The Ruin of Cassville - History of a Virginia Bordertown during the Civil War

 At the time of its creation Cassville was located in Wayne County, Virginia. Today, the town is part of West Virginia and is known as Fort Gay. It was laid out on a 15 acre parcel of land that is situated at the Forks of Big Sandy. After the state won a lawsuit against the original land owners in 1847, the property was turned over to Frederick Moore, a well-to-do merchant in Wayne County who had come to the area from Philadelphia about 1815. He lived in the first house below the proposed town of Cassville. 

Frederick Moore
Image: Collection of author

Moore divided the land into lots and streets. Most of the streets were named after US presidents, with the exception of Front Street which faced the river and Wayne Street which was the direct route from the ferry landing in Cassville to Trout's Hill, the county seat. The ferry, operated by George R. Miller, connected Cassville with Louisa, the county seat of Lawrence County, Kentucky, and landed at the end of Main Street. 

Plat Map of Cassville, Virginia, Sept. 2, 1856

The first lots in Cassville were sold in 1850. Lot No. 1 with the Ferry House was first owned by Minville Thompson. 

Lot No. 2 was bought by John Ferguson, Sr. in 1851. In 1852, William Ferguson, Sr. purchased the neighboring Lot No. 3. Both Ferguson lots were listed with "enclosed buildings." The same year, John Ferguson sold Lot No. 2 to William Ferguson, noting "house and lot where they (John and wife Margaretha) now live." By 1879, Lots No. 1, 2 and 3 were known as the old Henry Property. 

In 1851, James Ferguson purchased lot No. 4 from Moore, "laid out for Ferguson, upon which he has erected buildings." By 1854, the lot had reverted back to Moore who in turn sold it to John Bromley. 

Elias "Aly" Thompson lived on lot No. 5. A store building was fronting Wayne Street. On the back part of the lot was Thompson's home which became known as "Aly Thompson's House." Thompson also owned neighboring Lot No. 6.

No. 7 was known as the "Mitchel lot", likely named after David Mitchell & wife Melvina, who ran a saddler shop.

In 1854, Frederick Moore sold Lots No. 9 & 10 to James Stone. He also owned Lot No. 11. Stone was a merchant. Based on the records, he operated his store on Lot No. 9. This lot was later known as the "grocery lot." His wife Nancy ran a hotel on Lot No. 10. Their residence was on Lot No. 11. In addition to being a businessman, Stone held the office of judge in 1861. In October of 1861, his name appeared on a list of suspected Confederate sympathizers.

Lots No. 15 & 16 were purchased by William Vinson from Frederick Moore. The exact date is unknown since Moore failed to make a deed (an oversight that was corrected in 1873 by his widow Permelia). 

Permelia VanHorn Moore
Image: Collection of author

Some of the remaining lots still owned by Moore had in all likelihood houses, stores, etc. built on them and may have been rented out. Based on the 1860 Cassville, Virginia census, Lot No. 6 may have been where Martin Frasher, a merchant, kept his store. Lot No. 12 was most likely occupied by Washington Ratliff who was a direct neighbor of James Stone. Lot 13 and/or 14 may have been the location of Stephen M. Marcum's blacksmith shop. He also worked as a gunsmith. Martin Coffman was the town's carpenter. It is not clear where his business may have been located but it was near the business section on Wayne Street. Harmon Loar, a prolific businessman, also called Cassville home. His business dealings included shipping agricultural products for area farmers to markets on the Ohio River via the Big Sandy. In return, many of the area families relied on Harmon's suppliers for many of the farm tools and luxury items they needed. So far, the exact location of the homes of these Cassville residents remains unknown.

On September 7, 1855, the first Post Office in town opened and was named Fort Gay. The first postmaster was William Ferguson who held the office until March 12, 1857. He was replaced by Richard F. Vinson who served until July 29, 1857. Andrew Eves was the next postmaster who served for two years until August 4, 1859 when George F. Ratliff took over the office. He was replaced by Ezekiel Stone on November 28, 1859, who was postmaster until February 3, 1860 when the post-office was discontinued. Ezekiel Stone may have been either the father or son of James Stone, so it is very likely that the post office was located either in his store or hotel.

