A Peace Party Meeting at Greenupsburg, September 2, 1861

In 1861, three special elections took place in which the people of Kentucky voted overwhelmingly against a Convention, against Secession, against a dissolution of the Union. Even when the Southern Rights party embraced "Union and neutrality" as their new stance in order to garner support before the last election on August 5, 1861, they were decisively rejected by the voters who elected a large majority of Union men to her legislature, taking control of both the house and the senate. 

In the days following, the Secessionists under the guise of "Southern Peace Party" made a last ditch effort to turn the tide and induce Kentuckians to join their cause by stirring up anti-government and anti-Lincoln sentiment and raising the specter of  war on Kentucky soil. 

"They have appealed to the ballot-box three several times, directly in the Congressional elections, and still more directly in the State elections just passed, and they have been overwhelmingly beaten; Do they now acquiesce and agree to abide the decision of Kentucky? No elections are on hand; no further appeal to the ballot box can be made for two years to come, and yet we have a renewed agitation - barbeques, pic-nics, and the most inflammatory appeals to the people, and daily threats of war." 

According to Unionists, these public peace meetings were designed to "inflame the public mind with violent harrangues," scaring people with "LINCOLN's Congress, LINCOLN's war, LINCOLN's tyranny." However, the public was not fooled. "They had just as well accept the truth, that they can't scare anybody ... they pretend to be afraid of what they call Lincoln's troops - Kentuckians, who have as much interest in this State as they have, and equal rights with them, and no purpose to disturb them, if they only obey the law and behave themselves."    

"We are tired of this profession of neutrality, whilst giving reasons for revolution. To make Secession speeches, and publish Secession arguments, and then profess to be for peace and neutrality, is disreputable."

"They may change names as often as they please, but they are the same party - Southern Rights Peace party, or Secesssion party, it is all the same; they are for resisting the Federal Government and plunging into rebellion, no matter how."

"...a party that labored to induce Kentucky to secede, and invite war upon her own soil, and then cried out for peace...accompanied with a threat to resist law. Take off the mask, and be what you really are, and what you aim to make Kentucky - a rebel against the Federal Government."

One such peace party meeting took place during court days in Greenupsburg, on September 2, 1861 - two days before Confederate troops invaded Kentucky and occupied Columbus, violating the state's neutrality. In response, Union troops captured Paducah and Smithland. These events sealed the fate of secessionists in the state and brought Kentucky firmly into the fold of the Union.  On September 18, 1861, the Kentucky Legislature formally declared an end to neutrality and passed an act to create a military force in Kentucky. This prompted Secessionist lawmakers to leave Frankfort four days later. On September 25, 1861, a second act was passed, calling for 40,000 troops for 3 year service. Union enlistments began at once and within a month, 20,000 men were enrolled. Before the end of 1861, the call had been met.

Meanwhile, by mid-September 1861, the Confederates had established a recruiting camp on the May farm, just north of Prestonsburg, in Floyd County, Kentucky.

Following the Greenupsburg peace party meeting, the following members joined the Confederate Army

John P. Twyford, 4th KY Mounted Infantry, Corporal, enl. Sept. 14, 1861

Benjamin J. McComas, 5th Kentucky Mounted Infantry, 2nd Lieutenant, enl. Oct. 20, 1861

Joseph Martin, 5th Kentucky Mounted Infantry, Private, enl. Nov. 11, 1861

At least three members, Benjamin J. McComas, William A. Womack and John McCoy, were involved in a plan to seize the weapons of the Grayson Home Guards in Carter County, on September 30, 1861. This led to a skirmish at Landsdowne Hall in which Womack and McCoy were captured. McComas escaped and joined the Confederate Army at Prestonsburg. 

 

 

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

On the morning of June 16, 1863, Everett's men left the Mt. Carmel area and were once again on the move. As they were passing through Fleming by way of Hillsboro, they discovered that the Federals were in their rear in heavy force. The 10th Kentucky Cavalry, under Major Foley, had reached Flemingsburg sometime during the night or early morning. Finding that Everett was long gone, Foley pushed on to overtake them. The distance separating the two forces may have been less than 10 miles. It was just a matter of time before 10th Kentucky Cavalry would catch up with the rebels. 

From Hillsboro, Everett continued on to Poplar Plains and then turned eastward toward Plummers Mill on Fox Creek. The eastern part of Fleming County, which included the communities of Muses Mills, Plummers Landing and Plummers Mill, was predominantly Union. Alarmed at Everett's approach, the people on Fox Creek sent a messenger to Lewis County Home Guard Captain William Curtis, who lived near Crum on Kinniconick Creek, stating that a raid of horse thieves were committing depredations in their vicinity. Captain Curtis with what few men he could hastily collect, started at once for Plummers Mill. However, they did not expect to meet a numerous well armed foe but a few marauders who were said to infest that neighborhood.  

When Captain Curtis arrived, he met Major Thomas H. Hamrick and his company. Hamrick was a seasoned veteran who had previously served as Captain and then as Major in the 23rd Kentucky Infantry but had to resign because of health reasons. Sufficiently recovered, he was actively recruiting a new company for the regular volunteer Service of the United States and carrying a commission as Lieutenant in the 45th Kentucky Mounted Infantry for that purpose in his pocket. Captain Curtis, Major Hamrick and his men were walking up Fox Creek when they heard shots being fired about a mile distant. 

Plummers Mill

A party of Captain James B. Evan's Home Guards had launched an attack on Everett's force near Evan's home. The Home Guards fell upon their flank and fired into their column as it passed the defiles leading to the gaps in the mountains toward which the Rebels were retreating. Testimony by Captain Charles Nute as well as Chaplain James P. Hendrick, both 10th Kentucky Cavalry, suggests the attack was meant to delay Everett in order to assist the 10th Kentucky Cavalry in capturing the rebels. Curtis, Hamrick and their men soon arrived at the scene of the fight and joined in. 

In their attempt to check and annoy the rebels, Evans, Hamrick, Curtis and a home guard named William Gardner were separated from their comrades. They were pursued by a squad of rebel cavalry and overtaken. All four of them drew off to one side of the road to let the rebels pass, but their advance guard rode up to Hamrick, and, according to Confederate reports, Hamrick was "killed in a hand to hand rencontre with Capt. Jackson." Chaplain Hendrick stated that Hamrick, "notwithstanding his repeated declaration that he surrendered, they murdered him and his companions." All four men were shot and killed on the spot. Curtis' obituary noted that "they were suddenly overtaken by a relentless foe and fell in discharge of their duties." 

The Home Guards finally abandoned the field which they could not hold against such superior numbers. Some of them took to the bushes and tried to escape, including two of Evans' sons. Frank Evans’ horse was injured and he fell or jumped from it and rolled into Stockton’s Creek and made his escape. Frank’s brother Nelson and Eddie Young broke from the main group of Home Guards and also made their escape riding toward Belle Grove. In the fight, several on each side were wounded, including Lieutenant William. L. "Lin" Flood, 2nd Battalion, Kentucky Mounted Rifles, who received a gunshot wound through the neck. Everett's men then burned the store of James Wayman Lansdown near by before leaving the area for good. They crossed into Rowan County and moved in direction of Morehead. 

Meanwhile, DeCourcy's forces had left Mt. Sterling at daylight in search of Everett. The column, led by Colonel De Courcy in person, consisted of the 8th and 9th Michigan Cavalry, Company C of the 14th Kentucky Cavalry under command of Captain Seldon F. Bowman, plus the two sections of artillery from Battery "L" 1st Michigan Light Artillery and 1st Independent East Tennessee Battery. The men moved through through Olympian Springs, "traveling as rapidly as wearied horses and intense heat would permit." 

