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.
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| 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.)
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| 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"
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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.
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| 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.
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