Civil War in Bath County from a Civilian Perspective - Mary E. Sudduth's letter to General Quincy A. Gilmore

On January 28, 1863, 150 men from Humphrey Marshall's command descended upon Olympian Springs (aka Mudlick Springs) and surrounded the house of Hiram Jenkins. The main perpetrator Thomas Greenwade, who was actively recruiting a company for Marshall's command, had an on-going conflict with Jenkins which he intended to settle that night. Greenwade killed Jenkins and mortally wounded his son. He also killed 19 year old Thomas Yarber, a paroled soldier of the 2nd OVI who had the misfortune to be at Jenkins' house that night. His parents Randolph and Annie Yarber lived near Olympian Springs.

Prompted by these murders, Mary Ellen Sudduth, the widow of Major James Sudduth of Bath County whose husband had been killed in a similar fashion just three months earlier, wrote a letter to Brig. General Quincy A. Gilmore, pleading for protection from the incursions of the Confederates. Gilmore was division commander of  the Army of Kentucky under Major General Gordon Granger.

Owingsville Jan 30th 1863

Brigadier Genl Gilmore

                    Sir 

                        Although a perfect stranger to you I take the Liberty of addressing a few lines to you to let you know the the fix (sic) the Union Men are in in this Section of Country. Day before yesterday there was a Party of a bout (sic) 150 come to the Neighborhood of Mudlick Springs and surrounded the House of a good and true Union man Mr Jenkins (and suppose you there are not many of that kind here but what there is have to suffer many inconveniences) knocked at his Door and as he opened it shot him down and Thomas Greenwade one of the most notorious characters run up to him and stabbed him through his heart in the presence of his family. There was his Son and another Gentleman in the house they shot his son twice one shot going through his Neck and the Other through his Arm near the Shoulder breaking his Arm all to pieces. Mr Yarber attempted to get out of the Way by running they shot him and as soon as he fell they stabbed him to the heart his Son was not dead last Night but it was said to be impossible for him to live. They chased a Union Man living near the town who made his escape only by outriding them and swimming Slate Creek who came to town and let the Union Men know so as to get out of the way which they did and some of the Rebels here gave them notice that they were all gone which prevented them from coming to town. 

It is the case constantly now that the good Union Men by these I mean those that have used the last exertion to crush the Rebellion in any way have to have their homes every Week to keep out of the way of them and indeed I do not consider that the loyal Females are at all safe under such circumstances. We have the worst set of Rebels here I know there has been a good many Arrests made and nearly every Man sent back Although they have been in the Confederate Army and are now entertaining Squads of Rebels as they pass in from the Army. 

On the 18th of October they surrounded the house where my Husband had staid all Night and Murdered him in the most Brutal and cruel Manner. He had been absent from home 8 Weeks with a good many neighbors who returned on the 16 of Oct and the Evening after he returned he went to Licking for the purpose of establishing a Camp to recruit Men to defend this Section and on his way home staid all night with a friend and before 7 oclock in the Morning he was Murdered by a Detachment of Camerons Cavalry under Command of Col Triggs. They were camped at Tictown a distance of 20 Miles from here when the Union Men came from Maysville but they knew nothing of it. - and the Rebel Citizens here sent for them to come writing to Triggs as he said that there had 400 Men come under the Command of my lamented Husband Maj Sudduth that they were well armed and he could get them all and their Arms. I think if some of the Citizens here were made to suffer we could be more quiet and live in some peace. They were so eager for my Husband that they detached a Company to go out on Licking for him but he had left there before they arrived and they followed on and another Party went out of town and met at the House. He was informed by a little boy of the House that there were some Soldiers coming but not knowing there were any Rebels in the County he went out of the house expecting to see some of his own Men. Seeing he was completely overpowered he surrendered to them when one fired and broke his leg all to pieces & at the same Moment another fired and struck his hip inflicting a terrible wound and then a third fired but the ball missed him. In that condition he raised to his Elbow and Shot the Man who broke his leg killing him just as he was in the act of shooting him again. Then a fellow named Jardus caught him by the Throat and choked him till Miller put a Pistol to his head and shot him Threatening to shoot the Ladies about the house if they interfered. You therefore see what I have had to suffer from them. 

