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.

Civil War in Bath County from a Civilian Perspective - Mary E. Sudduth's letter to General Quincy A. Gilmore

On January 28, 1863, 150 men from Humphrey Marshall's command descended upon Olympian Springs (aka Mudlick Springs) and surrounded the house of Hiram Jenkins. The main perpetrator Thomas Greenwade, who was actively recruiting a company for Marshall's command, had an on-going conflict with Jenkins which he intended to settle that night. Greenwade killed Jenkins and mortally wounded his son. He also killed 19 year old Thomas Yarber, a paroled soldier of the 2nd OVI who had the misfortune to be at Jenkins' house that night. His parents Randolph and Annie Yarber lived near Olympian Springs.

Prompted by these murders, Mary Ellen Sudduth, the widow of Major James Sudduth of Bath County whose husband had been killed in a similar fashion just three months earlier, wrote a letter to Brig. General Quincy A. Gilmore, pleading for protection from the incursions of the Confederates. Gilmore was division commander of  the Army of Kentucky under Major General Gordon Granger.

Owingsville Jan 30th 1863

Brigadier Genl Gilmore

                    Sir 

                        Although a perfect stranger to you I take the Liberty of addressing a few lines to you to let you know the the fix (sic) the Union Men are in in this Section of Country. Day before yesterday there was a Party of a bout (sic) 150 come to the Neighborhood of Mudlick Springs and surrounded the House of a good and true Union man Mr Jenkins (and suppose you there are not many of that kind here but what there is have to suffer many inconveniences) knocked at his Door and as he opened it shot him down and Thomas Greenwade one of the most notorious characters run up to him and stabbed him through his heart in the presence of his family. There was his Son and another Gentleman in the house they shot his son twice one shot going through his Neck and the Other through his Arm near the Shoulder breaking his Arm all to pieces. Mr Yarber attempted to get out of the Way by running they shot him and as soon as he fell they stabbed him to the heart his Son was not dead last Night but it was said to be impossible for him to live. They chased a Union Man living near the town who made his escape only by outriding them and swimming Slate Creek who came to town and let the Union Men know so as to get out of the way which they did and some of the Rebels here gave them notice that they were all gone which prevented them from coming to town. 

It is the case constantly now that the good Union Men by these I mean those that have used the last exertion to crush the Rebellion in any way have to have their homes every Week to keep out of the way of them and indeed I do not consider that the loyal Females are at all safe under such circumstances. We have the worst set of Rebels here I know there has been a good many Arrests made and nearly every Man sent back Although they have been in the Confederate Army and are now entertaining Squads of Rebels as they pass in from the Army. 

On the 18th of October they surrounded the house where my Husband had staid all Night and Murdered him in the most Brutal and cruel Manner. He had been absent from home 8 Weeks with a good many neighbors who returned on the 16 of Oct and the Evening after he returned he went to Licking for the purpose of establishing a Camp to recruit Men to defend this Section and on his way home staid all night with a friend and before 7 oclock in the Morning he was Murdered by a Detachment of Camerons Cavalry under Command of Col Triggs. They were camped at Tictown a distance of 20 Miles from here when the Union Men came from Maysville but they knew nothing of it. - and the Rebel Citizens here sent for them to come writing to Triggs as he said that there had 400 Men come under the Command of my lamented Husband Maj Sudduth that they were well armed and he could get them all and their Arms. I think if some of the Citizens here were made to suffer we could be more quiet and live in some peace. They were so eager for my Husband that they detached a Company to go out on Licking for him but he had left there before they arrived and they followed on and another Party went out of town and met at the House. He was informed by a little boy of the House that there were some Soldiers coming but not knowing there were any Rebels in the County he went out of the house expecting to see some of his own Men. Seeing he was completely overpowered he surrendered to them when one fired and broke his leg all to pieces & at the same Moment another fired and struck his hip inflicting a terrible wound and then a third fired but the ball missed him. In that condition he raised to his Elbow and Shot the Man who broke his leg killing him just as he was in the act of shooting him again. Then a fellow named Jardus caught him by the Throat and choked him till Miller put a Pistol to his head and shot him Threatening to shoot the Ladies about the house if they interfered. You therefore see what I have had to suffer from them. 

