Colonel Roy S. Cluke and the Arrests of Dr. Joshua Barnes & George W. Deatley

The Civil War had a profound effect on the lives of civilians who resided in areas of conflict and were often caught between the contending armies. In the countryside, soldiers destroyed and appropriated property, seized food, or burned fences. In towns, private homes, schools, churches, and court houses were appropriated for military use. These difficult circumstances kept the population on constant alert. Civilians were also subject to arrest by the military, sometimes on the suspicion of being a spy or other clandestine activities, but also for political reasons. 

One such arrest was reported in the Louisville Courier-Journal on March 24, 1863.  It noted the arrest of Dr. Joshua Barnes of Bath County, Kentucky, by rebels under the command of Colonel Roy S. Cluke, 8th Kentucky Cavalry (CSA).

Dr. Joshua Barnes, born about 1804 in Kentucky, was the son of Joseph Barnes and Phoebe Stockton. The family moved to Bath County in the early 1820s and settled in Sharpsburg. Joshua Barnes was a physician by trade. In 1850, he owned seventeen enslaved persons. By 1860, the number had increased to twenty-six. In 1862, Barnes was elected on the Union ticket to fill the place of Van Buren Young in the Kentucky House of Representatives and was sworn into office on August 16, 1862. 

In February of 1863, Colonel Roy S. Cluke embarked on a raid through Kentucky with 750 men and horses from Murfreesboro, Tennessee. His activities kept Union authorities scrambling for more than six weeks. Despite being vigorously chased, Cluke managed to outrun and outflank his pursuers until he left the state at the end of March 1863.

On February 18, 1863, Cluke's forces arrived at the banks of the Cumberland River. From there, he made his way to Somerset, Mount Vernon, and Richmond. On February 22, 1863, Cluke's force passed through Winchester, where he divided his command. Lt. Colonel Robert Stoner, 9th Kentucky Cavalry, CSA, was ordered to Mt. Sterling. Thus began a cat and mouse game between Cluke and the Federal forces in the course of which Mt. Sterling changed hands several times. 

Source: "Confederate Veteran Association of Kentucky"
Fifth Edition, Lexington, 1895, page 62

On February 23, 1863, part of the 14th Kentucky Cavalry, under Major R. T. Williams, was at Mt. Sterling, numbering only one hundred and seventy-five effective men, the rest of the battalion being off on a scout in Rowan county. Hearing about the approach of Confederate forces, Major Williams started with his scanty command toward Winchester until he learned the superior force of the enemy and that they had two pieces of cannon. He fell back to a strong position and posted his men for a fight. Before sunset, Major Williams received orders from Lexington to fall back to Paris and destroy all the stores he could not carry with him. Tents and camp equipage were packed in haste and the column started, most of the commissary stored having been distributed among the citizens. A very small amount of Quartermaster's stores were burned. When the Major had gone about two miles the rebels came up and attacked his train, capturing twelve or fifteen of the wagons and teams.  

Stoner's men subsequently occupied Mt. Sterling. By the following day, Cluke's entire command was concentrated in town. The men were busying themselves collecting horses, equipment and food. The Confederates remained for one day and left on the morning of February 25, 1863, having received word that a brigade under the command of Colonel Benjamin P. Runkle was moving their way.  

Cluke may have left Mount Sterling but he had no intentions of leaving the area. He had taken up a strong position on Slate Creek, abt. 13 miles from Mt. Sterling. On February 26, Runkle moved on Cluke with cavalry, infantry and artillery, but hearing of the Federals' approach, Cluke vacated his position and retreated up the east fork of Slate Creek towards Owingsville.

Runkle was fully prepared to pursue Cluke to Owingsville. However, upon his return to Mt. Sterling, he found that he had received orders to move his force immediately to Lexington. Runkle noted, "I did not believe this order to be genuine, and, being informed that the couriers were suspicious personages, and unable to give an intelligible account of themselves, I believed it to be a Morganish trick; but knowing the penalty of disobeying a genuine order, I did, to the regret of my whole command, obey, and moved toward Paris.  I did this because Paris was the nearest telegraphic point, and but 5 miles out of the way. At Paris I could settle the genuineness of the order." 