The rebels arrived near Tripletts Bridge in the early afternoon. Up until now, Everett was able to escape the grasp of Union authorities. One of his men noted, "Well, it required generalship to elude them, but Capt. Pete Everett was equal to the occasion." Why Everett decided to halt his forces here for four hours is anyone's guess. If he would have pushed on, after allowing his men some rest, chances are that he would have easily escaped. Instead, he decided to bring on an engagement with his pursuers and ambush them. It appears that he misjudged his opponents and expected them to be Home Guards who he had no trouble defeating on previous occasions. 

Site of the covered Triplett's Bridge burned by Everett in 1863
This truss bridge, built in 1921, is closed to traffic now
Image from Bridgehunter.com

While Everett was resting his men, DeCourcy's column reached Licking River near Salt Lick. The men were feeding their horses and eating their lunch when scouts arrived and reported that Everett was moving in the direction of Tripletts Bridge.  Major Gallagher commanding 1st battalion, 9th Michigan Cavalry, asked permission to move up the river with a small force to cut off their retreat. This was granted, but the force was immediately recalled. Soon after the 9th were ordered to report to an officer near the river for orders, which was promptly done, and after near an hour's waiting, were ordered up the river. Moving at once Gallagher's men arrived at the junction of the two roads, where the rebels had moved through earlier. "Had Major G. been allowed to proceed with the force we had, or had we not been delayed waiting for orders at the river, the rebels would have been completely surrounded and their escape rendered impossible," noted one of the 9th Michigan men. DeCourcy's main force was on the move as well. "The bugles sounded 'Boots and Saddles,' and in a few moments our command was mounted and moving forward at a charge, which we continued for about four miles before we came in sight of the enemy." 

Meanwhile, near Tripletts Bridge, the dust covered column of the 10th Kentucky Cavalry was nearing the hill where Everett had two companies posted on the hill-side in the bushes, "intending when they came up to bushwhack the 10th Kentucky Cavalry to pieces." One of the 10th Kentucky Cavalry men noted, "But they were mistaken in their game. The two companies in front, companies E and F, on being fired upon, charged right and left, clearing the hill at one sweep, capturing all their horses and some eight or ten prisoners." It took all of ten minutes to drive the rebels from their lurking-places. "The rest fell back on the bridge, the Tenth following close on them." A firing across the creek was kept up for fifteen minutes more and the Rebels were beaten back. When Company C, 10th Kentucky Cavalry, charged Everett at the bridge with drawn sabers, he suddenly found his way in front intercepted when DeCourcy's column appeared. Completely taken by surprise, and seeing he was about to be trapped, Everett's men piled much of their stolen goods in the covered bridge and then set it on fire in order to effect their retreat.

Everett then quickly formed his men in line of battle in the road at the base of a large hill that was covered with timber. Unfortunately, DeCourcy's men mistook the rebels, who were concealed from view by the side of the mountain, for Home Guards, and the 10th Kentucky Cavalry, who were still across the creek, for the enemy.  One of the Michigan soldiers stated that, "a Kentucky officer who, after a close observation, pronounced the 10th a rebel force. They had no flag, and covered with the dust of a long march, and being in the position the rebels were supposed to occupy, were easily mistaken for a rebel force."  Another story claimed that Everett himself dashed up to a party of Federal soldier, posing as a home guard, "and told them that Everett was close behind. Not suspecting the trick, they opened with cannon on the Federal cavalry pursuing Everett, and while this royal fight was taking place between these loyal men, Everett slipped off." 

Whatever the unfortunate circumstances, the 1st Independent East Tennessee Battery opened with two mountain howitzers on the 10th Kentucky Cavalry. This was followed by several volleys from the Eighth and Ninth Michigan cavalry. One of the 10th Kentucky Cavalry men described the firing as "terrific" which was kept up for 10 minutes  A 9th Michigan Cavalry soldier disputed the account and noted, "The unfortunate firing (a few volleys from our Spencer rifles) upon the 10th Kentucky, which your correspondent describes as terrific, was from one, or at most, two squadrons, of the 8th Michigan cavalry, only,  fortunately doing no execution, except to horses." The 10th Kentucky Cavalry made signs to inform them and stop the firing, "but they 'couldn't see it' and the Tenth were compelled to fall back behind the hill." The men remained under friendly fire until "the 10th hoisted their Chaplain's vest as a flag of truce, and the mistake was discovered." Fortunately, nobody was hurt and only two horses were killed.

As soon as the firing on the 10th Kentucky Cavalry stopped, Decourcy's men discovered that a portion of Everett's command had been cut off by the burning of the bridge. "The 8th Michigan Cavalry being in nearest proximity to the bridge, Company B was dismounted and sent across the creek about one mile below. They came upon a company of Rebs and captured a captain with most of his men." The 8th Michigan captured Everett's rear guard, Captain James White, of Company F, 1st Battalion Kentucky Mounted Rifles, plus a number of his men. 

Company I, 8th Michigan Cavalry, "under command of First Lieutenant W. Lowrie, also made a mounted charge on the enemy, and then our entire line moved forward." However, at that point, most of the rebels had escaped, "leaving almost all their horses, all their plunder, all their arms strewn over the country in every direction." Everett had taken full advantage of the initial confusion. The sudden appearance of the column in their rear compelled him to give up at once all idea of defending themselves. In his report Everett noted, that "seeing that it was impossible to overcome the superiority of their numbers, and exposed to the fire of artillery, which was so posted as to command the position which I held, I drew off my forces." He later stated that, "He always felt it to be one of the most painful incidents in his life, that he could not stay and witness this pounding between loyal men." His men took refuge in the dense woods which lay on their right, giving them an opportunity to escape under the cover of the mountain. Filing off under the bluff, they escaped up a ravine. Years later, one of Everett's men recalled that, "Several hundred of the enemies' cavalry closed in on our rear and front. What did we do? We followed Pete Everett across a steep mountain, with the loss of very few men and horses, and returned to Virginia." By taking a difficult route across a neighboring mountain, he escaped the forces that were closing in upon him. 

A lot of Everett's plunder was still strewn about. One of the soldiers noted, "About two thousand dollars' worth of property of every description was picked up on the field by our boys." All the stolen horses were captured and taken to Mt. Sterling. "The citizens of Mason and Fleming counties who had lost horses were notified to come forward and prove property and it would be returned to them. For several days it was a busy scene at the corral in Mt. Sterling."

Casualties

Union

Casualties on the Federal side were comparatively light. All were members of the 10th Kentucky Cavalry. "We lost, singular to say, but one man killed — William West, company C — and two wounded — Joseph Blair and James Hicks — all of the same company. West was shot in the forehead by a Minie ball, and fell fighting bravely."

Confederate

According to The Maysville Eagle, the following 36 prisoners were captured at Triplett's Bridge: Jas. White, Capt. 1st Bat. Ky. Mtd. Rifles; J. S. Pittman, 1st Lieut.; W. F. McCormick, Sergt.; Wm. F. Everett, Sergt.; J. N. Shrout, Corporal; G. W. Ellington; H. D. Talbat; Pascal Mason; J. T. Meadows; G. N. Lyons; Z. R. Alexander; Jas. Clarke; C. A. Barnett; S. S. Moore; Nicholas Hadden, Jr.; L. N. Kinney; E. Pergram; J. E. Bellville; E. Munson; Jas. A. Conner; Thos. Campbell; Francis Summitt; Eli Robinson; Ed. Clifton; J. F. Taylor; Merrill S. Goodpasture; Warren Clayton; Jarrett Montjoy; Ed. Thompson; Wm. C. Hedges; Jarvis Smith; M. Myers; 

Wounded - George W. Rogers; Albert West and Wm. L. Flood, 1st Lieutenant."

