Dr. William Smith Kouns - "Rank Rebel Now and Forever"

When the Civil War broke out, an overwhelming number of Greenup County men rallied around the Union flag.  On October 24, 1861, a Union recruiting camp, named Camp Swigert, was established just east of Greenupsburg, near Fulton Landing.  It was estimated that at least 800 Greenup County men joined the Union Army during the war. However, there was a small but vocal faction in Greenup who supported the Southern Confederacy. Most of these men were mere sympathizers who provided means and support to further their cause, but a small number actually served in the Confederate Army. In 1864, Judge Seaton stated in report to John Boyle, Adjutant General of Kentucky, that a total of 23 men from Greenup had joined the rebellion. Among these 23 was Dr. William S. Kouns.

William Smith Kouns was born on July 26, 1817, in Greenup County, Kentucky. He was the son of John C. Kouns and Elizabeth Betsy Smith. During the War of 1812, his father served as Major in the First Kentucky Infantry and was General Andrew Jackson's escort at New Orleans.  John C. Kouns was a man of prominence in Greenup.  In 1822, he was granted a tavern license for his home on Water Street (now Waterfront Street). In all likelihood this was the Kouns-Womack House. It still survives and is located at 602 Waterfront Street. It was here where William S. Kouns grew up and reached adulthood.

Kouns-Womack House

Image National Register of Historic Places

In 1827, Major Kouns moved his tavern business from his home and built the Kouns House in Greenup which stood west of the Waterfront Street district in the immediate vicinity of the steamboat landing. It soon became a well-known tavern and hostelry that welcomed steamboat travelers.

 

Ceredo Crescent, Aug. 7, 1858

The Kouns House also served as a meeting place for politicians and lawyers who came by river to Greenup during the session of the circuit court. Much of the community’s social life was centered around the Kouns House. Citizens attended banquets and dances and, until 1867, Masonic balls were hosted here. After being in business for close to 150 years, the building was finally torn down in the 1970s.

Image from Greenup Women's Club:  
"Come With Us and Re-Discover Historic, Old Greenup, Kentucky"
Courtesy Bill Hughes, Greenup County Library

In 1845, Kouns and his wife donated the parcel of land where the Methodist Episcopal Church, South was built.

Ever the businessman, John C. Kouns became involved in the iron industry, together with his brother Jacob. In 1834, the Kouns brothers built Oakland Furnace, a stone stacked charcoal furnace, with air blast machinery powered by steam. It was located on Chadwicks Creek, two miles west of US 23 at KY Rt. 538, in present-day Boyd County, Kentucky.  In 1838, Oakland Furnace produced 600 tons of iron which was shipped in pigs by river boat. Oakland Furnace stopped production by 1849.

In 1857, the Kouns-Winn family owned the franchise of a steam ferry that operated between Greenupsburg and Haverhill, Ohio, with Major Kouns and Joshua Oakers as ferry keepers.

Major Kouns was also a slave holder. He resisted to free them until the very last days of slavery - four adults and three children - when federal law effectively forced slave holders to emancipate their slaves on December 6, 1865.

Aside from his business interests, Major Kouns held various public offices. From 1828-1831, and again from 1850-1857, John C. Kouns represented Greenup County in the Kentucky State Legislature. From 1836 to 1837, he served as Greenup County Sheriff.

Given his family’s background and prominent standing in the community, William S. Kouns grew up in rather favored circumstances. His parents had the means to provide their children with a good education. It can be reasonably assumed that he and his siblings received their basic education at Greenup Classical Academy which was located only a few blocks from their home, at the corner of Harrison & Perry in Greenupsburg. Kouns subsequently attended Louisville Medical Institute from where he graduated in 1841.  

Illinois State Journal, Oct. 8, 1841

A catalogue of the graduates of the Louisville Medical Institute and Medical Department of the University of Louisville from 1838 to 1853

After his graduation, Kouns married Caroline A. VanBibber on October 21, 1841 and settled in Greenupsburg. In 1847, the Kentucky State Register listed Dr. William S. Kouns as one of three physicians in town. 

