veterans were discharged from their military service, the men did not return to safe neighborhoods and homes unlike other Union soldiers, who, for example, lived in neighboring states such as Ohio or Indiana. Ravaged by nearly 3 1/2 years of war, many soldiers found their families impoverished or driven from the state, their homes destroyed and plundered and the fields left destitute. The war, although in its last stages, had not abated in Eastern Kentucky and was still a harsh reality.


Living conditions for many civilians remained desperate. A visitor to the area described what he witnessed at the Mouth of Jennies Creek in Johnson Co. KY: "On visiting the spot we found a wretched hovel, filled with dirty ragged women and children, whose garments were made out of worn out soldiers clothing and blankets sewn together, presenting the most wretched and squalid poverty."

As late as July 1865, the situation had improved but little. The Newport, Kentucky, newspaper Free South noted, “In and about Catlettsburg, Piketon, Louisa, Paintsville, and through the mountains of Eastern Kentucky, the Union people were robbed of nearly everything during the hopeful days of the rebellion, and many of the determined Union men were murdered. Left in this hopeless, destitute condition, they fell a prey to the dictation and loss of the heartless dominant power, and are now in the most wretched condition. Many children are entirely naked and women nearly so, and careless of their person. The most of the Union men not slain fled for safety; others yielded, subservient to the slave power, producing the most reckless, headless condition that mortal man could be placed in … None can visit this part of Kentucky without coming away in sorrow and tears.”

The veterans felt that they had returned home from the service but not from the war. Guerrillas, deserters, horse thieves and other lawless elements, that the fortunes of war had brought together, were still roaming the hills and hollers and the mountain sides were reverberating from the sound of their guns. On Jan. 31, 1865, Thomas E. Bramlette encouraged the veterans being mustered out to organize and form units for the “defence [sic] of themselves, their homes, and the country. All of those veterans who will form organizations shall be so armed and paid, if formed for twelve months' State service.

Some of the men may have availed themselves to this opportunity but other veterans regarded the situation as a personal matter which they intended to settle the way they saw fit, without the sanction of the state authorities or military.


On February 1, 1865, John Means wrote, “There are some parties living in the edge of Greenup and Carter who are making raids into Carter and Morgan They claim to be Union men if they did not we should call them guerrillas. They have taken horses - clothing men's womens & childrens, and from men with whom I used to be acquainted who were honest and peacable men - Unless some steps are taken to stop we will soon have them turning their attention to their neighbors.

Some are returned soldiers who say they cannot live at home unless they are banded together and drive out the rogues near them If the others undertake to retaliate there will soon be no living back in the country, between the two parties.”

In March of 1865, the presence of guerrillas was noted by Peter Lesley, a geologist, who embarked in Johnson Co. KY with a friend, mounted on cavalry horses, "into the most tremendous land of crags, ravines, cascades, oil springs, forests and geuerillas (sic), and reached Wash Webb's, to sleep in a cabin, while an old woman with a pipe studied curiously our mode of undressing. Before retiring we had a guerilla fright; not a pleasant episode."

On a different occasion a gentleman from Pittsburg, who strayed off from his companions, was captured by rebels, and taken to the commander's headquarters near Piketon. Fortunately, the man was released and given a pass by the commander, saying that, “oil men should not be disturbed in their efforts to develop the country.”

During the final days of the Civil War, members of Captain William Horton's Company, 10th KY Cavalry [CS], terrorized Unionists in what is now Elliott County, as well as in Lawrence County, Kentucky. On April 24, 1865, Hugh Boggs and his first cousin, James Boggs were working in a field near the mouth of Colliers Creek when they were shot and killed.


On April 30, 1865, 105 officers and over 1,000 men of Morgan's old command surrendered at Mt. Sterling and Eastern Kentucky was, according to the authorities, now clear of rebel troops. Nevertheless, in certain areas like Morgan County, KY, the rebels had no intentions of giving up the fight.

In late September of 1865, Captain John T. Williams, with about fifty followers, arrested the United States Collector of Internal revenue in Morgan County, KY, and compelled him to desist from his business. According to a report in the New Hampshire Patriot, “He has also arrested every man who has brought suit against any rebel, and compelled him to withdraw it. A company of United States forces attempted, without success, to drive this gang from the county. More troops have gone to the scene of action. Gen. Brisbin hopes to capture the party.”