Killed - Robt. R. Larkins (shot and dead)

Reportedly, those killed and wounded by the howitzers were left to the care of the citizens.

Additional names of Everett's men who participated in the Tripletts Bridge engagement were provided on a muster roll of Everett's company that was later captured in Salyersville. However, several men who were listed as captured or missing in action at Tripletts Bridge were actually arrested at a later date.

Edmond Roberts - captured June 25, 1863, Kentucky

S. B. Smith - captured July 3, 1863, Bath Co. KY

John E. Young - captured July 3, 1863, Bath Co. KY

William T. Payne - captured July 3, 1863, Bath Co. KY

Wallace Kemper - captured July 18, 1863, Mt. Sterling, KY

W. C. Smith, 2nd Corporal - captured Farmington, TN, Oct. 7, 1863

Thomas Moss, blacksmith - not captured, no further information  

Henderson Cornett, blacksmith - not captured, no further information

Night coming on, "the only means left was to send a regiment around to one of the gaps to cut them off." The next morning, instead of pursuing Everett in force, Colonel DeCourcy decided to return with his men to Mt. Sterling. He left a detachment of the 9th Michigan Cavalry behind, consisting of companies A and F, to scour the mountains and ravines for fugitive rebels (in some reports it is stated that it was the 8th Michigan Cavalry who was assigned this task). 

Before DeCourcy's departure, Dr. John P. Talbot, Asst. Surgeon of the 1st Kentucky Mounted Battalion, came into his line under a flag of truce. His intention was to "attend to the Rebel Wounded." One of the 10th Kentucky Cavalry soldiers stated that "The rebel surgeon came in with their wounded and gave himself up." Talbot also reported, "that Pete Everett, the commander, was killed in the charge by company C." However, it was generally "thought improbable, as other accounts represent him as being among the first to run, leaving behind his bottle of whisky and his Bible, in which was a ribbon, upon which was embroidered the words 'Thou shalt not steal;' probably by one of Peter's relatives who was acquainted with his ruling propensity."

In the afternoon of June 17, Sturgis telegraphed Burnside, obviously unaware that DeCourcy was on his way back to Mt. Sterling.:

LEXINGTON, June 17, 1863--4 p.m.

GENERAL: Colonel De Courcy fell in with Everett's command at sundown yesterday, at Triplett's Bridge, Rowan County; had a brisk engagement, and the rebels dispersed to the bushes. He is in hot pursuit. De Courcy reports rebel loss 12 prisoners and 30 horses. Courier reports 8 rebels killed, 20 taken prisoners, and 100 horses captured. We had 2 wounded.

 S. D. STURGIS, 

Brigadier-General.

 General AMBROSE E. BURNSIDE. 

DeCourcy's main force arrived at Mt. Sterling the same evening. The following morning, June 18, 1863, at daylight, the 9th Michigan detachment returned from their search for Everett. "Some 20 prisoners, with a much larger number of horses, rifles, saddles, &c., were brought in by them as a result of their tour. They arrived ... a weary but jolly band, ready for another mountain scout whenever it pleases the "higher powers" to call them out."

Most of the prisoners captured at Triplett's Bridge were sent to the military prison at Lexington in charge of Captain S. Wells, of Company F, 8th Michigan Cavalry (bef. June 23, 1863). Several men were temporarily retained in Maysville. Two prisoners, James A. Conner and Nicholas Hadden, were kept under guard for the murder of James L. Sudduth in Bath County during the fall of 1862. The Maysville Eagle reported that "Jas. A. Connor ... has been heavily ironed and confined in a separate cell." Brig. General Sturgis wrote the Provost Marshal to retain Connor and Hadden and "that he intended to make them tell all that was engaged in it.."

Connor, along with Wm. F. Everett and Geo. W. Rogers, was also subject of lawsuits filed by Hon. W. H. Wadsworth on behalf of Messrs. Dessar and Culbertson, for damages sustained at their hands during Everett's raid on Maysville. "Everett was recognized by Dessar as one of the leading spirits in robbing his store, and even had on one of the stolen suits when being examined on the subject. Attachments had been issued upon their property to the amount of $8,000." 

On June 26, 1863, the Frankfort Tri-Weekly Commonwealth reported that a portion of Everett's men, numbering 49, were taken from Paris to Covington on Tuesday, June 23, 1863. They were in charge of a squad of soldiers belonging to the 14th KY Cavalry, under command of Major Williams. On June 24, 1863, 31 of the prisoners were transferred from Lexington. Many of Everett's men ended up at Camp Chase, Johnson's Island and Point Lookout. A number of them died or lingered in prison until 1865. 

Lists of prisoners from Lexington, including Everett's men

After the engagement at Tripletts Bridge, Everett and the remainder of his force continued to move through the mountains of Eastern Kentucky and arrived "by easy marches (not being followed at all)" at their camp at the Old Russell Court House on June 22, 1863. The following day, while at Lebanon, Virginia, Edward O. Guerrant found "Pete Everett's 'raiders' just returned from Kentucky, broken down & very much scattered." Everett, still in camp, wrote his report of the raid.

Old Russell Court House

CAMP OLD RUSSELL COURT-HOUSE, VA.,

June 23, 1863.

GENERAL: I have the honor to state that I arrived at this point on yesterday evening with my command. While in Kentucky I fought the Fourteenth Kentucky Regiment of Cavalry near Mount Sterling, killing 21 men, wounding 0, and capturing 17 prisoners. I proceeded to Flemingsburg, at which point I captured and paroled a captain in U.S. Navy. Thence I went to Maysville, where I captured 50 United States horses, some 330 guns, and 25 pistols. Among the guns were some 150 new Enfield rifles belonging to a company in progress of formation. I also captured at Maysville one piece of artillery (a 12-pounder) belonging formerly to General Zollicoffer, which I spiked and left. The small-arms were broken up, and the Government horses supplied the place of broken-down horses in my command. On returning from Maysville I dispersed an organization of Home Guards, under Col. Charles Marshall, at Mount Carmel. Said organization numbered about 170 men. At Fox Spring engaged a company of Home Guards, under Maj. Pennebaker, of Tenth Kentucky Cavalry, killing Major Pennebaker, Capts. -- Evans and -- Curtis, and 1 private. Some 15 miles from the last-named place I encountered a force variously estimated at from 800 to 1,500 men, under command of Brigadier-General De Courcy. Said force consisted of mounted infantry, cavalry, and one full battery of artillery, and attacked me both in front and rear simultaneously. The fight lasted for a short time, when, seeing that it was impossible to overcome the superiority of their numbers, and exposed to the fire of artillery, which was so posted as to command the position which I held, I drew off my forces and came by easy marches (not being followed at all) to this place. Up to the engagement last mentioned I had never lost a single man killed or captured.

