Civil War Burials - Johnson County, Kentucky

 On July 17, 1862, Congress passed an act that those who gave their lives in defense of the Republic should rest forever within the guarded confines of a national cemetery. Immediately following the end of the Civil War in 1865, the Quartermaster Department, being tasked to care for the Army's dead, initiated plans plans to locate and exhume human remains from battlefields and other temporary graves to concentrate them in national cemeteries. General Orders No. 40, issued July 3, 1865, sought lists of interments registered during the war, but only documentation for less than 30 percent of the dead was produced; it then became necessary to review casualty reports. As a result, General Orders No. 65, issued on October 30, 1865, requested the locations of cemeteries and gave recommendations for their preservation.

A joint resolution of Congress, approved April 13, 1866, authorized and required the Secretary of War “to take immediate measures to preserve from desecration the graves of soldiers of the United States who fell in battle or died of disease in the field and in hospitals during the war of the rebellion.” National cemeteries were officially established with the Act to Establish and to Protect National Cemeteries, approved February 22, 1867.

The work of the Quartermaster Department proved to be enormously challenging, especially in regard to making identifications. The vast majority of the graves were marked with temporary wooden headboards which were either decaying, had fallen to the ground  or were completely destroyed. Efforts were made to locate witnesses who could point out the graves and/or identify the soldiers and the circumstances of their deaths. However, only 58% of the disinterred and reburied soldiers were identified. Despite the difficulties encountered the work went forward so rapidly between 1866 and 1870, that the Cemeterial Division had disinterred the remains of nearly 300,000 war dead and laid them to rest in 73 newly created national cemeteries. In September 1871, Assistant Quartermaster J. D. Bingham submitted a report to Quartermaster General Meigs, listing seventy-four national cemeteries containing the remains of 303,536 Union soldiers. Bingham reported that 2,295 Union dead had been removed to the nearest national cemetery that year, and that he believed few, if any, remains were unaccounted for.

While working in the Big Sandy Valley, the Quartermaster Department located four burial sites in Johnson County. The remains of the Union soldiers were taken to New Albany National Cemetery in New Albany, Indiana. The largest site by far was what is known today as the Old Town Cemetry, located on Church Street in Paintsville.

According to records, the majority of soldiers who died in Paintsville served during J. A. Garfield’s Eastern Kentucky Campaign of 1861/1862. The continuous mix of rain, snow and sleet quickly turned the camps into swamps. Crowded living conditions, with 12-15 men cramped into one company tent, quickly aided the spread of disease. Many tents lacked stoves which forced the men to stand around campfires in knee deep mud in order to keep warm. The weather also hampered the food supply and the men had to live on half rations. In consequence, disease became rampant and reduced the ranks drastically. Only the most urgent cases were admitted to the hospital because of lack of sufficient room. Regiments mostly affected were the 14th Kentucky Infantry and 42nd OVI. 

Old Town Cemetery, Paintsville (23 Union burials plus 1 Confederate grave)

 Described as a “public graveyard in an old cultivated field.” The graves in the soldiers’ burial lot were in poor condition and the headboards mostly non-existent (mainly because they were made from wooden boards and deteriorated quickly). With the exception of two graves, none of the twenty-three burials were identifiable and were logged as “unknown.” In addition, the Quartermaster’s burial register also noted a “rebel grave” as well as two citizens graves which were located among the Union burials.

Sketch of cemetery found in the US QM Burial Register

14th Kentucky Infantry (13 deaths)

The highest casualty rate at Paintsville was sustained by the 14th Kentucky Infantry who lost thirteen men. Much can be attributed to the fact that the regiment was ordered to remain in Paintsville until the end of March when Garfield’s campaign ended, in order to guard the stores of the brigade while the remainder of Garfield’s troops moved up the Big Sandy River to Piketon on February 9/10, 1862.

James W. Rose, Co. B - January 18, 1862, wound in the thigh received in Battle of Middle Creek

Jeremiah Fitch, Co. I -  January 22, 1862, typhoid fever

James B. Arthur, Co. C - Camp Buell, Febuary 6, 1862, disease

John Taylor, Co. H - February 7/15, 1862, camp fever

John Keen, Co. F - Camp Buell, February 10, 1862, typhoid fever

Samuel Vermillion, Co. H - February 10, 1862, camp fever

Ambrose Jones, Co. C - February 15, 1862, disease

George Bruner, Co. F - Camp Buell, February 17, 1862, typhoid fever

Lindsey Lambert, Co. C -  February 25, 1862, disease

Isaac Johnson, Co. B - March 3, 1862, congestion of the lungs

Solomon Quillan, Co. K - March 6, 1862, fever

Henry Adkins, Co. C - March 16, 1862, disease

Robert P. Elam, Co. I - Camp Buell, March 24, 1862, accidental discharge of musket

42nd OVI (10 deaths)

William Gardner and Frederick C. Coffin were the first two burials in the regiment which took place on January 14, 1862. Captain Henry noted, “Today the wounded boys of Companies F and G, two of them, were buried. The ceremony was impressive and many looked sad when they saw the escort march up that hill to the graves.” Another comrade stated that they were buried “in the evening with military honors. A very solemn scene.”

 Corporal William Gardner, Co. G - January 12, 1862, wounds received in Battle of Middle Creek. Gardner’s body was buried under a cedar tree. His headboard bore the following inscription: In Memory of Crpl Wm Gardner who was wounded in the battle of Middle Creek and died Jany 12-1862, aged 24 years ~ Co “G” 42# Regt  OV U.S.A

(USVA, grave # 1234, Section B; Find A Grave Memorial ID 3283781)

Frederick C. Coffin, Co. C/F - January 13, 1862, wounds received in Battle of Middle Creek

Frederick C. Coffin had succumbed to his wounds while being transported by boat on the Big Sandy River from Prestonsburg to Paintsville. A head board was not located for his grave. Therefore, he is one of the unknown soldiers in the cemetery.

John Beachley, Co. H - January 22, 1862, measles.

According to a comrade, on January 23, 1862,  “at 2 o'clock in the afternoon, Beachley was buried with military honors.” His grave had no headboard.

Reuben Blunt/ Blunot/Blanot, Co. E - January 28, 1862, drowned in the Big Sandy River near Paintsville, by falling overboard a steamboat. His grave is one of two that were positively identified.

(USVA, grave # 1237, Plot Section B; Find A Grave Memorial ID 168793811)

Five more deaths were recorded in the 42nd OVI:

Corporal Julian W. Smith, d. Jan. 29, 1862, hospital, Paintsville

Milton Flint, Co. E - February 1, 1862, hospital

Luke Flint, Co. E - February 7, 1862, hospital

George Sexton, Co. E - February 7, 1862, hospital, disease

Milo A. Hobert, Co. K - February 28, 1862, typhoid fever

1st Kentucky Cavalry (4 deaths)

Wm. John Noland (Andrew J. Nolan), Co. F - January 10, 1862, typhoid fever

Robert F. Raborn (Raybourne), Co. L - January 14, 1862, fever

Moses Teater, Co. G - January 15, 1862, disease

Wm. A. Branch, Co. L -  January 26, 1862, fever (his horse died Feb 10, 1862)

40th OVI Soldiers who died at Paintsville (3 deaths)

James M. Radenbaugh, Co. E - 1862, buried soldiers’ burial lot in Paintsville

Jefferson Postle, Co. C - February 7, 1862, disease, buried soldiers’ burial lot in Paintsville

Charles C. Henderson, Co. A - January 1862, disease (may have died at Ashland; records are inconclusive)

2nd WV Cavalry (2 deaths)

Amos McKee, Co. B - January 8, 1862, kia, body taken home

Albert Leonard, Co. C - January 8, 1862, kia, body taken home

Union Deaths in Paintsville 1862 to 1865

McLaughlin’s Squadron (1 death)

James Bunting, Co. B - Sept. 4, 1862

In December of 1863, sickness raged through the ranks of the soldiers in the District of Eastern Kentucky. For the month of December 1863, the returns to headquarters show 911 aggregate present while the total aggregate present and absent show 1,901 men, a difference of 990 soldiers. A typhoid outbreak among the troops stationed at Paintsville claimed several victims, mostly new recruits, who may have been buried at the Old Town Cemetery.