Shortly thereafter, the federal troops returned to Lexington, bringing with them the United States collector. The Hartford Daily Courant noted, that, “Captain Johnson, who commanded the expedition, reports that on his approach the guerrillas disbanded and scattered in all directions. Captain Johnson was bushwacked, and his pickets fired on and driven in at night. The country is full of robbers and guerrillas, and the people are in terror. The guerrilla Williams has forbidden the collection of any more United States taxes, and Mr. Geardon says he cannot go back and collect the revenue without troops to protect him.” Accordingly, General Brisbin ordered United States forces to “at once occupy and garrison Bath, Floyd, Morgan and Wolfe counties.”


In some instances, guerrillas and outlaws who had lived for years outside the bounds of the law had trouble re-entering into society and return to a normal life style. One example was Peter Livingston, a well-known Confederate guerrilla, who, shortly after the end of hostilities, purchased Cracker’s Neck, a noted guerrilla hang-out during the Civil War in Elliott Co. KY (formerly Carter Co. KY). He cleared away the timber, laid out fields, built roads, erected houses and opened a store.

Livingston’s business soon flourished, and seemingly a pleasant man, he made fast friends with the locals. Behind this façade however, Livingston hid a dark secret. No one suspected that he had a hand in the lawless acts which were fast driving people out of the mountains, and deterring others from coming in to take their places. Once again, Cracker’s Neck became a favorite rendezvous spot, but this time for criminals, thieves and counterfeiters who made their headquarters among the wild gorges and deep forests from which they emerged at frequent intervals. Robberies were a frequent occurrence and stolen horses and cattle were driven out of the blue-grass by the hundreds. They would be secreted here until the excitement had passed, and then conveyed across the Ohio River and sold. This activity continued for years until the fall of 1877, when, by a chain of events, Livingston’s role as head of the gang, which by then numbered roughly 300 men, was discovered and forced him to flee the county in order to save himself from being lynched.

In some places, hostility between parties continued to linger for a long period after the close of the Civil War. In Carter Co. KY, feelings ran high against all who had served in the Union army. Mordecai Hensley, a former soldier in the 14th KY Infantry (US), continued to live at his home for five years in spite of all the ill will which most of his neighbors bore him. At length, however, fifty men banded together and attempted to capture him and it was with difficulty that he escaped into the timber, reaching the Ohio River, which he crossed. Others moved from the area, whether forced to move like Mordecai Hensley or driven by a sense of adventure.

These unsettled times gave rise to bands of “Regulators”, notably in Lawrence, Carter, Elliott and Rowan Counties, KY, who dispensed their own brand of justice to wrong doers. In some instances animosities finally erupted into full scale bloody feuds such as the Underwood War or the Hatfield and McCoy feud.

It would take years before peace and calm would return once more to Eastern Kentucky. However, life as it had been known before the war was never again the same. The bloody strive of the Civil War had inflicted wounds on the people in Eastern Kentucky that were slow to heal over time and left permanent scars.

Written and researched by Marlitta H. Perkins, March 2012. Copyright © 2012. All Rights Reserved.

The Case of George Washington Goodpasture

George Washington “Wash” Goodpasture was born on Jan. 12, 1812 in Bath County, Kentucky, the son of John Goodpasture and Patience Turner. On October 18, 1833, he married Elizabeth Pieratt in Bath County, Kentucky. Within a few years, Elizabeth presumably died, leaving no children.

On April 26, 1838, George Washington Goodpasture married Elizabeth Oakley in Morgan County, KY. She was the daughter of John S. Oakley and Margaret Lewis. Oakley was a member of the first Morgan County court which met March 10, 1823, and in 1831, he served as a state representative from Morgan County.

Over the next 19 years, George Washington and Elisabeth Goodpasture became the parents of eight children. The family lived on Grassy Creek, a few miles southwest of West Liberty and in the course of time, Washington became a substantial landowner. The 1860 census shows that he had $4000 worth of real estate and $1500 in personal property. When the Civil War erupted, the family seemed to be leaning more toward the Southern cause.

On December 11, 1861, son Fountain Goodpasture, by then a young lad 17 years of age, enlisted at West Liberty as a private in Captain William Mynheir’s Co. A, 5th KY Mtd. Infantry, which was part of CS General Humphrey Marshall’s Brigade.

His father supplied 9559 pounds of pork to Marshall’s troops. The sale may have been arranged by Marshall’s Asst. Commissary William H. Burns, former Circuit Court Judge of Morgan County. Goodpasture was paid $430.02 by Marshall’s Brigade Commissary Major R. Hanes, on Dec. 26, 1861, near Paintsville, Johnson County, KY.

