Everett's June 1863 Raid - A Detailed Account - Part 2

After receiving reports of the skirmishes between the 14th Kentucky Cavalry and Everett at Olympian Springs and Howard's Mill, Major-General Ambrose E. Burnside, commander of the Department of the Ohio, telegraphed Union authorities at Maysville and Catlettsburg, warning them of impending danger by Everett's forces. 

JUNE 14, 1863

Colonel BRADFORD* or 

Captain [J. C.] BIERBOWER,** 

Maysville, Ky.: 

A force of the enemy is reported near Mount Sterling, and may attempt an attack on Maysville. Let Captain Bierbower's men be on the alert. Telegraph me all you may learn of their movements. 

 A. E. BURNSIDE, Major-General. 

 * Colonel Dr. Joshua Taylor Bradford 

** James C. Bierbower, Lt. Co. H, 10th KY Cav. 

JUNE 14, 1863

Commanding Officer, Louisa, Ky., via Catlettsburg: 

It is reported that a considerable force of the enemy is now near Mount Sterling, and may attempt to go out by way of Grayson. Be on the alert, and do not allow any of your forces to be surprised. 

 A. E. BURNSIDE, Major-General. 

Burnside also sent the following telegram to Brigadier General Samuel D. Sturgis, his chief of cavalry, in Lexington. 

JUNE 14, 1863. 

Brigadier-General STURGIS, Lexington, Ky.: 

Send word to Colonel [S. R.] Mott and Colonel Pierce to notify their railroad guards, &c., to be constantly on the alert, and watch against any surprise. The movement of General White from Louisa, which I spoke to you of, will render it impossible to send cavalry from there to intercept the enemy. Colonel De Courcy must manage them himself. 

 A. E. BURNSIDE, Major-General. 

Colonel John Fitzroy DeCourcy
Image from Emerging Civil War

Colonel John F. DeCourcy did not have to be asked twice. At first it was feared that Everett would attack Mt. Sterling. As the threat did not materialize, the next course of action was to find and capture him and his men, if possible. In his usual energetic fashion, Colonel DeCourcy went to work immediately in securing reinforcements. By eleven o'clock p.m. on June 13, 1863, the first troops were on their way. The 8th and 9th Michigan Cavalry broke camp at Hickman Bridge and took up their line of march for Mt. Sterling, "marching night and day, and only halting to rest and feed our animals.." They were accompanied by two six-pounders from Battery "L" 1st Michigan Light Artillery (aka 11th Battery, Michigan Artillery), Captain Charles J. Thompson, commanding. A second section of artillery was mobilized at Camp Nelson and ordered to Mt. Sterling. It consisted of two mountain howitzers from the 1st Independent East Tennessee Battery (aka 1st Battalion Tennessee Light Artillery, Battery B) under the command of Captain Robert Clay Crawford. The following day, June 14, 1863, two battalions of the 10th Kentucky Cavalry left Richmond, Kentucky, and embarked on their ride to Mt. Sterling. 

While preparations were underway at Mt. Sterling, Everett allowed his men some desperately needed rest after his tour de force of over sixty miles during the previous day. As June 14th dawned, his force prepared for their next strike ... Maysville. Handsome, delightful, attractive - that's how Maysville was described in Lippincott's Pronouncing Gazetteer of 1859. The town was an important place of business in north-east Kentucky. It boasted 2 steam-cotton factories, 2 iron foundries, 5 rope-walks, 12 manufactories of ploughs, and 5 manufactories of coaches and wagons. The elegant brick buildings that lined the river front and the well paved streets reflected the wealth of the town and its 7000 citizens. Maysville also had 2 banks, 2 large seminaries besides the public schools, and printing-offices that published 4 newspapers. In regard to business and population, Maysville ranked fourth in Kentucky. A raid on the town promised a large return. 

Although Flemingsburg and Maysville are less than 20 miles apart, Everett's force did not make an appearance until the evening of June 14, 1863. On their way to Maysville, Everett's men were "stealing all the horses they could find on the way and everything else that could be of any service to them." 

Despite proper advance warning, Union authorities were inexplicably ill prepared when Everett's men dashed into town at sundown. "At about seven o'clock they rode boldly and yelling into Maysville, occupying the city so suddenly that it was some time before the people knew who they were. If they had dropped from the clouds, the great mass of the citizens could not have been more completely surprised, as the most of them would have sworn that there was not an armed party of rebels within a hundred miles, and they were entirely unprepared to receive such unwelcome guests," noted one of the citizens. Another eye witness stated that, "They came in on a full charge, weapons drawn and shouting loudly. They reported that they did this, expecting a fight, having understood, they said, that the town was fortified and garrisoned by a strong force." However, Everett "found only a garrison of 50 men defending the place. - These were soon disposed of." 

River Front and Steamboat Landing at Maysville
Floodwall Mural

Everett's forces immediately took possession of all the streets and picketed the roads leading out of town to prevent anyone from leaving the city to give the alarm. A guard was placed around both banks - Bank of Kentucky and Farmer's Bank - "by order of Robert J. Breckenridge." 

Several citizens were arrested and put under guard for a short time but released without further infliction. It was noted that, "Their officers made special inquiries after Mr. Wadsworth and other citizens, whom they had intended to carry off with them as hostages for certain gentlemen who had incurred rebel ill will, but luckily the most of them had made a timely disappearance. They succeeded in capturing Captain Clarke, our efficient Provost Marshal, whom they insisted upon paroling; but upon his positively refusing to make any pledges, at the solicitation of citizens of secession proclivities they released him unconditionally. We are indebted for their clemency in this respect to the fact that the secession residents impressed upon them the idea that twelve of themselves would be held as hostages for every Union man whom they forced from their homes." 

Under the impression that the upper wharf boat and a small propeller lying alongside (having been used in carrying and storing government supplies) were public property, the rebels immediately, "made a break for the wharf-boat and propeller belonging to James Love with the intention of burning both of them, but they were persuaded to desist by some of the secession citizens whose remonstrances kept them from many deeds of violence, the prevailing argument always being that such acts would render uncomfortable the position of their own friends who had heretofore been treated with forebearance." James Love, who was a Government Agent, made a very narrow escape by throwing two rifles into the river and jumping down into the hold of his screw-propeller. 

Despite the presence of rebels in their midst, "the citizens went about the city as usual until 11 o'clock, after which hour no one was permitted to appear on the streets." Everett's men "camped in the streets, sleeping on the pavements, their bridle reins on their arms, and feeding their horses on curbstones." Everett determined to remain overnight, "where himself and command were received with many manifestations of hospitality - more especially by the ladies." 

Mechanics' Row, Maysville
Located near the First Presbyterian Church and City Hall

Locals noted how "They appeared to have a surprising knowledge of men, places and antecedent local facts, which is to be accounted for by the fact, that quite a number of them had been born and raised here." Late in the night Everett's men began robbing some of the stores, "which were pointed out to them by John Sparks, a young man who was raised in the place, and who has been acting the sneak and spy for some time past." They entered several stores "to get shoes, clothing, arms, &c., to which they helped themselves to a considerable extent, paying for some in greenbacks, for some in confederate paper, and taking off a good deal without paying any thing." 