14th Kentucky Infantry (3 deaths)

Thomas Marshall, Co. F - Dec. 2, 1863, of typhoid fever

Henry C. Power, Co. F - Dec. 8, 1863, typhoid fever

Emanuel J. Hickem, Co. F - Dec. 17, 1863, typhoid fever

45th Kentucky Infantry (1 death)

James Burchett, Co. C - December 4, 1863/Jan. 4, 1864, of typhoid fever. According to the late local historian Janet Horn, James Burchett is still buried in the cemetery although there is no stone marking his grave. No notation is found in the Quartermaster Department’s burial register that a body was left behind in this cemetery. However, there is a slight possibility that his grave may have been overlooked when the bodies were taken up. James Burchett was the 16 year old son of Leonard Burchett and Lydia Osborn who lived in Flatgap, Johnson County, Kentucky. His father served three weeks each in the 5th Kentucky Infantry (CS) and Fields’ Company of Partisan Rangers (CS) during the Civil War.

39th Kentucky Infantry (2 deaths)

Isaac Vicars, Co. C - KIA, April 13, 1864, gun shot wound, a “rebel ball passing through his body.” He was killed during the “Battle of Paintsville.”

Jason Bennett, Co. K - December 13/8, 1864, pneumonia fever, hospital

6th US Colored Cavalry (1 death)

Joseph Nelson, Co. C, d. December 20, 1864, in hospital in Paintsville

Final analysis of the burials in the Old Town Cemetery

During the Civil War, a total of 40 US soldiers died in Paintsville, Kentucky. However, the US Quartermaster burial register document 23 Union graves, two of which were positively identified. The bodies of two men were taken home soon after their death and were probably never buried in the Old Town Cemetery. What remains are 36 casualties yet only 21 graves. Since the remaining 21 burials were marked as unknown, it begs the question who of the 36 men not identified in the register were still in the cemetery, had been taken home or were perhaps buried at an unknown location? It is possible, even though unlikely, that some burials in the cemetery were overlooked by the Quartermaster  Department or that they failed to locate other burial sites in or near Paintsville. Unless more documentation surfaces, these questions may never be answered.

Aside from the Old Town Cemetery, the US Quartermaster Department located three additional burial sites in Johnson County.

Old family cemetery opposite Big Paint Creek (2 burials)

This cemetery contained the graves of two soldiers. The cemetery is described as an “old family grave yard” which was located “600 feet from Bend of River opposite Big Paint Creek.”

Sketch of cemetery found in the US QM Burial Register

Unknown soldier

His grave was enclosed by a fence.  His remains were not taken up by the Quartermaster  Department.

William A. Lackey, Co. I, 39th Kentucky Infantry

Drowned in Big Paint Creek, April 20, 1864. Lackey was on picket duty and after being  relieved, he was returning to camp on the northside of Paint Creek which was much swollen. In attempting to cross, he became disengaged from his horse in deep water and was drowned. The Adjutant was present at the time and assisted in getting his body from the water.

Lackey was buried in his clothes. William N. Randolph, Co. A, 39h KY, Commissary Sergeant, attended the burial and later helped the Quartermaster Department to locate Lackey’s grave and identify him. Lackey's grave was located opposite of the fenced-in unknown soldiers’ grave, and 15 feet south of a Beech tree. A stone with the initials W. A. L. carved into it, was placed at the head of grave.

USVA, grave # 1241, Section B; Find A Grave Memorial ID 3284789

Burial site on George W. Auxier's land, Big Sandy River & Little Paint Creek (1 burial)

“Located on Big Sandy River on left hand side, coming from Piketon, 250 yards below Little Paint Creek, 600 feet from the river and 12 feet west of a small white walnut tree on George W. Auxier's land, on a bluff on the opposite side of River from Auxier's house.”

Sketch of cemetery found in the US QM Burial Register

George Washington Auxier was the son of Nathaniel Auxier and Hester Ann Mayo.

Corporal Keanas F. Lacy, Co. C, 39th Kentucky Infantry 

Keanas F. Lacy drowned in Middle Creek, on March 16, 1864. Stone at head and foot of grave, no marks on them. The grave and soldier was identified by Lindsey Maners (possibly Linsey Manard (wife Martha) from Pike County, Kentucky) who helped bury him. He was buried without a coffin. Lacy was wearing cavalry pants, spurs and “two good boots.”

(USVA, grave #1216, Section B; Find A Grave Memorial ID 3284786)

Jefferson Conley Farm, Little Paint Creek (1 burial)

“Located at Little Paint Creek, six miles south of Paintsville, on Jefferson Conley's farm, 3/4 of a mile west from Mr. Conley's house, on the outside of a fence in bank and 22 feet east from where a branch puts into Little Paint Creek and 35 feet to middle of State Road where it crosses Little Paint Creek and 3/4 of a mile west of bend in River, opposite J. Conley's house.”

Sketch of cemetery found in the US QM Burial Register

Unknown US Colored soldier (possibly 5th or 6th US Colored Cavalry)

Unknown soldier, who “froze to death in December 1864 while returning from raid to Saltville, Va.” He was buried by a citizen. This soldier was possibly a member of the 5th or 6th US Colored Cavalry who participated in Stoneman’s Raid into Southwest Virginia, which lasted from December 10 to December 29, 1864.

Of the 27 remains located in Johnson County, which excludes the unknown Confederate burial, 26 were taken to New Albany National Cemetery in Indiana. One soldier was left in his original grave, by request of family or friends. Most of the men were re-interred in Sections A and B, with the exception of the US colored soldier who were laid to rest in Section C. 

Links of Interest

Roll of honor; names of soldiers who died in defense of the American union, interred in the national [and other] cemeteries. 27 volumes. (Available on Hathi Trust Digital Library)

Burial Ledgers. The National Cemetery Administration, Washington, D.C. (Original records transferred to NARA: Burial Registers, compiled 1867-2006, documenting the period 1831-2006. ARC ID: 5928352. Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs, 1773–2007, Record Group 15. National Archives at Washington, D.C. (Available on Ancestry.com) 

Nationwide Gravesite Locator
National Cemetery Administration, US Department of Veterans Affairs

New Albany National Cemetery
New Albany, Indiana

Researched, compiled and written by Marlitta H. Perkins. Originally published in 2018 by the Johnson County Kentucky Historical Society. Published on-line April 2022. This specific article is under full copyright. Copyright © 2018, 2022, All Rights Reserved.