No sooner had Runkle's brigade departed Mt. Sterling on February 26, 1863, when Cluke made another appearance in town. A small force of three hundred and fifty Union soldiers had been left behind as garrison. Fifty of them were captured, together with all their commissary stores, arms, etc. This time, Cluke and his command were able to remain in town quite unmolested for several days while Runkle was off searching for rebels near Winchester.

At sunrise on the 2nd of March, 1863, Runkle's brigade once again moved toward Mt. Sterling. Around 10 o'clock, they encountered Cluke's pickets which were posted about 3 miles outside the city limits. 200 rebels were still in town.  Runkle's men drove the pickets through the middle of Mt. Sterling and then went in hot pursuit of the fleeing Confederates.

By all appearances it looked like Cluke decided to make a stand in the vicinity of Howard's Mills, roughly seven miles from Mt. Sterling. Colonel Runkle advanced to attack. "I discovered on my nearer approach that they had no intention of fighting, and that to cross the creek would only be to weary my horses, some of which were utterly used up. I therefore ordered Captain Marsh to open upon them with shell. Upon his getting the range and dropping a shell in their ranks, they immediately retired."

At this point, Cluke was heading with his force into Bath County on the road leading to the Olympian Springs. Union authorities suspected that Cluke's destination was Hazel Green. However, on March 7, a large rebel force was reported near Owingsville. General Q. A. Gillmore noted "to account for any rebel force in Bath is that Cluke did not go out via Hazle Green, but has been perdu in the hills for some days." 

At least part of Cluke's men had gone to Hazel Green where they had a brush with Federal forces from Irvine on March 9, 1863. The remainder of Cluke's command were encamped at Ficklin's tan yard which was located on the main road from Mt. Sterling to Olympian Springs near Peeled Oak in Bath County.

It was during this time, that elements of Cluke's force made their way to Sharpsburg and arrested Dr. Joshua Barnes on March 13, 1863. Also taken prisoner that day was 51 year old George W. Deatley, a farm hand, who boarded with the family of Alvin Stephens. By March 14, 1863, most of Cluke's command was concentrated at Hazel Green. Barnes later related to Dr. Peters of Lexington, that while in Cluke's camp, "he had a good deal of conversation with a very intelligent rebel soldier." On March 15, 1863, he was released on parole.

Union authorities responded in kind to the news of Barnes' and Deatley's arrests and promptly arrested two prominent men of Sharpsburg as hostages.

53 year old Sanford Allen was a wealthy merchant and banker. He formerly served as Postmaster of Sharpsburg, from 1834 to 1837. Allen was also involved in land speculation in Iowa between 1854 and 1859. Additionally, he owned real estate in Wisconsin. In 1860, he was listed as a slave holder and owned 12 enslaved persons. Allen was arrested on March 16, 1863, and reported at the Provost Marshal's Office at Mt. Sterling on March 20, 1863.

Provost Marshals Office

Mt. Sterling Ky March 20th 1863

I Sanford Allen of Bath County Kentucky being one of the Persons arrested by the United States forces on the 16th instant as hostage for Joshua Barnes of Bath County Ky, do hereby solemnly swear that I will not take up arms against the United States Government, that I will not aid or abet the Confederate Government, or do anything prejudicial (?) to the United States Government, that in Case said Joshua Barnes is not unconditionally released on or before the 10th of May 1863 from his parole taken before Col Cluke C. S. A. on the 15th Instant, I will report myself at Camp Chase in the State of Ohio on or before the 18th of May 1863

Sanford Allen

The penalty for violating this parole is death.

Attest

Saml McKee  Capt.

+ Provost Marshal

(As an interesting side note...just two days after Captain Samuel McKee, 14th Kentucky Cavalry (US), signed Allen's parole, he, too, would find himself Cluke's prisoner when the Confederates took Mt. Sterling for the third time on March 22, 1863. It nearly cost McKee his life.)

Sanford Allen Parole

The second hostage was 75 year old George W. Stoner, the father of Lt. Colonel Robert Stoner, 9th Kentucky Cavalry (CSA), who was an active participant in Cluke's raid and had taken Mt. Sterling on Feb. 23, 1863. He was a wealthy land and slave owner who was listed with 19 enslaved persons in 1860. After his arrest, Stoner was taken to Lexington and briefly imprisoned. He was released and paroled on March 19, 1863, with instructions to report at Camp Chase in the State of Ohio, on the 15th day of May 1863.

