April 1865 - Confederate Surrender at Mt. Sterling

April of 1865 proved to be one of the most pivotal months of the American Civil War. A series of key events changed the course of history and ultimately led to the end of hostilities between the North and the South.

On April 2, 1865, US General Grant's forces began their advance and broke through Lee's lines at Petersburg who subsequently evacuated the city. The following day, Richmond, the Confederate capital, fell and Union troops entered the city and raised the Stars and Stripes.

Less than a week later, on April 9, 1865, General Robert E. Lee surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia near Appomattox Court House, Virginia. This devastating news reached the soldiers of Morgan’s former command near Christiansburg, Virginia, while on the march toward Richmond. After the initial shock and disbelief, it was impossible to ignore the overwhelming evidence of Lee’s surrender any longer. According to Edward O. Guerrant, on April 12, 1865, while at Christiansburg, “the commanding officers (Generals Echols, Cosby, Duke, and Wharton, and the Colonels Giltner, Preston, and Trigg), held a consultation, and determined to leave it optional with the Commands whether they would be disbanded or endeavor to reach the forces of Gen. Joseph E. Johnston in North Carolina. The Infantry Commands (the large portion of which had already left) were all disbanded, furloughed for sixty days, in case any future occasion should arise for their services. Gen. Echols, with Generals Duke and Vaughn, with the larger part of their Commands, determined to make an attempt to reach Gen. Johnston's army.”

Col. Diamond and Captains Barrett, Scott, Rogers, and Willis, and Lieut. Freeman with some 75 or 100 men determined to proceed South with Echols who met up with Jefferson Davis and his cabinet at Charlottesville, NC, thereafter forming his cavalry escort. Gen. Cosby’s and Col. Giltner’s commands, as well as a portion of Duke's, determined to move into the mountains of Eastern Kentucky instead of North Carolina. Cosby turned the command of his soldiers over to Giltner who divided the troops in order to subsist them while on the march. Cosby’s and Duke’s men were sent through Pound Gap, whereas Giltner took his men down the Levisa Fork of the Big Sandy River. The two divisions met at Prestonsburg and slowly made their way in direction of Hazel Green.

While in the Big Sandy Valley, Giltner’s men received word of President Lincoln’s assassination. On April 14, 1865, Lincoln was shot at Ford's Theater, Washington, D. C, by John Wilkes Booth. Lincoln died the following day of his wounds. Knowing how unreliable grapevine news tended to be, the news of Lincoln’s death was generally not credited by Giltner’s men. When they reached Salyersville, Magoffin Co., about April 23, 1865, more devastating news awaited them. On April 17, 1865, Confederate Gen. Joseph E. Johnston had entered into peace talks with Sherman near Durham in North Carolina. With Lee’s surrender and Johnston’s pending capitulation, no alternative was left for Giltner but to follow their example and secure the most favorable terms possible for his men.

On April 23, 1865, a letter was addressed to the commanding officer of the Department of Kentucky. Major Thomas J. Chenoweth, 13th KY Cavalry, was the officer detailed to carry the letter and was sent in advance under Flag of Truce to Mt. Sterling, the nearest post of United States Forces, with the authority to negotiate terms of surrender.

Headquarters Confederate States Force
Salyersville, Ky., April (23), 1865

To the Officer Commanding Department of Kentucky.

Sir:
A combination of unfortunate events have separated us from the Confederate Army, we are perhaps driven to the necessity of surrendering ourselves prisoners of war. The object of this communication is to ascertain the terms of such a surrender. We have waged an honorable warfare, and we will have honorable terms or none. We speak by authority of the men under our command. The officer bearing this letter is instructed to await your reply three days.

Very respectfully,

Henry L. Giltner, Col. Com'dg. Brig. Ky. Cavalry

J. Tucker, Col. Com'dg. Brig. Ky. Cavalry

Thomas Johnson, Major Com'dg. Ky. Cavalry

Chenoweth arrived at the outskirts of Mt. Sterling on April 25, 1865 where he was received by post commander Major Horatio N. Benjamin, 185th OVI. Benjamin immediately telegraphed Brig. General Edward H. Hobson, commanding 1st Division, Department of Kentucky. *

I have a flag of truce. The object of the flag is to ascertain the terms of surrender.-They claim to have waged an honorable warfare and will have honorable terms or none. Said to be about 1,000 to 1,500 men. The officer in command of flag is Major Chenoweth, and the dispatches signed H. L. Giltner, colonel, commanding division. Answer immediately.