Payment for pork
delivered to Marshall's Brigade
Fountain Goodpasture’s Confederate service was short lived. He died on February 2, 1862, at Whitesburg, KY, possibly from sickness. The tragedy of his brother’s death did not deter Richard M. Goodpasture from enlisting. Records show him as a private in Co. B, 7th Kentucky Mounted Infantry but may have also served with Morgan Countian Captain John T. Williams, in Co. C, 1st Battalion KY Mounted Rifles or Williams’ subsequent company A, 2nd Battalion KY Mounted Rifles.

By 1863, tragedy struck again. Death took Goodpasture’s wife Elizabeth. With one son dead and another one in the Confederate service and the oldest daughter married, he was left to raise five children on his own, ranging in age between 6 and 16.

It was not long before the Grassy Creek area drew the attention of Union troops. It was here that Captain John T. Williams clashed with Union Troops led by Captain Carey, 24th KY Infantry (US) in April 1863. The following month, on May 16, 1863, Captain William E. Rice of the 10th KY Cavalry (US) appeared with a squad of men at the home of George Washington Goodpasture. According to loyal Union people in the neighborhood, Goodpasture was considered, “a notorious Rebel Sympathizer and his home is a regular stopping place for the Rebels when in the vicinity.”

Captain Rice arrested Goodpasture on the charge of disloyalty to the United States Government and as a Rebel Sympathizer, under the provisions of General Ambrose Burnside’s new General Order No. 38. The order, among other things, declared that, “all persons found within our lines who commit acts for the benefit of the enemies of our country, will be tried as spies or traitors, and, if convicted, will suffer death.” This included, “All persons within our lines who harbor, protect, conceal, feed, clothe, or in any way aid the enemies of our country.” As a matter of fact, the simple act of, “of declaring sympathy for the enemy,” was deemed as treason.

When the soldiers entered Goodpasture’s home, they found his son Richard M. Goodpasture inside, “who was likewise taken prisoner as a rebel soldier belonging to the 1st Bat Mounted Inft. Ky Vol. “

Richard M. Goodpasture Service Record
7th KY Infantry (CS)
Captain Rice and his men scoured Goodpasture’s place thoroughly. “From the indications & appearance of his home and surroundings I am satisfied that it is a rendezvous for rebels and parties in arms against the Government of the U. States, “noted Rice. “Several horses were found in his belongings among them one horse with Gov. brand.”

Captain Rice’s and his squad remained at Goodpasture’s place and encamped. During the night, two more horses came into Goodpasture’s stable, “fully equipped with Cavalry rigging,” noted Captain Rice, “which I am satisfied had been ridden by Rebel soldiers.” One of these horses was later claimed as the property of a Union man from Bath County, Kentucky, by the name of Cassidy.

The following day, Washington and Richard M. Goodpasture were taken to the camp of the 10th KY Cavalry near Owingsville, Bath County, and later on to Mt. Sterling. Here father and son parted ways. Richard M. Goodpasture was conveyed to Lexington, KY. On May 31, 1863, he was on his way to Camp Chase, Ohio.

On May 24, 1863, eight days after Goodpasture’s arrest, 29 year old Amos D. Lawson from Morgan County appeared at the headquarters of the 10th KY Cavalry and gave a written statement.” I am personally acquainted with Washington Goodpasture a citizen of Morgan County who was arrested by the United States forces under Maj. J. S. L. Foley and is now a prisoner at Mt. Sterling, Ky. The said Washington Goodpasture is to my certain knowledge a rebel Sympathizer and has from time to time entertained "Guerrilla" parties ____ One Capt John T Williams, Captain Cox and Boone Howard all soldiers of the so called "Confederate Army." I have seen him assemble with these men upon various and frequent occasions riding their horses and in fact seeming as one of them. His, "Washington Goodpastures" home is well known as a rendezvous for their Rebel soldiers and "Guerrillas" throughout this neighborhood.”

Meanwhile, a number of Goodpasture’s family, friends and acquaintances, including his brother-in-law Joseph Hairston Amyx, submitted a petition to the Union authorities, asking for Goodpasture’s unconditional release.