Dear John ~ The Hazards of Mail Delivery

Patriotic cover, postmarked April 14 (1862) at Catlettsburg, KY 

The Post Office Department of the Confederate States of America was established February 21, 1861, by an act of the Provisional Congress of the Confederate States. On March 6, 1861, former U.S. Congressman John Henninger Reagan was appointed postmaster general of the Confederate States of America by President Jefferson Davis.

Reagan instructed southern postmasters to continue to render their accounts to the United States as before until the Confederate postal system was organized. In May 1861, Reagan issued a proclamation stating that he officially would assume control of the Post Office Department of the Confederate States on June 1, 1861. US Postmaster General Blair  responded by ordering the cessation of United States mail service  throughout the South on May 31, 1861. This also included mail going from North to South and vice versa.

After this time, private express companies, such as Adams Express, American Letter Express, and Whiteside's Express, still managed to carry the mail across enemy lines, until the U.S. Post Office ordered an end to such traffic, effective August 26, 1861.

Mail delivery was carried out by private contractors. Transporting the mails was filled with danger, particularly along the Kentucky and Virginia border which was infested with bushwhackers. Interrupted service, robberies and guerrilla sniping were a common occurrence. On Sept. 5, 1861, the Daily Louisville Democrat reported that, "In the counties along the Kentucky and Virginia line, several mails have been robbed by men, who came from Virginia, across the line, for that purpose."

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

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

Within days after the incident, Bernard P. Holt was fired on by someone in ambush near Taber's creek, between Turman's Ferry and Cassville. The constant threat of rebel incursions made it increasingly difficult to safely maintain postal service in the area, which may have contributed to the closing of the Falls of Tug (William Ratcliffe, post master) and Palmetto Post Offices on Sept. 3, 1861. David Holt, Bernard's older brother, had held the position of post master at Palmetto since March 9, 1858.

 Nevertheless, Nathan Holt entered into another contract with the US post office on April 24, 1862, to carry the mail twice a week between Warfield and Louisa, KY. In the end, however, Holt failed to execute the contract.

Instead, Nathan Holt joined Union Capt. David Bartram Company, 167th Militia, on June 2, 1862, together with his sons William, David, John W. and Bernard. The Holts continued in the militia service until 1864, in Capt. William Bartram's Wayne County Scouts. 

Sanford Scott, who was contracted to carry the mail six times a week between Guyandotte to Catlettsburg, failed to arrive at Catlettsburg on May 4 and June 28, 1861 and 8 times in July of 1861. Scott completely omitted service for the quarter ending Dec. 31, 1861. Deliveries were resumed by John H. Ford, of Catlettsburg, beginning February 21, 1862.

Catlettsburg Postmark, March 14 (1862)

The situation in Kentucky along the Big Sandy River was very similar.  Stephen Bartram who was contracted to carry the mail twice a week from  Catlettsburg to Prestonsburg, a distance of 73 miles one way, encountered similar problems. Bartram failed to arrive at Catlettsburg with the mail on July 24, Sept. 12 and 26, 1861. After being robbed several times, mail service was finally suspended until the end of December of 1861 when the presence of Union troops along the Big Sandy River made it to a degree safer again to carry the mail.

During the first week of November 1861, the Grand Jury, United States Court, in session at Frankfort, KY, found indictments against Harvey T. Hawkins and Milton J. Freese, for robbing the mail. Bail was set at $ 3,000 each, and $3,000 surety.

Cincinnati Postmark, May 13 (1862)

At the beginning of fall 1861, safety concerns led to the discontinuation of mail service on several Eastern Kentucky routes, under act of Congress of February 28, 1861. The act authorized the Postmaster-General to discontinue the postal service on routes where, in his opinion, it "can not be safely continued, or the postal revenues collected, or the postal laws maintained, by reason of any cause whatever, till the same can be safely restored."

Effective Oct. 17, 61, Route # 9555: Mt. Sterling/Piketon, 2 weekly round trips, D. Cooley (contractor)

Effective Oct. 17, 61, Route # 9556:  Mt. Sterling/West Liberty, 2 weekly round trips, H. C. Berkley (contractor)

Special Agent Miller was authorized to employ service upon the above mentioned routes "as far as safety would permit, at not exceeding the rate of the old pay, from Nov. 11, 1861."

Effective Oct. 17, 61, Route # 9578: West Liberty to Louisa, 1 weekly round trip, Wm. P. Davis (contractor)

Effective Nov. 29, 61, Route # 9569: Greenup Court House/Louisa, 1 weekly round trip, Charles Callahan (contractor)

Louisa Postmark, August 13 (1862)

Several Post offices were discontinued in Eastern Kentucky during the Civil war. Given are the dates of closing name of the post masters and date when the post office was re-established, if applicable.

Lawrence

Cherokee, Sept. 13, 1861 (William W. Graham), re-est. Sept. 10, 1867

Warfield, Nov. 4, 1862 (Mark Dempsey) re-est. Aug. 29, 1870

Bolton, Nov. 2, 1861 (Greenville Bolt) see Boyd Co. KY

Riffe's X Roads, June 25, 1863 (Isaac Belcher)

Georges Creek, July 31, 1863 (Thomas P. Salyer)

Lockwood, Dec. 8, 1865 (Jacob Lockwood)

Buchanan (formerly Round Botton, Wayne, VA) est. Sept. 3, 1861 (George Buchanan, followed by Joseph F. Hatten, Sept. 29, 1863)

Floyd

Coal Grove, Feb. 28, 1863 (Stephen Ferguson)

Lanesville, July 31, 1863 (James S. Layne), re-est. Oct. 27, 1865

Pike

Breckenridge, July 21, 1863 (William R. Bevins)

Democracy, Feb. 28, 1863 (William H. Johnson)

Lonville, Oct. 10, 1862 (Thomas L. Marrs)

Piketon, May 20, 1864 (Lewis C. Dils), re-est. Oct. 28, 1865

Robinson Creek, Nov. 5, 1861 (Samuel Keel), re-est. Sept. 28, 1866

Hamilton's Store, July 31, 1863 (Nelson Hamilton)

Boyd

Grass Land, Jan. 30, 1862 (William Davis); re-est. Aug. 28, 1862 and discontinued Feb. 28, 1863 (Madison M. Hensley), re-est. June 11, 1875

Sandy Furnace, Feb. 28, 1863 (Pleasant Barber)

Amanda, Aug. 22, 1862 (George P. Walker)

Bolton, July 21, 1863 (John W. Bolt)

Greenup

Three Prong, Nov. 2, 1861 (J. R. Warnock), re-est. Jun 23, 1866 (Mrs. Martha Warnock)

Truittsville, May 30, 1862 (George W. Truitt)

Callahan, Dec. 2, 1861 (John R. Callahan)

Argylite, Oct. 26, 1861 (James Lampton), re-est. June 24, 1874 (as  Argilite)

Carter

Bell's Trace, April 15, 1863 (Nelson T. Rice)

Bruin, July 31, 1863 (John Hood), re-est. Jan. 16, 1867

Estill Flats, June 4, 1863 (Wesley Fults), re-est. Sept. 10, 1863

Rice's X Roads, July 31, 1863 (Paris Rice)

Lewis

Clarksburgh C. H., Feb. 8, 1864 (Isaac Bassett)