H. N. BENJAMIN,
Major, Commanding.

Major Horatio N. Benjamin, 185th OVI
Courtesy: Larry Stevens, author of
Ohio In The Civil War

Hobson, in turn, forbade Chenoweth to enter Mt. Sterling with the flag. He also instructed Benjamin to keep out strong pickets and to discourage communications between the citizens and Chenoweth.

Brig. General Edward H. Hobson

Negotiations at Mt. Sterling spanned over two days. The delay allowed Hobson to confer with Captain J. Bates Dickson, Assistant Adjutant-General on the staff of Maj. Gen. J. M. Palmer, commanding Department of Kentucky, about acceptable terms of surrender. It also enabled Hobson, without exciting suspicion, to dispatch Union troops (the 39th KY Mtd. Infantry and part of the 14th KY Infantry) from Paintsville, and the Sandy Valley on to West Liberty road, in order to get behind the main body of Giltner’s troops, so as to prevent their retreat if the negotiation did not succeed, as well as strengthen the defenses at Mt. Sterling which was only garrisoned by two companies of the 185th OVI and a detachment of the 53rd KY Infantry. On April 26, 1865, the following dispatch was sent to Colonel David A. Mims, post commander at Louisa:

There are about 1,500 rebels near Mount Sterling negotiating for surrender and from their exorbitant terms it does not promise success. Move Thirty-ninth Kentucky (mounted men) between West Liberty and Mount Sterling at once, and if they do not surrender we will whip them into terms.

By order of Brigadier-General Hobson:

J. S. BUTLER,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

According to Captain J. S. Butler, General Hobson’s assistant adjutant-general, the Confederates, “tried to extort broad terms because of our weak force at Mount Sterling…” Outlines of conditions asked for:

To be received and treated as prisoners of war; to retain all private property, horses, side-arms, &c.; to be paroled until exchanged; to take no oath of allegiance to the United States Government, or to take up arms in its defense or against any foreign; to imprison officers of any grade or otherwise subject them to insult or violence; to guarantee our safety of life and property while in Federal limits, and give us a safe-conduct beyond them to any neutral power whenever desired. We propose to be subject to all civil laws and military regulations established for the government of prisoners of war. Whenever the Confederate Government shall no longer claim an existence, we propose to return to our allegiance to the United States Government or remove to some other country, to which we claim a safe transit.

Needless to say, these demands, being much more liberal than what had been allowed Generals Lee and Johnston, were rejected by Hobson. On April 26, 1865, the following terms of surrender were handed to Major Chenoweth:

Surrender of men to be paroled. All public property and horses and arms to be given up. Officers can retain their side arms when they are paroled.

Major Benjamin telegraphed Butler that, “Flag will not accept your proposition, unless they are allowed to retain their horses.”

After much negotiating Benjamin informed Butler that, “The flag will accept the following terms: Surrender of officers and men, to be paroled; all public property to be turned over to Government; officers and men to retain their horses and the officers their sidearms. The flag claims their horses to be private property.” In regard to the surrender of officers' horses the negotiations seemed to have reached an impasse. On April 27, 1865, Chenoweth was handed the final terms of surrender.

H. L. Giltner
Colonel Com'dg. Div. C.S.A.

You will be allowed the following terms to surrender your Command: Surrender of men to be paroled. All public property and horses and arms to be given up. Officers can retain their side arms when they are paroled. They must wear citizen dress while in Kentucky. They will be treated kindly. These terms will be given and none other.

By order of Brig. Gen. Hobson

H. N. Benjamin, Maj., 185th Reg't. O.V.I.
Com'dg.

Subsequently, Major Benjamin informed Capt. J. S. Butler by telegraph:

The major commanding the flag says he cannot accept the terms, but will take a copy of the terms and submit it to Colonel Giltner, commanding division, C. S. Army. Shall I send an officer and escort through with them? They wish to start in the morning. Please give me instructions.

H. N. BENJAMIN,
Major, Commanding.


LEXINGTON, April 27, 1865.

