'Eat hearty, men, for this will be the last meal you will ever eat.

The Ross, Huff, Shelton, Ball & Boggs Killings of December 1862

During the fall of 1862, James Ross, Hiram Huff, Wash Shelton, Mint Ball and a man named Boggs (plus several others) were said to be members of a Lawrence Co. Home Guard unit which hailed mainly from the Caines Creek area in Lawrence Co. KY.

On or shortly before December 15, 1862, Ross and his men went to Carter County (present-day Elliott Co.) to raid the homes of John Barker, Azzle Lyons (Ross' brother-in-law) and Preston Fields.

John Barker was targeted first who lived on Wallow Hole Creek, a tributary of the Little Fork of Sandy River. It was almost night when they arrived at Barker's house who was at home at the time, but luckily for him Ross' and his men had 'confiscated' (stolen) a yoke of oxen along the way, and the sound of the yoke ring, as they approached, gave the alarm and Barker fled to the willows along the nearby creek and escaped.

Next, Ross and his men went to the homes of Azzle Lyons and Preston Fields who were both on leave from the Confederate service at the time. Both were captured. The prisoners were marched several miles. It was said that James Ross marched behind Azzle Lyon and punched his ears almost off with his bayonet along the way. There was no doubt in the minds of Azzle Lyon and Preston Fields that they were facing imprisonment, or worse, death.
Late at night the party lodged in the second story of a farm house, with James Ross as guard. According to sources, this was Sink Roberts' farm on Catt Fork of Blaine Creek.


Sink Roberts' House on Catt Fork
Meanwhile, Preston Fields' wife Minerva "Nerva" Green Fields had saddled a horse as soon as Ross and his men had left their farm with the prisoners, and rode several miles to find Captain Jack Marcum and helped him round up a few men who began searching for Ross and his prisoners. Incidently, Captain Marcum was Sink Roberts' son-in-law.

They found the raiders, surrounded the house and captured them before daylight without firing a single shot. James Ross tried to break out through the roof - without success. They were disarmed and placed under guard of their former prisoners. Capt. Marcum had breakfast prepared for his men and the prisoners. When they sat down at the table he said, 'Eat hearty, men, for this will be the last meal you will ever eat.' James Ross reportedly pushed back from the table and ate nothing.

After breakfast, Captain Marcum set out with his prisoners by way of Dry Fork to Bruin, a tributary of Little Sandy. When the little column reached the head of Wells Branch, a narrow hollow near the place where Lawrence, Carter, and Elliott Counties come together, Ross, Ball, Shelton and Huff were shot to death and stripped naked. Their bodies were placed in a shallow mass grave and covered with flat rocks.


View of Wells Branch
Several days later, on December 30, 1862, the bodies were discovered. Robert Ross found the body of his brother James and brought it back to Caines Creek to have it layed to rest in the Boggs Cemetery. James Ross' grave is marked but the stone has become nearly illegible over time.
The remaining bodies were reburied on Wells Branch in unmarked graves. One of the graves was located near the road going to Shine Gambill's grist mill.

The story doesn't end here...
On April 30, 1863, James Ross' son David, enlisted in Co. B, 14th KY to avenge his father's death, as is surmized by some.
In February of 1865, his chance finally came. According to fellow comrade Dr. Nelson T. Rice [formerly Co. B, 14th KY] Ross shot and killed Hugh S. Sparks, a member of Field's Rangers [CS] and later of Captain William Horton's Co. M, 10th KY Cavalry [CS].

Although it isn't clear that Hugh S. Sparks actually participated in the killing of James Ross and his men, he certainly had knowledge of the grizzly deed. Shortly after the murders, Sparks and his little son Colby were passing the graves on Wells Branch. Sparks sang, `Ha! Ha! Ha! Don't you see me now crying to free the niggers, when the Rebels pulled the triggers, and sent you on your way to the happy land of Canaan.' Colby Sparks recalled that, 'While father sang, he had me dance on their graves.'

As to some of the other involved Confederates - Azzle Lyon hurriedly left Eastern Kentucky after the killings and moved to MO, presumably to avoid capture and/or the wrath of his nephew David Ross and local Union militia. He drowned in Randolph Co., Missouri about 1883.