Maj Sudduth was an uncompromising Union Man and has done many things in his power to keep the Rebels out of this part of the State. He went as a private with Genl Nelson and Col Cranor & Letcher to Piketon and Middle Creek guiding the Armies through the Mountains bearing his own expenses and receiving no pay from the Government. There is a Man in our town who said that the Rebels would hurt no one here but Maj. Sudduth and he would have to die or be taken Prisoner, this can be proven by two respectable Gentlemen, would it not be sufficient to have him arrested for and sent off. Jenkins was a poor Man and has left a large family. It seems hard that the loyal people should suffer so much and the Rebels permitted to return to and from the Confederate Army at leisure and boast that there will be nothing done with them. Cant you do something for us in the way of sending us some troops to clean out the Mountains. 

Greenwade says there are several men in Owingsville he intends to kill, and sent the Sheriff and if he attempted to ride East of Owingsville he would kill him. Genl Granger offered $1000 for the Murderers of Maj Sudduth and Jenkins was very vigilant intending to get them if it was possible for which he has lost his life. An answer to this will be most kindly received hoping that you will remove some of the Rebels from among us.

Hoping to hear from you soon I am most

Respectfully your Friend

Mary E. Sudduth

Refer you to Col. Warren who knows my

Husband and myself.

Mary Ellen Sudduth letter to Gen. Gilmore

Unfortunately, on February 1, 1863, the Confederates returned to Bath County and  descended upon Owingsville with a force of 250 men.  John Miller, the Jailer of Bath county, was barely able to escape and fled to Mt. Sterling. He then went to Lexington and gave an account of the incident to the local newspaper.

HUMPHREY MARSAHLL'S DOINGS IN NORTH-EASTERN KENTUCKY.—We have stated heretofore that several of the counties of Northeastern Kentucky were overrun by rebel guerillas. Mr. John Miller, the Jailer of Bath county, Ky., arrived in Lexington on Friday. He informs the Observer and Reporter that great trouble and suffering exists in Owingsville and vicinity, owing to the depredations which in the last week or so have been perpetrated by Humphrey Marshall's command. Their camp is but twenty-one miles from Owingsville, in the mountains, and whenever their necessities require it, they make a descent upon the town and vicinity—supply themselves with such articles as they want, so far as they can be found, and return. Mr. Miller states that about two hundred and fifty of these men entered Owingsville at a late hour on Sunday night, the 1st inst., stripped two boot and shoe stores completely—even taking baby shoes—then entered a dry goods house, from which they took all the cotton cloth, women's shoes, and other articles. They then gathered all the quilts in the neighborhood and all the sacks that could be found for the purpose of carrying off their plunder. They also took about one hundred of the best horses in the vicinity. 

These bands are growing worse and more savage in their deportment daily; and it is now almost impossible for a Union man to live in Owingsville or vicinity. About the first of last week they murdered three men, two by the name of Jenkins—father and son —and a paroled soldier of the Second Ohio regiment by the name of Yarber. After shooting these men, to make sure of their death they stabbed them through the body with bowie knives. 

Nearly all the Union men of Owingsville have had to fly for safety. Mr. Miller left himself, barefooted, with others, on a cold night, in the same condition, and in consequence had his feet frosted. He left a number of the refugees at Mount Sterling. The guerillas had a few days since a son of Colonel Sudduth who was recently brutally murdered, as a captive, but luckily he made his escape. Mr. Gill, the proprietor of the Olympian Springs, had to fly for his life. 

The robberies perpetrated by the guerillas so far have been confined to Union men. He thinks if a small force could be sent to Olympian Springs these marauders could be checked or kept back in their mountain passes. So many men have joined the army from that section of the country that there are not now enough left to form a Home Guard that would be of any service. 

Continued Reading

The Life and Death of James L. Sudduth

Researched, compiled and written by Marlitta H. Perkins, January 2022. This specific article is under full copyright. Copyright © 2022, All Rights Reserved.