“To the General Colonel or Major or Any other officer that May have under your conntrole (sic) G W. Goodpaster A sitizen (sic) of Morgan County Ky Gentlemen we the undersigned sitizens (sic) and members of the union party would respectfully represent that the government authorities arrested G W Goodpaster one of our neighbors and have taken him off to parts unknown to us, we would therefore represent to your honers (sic) that the said G W Goodpaster is A good sturdy Citizen and have (sic) been much molested by being fed on both by union and southern soldiers not by his own solicitation but from the fact that he an industrious man and had feed on hand that his neighbors did not. And in view of the hole (sic) subject we the undersigned would humbly prey that you give him an unconditionally (sic) release & send him home to his gang of little Motherless children from the fact that he has been good and kind to his union Neighbors and has protected them in there (sic) person and property and has even went further than many of us could go for the want of provisions he has often sent and packed provisions him self (sic) to the familys (sic) of union men that was absent in the army of the united states that was no ways related to him.

if we believed he deserved punishment at the hands of the government we would not sign this petition.
May 29th, 1863

J. H. Amyx
William D. Prater
Wiley Wilson
J. D. Wilson
Andrew Wilson
S. H. Wilson
John Nickell
Andrew Cash
Stephen Nickell
Morrison Nickell
Andrew Nickell
Danca Wilson
A. P. Amyx
Charles Fallen
John Gose
Stephen Culberson
J. W. Nickel
Moses Lacy
J. K. Brown

Petition of Morgan County Citizens, page 1

Petition of Morgan County Citizen, page 2
A second petition, which has not survived in the records, was circulated on Goodpasture’s behalf, which generated 30-40 more signatures.

While still under arrest at Mt. Sterling, Washington Goodpasture was weighing his options. The charges against him were serious and if convicted he could face death. Knowing that much of his fate would hinge in great part on the petitions, he contacted John W. Hazelrigg, asking him to review them for him. If the military authorities could be convinced that a sufficient number of Union supporters in Morgan County were asking for his release, he would perhaps be able to post bond and return home.

In response, Hazelrigg wrote to Goodpasture,” Sir at your request I can state that I have examined the two petitions to the military authorities for your release & the names signed to said petitions amounting to some 50 or 60 names I can say that I am personally acquainted with all the men who signed said Petitions except about six that have signed I know them I know all are good Loyal Union men as to those six I can not say any thing (sic) about them as I am not acquainted with them I can further state that from my long acquaintance with you & also with Mr. Wilson that any promise or obligation that you may make or take on your Selves that I am perfectly satisfied that you will not violate you can use this letter as you choose yours very Respectfully
Jno W. Hazelrigg

Washington Goodpasture was finally taken to McLean Barracks in Cincinnati, Ohio. Goodpasture’s case was considered by the military authorities and on June 27, 1863, he took the oath of allegiance and was permitted to give bond for the sum of $3000.

Know all men by these Presents that I George W Goodpaster of Morgan County State of Kentucky hereby acknowledge myself to be held and firmly bound unto the United States of America in the sum of Three Thousand Dollars for the payment of which well and timely to be made, I hereby bind Myself and each of my heirs, accountants, administrators and assignees -
Sealed with My seal this Twenty Seventh day of June AD 1863

Now the condition of the above obligation is such whereas the above bounded George W Goodpaster has been arrested on the charge of disloyalty to the United States Government and taken and subscribed the oath of allegiance to the Government of the United States of America.

Now if the said George W. Goodpasture shall and truly keep his said oath of allegiance then this obligation shall be void otherwise of full force and effort.
And it is hereby agreed and understood that in case the said George W Goodpaster should violate any of the conditions of the obligation any officer in the military service of the United States acting under the orders of the nearest Post Commander may seize and sell or otherwise dispose of any and all property of the above named obligant to an amount sufficient to satisfy and discharge the amount above named without having recourse to any proceedings at law.

G. W. Goodpaster

After fulfilling his obligations to the US government, Washington Goodpasture was able to return home to Grassy Creek.

Meanwhile, his son Richard was sent from Camp Chase to Johnson's Island on June 14, 1863. After five and a half months, Richard M. Goodpasture was sent to Point Lookout, on Nov. 30, 1863 and released on taking the oath of allegiance on Jan. 10, 1864. He returned home to Morgan County but his stay would be less than two weeks.

His father may have obeyed the conditions of his bond and oath temporarily but not long after his release from McLean Barracks, Washington Goodpasture was actively involved again in supporting the Southern cause und thus, drawing the attention of the military authorities once more. On January 27, 1864, a well-armed force of over 100 Union home guards left Mt. Sterling on a scout to Morgan County, KY. On the third day, the men proceeded via Allen Day’s and Dock Cockerell's old farm to Grassy Creek and made a charge on Washington Goodpasture’s house. Noted Daniel D. Hurst, one of the participants, “got some nine or ten prisoners and very bad ones. Among them was a man by the name of Michael, also Thomas Ross, Aca Carter, Jerry Plummer and two of Wash Goodpaster's sons.”