Ad for Blum & Heckinger, June 1863

Joseph B. Dessar, clothing store, clothes and hats valued at $2000-$4000; they also broke into his private room and stole his gold spectacles and shirt buttons 

Blum & Heckinger, clothing store, shoes and boots valued at $1,200-$2,500 

Anderson & Andrews, hardware store, articles valued at $400-$$500 

Burgess & Son, dry goods store, merchandise valued at $500-$600 

Milton Culbertson's livery stable, completely stripping the stable plus taking the horses, valued at $2,500 

Jackson & Wilson, livery stable, two horses valued at $200 

Mr. White, shoe store, articles valued at $60

Ad for M. R. Burgess & Son, June 1863

George Arthur of a horse, valued at $125 

Burgess of a horse, valued at $250 

Dr. McGranaghan of a horse, valued at $250 

Dick Dawson of one horse

Hamilton Gray's, of articles to the value of $700 

Thomas K. Ball faired better than others. He owned and operated a livery stable on Third Street, between Plum and Limestone. Ball managed to remove nine horses to prevent their loss at the hands of Everett's men. They were taken across the Ohio River to near Aberdeen, in Adams County, Ohio, in care of Benjamin F. Wiles. 

It was estimated that the rebels seized some twenty horses, in addition to some thirty Government horses from a company that was being raised in town, making in all more than fifty horses. 

The rebels also confiscated valuable fire arms from private citizens, including all the fine Colt rifles they could find which were highly sought after. One citizen reported that, "One chivalrous young gentleman, Joseph Frank by name, (a graduate of Bethany College, and a son of a citizen of substance, also a secessionist, who keeps and owns a stove and tin store,) visited the house of Mr. Harvey Franklin, a Union man, in his absence, and placing a pistol at the head of Mrs. Franklin, demanded her husband's revolving rifle. She delivered it up to the noble youth, who handed it over to the enemies of his country." Her husband escaped capture by swimming the river a little below the town. 

They demanded of the Postmaster the money in his hands due the United States, for which he was receipted. John M. Stockton, postmaster of Maysville from 1861-1883, was a brother-in-law of General William "Bull" Nelson (wife Matilda S. Nelson). "A young ruffian rejoicing in the name of Joseph Clay Styles Blackburn, an aid to General Preston, robbed the Postmaster of $70 in money, and also of the fine revolver presented to General Nelson by Colonel Colt. He also cursed and otherwise abused Mr. Stockton while that gentleman was in the custody of his men."

"Early Monday morning, they broke into the city hall where they found a six-pounder cannon (Everett claimed that it was a 12-pounder) which was spiked." Also destroyed were all the Home Guard muskets, 30 in number, which were broken up on the street in front of the building.

City Hall, Maysville

It was estimated that Everett robbed the citizens of $16,000 in goods and money, and destroyed and took away Government property to the amount of $4000. The Maysville Bulletin noted, "We have heard the accounts so variously estimated, that we forbear to state them, the more especially as we learn that a Committee is investigating the matter, with the view of relieving the sufferers by the avails of a subscription which is commendably going forward for that purpose." Everett reported that he, "captured 50 United States horses, some 330 guns, and 25 pistols. Among the guns were some 150 new Enfield rifles belonging to a company in progress of formation. I also captured at Maysville one piece of artillery (a 12-pounder) belonging formerly to General Zollicoffer, which I spiked and left. The small-arms were broken up, and the Government horses supplied the place of broken-down horses in my command." According to the Richmond Enquirer, Everett, "mustered into the Confederate service, at Uncle Sam's expense, 50 horses, saddles, sabres and pistols."

As the sun was slowly rising over "La Belle Rivière" on Monday morning, June 15, 1863, a sort of desultory firing commenced from Aberdeen, across the Ohio River. Some of the musket balls struck houses, but doing no other damage. A single round from a few rebel muskets put a stop to this. After receiving news from some "trusty friends" that Burnside's "whole army" was on their tracks, Everett decided it was time to leave Maysville. Between 7 and 8 o'clock, having secured the captured horses and the rest of the booty, the rebels broke for the mountains and marched out of the city eastward, taking the Orangeburg/Mt. Carmel pike. When they had reached the upper end of East Maysville, they were fired upon from the other side of the river, to which they responded by a few shots, without halting, no damage being done on either side. Some ten rebels remained in town for several hours, and were "swaggering around the streets, defy(ing) any one to harm them, saying, if they do, they will bring in six or seven hundred of their soldiers, who are not very far out."

At 10 o'clock in the morning, the steamboat Ingomar landed at Maysville. One of the passengers noted, "We were told by parties on the bank a few miles above the town that the secesh were in Maysville. We went ahead, nevertheless ... The Union citizens are perfectly helpless, having neither arms or organization. They have news there that 700 rebels will be in town yet to-day, who are coming down the Flemingsburg Pike. We brought away the wharf-boat and landed it, for safety, a few miles below, on the Ohio side. There is much excitement in town. Large numbers of women and children were gathered on the banks when we left."

After being informed of the debacle at Maysville, Burnside believed that there may be a chance Everett would attempt to move out of Eastern Kentucky by way of Big Sandy. Accordingly, he alerted the commanding officer at Louisa.

JUNE, 15, 1863.

Commanding Officer,  Louisa, Ky., via Catlettsburg:

The rebel force has moved off from Maysville, in your direction, 200 or 300 strong. Be on the alert, and attend to them, if possible.

A. E. BURNSIDE, 

Major-General.

According to local reports, Everett's forces were sighted at Mt. Gilead late the same evening. He then passed the neighborhood of Mt. Carmel, "which they robbed and plundered according to their usual custom." Everett claimed that it was here that he encountered another party of Home Guards. "On returning from Maysville I dispersed an organization of Home Guards, under Col. Charles Marshall, at Mount Carmel. Said organization numbered about 170 men." No other report of this engagement seems to have survived and no further details are known.  

 

Meanwhile at Mt. Sterling, Colonel DeCourcy's preparations were well under way. During the night of June 14, 1863, the 8th and 9th Michigan Cavalry arrived, accompanied by the two six-pounders of the 11th Michigan Battery. It is not known when the mountain howitzers of the 1st Independent East Tennessee Battery joined the troops at Mt. Sterling. The last portion of DeCourcy's reinforcements, the 10th Kentucky Cavalry, entered the town during the early morning hours of Monday, June 15, 1863. Having made a long march of sixty-four miles within 24 hours, and being without provisions for horses or men, it was necessary to spend Monday in preparations for the trip to the mountains. In the evening, DeCourcy dispatched the 10th Kentucky Cavalry in direction of Flemingsburg and Maysville, with instructions "to discover the whereabouts of the enemy, and if he had returned from Maysville to follow and endeavor to push him toward Morehead." The remainder of DeCourcy's force would soon follow. 