When the Civil War began, active recruiting began almost immediately after the first shots were fired at Fort Sumpter. The political climate in Cassville and the town's immediate neighborhood was overwhelmingly Southern. There were some Union supporters such as Frederick Moore whose son Laban T. Moore was a lawyer and politician who represented Kentucky in the Thirty-sixth Congress until March 1861. He helped raise the first Union infantry regiment in the Big Sandy Valley, the 14th Kentucky Infantry, and served as the regiment's first Colonel.  

William Vinson, the oldest son of James Vinson, was an extensive farmer and saw log dealer. When the Civil War began, it was said that, "he with alacrity flew to the standard of his country, and gave valuable assistance in filling the ranks of the 14th KY, and while not able to do personal service in the field, he was a good loyal Union man until the war closed." It was not uncommon, however, that political divisions existed even within communities and even families. Vinson's younger brother Lazarus "Lace" Vinson joined the Southern cause and served in Swan's Battalion. Stephen M. Marcum's son Thomas Damron Marcum joined the 14th Kentucky Infantry and soon rose to the rank of Captain of Company K, while another son, William W. Marcum, joined the 8th VA Cavalry. Stephen M. Marcum's cousin Jack Marcum also joined the Confederates and soon managed to make a notorious reputation for himself.

One of the earliest Wayne County units was the Fairview Rifles, commanded by James M. Cornes, which later became Co. K, 8th Virginia Cavalry (CS). One of the Fairview Rifles members was Cassville resident James F. Anderson, a timberman who boarded with Harmon Loar. Anderson later became Captain of Company K, 16th VA Cavalry. 

A number of area residents joined the 8th Virginia Cavalry (CS): Thomas Short (s/o Nora/Nary); Ezekiel Stone, Moses and William M. Stone (s/o James); William M. Marcum (s/o Stephen M.); Lewis and Nathan H. Frasher (sons of John L.); John Walker.

In no time at all Cassville became a hotbed of activity. Some of the recruits made forays into Kentucky which at the time was neutral. An eyewitness recalled how in May of 1861, a small party of rebels on recruiting duty were encamped at Cassville. "Every day for about a week a squad of six to ten would come over to Louisa, mounted, and ride through the principal streets of the town. They were in citizen's clothing. At other times we would see one or two around town on foot. They did not appear to be armed, unless with sidearms." 

In the summer of 1861, it was reported that several mails had been robbed in the counties along the Kentucky and Virginia line, "by men, who came from Virginia, across the line, for that purpose." One such incident took place on Wednesday, August 21, 1861, when the mail from Louisa to Warfield, via Cassville (VA), was robbed. Nathan Holt, a wealthy Wayne Co. VA farmer and one of the first local constables, was the mail contractor. The mail boy, his 17 year old son Bernard P. Holt, had left Warfield at 6 o'clock in the morning with the mail and was travelling on the Virginia side of the Big Sandy River toward Cassville. About 5 o'clock in the evening, when within 1 1/2 miles of town, Bernard noticed two men, Alex. Vinson and John Walker, on the roadside waiting for him. The boy was knocked off his horse by Vinson and Walker who swore that they were going to have that Lincoln mail. Bernard Holt engaged in a fight with Walker while Vinson cut the mailbag and took out and destroyed all the mail matter, and then took the horse from the boy. Both men left together

Bernard P. Holt alerted the citizens who made pursuit and captured Vinson about three miles from the place of the robbery. He was brought back to Cassville, and had a hearing before Justice James Stone, who held him over for further trial. Vinson was then put in the custody of Constable Bow, who summoned two citizens as guards to watch Vinson through the night. He however made his escape before morning. The Sandy Valley Advocate noted, "He and Walker are now at large. From what we can learn, all the officers were secessionists, as well as the guard, and therefore do not wonder at the escape of the prisoner."

In early September 1861, two companies of the Fifth Virginia Infantry, under the command of Major Ralph Olmstead, came to Cassville and remained for some two or three weeks, recruiting up Tug River. On September 28, 1861, according to John Frew Stewart, "When on their return, Major Olmstead bringing up the rear, they stopped at the Fred Moore, Sr., house, the first below Cassville. He did not dismount but talked to someone on the porch of the house, when he was shot by the enemy from the graveyard point opposite the house. The ball entered his head back of one ear, coming out just above the eye. He fell from his horse dead." Lieutenant Baisden was mortally wounded and succumbed to his wounds five hours later.

