The Death of Tandy F. Jones

Tandy F. Jones was born in 1840 or 1841 in Floyd County, Kentucky, the son of John Ray Jones and his first wife Satira Stanley. The Jones family migrated from Virginia, possibly Scott County, by the 1830’s and settled on Mud Creek in Floyd County, Kentucky. After the death of Satira, John Ray Jones married Phoebe Sturgill and moved to Johnson County, Kentucky around 1857 and settled in the Flat Gap area.

Flat Gap, Johnson County, Kentucky

On May 22, 1860, Tandy F. Jones married Susannah Sagraves, daughter of Joseph Sagraves, Jr. and Nancy McDowell. When the Federal Census was taken on July 12, 1860, the couple was still living in the household of Tandy’s father and step-mother, along with several siblings and his grandmother.

By the time the Civil War had begun in 1861, the newlyweds had set up housekeeping, possibly on Susannah’s father’s place. Sagraves operated a mill on Lower Laurel Fork of Big Blaine Creek and was a near neighbor of John R. and John B. Wheeler. All the couple had to their name was one milk cow. In October 1861, Tandy’s older brother Lemuel G. Jones enlisted as a private in Co. D, 14th KY Infantry (US), along with a number of other men from Jones’ neighborhood which was predominantly Union. Tandy on the other hand remained quiet on the subject. Even though his principles seemed to be leaning towards the Secessionists, he never said or did much in support of either side. This all changed in December of 1861, when Tandy, along with his brother-in-law William Sagraves, joined Co. K, 5th KY Infantry, Mtd. (CS) It is questionable whether their enlistment was entirely voluntary. William R. and John B. Wheeler testified that Jones and Sagraves, “would not Have Went if they had not been scared into it by their party we believe them to be Common moral Citizens.”

William R. and James B. Wheeler Affidavit

Events that followed seem to support testimony of the Wheelers. On January 9, 1862, one day before the Battle of Middle Creek, Tandy F. Jones and William Sagraves deserted the Confederates and were making their way toward the Union lines to give themselves up. Sagraves was still armed but Jones was not when they reached the outer picket line of the 14th KY Infantry. They were promptly arrested and taken under guard to the Union camp in Paintsville and placed into the guard house. Commander Col. James A. Garfield stated, “On Examination the(y) confessed that they were from the rebel army and from ignorance or fear did not call any witnesses to show that they had deserted & come in voluntarily.” Unaware that both men had surrendered on their own free will, Garfield sent Tandy F. Jones and William Sagraves as prisoners of war in company with fifteen others from Paintsville to Newport Barracks. After a brief stay, both men were forwarded on February 10, 1862, to Camp Chase in Ohio.

It is not entirely clear how Garfield became aware of the true nature of Jones’ and Sagraves’ arrest, perhaps through the interference by family and friends, but on February 15, 1862, he addressed a letter to Judge Advocate General Colonel Luther Day, with a recommendation that Jones and Sagraves be released on taking the oath of allegiance to the U. S. Government. Garfield enclosed an affidavit by William R. and John B. Wheeler, taken on February 14, 1862, who testified on behalf of both men before Johnson County Justice of the Peace E. Lemaster.

Garfield’s letter was received on March 5, 1862 and forwarded to Adjutant General Lester Thomas. In turn, Garfield’s recommendations were sent to Ohio Governor David Tod who respectfully returned the letter to the Secretary of War, with the recommendation, “that favorable action be had.”

Meanwhile, on March 7, 1862, Jones and Sagraves, along with 42 other Kentuckians who were prisoners at Camp Chase, addressed a letter to, “His Excellency the Governor, the Chairman and Members of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky ... That all constitutional measures may be resorted to by your honorable body for our restoration of our homes, families and loyalty, and for full and complete relief, we would ever pray."


Letter to the Governor of Kentucky
March 7, 1862

 On April 8, 1862, by order from General James A. Garfield, Jones and Sagraves were discharged from Camp Chase, after taking the oath of allegiance on April 7, 1862. Tandy F. Jones’ physical description was as follows – he was 21 years old, stood 5’7” tall, had a light complexion, blue eyes, dark hair and brown whiskers. William Sagraves was 27 years old, stood 5’9” tall, had a dark complexion, dark eyes, dark hair and dark whiskers.