During the Civil War both the North and South used a system of parole to deal with prisoners of war. Instead of keeping them imprisoned, captured persons were released on parole on their promise not to take up arms again, or not to take up arms until they had been exchanged for an imprisoned person on the other side. Paroled prisoners were required to report to parole camps where they remained until traded to the other side. 

In this case, both hostages were subject to report to Camp Chase unless Barnes was released unconditionally from his parole. Barnes received a letter by Cluke, releasing him from his parole, provided he would obtain the unconditional release of Sanford Allen and George W. Stoner from their paroles. Additionally, Cluke pointed out that Dr. Barnes was subject to report to his head quarters in the south, in case either Allen or Stoner should be re-arrested by the Federal forces. These conditions were unacceptable not only to the Union authorities but to all parties involved.  Meanwhile, the hostages received an extension to report at Camp Chase until June 20, 1863, in order to allow time to work the matter out with Cluke. Several communications were sent to Cluke via Allen's neighbor William Little but no progress was made. Therefore, the hostages received a second extension until July 20, 1863.

On June 22, 1863, Stoner addressed another letter to Cluke while Barnes took up the matter with General Hartsuff. 

Sharpsburg Bath Co. Ky. June 22d 1863

Col. R. S. Cluke             }

Commanding forces       }

In Morgan's Div. C.S.A. }

Col.

You will remember that when you was in Kentucky last spring, Dr. Joshua Barnes of Bath County was arrested by your Command, and paroled by you on the 15th day of March 1863  And that I was arrested by the Federal forces, and carried to Lexington, and imprisoned as hostage for the said Dr. Barnes; And on the 19th day of March 1863 I was released from prison, and paroled to report at Camp Chase in the State of Ohio, on the 15th day of May 1863, unless the said Dr. Barnes should be unconditionally released from his parole given by you on the 15th day of Mch., 1863; Subsequently you sent a communication to Dr. Barnes, releasing him from his parole, provided he would obtain the unconditional release of myself and Sanford Allen (who had also been held as hostage for him) from our paroles; In this release, however, you held Dr. Barnes subject to report to your head quarters in the south, in case I should be rearrested by the Federal forces; 

The doctor, and the Federal authorities object to the condition in his release, holding him as a hostage for me in the future; And I have no desire that he should be held responsible for me; and hope it may be compatible with your feelings and purposes to grant the said Dr. Barnes a clear release from all the conditions of his parole; only requiring that I as his hostage receive a clear release from my parole; The time set forth in my parole, and also that of Sanford Allen, to report to Camp Chase has expired, But the Federal authorities at Lexington have granted an extension of time to report, so that we may have opportunity to communicate with you, in order to obtain the Doctor's release; Thus securing our own release. We have made several (underlined) ineffectual efforts to reach your Hd. Qrs. with communications from the Federals, sent by Mr. Wm. Little; But have been disappointed thus far in all our indeavors (sic).

I merely name this to show to you the trouble we have had, and are still likely to have until Dr. Barnes is released from his parole. 

If you should receive this, I hope you will send the release without delay, by flag of truce through the lines; so that it may be forwarded to me at Mt. Sterling, or to DR. J. Barnes at Sharpsburg; The time for me to report at Camp Chase has been extended to the 20th of July 1863, Rsply &c G. W. Stoner

Written across the letter is the following" I concur in the within statement  Sanford Allen"

George W. Stoner Letter to Cluke, pages 1 & 2

Sharpsburg June 23. 1863

Genl Hartsuff

Please find enclosed the requests for Messrs. Stoner & Allen to Col Cluke in relation to my release from Parole. also the request for the release of G. W. Deadley from his Parole

which please forward and as soon as possible and on return remit to me at your earliest convenience.

I send the Parole of Mr. S. Allen which please enclude as Mr. Stoners and remit to me

There is in this County a returned Soldier from the CSA whose time expired some months since and he has been dodgeing from place to place from fear of being arrested - He wishes to Give

himself up; take the Oath and live as a Loyal citizen - can & will give Bond for his future good conduct.

Will he be permitted to do it. Please answer

Very respectfully yours

Joshua Barnes

Dr. Joshua Barnes letter to Gen. Hartsuff, pages 1 & 2

Last but not least, George W. Stoner's neighbor William Little also wrote a letter on behalf of George W. Deatley.