On October 15, 1861, Co. E, 5th WV Infantry was ordered to Cassville, mainly due to the incidents that had occurred there during the previous month. The men encamped in town on October 16. On October 19, they proceeded to Bromley Ridge and attacked a body of 40 rebels at John Jarrell, Sr.'s homeplace, killing nine, taking nine prisoners and nine guns. From there, the men continued scouting the upper part of Wayne for another two weeks.

In the fall of 1861, Jack Marcum began recruiting men from Wayne County as well as Lawrence County, Kentucky. He was able to assemble a group of nearly 100 men and began terrorizing Unionists along the Big Sandy River. On December 16, 1861, in consequence of rumors that a superior number of Confederates under Gen. Humphrey Marshall were advancing upon Louisa from Prestonsburg, the 14th KY Infantry retreated from their camp in Louisa and went to Catlettsburg. After the departure of the regiment, Jack Marcum paid Louisa a visit and rode through town accompanied by only one man, "in broad day light, and no one attempting to take him."

The 14th Kentucky returned to Louisa on December 21, 1861. The following morning, shots were fired from Cassville at the men who were encamped at Camp Wallace. Captain Means noted, "Five of my men were fired on from the Va. side of the river. They were on the Ky side [in the] morning "nobody hurt". five shots were fired - none of my men were armed." 

On December 26th, after finally receiving their guns and equipment, the remaining companies of the 14th Kentucky left Louisa for the mouth of George's Creek to join Garfield's main force on their way to meet Humphrey Marshall's troops. This left Louisa in a vulnerable position. 150 tons of army food were still stored by the river, ready for transportation, but only three companies of infantry were left to protect them. 

J. D. Stubbs related in a letter to Garfield that, “we have intercepted letters which Lead us to believe this place will be attacked from the Virginia side within a day or Two  I think that there is a great probability of it  we have been ___ the past 2 days and the most reliable Letters think a dash will be made Since our Supplies there must be at least 150 Tons here on the Bank of the River.” Captain Barber's men, 42nd OVI, were encamped just beyond the town limits. Shortly before sunset, a messenger arrived with the news that an attack was expected by a force of 300 men under Jack Marcum. 50 men of Barber's company went down to the river to assist in guarding the government stores but the expected attack was not made and the men spent a miserable night in the courthouse. 

On December 29, 1861, Booker Johnson, a private in Co. F, 14th Kentucky Infantry, was shot at Cassville. The bullet ripped through his right shoulder and left side. George W. Kirk was standing within six feet of Johnson when he was shot. Kirk noted that he pulled a piece of blouse from the wound. Johnson survived the attack. Just one day later, on Dec. 30th, 1861, Jack Marcum came within three miles of the Union lines and murdered a Union man in his own home. 

Garfield detailed Captain Thomas D. Marcum of the 14th Kentucky Infantry to lead scouting parties and encountered Jack Marcum on occasion. Despite the fact that both men were related, “Jack and Thomas have exchanged shots a good many times; both are dreaded by the opposite party," according to Lt. Col. Sheldon, 42d OVI.

In March 1862, after Colonel Garfield's Campaign against Humphrey Marshall was successfully concluded, Colonel Jonathan Cranor, 40th OVI, became the ranking Union commander in the Big Sandy Valley. His style of managing the district differed considerably from Garfield's who believed in conciliatory policies when dealing with the local population. Cranor preferred handling rebels with a firm hand which made him quickly unpopular. 

In the early summer of 1862, there were rumors or threats of the burning of Cassville, as revealed in a letter by a female Confederate spy who arrived at Cassville by boat with three heavy trunks, suspected of containing weapons and ammunition. She spent some pleasant time with like-minded friends in town before continuing on her journey into Eastern Kentucky. After her return to Catlettsburg on June 29th 1862, she addressed a letter to "to Miss Marey Mitchell  Miss Edea Stone  Mis Nancy Ann Ratiliff and all the young laidies and Mared [married] ladies and People in Jenerall of Cassvill VA." She wrote, "Deare friends fore as people of Virginia I leave here said and all her people I must call you all friends ... I will bee Back up here in About three Months  I think then I Will have some time  I hope that Nothing has happend to you all thare  I herd that they was A going to burn the town But I hope they Will Not  I Will leave here this morning or to Morrow Morning  I expect I Will let you here from Me at gaine at My Next Post ... fare Well  May godes Love Peace and grace Rest With you all and Keep you from harm  My undieing Love fore the people of Virginia"