Tandy F. Jones Oath of Allegiance

After their release from Camp Chase, both men returned to their homes in Kentucky. By all appearances, Tandy F. Jones kept the terms of his oath, which in part stated, “I fully understand if I violate this oath and am again found in arms against the Government of the United States or aiding or abetting its enemies the penalty is death.” There is no evidence to suggest that he ever served in another Confederate unit. Tandy took up farming, raised some corn and wheat and tended to one horse, two cattle and five hogs. Nevertheless, military and prison life had left him a sick man. He suffered from dysentery, also known as flux or bloody flux, an intestinal inflammation which leads to severe diarrhea with blood in the stool. This disease was one of the great killers during the Civil War. Jones thought drinking water from a sulphur spring would cure his disease.

In August of 1862, the Confederate invasion of Kentucky began and on September 13, 1862, CS General Humphrey Marshall’s troops, including the 5th KY Infantry, Mtd., arrived at Salyersville in Magoffin County, KY. At this point many who had previously deserted rejoined the 5th KY Infantry, including William Sagraves. Tandy Jones, on the other hand, remained at home.

Between September 14 and October 5, 1862, a scouting party of ten men, under the command of Lieutenant John W. Ferguson, Co. F, 5th KY Infantry, left Salyersville, with orders by their Captain Henry G. Colvin, to shoot any man who wouldn't halt. The scout proceeded to Johnson County, possibly to hunt up deserters and appeared at Tandy F. Jones’ house as he was returning from one of his trips to the sulphur spring. Upon seeing the soldiers, Jones made an attempt to escape. William Tackett, one of Ferguson’s men, testified on May 26, 1863, that “Jones was halted several times, before he was shot. I did not see him shot, he had turned round the house, and when I saw him again he was coming back. My belief is that he was running at the time he was shot. He was running very swiftly when I saw him and had only about 10 steps to go to get into the woods.” A witness by the name of Rice, possibly Sam Rice, who happened to be present when the killing took place, later reported a slightly different story to Tandy’s brother Lemuel “Lem” Jones. According to Rice, when Ferguson’s party came across Tandy Jones, he ran about 15 feet, was halted by Ferguson, and on his coming back, having surrendered, Ferguson gave the order to fire on him, which was done and Jones was killed. Local lore that has been passed down through the years tells of Jones making an effort to escape and crossing a rail fence. When he reached the top, he was shot in the back where his gallowses crossed and died instantly.

Ironically, Ferguson was not aware that Tandy Jones was a deserter when he gave orders to shoot him. Yet Tandy Jones was aware of the danger of being shot as a deserter and attempted to escape. William Tackett confirmed that Jones’ fears were not unfounded. He stated, “I believe they would have shot Jones had they known it was him.” Known members of the scouting party were 1st Lt. John W. Ferguson, 1st Corporal William “Will” Jayne, private William Tackett, and possibly 2nd Lt. Hayden Ferguson. The names of the others have not been discovered. Ferguson’s party was accompanied by former 5th KY soldiers James Patterson, Andrew J. Osborne and possibly by Patterson’s brother-in-law William W. Estep, although his name was never mentioned in any of the existing records.

Tandy Jones’ death created a disturbance among his family, friends and neighbors, the effects of which were felt for years after. This may have been in part due to the fact that Tandy’s wife Susannah was either pregnant with their daughter Alana or the child was just an infant. According to one local historian, the emotional temperature arose to such a great magnitude that a group was organized “for the purpose of safety and to execute the executor.”

Tandy Jones’ killing may have haunted 18 year old William Tackett. He deserted the 5th KY Infantry shortly thereafter and enlisted in the 14th KY Infantry (US), on October 5, 1862, at Paintsville, Johnson County, KY. Tackett was soon gone from the area.