Col. R. S. Cluke

Comdg 7th

Dear Sir

It is desired by your friends here that You send a release to Mr. G. W. Deadley from his parole - He was, it is said, only a citizen, and is considered harmless. It is said that unless he is released, that there will be arrests made, and Citizens held as hostages for him, or his release.

He was arrested and paroled with Dr. Joshua Barnes and at the same time & place. You have nothing to loose by releasing him, and it is hoped, you will do so and send a release from him with that of Dr. J. Barnes.  Resply, Yours &c.

Wm. Little

June 22, 1863

William Little letter to Cluke

It is doubtful whether Stoner's and Little's letters ever reached Cluke. At the time they were written, Cluke was accompanying Morgan on his now famous Ohio Raid which had begun on June 11, 1863 in Sparta, Tennessee. Subsequently, Morgan as well as Cluke, were captured at Salineville, Ohio, on July 26, 1863. Cluke never made it out of prison and died of disease on January 1, 1864, at Johnson's Island, Ohio. 

It appears that the matter of parole for all involved was finally resolved. A search of Camp Chase records did not reveal the names of Stoner or Allen on any of their prison registers. 

Dr. Joshua Barnes went on to serve his constituents and the people of the Commonwealth. He was re-elected in 1863 and served until 1865. 

Cincinnati Commercial, July 8, 1863

In January of 1865, Barnes, as chairman of the House Committee, was part of a delegation appointed to go Washington to meet with President Lincoln and Secretary of War Stanton. The purpose of the meeting was to report on the deplorable conditions in the state of Kentucky and offering solutions to deal with the violence perpetrated by guerrillas. Undoubtedly, this visit also contributed to General Stephen Gano Burbridge's removal as commander of the Military District of Kentucky who was known for his reign of terror, which earned him the nickname "Butcher Burbridge."  

Researched and transcribed by Marlitta H. Perkins, March 2022. Copyright © 2022, All Rights Reserved.

The Pardon of Henry L. Stone

After the end of the Civil War, many veterans were returning home. Under the terms of surrender for the Army of Northern Virginia at Appomattox Court House on April 10, 1865, General Ulysses S. Grant stipulated that "each officer and man will be allowed to return to his home, not to be disturbed by United States authority so long as they observe their paroles and the laws in force where they may reside". 

On May 5 the parole was extended so that soldiers from the eleven Confederate states, plus West Virginia, would be allowed to return home on their paroles. This did not include Confederates who claimed homes in the District of Columbia and in States that never passed the Ordinance of Secession, such as Maryland, Kentucky and Missouri, who "have forfeited them and can only return thereto by complying with the Amnesty Proclamation of the president and obtaining special permission from the War Department."

Source: Library of Congress (link)

On May 29, 1865, Andrew Johnson issued an Amnesty Proclamation that extended to all Confederates and included the restoration of all rights of property, with the exception of slaves. The only condition required was taking of the oath of allegiance. 

However, 14 classes of persons were still excluded from the benefits of the proclamation who had to make special application to the President of the United States for pardon and were required to take the oath of allegiance. By June 5, 1866, 12,652 pardons were issued but those granted in Kentucky under Johnson's exemptions numbered only 11. This included the pardon for Henry L. Stone.

Henry L. Stone, ca. 1906

Henry Lane Stone was born in Bath County, Kentucky, on January 17, 1842, to Samuel and Sallie (Lane) Stone. His father Samuel Stone served Kentucky and its people in many capacities, including in the Kentucky state militia (1816–1846), as Bath County state representative (1824–1836), and as magistrate and then sheriff in Bath County (1823–1841). In 1851, the family removed to Indiana. Henry L. Stone attended Kentucky and Indiana public schools and later studied law. 

When the Civil War erupted, the Stone family was politically divided. Henry's mother and his two brothers Valentine H. Stone and Richard French Stone supported the Union while Samuel and Henry favored the Confederacy. In 1862, Henry L. Stone left his home in Indiana and joined the Ninth Kentucky Cavalry (CS). At the end of the war, Henry was ready to settle down and move on with his life. 

As he did not meet all the criteria for a general pardon, he made special application to President Andrew Johnson on September 26, 1865. What follows is a transcript of his application. 