Asa Carter, a former member of the 5th KY, was Fountain Goodpasture’s old sergeant. After being discharged from his unit for disability on July 29, 1862, Carter operated with other irregulars in the area and was considered a, “notorious Guerrilla” and subsequently charged with murder. Plummer and Ross were also former members of the 5th KY Infantry. Ross had joined Diamond’s 10th KY Cavalry but Plummer, a native of Lewis County, KY, was a deserter and, like Asa Carter, was operating with irregulars in the area. The records do not give us the names of Washington Goodpasture’s sons who were taken prisoner that day but they were, in all likelihood, sixteen year old James H. and Richard M. Goodpasture.

The scout continued for two more days until a portion of the home guards took the prisoners, 19 in all, back to Mt. Sterling. “We turned all of them over to our soldiers with the proper recommendations,” noted Henry C. Hurst. “We also captured about 25 good horses. We gave the Guerrillas a plain hint of what they would get next time.”

In the absence of subsequent records, we can only assume what happened to Washington Goodpasture and his family. On Nov. 18, 1864, Washington married 22 year old Elizabeth Ann Amyx, in Morgan Co. KY. She was the daughter of his brother-in-law Joseph Hairston Amyx and his first wife Francis Caroline Nickell. The couple later settled at Aarons Run, near Mt. Sterling, KY and added five more children to the family. Both Richard M. and James H. Goodpasture survived the Civil War and moved to Missouri and Ohio, respectively. Their siblings John O., Clarke C. and George W. Goodpasture went west, eventually settling in Oklahoma and Kansas. Both sisters remained in Kentucky. Nancy Ann Goodpasture, who had married Dr. John Mason Kash at the beginning of the Civil War, died in 1868. The youngest, Elizabeth, settled with her father in the Mt. Sterling area where she remained for the rest of her life.

George Washington Goodpasture died on April 18, 1900 and his buried next to his last wife Elizabeth Ann Amyx in the Machphela Cemetery, Mt. Sterling, Montgomery County, KY.

Links of Interest
George Washington Goodpasture's grave marker
Machphela Cemetery, Mt. Sterling, Montgomery County, KY.


Additional Information
"GENERAL ORDERS, No. 38. HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE OHIO, Cincinnati, Ohio, April 13, 1863.
"The commanding general publishes, for the information of all concerned, that hereafter all persons found within our lines who commit acts for the benefit of the enemies of our country will be tried as spies or traitors, and, if convicted, will suffer death. This order includes the following class of persons:
"Carriers of secret mails.
"Writers of letters sent by secret mails.
"Secret recruiting officers within the lines.
"Persons who have entered into an agreement to pass our lines for the purpose of joining the enemy.
"Persons found concealed within our lines belonging to the service of the enemy, and, in fact, all persons found improperly within our lines who could give private information to the enemy.
"All persons within our lines who harbor, protect, conceal, feed, clothe, or in any way aid the enemies of our country.
"The habit of declaring sympathy for the enemy will not be allowed in this Department. Persons committing such offenses will be at once arrested, with a view to being tried as above stated, or sent beyond our lines into the lines of their friends. It must be distinctly understood that treason, expressed or implied, will not be tolerated in this department. All officers and soldiers are strictly charged with the execution of this order. By command of Major-General Burnside"
[Source: Major General Ambrose E. Burnside and the Ninth Army Corps: a narrative ..., by Augustus Woodbury; 1867; pp. 265/266]



The article is in part based on facts and testimonies contained in the George Washington Goodpasture case file which is located in the Union Provost Marshal Records. Supporting evidence, such as other primary source material, service records, census listings as well as biographical data was researched and provided by the author, Marlitta H. Perkins. Feb. 2012 Copyright © 2012. All Rights Reserved.

James Aldridge - Outlaw or Avenging Angel?

The Civil War in Eastern Kentucky as well as the western part of Virginia was not about glorious battles fought with large armies. The character of the land, with its mountains and hollers, shaped the nature of warfare and lend itself to guerrilla tactics. It was a bitter and oftentimes bloody struggle and fought with no mercy in which the general population was easily caught in the middle between the two contending sides. Confederate units such as Rebel Bill Smith, as well as guerrilla bands were roaming the boarder between Eastern Kentucky and Virginia, plundering and robbing civilians as well as waylaying or bushwhacking federal soldiers. This gave rise to local home guard units, militia groups and scouts whose objective it was to aid the federal army in keeping Confederate activities at bay and safeguard their neighborhoods from incursions by the enemy. In some instances, men banded together to exact revenge and hunt down the guilty parties without mercy. Driven by their principles, answering more or less to their own laws, these men walked a fine line between outlaw and avenging angel.

One of those men was James Aldridge. He was the son of Samuel Aldridge and was born about 1828 in Logan County, Virginia. By 1850, James was living in John and Sally Chapman’s household in the Elk Creek area in Lawrence County, Kentucky.