Further Reading

Everett's June 1863 Raid - A Detailed Account - Part 1

Everett's June 1863 Raid - A Detailed Account - Part 3

John Fitzroy DeCourcy - Soldier's Profile 

From the excellent website of the 16th Ohio Volunteer Infantry Homepage

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

Everett's June 1863 Raid - A Detailed Account - Part 1

June 2022 marks the 159th Anniversary of Everett's 1863 summer raid into the Eastern part of Kentucky. It was primarily designed to procure supplies such as horses and weapons, as well as gathering intelligence, while at the same time tying up mounted federal and state troops assigned to hunt them down. Just two weeks earlier, Everett had struck Flemingsburg and carried off about $500 worth of merchandise and some horses. This time his eye was on a much bigger prize - Maysville - a prosperous community in Mason County and an important port on the Ohio River. 

On June 1, 1863, Captain Peter M. Everett was in Abingdon, Virginia, finalizing his preparations for his upcoming raid. His force was relatively small and numbered between 200 to 250 men. It consisted of detachments from companies B, C, D, E & F, 1st and 2nd Battalion Kentucky Mounted Rifles. Elements of Clay's Battalion were also present. Officers serving under him were Captain George W. Jackson, Co. B, 2nd Battalion Kentucky Mounted Rifles and Captain James White, Co. F, 1st. Battalion Kentucky Mounted Rifles. Also accompanying Everett was Joseph Clay Stiles Blackburn, who served as volunteer aid on General William Preston's staff. After the war, he served as member of the United States House of Representatives and U.S. Senator, as well as Governor of the Panama Canal Zone.

Joseph C. S. Blackburn, Library of Congress

Others who may have been participants on this raid were Robert J. Breckinridge, Jr., a cousin of General John C. Breckinridge as well as Colonel Ezekiel Clay. Like Everett, the majority of his men knew the country well they would be traversing. Most of them had been recruited in Morgan, Wolfe, Bath, Fleming, Montgomery, Mason and Rowan Counties. Their local knowledge would serve them well during the raid. 

Everett left Southwest Virginia on June 2, 1863. Everett's timing for the raid could not have been better. There was a larger than average Union presence in the Big Sandy Valley since the beginning of June 1863. However, the troops were busy organizing for an expedition into Western Virginia. Burnside had ordered General Julius White, commander of the Eastern Kentucky Military District, to move with his troops at about the same time as Colonel Sanders' expedition into Tennessee. General S. P. Carter was directed to cross the Cumberland and move in the direction of Monticello, designed to draw the attention of the enemy from Colonel Sanders' movements - all of which were precursors to Burnside's upcoming Knoxville campaign. The heightened activity of General White's troops in preparing for the upcoming expedition seemed to have worked to Everett's advantage. His column managed to escape the watchful eyes of Union authorities. He quietly slipped through Pound Gap and into Eastern Kentucky virtually undetected. Everett's force remained under the radar for more than a week. It is entirely possible that his men utilized their time by visiting with family and friends along the way. 

There was no sign of their presence until Friday, June 12, 1863, when two men of Everett's party, Benjamin F. Cassidy (also appears as B. Q. Cassada in records) and David F. Steele, were captured in Magoffin County, Kentucky. Later that day, it was reported that three hundred rebels under Peter Everett had taken possession of Owingsville. That same evening at Mt. Sterling, First Lieutenant Mason C. Miller, Company B, 14th Kentucky Cavalry, received orders to detail 35 men from Company A, and 20 men from Company B, to be ready to move by 7 o'clock the following morning. Accordingly, on Saturday morning, Lieutenant Miller and Second Lieutenant William P. Schooler, Company A, left town with their men and started for West Liberty, 50 miles east of Mt. Sterling. 

Lieutenant Miller reported, "After marching some 10 miles in the direction of Mud Lick Springs (aka Olympian Springs) I met with James Crouch some four miles from the place, and inquired of him if he had seen or heard of any rebels. He informed me that he had met 15 or 20 going towards the Springs. We then struck out in a brisk trot, hoping that we would capture the party." 

State Road, about 4 miles from Olympian Springs

The men James Crouch had encountered were in all likelihood Everett's advance guard. His forces had arrived at Olympian Springs around noon where he permitted his men "to wind and feed the horses." The command rested up for about an hour. As a precaution, he positioned an advance guard of 30 "pistol men" on the state road leading from Olympian Springs to Mt. Sterling, about 1 1/2 miles from his position.

Olympian Springs

As the 14th Kentucky Cavalry was traveling up Mudlick Hill toward Olympian Springs, the road "was cut in the side of a slate hill for 75 yards, the bluff overlooking it on the left, and a grove of small pines was on the right." 

State Road at Mudlick Hill 

Everett's advance guard were hidden on both sides of the road in shape of a U. As a precaution, Lieutenant Miller had sent out 20 men under command of Lieutenant Schooler "and of these he had four men out as videttes, and when these came in range of the Rebels they were fired on." The vedettes fell back on Schooler who reported back to Miller and received orders to charge. Schooler's men advanced as ordered. When well in the trap, they were fired on with fatal effect. Aaron Sarver and Milton Anderson of Co. B and Owry Steele of Co. D were killed outright. As soon as Miller heard the shots, he left his position and ordered his men "in double quick to the spot."

Back at Olympian Springs, Everett's men were in the process of remounting when they heard the brisk firing from the direction of Mudlick Hill. He immediately ordered his men to charge the enemy. "Little Pete, as we called him, rode to the front on his big gray horse and gave the command: 'Charge! go for them, boys.' The charge was made, Capt. Everett, J. C. S. Blackburn, Tom Furman, Jasen Mark, John Wright, Sam Crook, and a dozen other fiery warriors on fiery steeds led the van." 

According to Lieutenant Miller, "we kept up a sharp firing for a few minutes, when I saw the enemy increase rapidly both on my right and left." Miller ordered a retreat, but not until he had received a bullet in his shoulder, and was the last one getting out of the trap. "Seeing that they had a superior force to that of mine, and a great advantage in the ground, I ordered my little party to fall back, which they did, fighting as they went, some seven or eight miles. As soon as I ordered my men to fall back they charged upon me with 150 mounted men, who were on their horses in ambush." 

Lieutenant Schooler fell into the hands of the enemy and was shot in the thigh after surrendering. He was paroled by Joe Blackburn. Several others were wounded and captured as were others whose horses were killed under them. Not over half a mile from the scene of the conflict the horse of Ben Willoughby fell under him and stunned him into unconsciousness, Tom Greenwade came upon him, and not being on friendly terms with him personally, dismounted, took Willoughby's sword from its scabbard and killed him with it. Knowing the fate of some of his comrades, Lieutenant Miller tried to avoid capture at all cost. "After I found I was wounded I was determined that I would not fall into their hands, although I was very weak from the loss of blood. I hung on to my saddle and luckily was not captured." 