Morgan

Black Water, July 21, 1863 (John C. Dennis), re-est. Feb. 1, 1866

Caney, March 20, 1862 (David F. Lykins), re-est. July 7, 1874

Christy's Fork, Feb. 26, 1862 (Thornton W. Sanford)

Grassy Creek, July 31, 1863 (Thomas Goddwin)

Hampton's Mills, March 20, 1862 (George M. Hampton)

Johnson's Fork, Sept. 10, 1862 (Eli Williams), re-est. in Magoffin Co. KY Jan. 9, 1863 (Mrs. Lodicky Denham)

Little Sandy, Jan. 9, 1864 (William B. Wheeler)

Relief, July 31, 1863 (Wallace W. Brown)

Devil's Fork, Jan. 9, 1864 (George W. Stamper)

Wolfe

Still Water, Feb. 14, 1865 (Wm. W. Waterman)

Devil's Creek, July 31, 1863 (Sandford R. Shackelford)

Hazel Green, Nov. 8, 1865 (Addison H. Tracey), re-est. Feb. 1, 1866

Rowan

Blue Rock, Oct. 10, 1863 (Wm. H. K. Garvin), re-est. in Carter Co. Feb. 9, 1864

Bath

Gill's Mills, July 31, 1863 (William M. Ragland), re-est. Sept. 23, 1865, in Rowan Co. KY

Laurel Fork, April 15, 1863 (Andrew J. Connoy)

Rockhouse, Dec. 14, 1861 (Thomas N. Perry), re-est. Feb. 6, 1867

Bald Eagle, Jan. 21, 1863 (Joseph Willson), re-est. Jan. 21, 1874

Fleming

Pleasant Grove Mill, Dec. 15, 1864 (Squire A. Day)

White Oak Hill, Feb. 26, 1862 (Benjamin G. Johnson)

Letcher

Cornett's Mill, Oct. 10, 1863 (Peyton M. Duke)

Indian Bottom, July 31, 1863 (John Dickson), re-est. Aug. 25, 1868

Perry

Brasherville, Juy 31, 1863 (Robert S. Brashears)

Cutshin, Juy 31, 1863 (James C. Brewer), re-est. Aug. 22, 1872

Breathitt

Frozen Creek, July 31, 1863 (Samuel H. Holmes)

There were no closings in Johnson and Magoffin County, KY, during the Civil War.

Paintsville Postmark, August 27 (1862)

Links of Interest

Smithsonian National Postal Museum

The United States Postal Service: An American History - 1775 – 2006

Article researched and written by Marlitta H. Perkins, July 2013. Unauthorized use and/or duplication, including images, without express written notice by the author is strictly prohibited. © 2013. All Rights Reserved.

"Dear Husband" - Civil War Letter from Cynthia F. Stewart to her Husband James E. Stewart

Envelope, postmarked Catlettsburg, April 14 (1862) 

Cynthia F. Stewart, daughter of Lewis Mayo, one of the leading men in the Big Sandy Valley at the time, wrote the following letter to her husband James E. Stewart while he was a prisoner of war at Camp Chase in Columbus, Ohio. He was arrested at his home in Johnson County, KY, on January 24, 1862, by Col. James A. Garfield and charged with "giving aid and succor to rebels."
 

Page 1



Catlettsburg Ky Apr. 10th/62

Mr James E Stewart.
Dear husband from the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh on last evening I received three letters from you one of the third one the fourth and one of the fifth from which I learn that you are out of prison on parole and is now in Columbus well I am truly glad to hear that but I feel as though before you get this that you will be back in prison again but hope for the better I dont (sic) see why it is that they wont (sic) let you come to Catlettsburg as Gen. Garfield was willing for your parole to extend to this place why is it that they want to keep you I cannot tell for you havent (sic) done any thing (sic) and you being released would not injury (sic) the Government any had I not got those letters yesterday evening from you I should now of been

Page 2

on my way to of seen you had everything ready to start on the Boston this morning but seeing that you opposed me in coming I declined the idea now if you want me to come say so for I want to see you and if you cant (sic) come to see me and want me to see you I will come although it would be an undertaking for me to go with my babe as it is a weakly little thing. You asked me about those notes whether or not I had collected on any on them or not no I have not tell me if sheriff Ward dont (sic) owe you some I thought that he was one of the men that you told me owed you and I asked him about it and he said that he did not owe you a cent and so it is we cant (sic) collect anything but if you are permitted to stay out of prison you shall not lack for money for you shall have that when what you have given out and so you must

Page 3

write me often and tell me all about it Mr Stewart write to Mr George Brown he is a particular friend of yours he has worked manfully in your behalf he says you shall not want for anything that he can do he lives in this place. Short lives here. Tell me if you let Robertson & Spears have money to come home on. Rice has not got home yet looked for him last evening on the Boston but did not come hope he will be here soon still hope I will hear something more favorably towards your release. Imagine how I felt when I heared that your parole did not extend to this place for I really had a hope that you would be released and would be on the Boston last evening but such is life I have to submit Jimmie is well he is a very pleasant babe wish you could see him I am shure (sic) you would love him he is all that keeps me alive



Page 4



on this earth I some time (sic) feel like that I would be glad to die but then I look at our dear little boy and think what would become of him if you and I both should be taken from him if either has to be I hope it will be me not you but I must stop I fear you have become wearied already hope you will write quite often this is from one that loves you above all things on earth who builds all of her hope on you and with out (sic) which will fall all no more farewell farewell

Cynthia F. Stewart


Research Notes
- Cynthia F. Stewart wrote the letter from Catlettsburg, possibly during a visit to Stewart's parents who were living in town.
- Boston refers to the steamboat "Boston" which was making regular trips between Catlettsburg and Cincinnati.
- Jimmie was Cynthia and James E. Stewart's son James Lewis Stewart who was born in 1861. In 1884, James Lewis Stewart graduated with a Bachelors of Law from the Ann Arbor Law School, University of Michigan. During the closing ceremony, he was exposed to cold which turned into pneumonia. He returned to Louisa and died at the home of his parents on July 18, 1884, at the age of 23 years.
- Mr. George Brown refers to George Newman Brown, the oldest son and seventh child of Richard and Frances Brown. He was educated at Marshall Academy, Virginia, and Augusta College, Kentucky. After his return from college in 1840, he soon began to study law in the office of Judge James M. Rice, of Louisa, Kentucky, and was admitted to the bar October 18, 1844. He practiced in Pike and the adjacent counties in Kentucky for sixteen years, during which time he was elected county attorney four times and represented Floyd, Pike and Johnson counties in the state legislature in 1849-50. In 1860, Brown moved to Catlettsburg and formed a law partnership with Judge Rice, which continued for several years. During the Civil war period he was a non-combatant, although his sympathies were with the South. (A History of Kentucky and Kentuckians, Vol. 3, by E. Polk Johnson, pp. 1365/66)
- Rice refers to Judge James M. Rice.

Additional information about James E. Stewart


A sincere thank you goes to Andrea Parsley who made this letter available.


Images and transcript © 2012 by Marlitta H. Perkins. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of the article as well as the images without express written notice is strictly prohibited.