Preston Fields also left Kentucky and moved to Ozark, Christian Co., MO, where he died on March 09, 1877, only 37 years of age.


Background Information

Union
It was said that these men were responsible for the arrest and imprisonment of some of their neighbors. At least one of the men was known as a thief and for his "general cussidness." All four, according Colby Sparks, were "noted characters."

James Mintens [Mint] Ball:
Son of James Ballard Ball and Nancy Breeding. Wife Cynthia "Syntha" Lewis.
Elza Ball (great-grandson of Mint Ball) stated that Mint and the others were on their way to Louisa to enlist when they were captured and killed (also stated by Dr. Sparks).

Boggs:
Not identified; may have been Hugh Boggs who was killed by John L. Sparks (a first cousin to Hugh S. Sparks) on April 24, 1865. Son of William Boggs Sr. and Anna Johnson.

Hiram Huff:
Listed with his brother Washington Huff in the 1850 Morgan Co. KY Census. (Washington Huff was killed November 1861 at Brammer Gap in an ambush by men who had been recruited by Jack Marcum and Jerry Riffe. Hiram Huff and Wash Shelton were supposedly part of this Union patrol that was attacked).
Son of James and Arian Huff; Married to Celia Dyer; Former member of the 14th KY Inf., Co. H. Hiram Huff enlisted on Oct. 25, 1861 at Louisa, Law. KY and was discharged March 12, 1862 at Paintsville, Johnson Co. KY for poor eyesight. He later was wanted in Johnson Co. KY for counterfeiting. Constant companion of Wash Shelton from about 1861 until their deaths in 1862.

James Ross:
May have been member of a Lawrence Co. Home Guard unit (as stated by Polly Lyons).
It was said that James Ross (with Mint Ball) was on his way to enlist in the army when killed (as stated by Rev. Ball and Dr. Sparks). His wife was Sarah Lyon, sister to Azzle, Lewis and Jesse Lyons. Sarah Lyon Ross stated in her pension application in 1880, that Ross had just enlisted in Co B, 14th Ky Inf. at Louisa and was guarding prisoners (rebels) when he and his companions were in turn captured and killed. Service Records of the 14th Ky Infantry do not substantiate this claim.

Wash Shelton
Shelton was listed in 1860 in the Magoffin County Census. His profession was given as doctor. Was indicted and fined in Lawrence Co. KY as living in dishonorable circumstances with a woman. Listed in Magoffin County in 1860 as a married man.

Was with Hiram Huff when his brother Washington Huff, member of the 14th KY, Co. B, was shot at Brammer Gap on November 25, 1861, during a scout. It is said that Hiram Huff and Wash Shelton were constant companions until their death in 1862.

On December 30, 1861, CS General Humphrey Marshall reported from Johnson Co. KY to General S. Cooper that he had arrested Dr. Shelton ("Chilton") and had sent him off to Pound Gap. "He ought to have been shot, for he is one of the very worst men in this country and has been a scourge to our friends."

Confederate
John (Albert) Barker:
Brother-in law of Preston Fields. Barker married Frances Fields on October 30, 1845 in Lawrence County, Kentucky.

Preston Fields:
Son of William Jason Fields and Anna Creech. B. January 11, 1840; d. March 09, 1877, Ozark, Christian Co., MO. On January 15, 1860, Preston married Minerva "Nerva" Jane Green [dau. of William Green and Sally Hutchinson; her sister Elizabeth was married to Union soldier Nelson T. Boggs (Co. B, 14th KY Inf.)]
Preston Fields was a first cousin to Jason Fields, commander of Fields' Rangers (CS).
His sister Mary Fields was married to Henderson Boggs, a brother of Nelson T. Boggs.

Azzle/Azel Lyons:
Son of Louis [Lewis] Lyon, Sr. and Linna Grizzell of Law. Co., KY; He married Lucinda Lyons on May 15, 1856.