Everett continued to pursue the Federals towards Mt. Sterling. The Confederates claimed that, "For five miles the road was strewn with dead and wounded Yankees, twenty or thirty were killed and wounded, and as many captured." Meanwhile, a fleet courier had been sent back to camp at Mt. Sterling to report the attack. Major R. T. Williams, 14th Kentucky Cavalry, immediately gathered a few men and hurried out to reinforce Miller's men. He met the Rebels beyond Howard's Mill where a short but fierce fight ensued. "Williams and a Rebel named James T. Rogers had a hand to hand duel with pistols, both emptying their weapons. Williams was wounded in the left shoulder, and when he had shot all the loads out of his pistol he threw it at Rogers and turned and rode off. Geo. Connoy of Co. B was killed here, and a young man of Co. D named Ulery was shot through the bowels after he had surrendered, and was taken to his home near Owingsville where he died a day or so later." 

Williams' men soon broke and scattered, and could not again be rallied. It was reported that "Major Williams behaved with great gallantry, and was exceedingly mortified at his failure to rally his men when they broke." The Federals fell back to Mt. Sterling, and were pursued by the rebels to near Robert Harvey Gatewood's place, within a few miles of the town. (Gatewood's wife Mary A. Stoner was a sister of Lt. Colonel Robert Stoner, 9th Kentucky Cavalry (CSA). Her sister Minerva Tribble Stoner was married to Gen. Richard S. "Dick" Williams, brother of CSA General John S. "Cerro Gordo" Williams.) 

Major Robert T. Williams' men came into Mount Sterling "on the run, with 'a thousand guerrillas' close behind them, advancing on the town, and 'If you don't surrender they'll take no prisoners.'" One local at Mt. Sterling noted, "we were fortunate to have in our town Colonel John DeCourcy, who was immediately ordered to take command of the troops here, consisting of a small portion of the 14th Kentucky Cavalry and the 21st Massachusetts, which order inspired a feeling of safety, that we have not felt heretofore when threatened by these desperate gangs." Accordingly, DeCourcy took charge and gave orders for the 21st Massachusetts to be ready to move. The regiment consisted of seasoned veterans who had fought in several of the largest battles of the Civil War, including the Second Battle of Bull Run, the Battle of Antietam, and the Battle of Fredericksburg. Everett did not pose much of a threat to them. One of the 21st Massachusetts soldiers noted, "The people were fearfully excited; as they had been under Union care so long, they dreaded the rebel raiders more than ever before." When the alarm was given, Lt. Col. George P. Hawkes called out his men and they marched down Main Street with their band playing Yankee Doodle. "Prayers and blessings went with the sturdy 21st as they marched out to cover the town," noted one participant. "They divided on the Owingsville and Spencer roads and waited Everett's coming, but he never came. The guerrillas ... had no idea of having a real fight, and, as the regiment moved forward, their advance, which had shown itself on the hills about a mile east of the town, disappeared." 

Everett had initially contemplated a demand to surrender but in the end, thought better of it. "He would have taken the town, but it was filled with infantry." His friend Edward O. Guerrant later noted, "Infantry & art'y being at Mt. Sterling & a demand to surrender not having the desired effect, he thought proper to withdraw." 

Casualties 

The Confederates claimed that 23 men of the 14th Kentucky Cavalry were killed & 25 captured & 3 or 4 wounded (or 27 prisoners). 

Union sources acknowledged 9 men killed, 3 mortally wounded, and 12 prisoners captured and paroled. 

Regimental records of the 14th Kentucky Cavalry are, unfortunately, incomplete. Therefore, it is difficult to establish the exact number of losses the regiment sustained on June 13, 1863. The following list is based on regimental records when available, casualty lists published in newspapers, pension records and personal recollections. 

KIA (7) 

Jones Webber, Co. A, killed + 

John (D.) Rankins, Co. A, killed ?? (no mention of death in records) 

David Henderson, Co. A, wounded in action June 13, 1863, Mud Lick, died from wounds June 17, 1863. 

Aaron Sarver, Co. B, killed + 

Sgt. George W. Cannoy, Co. C, killed + 

Owry Steel, Co. D, killed in action June 13, 1863, Mud Lick. 

Milton Anderson, Co. B, killed + (Lt. Miller claimed he was killed after surrendering; wounds; widow's pension) 

Killed/Mortally wounded after surrender (2) 

Benjamin Willoby/Willoughby, Co. B, killed + (was killed after he surrendered; widow's Pension file) Thomas Ulery, Co. D, wounded after he surrendered, June 13, 1863, Mud Lick; died June 15, 1863 from wounds. 

Men who were reported mortally wounded but survived (4) 

Lt. W. P. Schooler, Co. A, shot in the thigh after surrendering 

James W. Woods, Co. A 

John Kimes, Co. A 

Sidney Kerr, Co. A, captured and paroled; reported at Camp Chase July 10, 1863; reported in Columbus, Ohio July 31, 1863 and sent to regiment the same day via Cincinnati. 

Reported wounded 

Major Robert T. Williams, (shot in shoulder, wound not noted in records, survived) Lt. (Mason C.) Miller, Co. A, wounded in action June 13, 1863, Mud Lick, shot in shoulder, survived. 

Missing in action 

William B. Vaughn, Co. A 

Harry Hamilton, Co. A 

Dennis Hanrahan, Co. A 

Reportedly, the paroles of the Federal prisoners were all signed by William Cabell Breckenridge. However, they were most likely signed by Robert J. Breckinridge, Jr.  Several paroles also had Joseph C. S. Blackburn's signature. 

Confederate losses were minimal. Everett had two horses shot under him, and James T. Rogers and Joseph C. S. Blackburn one horse each. 

By late afternoon, Everett's forces had completely vanished. As DeCoury had no means available at Mt. Sterling to pursue the rebels any further, Everett made an easy escape. He passed unopposed through Owingsville, Wyoming, Hillsboro, Poplar Plains and entered Flemingsburg at 11 o'clock that night. 

View of Flemingsburg

In the usual fashion, Everett's men stole a large number of horses, and a considerable amount of other property, but in other respects, according to reports, behaved very well. At the time of Everett's raid, 28 year old Captain Edwin W. Sutherland, former commander of the famous ram "Queen of the West," was staying in Flemingsburg, recovering from an illness. He was cared for by his wife Eudora, who the Louisville Journal characterized as "his better-half - the secession widow of Mississippi." Sutherland had made a name for himself by running the blockade of the rebel batteries at Vicksburg just four months earlier. However, Sutherland's marriage in early 1863 to Eudora Harris, the young and beautiful widow of Skipwith's Landing, Mississippi, in presence of Admiral Porter who gave the bride away, made headlines all across the US. Still a red-hot rebel, Eudora "waved her handkerchief for Jeff. Davis and his horse-thieving followers," despite Everett capturing and paroling her husband. 