It would not be long before James Aldridge became involved with John Chapman’s grand-daughter Mary Muncy. Three children soon followed - Sarah, born in Virginia abt. 1854, Lovinca, born November 13, 1855 and William, born October 2, 1857. The following year, James stole a horse and saddle from his father who promptly had him charged with Grand Larceny and thrown into the Lawrence County jail at Louisa. According to Joseph M. Kirk who had known James Aldridge from the time he was a little boy, his character was anything but respectable and he believed Aldridge could be persuaded by his friends, “to do anything that they might want done no matter how low it was and even to the shedding of blood.” This incident was just a shadow of things to come.

The following year, his widowed father Samuel went to Logan County, Virginia and married Susan Dingess, nee Crum, likewise widowed, on November 9, 1859. The newly-wed couple established housekeeping in Pike County, Kentucky.

A second wedding soon followed, when James Aldridge finally tied the knot with Mary Muncy in Lawrence County, Kentucky, on February 27, 1860. The marriage rites were performed by C. M. Pack and witnessed by Mary’s uncle William Muncy. Census records seem to indicate that, following their wedding, James moved to Sprigg Township in Adams County, Ohio, with Mary, leaving the children behind in Kentucky, perhaps with relatives. It may have been an attempt by James to get a new start on life away from his old troubles at home, establish financial security and provide a stable home for his family. However, James and Mary did remain in Ohio but a few months. By August 16, 1860, the couple was back on Elk Creek in Lawrence County, KY and re-united with their children. A new baby had been added to the family as well, a girl named Lydia.

In 1861, the Civil War began and, according to James Aldridge, he first joined the Confederate side although there are no records to substantiate his claim. His time with the rebels lasted less than a year. He allegedly deserted, later exclaiming that, “he was as good a union man as ever was manufactured from secesh principles or Rebel material.”

In April of 1862, Aldridge went up the Big Sandy River and enlisted under the name James M. Aldridge at Camp Paxton, Guyandotte, Virginia as private in Captain Turner’s Company (later Co. I), 9th VA Infantry (US). His name appears on the Company Roll, dated April 30, 1862. Aldridge was enrolled on May 9, 1862 at Guyan, VA, for three year service. Aldridge soon became fed up with military life in the 9th WV Infantry and deserted on July 11, 1862, Gauley Bridge, VA.

Service Record for James M. Aldridge
Captain Turner's Company, 9th Virginia Vols.(US)
He returned home but soon joined Captain Ira G. Copley Company, attached to the 167th Militia, in Wayne County, Virginia. He enlisted as a private on August 2, 1862. No sooner had Aldridge enlisted, the Confederates began their invasion of Kentucky. Within two weeks, things were beginning to look rather bleak in Eastern Kentucky. By August 18, 1862, CS General John S. Williams’ Brigade was reported in the Big Sandy Valley and General Humphrey Marshall’s division, estimated between 4 and 12,000 strong, was expected to cross the border into Kentucky at Pound Gap at any given time. Additionally, it was feared that Confederate cavalry under Menifee, Witcher and Jenkins would attack and plunder Ceredo, Virginia, Catlettsburg, Kentucky and finally Ironton, Ohio. Since there virtually was no military presence in the area, leaving it without protection whatsoever, this was a realistic fear . The nearest troops, Colonel Cranor’s 40th OVI, were stationed at Louisa, thirty miles south of Catlettsburg. Unfortunately, the soldiers, aside from their commander, seemed to be blissfully unaware of the impending danger. One of the 40th OVI soldier noted, “there was no duty other than picket, daily drill and dress parade. For the first time in our Sandy life, dress-parade became a matter of interest. The town contained a few hundred inhabitants, nearly all of whom came out to see our dress-parades, which gave to our camp a somewhat lively appearance.”

Post 1906 view of Cassville (Ft. Gay), in the foreground,
and Louisa, Kentucky, across the river.
Image collection of the author
It may have been during this time, that Aldridge was overheard making threats against Colonel Cranor at Cassville, Wayne County, Virginia (modern-day Ft. Gay), which is situated directly across the Big Sandy River from Louisa, KY. He devised a plan to assassinate Colonel Cranor but Aldridge’s motives are unclear. Together with James Smith, Aldridge bought a gun for that very purpose, and hung about the hillsides, watching for Cranor, with the intention of shooting him the first time he came out with his regiment on dress parade.