1894 Civil War Veterans Reunion in Paintsville

On September 28, 1894, a group of Civil War veterans gathered for a reunion at Paintsville, Johnson County, Kentucky. One of the day's featured attractions was CS General Humphrey Marshall's famed Williams Rapid Fire Gun that had been secreted from Marshall's camp in Ivyton, Magoffin County, on March 20, 1863, by Captain Reuben Patrick. Roaming through the sleeping camp, Patrick quietly unscrewed the 150 pound cannon from its frame, lifted it from its carriage and carried it into the nearby woods were he carefully camouflaging it with leaves. He later retrieved the cannon and brought it into the Union camp at Louisa.

After being stored in the arsenal at Frankfort for 30 years, the cannon was brought back to Eastern Kentucky by Captain Patrick. On September 28, 1894, Captain Patrick and local Civil War veterans proudly posed with their trophy. Johnson County Judge Joseph K. Dixon would also have the cannon brought to Paintsville for 4th of July celebrations. It is now on display at the Kentucky Military Museum in Frankfort, Kentucky.

Listed below are the Civil War veterans who have been identified up to this point. The photograph was found stored in a trunk in the attic of the home originally owned by Lt. Andrew J. Fox (standing on the right in the front row).  The house was torn down when Rt. US 23 was relocated.  It is now in the possession of a gg-grandson.

If you are able to identify the remaining unknown veterans, please let us know. Many thanks to Val McKenzie who graciously made this photograph available.

Front Row L-R

1. Andrew J. Fox, 1. Lieutenant, Co. K, 14th KY Infantry

2. William L. Ball, Sergeant, Co. D, 14th KY Infantry

3.

4. Reuben Patrick, Captain, Home Guard/Secret Service

5. Elijah H. Judd, Private, Co. D, 39th KY Infantry

6.

7. Wyatt Martin, Private, Co. F, 39th KY Infantry

8. Joseph K. Dixon, Corporal/Sergeant, Co. F/D, 14th KY Infantry



Back Row L-R

1.

2.

3.

4. Isaac Dixon, Private, Co. I/B, 14th KY Infantry

5.

6. James Lee Wheeler, Private, Co. B, 14th KY Infantry

7. Joel D. Long, Corporal, Co. B, 39th KY Infantry

8. George McKenzie, Corporal, Co. G, 14th KY Infantry



© May 2012. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of the article or the images without express written notice by owner is strictly prohibited.

Big Sandy Valley Oil Exploration in 1865

Antebellum oil company
The end of the Civil War marked the start of an oil boom in Eastern Kentucky. The antebellum petroleum legacy of Kentucky began in 1818, with a well drilled for salt. Salt-wells were bored, and some oil was found at the mouth of Blaine, Dean bend, Taber's creek, Tug Fork, Warfield, and mouth of Middle creek. Considerable difficulties were encountered in getting rid of the oil, and in some instances, the wells were abandoned in consequence of not being able to tube it out.

The Big Sandy River and its tributaries had long been known as productive of oil, the surface of the streams being frequently discolored with patches of floating oil, arising from oil springs in the bed of the stream and in the pools adjacent. For many years this surface oil was gathered in large quantities by skimming it from the surface, and used for various domestic and medical purposes. Kentucky soon became a center for the rapidly expanding coal oil industry in the 1850s. This was the focus for the first Kentucky geological survey (Owen, 1856; 1857a; 1857b; 1861), which systematically described and analyzed a large number of coal beds for their economic potential, not only directly as a fuel, but for their oil or gas yield. About 1855, Cummings & Dixon collected a half-dozen barrels from Paint Creek and treated it at their coal-oil refinery in Cincinnati. They continued to collect oil from Paint Creek and Oil-Spring Fork until the Civil War, at times saving a hundred barrels a month.

In 1859 and 1860, a number of shallow wells were sunk along the valley, all being put down by hand, and reaching the depth of from one hundred to two hundred feet. In 1861 they drilled a well three-hundred feet on Mud Lick, a branch of Paint Creek, penetrating shale and sandstone and getting light shows of oil and gas. Surface-oil was found on the Big-Sandy River, from its source to its mouth, and in considerable quantities on Paint, Blaine, Abbott, Middle, John's and Wolf Creeks. Large springs on Oil-Spring Fork, a feeder of Paint Creek, yielded a barrel a day. At the mouth of the Fork, in 1860, Lyon & Co. drilled a well two-hundred feet, tapping three veins of heavy oil. The same year a well was sunk one-hundred-and-seventy feet, on the headwaters of Licking River, near the Great Burning Spring. Gas and oil burst out for days, but the low price of crude and the impending Civil War put an effectual stop to oil operations in Kentucky.

Advertisement for Eastern Kentucky oil leases
Philadelphia Inquirer, Feb. 10, 1865
By the end of 1864, there was a renewed interest in Eastern Kentucky oil operations which resulted in a regular oil fever. The whole line of the river and its tributaries was "prospected" by speculators, up as far as it was safe to go for the guerillas who were still prowling in areas of Southwestern Virginia and the Kentucky border. Most of the land was leased by Eastern and Northern capitalists, and the preliminary work for sinking numerous wells was begun. Hundreds of wells were drilled, boats were crowded and the hotels were filled with strangers. A letter from Catlettsburg, written in January of 1865, gives a vivid picture of the situation,

Within the last two months this staid and quiet community has been aroused to an unusual degree of activity and excitement by the influx of oil-seekers from all parts of the country. At that time few strangers were to be seen here, except those who were connected with the military operations of this district, and the usual topics of conversation were results of recent elections, military movements, condition of the crops, etc. But a change has taken place. The hotels and streets are now filled with strangers, and every boat up Sandy carries numerous eager seekers after oil-territory. Turn where you will, in the hotels, on the boats, the groups of men you pass upon the street, and even in the family circle, you hear but one common subject of conversation — 'Oil ! oil ! oil !' As I have heard nothing but oil for the last few weeks, I have become pretty heavily charged, and have concluded eluded to relieve myself of the excess by writing you an oily letter, giving you a brief history of oil operations in the Sandy Valley. "

J. Peter Lesley (in 1877)
One of the men who ventured down the Big Sandy Valley was J. Peter Lesley, an American geologist who made extensive and important researches in the coal, oil, and iron fields of the United States and Canada. He eventually became became State geologist of Pennsylvania in 1874.
Prof. Lesley was secretary and librarian of the American Philosophical Society from 1858 till 1885. He was also a member of various other scientific societies, and was one of the original members of the National Academy of Sciences. In 1884 he was president of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
In March of 1865, he undertook a trip to Eastern Kentucky. What follows are his observations during this time.

Cincinnati, March 21, 1865.
...This afternoon...I take a boat to Catlettsburg...river steam for Louisa...and another to Paintsville, where our headquarters will be made...I take the taste of the world out of my mouth, now and then, with a chapter of Dickens. His last is better than his first.
Here is a typical week of geological campaigning: -

...March 20th: We embarked on the Telegraph at Cincinnati and were compelled to lay up, the Tuesday night following at Portsmouth, by a great storm, which overturned the Marietta steamboat, loaded with passengers; but all were saved.

March 23rd: We took the Victress up Sandy to Louisa, and attempted to take the little river there, for Paintsville; but the storm continued, blew us ashore, and obliged us to spend the night in this rattletrap. We walked up to the fort, and had a merry party.

March 24th, Friday, we started on the River. I wish you could have seen us! and were all day getting up to Buffalo shoals, upsetting on our way a small boat full of people and a dead man in a coffin, creating a great excitement. After dark we formed a procession of fifty men and two women with lanterns, and walked and waded, climbed and stumbled over to Paintsville three miles.