At one point during their stay, Everett's men were greatly alarmed by the report that the 10th Kentucky Cavalry was en route to Flemingsburg but it was soon discovered that it was a false alarm. They finally took their leave from town at 3 o'clock in the morning and quietly disappeared into the night. 

Further Reading 

Everett's June 1863 Raid - A Detailed Account - Part 2 

Everett's June 1863 Raid - A Detailed Account - Part 3

Vicksburg River Romance or Plantation Widow’s Dowry - Captain James Sutherland's Marriage to Eudora Harris. 

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

Was there a "Battle of Hillsboro" on October 8, 1861? A critical analysis

The Battle at Hillsboro took place in Fleming County, Kentucky on October 8, 1861. Or did it?

Dyer's Compendium lists the engagement as follows:

Oct. 8: Skirmish, Hillsborough

KENTUCKY--Flemingsburg Home Guard. Union loss, 3 killed, 2 wounded. Total, 5.

It is also mentioned in various publications, beginning in 1863.

• The National Almanac and Annual Record, 1863, p. 61
• The Rebellion Record: Sept. '61-Jany. '62 (A Diary of American Events, with Documents, Narratives ... Etc, Volume 3 (1866), by Frank Moore; G.P. Putnam,  p. 171
• The Medical and Surgical History of the War of the Rebellion (1861-65): pt. 1. Surgical history; United States. Surgeon-General's Office, U.S. Government Printing Office, 1870, p. 38 (XXXVIII)
• Manual of the Civil War and Key to the Grand Army of the Republic and Kindred Societies, by J. Worth Carnahan, U.S. Army and Navy Historical Association, 1899, p. 150 
• Chronological and Alphabetical Record of the Engagements of the Great Civil War with the Casualties on Both Sides and Full and Exhaustive Statistics and Tables of the Army and Navy, Military Prisons, National Cemeteries, Etc., Etc., Caxton Press, 1904,  p. 105 
• The Union Army: Cyclopedia of battles; Federal Publishing Company, 1908, p. 499

The Hillsboro engagement is also listed on the website of the National Park Service, on their Kentucky Battles page, using Dyer's Compendium as their source.

However, there seem to be doubts whether the "Battle of Hillsboro" actually took place at all. It began with a letter penned by John G. Baxter, a business man from Louisville who manufactured stoves and tinware. 

John G. Baxter
Portrait by George Dury, 1871
Memphis Brooks Museum of Art

Baxter's letter appeared in the Cincinnati Commercial on October 11, 1861: 

FLEMINGSBURG, OCT. 9, 1861.

"EDS. COM. Our town was the theatre of great excitement, yesterday evening, upon the arrival of a messenger from Hillsboro stating that a company of rebels (300 strong) under command of Capt. Holliday, of Nicholas county, were advancing upon Hillsboro, for the purpose, it is supposed, of burning the place and also of attacking this place. Lieut. Sadler and Sergeant Dudley were dispatched immediately, at the head of 50 Home Guards, to intercept them. We found the enemy encamped about two miles beyond Hillsboro, in a barn belonging to Col. Davis, a leading traitor in this county. Our men opened fire upon them, causing them to fly in all directions. The engagement lasted about twenty minutes, in which they lost eleven killed, twenty-nine wounded, and twenty-two prisoners. We took, also, 127 Enfield rifles, besides a large number of sabres, pistols, bowie-knives, and cavalry accoutrements. Our loss was three killed and two wounded, as follows: James B. Davis, Julius Herrick, Charles Burnes, killed; and Thomas B. Smith, (banker,) S. Saloman, wounded. The prisoners were brought to this place and forwarded to Camp Kenton, under guard. The Maysville Home Guards were ordered to assist us, but they arrived too late.

Yours, &c.,

John G. Baxter.

P.S. - I was present. J. G. B."

Cincinnati Daily Press
October 11, 1861

News of the Hillsboro engagement quickly spread across the country. Numerous newspapers re-published the letter, including the Tri-Weekly Kentucky Yeoman, Cincinnati Daily Press, Chicago Daily Tribune, New York Times and New York Herald as well as the Richmond Daily Dispatch. It also appeared in newspapers in Nevada, Minnesota, Iowa, Michigan, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.

Only days later, the Maysville Eagle responded to the letter, denying its validity. "The Cincinnati Commercial of Friday contains a letter giving an account of an imaginary fight near Hillsboro, Fleming county. No information concerning such a skirmish has reached this place, and the editor has been sadly hoaxed."

On November 15, 1861, the Cincinnati Daily Press noted that "The reported Union victory near Hillsboro, in Fleming County, an account of which we copied from the Commercial a few days ago, is contradicted by persons who left Flemingsburg two days after the engagement is said to have taken place." 

A correspondence from Frankfort, Kentucky, dated October 13, 1861, informed the readers of the St. Louis Daily Missouri Republican on October 15, 1861, of the Hillsboro fight. What followed was in essence a copy of Baxter's letter, as "told by a man who was in the battle."

 The Daily Missouri Republican
October 15, 1861

On October 18, 1861, the Louisville Daily Democrat republished the article from the St. Louis paper and noted, "A correspondent of the Cincinnati Commercial wrote a few days ago of a skirmish at or near Hillsboro, Fleming county, Kentucky. The Maysville Eagle contradicted it, but we find it so circumstantially reasserted in the Frankfort correspondence of the St. Louis Republican, under date of the 13th, that we presume there must be some truth in it."

Yet another account appeared on October 29, 1861 in the Philadelphia Press. It is noteworthy because it seems to be an individual report and not based on Baxter's letter. It was written a week after the Hillsboro engagement. Within days after the Hillsboro fight, Gen. William "Bull" Nelson had left Camp Kenton in Mason County and was on the move against the Confederates at Prestonsburg. His troops began arriving at Flemingsburg on October 16 and departed on October 18, 1861. During their stay, the story about the fight at Hillsboro was shared with them. 

The correspondent of the Philadelphia Press, either a soldier or one of the civilians who were accompanying Nelson's troops, noted that Flemingsburg's "leading citizens favor the cause of the Union most heartily, and the yeomanry of the county are devoted to the cause of the country. They have in the county a Home Guard of full five hundred, who crushed out Secession wherever it exists or crops out. A Sergeant Dudley, son of a celebrated hotel keeper in Flemingsburg, recently, at the head of sixty of these Home Guards, put hors du combat a large number of Secessionists from Nicholas, an adjoining county, completely dispersing the entire band of two hundred who "had come over the border" to overawe the Union sentiment of "Old Fleming." 

The fact that we have two separate accounts of the incident lends enough credibility to the thought that some type of engagement actually did take place at Hillsboro on October 8, 1861. It also warrants a closer examination of the reports in hopes of gaining additional insights, despite the scarcity of records for the early days of the Civil War which make it difficult to ascertain the exact truth. 