Whatever plans may have been in place for the destruction of Cassville, it is quite possible that they originated with Colonel Cranor - or at the very least, he was blamed for them. Shortly after July 18, 1862, when Cranor moved his troops and headquarters from Prestonsburg to Louisa, Kentucky, rumors of an assassination plot against Cranor surfaced. A man named Aldridge was overheard in Cassville making threats against Cranor. According to witnesses, Aldridge devised a plan to assassinate him and, together with James Smith, bought a gun for that very purpose. He hung about the hillsides, watching for Cranor, with the intention of shooting him the first time he came out with his regiment on dress parade. Aldridge's plans, however, never materialized, quite possibly because a large scale Confederate invasion of Kentucky was looming over the state. Cranor would soon have his hands full. Chances are he would be attending to business rather than attending dress parades. 

Humphrey Marshall's troops were at the SW Virginia border, once more threatening the Big Sandy Valley. It was feared he would invade Eastern Kentucky and move toward the Ohio River. By August 2, 1862, Cranor believed that a raid into Southeast Kentucky by Jenkins' cavalry and others was imminent. 

As the situation unfolded, it seems to have stimulated Confederate enlistments in Wayne County and around Cassville. Milton J. Ferguson was recruiting for the 16th Virginia Cavalry. Cassville area men who joined were Ezekiel Stone, (s/o James), with the rank of Sergeant Major; James S. Parks and his sons James and Macajah; Robert Harrison Parks (brother of James S.) and his son Thomas; Lewis Frasher, (s/o John L.) and his uncle Elias Frasher; William Dyer, with the rank of sergeant; William Wellman (s/o James) and his cousins Oliver and William Wellman. 

After the Confederate invasion of Kentucky was in full force, the situation in the Big Sandy Valley became unsustainable for Cranor and his men. On September 18, 1862, he was forced to move his troops from Louisa to Catlettsburg. A trooper in McLaughlin's Squadron reported that the unit's relocation from Louisa was necessary because the town was in danger of being surrounded by Marshall's forces. For the next two months, the Big Sandy Valley was virtually swept clean of Union troops. 

According to reports, by October 19, 1862, the rebels were, "in possession of the portion of Northeast Kentucky embracing the counties of Greenup, Carter, Lawrence, and others to the southward as far as Pike, and are committing depredations upon the property and outrages upon the persons of loyal citizens which call for prompt repression. The forces alluded to--mostly guerrillas--are not understood to be large, not exceeding 500 or 600 at most. Another force of about the same strength, said to belong to Floyd's command, is reported to be at the salt-works on the Big Sandy River above Louisa." 

Colonel Cranor did not return to the Big Sandy Valley with his command until November 14, 1862, when they arrived at Catlettsburg. Cranor wasted no time and moved most of his men to Louisa by November 19, 1862. The 84th Indiana Infantry did not join Cranor's troops until a month later. On December 14, 1862, after traveling the Sandy River pike on the Virginia side, the regiment arrived in the vicinity of Cassville at 8 o'clock in the evening. One of the soldiers noted, "the men, worn out by the forced march, and thinking of dropping down by the roadside caught sight of camp fires of the 40th Ohio, about a mile ahead. The band struck up "Hail Columbia," and in a few moments the boys of the 40th were swarming from their bunks to the bank on the opposite side of the river. As soon as the 84th was identified, it was welcomed with roaring cheers from the camp across the river, who graced it the more warmly as their force was thought to be too weak for the place it garrisoned. Col. Cranor of the 40th, who commanded the Brigade, entertained the field officers and held a jubilee at headquarters. Orders came to the 84th to go into temporary camp until morning and, as fence rails were plenty, a few minutes sufficed to illuminate the camp and to prepare supper."

84th Indiana Infantry, Company C
Source: Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The next morning, like a herd of foundered horses, the men of the 84th were out limping about camp, performing the usual morning duties and surveying the strange country about them. At the head of the regiment was the little town of Cassville, Virginia." "... it was occupied principally by secesh families ... Cranor gave orders for all to leave except two families," noted another soldier.