March 25, Saturday: We could get no horses and I spent the day talking oil and studying my reports, and notes of Owen, Lyon, and Joe's, and got my first night's sleep.

March 26, Sunday: Five of the party started on foot up Paint Creek, and Ogden Lewell and I, on horses, into the most tremendous land of crags, ravines, cascades, oil springs, forests and guerillas, and reached Wash Webb's, to sleep in a cabin, while an old woman with a pipe studied curiously our mode of undressing. Before retiring we had a guerilla fright; not a pleasant episode. We rode cavalry horses, by the by.

Monday, 27th: Having opened communication with the foot party (who got lost among the precipices), we continued up three miles to Lyon's well, got some specimens of oil rock, waded the creek forty times, found the XI iron ore, and joined them five miles up Little (Oil) Fork of Paint, where we ate chicken, filled our bottles with tar, smoked the pipe of peace, discussed plans for the future, and the best mode of cutting up the 100,000 acres. Back three miles across the bend to Williams' (where the foot party had spent the night) and left them there unable to proceed. I got Carlisle to ride with me back to Paintsville, were we arrived nearly dead with fatigue. I had been very sick in the night with a sort of inflammation of the lungs, and asthma in the morning which has stuck with me ever since.

Tuesday, 28th: Lucky in finding the Red Brick (a scow with a locomotive on board) descending to Louisa, at daybreak. Unlucky in not taking the Rover when we passed her lower down. Were arrested by the military post at Louisa, who wanted the boat, and obliged to spend the last night there (here).

Wednesday, 29th: Desperate finding the Red Brick impressed, and no certainty of the Victress, Mason or Clarke getting up, because the waters have fallen. If they do, I shall be in Catlettsburg to-night, and try to reach Pittsburg by Saturday, April 1st, a precious fool for ever embarking on such an expedition...

Source for Lesley's notes: Life and Letter of Peter and Susan Lesley, by Mary Lesley Ames, 1909. Transcribed by Marlitta H. Perkins.
This specific article was researched and written by Marlitta H. Perkins, July 2011, and is under full copyright. Copyright © 2011, All Rights Reserved.

Arrests in the Big Sandy Valley During the Early Days of the Civil War

During the fall of 1861, after Confederate forces occupied Paducah and when Kentucky abandoned its position of neutrality in favor of the Union cause, it created turmoil and uneasiness on both sides of the conflict. On Sept. 24, 1861, General Robert Anderson issued a proclamation, noting that he understood, “that apprehension is entertained by citizens of this State who have hitherto been in opposition to the policy now adopted by the State.” He assured that, “no Kentuckian shall be arrested who remains at home attending to his business, and does not take part, either by action or speech, against the authority of the General or State Government, or does not hold correspondence with, or give aid or assistance to those who have chosen to array themselves against us as our enemies.” Anderson’s sentiments were echoed by Governor Magoffin who encouraged the citizens, in case of a collision of hostile armies on Kentucky soil, “Not to engage in said strife amongst themselves on account of differences of political opinion…” but to, “unite in protecting each other in their rights of life, liberty and property, against all and every invasion thereof by unlawful raids, mobs, marauding bands, or other evil disposed persons, and bringing them before the Courts for trial.”

Nevertheless, neither Anderson’s proclamation nor Magoffin’s words did much to ease the populations’ fears in Eastern Kentucky. The establishment of a Confederate recruiting camp at Prestonsburg was certainly a threat and cause for alarm for the pro-Union faction who did not want to be caught living inside Confederate lines, while the organization of a Federal regiment in the upper part of the Sandy Valley raised serious concerns for Southern supporters . One witness noted, “The feeling at that time was exceedingly bitter. My experience was that men did not have to be pressed very much to tell anything they knew against a man occupying a position on the other side of the conflict that was going on. There was an exceedingly bitter state of feeling in that country on both sides.” Colonel Laban T. Moore stated, “It was not safe at that time in this country for persons of known or suspected sympathy with the South to remain at home. I mean such persons would have been arrested.”

On the other hand, Union supporters did not fare any better. Writing from Catlettsburg, Levi J. Hampton noted on Oct. 19, 1861, “We last night learned through some thirty five Union men, who scattered through the woods and arrived here from Pike county, that the rebels have come into Prestonsburg in force, from Virginia, to the number of seven thousand, well armed and equipped, and have extended their pickets down near Peach Orchard, forty miles from this place. Every person is fleeing before them.” James Weddington, who lived on the main road leading from Prestonsburg to Piketon, noted, “… the report of the neighborhood was that people was shifting, some going one way, some another, and that people were arming…” According to James Honaker, a citizen of Pike Co. KY, “There was a great excitement in the country, and every person was on the run in small companies for their safety. Even women, and men that never had anything to do with the army, was on the run.”

What follows is a list of people, even though incomplete, who were arrested on both sides of the conflict during the early days of the Civil War in Eastern Kentucky.


Arrests by Union Forces

On September 27th, 1861, Oliver Martin, landlord of the Hampton House at Catlettsburg was arrested by Zeigler’s 5th Virginia (US). Also taken into custody were Judge George Newman Brown, Wm. O. Hampton, Wm. Campbell, and James R. Ford, plus eight other men, all citizens of Catlettsburg. They were taken to Camp Pierpoint in Ceredo, Virginia (now WV).

Hampton House, Catlettsburg, KY
Arrests were also made in Lawrence County, KY, by the Federal authorities. Judge James M. Rice, Samuel Short and George B. Poage were among those taken into custody.

On September 30th, a group of rebel recruits arrived at Landsdowne Hall, located 1/2 mile from Grayson, KY. Dr. A. J. Landsdowne and his family were southern sympathizers, and aided men from northern Kentucky and southern Ohio on their way to join the Confederate Army by providing food and safe shelter. While eating dinner with the Landsdowne family, the men were surprised by 15 home guards under a Captain McGuire who surrounded the house. The Confederates made a break for it and in the melee that ensued, two Southerners, William Bartley and William Henry, were killed. One man, George Martin, was wounded, and B. J. McComas escaped with three other men. The remainder of the group was captured, including John McCoy, S. H. Wolcott, Orlando (Leander/Vander) Nicholls, Benj. Chinn, John White, Henry C. Davidson, P. B. Byrne, Sam Womack, Will. Womack and – Strother, Robert L. Stewart, W. H. Campbell, Wm. A. Warnick, A. J. Landsdowne, and C. Carroll Pomeroy.

Toward the end of November 1861, Calvin Wright, a farmer and distiller who lived on Little Fork of Dry Fork in Lawrence Co. KY, was arrested by Captain Oliver D. Botner, Co. G, 14th KY Infantry and taken to Union Headquarters at Louisa. All of Wright's brandy was confiscated and delivered up to the regiment's surgeon, Dr. Yates, for the use of the hospital at Louisa.

On December 5, 1861, the Ironton (OH) Register reported that Maj. Burke, of the 14th KY Infantry, “at Louisa - went down the river...with nine Secesh prisoners, Wm. McKinney, Harrison Young, John Murphy, Johnson Griffith, James R. Rose, John Blankenship, Joseph Primm [Grim?] of Lawrence Co. Ky, and Thos. Chandler and Isaac Chandler, of Johnson County, Ky."