Maj. H. N. BENJAMIN,
Mount Sterling, Ky.:

Send a flag of truce and twenty-five men under good officer to escort rebel flag not farther than West Liberty or Hazel Green, if the rebels should be that far. Let the officer be intelligent and prudent enough to learn near the force they have. In the meantime more troops are being sent you.

By order of Brigadier-General Hobson:

J. S. BUTLER,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

Butler felt confident that “By the time they reject the terms proposed there will be enough troops to alter the whole thing, and we will get many deserters before they can get away, with or without a fight ... We have given them very liberal terms, and they will be bound to accept them or lose half their men.”

On April 28, 1865, Chenoweth and his men left Mt. Sterling, accompanied by a flag of truce and an escort commanded by Captain Benj. T. Nix and Lieut. H. S. Rawls. The same day, Captain Nix sent a courier back to Mt. Sterling, who stated that, according to citizens reports, some 300 of Giltner's forces were within eighteen miles of Mt. Sterling and had fallen back. It was also reported that Giltner, with his command, was falling back to Salyersville, to disband to try and save their horses.

The flag of truce finally caught up with Giltner at McCormick’s in Bath Co. KY, where he was handed a copy of the terms offered. Giltner gave in on the issue of the horses and accepted the terms, but insisted on reassurances that officers were to be paroled immediately after their surrender.

The following post script was added to the terms of surrender:

McCormack's, Bath Co. Ky.
29th April, 1865

All officers are included in the terms of capitulation, promising an immediate parole to all the men.

H. L. Rawls
Benj. T. Nix
Commanding escort of flag of truce


Col. Giltner’s official response to the surrender terms offered was as follows:

Headquarters Cavalry Commands,
McCormack's, Bath Co., Ky.
29th April, 1865

Major H. N. Benjamin
Com'dg. U. S. Forces at Mt. Sterling.

With the assurance of Capt. Benj. T. Nix and Lieut. H. S. Rawls, U.S.A. accompanying escort of the Flag of Truce, of the immediate parole of all officers, I am compelled to accept the terms of capitulation tendered by Brig. Gen. Hobson. I shall reach Mount Sterling by 3 p.m. tomorrow the 30th inst.

Most respectfully,
Your humble servant,
H. L. Giltner, Col. Com'dg. &tc.

Thus Giltner and his men prepared for their last march and proceeded to Mt. Sterling, “amid the tears of nature and of men, the saddest funeral procession that ever trod the soil of Kentucky.”

On April 30, 1865, on the hill South of Mt. Sterling, overlooking the town, the last Confederate corps on Kentucky soil laid down their arms and received their parole. The Louisville Journal noted, “The men looked as though they had seen hard service, and such a thing as a complete uniform was a circumstance. No doubt these poor fellows are heartily glad to be relieved from a hard campaign, short rations and hardships, and once more allowed to remain quietly at home after so long a period of danger and exposure.”

Capt. J. S. Butler, who was vested with full power by Hobson, “as the representative of the brigadier-general commanding in all matters connected with the surrender and paroling of the division of Confederate troops commanded by Col. H. L. Giltner” immediately went to work of paroling Giltner’s men. Butler noted, “They accepted terms and would have given more if it had been requested. I have papers signed and am now busy paroling officers; seventy-three done. About 105 officers and 800 to 1,000 men, Giltner in command. I cropped his wings first one.”

In regard to the horses, some of Giltner’s men were able to make arrangements as was the case with Captain Adcock and his horse “Billie Roan.” Adcock gave a woman $30 to bring the faithful steed through the lines, and thence he was brought home by other parties--at a cost of $65. In later years, when he was 27 years old, “Billie Roan” attended a Confederate veteran reunion and received more honors than any of the men. “He was caparisoned and ribboned on the parade ground and attracted much attention.” Captain Sebring, Co. C, 10th KY Cavalry, was not so fortunate. Upon signing his parole, Major Benjamin kept Sebring’s horse, saddle and bridle.

Captain W. T. Havens parole

(Parole)

Mount Sterling, April 30, 1865

I, Capt. W. T. Havens, Co. E, 3d Ky. Cav., solemnly swear that I will not take up arms against the United States, or give information to the enemies thereof until I am regularly exchanged as a prisoner of war.