"At six o'clock in the morning after our arrival at this God-forsaken portion of America, an order was read to the citizens giving them two hours to vacate the town and move beyond our lines. One family that had furnished a volunteer for the Union army, and a widow with a large family of small children, were the only ones allowed to remain." One can only speculate as to who these two families were that were spared. Stephen M. Marcum's family seems like a logical choice since his son was a captain in the 14th Kentucky and was serving in the Atlanta Campaign during this time. Widow Nary Short may have been the second person whose home was spared from destruction.  

By eight o'clock the town was uninhabited. Then commenced the work of destruction. Cranor "ordered the soldiers to demolish the houses, which was done in double quick." "Every vacated house was torn down except a few reserved for hospital use." "The lumber was used in building bunks, laying floors in tents, etc., etc. At ten o'clock the town was in ruins and the soldiers cosily quartered in a comfortable camp."

New Castle Courier, March 3, 1871

As it turned out, Cassville's destruction was Cranor's last hurrah. He resigned from the 40th OVI on February 5, 1863, on account of disability and accepted a position as Military Claim Agent for the State of Ohio on April 29, 1863. 

The damage Cranor inflicted on the town seems to have been thorough. An 1864 map of Louisa, created by Lt. Col. J. H. Simpson, Corps of Engineers, US, and dated July 1864 to June 1865, shows no trace of Cassville whatsoever, aside for the ferry landing and Wayne Street.

 Lt. Col. J. H. Simpson's map 

With the exception of James Stone, not much is known about the displaced Cassville families. Stone eventually ended up in Catlettsburg by 1864, from where he sold his Cassville lots No. 9 & 10 to William Bartram. Afterwards, he moved to Cincinnati, Ohio for some time before returning to Cassville after the war. 

In 1864, the town began slowly to struggle back on its feet. The IRS Tax Lists for 1864-1866 show that the first business to return to Cassville were Moore & Rowe in May of 1864, who partnered in a manufacturing business. In November 1864, Bromley & Wellman began working as butchers of cattle until July 1865, when John L. Frasher took over the job.  

In July 1865, Thomas D. Marcum went into the retail business under the name T.D. Marcum & Co. In August 1865, Z. C. Vinson opened a second retail business in Cassville and David Mitchell returned to operate a manufacturing business, most likely his saddle shop. 1865 also saw the return of Harmon and Peter Loar.

In January 1866, Samuel Short, Jr. bought Lot No. 22, built a two-story dwelling house and opened a retail business. In March 1866, William Bartram established a hotel and in May 1866, Perry, Arnold & Co. opened a retail business. After giving up butchering in 1865, John H. Bromley went into the lumber business in July 1866. In November 1866, Workman & Co. began selling liquor and James Stone finally returned and opened a second hotel in Cassville. Also still in business were T. D. Marcum & Co., Z. C. Vinson and John L. Frasher. 

Despite the progress that had been made, peace did not come easily, especially for Unionists or those who were serving in some official capacity for the new state government of West Virginia. On March 23, 1866, John W. Holt, Assessor of District 2 in Wayne County, wrote a letter to West Virginia Governor Boreman, calling for troops because of continued unrest in town. He noted, "I live and keep my office in Cassville and it is with extreme difficulty and under great danger and hard threats that I am getting along. My entire neighborhood is Reb with the exception of old Squire Bartram and his boys one of which is our high Sheriff and other Capt. Dave which is our Deputy Sheriff. ...We have been beat by mobs and shot at on the streets and desire to help ourselves....We must have from 25 to 50 men here in Cassville or else we must get out of here. This is the landing place for all the lumber men that comes down Tug River. Them big buck Rebbells comes down in time of high water sometimes by the dozens from Logan Co. & from Pike Co. Ky with their __ buckled around them "hurrawing" for Jeff Davis, cussing the government, cursing Union men & then we have to get out. Sir, I frequently see men come in here who are indicted for murder in Kentucky defying any body ... Sir a few days ago they gathered in here and raised a riot with our high Sheriff and fell on him with clubs & weights & tried to kill him and his brother. His brother ran into my house for protection. They stoned my window, knocked two panels out of my door & like to killed my little child. ... If you see fit to protect us send the commitions immediately the men can be raised in a few days ... Sir we have plenty of arms which belongs to the state that can be gathered up."