According to Baxter's account, the Confederates encamped "about two miles beyond Hillsboro, in a barn belonging to Col. Davis, a leading traitor in this county." Col. Davis was Francis Reno Davis (1805-1874), a wealthy land owner who, with his wife Evaline Markwell and children, operated a 450 acre farm on Locust Creek. Also living on Davis' farm was his 42 year old male slave who did not share quarters with the Davis family but had a house to himself. Although we do not know the exact location of the barn, Davis' house, which is still standing today, is located a little over a mile north of Hillsboro.

The Francis R. Davis home

In 1861, Davis owned 19 horses, 21 cattle, 1 jack, 55 hogs, and a large number of sheep. The farm produced 12 tons of hay, 1000 bushels corn, and 450 bushels wheat, aside from Irish and sweet potatoes, beans and peas and 300 pounds of butter. A large grove of sugar maple trees on the hill in back of the house, now known as Sugar Camp Hill, produced 200 pounds of maple syrup in 1860.  Davis' farm was certainly large enough to sustain a military force for at least a few days and would have been an ideal location for a camp.

View of the Davis Farm

Francis R. Davis, who Baxter referred to as "rebel traitor," may have been a Southern sympathizer, contrary to his brother Elias P. Davis who lived in Carter County and was a staunch Union supporter. In 1862, Francis' son Elias G. Davis (1833-1912) supplied the Confederate Army with shoes. The following year, he joined Co. B, 10th Kentucky Cavalry (Diamond's) as private. Son William Davis is thought to have served in the 2nd Battalion, Kentucky Mounted Rifles, Company B, as corporal. He enlisted in October of 1862 in Fleming County. 

Receipt for 19 pairs of shoes received from Elias G. Davis
Dated October 10, 1862

A closer look at the Confederate losses leaves doubts as to the truth of Baxter's account. He claimed that the rebels suffered "eleven killed, twenty-nine wounded, and twenty-two prisoners." Although it is difficult to verify the number of deaths or wounded, if any, this doesn't necessarily apply to the number of prisoners. As a rule, captured prisoners were taken to the nearest Union camp to be processed and then sent off to Camp Chase in Columbus, Ohio. In this case, the prisoners would have been sent to Camp Kenton at Maysville in neighboring Mason County, as was claimed in Baxter's letter. From Maysville, captured prisoners were forwarded by steamboat to Cincinnati and lodged in the City Barracks (also referred to as Asylum City Barracks) on Elm Street. After a few days at the barracks, the prisoners made the trip by train to Camp Chase. Unfortunately, no 1861 records for the City Barracks have survived. However, the Cincinnati newspapers kept track of newly "Secesh" prisoners, coming and going, especially if there was a larger number of them - but there is no record of 22 prisoners captured at Hillsboro. 

On October 10, 1861, 7 prisoners arrived at Cincinnati from Maysville, in charge of Deputy US Marshal Davis and assisted by a detachment of the Mason County Home Guards. None of the prisoners had been taken at Hillsboro. On October 21, 1861, 14 prisoners were held at the City Barracks, 11 of which had been sent from Maysville but had no connection to the Hillsboro engagement. Camp Chase records confirm the arrival of the 14 prisoners. The records do not mention any prisoners at Camp Chase who had been captured at Hillsboro on October 8, 1861. 

The Confederate commander was Captain John Buckner Holladay (1824-1897), a Mexican War veteran who had served as 2. Lieutenant in Co. E, 3rd Kentucky Volunteers. He was a State Representative from 1851-1853. In 1860, he was the Sheriff of Nicholas County and lived near Carlisle with his mother-in-law's family. After the war, he was elected sheriff of Bourbon County and served as mayor of Paris, Kentucky.

According to Baxter, Holladay had about 300 men in his command at Hillsboro and sustained an aggregate loss of 62 men. Assuming there were desertions after the fight, it would still place Holladay's force at around 200. 

Considering the Philadelphia Press account instead, Holladay had about 200 men under his command when he made his foray into Fleming County. Taking the losses given and possible desertions into account, it would place Holliday's force at around 100 men. 

Two weeks after the engagement at Hillsboro, Holladay proceeded with his men to Prestonsburg to enroll into the Confederate service. He served as Captain in Co. D, 1st Battalion Kentucky Mounted Rifles. Holladay noted later in a letter to Confederate authorities that he had 103 men in his command, all organized and ready for the service, when he took up the line of march to Prestonsburg on October 22, 1861. 

Letter written by Captain Holladay
August 26, 1862

When we examine the losses on the Union side, the facts are much clearer...and Baxter's claims do not hold water. He stated that the Fleming Home Guards lost "three killed and two wounded, as follows: James B. Davis, Julius Herrick, Charles Burnes, killed; and Thomas B. Smith, (banker,) S. Saloman, wounded." However, neither Davis, Herrick or Burnes were killed. 

The "Killed"

James B. Davis was born about 1834, the son of John W. Davis and Ann Cunningham. Davis was still very much alive on July 1, 1863 when he was enumerated in the Kentucky Civil War Draft Registration, 9th Congressional District, 7th sub-district. He was 29 years old, married and worked as a stage driver. 

Julius Herrick was born on May 17, 1836 in Randolph, Vermont, the son of Lorenzo D. Herrick and Zilpha A Haskins. He graduated from Yale in 1856. Herrick moved to Kentucky and was listed on July 1, 1863 in the Kentucky Draft Registration, 9th Congressional District, 7th sub-district. He was 27 years old and by profession a lawyer. On February 5, 1864, Herrick married Nancy Mary Jane "Nannie" Baxter, daughter of William Baxter and Jemima Johnson, in Fleming County, Kentucky. She was a personal acquaintance of James J. Andrews, of Andrews' Raiders fame, and was mentioned in his letter dated June 6, 1862, from Chattanooga prison two days before his execution. Julius Herrick died on September 14, 1914 at Chicago, Illinois.

Charles Burnes (aka Charles Henry Burns), the son of Alvin Burns, was born on November 5, 1839, in Nicholas County, Kentucky. On April 24, 1865, he was listed as a merchant in Flemingsburg, age 25. In 1866, his father lived at Tilton, 5 1/2 miles south of Flemingsburg. By 1870, Alvin Burns, with son Charles, had removed to Fox Springs, a popular mid-19th Century watering hole with a large hotel and surrounding cottages, about 9 miles from Flemingsburg. Charles was listed in 1870 Fleming County census. He died at Knoxville, Tennessee on September 30, 1894.

The "Wounded"

Although there is no way to ascertain whether these men were wounded or not, I will list them here, regardless. 

Thomas B. Smith was born about 1819 in Kentucky. In 1850, he lived in Bath County and was a druggist. On July 1, 1863 he was listed in the Kentucky Civil War Draft Registration Records, 9th Congressional District, 7th sub-district. Smith was 44 years old and listed banker as his profession. He died shortly after the end of the war, on October 11, 1865 and is interred in the Flemingsburg Cemetery. 