W. T. Havens, Capt.,
Co. E, 3d Ky. Batt. Cav.

Subscribed and sworn before me this 30th day of April, 1865

H. N. Benjamin, Maj.
185 O. V. I., Com'd U. S. F.


(Reverse)

Cap. W. T. Havens "E" 3d Ky. is paroled until regularly exchanged.

By order of Brig. Gen. E. H. Hobson

J. S. Butler
Asst. Adj. Gen.


Meanwhile, on April 27, 1865, a small part of Giltner’s Brigade, the remnants of the Col. Benjamin Caudill's regiment (also known as 13th KY Cavalry), surrendered to Colonel David A. Mims at Louisa, KY. He reported:

LOUISA, KY., April 27, 1865.
Capt. J. S. BUTLER:

The Tenth Kentucky (rebel), of Colonel Giltner's command, has surrendered to me at this place. Terms, release upon the amnesty oath.

D. A. MIMS,
Colonel, Commanding.


The following is a copy of the Oath of Allegiance the soldiers had to sign at Louisa before their release.

Headquarters U. S. Forces
1st Division, Department of Kentucky

Office Provost Marshal
Louisa, Ky., April 30 1865.

United States of America } SS.
State of Kentucky }

I,____ do solemnly swear, in the presence of Almighty God, that I will henceforth Faithfully support, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States, and the Union thereunder; and that I will, in like manner, abide by and faithfully support all acts of Congress passed during the existing rebellion with reference to slaves, so long and so far as not repealed, modified, or hold void by Congress or by decision of the Supreme Court; and that I will in like manner abide by and faithfully support all proclamations of the President made during the existing rebellion having reference to slaves, so long and so far as not modified or declared void by decision of the Supreme Court: So help me God.

____ (signature of paroled man)


Subscribed and sworn to before me this 30th day of April A.D. 1865.

J. W. Allison
LIEUT. and PROVOST MARSHAL.

The above named has ____ complexion, ____ hair, ____ eyes, and is ___ feet, ___ inches high, ___ years of age.

Last Military Organization:

James W. Adams, 13th KY Cavalry, Oath of Allegiance

  Thus ended the service of John Hunt Morgan’s old command – it was no more but a memory. After the war, Edward O. Guerrant reflected on the surrender, adopting a somewhat idealistic view characteristic of the “Lost Cause.” “They had fought a good fight, and kept the faith, and though the crown of victory did not encircle their brow, the triumph of the deathless principle they defended so heroically, will ultimately crown them conquerors – with an imperishable fame.”

Reunion Ribbon, 4th KY Cavalry
with image of Col. Henry L. Giltner
Courtesy: Kraig McNutt, author of
The Battle of Franklin


Notes
*By a twist of fate, it was Brig. Gen. Edward H. Hobson who negotiated the terms of surrender of Giltner’s division, which, in essence, was General John Hunt Morgan’s old command. During Morgan's Raid in July 1863, Hobson was involved in the pursuit and capture of Morgan and his men, after inflicting a severe defeat upon the raiders at the Battle of Buffington Island, Ohio. Ironically, Hobson and about 750 men of the 171st Ohio Infantry were captured by Morgan near Cynthiana, KY, in June 1864. Hobson was able to negotiate his release.

Links of Interest
General Edward H. Hobson’s Frock Coat, c. 1863
Image provided by "A State Divided: Exploring the Civil War Through Images"




Article researched and written by Marlitta H. Perkins, October 2012. Unauthorized use and/or duplication without express written notice by the author is strictly prohibited. © 2012. All Rights Reserved.

Salt Works of Eastern Kentucky

Salt played a major role during the Civil War. Salt not only preserved food in the days before refrigeration, but was also essential in the curing of leather and dyeing of uniforms. Prior to the war, large quantities of salt were imported from England, Portugal and the British West Indies, but a significant amount was also produced domestically. During the Civil War, salt production facilities in Saltville, Va., Virginia's Kanawha Valley and Avery Island, Louisiana, were crucial to the Confederate war effort, especially after the Union blockaded delivery of salt to the Confederate states. Union general William Tecumseh Sherman once said that "salt is eminently contraband", as an army that has salt can adequately feed its men.