On March 9, 1867 the Fort Gay Post Office was re-established, with George W. Adkins as postmaster. By June 1868, the situation in and around Cassville remained unstable. Lt. Col. S.W. Crawford, 2nd US Infantry recommended that a company should be stationed at Cassville because "the whole complexion of things is very different from that existing in the interior of West Virginia."   

Accordingly, on July 4, 1868, Company B, 2nd US Infantry, under the command of Captain Francis E. Lacey, marched from their post at Guyandotte via Wayne Court House, to Cassville, where they arrived on July 5, at 11 o'clock in the morning. During the following four months, Lacey and his men remained at Cassville and played the role of peacekeepers. Their assignment ended in October 1868. 

Peace eventually returned to Cassville and wounds began to heal. Over time the town began to flourish until the 1880s when it was visited by several fires. In May 1883, ten houses were burned. Less than a year later, in February 1884, arson destroyed two hotels, three business houses and several residences. In October 1888, Samuel Short's two-story dwelling house went up in flames.

173 years later, little is left of Frederick Moore's vision of Cassville. Gone are the ferry and river boats, the hotels and businesses. Only a few of the older buildings remain, keeping the memory of a bygone era alive for just a little while longer.

Empty lot in former Cassville
Image by author, November 2022

Old home in former Cassville
Image by author, November 2022

A special thank you goes to Angel Thompson whose knowledge of local Cassville/Fort Gay history has been of tremendous help. 

Links of Interest

Roster of the 8th Virginia Cavalry

Roster of the 16th Virginia Cavalry

James Aldridge - Outlaw or Avenging Angel?

Dear John ~ The Hazards of Mail Delivery

Researched, transcribed and written by Marlitta H. Perkins, January 2023. Copyright © 2023, All Rights Reserved.

The Cold Snap of 1864

Winter in the mountains of Eastern Kentucky

As temperatures have plummeted this winter to near-record lows, with much of the nation in the grip of polar air masses that have brought snow as far as Florida and Alabama, the question emerges - how unusual is this weather, really? Are there any historic parallels? Look no further than the cold snap of 1864 which was very similar to our current weather in many respects.

The Big Sandy River in Eastern Kentucky froze over in December of 1863 and remained so for nearly three months, until late February 1864. Snow covered the ground and the temperatures hovered right at zero degrees or lower. Things turned worse on New Years Eve 1863 and culminated on Friday, January 1, 1864, a day remembered by all who were old enough at that time, as the "The Cold New Year."

The Louisville Weekly Journal reported on December 31, 1863, that the “weather glasses in our city gave unfailing premonitions of the remarkable change in the weather which accompanied the close of the old year and the opening of the new. At noon on Thursday, the barometer indicated 29.62, when it commenced falling rapidly, accompanied by a rain storm, and the wind a little north of west. At four in the afternoon the temperature was forty-seven degrees above zero, when it commenced steadily and rapidly falling.”

At dusk, the rain changed into snow and the winds began blowing violently. Within five hours, the temperatures dropped thirty-five degrees. At nine o’clock P.M., the thermometers registered twelve degrees above zero which dropped to one degree above zero within ninety minutes.

The severe cold weather arrived at Portsmouth, Ohio, several hours later. New Years Eve was a dark drizzling day and it remained quite warm until 9 P.M. At this time, it was still fifty-three degrees and raining. Things started to change quickly at 9:30 P.M. when the wind started blowing hard from the Northeast. By 10:30 P.M., the thermometer showed twenty degrees and kept falling throughout the night.

The weather deteriorated even further on New Years Day. At 7 o’clock A.M., it was eight degrees above zero, at 2 P.M., four degrees above and at 9 P.M., one degree above. It was reported that heavy winds were blowing all day. In comparison, it was clear and cold at Cincinnati at 8 o’clock in the morning and the mercury stood at seven degrees below zero

One journalist noted, “The New Year was ushered in with a wind that blew almost a hurricane, and reminded one of the stormy nights when witches are said in old nursery legends to be abroad in their work of mischief. The cold was intense, penetrating everywhere, freezing every thing, not guarded by artificial heat, that could be frozen, and exceeding in degree the cold on any New Year's Day ever known by 'the oldest inhabitant'."