In order to accommodate his growing family, Dr. Kouns built a house on Laurel Street in 1856. The weather-boarded residence which is still in existence, is especially notable for its octagonal shape. It is thought that Dr. Kouns' idea to built an octagonal house may have been inspired by Orson S. Fowler's “A House for All or the Gravel Wall and the Octagonal Mode of Building”, published first in 1848. This type of home was advertised as being more healthful for its inhabitants through opportunities for increased sunlight and ventilation. Such attributes may have appealed to Dr. Kouns.

Dr. William Kouns House

Shortly before the beginning of the Civil War, Kentucky reorganized the Commonwealth’s militia. In 1860 and early 1861, officers were appointed and a variety of units were organized across Kentucky. In January of 1861, Dr. William S. Kouns answered the call and began raising members for a state guard company. By January 24th, 32 volunteers had signed up.  By February 5th, Kouns’ company had grown to 42 members. The goal was to organize officially on February 22, 1861, however, the company was not commissioned until March 16, 1861.  Kouns was elected Captain, and his officers were James L. Warring, 1st Lieutenant; J. Henry Blake, 2nd Lieutenant; and John P. Twyford, Brevet 2nd Lieutenant.

The next step was to obtain arms for the company. Discussing his plans with Wm. C. Ireland and Kentucky state senator Henry M. Rust, Kouns implored both men to seek the governor’s assistance.

“We want 50 of the latest and best Rifles of the longest range, “he wrote, “and one six or eight or twelve pounder cannon.”  

He pointed out that, “a combination of Rifles and Artillery is what our company prefer … all are oppossed to Muskats and old US Rifles.” 

Kouns strongly felt that a well-armed company was necessary, “to put us at an Equal footing with any enemy that may oppose us, “and to protect Greenupsburg, the county seat, and its records." 

He was also of the opinion that if the Ohio River was to become the boundary line during the war, "it may be necessary to fend off bands of Robbers and other lawless gangs from either side of the river for we will not be secure from the hungry furnace hands that will be thrown out of employment in the iron region.”

As the war progressed, it became apparent that the majority of Kentucky’s state guard companies were aligning themselves with the South. It did not take long before members of Kouns’ company became aware of their captain’s southern sympathies - a view that was not shared by all. On May 7, 1861, 2nd Lieutenant J. Henry Blake noted, 

“He has made himself obnoxious by his Secession advocacy defending it above board & openly & then again his character has Never been fair & without reproach.  The facts are these, had he one Spark of Manliness about him he would resign a position, that can Never prove Satisfactory pleasant or profitable again.” 

He added, “I make this statement not to reflect upon Dr Kouns as he is a Bro Mason - only to organize for our defence a Company that will do some good  feeling confident the Doctors Never Will - I want a Co too of good Sound true Union Men that Wont flinch when the day of trial comes… Im Satisfied An Underhand game is being played with our Company to bind Myself with a Secesionparty in Any way. I firmly will oppose it Even to the Sacrifice of My life. I wish to serve My Country in Any Capacity if found Worthy & only My Country. No other flag will I fight Under …”

Blake, whose father John Blake was the former owner of Hecla Furnace in Lawrence County, Ohio,  subsequently resigned and served as 1st Lieutenant in the newly formed Greenup County Home Guard company commanded by Captain Louis D. Rose.

It was not until June 6, 1861, when Kouns’ men finally received a shipment of 60 muskets. On August 3, it was noted that the Greenup State Guards, “had an unusual large number of their members in Greenupsburg drilling and nearly all of them left their muskets in the Captains Store.” 

Three weeks after the final statewide elections in which Unionists won control of the state legislature, Kouns’ State Guard company went into camp on James L. Waring’s farm which was situated along the Ohio River, below Little Sandy River. From August 26 to August 30, 1861, the men drilled and received instructions such as the use of firearms. 

On September 2, 1861, the former Southern Rights Party, now styled the Peace Party, held a “mass meeting” in Greenupsburg during court days. The meeting took place in the court house and was chaired by Dr. Kouns’ father. The objective was to elect delegates for an upcoming convention. However, it may have also been a last attempt to sway public opinion in favor of Secession as well as an opportunity to sign up potential recruits for Confederate service.