Hon. Andrew Johnson

          President of the U.S.: 

                              Sir, 

                                  Being

one of that class, excepted in your proclamation of amnesty, who left their homes within the jurisdiction and prosecution of the United States and went beyond their military lines, to aid the Rebellion, I hereby most respectfully present you a petition for pardon. The following is a full and true statement of the circumstances of my case. 

I left Greencastle, Indiana, my home at the time, on the 18th of Sept., 1862, with the design of joining Gen. Bragg's forces, who were then occupying the State of Kentucky; passed Cincinnati, O., when it was under martial law; tried to procure a pass there from the Provost Marshal, but failed; walked up the Ohio River, twenty miles; took a boat for Augusta, Ky.; from the latter point I went on foot to Cynthiana, Ky., where I found a force of Confederate cavalry; I here took an oath not to reveal any information to the U.S. authorities; by so doing received a pass to go to Mt. Sterling; from hence I went to Sharpsburg, in Bath Co. Ky., where on the 7th of Oct., 1862, I was enlisted, by Geo. M. Coleman, a Confederate Capt. of Cav., into the Confederate States Army. On the 10th of Nov., 1862, I was with the rest of my command at Knoxville, Tenn., mustered into the service, under Gen. John H. Morgan; I was a Sergeant Major of the 2nd Battalion, Maj. Robert G. Stoner, commanding, in Gen. Morgan's Brigade of Cav. for four months; at the expiration of this time, my Bat. and the 1st Bat. in said Brig., were consolidated, making a Reg., known afterwards as the 9th Ky. Cav. and I was appointed an Ordinance Sergt. in said Reg.; this position I held till I was captured by the U.S. forces at Buffington Island, O., on the 19th of July, 1863. I was placed as a prisoner in Camp Morton, on the 21st of July, 1863; was confined there one month; was then taken to Camp Douglas; escaped from that prison and was recaptured, on the 20th of Aug, 1863; was turned into said prison again; escaped finally, on the 16th of Oct., 1863; made my way to Ky. on the route to rejoin the Confederate Army; was captured and released, near Cynthiana, Ky., having successfully passed myself of as a citizen of Indiana; on the 15th of Nov., 1863, was again re-captured, near Sharpsburg, Bath Co., Ky.; was placed in confinement in the jail-dungeon, at Mt. Sterling, Ky., for nineteen days, when I was started under guard to Lexington, Ky., via Winchester; at the latter place, I again escaped the U.S. authorities, making my fourth escape; finding no means of getting South, I went to Canada; staid there from the 4th of Dec., 1863, to the 20th of Apr., 1864; when I left Canada, to go to the Confederacy; arrived in Ky.; remained in that State six weeks, when I took up my journey South, through Eastern Ky.; reported to Gen. John H. Morgan, at Abingdon, Va., on the 28th of June, 1864; continued in his command till his death, on the 4th of Sept., 1864; then was in Gen. B. W. Duke's Brig. till the 2d of Oct. following, at which time I re-joined the 9th Ky. Cav. as a private soldier; in which capacity I served in Gen. John S. Williams's Brig., Gen. Wheeler's Corps, Gen. J. E. Johnston's Dept., till the 9th of May, 1865; when I surrendered(under my Dept. General's order of surrender), at Augusta, Ga., to the U. S. forces then and there stationed in command of Brevet. Brig. Gen. Upton; received a parole from W. W. Woods, Gen. Upton's A.A. G. and Maj. of the 4th Iowa Cav; on this parole I returned to Ky., where I have remained since my arrival, abiding by the laws of the land., and strictly observing the provisions of my parole.

There are no circumstances, which you, Sir, would consider mitigating, except those which exist in the composition of my nature, or result from my early political training. Being born and raised in the State of Kentucky, I naturally clung to her as the home of my childhood, "my own, my native land." I considered her one of the Rebellion States, when the Confederate forces pitched their tents upon her Blue Grass pastures; I was carried off into the rebellious ranks by a spirit of enthusiasm; the name of John Morgan, and the accounts of his dashing exploits as a Cavalry Chief did much to entice me from the notorious life of a law student in Greencastle, Indiana; I longed to play a part in the great national contest; I did not wish to sit idle by, and let the greatest war of modern ages pass away upon the records of history, without indulging my military aspirations; I did not assist the authorities of the U.S. is perhaps owing to an inborn prejudice in favor of the South and her institutions. My present condition is: exile from a happy home, and the best parents; alone in the world, with an empty purse; and nothing to depend upon in future but my own exertions. Your pardon, Sir, would greatly alleviate my situation.