James Patterson and his family disappeared entirely from the Johnson County tax lists in 1863 and thereafter. It appears that Patterson and his family went back to Virginia, quite possibly Rye Cove, sometime after the 1862 harvesting season was over. He may have been accompanied by his nephew William W. Estep, who, according to family stories, left Johnson County with his family about the same time. Patterson and Estep were back in Johnson County by summer of 1864. An assassination attempt nearly cost Patterson his life, which he survived by a stroke of luck. Patterson, a native Tennessean, later returned to his home state.

The fate of Andrew J. Osborne at this point is uncertain. According to local history, a few days after the assault on Patterson, three strange men passed by the house of Andrew J. Osborne and shot him while he was working in his garden. It is believed by some that his death was directly related to his involvement in the killing of Tandy Jones and was an act of revenge. Other accounts claim that Osborne died in the Battle of Paintsville on April 13, 1864. The true circumstances of his death may warrant closer examination in the future.

William W. Estep was killed by a sniper near Flemingsburg, Fleming County, KY, towards the end of the war. His body was disposed of in such a manner that subsequent attempts by the family to locate him were fruitless, despite the fact that he may have been accompanied by one of his brothers when he died.

William Jayne served in the 5th KY Infantry, which was part of the famous Orphan Brigade, until 1865. He voluntarily surrendered on May 5, 1865, at Macon, Georgia. Jayne returned to Johnson County where he lived peacefully and raised a family. About 1906 or 1907, he moved to Boyd County, KY, and lived on a small farm. William Jayne’s final move was to Lake City, Florida, in the spring of 1917, where he died the same year.

Hayden Ferguson continued to serve in the 5th KY until the end of the war. He left Kentucky and settled in Georgia by 1870.

His brother Lt. James W. Ferguson resigned his commission in the 5th KY Infantry in October of 1862. The reason were, he claimed, that, “he had become convinced that he was fighting on the wrong side and that the South was wrong.” Ferguson returned to Johnson County, settled his personal business and disposed of all his properties. He was captured by the 14th KY Infantry (US) on May 12, 1863 and charged with treason and being a rebel officer. After he was tried by a military commission, Ferguson was sent to Camp Chase and later Johnson’s Island. Two months later Ferguson applied to take the oath of allegiance in order to return to Kentucky and remain a "peaceful citizen", but refused to be sent South upon exchange. While at Johnson's Island, the doctors diagnosed him with an incurable disease for which he received treatments. Ferguson was finally released on taking the Amnesty oath on April 27, 1865 at Johnson's Island. He never returned to Johnson County, fearing, perhaps, repercussions in regard to his involvement in Tandy Jones’ death. Ferguson settled in on Briar Fork in Elliott County, KY, where he died from kidney disease on May 8, 1875, at the age of 44.

Nothing is known about the fate of Tandy F. Jones' wife Susannah who disappeared from the records after 1862. Daughter Alana was taken in and raised by her grandparents Joseph and Nancy Segraves. She married James Abraham Garfield Spradlin on Dec. 2, 1880 and moved to Lower Twin Branch, Johnson County, KY. Their marriage was short lived as James died in 1884 at the age of 23, followed by Alana in February 1887, at the age of 26. Thus closed a tragic chapter in the history of Johnson County, KY.

Sources
Provost Marshal Records
Letters to the Adjutant General
Compiled Service Records, Confederate / Union
VF Family History Folder, Johnson Co. KY library: Estep/Cantrell/Salyer Family; account by Elmond Davis.
Hanging files, Johnson Co. KY library, anonymous account.
Johnson County, Ky Tax Lists
Johnson County, KY Federal Census records

Researched and compiled by Marlitta H. Perkins, November 2012. The author would like to thank Mark Bryant for his valuable insights. Unauthorized use and/or duplication without express written notice by the author is strictly prohibited. © 2012. All Rights Reserved.

The Killing of James Patterson

Osborne's Little Holler
Known as Patterson Creek today
Toward the end of the Civil War, shots rang out in Osborne’s Little Holler, near Flat Gap in Johnson County, Kentucky. The victim of this shooting was James T. Patterson, a former 2nd Lieutenant in Co. K, 5th KY Mounted Infantry, CSA.