The oldest and most extensive salt works in Kentucky were located in the Eastern part of the state, near Manchester in Clay County, upon the waters of Goose Creek and its tributaries. These included Langford's (later called the Lower Goose Creek Salt Works), White's (Upper Goose Creek Salt Works), Garrard's (Union Salt Works), and several others owned and operated by the Bates brothers, Francis Clark, the Reid, Horton, May, Chastain, Gibson and other families. The yield per salt works amounted on an average to 50-100 bushels of salt daily.

1864 Plat Map of Goose Creek Salt Works

In the 1860’s, Goose Creek Salt retailed in John G. Taylor's grocery store in Richmond, Kentucky, at the following prices:

April 26, 1860 - .65/bushel
August 14, 1860 - .62.5/bushel
November 5, 1860 - .60/bushel
December 3, 1860 - .60/bushel
April 27, 1861 - .50/bushel
August 15, 1861 - .50/bushel
Oct. 29, 1861 - .75/bushel
Dec. 21, 1861 - .62.5/bushel
April 27, 1862 - .50/bushel
June 19, 1862 - .62.5/bushel
July 25, 1862 - .62.5/bushel
Sept. 8, 1862 - .70/bushel
November 1862 - .85/bushel
Dec. 4, 1862 - .65/bushel
Jan. - May 1863 - .50/bushel

On September 27, 1861, troops under Confederate Brigadier General Felix Kirk Zollicoffer raided the Goose Creek Salt Works and loaded their wagon train with 200 barrels of salt, and "pulled down the flag, tore it up, and in addition, placed theirs on the same pole." Zollicoffer noted that, “The works belong to Lincoln men, but I caused it to be receipted for, with the expectation that the Confederate Government will pay for it at the price at the works--forty cents per bushel. The scarcity of the article in the Confederate States makes the acquisition a valuable one to the Army.”

Brigadier General Felix Kirk Zollicoffer

In the fall of 1862, during the Confederate invasion of Kentucky by General Kirby Smith, the Confederates carried off another 3500 – 4000 bushels of salt. Southern papers stated, “The Salt Works at Goose Creek, forty miles beyond the Gap, are now accessible to our people. A gentleman just from there informs me that there is an immense supply on hand, and that it is selling at one dollar a bushel.”

Union authorities anticipated another raid by the Confederates on the salt works. On Oct. 23-24, 1862, five major Goose Creek salt works were destroyed by US soldiers to keep them from falling into rebel hands. This included the Union salt works, owned and operated by Colonel, later Union Brigadier General, T. T. Garrard. US Brigadier General William Lovy Smith noted in his report ”the noble conduct of some of those interested in the works, especially of Mrs. Garrard, who expressed her entire willingness that not only that valuable property, but all else that she and her husband (a colonel in our service) owned, might be destroyed , if such destruction would help to restore the Union …” Smith also commented that “these salt works are situated in the midst of a population whose loyalty and patriotism are not excelled in any portion of our country.” Thus, before the work of destruction began, the loyal citizens were allowed to remove whatever quantity of salt was necessary to supply the country round about. The remainder, nearly 30,000 bushels, was destroyed by turning the water of the cisterns upon it or throwing it into pools or the creek. 500 men were engaged for 36 consecutive hours in destroying the works including pumps, wells and pipes. In one case, cannonballs were forced into the wells. The destruction of the salt works had an immediate impact, creating a shortage which in turn drove up the price of salt.


Nearly a year later, on September 3, 1863, Col. John DeCourcy, who commanded a brigade of US troops near Barboursville, KY, authorized “all loyal men who are owners of, or in any manner interested in the salt works … to resume their operations in the manufacture of salt, heretofore injured by command of government officials, and I assure them in the fullest possible manner every aid and protection the government or its officers, civil and military, can give them, it being the wish to foster and not hinder endeavors to develop the resources of the country, especially on the part of true men.”

Brashear's Salt Works in Perry County, now known as Cornettsville, were located at the confluence of the North Fork of the Kentucky River, Leatherwood and Little Leatherwood Creeks, on Highway 699, just off Route 7. The owner Robert S. Brashear began operating the salt works in 1834, with a combined work force of slaves and local laborers. The salt production for one year was reported to be 7,000 bushels.