Lieut. [William L.] Flood and Private Wells were slightly wounded in fight with Major Pennebaker. I know of 27 Federals killed, who fell into our hands, exclusive of the last engagement, and Captain Blackburn has near 30 paroles which he will hand you. My own loss was confined entirely to the engagement De Courcy was commanding, and I cannot now state it with accuracy, as stragglers are coming in, and I sent back a detachment, under Lieutenants [Alexander H.] Darnell and [George W.] L'Aile, to gather up those who might reach the mountains and bring them on out; also to take charge of those whose horses had given out. I do not think my loss in killed, wounded, and missing will much exceed 30 men; but this will appear from regular report of the expedition, which I will prepare and forward to you in a few days.

I am now moving my command to Lebanon, where forage and subsistence can be had, and would respectfully suggest the necessity of rest to both horses and men, if the condition of things is such as to permit.

I am, general, yours, most respectfully,

 P. M. EVERETT, 

Captain, Commanding Detachment.

P. S.--Two infantry regiments at Louisa and two cavalry regiments, numbering about 1,900 men. 

List of Federal forces in Kentucky.

At Mount Sterling, Fourteenth Regiment Kentucky Cavalry, 300, and Twenty-fifth Massachusetts Infantry, 400; Lexington, one Massachusetts [regiment] infantry, 600; Paris, one [regiment] Michigan infantry, 400; Big Hill, two regiments cavalry, 400 each. The rest of infantry has left Kentucky by way of Louisville, supposed for Vicksburg.

[INDORSEMENT.]

Knoxville, July 16, 1863.

In transmitting this report, it affords me pleasure to commend to the department the gallantry of Captain Everett. The enterprise was very successful. In addition to the horses captured, the detachment was enabled to capture a sufficient number of fine arms to replace the arms previously in possession of the men.

Respectfully,

 S. B. BUCKNER, 

Major-General, Commanding.

Southern papers praised Everett as "Mosby Rivaled." 

"Capt. P. M. Everett, who, it will be remembered, unaided and alone, treed and captured five live Yankees in the mountains of Kentucky a few months since, returned to this place a day or two ago from another successful dash through the enemy's lines in Kentucky. With a squadron of 200 men, and during an absence of 20 days, he reconnoitered thoroughly the enemy's position, inflicted considerable damage upon the vandals, and- watered his horses in the Ohio at Maysville. His tour being principally one of observation, his stay, of course, was not protracted so long as he might have desired. During the progress of his march he encountered the Yankees at four different points ... It will thus be seen, that while we have had a body of Yankees prowling through our lines, we have also had a detachment manoeuvering in theirs."

Northern papers marked the end of Everett's raid with headlines such as "The Maysville Raiders Brought to Grief - The Whole Party Cut to Pieces and Captured." On June 29, 1863, Brig. Gen. Sturgis issued the following congratulatory order to Col. John F. DeCourcy and his men. 

General Orders,}

No. 1          } Hdqrs. 1st Division, 23d Army Corps, Hickman's Bridge, Ky., June 29, 1863. 

I. The general commanding tenders his hearty thanks and congratulation to Col. John [F.] De Courcy; and the officers and men under his command, namely, the Eighth and Ninth Regiments Michigan Cavalry, under Colonel Stockton; the Tenth Kentucky Cavalry, under Lieutenant-Colonel Maltby, and a detachment of the Fourteenth Kentucky Cavalry, under Captain Bowman, with sections of the Eighth Michigan and Tenth Kentucky Batteries, for their conduct and bravery in carrying out the instructions received from these headquarters, thus cutting off the retreat of a party of rebels who had made a raid on Maysville, Ky., inflicting upon them a loss of 30 in killed and wounded, and capturing 1 captain, 2 lieutenants, 1 sergeant, and 37 privates, together with 100 horses and a like number of arms and accouterments, with a fair prospect of yet taking the entire remaining force. Colonel De Courcy has shown, in this affair, rare tact, skill, and energy, and in his report mentions with special commendation the long and rapid march made by the Tenth Kentucky Cavalry, under Lieutenant-Colonel Maltby, who, he says, displayed energy and talent in carrying out his orders. Major Foley, also of the same regiment, is entitled to high praise for his effective co-operation. Captain Bowman, Fourteenth Kentucky Cavalry, likewise gave every satisfaction to his commanding officer. Lieut. and Adj George C. Parker, Twenty-first Massachusetts Infantry, as acting assistant adjutant-general, Capt. John S. Williams, Fourth Kentucky Infantry, and Capt. Isaac W. Adams, as acting aide-de; camp, were of great assistance, and seemed never more satisfied than when sent to points of danger. The general commanding takes special pleasure in placing upon record this tribute of praise, and expresses his entire conviction that all the troops of his command will, in the hour of trial, prove themselves equally true and trustworthy. 

By order of Brigadier-General Sturgis:

Wm. S. King

Lieutenant-Colonel and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General

A soldier of the 10th Kentucky Cavalry remarked, "To conclude, I think that guerrillaing has very near played out in this section of the country, especially as long as a man remains in the Tenth." However, Everett was not done "playing." Only five months later, Union authorities in Kentucky would have their hands full with Everett once again.

Further Reading 

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

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

Freestone Road Bridge Constructed in 1921 at the site of the original covered Triplett's Bridge. This bridge is now defunct and closed to traffic)

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

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

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

Dyer's Compendium lists the engagement as follows:

Oct. 8: Skirmish, Hillsborough

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

FLEMINGSBURG, OCT. 9, 1861.

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

Yours, &c.,

John G. Baxter.

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

Cincinnati Daily Press
October 11, 1861

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

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

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

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

 The Daily Missouri Republican
October 15, 1861

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

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

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

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

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

The Francis R. Davis home

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

View of the Davis Farm

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Letter written by Captain Holladay
August 26, 1862

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

The "Killed"

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

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

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

The "Wounded"

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

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

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

The Union Officers

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

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

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

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

Weapons

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pensions for Militia and State Troops

KENTUCKY.
The following report, made in the second session of the Fifty-second Congress from the House Committee on Invalid Pensions on bill (H. R. 7554) to grant a pension to survivors of certain battalions of Kentucky Militia, etc., contains much information regarding a number of Kentucky State troops that were in service during the war and the orders and State laws under which they were raised:

"The Committee on Invalid Pensions have considered the bill (H. R. 7554) granting a pension to survivors of certain battalions of Kentucky Militia, etc., and submit the following report, recommending the passage of the accompanying substitute for the bill under consideration.

"The object of the bill, as introduced, is to place those who served in the organizations named under the provisions of the act of June 27, 1890, which requires a service of 90 days and a present disability, not due to vicious habits.

"In considering the bill these questions arise:
"(1) Under what authority were the said organizations raised and paid?
"(2) Were they subject to the orders of United States officers, and  what was the character of the service performed?

"On these points the following facts and arguments have been presented to the committee:
"The Frankfort, Paducah, and Sandy Valley Battalions, which were known as the Capital Guard Regiment, were intended to aid and assist the Federal troops, and were to be held subject to the call of the district commander for any service in Kentucky, and they were raised by order of the governor of Kentucky, under sanction of an order dated July 11, 1864, and signed by Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War.

"The North Cumberland, Three Forks, Halls Gap, Green River, Middle Green River, South Cumberland, and Frankfort Battalions, and First Kentucky State Cavalry and Frankfort Battalion were raised under an act of the Kentucky Legislature approved January 26, 1864, entitled 'An act empowering the governor to raise a force for the defense of the State.'

"The Harlan County Battalion was raised under the militia laws of the State and was mustered into the State service October 13, 1862, and was mustered out January 13, 1863. It comprised seven companies, of 494 men, and performed service in eastern Kentucky, along the Tennessee and Virginia borders, affording protection to the loyal people of that section and preventing the destruction of property by the evil inclined, and at the same time acting as an advance guard for the Federal troops.