Just two days later, on September 4, 1861, Maj. Gen. Leonidas Polk ordered a Confederate invasion of Columbus, Kentucky which violated the state’s neutrality status and therefore, sealed the fate of Kentucky's future. In response, Union troops seized Paducah and Smithland. On September 7, 1861, the Kentucky Legislature voted 77 - 20 to hoist the US flag over the Capitol. On September 18, 1861, Kentucky’s neutrality officially ended when the State Legislature passed an act to create a military force in Kentucky.  Almost simultaneously, a Confederate recruiting camp was established on the May farm, just north of Prestonsburg in Floyd County, Kentucky, which would soon draw thousands of potential recruits from all parts of Kentucky.

For Secessionists the writing was on the wall - the time to act was now.  During the night of September 29, 1861, a group of "some 25 men" reportedly assembled "clandestinely” in the vicinity of Greenupsburg.  By all indications these were mostly members of Kouns’ State Guard company. A plan was forged to proceed to Grayson, Carter County, for the purpose of seizing the arms of the local Home Guards and then making off to the Confederate camp at Prestonsburg. The intended place of rendezvous was Landsdowne Hall, which was situated about one mile west of Grayson. The owner, Dr. Andrew Jackson Landsdowne, was described as “a leading disunion spirit” who aided the South by providing food and shelter to prospective recruits for the Confederate Army who were on their way to Prestonsburg.

Before departing Greenup, Kouns addressed a letter to Governor Beriah Magoffin, handing in his resignation as State Guard Captain.

Greenupsburgh Ky

Sept 30/ 61

Hon Baria Magoffin

Gov: of the State of Ky

Sir the Company of the State Guards that I had had the Honor to Command has been reduced to but (17) seventeen Members some have Vol: in the Federal Army & Some have gone to parts unknown. I have Caused the Arms to be given up to the County Judges for safe keeping. I now ask to resign My Comission in Said Company & the Company to be disbanded

W. S. Kouns

However, the best laid plans often go awry. While Kouns’ group was making their way from Greenup to Grayson on September 30, 1861, they were promptly spotted by some local citizens who sent for help. Colonel Sebastian Eifort, commander of the Carter County Home Guards, received timely information of their designs and deemed the evidence sufficient for active measures. Captain McGuire’s company was called out and assembled in arms. Additionally, Eifort sent word to Captain William C. Stewart of the Jefferson Home Guards in Lewis County, asking for relief. It was not long before Stewart was on hand, “with a band of devoted men.”

McGuire’s and Stewart’s companies proceeded to Landsdowne Hall where Kouns’ men had arrived earlier and were now partaking of dinner. Soon the house was surrounded and during the ensuing fight, two men were killed, one wounded, four escaped and the rest were captured. The majority of the prisoners were citizens of Greenup County. Daniel Martin, who was severely wounded in the neck and, believing that he was in a dying condition, confessed that his party were on their way to a secession camp at Prestonsburg under command of John S. Williams …”further, that a plan had been agreed upon by the secessionists in the eastern part of the State, including the counties of Mason, Fleming,  Lewis, Bath, Rowan, Greenup, Carter, Boyd, and others, to assemble near Prestonburg, organize and drill, to be met there by reinforcements from Virginia, and move with a large force to seize Maysville.”

Cincinnati Daily Press, Oct. 4, 1861

It may be noted, that at least three of the men who were present at Landsdowne’s that night - Benjamin J. McComas, William A. Womack and John McCoy - had attended the Greenup County peace party meeting on September 2, 1861. Unlike Womack and McCoy, who were captured, McComas escaped and joined the Confederate Army at Prestonsburg.

The incident caused a panic among Union citizens along the Ohio River. When word of the affair reached Maysville, William H. Wadsworth rallied 1000 men who were ready to embark on a steamboat when word reached them that relief was not needed. At Greenup it was reported, that, "a secession army had taken possession of Grayson on that morning...and that they were marching for the Ohio river, "in force" - supposed to be bound for Ashland or Greenupsburg...to seize arms, steal horses &tc &tc and arrest and carry off prominent Union men." About 200 Home Guard & Union men assembled in Greenupsburg, put out pickets and took Kouns’ State Guard Guns which were still located in his store and distributed them.

Just like Benjamin J. McComas, Kouns managed to evade capture and, according to plan, made his way to Prestonsburg. He enlisted in Co. E, 5th KY Mounted Infantry as 1st Lieutenant and was sworn into the Confederate service on October 24, 1861.