The severe cold weather extended throughout the West and Northwest. Two break men on the Oil Creek railroad, in Western Pennsylvania, were frozen to death while standing at their posts!

In Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan and Northern Illinois and Indiana, the cold was still more intense. At Milwaukee, on the 1st and 2nd, the thermometer ranged from thirty to forty degrees below zero, and several persons were frozen to death. At Galena, Ill., thermometer twenty-five to thirty-three below; at Madison, Wis., thirty-four to thirty-nine below; at Dubuque, thirty below; at Oshkosh, Wis., thirty-eight below; at Rockford, Ill., thirty below; Fort Wayne, Ind., twenty-eight below. Between Springfield and Virginia, a stage-driver was frozen to death on his box. The Mississippi River was frozen over at St. Louis, which people crossed on the ice.

Even the Southern States were affected by the “General Freeze Up.” In Richmond, Virginia, the papers reported that, “Matters and things in general concluded to "wait" on Saturday morning, in view of the sudden descent of the temperature below zero. The water froze up in railroad tanks and locomotive boilers, water wheels refused to "circumnavigate", machine shops ceased their clatter, old clocks stopped at "witching hours", hydrants negatived the reservoirs, the town pumps were in demand, the boards of the floors creaked and weather boarding snapped, frosty network frescoed every window pane, and the universal "ugh" that escaped from every mouth went with icy chilliness to the soul of sympathetic nature.”

At Memphis, Tennessee, the thermometer was reported on New Year's Day at ten degrees below zero. Even Georgia was not spared from the cold weather. The Atlanta Intelligencer reported temperatures of twelve degrees at 10 P.M. on January 1^st, 1864, and eight degrees the following morning at 7 A.M. “This is the coldest weather we have experienced within forty years, in this country, with a single exception - the cold Saturday (in 1834), when the Mercury fell below zero. It is with difficulty, therefore, that we can write. Not only has our ink frozen, but with the best of fires that we can command, our fingers become numb before a paragraph can be written.”

The severe weather was especially hard on the soldiers. The newspapers reported that, “at Fort Halleck, Columbus, on the Mississippi, above Memphis, on New Year's eve, many of the negro soldiers were badly frozen; and at Island No. 10, ten negroes were frozen to death, and more were expected to die. On the same night, at the same place, eight men of the 52nd Indiana Infantry “were out on a skiff, and being unable to make the shore, were cast on a sand-bar, where three of the party were frozen to death before they could be rescued, two others died the next day, and the others were not expected to live.” The soldiers at Camp Indianapolis also suffered considerably on New Years Eve when a number had their ears and feet frozen.

According to news from Louisville, three Union soldiers were frozen to death at Camp Nelson, Kentucky, on the night of January 2, 1864. At Camp Yates, Springfield, Illinois, several soldiers met the same fate, as well as two soldiers at Camp Chase, Ohio.

Similar hardships were also endured by soldiers who were stationed in Eastern Kentucky where the temperatures dropped well below zero. According to local citizens, the beginning days of January 1864 saw the coldest weather and most abrupt change to be recorded in this section for many years. 

On New Years Day, a soldier from the 5^th Independent Battalion OH Cavalry recorded the following from winter quarters at Poplar Plains, “Turned awfully cold last night, a strong wind began blowing from the northwest about nine o'clock and by midnight everything was frozen up. We left our tents and hovered around blazing fires. Our pickets were all brought in except the one that was sheltered towards Poplar Plains. It is reported to-day that seven men of the 40th Kentucky Infantry were found frozen on their posts east of here. Such intense cold I never felt before.” Another member of the unit wrote, “The night of December 31, 1863, we passed through the cold that ushered in "the cold New Years." The thermometer dropped to 25 degrees below zero, and with difficulty the troops were saved from freezing ... Two soldiers on duty were frozen to death at Mount Sterling below us, and all in all the experience was one not soon to be forgotten.”

Snow covered road, Eastern Kentucky

On New Years Day, the 45th Kentucky Mounted Infantry began to arrive at Mt. Sterling from Paris. “Some of these men were badly frosted and had to lie by at farmhouses,” noted an eye witness, “and it was several days before they all got in, and as they were without tents they were quartered where ever shelter could be found for them, till the cold had abated somewhat, and tents could be procured...”