"The Casey County State Guards, and Captain Bussey's Bath County Rangers were organized under the militia laws of Kentucky, and, being  ordered on duty, the former was assigned to and performed duty with the First Kentucky Cavalry, whilst the latter after having performed service from December 11, 1863, to April 1, 1864, was assigned to and  performed duty with the Capital Guard Regiment, and was then known as Company F, of the Frankfort Battalion of that regiment, and was mustered out February 6, 1865.

"It may be proper to state that the Halls Gap Battalion also included the Mercer County State Guards, which organization was raised under the  militia laws of the State, and that the Frankfort Battalion was a distinct organization from that of the same name raised under the order of Secretary Stanton, heretofore referred to.

"It appears from the records in the Third Auditor's Office that the State of Kentucky made a claim against the United States on account of expenses incurred in behalf of the organizations mentioned in the bill  and was reimbursed therefor, and that the United States reimbursed Kentucky, on account of expenses incurred in raising volunteers to the amount of $3,504,466.77, being a greater amount than was paid to any other State, except the States of Missouri, New York, and Illinois.

"The said organizations performed the same character of service in the State of Kentucky as was required of United States troops. They were in the service not less than 90 days, some for six months, others for about one year. They rendered valuable and efficient service to the State and General Government, and cooperated with the forces of the  United States, and were subject to the orders of United States officers for services to be performed within the State.

"Hon. John M. Palmer, now United States Senator from Illinois, and formerly department commander of Kentucky, under date of January 21, 1863, says:
"'The Kentucky State troops, as a rule, were under my command in the  department of Kentucky, and I treated them as troops subject to my command. Some of the organizations performed valuable services, and ought to be provided for by the pension laws.'

"Gen. Green Clay Smith appeared before the committee and stated that at times during the war he commanded Federal troops in Kentucky; that he was then a resident of the State, and a native thereof, and well acquainted with the conditions prevailing therein at that time, and he had no doubt whatever that the organizations mentioned in the bill were at all times subject to the orders of the department commander, and rendered important service in behalf of the United States in protecting and guarding its property, its lines of communication, and aiding in driving its enemies from loyal territory.

"Kentucky furnished three classes of troops in behalf of the General Government during the late war—those that were mustered into the United States service, those that were known as the State militia proper and which did not perform service for 90 days, and those mentioned in this bill.

"A table is appended hereto showing the number and when mustered in in  each organization mentioned in the bill, the whole number being 4,983, and the number mustered out being about 4,200. But as many of these performed military service in other organizations, which service placed them within the provisions of the pension laws, it is thought that not more than 2,500 would be placed under the provisions of this bill, as originally presented, should it become a law.

"Having directly sanctioned the organization of some of these troops, and having accepted the services of all of them, they having been subject to the orders of the commander of the Department of Kentucky, and having reimbursed Kentucky for all expenses incurred in their organization and maintenance, it seems that the General Government, so far as its military, executive, and ministerial officials had power so to do, have regarded the organizations mentioned in the bill as if they had been mustered into the United States service for all practical purposes. And that being true, it would be fair dealing to place them, as far as this bill can do so, upon an equal footing with the same class of troops furnished by the States of Missouri and Pennsylvania, which have been placed under the provisions of the pension laws.

"Following is the table above referred to, compiled from the report of  the adjutant general of Kentucky: (click on image to enlarge)

"In view of the facts shown, your committee have been unwilling to recommend the passage of the bill as presented, for the reason that to  do so would be to assume to determine that the organizations named were essentially in the service of the United States during the entire period of their service. It does seem proper, however, that these troops should be placed in a position as good as, but no better than, that given to the Missouri State Militia, and your committee therefore report the accompanying bill as a substitute for the bill H. R. 7554, and respectfully recommend that the substitute do pass."

This bill failed of passage and no pensionable rights accrue on account of service in these organizations. The period of service of these troops was generally about six months, though a few of them served about one year. The earliest period of service was from the first part  of 1864. The following is taken from the published report of the adjutant general of the State of Kentucky, dated September 1, 1867,  volume 2, pages 825, 826, as showing something of the service of these organizations:

"All these troops did valuable and efficient service to the State and  the General Government, as the history of the time would fully show. The Sandy Valley Battalion rendered most important service during the Saltville raid.

"The Frankfort Battalion protected the capital from the frequent incursions of guerrilla forces. The Paducah Battalion protected the southwestern portion of the State. Shortly after the muster out of this battalion, the gallant Capt. Thomas J. Gregory, Company A, was killed in action while leading a charge against a guerrilla force.

"The troops raised under the act of January 26, 1864, were enlisted subsequent to the muster out of the Capital Guard Regiment and were located as follows:

"The Three Forks Battalion in the extreme southwestern portion of the State, with headquarters at Booneville.

"The Halls Gap Battalion in the locality between Stanford and Halls Gap; headquarters at Stanford.

"The Green River Battalion in the counties between the Ohio and Green  Rivers, with headquarters at Calhoun.

"The Middle Green River Battalion in the southern portion of the State, with headquarters at Rochester.

"The South Cumberland Battalion also in the southern portion of the State, with headquarters at Burksville.

"The First Kentucky Cavalry in the central part of the State, with headquarters at Lebanon.

"The Frankfort Battalion was assigned to duty in guarding the Louisville & Lexington Railroad and the country adjacent thereto.

"All of these battalions performed the most valuable service against  the rebels and guerillas under Morgan, Johnson, South, Lyon, Mundy, Gentry, Jesse, etc., and for some time freed the State from the incursions of these troops (the acts of many of whom were barbarous in  the extreme). This was accomplished notwithstanding their efficiency was somewhat crippled, first, by the then military commander of the district of Kentucky, and, second, by partisan feeling and prejudice."

This report does not give any particulars of service rendered by these forces under command of United States officers or in connection with United States troops. It shows, however, that 66 of them died and 27 were killed, some of these being killed in action.

Kentucky had another body of State militia, State guards, and home guards that were on active duty at various periods during the war. The published report of the adjutant general of the State of Kentucky, volume 2, page 903, shows the designations and strength of the organizations composing this force to have been as follows:

Home-guard companies called out by Gens. Anderson and Sherman 1,534
Police guard Kentucky Central Railroad 1,470
Oldham County State Guard 63
Shelby County State Guard 35
Spencer County State Guard 56
Nelson County State Guard 49
Flower Creek Home Guard 33
Martin's company Home Guard 57
Ohio County Home Guard 155
Leonard's company, Home Guard 60
Forty-first Regiment Kentucky Enrolled Militia 1,096
Forty-second Regiment Kentucky Enrolled Militia 1,393
Frankfort Union Guards 57
Rockcastle and Lincoln County Home Guard 304
Twenty-second Regiment Kentucky Enrolled Militia 112
Sixty-eighth Regiment Kentucky Enrolled Militia 615
Sixty-fifth Regiment Kentucky Enrolled Militia 347
Thirty-sixth Regiment Kentucky Enrolled Militia 280
Peak's Mill Rangers  51
Fleming County State Guard 102
Hardin County State Guard 42
Capt. R. R. Bacon's company, State Guard 26
Capt. Greenbery Reid's company, Kentucky National Legion 84
Capt. H. H. Johnson's company, Kentucky National Legion 87
Lieut. George W. Burchett's company, Kentucky National Legion 14
Harlan County Battalion 494
Bath County Rangers 88

These militia and home guards served short terms at various intervals during the war, beginning in the fall of 1861; some of them were in  service as late as in November, 1865. A great many of them served less  than 20 days, some served 1 and 2 months, and but very few, if any,  were in service 3 months. Their principal duty was the guarding of  railroads, bridges, locks, etc. The Forty-first and Forty-second  Regiments, Kentucky Enrolled Militia, were 30-day men, called out at  the time of Bragg's Invasion. The Sixty-eighth Regiment Kentucky  Enrolled Militia, 30-days' service, is recognized by the War Department as having been accepted into the military service of the United States  and the members thereof have pensionable status under the general law for disability or service origin only. They have no status under the act of June 27, 1890, as their service was less than 90 days. None of the other Kentucky State organizations has pensionable rights under existing laws.