Who was Patterson and what led up to this incident? He was born circa 1827 in Tennessee, possibly in Hawkins County. Nothing is known about his parents and his early years are shrouded in mystery. Before he reached the age of 20, Patterson married Nancy Chase, who was the daughter of Ambrose and Sarah Chase of Ryecove, Scott County, Virginia. 12 years Patterson’s senior, Nancy had been previously married for a brief time to Canaday Carter, who had died within a few short months after their marriage in 1838.

About 1847, the Pattersons moved to Greenup County, Kentucky, where James may have found work in one of the local furnaces. A number of Nancy Patterson’s family members had made the move from Scott County, Virginia to Greenup as well. Only a few households away, two of Nancy’s nephews, William and Henry P. Estep, were living with Edward Osborne.

In 1850, the family included three young children, James, age 9, Serena, age 7 and Francis Melvin, age 4. The Pattersons remained in Greenup until 1853, when they moved to Johnson County, Kentucky. Three years later, on October 27, 1856, Patterson bought a 40 acre farm on Osborne's Little Creek of Mudlick Creek from James E. Williams for $40. It was here where Patterson settled with his family. During the same year, Patterson and his nephew William Estep had 160 acres surveyed at Osborne Branch in Johnson County, KY, not far from Andrew J. Osborne’s residence. In 1857, Patterson added another 50 acre tract to his land holdings which was located on Mud Lick. He farmed, grew corn, and kept a cow and hog – things were progressing well for the Patterson family.

Osborne's Little Hollow/Patterson Creek
Near where James T. Patterson settled
When the Civil War broke out in 1861, James T. Patterson was still in possession of his 40 acre property, the value of which had increased $25 over the past four years, possibly by improvements made to the land. As before, the family kept a cow and hog. Corn was planted and raised and by early fall, 18 bushels of corn were harvested which would help sustain the family during the coming winter months.

During this time, Kentucky ended her neutrality and sided with the Union. Patterson, whose heart was with the South, knew it was time to act and made the decision to join the Confederate Army. Accompanied by Henry P. Estep, Patterson made his way to Prestonsburg and joined Captain Andrew J. May's Company, 5th KY Mounted Infantry. He was sworn into the service at West Liberty in Morgan County, KY, on October 21, 1861. Only two days later, the 2nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry, part of General "Bull" Nelson's Union force, captured the town and sent May's men fleeing back to Prestonsburg. On November 8, 1861, Captain A. J. May’s men took position on the heights above the narrows of Ivy Creek and awaited the federal forces under Gen. Nelson who were moving up the Big Sandy Valley in order to clear out any Confederate troops. When the Federals discovered and began shelling May’s position, Nelson ordered a regiment up the mountain to attack, and the Confederate line erupted with fire. Eventually outflanked, the Confederates withdrew from their position and escaped. This became known as the Battle of Ivy Mountain.

On Nov. 17, 1861, Captain May was promoted to Lieutenant -Colonel of the 5th KY Infantry. His company became Company A, under the command of Capt. Mynheir. On December 14, 1861, at Camp Recovery, on Middle Creek in Floyd Co. KY, Patterson joined Co. K, 5th KY Mounted Infantry and was elected 2nd Lieutenant. The company was commanded by Captain Daniel Blevins and many of his men, such as Tandy Jones and William Seagraves, Jones’ brother-in-law, as well as his own brother-in-law Andrew J. Osborne, were recruits from Flat Gap and surrounding areas.

Flat Gap area
On January 10, 1862, the 5th KY Infantry participated in the Battle of Middle Creek. Defeated by Colonel James A. Garfield, future president of the United States, the 5th KY Infantry, as part of General Humphrey Marshall’s force, withdrew to Virginia in early February, after a brief stay at Whitesburg, Letcher County, KY. On May 16 and 17, 1862, the 5th KY Infantry was engaged in the Battle of Princeton, present day West Virginia. Subsequently, the regiment returned to their camp on the William Peery farm, east of Jeffersonville (now Tazewell), in Tazewell County, VA.