On December 10, 1861, CSA Brigadier-General Humphrey Marshall reported that he had possession of Brashear’s Salt Works, hoping to produce 35 or 40 bushels of salt per week, including salt produced at the Middle Creek Salt Works by a second detachment, “so as not only to supply my current demand, but to enable me to pack as much meat ration as will serve this army for future purposes.”

Eventually, Marshall was able to convince Brashear to offer the use of his salt works to the Confederate government for a term of three years. On February 1, 1862, Brashear submitted the following proposal:

I propose and agree to lease to the Government of the Confederate States of America my tract of land in Perry County, Kentucky, embracing some 4,000 acres, with privilege of using the machinery thereon situated and of making salt there and of cultivating the land, and with the privilege of cutting the timber and mining the coal, for the term of three years, from the 1st day of May next, for the sum of $2,000 for the whole term, payable in equal installments annually, and with power to said Government to assign this lease and to locate troops on the land and otherwise to exercise all acts of ownership for the term through its agents, servants, officers, or assigns. The acceptance of this proposition by the President or Secretary of War is to be considered as making this contract complete, on my being notified thereof by General Marshall, or any other agent of the Government, and a copy hereof furnished to me, signed by the President or Secretary, at any time prior to the 1st of May, 1862; possession to be given at that time or as much sooner as the other party chooses to take it.

L. B. Northrop, Commissary-General Subsistence, however, was hesitant to accept the offer. “It is not recommended to decide on this question at present, as it remains open until the 1st of May. Moreover, this department has made preparations for furnishing salt in less precarious localities and sufficient quantities.”

The Brashear's Salt Works changed hands several times during the Civil War. On October 19, 1862, the Battle of Leatherwood took place between Confederate forces under Captain David J. Caudill, commanding Co. B, 10th Kentucky Mounted Rifles, who were guarding the salt works and a detachment of the Harlan County Battalion, Kentucky State Guards. Major B. F. Blankenship stated in his report, “A party of 40 men, 25 from capt Powell's & 15 from capt Morgan's companies, were detailed to go to the Salt well at mouth of leatherwood Creek in perry County, Ky to form a junction with some home guards who stated that they wished to join our company. They had not proceeded very far when they were attacked by a company of rebels under capt D J Caudill numbering 100 men. Our men returned their fire and the contest was severe for about 15 minutes when the rebels retreated leaving 5 dead on the field and mortally wounding D J Caudill their Capt. Our loss was one wounded who since died." Brashear’s Salt Works remained in business until the 1880’s.

David, in Floyd County, Kentucky, was the site of the Boone Salt Springs. It was discovered by Daniel Boone and one or two companions during the of winter 1767-68, at the mouth of Salt Lick Fork of the left fork of Middle Creek, ten miles west of present day Prestonsburg. The salt spring flowed from the foot of a rocky bluff on the southern bank of the stream. Nearly 30 years later, during the winter of 1796-97, Nathan Boone visited the area while on a hunt with his father. Settled by James Young as early as 1779, the springs were now known as Young's Salt Works, the earliest of its kind in the Big Sandy Valley. A well was sunk which enabled Young to supply salt to the early Big Sandy pioneers for decades. He lived on the tract as late as 1801. Owners included Henry Clay, Kentucky’s famous statesman, as well as John Breckenridge, the grandfather of Confederate General John C. Breckinridge. In 1805, in partnership with John Young, he owned one equal moiety of 1000 acres of land on Middle Creek, which included the salt works. Later owners included the Harrises, the Hamiltons, and others, who operated the wells. By January of 1829, the salt works were known as Middle Creek Salt Works.

Kentucky Historical Marker, David, KY

During the Civil War, salt manufactured at Middle Creek supplied both Union and Confederate troops. At the beginning of December 1861, a detachment of CS General Humphrey Marshall’s command was at Middle Creek Salt Works, making salt for the use of his army. On October 19, 1862, a force of 500-600 Confederates from Floyd’s command “were reported to be at the salt-works on the Big Sandy River above Louisa.” A bushel of salt from the Middle Creek salt works generally sold for two and three dollars during the war.