In an effort to stay warm, the 14^th Kentucky Infantry, one of the regiments stationed at Louisa, KY, detailed one of the soldiers as coal digger in the quartermaster department during the months of December 1863 and January 1864.

The cold weather continued unabated. A report from St. Louis noted that, “The weather continues very cold here, the mercury ranging from 5 degrees below to 15 degrees above zero. About one foot of snow lies on the ground, and the sleighing is splendid. Heavily laden wagons cross the river on ice, and there are no indications of a speedy break-up. The weather has been intensely cold throughout the State. Many persons and a large amount of stock have been frozen to death.”

On January 8, 1864, Portsmouth recorded ten inches of snow and the thermometer had not risen above twenty degrees. The Ohio River was full of floating ice and finally closed up firmly on Jan. 13, 1864. It remained ice-bound which prevented the steamboats from running thus limiting the delivery of supplies to citizens and soldiers alike. The soldiers' families were impacted as well and those who had not been able to put up enough food for the winter were in dire straits. In order to alleviate some of the suffering, Catlettsburg merchant William H. Geiger donated two steers and one beef to the poor soldiers' wives and families.

The Ohio River at Greenup with floating ice, January 2014
Photograph courtesy of Nancy Wright Bays

As the frozen Big Sandy River prevented steamboats from supplying the Union post at Louisa with stores, the quartermaster department soon was running low on provisions. Therefore, a detachment of the 39^th KY Mounted Infantry was ordered to proceed to Catlettsburg on January 9, 1864.  An attack by the enemy was not expected since the weather was extremely cold.  However, as the men were marching along the west bank of the Big Sandy River, they were quietly followed on the other side of the river by a detachment of about 150 men of the 16th Virginia Cavalry, under the command of Colonel Milton J. Ferguson.

By nightfall, the 39^th Kentucky detachment had reached Turman's Ferry at the mouth of Bear Creek, a prominent point on the Big Sandy River about 14 miles above Catlettsburg. Just below, at the present-day site of the Cavanaugh M. E. Church, stood an old log schoolhouse, which the men selected as their sleeping quarters. Still completely unsuspecting of any danger, no pickets were posted, “and the officers were asleep in the neighboring farm houses." 

The 16^th Virginia Cavalry, under the cover of night, crossed the Big Sandy River on the ice and quietly approached the quarters of the unsuspecting Union soldiers. The Confederates wasted no time and opened fire on the sleeping men. One of the lieutenants was killed in the fight, nine men taken prisoners, including one lieutenant, and the rest, “were driven out into the snow with weather at about zero or lower." The 16^th Virginia Cavalry re-crossed the icy river and vanished as quickly as they had appeared. A Union force from Catlettsburg was later sent out to pursue the Confederates but came back empty handed. Some of the men who had taken to the woods, "became frozen, especially their feet, and suffered greatly." On January 11, 1864, "A part of the wounded left behind arrived at the Ashland Hospital, not only badly wounded, but frostbitten.” The majority of them required amputations. According to Catlettsburg post commander Major Rhys Thomas, twenty men had to be sent to the hospital.  

Snowy  Creek in Eastern Kentucky

In closing, the eloquent remarks of the editor of the Daily Ohio Statesman seem fitting. “The New Year has come in, our brother journalists say, like a Lion - more, we should think, like a Russian or Norwegian Bear. A little snow would have probably moderated the intensity of this Arctic weather; but that was not vouchsafed us. Is this rugged birth of the New Year figurative of the hardships of the mass of people - the laboring poor - will have to endure during its existence, or does it prefigure that, though it freezes us with its cold frowns at its commencement, it will comfort and gladden us with sunny smiles before its close? Let us all hope, and so labor, that we may have cause to remember and bless the year 1864.”

The same thoughts and blessings go out to everyone for the year 2014, as we look outside our windows, shivering from yet another winter storm.

Article researched and written by Marlitta H. Perkins, January/February 2014. Images are the author's property, unless noted otherwise. Unauthorized use and/or duplication, including images, without express written notice by the author is strictly prohibited. © 2014. All Rights Reserved.