Many of these troops served out of the limits of Kentucky and the report of the adjutant general of Kentucky mentions that 1,534 of the home guards of that State were called out by Gens. Anderson and Sherman. The home guards, so called, were on active duty in the fall of 1861, a few serving a little over 1 month, but the majority less than 15 days. The Thurston Guards, called out by Gen. Anderson, served 12 days in September, 1862.

Source: Congressional Edition, 66th Congress, 2d Session, Dec. 1, 1919 - June 5, 1920, Volume 7653, pp. 27-31

Transcribed by Marlitta H. Perkins, July 2013.

"The Yankee Hounds after the Reb Fox" - Civil War in Wolfe and Morgan Counties

Eastern Kentucky was never the place for large scale battles like Gettysburg or military operations like the Atlanta Campaign. Aside from battles like Ivy Mountain, Middle Creek, Half Mountain, which were small in comparison, most activities were mainly skirmishes or hit and run affairs between small bodies of soldiers. The character of warfare was greatly influenced by the character of the land...mostly mountainous it lend itself to bushwacking. Even though Kentucky remained a Union state throughout the Civil War, sympathies were divided. The division went through counties and neighborhoods. In certain instances, it placed families and their associated branches on opposite sides. Passions flared and resulted in brutal warfare which was carried out without mercy. This was especially evident in Morgan and Wolfe Counties.

When the Civil War began, Wolfe County was less than a year old. Created on July 1, 1860, it was formed from parts of Morgan, Breathitt, Owsley, and Powell Counties. It included parts of present-day Menifee and Lee Counties which were formed in 1869 and 1870, respectively. The two principal towns were Hazel Green and Compton. Hazel Green was founded by William Trimble, a veteran of the War of 1812, on land he had bought for 5 cents/acre. This tract of land was originally called Trimble's Store, which was located on the corner of present-day Main and State streets. William laid out the streets, sold lots, and was the town's first post master, a position he held for 24 years. William Trimble was a true entrepreneur, who farmed, raised hogs and cattle, dealt in land and slaves, and sold fur and farm products. He also established several industries such as tanneries, lumber mills, and spinning and weaving works. By the time Hazel Green became an established town in 1849, with 27 lots, William Trimble had become a very wealthy and influential citizen.

Intersection of State and Main Streets, Hazel Green

During the Civil War, William Trimble's family, including his sons David Shelton, James Greenville, Stephen Asberry and William Preston Trimble, clearly sided with the Southern Cause. One exception was Edward Hensley, Trimble's son-in-law, who had married William's daughter Rose Ann. Edward Hensley, a native Tennesseean, was a merchant who had settled next door to his wife's family. It was a tragedy in the making...

When Union forces under General William "Bull" Nelson arrived at Hazel Green on October 23, 1861, Nelson commandeered William Trible's home as his headquarters. At the same time, part of his troops moved on a Confederate force under Capt. A. J. May at West Liberty, taking the town after a sharp fight. Nelson noted, "The jail at that town was found with sixteen Union men in it, also five others who had just been captured were in the street under guard. Of course they were promptly released. At this town, the surprise was complete - We captured a few notorious fellons, amongst whom were several Trimbles. One of them Shelton Trimble had been out on a "Man hunting expedition," only a week since and had taken a Mr. Hurst, a man of 50 years of age and had taken him to the West Liberty jail, where we found him. Mr Shelton Trimble can now ruminate upon the mutability of human affairs in general, and his own case in particular, for he is in chokey now, and Mr. Hurst is at liberty."

Aside from David Shelton Trimble, his brothers Green and William Trimble, as well as several other wealthy and influential men who were residing in and near Hazel Green, Kentucky, were arrested by Nelson and charged with treason. According to an article in the Richmond Daily Dispatch, the men, "were brought before US Commissioner R. Appleton, at Mt. Sterling, for trial. All the accused were discharged by the Commissioner excepting David S. Trimble, who was held to answer to the charge of treason in the United States Court at Frankfort next May.--His case was brought before Judge Ballard in Louisville. After hearing the testimony, the Judge allowed him to give bail to appear and answer the charge at Frankfort, in May, in the sum of $5,000. He executed the bond, and was discharged from custody."

Mr. Hurst refered to by General Nelson was Samuel Henry Hurst, the 61 year old patriarch of the Hurst family who lived a few miles from the Trimbles on Stillwater Creek. Samuel Hurst was described as "one of the strong, two-fisted men of his generation, usually settling disagreements in physical combat." Samuel left his native Virginia in 1818 after biting off another man's ear during a fight. Samuel fled into Kentucky and first settled in Breathitt County. He married Sarah Sally Landsaw, on July 11, 1825, in Morgan Co. KY and later settled with his family on Stillwater Creek in Wolfe County. The Hurst family was prominent in public and business affairs in Eastern Kentucky. When the Civil War began, Samuel and three of his sons, William L., Henry C. and Daniel D. Hurst fully embraced the Union cause. Noted William, "Notwithstanding the fact that my father Samuel H. Hurst, and myself were owners of slaves and fully realized that the freedom of them would seriously cripple us financially, we together with my brothers and other members of our family decided to uphold the Union and were opposed to the Confederacy."

After "scouting and dodging around till the early part of 1862", William L. Hurst received a commission to raise a Company of 100 men. Recruiting began immediately and by early May 1862, Hurst had 23 recruits. On May 5, 1862, supplied with arms at Mt. Sterling, Hurst and his group were on their way from Stillwater Creek to Red River country to rendezvous with another group of recruits, when they were ambushed a few miles below modern-day Lee City, by a group of Confederate recruits, led by Captain John J. Marshall. After a sharp skirmish, the Confederates retreated but it left Hurst badly wounded, with a shot through the eye. Later that night, Hurst and his father Samuel were captured by a group of 43 Confederates and taken prisoner. Despite William's desperate condition, they were taken to Abingdon and later to Libby Prison in Richmond, Virginia. For the next eight months, Samuel Hurst and his son William would be guests of the Southern Confederacy until exchanged in November 1862.

Back home in Wolfe County, Daniel D. and Henry C. Hurst were continuing the fight. Noted William L. Hurst, "My brothers were driven from home and were fighting the enemy. They were trying to combat the Rebel Guerrillas and other Rebels, who were murdering loyal citizens, not in arms, and taking their property and burning their homes. Their's was a strenous life, always on the go, dodging and fighting." Members of this group, numbering about 100 men, included John M. Gose, Francis Marion Vaughn, Arch Childers, Sam Taulbee, Charles Little, Dock Trimble, Sanders Halsey and Jerry King.