Colonel Jonathan Cranor, 40th OVI
However, nothing became of the assassination plot and soon thereafter, Aldridge made the acquaintance of a recruiting officer from the 27th OVI. On Aug. 25, 1862, Aldridge signed up with the regiment and enlisted as a private in Company K. It was a déjà-vu experience for Aldridge because within less than two months, he once again deserted and made his way back home to Kentucky.

Upon his return, Aldridge found that a new regiment was being formed in the Big Sandy Valley, the 39th KY Infantry, under the command of John Dils, Jr. Captain Joseph M. Kirk, from Lawrence County, KY, was raising a company for the regiment and set up camp in Wayne County, Virginia to recruit. Aldridge appeared at Camp Radcliff and reported to Kirk, stating that he was a deserter from the Rebel army. Aldridge was later released. Kirk stated that, “since that time the said Aldridge has been acting with the home Guards of the state of Virginia.”

Apparently, Aldridge had returned to the ranks of Captain Copley’s Company and was doing service with them. However, when the 39th KY began moving up the Big Sandy River from Catlettsburg towards Piketon at the end of October 1862, and stopped in the Louisa area, Aldridge once again made an appearance in the camp of the 39th Kentucky. Colonel John Dils, Jr. noted, that, “shortly after the said Aldridge came to my camp I received an order to arrest the man Aldridge as a deserter from the ranks of the 27th OH Inft.” Orders were to convey Aldridge to Portsmouth, Ohio. Aldridge was promptly arrested but remarked to Dils, “that he would not stay at Portsmouth and that he would desert and go to the secesh.” He pointed out that, “has been always treated better there than any where else and that he would go back again.”
Nevertheless, Aldridge did not make good on his threat to join the Rebels. “It was not long after he was taken to Portsmouth,” noted Dils, “untill (sic) he was again back with my Regiment and laboured about and eventually followed us towards Piketon.”

Aldridge did not remain with the 39th Kentucky very long. Before he left, he helped himself to one of the horses of the regiment and an Enfield rifle. Thus armed and equipped he made his way back toward Louisa.

Upon his return, Aldridge set out to terrorize the suspected Southern sympathizers and others in Wayne County, Virginia. Aldridge, in company of Holbert Walker, a former member of Captain Thomas Damron’s Company, 167th Militia, appeared one day at the house of Lewis L. Howard, a Pennsylvania native who had moved with his family into the Round Bottom P.O. area from Ohio within the last four years. Both men demanded Howard’s mule and threatened to burn down his house if he didn’t produce the animal. Howard gave up the mule and Aldridge pointed out to him, “if he ever made any fuss about the mule he would waylay him and shoot him.”

In a short time, Aldridge had made quite a reputation for himself. According to John Stone, Aldridge, “bears a bad name in the county and he believes him to be a bad and dangerous man.” Lewis L. Howard was of the opinion that, “the character of the said Aldridge is very bad and that he was not to be trusted and no one would be willing to have him sit upon a Jury or ever swear against him or them.”

Aldridge’s next victim was 54 year old John Grizzle, who lived on a farm in Wayne County in the Fort Gay area with his wife Mary and six children. Grizzle was considered a harmless and in-offensive man and a good citizen. Aldridge thought differently. Undoubtedly, he was aware that in September of 1862, Grizzle’s son Hiram had enlisted in Captain Hurston Spurlock’s Company E, in Milton J. Ferguson’s Battalion which, in January 1863, became part of the16th Virginia Cavalry under Colonel Ferguson’s command. Hiram Grizzle served with the rank of sergeant.
Aldridge went to Grizzle’s house, accused him of harboring rebels about his house, shot him and left him for dead. He soon discovered that Grizzle had survived the attack. He let it be known that if Grizzle got well of his wounds he would return to his home and shoot him the 2nd time or bayonet him to death.

It was obvious, that Aldridge’s deeds were beginning to escalate. William Vinson noted, that, “whatever place the said Aldridge staid long enough to be known that the citizens were all afraid of him and that they do not and never did feel safe while encountered with his presens (sic).” The citizens had every right to feel unsafe around Aldridge who claimed that, “he had often killed men by calling men up to him and then when they were not on their Guard he would shoot them.” It was noted that Aldridge cold be bribed with a pint of whiskey or, “ten dollars to take the life of any man, or even the life of his best Friend.”