Change was in the air. It was here that Patterson decided to leave the Confederate army, perhaps as a direct reaction to General Humphrey Marshall’s decision to resign his command on May 22, 1862. Marshall’s adjutant E. O. Guerrant noted that the Kentuckians in Marshall’s brigade declined to reorganize. Additionally, changes had taken place in the 5th KY Infantry and Capt. Blevins’ and Capt. Ratcliff’s companies were consolidated. Consequently, James T. Patterson tendered his resignation on May 25, 1862. It was recommended and accepted by Gen. Humphrey Marshall three days later.

James T. Patterson's resignation from the 5th KY Infantry
By June 6, 1862, Patterson was on his way home to Johnson County, with more than $300 pay in his pocket. During 1862, the Johnson County tax lists show that Patterson’s property decreased by 15 acres and was now valued at $25, which may indicate that Patterson began disposing of his property and was ready to pull up stakes and leave Kentucky. Nevertheless, the family planted and raised another crop of corn and managed to harvest 12 bushels.

Much of Patterson’s subsequent actions during the war remain a matter of speculation. He and his family disappeared entirely from the tax lists in 1863 and thereafter. It appears that Patterson and his family went back to Virginia, quite possibly Rye Cove, sometime after the 1862 harvesting season was over. This may have occurred before the winter set in or in the spring of 1863, when an increase in Union patrols were making it unsafe to remain in Eastern Kentucky. It may have been the final blow when, on April 3, 1863, Henry P. Estep was arrested at his home by William Sparks of the 14th KY Infantry, who also lived in the Flat Gap area. Estep was taken under guard to Union headquarters at Louisa, Lawrence County, KY and charged with being a spy.

While in Virginia, Nancy Patterson gave birth to another child, Martha J., in 1863. At some point, however, the family returned to Johnson County and Patterson is rumored to have joined or formed his own irregular local Confederate home guard unit at Flat Gap. In late 1864, as the war was seemingly turning in favor of the Union and things were beginning to look rather bleak for the Confederates, several members of Patterson’s unit deserted and changed their sympathies toward the Union.

One of these men was Tandy Jones who had served with Patterson in Captain Blevins’ company of the 5th KY Infantry. The company rolls indicate that he deserted his unit on January 9, 1862 and may have been accompanied by his brother-in-law William Seagraves. Jones, who was not in arms, was arrested on Jan. 10, 1862, by the 14th KY Infantry under command of Col. Laban T. Moore, the day of the Battle of Middle Creek and promptly forwarded to Camp Chase. Federal troops caught up with Seagraves at a later date and, after being taken to Camp Buell, Colonel James A. Garfield's headquarters at Paintsville, Johnson County, KY, he was conveyed to Camp Chase as well. On April 8, 1862, by order from General James A. Garfield, Jones and Seagraves were discharged from Camp Chase after taking the oath of allegiance on April 7, 1862.

Oath of Allegiance, Tandy Jones
By all appearances, Jones kept the terms of his oath and never served officially in another Confederate unit although it is rumored that he temporarily joined Sid Cook’s 7th Confederate Cavalry and subsequently, by all indications, was a member of Patterson’s home guard unit.

If Jones, indeed, changed his allegiance in favor of the Union it may have been partially motivated by the fact that his brother served in the 14th KY Infantry, ironically the very unit that arrested him at Middle Creek. Another contributing factor may have been that he lived in a more Union dominated area at Flat Gap. No less than 17 Union soldiers, all members of Co. D, 14th KY Infantry, lived in his neighborhood, including William Sparks, as well as John Wesley Witten who was a member of the Capitol Guards, a State unit primarily engaged in pursuing bushwackers and guerrillas.

At any rate, Tandy Jones’ decision to join the Union side angered many of his former Confederate comrades. A concerted effort was made to keep him in line. A group of about 15 men led by Hayden Ferguson of Morgan County, a lieutenant in Co. F, 5th KY Infantry, (and a nephew of John T. Williams, Captain of Co. A, 2nd KY Mounted Rifles) decided to arrest Private Jones for desertion. The group went to the top of the hill above Jones' house and found him as he was returning from a nearby sulfur spring. While in the army, Jones contracted dysentery and, believing that drinking water from a sulfur spring would cure his disease. Jones made an effort to escape and crossed a rail fence. When he had reached the top, he was shot in the back where his gallowses crossed. He died instantly. Among those who participated in this incident, aside from Lt. Hayden Ferguson, were James T. Patterson, Andrew J. Osborne and William (Will) Jayne. The names of the other participants have remained unknown to this day.