Meanwhile, the Trimbles had not been idle, either. Nelson's visit did obviously little to deter the family from continuing their support for the Southern Confederacy. Documents from the Confederate citizens files show that the Trimbles aided the Confederates throughout the war, from 1862 to 1864 supplying goods and services to the Southern Army.

Payment to Wm. Trimble, March 20, 1862,by Capt. W. W. Cox, Asst. Quartermaster, CS Army

Payment to Wm. Trimble for hay, corn and oats, March 10, 1863

In 1863, guerrilla activity was on the rise and the warfare grew in intensity. One of the main players was John T. Williams who was born October 24, 1822, a son of Squire John T. Williams. He owned a 1,000- acre tract of land In Morgan County, at Liberty Road, near the mouth of Caney Creek, a few miles from the county seat town of West Liberty. In addition to operating his large farm, he ran a watermill and dealt in livestock. By the time the Civil War began, John T. Williams was a well-to-do citizen. In early fall of 1862, he raised Company A, 2nd Battalion KY Mounted Rifles. According to Williams, his company was "engaged in fighting the Home Guard of KY ever since its organization during the time killing 30 and taking forty prisoners. One member of (the) Co. was shot by the Enemy in retaliation for the death of a notorious leader of the Home Guard."

Captain John T. Williams

On February 7, 1863, John Desha Nickell, a known Morgan County Union sympathizer, was killed at his home by members of Williams' Co. A, 2nd Battalion KY Mounted Rifles, lead by his second cousin John J. Nickell. Two days later, John J. Nickell, Lewis Henry, Jr. and John Calvin/ Colvin, under orders from Capt. John T. Williams, were sent to arrest Logan Wilson, another Union sympathizer from Morgan County. They returned without the prisoner, claiming that Wilson had been shot trying to escape.

On September 28, 1863, a squad of rebels, led by Jacob L. Edwards, a deserter from the 1st Battalion KY Mtd. Rifles, ran into Camargo and captured Pleasant Martin, Asbury Nickell, Charles Little, Reason Grayson and Robert Nickell, and took them to Sycamore bridge near Ticktown. Here the prisoners were lined up and told that they were to be paroled. The rebels had the men cross their hands on their breasts, telling them they were about to administer the oath but instead they placed their guns against them and fired. All were killed dead except Robert Nickell who was shot near the right nipple, the bullet exiting about five inches lower in the back. He fell off into the creek and they fired three more shots at him, one bullet struck his arm. He played off dead and they left him. Next, the rebels reached the home of Jacob Stephens and robbed him of his pocket book with about $30.00. Then the rebels shot him and left him for dead. Fortunately, Stephens survived the assault. Edwards and his men went on and caught a man named Jenkins. According to sources, "the treatment they gave him was much worse than death. They took all privileges from him that was allowed a man by nature and told him that if that did not kill him they would come back and finish the job."

The Union authorities made a concentrated effort to deal with the increased guerrilla activity and employed the newly formed 40th KY Mounted Infantry, 45th Mounted Infantry KY and the 5th OH Independent Cavalry Battalion to scout the area.

On October 2, 1863, 50 men of the 5th OH Independent Cavalry Battalion left Mt. Sterling and went on a scout expedition. The squad proceeded as far as West Liberty, where they arrived on October 5, 1863. The troopers stopped at Green Howard's cabin, "the place where guerrillas resort", but found the place deserted. According to reports, Howard had whipped an old Union man nearly unto death, and scalped a soldier of the Tenth Kentucky Cavalry the day previous. The troopers burned everything visible, and as soon as the fire began the rebels commenced firing from the mountain at long range but they were too far to do any damage. The squad returned a few shots and left.

The following morning, the squad had passed through West Liberty en route to Morehead, and were crossing McClannahan Hill, about four miles northwest of West Liberty, when they were ambushed and fired upon from a concealed point by John T. Williams' men who had cut across the river and reached McClannahan Hill ahead of them. The shots killed one man and wounded two. When the squad returned fire they, "killed the notorious Asa Swin, a most daring and desperate man, and the only one that dared to show himself."

The Union forces continued to bring in guerrillas but not all of them were necessarily turned over to the proper authorities. At the beginning of November 1863, two guerrillas were executed in Mt. Sterling without a trial.

In the early morning hours of November 12, 1863, while on another scout in Morgan County, the 5th Ohio Cavalry Battalion was attacked by Captain John T. Williams, from the bluffs across Licking river overlooking West Liberty. A few shots were exchanged and the 5th Ohio went into hot pursuit. Noted one of the troopers, "We followed over mountains, down ravines and through pleasant vallies, exchanging shots every opportunity, but we could not catch him, his horses being used to the mountains while ours were not. At one place his command was going up a mountain and we were going down one facing it, when a lively little fight ensued across the hollow. J. T. was wounded in the arm and on he went again. We learned of his wound afterwards from a lady at whose house he stopped to have it dressed, and he asked her "if she had seen the Yankee hounds after the reb fox." The chase was finally abandoned ten miles from West Liberty.

On January 27, 1864, part of the 45th KY Mounted Infantry, supported by Captain Henry C. Hurst's company of homeguards went on a 13 day scout into the area of Wolfe, Morgan and Magoffin counties. Their first target was the home of Wash Goodpaster, where they made a charge on the house and captured some nine or ten prisoners. The men continued on and put up for the night at the house of James Milton Cecil. Meanwhile, the Guerrillas had come in behind them and set fire to the home of Marion Vest's widow Mary Ann, which was some miles away. 20 men were at once detailed and went in pursuit of the guerrillas and surrounded them in the home of Big Jim Stamper. In the fight that ensued, Stamper was killed. The guerrillas surrendered and were taken prisoner, including Jacob L. Edwards. Noted Daniel D. Hurst, "We were all very happy over getting Edwards in our custody. Many of the boys wanted to kill him on the spot; but our Captain would not permit it. He said not to worry that he would get what was coming to him when we turned him over to the proper authorities."

The next morning, the scout resumed. Proceeding to the ford of Caney Creek, they encountered Green Sexton and a man by the name of Thomas, two regular Guerrillas. Shots were exchanged but Sexton and Thomas managed to escape. Next, the men went to the home of William Cox and surrounded the house. A man by the name of Hamilton ran out and fired on the soldiers who immediately opened fire on him, killing him instantly. When his body was examined it was found that he had been struck by 27 bullets. The following morning, part of the force proceeded to Salyersville but abandoned any plans to continue the scout upon hearing the news that Peter Everett was only a few miles away with a much larger number of men. The men returned to Mt. Sterling on February 9, 1864, having captured 19 prisoners and 25 good horses. Noted Captain Henry C. Hurst, "We gave the Guerrillas a plain hint of what they would get next time. There are plenty of them in the mountains and we intend to keep them in hot water."

Thomas P. Collinsworth, Co. B, 10th KY Cavalry. One of the men captured at Big Jim Stamper's house, Jan. 28, 1864.

As the Union forces were keeping up the pressure, the effects were starting to become apparent. "They bring prisoners in almost every day," wrote Captain Henry C. Hurst on February 25, 1864 from Mt. Sterling, "and many others come in and take the oath of allegiance." Nevertheless, Union sympathizers did not feel safe at their homes and many of them were moving from the mountains to the relative safety of Mt. Sterling and beyond. Being driven from his farm in Wolfe County by John Osborn, Arch Childers moved to Boyd Station in Harrison County, KY. After being robbed by the rebels, George Phillips and his family, as well as Dick Wilson and Morris Nickell, left and went to Mt. Sterling in February of 1864. On February 11, 1864, Samuel Hurst's son-in-law James S. Kash, who lived on Rockhouse Fork of Stillwater Creek, wrote, "The Rebels keep up their game of robbing and killing in that part of the country and it is going on at such a rate that I intend to leave Wolfe County till the War ends some way or the other. I am now in Mt. Sterling for the purpose of renting a farm."