Captain A. J. "Jack" Marcum :
B. ca. 1822 in Kentucky. Son of James Marcum & Dicey Chapman. Married Marinda Roberts, d/o St. Clair Roberts & Anna Stambaugh. Enumerated in the 1860 Lawrence Co. KY census. Enlisted in Co. C, 5th KY Inf. (CS) on Dec. 27, 1861, at Camp Hager near Paintsville, KY. Discharged due to a skull injury, June 13, 1862. He apparently continued to serve in the Confederate army as he was indicted by the Lawrence Co. Court for "invading the State" in April 1863. In April 1864, Marcum, William Wright and others were indicted for "arson and grand larceny".

Hugh S. Sparks:
Son of George G. and Nancy (Short) Sparks; born on May 21, 1829, in Lawrence County, Kentucky. He lived in Carter Co. KY;
Enlisted in Co. C, 5th KY Inf. (CS). Captured by Union forces, September 1, 1862, in Lawrence County, and sent to Camp Chase, Ohio. Exchanged at Vicksburg on November 1, 1862. Sparks joined Field's Company of Partisan Rangers in Lawrence County on March 16, 1863. In January 1865, Field's Company of Partisan Rangers was reorganized as Company M, 10th Regiment Kentucky Cavalry, Confederate States Army, at which time the regiment was furloughed and many of the men returned to their homes. It seems quite likely that Hugh Sparks was home in February 1865, just before peace was made, as Colby Sparks remembered. Sparks left home again in February 1865 to re-join his unit and never returned. It is reasonable to assume that he was killed about that time by David Ross.

Other
"Sink" Sinclare (St. Clair) Roberts.:
Migrated from Tazewell County, VA to Lawrence County, KY and settled on a land grant in the Little Catt section. Became a prosperous farmer and business man who traded livestock and owned race horses. Served two terms as representative in the KY Legislature. Roberts was a controversial figure, noted for his outgoing personality and unusual sense of humor. Southern sympathizer during the Civil War. Granted land for the McDaniel School on Little Catt, as well as several other schools. Later removed to Carter County, KY where he died at the age of 93.

Edison "Shine" Gambill:
Husband of Matilda Boggs (dau. of Hugh Boggs and Hannah Blevins). For years he had owned and operated the grist mill and carding mill at Blaine. Died July 1927, 94 years old.

Article compiled and researched by Marlitta H. Perkins.

General Daniel Hager of Johnson Co. KY

The recent reenactment "The Battle of Hager's Farm", held in Johnson Co. KY on April 16-18, 2010, has generated some renewed interest in the local Hager Family. It may be noted, that an actual "battle" never took place on Hager's Farm. Nevertheless, the patriarch of the Hager family, Daniel Hager, Sr., was very much involved in the events that transpired in the Paintsville area in the early days of the Civil War.


Battle of Hager's Farm, April 18, 2010
Daniel Hager, Sr. was born on November 15, 1801, in Amherst County, Va. He moved to Kentucky with his father John Hager, a native of Germany who came to America as a British soldier during the Revolutionary war. John Hager settled with his family in the part of Floyd Co. KY which later became Johnson County. In 1821, Daniel married Violet Porter and reared a large family of twelve children. His occupation was farmer and merchant. After Johnson County was established he became the first sheriff. Daniel Hager also represented Johnson and Floyd Counties in the Kentucky Legislature in 1845 and 1846.

When the Civil War began, Daniel Hager became involved in organizing the State militia, with the rank of General. The militia operated under the State law, and for the purpose of maintaining the neutral position of Kentucky. During the coming months it became evident that the sympathies of the State militia were predominantly Southern which led to the organization of local home guard units who were in support of the Union.

In the fall of 1861, General Hager cast his lot with the Southern cause and joined the Confederates who were organizing a force at Prestonsburg, commanded by General "Cerro Gordo" Williams. Shortly after the Confederate defeat at Ivy Mountain on November 8, 1861, a renewed attempt was made to bring Eastern Kentucky under Confederate control. A force led by General Humphrey Marshall entered the state by way of Pound Gap and made their way down the Big Sandy Valley. Daniel Hager served on Marshall's staff as assistant quarter-master. Humphrey Marshall established Paintsville as headquarters for some time, but on Christmas 1861 moved his troops to Hager's large farm which was situated about three miles south of the town.