Compiled Service Records, 5th KY Mounted Infantry (CS)

William S. Kouns participated in the Battle at Ivy Mountain on November 8, 1861, during which Senator Henry M. Rust was mortally wounded. After the battle, Kouns followed Colonel John S. Williams’ troops into Virginia where he remained until the beginning of December 1861. “I was then with the Confederate army,” Kouns stated, “left it since and returned home under the proclamation of General Nelson.” 

Kouns’ return to Greenupsburg on December 5, 1861, did not go unnoticed. A Union soldier at Camp Swigert noted, “The camp has been somewhat in a fever today, occasioned by the above circumstances connected with the sudden return of a notorious secession lieutenant (Dr. Kouns), who left this county some months ago to join the rebel army.” Kouns was immediately taken into custody but soon released upon taking the oath of allegiance. 

Two weeks later, about December 19, 1861, Col. Lindsey of the 22^nd Kentucky Infantry ordered Kouns to be arrested and brought into camp. According to the charges, Kouns, “was connected with a nefarious scheme to take possession of some State Guard guns and ship them south some time ago.” Kouns remained under arrest until December 22, 1861, when he was sent under guard by steamboat down the Ohio River to Louisville, “where, doubtless, he will have fair justice meeted out to him...”

Dr. Kouns’ incarceration did not last very long - by February 6, 1862, he had returned home to Greenupsburg, and was giving a deposition in William C. Ireland’s office in regard to Judge William, H. “Harry” Burns, judge of the 11th District. His statement was to be used before the General Assembly of Kentucky, in a proceeding to remove Burns from office for disloyalty. Kouns acknowledged that he knew Burns and that he, “never saw him in the Confederate army until after the fight at West Liberty and that at Ivy Mountain. After that I saw him in the Confederate army. He was acting as quartermaster, doing such business as pertains to that office, and I suppose that he held the office, though he was called Judge Burns, and not by military title. I first saw him, as stated, in Virginia with the army, and afterwards I traveled with him in the Confederate army, he acting in the capacity I have stated.”

Thereafter, for all intent and purposes, Dr. William Kouns’ direct involvement in military matters during the Civil War seemed to have ended. However, his political views remained unchanged. When Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation became effective on January 1, 1863, it caused a great deal of indignation among Kentuckians. In an attempt to take advantage of the situation, a movement was soon underway to reorganize the secession party of Kentucky under the name of Democracy. It basically continued the same tactics the Peace Party pursued during late summer of 1861. Highly critical of President Lincoln’s policies, it sought to overturn Union majorities. A state convention, which was not supported by the Democratic Legislature of Kentucky, was called for, to be held on February 18, 1863, at Frankfort for the purpose of, "preparing the Kentucky Mind for revolt against the Union."

Various meetings were held throughout the state in order to elect delegates for the upcoming convention. The Democracy of Greenup held their meeting on February 14, 1863, at the county courthouse, presided over by Judge James Bryan.  Dr. William S. Kouns as well as his father Major John C. Kouns were among the attendees who were subsequently appointed as delegates to represent Greenup County. 

Four days later, the convention assembled in Frankfort at the Metropolitan Hall, having been refused the use of the legislative hall. Soon a federal force under command of Colonel Samuel A. Gilbert, 44th OVI, appeared and surrounded the building. Gilbert then read Military Order No. 3, to the effect that information had been received that a large number of rebel spies and emissaries were present. Names were taken, further business arrested, and the convention dispersed.   

On February 22, 1864, Greenup County Judge John Seaton noted that Kouns, “was a Capt. of a Company State Guards before he left - was Rebel capt. or officer a short time - under bonds in Covington and a rank rebel now & forever.”

Nothing further was seen or heard from Dr. Kouns for the remainder of the Civil War. By all appearances, he had turned, once more, to more ordinary pursuits. The U.S. IRS Tax Assessment Lists from 1864 to 1866 show that he was operating a drugstore. It was situated in a frame building on Harrison Street, next to the bank, across the street from the county clerk’s office and courthouse in Greenupsburg.  