Site of the Middle Creek Salt Works, David, KY

In Carter County, salt was manufactured extensively at the Salines of the Little Sandy River as early as 1801. The community which sprang up around the Little Sandy salt works was first called Crossroads, and then renamed Grayson in 1838. One of the men engaged in salt making was Jesse Boone, son of Daniel, who, with partner Amos Kibbe, carried on the salt making business for a number of years and then sold out in 1816. By 1820, the area had become a major salt producer, manufacturing ten thousand bushels of salt yearly. By 1829, however, salt production on the Little Sandy declined, unable to compete in quality and price with the Goose Creek Salt Works in Clay County and salt operations on Green River. In 1837, Carter’s salt works was the only one still in operation.

Despite the decline in salt making it continued in Carter County throughout the Civil War, albeit on a smaller scale. Dr. Landsdowne, a Confederate sympathizer, operated a salt furnace on his property near Grayson. After his arrest by Union troops in the fall of 1861, Landsdowne left Carter County for the duration of the war and leased his house, property, store and salt furnace to George W. Mead, “with all the appurtenances thereto belonging, together with salt wells sufficient for the manufacture of salt at said furnace and the privilege of using coal, &c., in the business of making salt.” One of the conditions of the lease was for Mead, “to construct a salt furnace for the manufacture of salt at the furnace above described and opening and working such wells as the said Mead may deem most expedient."

Similar small enterprises existed throughout Eastern Kentucky which produced salt mostly for domestic use. William Jackson Cope, a Confederate soldier who served in the 10th KY Cavalry, made salt on his father’s farm on Quicksand in Perry County during the Civil War.

In the 1930’s, Tom Haddix of Breathitt County recalled the old salt works at Haddix, situated on Lost Creek, near the mouth of Troublesome. “Salt water was piped into a cistern and then piped so it would run into the salt kettles. We built a furnace of stones, made a hot fire in it, and put the kettles of water on to boil. The water boiled down and left the salt. The most of the kettles were large … During the war we made just about enough salt for the people around here.”

Haddix noted that “the Nobles had a salt well, too.” Granville Pearl Noble told about his family’s salt operations in Breathitt County,” Yes, we'd salt wells, one on Lost Creek. I made salt, myself, during the Civil War. We would pump the saltwater by hand, then we'd put it into the big salt kettles and boil it about two days and a night. When it boiled down, we'd have salt. The neighbors came a long way to get the salt. During the war we just made enough for our own use because we couldn't get a price for anything.”

One of the larger salt enterprises in Eastern Kentucky belonged to a Confederate general but, ironically, his salt works never contributed an ounce of salt to either army. Warfield was established in Lawrence County, now Martin, in the early 1850's as a coal, salt and lumber community by George Rogers Clark Floyd and John Warfield of Virginia. It is located on the Tug Fork of the Big Sandy River, some sixty miles above Catlettsburg. On March 3, 1857, George Rogers Clark Floyd deeded all the Warfield property to his brother John B. Floyd. On May 23, 1861, Floyd was commissioned brigadier-general in the Confederate Army and subsequently had command of the "Virginia State Line," which operated mainly in western and southwestern Virginia. Upon his departure, Floyd left agents in charge to look after the welfare of the property. Great quantities of salt were made at Warfield before the Civil War which were transported by boat to Catlettsburg but at the beginning of hostilities production ceased. On January 21, 1862, Floyd’s vast Warfield property of 15,000 acres came under a sheriff's sale and was acquired by two Kentucky Union officers and their spouses, Colonel Laban T. Moore and wife Sarah, Col. George W. Gallup and wife Rebecca, as well as Joseph Tromstine, a Cincinnati investor and his wife Bertha. Thus the Warfield salt works remained in Union hands throughout the war and out of reach of the Confederacy. The production of salt was resumed after the end of the Civil War.



Links of Interest

Confederate General John B. Floyd and the Warfield Saltworks

Skirmish at Landsdowne Hall

Little Sandy Salt Works

The Battle of Leatherwood

Goose Creek Salt Works Village
A project of the Clay Co. Genealogical and Historical Society

Manchester Virtual Tour

One Foggy Morning in Barbourville, Kentucky
By Ray Atkins

Article was researched and written by Marlitta H. Perkins, Aug./Sept. 2012 and is under full copyright. Copyright © 2012. All Rights Reserved.