Hager Hill
Marshall's men immediately began the construction of some earthworks on a hill, about three or four hundred feet high, lying between two branches of a creek. The parapet was heavily revetted with logs and hewn timber and traverses for several guns had been finished. The fortifications commanded the road for a mile down the main valley and for an equal distance of the left fork of the stream which came down from the West. Records show that Hager supplied the troops with corn and oats.


Receipt dated January 7, 1862
On January 6, 1862, Colonel Abraham Garfield arrived with a Federal force in the vicinity of Paintsville. At the same time, a second Union force under Colonel Cranor was moving on Marshall's position by way of Hazel Green and Burning Springs. Having no intentions of being trapped and crushed by the enemy, Marshall decided on January 7, 1862, to withdraw in haste toward Prestonsburg. He gave battle three days later, on January 10, 1862, at Middle Creek in Floyd Co. KY.

When Garfield's troops arrived on Hager's Farm, the enemy had cleared the area but camp fires were still burning and food was cooking in the kettles. Garfield noted that the whole camp showed signs of panic and a most disorderly retreat.

Daniel Hager remained in the service of the Confederate Army until winter 1862. He then left the army and rented a farm in Russell County, Virginia, where he remained until April 1865.

Upon his return to Eastern Kentucky, Daniel Hager took the amnesty oath on May 4, 1865 at Louisa, HQ of United States Forces, First Division of Kentucky, Office of Provost Marshal. Hager stated that during his absence from Johnson County, KY, he was "partially and only for a short time connected with the 5th Ky Rebel Infantry, as an assistant quartermaster - and never held any other civil or military office under the so called Confederate government." According to the records, he was 63 years old, had a dark complexion, gray hair, black eyes and was 5' 10" tall.


Daniel Hager's Amnesty Oath
dated May 4, 1865.
Hager applied for a Presidential pardon which was endorsed on Jan. 20, 1866, by Kentucky Governor Thomas E. Bramlette. Hager stated that he took the amnesty oath and that, "he is determined, in good faith, to conform thereto, and demean himself as a loyal citizen." He was pardoned July 6, 1866.

As was the case with many other families in Kentucky, the war had divided Daniel Hager's family. His oldest son John J. Hager joined the Confederate Army under Humphrey Marshall and was killed during the war. His son Daniel M. Hager served in the Union Army and joined the 45th Ky Mounted Infantry. His sons Samuel and Henry P. Hager engaged in steamboating on the Big Sandy River during the Civil War and supplied the Union Army with goods. Two son-in-laws also served the Union cause. Dr. Isaac Turner was a member of the 45th Ky Mounted Infantry and Captain Reuben Patrick was a famed Union scout.

In 1880, Daniel Hager served as President of the Eastern Kentucky Confederate Veterans Society, Johnson County Platoon. He died on July 5, 1887 and is buried in the Old Paintsville Cemetery.

Judge William H. Burns - Special Amnesty & Pardon

Amnesty papers, chiefly from the years 1865-1867, consist of applications for Presidential pardons by persons who were, for example, former high Confederate officials or persons owning $20,000 worth of property or more. The application files, which include supporting documents, can be a veritable goldmine for historians and genealogists.

The focus of this article is Judge William Harvey Burns who applied for amnesty and presidential pardon on Nov. 28, 1865.

Burns was born on Jan. 13, 1816, in Rockingham Co. VA, the son of Rowland Tiernan Burns and Catherine (Kate) Keyser. William Harvey Burns spent his childhood at Harrisburg, VA until his family moved to Monroe Co. VA [now WV], and from there to a point near the mouth of Big Sandy River in KY. His father's farm was known as the "Powers Homestead", and was located on Bear Creek in Boyd Co. KY. Rowland T. Burns was a farmer, preacher, lawyer and politician and represented Lawrence and Morgan Co. KY for two terms in the legislature.

William Harvey Burns and his brothers Roland T. Burns, Jr., of Louisa, Lawrence Co. KY and John M. Burns, of Catlettsburg, Boyd Co. KY, pursued legal careers and became distinguished lawyers.