John Hagins, of Magoffin County, Ky., was arrested in Montgomery County, KY, about the middle of December, 1861, and charged with furnishing supplies of stock to the rebel army under General Williams. The Department of State was advised of the arrest by a dispatch dated Cincinnati, December 17, 1861, from E. S. Samuels, Government agent in Kentucky, and C. B. Pitts, deputy U.S. marshal of the same State, who say that he Hagins was taken while "in transit with cattle for the rebels," and also that they have "plenty of evidence to hang him." He was thereupon directed to be taken to Fort Lafayette, which was accordingly done on the 20th of December. He remained at Fort Lafayette until February 22, 1862, when he was released on parole. Upon his release, Hagins, along with nine other paroled prisoners sent the following card to the editor of the New York Times:

“We, the undersigned, this day released from imprisonment in Fort Lafayette, beg leave to say to the public that we have uniformly received at the hands of Lieut. CHARLES O. WOOD, First Lieutenant Ninth Infantry, U.S.A., commanding Fort Lafayette, every civility, courtesy and kindness which, as commanding officer, he was authorized and permitted to extend to us by his superiors in office; who, be it said, required of us the performance of menial services, such only as would be required at the hands of scullions and menials.
We believe, indeed, that he would have made many more provisions for our comfort than we enjoyed under him had it been in his power to do so.
We deem it proper to make this voluntary statement to the public because of certain statements made in the public prints to his disparagement, which some of us know to be wholly without foundation in truth, and all of us believe so to be.
We leave Lieut. WOOD, individually, with our best wishes for his prosperity and happiness.

GEORGE W. JONES, J.M. OGDEN,
A.N. BAKER, E.H. JONES,
R.W. RASIN, JOHN HAGINS,
E.E. COTTRELL, C. LEDWIDGE,
N.S. RENEAU, RUTSON MAURY, JR.

More arrests were made under Col. James A. Garfield during his Eastern Kentucky Campaign in 1861 and early 1862. He stated, “If I found satisfactory evidence that they were in actual communication with the rebel army, and aiding the enemy, I sent them to Camp Chase, at Columbus, Ohio, as prisoners. There was a second class against whom the evidence was not so strong, but sufficiently strong to lead me to suppose that they were at least likely to take an active part against us. With such I adopted the plan of requiring them to give bonds, and take and subscribe an oath not to take any part against our troops. These bonds required that if they were found committing any overt act, it was a confession of the forfeiture expressed in the bond. A third class I required to give their word of honor that they would not take any part against the United States, but would remain peaceable citizens. To these I gave a written discharge.”

Col. James A. Garfield

The following men, all taken in arms, were arrested by Garfield, sent to Newport Barracks, KY and then forwarded to Camp Chase, Ohio, where they arrived abt. March 19, 1862:
- William Segraves, Lawrence Co. KY - Possibly member of Co. K, 5th KY Mtd. Inf. (CSA)
- Jesse Barker, Lawrence Co. KY - Pivate, Co. D, 5th KY Mtd. Inf. (CSA) Captured Jan. 13, 1862, Johnson Co. KY. Exchanged Aug. 25, 1862
- Chas. Thomas, Lawrence Co. KY - arrested by the 40th OVI, at Middle Creek, Jan. 10, 1862.
- William Z./S./J. Carter, Johnson Co. KY - Possibly a deserter from Co. K, 5th KY Mtd. Inf. (CSA) He was captured Jan. 13, 1862; Exchanged Aug. 25, 1862.
- John Berry - Possibly John L. Berry, Co. C, 5th KY Mtd. Inf. (CSA), listed as deserted, Dec. 31, 1861 to April 30, 1862.

Newport Barracks, KY
Additional arrests:
- James Stewart, Johnson Co. KY - for giving aid and succor to rebels.
James Stewart was a lawyer who resided in Paintsville and was married to Cynthia Mayo, a daughter of Lewis May, one of the leading men of the Big Sandy Valley. Stewart stated, "I sympathized with the southern people, but had no connection whatever with those in arms, or that was aiding the rebellion. In 1862, I was arrested by said authorities at the instance of prejudiced acquaintances, and upon false testimony was sent to Camp Chase." Stewart remained a prisoner for nearly a year. On being released by exchange, he returned home and soon returned to the practice of law.

- Oliver A. Patton - for serving in the rebel army in Piketon. He later raised a unit named Patton's Partisan Rangers which operated mainly in Eastern Kentucky. The history of this unit was rather short-lived.
- T. P. Taylor - no charges or location given
- James F. Jones

Camp Chase, Ohio
On February 15, 1862, Garfield addressed a letter to Ohio Governor Tod, recommending the discharge of James F. Jones, William Segraves and Oliver O. Patton. Tod endorsed Garfield's request, but Adjutant General Lorenzo Thomas, in Washington, DC, stated that the Secretary of War declined to grant their release.

On January 11, 1862, David A. Powell, Stephen G. Loar and John M. Rice were arrested at Anthony Hatcher's house, near opposite the mouth of Mud Creek, Floyd Co. KY. The arresting party consisted of Martin Thornsbury, 14th KY Infantry (US) and about 20-25 men, who were more or less acting in the capacity of a home guard group. On the way to Garfield's camp in Paintsville, Powell escaped. Stephen G. Loar stated, "At the time I was arrested I had gone up to see Anthony Hatcher, who was wounded; Rice was with me and went there for the same purpose… I was let out on parole of honor."

In regard to John M. Rice, Garfield questioned Thornsbury, "whether he had any evidence that Mr. Rice belonged to the rebel army. He stated he found him twelve or fifteen miles south of my encampment, and in the neighborhood where the rebel army had recently been. Mr. Rice was brought to me about the 14th of January, 1862. I further examined him as to any evidence he might possess that Mr. Rice belonged to any rebel force. There was no evidence given to me that he belonged to the rebel army, nor that he had done any overt act which would justify me in regarding him as a soldier or an enemy." Accordingly, Garfield issued Rice a written discharge.

Headquarters Eighteenth Brigade
Paintsville, Kentucky, January 14, 1862
Mr. John M. Rice, of Louisa, Kentucky, having pledged himself not to aid or abet directly or indirectly, the confederate forces in the present war, is hereby released on his parole, and granted safe conduct into the camps and through the lines of the Union troops, subject to all proper guard and police regulations.
By order of Colonel J. A. Garfield, commanding brigade
W. H. Clapp
Assistant Adjutant General

Confederate Arrests
William Ferguson, John Dils, Jr. and Clinton Van Buskirk were arrested in Pike Co. KY and taken to Richmond, Va where they arrived on Nov. 12, 1861, under escort by Hon. John M. Elliott, T. W. Porter, and G. T. Magee. Ferguson was accused of being “a Provost Marshal of the Lincoln Government.”

Richmond Daily Dispatch, Nov. 13, 1861
The Confederate authorities reported the following, "Clinton Buskirk.--Born in Pennsylvania, at Johnstown; has lived in Pennsylvania and Ohio and Logan County, Va., until the spring of 1859, when he removed to Piketon, Ky. Was arrested by Colonel Williams. Says two of his brothers are in Floyd's brigade. On his examination was confused, and I had great difficulty in extracting anything from him. Refused to take the oath of allegiance. General Johnson, of Kentucky, knows nothing of him. Mr. Wilton knows nothing of him except that he has heard he has two brothers in Floyd's brigade. Mr. McDonald, delegate from Logan, proves while in Logan he bore a good character and has one brother in Floyd's brigade. I cannot recommend his discharge, but think he ought to be held as a prisoner to be exchanged for some of our men taken in Kentucky."