Maj Sudduth was an uncompromising Union Man and has done many things in his power to keep the Rebels out of this part of the State. He went as a private with Genl Nelson and Col Cranor & Letcher to Piketon and Middle Creek guiding the Armies through the Mountains bearing his own expenses and receiving no pay from the Government. There is a Man in our town who said that the Rebels would hurt no one here but Maj. Sudduth and he would have to die or be taken Prisoner, this can be proven by two respectable Gentlemen, would it not be sufficient to have him arrested for and sent off. Jenkins was a poor Man and has left a large family. It seems hard that the loyal people should suffer so much and the Rebels permitted to return to and from the Confederate Army at leisure and boast that there will be nothing done with them. Cant you do something for us in the way of sending us some troops to clean out the Mountains. 

Greenwade says there are several men in Owingsville he intends to kill, and sent the Sheriff and if he attempted to ride East of Owingsville he would kill him. Genl Granger offered $1000 for the Murderers of Maj Sudduth and Jenkins was very vigilant intending to get them if it was possible for which he has lost his life. An answer to this will be most kindly received hoping that you will remove some of the Rebels from among us.

Hoping to hear from you soon I am most

Respectfully your Friend

Mary E. Sudduth

Refer you to Col. Warren who knows my

Husband and myself.

Mary Ellen Sudduth letter to Gen. Gilmore

Unfortunately, on February 1, 1863, the Confederates returned to Bath County and  descended upon Owingsville with a force of 250 men.  John Miller, the Jailer of Bath county, was barely able to escape and fled to Mt. Sterling. He then went to Lexington and gave an account of the incident to the local newspaper.

HUMPHREY MARSAHLL'S DOINGS IN NORTH-EASTERN KENTUCKY.—We have stated heretofore that several of the counties of Northeastern Kentucky were overrun by rebel guerillas. Mr. John Miller, the Jailer of Bath county, Ky., arrived in Lexington on Friday. He informs the Observer and Reporter that great trouble and suffering exists in Owingsville and vicinity, owing to the depredations which in the last week or so have been perpetrated by Humphrey Marshall's command. Their camp is but twenty-one miles from Owingsville, in the mountains, and whenever their necessities require it, they make a descent upon the town and vicinity—supply themselves with such articles as they want, so far as they can be found, and return. Mr. Miller states that about two hundred and fifty of these men entered Owingsville at a late hour on Sunday night, the 1st inst., stripped two boot and shoe stores completely—even taking baby shoes—then entered a dry goods house, from which they took all the cotton cloth, women's shoes, and other articles. They then gathered all the quilts in the neighborhood and all the sacks that could be found for the purpose of carrying off their plunder. They also took about one hundred of the best horses in the vicinity. 

These bands are growing worse and more savage in their deportment daily; and it is now almost impossible for a Union man to live in Owingsville or vicinity. About the first of last week they murdered three men, two by the name of Jenkins—father and son —and a paroled soldier of the Second Ohio regiment by the name of Yarber. After shooting these men, to make sure of their death they stabbed them through the body with bowie knives. 

Nearly all the Union men of Owingsville have had to fly for safety. Mr. Miller left himself, barefooted, with others, on a cold night, in the same condition, and in consequence had his feet frosted. He left a number of the refugees at Mount Sterling. The guerillas had a few days since a son of Colonel Sudduth who was recently brutally murdered, as a captive, but luckily he made his escape. Mr. Gill, the proprietor of the Olympian Springs, had to fly for his life. 

The robberies perpetrated by the guerillas so far have been confined to Union men. He thinks if a small force could be sent to Olympian Springs these marauders could be checked or kept back in their mountain passes. So many men have joined the army from that section of the country that there are not now enough left to form a Home Guard that would be of any service. 

Continued Reading

The Life and Death of James L. Sudduth

Researched, compiled and written by Marlitta H. Perkins, January 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