Solomon Soloman was born about 1828 in Prussia (some records say Poland). In 1860, he lived with the Sanford family near Elizaville. His occupation was silversmith. He married Eliza M. Kelly on June 2, 1868 in Bourbon County, Kentucky. In September 1875, Soloman was a storekeeper in Paris, Kentucky. He died on January 17, 1898 at Chicago, Illinois.

The Union Officers

Lieutenant Sadler went into the military service shortly after the Hillsboro engagement. William Clay Sadler, born November 24, 1836, at Flemingsburg, enrolled in Company H, 16th KY Inf. at Camp Kenton on October 12, 1861. Sadler held the rank as sergeant but was later promoted to 1st Lieutenant and Adjutant. He was married to Martha Jane Dudley, Sergeant Dudley's first cousin.

The exact identity of Sergeant Dudley has not been determined but we know that he was one of the sons of James Dudley and his wife Eliza Shumate. In 1850, Dudley was listed as an inn keeper in Flemingsburg. Their sons were Peyton Shumate (1825-1910), William Floyd (1826-1907), James Henry (1831-1905) and Newton Steele Dudley (1841-1923). However, in 1861, both Peyton S. and William F. Dudley were not living in Kentucky, leaving James H. and N. Steele Dudley as possibilities. 

After her husband's death in 1858, Eliza Dudley, the "celebrated hotel keeper," continued to run the family's inn.* The place was known as the "Dudley House" which was situated at the northwest corner of Water Street and Main Cross in Flemingsburg, right in the center of town. The hotel was  commodious, and  featured twenty rooms, a kitchen, a smoke house, an ice house, two stables and a garden. A separate building housed 11 slaves. The hotel also served liquor to patrons. Eliza employed her son Newton Steele as barkeeper until he enlisted as 2nd Lieutenant in the 10th Kentucky Cavalry (US) at Flemingsburg on August 2, 1862. Brother James Henry was in charge of the stables. 

Sale of the Dudley House in 1866 after Eliza Dudley's death
Cynthiana News, July 19, 1866

Weapons

Baxter's account also claims that the Flemingsburg Home Guards captured 127 Enfield rifles, and a large number of sabres, pistols, bowie knives, and cavalry equipments from the Confederates. It seems highly unlikely that Confederate recruits who were not mustered into the service were in possession of 127 Enfield Rifles in October of 1861. Early in the war, arms of any type were in short supply and typically, Confederate recruits were furnished a variety of weapons, including outdated flintlock muskets and Belgian rifles. Many soldiers brought their own personal weapons, such as hunting rifles and shotguns. 

Some Confederates solved the problem of arming themselves by "confiscating" guns from the enemy before going to camp. The Lincoln Guns of the Home Guards were especially desired. On May 18, 1861, an attempt to stop and possibly capture a shipment of Lincoln Guns that were destined for Nicholas County basically failed. While Colonel Metcalfe was on his way from Maysville, by turnpike, with the arms for Nicholas county, a meeting was called at Carlisle at which a committee was appointed to go down the turnpike and meet Colonel Metcalfe. This committee met the colonel with the wagon containing the guns a little north of the Blue Licks Springs, and delivered their message that the guns must not be brought to Carlisle, and that seventy-five men were banded together to come to the turnpike bridge at Blue Licks, and prevent them from being taken beyond it. Colonel Metcalfe had with him, besides the driver, only two other men, citizens of his county. Metcalfe, however, said in response to the bearers of the message, "in language made emphatic by an oath, that they might go back and tell the men who had sent them, that seventy-five of them might come to the bridge, but that seventy-five would never go back to Carlisle; and with that he told his driver to drive on. Nobody met him at the bridge, and that night the guns were received by men awaiting the colonel's arrival, at his residence, on the turnpike, about two miles from Carlisle." 

Even though desired by Confederates during the early days of the war, Lincoln Guns were mostly converted flintlocks such as the 1816 and 1835 Springfield and Harper's Ferry muskets, not rifles such as Enfields. Some 380,000 flintlock muskets were altered to percussion at the national arsenals between 1848-1857. 

The first Enfield rifles to reach Confederate soil since the start of the war arrived in Savannah, Georgia, on September 18, 1861. These highly sought after weapons were distributed to regiments in the field, not to potential recruits who were not mustered into the service yet such as Captain Halliday's men. It is highly unlikely that they were in possession of 127 Enfield Rifles. 

In conclusion, we know with absolute certainty that key details in Baxter's letter were completely exaggerated or untrue which makes the rest of his letter circumspect. There were no Union deaths nor are there any records that support the claim that any Confederates were taken prisoner. As a matter of fact, the Union  authorities in Maysville claimed they had no idea about the fight much less any prisoners to report. Their wounded and killed, in absence of any records, can not be ascertained. It may also be noted that none of the men who served in Holladay's company and later filed for a Confederate pension mentioned the Hillsboro engagement. There could be several reasons - the engagement did not take place, the pensioner was not present or it was not mentioned because it took place before their formal enlistment in the Confederate Army. 

The account of the Battle of Hillsboro published in the Philadelphia Press appears to be the most authentic and believable version of events that day and lends credence to the possibility that an engagement, in fact, did take place. It sets the Confederate force at more realistic strength, even though perhaps somewhat inflated, it does not boast of a large number of weapons captured nor does it give a false list of Union or Confederate casualties and prisoners. 

One credible scenario would be that Holladay and his men came into Fleming County, perhaps to recruit, and took up camp on Davis' farm. When word was received at Flemingsburg, the Home Guard company under Dudley mobilized, went to Hillsboro and disbursed the camp. The general panic that Holladay's presence most likely caused in town may have contributed to the rumors and speculations that the Confederates planned to burn Hillsboro or Flemingsburg or rob the Flemingsburg bank. 

However, no reports exist of any kind of depredations committed at or near Hillsboro even though Holladay's men were encamped on Davis' farm within a mile of the town. The Flemingsburg Home Guard company under Dudley proceeded to Hillsboro and quickly disbursed the camp. The whole affair lasted no longer than 20 minutes.  

It appears that details of the engagement at Hillsboro were shared with Nelson's Union soldiers, including the correspondent of the Philadelphia Press, while in Flemingsburg at the "Dudley House." This, if anything, makes the possibility of an engagement at Hillsboro on October 8, 1861, most convincing. The details may have been related by Sergeant Dudley himself, either Newton Steel, as he was pouring a drink to the men or by James Henry Dudley as he was tending to their horses. 

Lastly, it is not clear why Baxter, who was a resident of Louisville, would have been present at the engagement as he claimed. He had no family ties to Fleming County but there may have been a business connection. More importantly, it should not be overlooked that Baxter was a business man who also had political aspirations. In the April 1862 elections, he ran on the Union ticket for Common Council, 7th Ward, in Louisville. After the Civil war, Baxter was elected mayor of the city and served two terms. 