Next, Aldridge had his sights set on James Coburn, a 30 year old Wayne County farmer, who was living with his wife Fanny and four small children in the Palmetto P.O. area of the county. John Bromley, who had been acquainted with Coburn for eight or ten years, stated that he, “was a harmless quiet hard laboring & harmless citizen” and “very poor.” He noted that, “at the Commencement of the present rebellion Coburn was said to be a rebel sympathizer but the said Coburn did come to the camp of the portion of troops of the 5th Regt. Va Vol US & commanded by Lt. Col. Colvin and that he Coburn did take an oath to support the constitution of the State of Va as it were before the ordnance of secession & the constitution of the US And was released by the said officer .” Bromley noted that as far as he knew, Coburn, “acted in obedience to the aforesaid oath.” It may also be noted that James Coburn’s brother, Gordon C. Coburn, served in the 22nd KY Infantry (US).

Regardless of the facts, Aldridge was convinced that Coburn was a Rebel and decided that a visit was in order. When Aldridge showed up at Coburn’s house, he was accompanied by a group of men, including D. H. Walker. The men took Coburn and tortured him by placing, “him upon a peach kiln and did this to punish the man,” according to Aldridge’s own admission. He was then struck with a gun by D. H. Walker and shot by Aldridge who later stated when he did shoot Coburn, “he never heard a man hollow” as he did. According to witnesses, Aldridge shot Coburn twice, with an Enfield rifle. For reasons unknown, perhaps to ascertain that he, indeed, had killed his man, Aldridge returned the following day and helped bury Coburn’s body. Aldridge remarked that Coburn was the fattest man that he had ever killed “of the grass” and that “he had killed several.”

Aldridge’s activities did not go unnoticed by the military authorities in Louisa for very long. In March of 1863, he was arrested and brought before the Provost Marshal in Louisa. On March 16 and 18, 1863, a series of interviews were conducted and affidavits taken from witnesses.

Testimony by James H. O'Brien

The charges brought against Aldridge were as follows:

Charge First
= for Maliciously murdering James Coburn, a citizen of Wayne County Virginia, the deed done in the State aforesaid and the county of Wayne

Charge Second
= For shooting and wounding the body of John Grizzle with intent to kill.

Unfortunately, at this point, the records do not tell us if James Aldridge was ever punished for his crimes. It is also unclear whether he acted as part of Captain Copley’s Militia Company or if the deeds committed were self-motivated and more or less a private war Aldridge conducted on who he perceived as enemies, Rebel or otherwise. Circumstantial evidence seems to point to the latter, given the fact that his known associates were not part of Copley’s unit. Whatever the circumstances may be, it appears his case was handled with leniency, despite the damning testimony by witnesses, including two Union officers, and he was given a short sentence, if at all. Surely, this must have made the witnesses who testified against Aldridge uneasy to a certain degree, including William Vinson who stated that, “he would shoot Aldridge upon first sight if he thought Aldridge had any malice against him … for his own personal safety.”

We encounter Aldridge again the following year, in Lawrence County, Kentucky. On May 21, 1864, he enlisted as private in Company H of the 68th Kentucky Enrolled Militia, and was mustered in the same day. Aldridge was 36 years old, had a light complexion, light hair, light eyes, and stood 5' 6" tall. His profession was farmer. He was still present with the 68th KY Enrolled Militia when the unit was mustered out at Louisa on July 23, 1864. This is the last time James Aldridge appears in any Civil War related records.

Service Record for James H. Aldridge
Co. H, 68th Kentucky Enrolled Militia
John Grizzle survived Aldridge’s attack and managed to escape a possible second attempt on his life. He is found living with his family in the Butler District of Wayne County, WV in 1880.

The widow of James Coburn, Fanny, remained in Wayne County as well, but moved with her children into the Ceredo area. By 1880, however, she was living near Patrick Gap, Lawrence County, Kentucky.

After the Civil War, James Aldridge and his family lived in Lawrence County, Kentucky. They are subsequently found in Martin County census records after the formation of the county. James Aldridge applied for a pension on Nov. 4, 1889, based on his service in the 68th Militia but was denied. In 1890, he was enumerated in the Federal Veterans and Widows Census, Martin County, KY, Precincts 1 & 6 (Warfield & Emily), claiming service as a private in the militia in 1864. His post office was Warfield.

Aldridge died between 1900 and 1910. During this time, either James Aldridge or his heirs filed a claim for his militia service Wayne County with the West Virginia State Service Commission. Established in 1901, it was to help provide payment to claimants for services rendered in the state militia and home guards. The papers are now part of the West Virginia Adjutant General’s Papers and can be found at the State Archives in Charleston, West Virginia.

The article is in part based on facts and testimonies contained in the James Aldridge case file which is located in the Union Provost Marshal Records. Supporting evidence, such as service records, census listings as well as biographical data was researched and provided by the author, Marlitta H. Perkins. Copyright © 2012. All Rights Reserved.