Tandy Jones’ death created a disturbance among his family, friends and neighbors, as well as among some of the members of the home guard unit, the effects of which could be felt for years after. According to one local historian, the emotional temperature arose to such a great magnitude that a group was organized "for the purpose of safety and to execute the executor."

The first target was James Patterson. According to accounts, one afternoon, a stranger arrived at Flat Gap and inquired in the community as to where “Mr. Patterson” lived.

Patterson was up the hollow near his home on the south west side of the hill, skinning bark from a hickory tree to make shoe laces when the man appeared. According to a second account, he was accompanied by a group of men who confronted Patterson, with full intensions of torturing him to death. Weapons were drawn and Patterson pleaded for forgiveness and mercy and begged for his life. In disgust they shot him and left Patterson for dead.

Despite being gravely wounded, Patterson was still able to move. In desperation to survive, he made his way down Wolfpen Branch where he was found by some of his soldier comrades and conveyed by sled to the house of Ferdinand Ferguson. Blood stains on the porch bore a visible testimony of the violent incident for many years later. Surrounded by friends, Patterson seemed to be in a safe place, for the time being.

Ferdinand Ferguson House

Frontsteps of the Ferdinand Ferguson House
The bloodshed continued. A few days after the assault on Patterson, three strange men passed by the house of Andrew J. Osborne and shot him while he was working in his garden. It is believed by some that his death was directly related to his involvement in the killing of Tandy Jones and was an act of revenge.

According to local lore that has been passed down in the Flat Gap area, Patterson died three days after the attack, despite efforts to save him, and was buried in an unmarked grave on the ridge back of Beech Branch overlooking both Laurel Creeks. From that day on until the present date, Osborne's Little Hollow became known as Patterson's Creek. Patterson's wife Nancy and her children immediately departed Johnson County and returned to Ryecove, Scott Co. VA. They were escorted by Ephraim Salyer, who lived on Jack's Creek, near Flat Gap.

Surprisingly, James Patterson’s story does not end here, however. Subsequent records show that Patterson in fact survived the attack on his life or that his son James was the victim of mistaken identity and was shot on that fateful day at Osborne's Little Hollow instead of his father and later died. No records exist of him after the Civil War.

Whatever the case may be, James T. Patterson was very much alive. On August 30, 1866, he married Olly (Olivia) Scarbury, a daughter of David Scarbury (Scarborough/Scarberry) and Sarah Mullins. The ceremony took place at the house of Olly’s brother-in-law, William Fraley and his wife Sarah, in Lawrence County, KY.


James T. Patterson and Olly Scarbury Marriage Record
Shortly after the wedding, the couple left Kentucky and moved to Hawkins County, TN. By 1870, their place of residence was in the 5th District, New Canton Post Office. The household included two young daughters, Sarah Ann, age 3, and Laura Alice, age 1, both born in Tennessee, as well as Martha J., Patterson, who was seven years old by now. Patterson’s second marriage, as well as the fact that Martha was living with James and his new wife, may indicate that Nancy had died since the incidence at Osborn's Little Hollow. After 1870, James Patterson disappears from the records without a trace, suggesting he may have died before reaching 50 years of age.

Subsequently, his wife Olivia married an unknown Thompson, but this union was short lived. By 1878, Olivia had returned to Lawrence County, KY, where she tied the knot for the third time, with John Jordan, on April 14, 1878. Her two daughters Sarah Ann and (Laura) Alice Patterson were listed as Jordan’s stepdaughters in the 1880 census.

Sadly, the fate of Nancy and James Patterson’s children James, Serena, Francis Melvin, and Martha J. remain up to this day, unknown.


Article compiled, researched and written by Marlitta H. Perkins © 2012
Images © 2012