With hope that my application may meet with approval at your hands, I am, Most Honored Sir, your humble St.

Henry L. Stone

Bath Co. KY.,

Sep. 25th, 1865.

Stone's required oath of allegiance accompanied the application.

Letter by US Senator and former Indiana governor, H. S. Lane,
endorsing his nephew's application for pardon

Stone was granted a pardon on December 9, 1865. In 1866, he began practicing law in Owingsville, Kentucky and served in several firms throughout the state before becoming city attorney of Louisville, Kentucky, in 1896. In 1905, he became general council of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad and served in this position until 1921. His wife was Pamela Lane Boune, with whom he had a daughter and a son. Stone died on May 31, 1922, in Louisville. 

Links of Interest

Henry L. Stone Civil War diary - Kentucky Historical Society

"Morgan's Men:" A Narrative of Personal Experiences, by Henry L. Stone

Morgan's Men Escape from Prison, by Henry L. Stone - Confederate Veteran, Vol. 14, No. 4 (April 1906), p. 188-191

Lane–Elston Family Papers, 1775–1936, box 3, folder 13 - Indiana Historical Society

Hoosier Confederate: The Civil War Experiences of Henry Lane Stone from Putnam County - INDepth Stories, Indiana Historical Society

Even Cataloging a Bandana Leads to Exciting Discoveries. - The Kentucky Historical Society Chronicle, Summer/Fall 2012, p. 6

Henry Lane Stone - Find A Grave Memorial page

Transcribed and researched by Marlitta H. Perkins, March 2022. Copyright © 2022, All Rights Reserved.

Scouting Eastern Kentucky - A Letter from the 6th Indiana Cavalry

Mt. Sterling, situated in Montgomery County, Kentucky, on the state road leading from Pound Gap to central Kentucky, was long considered the gateway between the Appalachian Mountains and the Bluegrass. The town's strategic location made it an ideal base for Union Army operations. A number of cavalry units were station in Mt. Sterling throughout the war who went on scouting expedition into the mountainous areas of Eastern Kentucky. Some of these units had just been mustered into the service and therefore lacked experience in operating in such a difficult terrain. However, what the men may have lacked in experience, they managed to make up with enthusiasm which, more often than not, produced results.

United States Cavalry Scouts
"The soldier in our Civil War - a pictorial history of the conflict, 1861-1865"

One of these units was the 6th Indiana Cavalry. The regiment was organized at Indianapolis on February 23, 1863, from the 71st Indiana Infantry. The regiment left Indiana for Kentucky on August 26, 1863 and were stationed at Mt. Sterling from September 2, 1863 until the beginning of November 1863. 

A soldier of the 6th Indiana Cavalry, only known by his initials L. S. J., sent a rather detailed account of one of their scouting expeditions to the Indianapolis Daily Journal which is given in full below. 

LETTER FROM THE 6TH INDIANA CAVALRY.

HD. QUS. 2D BATTALION, 6TH IND. CAVALRY,

MOUNT STERLING, KY, Sept. 15, 1863

ED. JOURNAL: As there appears to be but few correspondents from this section of the country, I propose giving a few items relative to the events as they have transpired since our arrival at the above-mentioned place. -

There might be a great deal written of things that have transpired here. I presume there is no place East or West where the horrors of war have been felt more than here. -

It's true there have been no large armies in the country disputing their right of possession, as there has been in many places, but it has been the scene of something more terrible. It has been infested by prowling bands of guerrillas, murderers and incendiaries, who have been preying upon the helpless and old, almost at their leisure. No one knows the suffering of mind and body of the people through here, except those who live here. The life of no one is safe. No man's property is his, for on any night it may be taken from him by a band of desperadoes. -

The headquarters of the 71st Regiment has been here since the 2d inst. The duties of the regiment have been rather hard, but I think not altogether devoid of benefit.

A detachment of 250 men, consisting of companies F, I, D and G, commanded by Lieut. Col. Matson, left camp on the 10th to make a scout some thirty or forty miles from here, where there was reported to be a force of guerrillas pillaging the country. Being the first trip of the kind since "drawing" our horses, it was interesting in the extreme. The first night's travel - it being dark when the battalion left - was ten miles, which tested the endurance of some men effectually. Next morning there was considerable complaining of soreness of bones, which, however, soon wore off as the blood began to circulate.