His letter may have been purely a propaganda piece to show support of the Union cause, taking a small skirmish between Holladay and the Fleming Home Guards and inflating it, in order to motivate Union men to step up and enlist. It was published during a critical time when the Union was in need of some encouraging news from the "front," however small, in light of the ever growing threat of the Confederate recruiting camp at Prestonsburg, not to mention the Union's recent defeat at Barboursville and the push of Confederate forces under Zollicoffer at Cumberland Gap. 

John J. Crittenden was in the mountain counties making speeches and urging the people to rush to arms, and "strike till the last armed foe expires." Senator Garrett Davis, who was tasked by Lincoln to aid in the work of securing men, traveled through various Eastern Kentucky counties with a chest full of money, with authority from the Government to enroll men in the Military Service and to advance them one month's pay, amounting to $13.00, to be used by them in the support of their families. 

During this time, General William Nelson was assembling a force at Camp Kenton for his campaign against Williams' forces in the Big Sandy Valley. At the beginning of October 1861, Nelson issued a call in the Maysville Eagle, "Fighting men are wanted - men whose hearts are made of heroic stuff - men strong of frame and great of soul." On October 14, 1861, he placed a second call in the Maysville Eagle which was aimed specifically at the Home Guards of the Ninth and Ashland Districts. "Let every man that has a Government musket be on hand." His command included not only fully mustered volunteer regiments but also raw recruits, home guard companies as well as a group of civilians. Nelson subsequently led a successful campaign against Williams' Confederates, including  Captain John B. Holladay's company, which resulted in a Union victory at Ivy Mountain on November 8, 1861 and secured the Big Sandy Valley for the Union.  Baxter's letter thus may have served its intended purpose and in a small way contributed to Nelson's success.

* Hotel keeping ran in Eliza Dudley's family. Her father Peyton Shumate, Esq. owned a hotel in Carlisle, Nicholas County and her sister Amanda Tureman owned and managed the famous "Lee House" in Maysville which is still in existence today. In later years the Dudley House became known as the Holliday House and the Merchant's Hotel. Today it is the site of the Fleming County Justice Center.

Researched, compiled and written by Marlitta H. Perkins, February 2022. This specific article is under full copyright. Copyright © 2022, All Rights Reserved.

Flemingsburg Welcomes the 33rd OVI, October 16, 1861

 At the beginning of October 1861, General William "Bull" Nelson began assembling troops at the newly established Camp Kenton in Mason County, near Maysville, Kentucky. His objective was to move against the Confederates who were assembling in a camp near Prestonsburg, Floyd County, Kentucky. Nelson left Camp Kenton on October 16, 1861, to join up with additional troops and consolidate his force at Olympian Springs. Accompanying Nelson was the 33rd OVI from Portsmouth, Ohio, commanded by Colonel Joshua W. Sill. 

Colonel Joshua W. Sill, 33d OVI

The following letter was published in the Cincinnati Daily Commercial, October 21, 1861.

FROM THE THIRTY-THIRD OHIO REGIMENT.

How Well the Ohio Soldiers are Received by the Union Men of Kentucky.

Flemingsburg, KY., Oct. 17, 1861.

EDS. COM.: - We left the Fair Ground where we had been since Monday night, near Maysville, yesterday at 3 P. M. , and arrived here at 8; and such a welcome awaited us as no soldiers ever had before. God bless the people of Flemingsburg! The whole town turned out to greet us - houses illuminated, handkerchiefs waving, voices cheering - a perfect ovation. The ladies prepared a supper for us with their own fair hands, and waited on us in every possible way to make us comfortable and glad. We not only had the substantials in the way of eatables, but delicacies of every kind - fruit, sweetmeats, cakes, &c.

Talk about Union people in Ohio, the Kentuckians beat us all. We have seen nothing like this since we have been in the service, and many of us are three months men, re-enlisted, and have been on duty in Virginia, Eastern and Western.

No wonder "Secesh" wanted to hold such a State, and no wonder that we have resolved at any cost to sustain such a loyal and generous people.

In the morning we received the same care and attention. The ladies vied with each other in bestowing upon us their smiles, and what some of us perhaps liked equally well their hot coffee, rolls, beefsteaks, broiled and friend chicken, &c., &.

Wasn't this some for soldiers? Who wouldn't enlist to defend such homes as these? This is much nicer of a town than I had supposed; has an air of comfort as well as business; and the country hence to Maysville is certainly the finest I have yet seen. I tell you it was a nice sight to see those beautiful ladies going to and fro like ministering angels, as they are - mothers and daughters - even the children - with their refreshments to our jaded boys. One such welcome and scene as this, will repay countless privations that may await us. Every door was thrown open to us; every hand was open to receive and welcome us. Can such a people perish? Never, never!

We leave for Mt. Sterling in a few moments; our gallant Col. Sill having just received orders to march there instead of "Olympian Springs," as we had supposed. We leave behind us here four of our men sick; they will be in good hands.

If anything of special interest turns up, I will try in my feeble way to advise you.

It has been raining in torrents all the morning, and still continues.

33d SCRIBE.

Before their departure from Flemingsburg, the 33rd OVI addressed the citizens of Flemingsburg and vicinity, thanking them for the hospitality shown to them.  It was published in the Fleming Star and re-printed in the Louisville Courier Journal, October 31, 1861.

(From the Fleming Star).

TO THE CITIZENS OF FLEMINGSBURG AND VICINITY.

The undersigned officers of the Thirty-third Regiment Ohio Volunteers United States Army, take this means of expressing their heartfelt thanks to you for the warm and enthusiastic reception that the regiment has met at your hands. They have often heard of the hospitality and loyalty of Kentucky; but war had wrought such changes amongst our countrymen that it was feared that the first march of a regiment of Ohioans would be viewed with distrust by her citizens. But our reception last evening, and the substantial cheer our soldiers received at the hands of your fair ladies, have dissipated all such fears, and we now feel that we are fighting not only for a great principle, but by the side of those who properly appreciate our motives, and who will not let us suffer for sympathy. A heart-warm adieu! 

(Signed)  J. W. SILL. Col. 33d O. V.

               O. F. MOORE, Lieut. Col.

               J. V. ROBINSON, Jr. Maj.

               E. E. COLBURN, Qr. Master

               J. M. KENDRICK, Adj.

               J. D. MUBRY  }

               A. J. PHELPS } Med. Staff

October 17, 1861

Counties of Mason, Fleming, Bath and Montgomery
Lloyd's Official Map of Kentucky, 1862
Library of Congress

Additional Sources

33rd Ohio Infantry, Ohio in the Civil War, compiled by Larry Stevens

Joshua W. Sill Biography

For a detailed look at General William "Bull" Nelson's 1861 Eastern Kentucky Campaign

The Most Brilliant Little Victory, by Marlitta H. Perkins (epub)

The Most Brilliant Little Victory, by Marlitta H. Perkins (print)

Transcribed by Marlitta H. Perkins, December 2021. 
Marlitta H. Perkins © 2021. All Rights Reserved