At the beginning of October 1861, General William "Bull" Nelson began assembling troops at the newly established Camp Kenton in Mason County, near Maysville, Kentucky. His objective was to move against the Confederates who were assembling in a camp near Prestonsburg, Floyd County, Kentucky. Nelson left Camp Kenton on October 16, 1861, to join up with additional troops and consolidate his force at Olympian Springs. Accompanying Nelson was the 33rd OVI from Portsmouth, Ohio, commanded by Colonel Joshua W. Sill.
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| Colonel Joshua W. Sill, 33d OVI |
The following letter was published in the Cincinnati Daily Commercial, October 21, 1861.
FROM THE THIRTY-THIRD OHIO REGIMENT.
How Well the Ohio Soldiers are Received by the Union Men of Kentucky.
Flemingsburg, KY., Oct. 17, 1861.
EDS. COM.: - We left the Fair Ground where we had been since Monday night, near Maysville, yesterday at 3 P. M. , and arrived here at 8; and such a welcome awaited us as no soldiers ever had before. God bless the people of Flemingsburg! The whole town turned out to greet us - houses illuminated, handkerchiefs waving, voices cheering - a perfect ovation. The ladies prepared a supper for us with their own fair hands, and waited on us in every possible way to make us comfortable and glad. We not only had the substantials in the way of eatables, but delicacies of every kind - fruit, sweetmeats, cakes, &c.
Talk about Union people in Ohio, the Kentuckians beat us all. We have seen nothing like this since we have been in the service, and many of us are three months men, re-enlisted, and have been on duty in Virginia, Eastern and Western.
No wonder "Secesh" wanted to hold such a State, and no wonder that we have resolved at any cost to sustain such a loyal and generous people.
In the morning we received the same care and attention. The ladies vied with each other in bestowing upon us their smiles, and what some of us perhaps liked equally well their hot coffee, rolls, beefsteaks, broiled and friend chicken, &c., &.
Wasn't this some for soldiers? Who wouldn't enlist to defend such homes as these? This is much nicer of a town than I had supposed; has an air of comfort as well as business; and the country hence to Maysville is certainly the finest I have yet seen. I tell you it was a nice sight to see those beautiful ladies going to and fro like ministering angels, as they are - mothers and daughters - even the children - with their refreshments to our jaded boys. One such welcome and scene as this, will repay countless privations that may await us. Every door was thrown open to us; every hand was open to receive and welcome us. Can such a people perish? Never, never!
We leave for Mt. Sterling in a few moments; our gallant Col. Sill having just received orders to march there instead of "Olympian Springs," as we had supposed. We leave behind us here four of our men sick; they will be in good hands.
If anything of special interest turns up, I will try in my feeble way to advise you.
It has been raining in torrents all the morning, and still continues.
33d SCRIBE.
Before their departure from Flemingsburg, the 33rd OVI addressed the citizens of Flemingsburg and vicinity, thanking them for the hospitality shown to them. It was published in the Fleming Star and re-printed in the Louisville Courier Journal, October 31, 1861.
(From the Fleming Star).
TO THE CITIZENS OF FLEMINGSBURG AND VICINITY.
The undersigned officers of the Thirty-third Regiment Ohio Volunteers United States Army, take this means of expressing their heartfelt thanks to you for the warm and enthusiastic reception that the regiment has met at your hands. They have often heard of the hospitality and loyalty of Kentucky; but war had wrought such changes amongst our countrymen that it was feared that the first march of a regiment of Ohioans would be viewed with distrust by her citizens. But our reception last evening, and the substantial cheer our soldiers received at the hands of your fair ladies, have dissipated all such fears, and we now feel that we are fighting not only for a great principle, but by the side of those who properly appreciate our motives, and who will not let us suffer for sympathy. A heart-warm adieu!
(Signed) J. W. SILL. Col. 33d O. V.
O. F. MOORE, Lieut. Col.
J. V. ROBINSON, Jr. Maj.
E. E. COLBURN, Qr. Master
J. M. KENDRICK, Adj.
J. D. MUBRY }
A. J. PHELPS } Med. Staff
October 17, 1861
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| Counties of Mason, Fleming, Bath and Montgomery Lloyd's Official Map of Kentucky, 1862 Library of Congress |
Additional Sources
33rd Ohio Infantry, Ohio in the Civil War, compiled by Larry Stevens
For a detailed look at General William "Bull" Nelson's 1861 Eastern Kentucky Campaign
The Most Brilliant Little Victory, by Marlitta H. Perkins (epub)
The Most Brilliant Little Victory, by Marlitta H. Perkins (print)
Transcribed by Marlitta H. Perkins, December 2021.
Marlitta H. Perkins © 2021. All Rights Reserved