Samuel H. Hurst, too, left Wolfe County in February 1864, and bought a farm at Mt. Sterling, moving his family and belongings by wagon, under protection of a guard. Hurst's new home at Mt. Sterling served as a safe haven for many. Noted his son Henry, "Many of the kinfolks from the mountains stay with us when the Rebels run them away from home. Father is always glad to see them and give them shelter till they can make other arrangements."

Shortly before his move to Mt. Sterling, Hurst was approached by William Trimble. "Old Bill Trimble solicited me strong, to come back and live at home," noted Samuel, "and he said he would get from 50 to 100 signers and send it to the Southern Headquarters and have it confirmed so that I should be protected for he said he also wanted me back to protect him. I told him that did not suit me, the hardest might fence off. I was going to take my family off and he might shift for himself. I made no compromises." Trimble and his daughter-in-law Eliza then pleaded with Hurst to spare his son Asberry, "and let him come in and talk with me a little while. Berry was then laying out. I told them to fetch Berry in and I would not hurt him."

Samuel's son Daniel agreed to the deal but his son Henry was not in favor of the suggestion, "so Berry did not appear." Hurst was in company of Lt. Hendrickson of the 45th KY and his men. Hendrickson told the Trimbles, that, "he was going back to Salyersville and he was going to send me home with 10 bodyguards with me and he wanted them to understand that if any on interrupted me or hurt me in any way whatever, on his return that he would kill 50 cecesses and if he could not find men enough he would make his number out in women and children and he would begin in Old Bill Trimble's house first. Old Trimble said good God Sam, stay with me till the Company returns for if any thing happens to you he will kill us every one. I went home and stayed two days and nights unhurt."

Asberry Trimble finally met his end on the morning of Oct 15, 1864, when he was shot and killed by his brother-in-law Edward Hensley, while hurrying to put some blacks to work at the vats in the Trimble tannery. The tannery was located about 100 yards from his house at the west end of his homestead near the Red River bridge on Main St in Hazel Green. He left behind a widow and a six months old son, South Trimble.
In 1870, his widow moved from Hazel Green and purchased a bluegrass farm in Franklin County, KY. South Trimble later was the leader of the legislature during the Goebel dispute and afterwards Clerk of the US house of Representatives.

Location of Trimble's Tannery, Hazel Green, Wolfe Co. KY

When the war finally ended, hostilities did not necessarily cease between the opposing parties. As the majority of people settled down into their lives, some incidents still occured that illustrate how unsettled things still were.
Floyd Wesley "Wes" Purcell was a member of Co. B, 10th KY Cav. (Diamond's) when he was captured on Feb. 15, 1864 in Morgan Co. KY. He was received at the Military Prison Louisville from Mt. Sterling, on March 18, 1864, with the following remark in his papers, "committed murder and has been guerrilla". On October 25, 1864, he escaped from the hospital in Louisville and managed to stay hidden until the war's end. He returned to Morgan County and settled in the part of the county which is now part of Menifee County. Purcell still had some scores to settle with the Coopers from Magoffin County who he hated intensely and sent word to the family that he had killed one of the damn Coopers and that he would kill John E. Cooper next. His great-nephew Cyrus R. Cooper related, "Uncle John was not afraid of him man to man but he was afraid of being ambushed. After receiving several threatening messages from Pirsell and his gang, he and Uncle Milton decided to take things in their own hands. Hearing that Pirsell was staying in some 20 miles of West Liberty, they set out to pay him a visit. Needless to say they were well armed and had good horses to ride. They arrived at the house where Pirsell was staying about 2 o'clock in the morning. They yelled for Pirsell and opened fire on him. They shot him seven or eight times. Uncle Milt used to say that he bounced every time he was hit. After examining Pirsell to be sure he was dead they got on their horses and rode back to West Liberty. They were never indicted for shooting Pirsell. Most everyone thought it was good riddance."

William Osborn, known as "Bad Bill", swore to avenge the death of his father John Osborn, who was killed during the war. He eventually was able to determine the names of some of the men who were present when his father was killed and thus began the work of attempting to eliminate them. It is said that he kept continuously after them and that after a few years he had succeeded in killing three or four, and others felt compelled to leave the area, including Francis Marion Vaughn and John M. Gose. Arch Childers never returned and remained in Harrison County, Kentucky for the rest of his life. "Bad Bill" made many plans and attempts to kill Henry C. Hurst, but never succeeded.

G. W. Long was deputy sheriff of Wolfe County since the war. Noted Thomas Treadway, "I heard a few Yankees say that they did not like to be dunned by a rebel that was opposed to law and order.." It was general rumor that Long had harbored two rebel guerrillas during the war, Henry Wells and "Red" James Spencer, who murdered Miles Kincaid, at his rock house in his bed, on August 16, 1864. Noted Treadway, "The intimation was that if he (Long) came into our neighborhood collecting taxes, they would bushwack him."

Existing difficulties also became apparent during the elections of 1867 and 1868.
In the 9th Congressional District, which embraced the counties of Lewis, Greenup, Fleming, Morgan, Rowan, Carter, Boyd, Magoffin, Pike, Johnson, Lawrence, Floyd, Montgomery, and Bath, voters were discouraged from casting their vote for Republican Candidate Samuel McKee, a former Union captain. In Morgan County, a man named Absolom Candill told Frank Hunter that he was afraid to vote for McKee, for fear he would be killed. "Since that time he has been driven from his home, noted Hunter, "in consequence of his Union sympathies; lay out in the woods to keep him from being killed and has left his home and moved away on this account, as he told me. Candill had been a soldier in the Union army for four years, and I was very anxious for him to vote."

In Johnson County, the majority of voters voted for McKee, except at Flatgap, where a large majority voted for the opposing candidate John D. Young and Union men were run away from the polls by returned rebel soldiers.

Difficulties also arose during the November elections of 1868 in the 8th Congressional District, which included the counties of Breathitt, Clay, Estill, Garrard, Harlan, Jackson, Josh.Bell, Knox, Laurel, Letcher, Madison, Owsley, Perry, Pulaski, Rockcastle, Whitley, Wayne and Wolfe.
James Dixon recalled the election at Breathitt Co. KY, "I was with some five men on the evening before the election who were good Union men. William McIntosh, Henley McIntosh, Jonathan Stamper, Wesley Stamper, and Bud Stamper; they all told me they were coming the next day to vote for Grant and the party - Grant party - and for Barnes...I assured them that if they would come on and vote that they should not be hurt if I could help it. They did not come...I was told by some good Union people I believe as ever lived, that if they were me they would not go to the polls to vote; that I would be bullied away from the polls. I told them if I was kept away from the polls, I would be kept away dead."

In the years after the war, some places were plagued with feuds, which in many cases were simply a continuation of hostilities between families who were on opposite sides during the Civil War. As for the remainder of the population, people tried to pick up the pieces and get back to work. Eventually, peace once again returned but memories of the war remained vivid and would never be forgotten by those who had lived through the nightmare.

Researched and written by Marlitta H. Perkins, June 2011. This specific article is under full copyright. Copyright © 2011, All Rights Reserved.