Next morning, about 8 P.M., found us in Owingsville, a small town on a very large hill. It is rather a nice little place, having some very nice buildings in it and pretty well provided with nice shade trees. The appearance of the "blue coats" seemed to be a great relief to inhabitants, and fair women and brave men were seen from every window and corner. I will here mention that the countenances of the people through this portion of Kentucky are a very poor index to their real sentiments and feelings. The most contemptible of rebels, the guerrilla, will meet you and talk as though they were as true and loyal to their country as those they were talking to. But too much by the way of digression -

About thirty miles farther down on the Licking river we heard of the approach of 700 to 800 rebels. The truthfulness of the report seemed to be indisputable, as it had been brought by those who were fleeing before them for dear life. It is always an easy matter to tell when a force is coming into Kentucky - from the droves of cattle, horses and mules that are taken beyond the Ohio river for safe keeping. Our colonel was not long deciding what to do. The order was given to move on them at once, although their reported force was about three to our one. But we were sorry to learn as we advanced that their force gradually diminished, until there remained nothing but a small band of guerrillas. That night we encamped where they had been that day. 

Next day, scouting parties, consisting of companies F and I, started in different directions, as they had learned the guerrillas had gone. Some ten miles from camp, at a little place by the name of Morehead, in the direction company F was going, it was found that ten guerrillas had just passed before the arrival of the company. In Morehead they had entered several houses, taking what suited them, and passed ahead to West Liberty to do likewise. At Morehead, they had taken from an old man $21, the last cent of money he had. They had learned of his selling a little tobacco a few days before, and, like the eagle in search of its prey, they came upon him, and, holding a revolver at his head, made him tell where his money was. They had taken a horse, also, from a man living close to town, which, however, was recaptured from them a short time after they had taken it.

From this place they were pursued as fast as horses could go until they were overtaken some eight miles east. It appears they knew nothing of our approach, and had been sauntering along at their leisure, stopping here and there as they thought they might get something of value. The advance guard, consisting of seven men, soon came up to them. The guerrillas did not know of their presence until the crack of the carbine, which they fear so much, told them of their danger. They were completely surprised, and in ten minutes they were fleeing to the mountains. They had but little time to shoot if they had felt so disposed. As they numbered one third more than those that charged upon them, they might have resisted successfully if they had tried. But it is not their intention to fight - it is for profit and gain.

The result was one prisoner, who was made to come to by a shot in the arm, and two horses, besides hats and numerous specimens of other articles which they had taken in their route. Company I was also successful in their scout, and (and) treated them with due respect. They had heard of some thirty or forty of these fellows some twenty miles distant, making their way towards West Liberty, which seems to be a favorite resort for all guerrillas in this part of Kentucky. They were formed on Little Sandy, the band commanded by a Lieutenant named Bumgardner. When they were overtaken they were coolly partaking of a dinner which they had forced a Union man to provide for them. They were like the former squad "unconscious of their danger." The pursuing party could be seen from the house where they were near half a mile off. As soon as the advance saw them they lost no time in coming up with them, and before the guerrillas could get their horses the shot was coming thick and fast into them. Like all of their kind they flew in every direction, taking to the mountains and secreting themselves like young partridges.

The charge resulted in taking six prisoners, killing two and wounding two or three who will die, besides capturing eight horses. To say the least of this charge, it was rather a bold dash, and the certainty of success was decidedly against them, but the Hoosier boys are known even down in these mountain fastness, their yell and crack of their guns are ominous of something dangerous. It is the general opinion these guerrillas will infest these mountains and hollows a long while before they can be gotten out. It is such a poor country it would be impossible to quarter a force sufficient to keep them out. This is the nearest point where troops can be kept and provided for, which is some 40 miles from where these desperadoes visit so often. Col. Biddle has not yet got here; he has gone with a small detachment to Tennessee. The 71st does not anticipate any danger in the future, all it asks is a fair chance and its name will be as unsullied as any regiment that has left Indiana.

L. S. J.

Links of Interest

Mt. Sterling - An Important Military Base During the Civil War

Transcribed and researched by Marlitta H. Perkins, March 2022. Copyright © 2022, All Rights Reserved.