1864 IRS Tax Assessment List, Kentucky, Div. 20, Dist. 4

In 1870, a meeting was held in the Greenupsburg Methodist church, addressing the evils of dancing and playing cards. As a result, Dr. William S. Kouns and family withdrew their membership. They converted to Catholicism and built an altar in their home, where a priest from Ironton, Ohio, was holding services for the family. On December 16, 1888, Dr. William S. Kouns passed away in his 71st year. His remains were interred at Riverview Cemetery in Greenup, Kentucky. 

 

Researched, transcribed and written by Marlitta H. Perkins, September/October 2022. Copyright © 2022, All Rights Reserved.

A Peace Party Meeting at Greenupsburg, September 2, 1861

In 1861, three special elections took place in which the people of Kentucky voted overwhelmingly against a Convention, against Secession, against a dissolution of the Union. Even when the Southern Rights party embraced "Union and neutrality" as their new stance in order to garner support before the last election on August 5, 1861, they were decisively rejected by the voters who elected a large majority of Union men to her legislature, taking control of both the house and the senate. 

In the days following, the Secessionists under the guise of "Southern Peace Party" made a last ditch effort to turn the tide and induce Kentuckians to join their cause by stirring up anti-government and anti-Lincoln sentiment and raising the specter of  war on Kentucky soil. 

"They have appealed to the ballot-box three several times, directly in the Congressional elections, and still more directly in the State elections just passed, and they have been overwhelmingly beaten; Do they now acquiesce and agree to abide the decision of Kentucky? No elections are on hand; no further appeal to the ballot box can be made for two years to come, and yet we have a renewed agitation - barbeques, pic-nics, and the most inflammatory appeals to the people, and daily threats of war." 

According to Unionists, these public peace meetings were designed to "inflame the public mind with violent harrangues," scaring people with "LINCOLN's Congress, LINCOLN's war, LINCOLN's tyranny." However, the public was not fooled. "They had just as well accept the truth, that they can't scare anybody ... they pretend to be afraid of what they call Lincoln's troops - Kentuckians, who have as much interest in this State as they have, and equal rights with them, and no purpose to disturb them, if they only obey the law and behave themselves."    

"We are tired of this profession of neutrality, whilst giving reasons for revolution. To make Secession speeches, and publish Secession arguments, and then profess to be for peace and neutrality, is disreputable."

"They may change names as often as they please, but they are the same party - Southern Rights Peace party, or Secesssion party, it is all the same; they are for resisting the Federal Government and plunging into rebellion, no matter how."

"...a party that labored to induce Kentucky to secede, and invite war upon her own soil, and then cried out for peace...accompanied with a threat to resist law. Take off the mask, and be what you really are, and what you aim to make Kentucky - a rebel against the Federal Government."

One such peace party meeting took place during court days in Greenupsburg, on September 2, 1861 - two days before Confederate troops invaded Kentucky and occupied Columbus, violating the state's neutrality. In response, Union troops captured Paducah and Smithland. These events sealed the fate of secessionists in the state and brought Kentucky firmly into the fold of the Union.  On September 18, 1861, the Kentucky Legislature formally declared an end to neutrality and passed an act to create a military force in Kentucky. This prompted Secessionist lawmakers to leave Frankfort four days later. On September 25, 1861, a second act was passed, calling for 40,000 troops for 3 year service. Union enlistments began at once and within a month, 20,000 men were enrolled. Before the end of 1861, the call had been met.

Meanwhile, by mid-September 1861, the Confederates had established a recruiting camp on the May farm, just north of Prestonsburg, in Floyd County, Kentucky.

Following the Greenupsburg peace party meeting, the following members joined the Confederate Army

John P. Twyford, 4th KY Mounted Infantry, Corporal, enl. Sept. 14, 1861

Benjamin J. McComas, 5th Kentucky Mounted Infantry, 2nd Lieutenant, enl. Oct. 20, 1861

Joseph Martin, 5th Kentucky Mounted Infantry, Private, enl. Nov. 11, 1861

At least three members, Benjamin J. McComas, William A. Womack and John McCoy, were involved in a plan to seize the weapons of the Grayson Home Guards in Carter County, on September 30, 1861. This led to a skirmish at Landsdowne Hall in which Womack and McCoy were captured. McComas escaped and joined the Confederate Army at Prestonsburg.