"William Ferguson.--Born in Montgomery County, Ky.; arrested by Colonel Williams' command while attempting to serve process issued by Apperson, commissioner of the United States, for two witnesses in Magoffin County, Ky., summoned to testify in the cases of two men arrested as friends of the South. Says he sustains the present Government of the United States although he detests Lincoln; sustains the old government of Kentucky. Will not take the oath of allegiance to the Confederate States, but will take an oath to be neutral, and that he will not take part in the war or give any information to the enemy. General Johnston proves him to be a man of good character, who will stand by his oath. I cannot recommend his discharge, but think he should be held to be exchanged for our friends arrested in Kentucky."

On October 27, 1861, Samuel Pack and his uncle George were arrested by Vincent A. Witcher’s Company Virginia Mounted Rifles. They were bound and driven off on foot. During their examination it was stated that Samuel Pack, "says he was arrested by Captain Witcher on suspicion of being a Union man. Denies he is a Union man. Says he is with the South. Affirms he never had any connection with the Northern army or the Union men of Kentucky or his own neighborhood. He lives near the Kentucky line on the Sandy River. I can procure no information about him and judging from his conduct under examination I should think he was an honest man. I recommend his discharge on taking the oath of allegiance."

The Confederate authorities stated about George Pack, that, "Prisoner says he was born in Giles County, Va. Removed to Lawrence County, Ky., and then to Wayne County, Va. Is the uncle of Samuel Pack. Lives near Sandy, across from Louisa, Ky., and about twenty-eight miles distant on Twelve Pole River from that town. Says he voted for members of time convention held at Richmond and never voted since. Is a Southern man. Never had anything to do with the Union men of Kentucky or of his neighborhood. Says some of his neighbors went to Ceredo and got arms from Zeigler. He remonstrated against it at the beginning of bloody times at home. Took the part of the South. I have no information in reference to this man except from his own examination and his manner creates some doubt in my mind of his sincerity. But he is a very old man (near seventy) and his health much broken by his confinement. He is willing to take the oath of allegiance. I recommend he be discharged on taking the oath of allegiance."

In October 1861, shortly before the Battle of West Liberty on October 23, 1861, Robert H. McAllister from Greenup Co. KY was captured at Prestonsburg. He stated,“I was on Big Sandy river last fall, with a store-boat, near Prestonsburg. Had a considerable amount of my goods taken by the rebel army; and they detained me as a prisoner for some time; was guarded, but permitted to remain in my boat…”

On October 15, 1861, James A. J. Lee, from Owingsville, Bath Co. KY, was arrested by troops under Capt. A. J. May (CSA), at West Liberty, Morgan Co. KY. Lee stated, "About the 15th of October last I went to West Liberty, to get some of my friends and relatives to come home; on my way there they took me prisoner, and I went to Judge B. to get his assistance in getting my release … The reason that Judge B. (Wm. H. Burns) gave me why the military authorities there did not act in my case immediately was, that my case was referred to the authority at Prestonsburg, and they released me before they heard from the authorities at Prestonsburg. Capt. May was in command of the forces at West Liberty, and gave me my release; there was some three or four other prisoners there when I was there; I left them there, and I understand that they were released by the Federal forces.”

John W. Hazelrigg of Morgan Co. KY was also arrested at West Liberty and lodged in the local jail. On October 23, 1861, Federal troops arrived at the town and attacked the Confederates under Capt. A. J. May. A percussion shell exploded some 40 steps from the little brick jail. A fragment struck the building some seven or eight feet from the ground and tore a considerable indentation into the wall. Hazelrigg sustained a head wound during this action. He was consequently freed from confinement.

On November 13, 1861, the Mt. Sterling Whig reported, that, “Four respectable citizens of Morgan and Wolfe, arrived here yesterday in great haste, several of them having traveled all night, and report that there is no doubt of the rebels having come back in the country above with increased force. They had seen and conversed with a number of persons who had been taken prisoners, and gave their names, who had been released on taking the Confederate oath … The Union men in Wolfe and Morgan had given the alarm to each other and nearly all fled, leaving everything behind.”

“My recollection is that some Union men in Morgan County had been arrested, and among them a man by the name of Gordon," recalled Colonel Laban T. Moore. The man in question was Joel W. Gorden, the nephew of the famed Baptist minister Rev. Joel Gordon from Washington Co. KY. Gordon was still held as prisoner in August of 1862, when General J. T. Boyle, commanding US forces in Kentucky, ordered the arrest of several prominent Eastern Kentucky men, Green M. Whitten and John M. Burns, both from Prestonsburg, KY. Whitten took the oath and gave bond, and agreed to go to Virginia with John M. Burns, trying to effect Joel W. Gordon's release. It is unknown at this point, if Gordon was allowed to return to Kentucky at that point, but he survived the ordeal and was living in Morgan Co. KY after the Civil War.

When Confederate General Humphrey Marshall arrived in Eastern Kentucky and established his base near Paintsville, KY, he arrested a man by the name of Chilton/Shelton. Marshall stated on December 22, 1861, "I have taken position here, and have arrested one man within 10 miles of Louisa, the only arrest I have sanctioned. I sent him to the post at Pound Gap, to be detained there until further orders. He ought to have been shot; he is a native of Tennessee, and I found him with an Enfield rifle in hand, a Lincoln uniform on his back, orders in his pockets, and the proof was positive that he was in company when two Southern-rights men were killed by Lincoln bands, and when a store was robbed, and that he was here with Nelson's command, vaporing through these streets, conducting himself towards old, respectable, and defenseless females in the most brutal and insolent manner; in one instance making an old lady named Preston (the wife of a very respectable old man whom they bailed at $25,000) cook for a mess of Irish and Dutch soldiers for a whole week in her own house. I felt like having him shot, but thought imprisonment was probably the best course to take with him.”

General Humphrey Marshall
On December 30, 1861, Marshall was still incensed about Chilton, "...I sent to Pound Gap as a prisoner one Doctor Chilton and have him there in custody. He ought to have been shot, for he is one of the very worst men in this country and has been a scourge to our friends. I propose to send my prisoners to Pound Gap, where the battalion stationed there can easily guard them and the winds of the Cumberland Heights can ventilate them properly. I have a long house erected there for their especial accommodation. Mr. Chilton is the only tenant as yet."

During the first week of January 1862, Samuel J. Filson, a lawyer from Morgan Co. KY, went to Paintsville and was promptly arrested. "In January last I went to Paintsville; was arrested and taken into the camp of Gen. H. Marshall, commanding the Confederate forces, then near Paintsville."

Also in January of 1862, Frederick Stumbough (Stumbo) from Floyd Co. KY, was arrested by a group of Confederate soldiers who were not uniformed but most likely operated under the command of Humphrey Marshall. Stumbough was taken to Pound Gap and later to Gladesville, VA. He gained his freedom after the Battle of Middle Creek. Years later, Stumbough sued his captors in Pike Co. KY.

Arrests continued in the Big Sandy Valley until the end of the Civil War but probably never again on such a large scale as was witnessed during the beginning stages of the conflict.


Information for this article compiled and researched by Marlitta H. Perkins, Jan. / Feb. 2011.