On July 14, 1834, William Harvey Burns married Mary Sulser in Morgan Co. KY, where the couple settled. In 1860, William Harvey Burns lived in West Liberty, Morgan Co. KY, where he was a circuit judge of the 11th Judicial circuit. Census records show him as owner of 11 slaves - 2 black females age 40 & 28; 3 black males age 35, 9 & 2; 2 mulatto females age 15 & 6 months; 4 mulatto males age 35, 18, 10 & 8.

When the Civil War broke out he and his family were soon swept up by the events that took place in Eastern Kentucky.


Application for special amnesty and pardon, case # 3022

To his Excellency Andrew Johnson President of the United States.

your petitioner Wm. H. Burns by way of application for special amnesty and pardon beg leave to submit to your excellency the following statement of facts, which constitutes his case. Before the war and up to the 26th of October 1861, he resided in the county of Morgan in the state of Kentucky. he had never been a candidate for political office & had no aspirations that way. he was the circuit judge of the 11th Judicial circuit of that state and his constitutional term of office was within a few months of expiring. his circuit was in the extreme north Eastern part of the State, in the mountains thereof and was bounded for two hundred miles by the Big Sandy River & Cumberland mountains, Seperating it from Virginia, his residence was about fifty miles on the east and seventyfive miles on the South from Virginia in the midst of the mountains, and amid a people not distinguished for order or morals.

when Secession began my state seemed opposed to it, as it also did to coersion in this policy I fully concured. I thought the questions at issue would admit of a peaceful solution consistent with the safety, integrity & permanence of the union and national government to which I felt all the devotion that birth and education could inspire. I did not know & was slow to believe that any portion of the Southern people entertained hostile feelings to the national union or a desire to permanently interfear [sic] with the same and that the apparent hostility would cease as soon as guarantees were given for the security of thier [sic] slaves which I believe would be done & the matter settled, if a hostile collesion [sic] could be avoided until the minds of the two sections should coole [sic]. hence I felt it to be my sollum [sic] duty to oppose the war policy of the government by moral suasion [?] not to favor secession or enmity to the Union. But because I believed it to be the best remady [sic] to stop secession & save the Union it is due to candor now to state time has satisfied me I was mistaken for I now believe there was a deep laid plan to dismember the union permanently & forever but of which I was wholy ignorant and to which I would have been firmly opposed in this state of my belief a special election for members of congress was ordered to be held in Kentucky in June 1861

two parties appeared at that time, one advocating peace & denying Secession intentions. the other advocting coersion & war I supported the peace candidates believing it to be my duty to do so I was charged of being a secessionist I truly denied it but it suffised [sic] nothing the charge was generally made by those differing with me, after the Battle of Menasses [sic] my hopes of peace was much weakened and I determined to offer no further oposition [sic] to the government in the matter & I had no intention to participate in the pending struggle

I went on holding my courts urging order & obedience to the laws untill [sic] in Oct. 1861 large bands of armed men from the interior of the state came into my circuit pitched camps & commenced recruiting for the Confederate states they took possession of the town I lived in and commenced recruiting there, general confusion & anarchy now ensued I was warned by them that I would not be permited [sic] to hold courts any longer and I was warned by friends that there was orders to arrest & imprision [sic] me issued by the government for secession sentiments.

I became alarmed knowin [sic] it was imposible [sic] to hold my courts as well as dangerous. I wrote to the governor the facts ceased to offer to hold courts & went on my farm to work with my hands intending to resume my Judicial labors as soon as the impediments were removed in a few days I was informed a federal force was approaching and that the officers and men had been highly prejudiced against me by enimies [sic] of mine and if they got hold of me death or imprisionment [sic] was inevitable I feared and really believed my life was in danger

I with others hastily withdrew from home & went higher up in the mountains intending to return as soon as I could learn it was safe to do so I did not leave my home with any intention of aiding the rebellion but only to secure my personal safety. the federal army came and drove off the confederates & my horses cattle & other valuable property was taken and my wife threatened and alarmed. alarming rumors reached me day by day of threats against me which brightened my fears and induced me to still keep out of the way which I did. about the 25th December my wife came to me and give me information of the distruction [sic] of my property and of my negroes runing [sic] off & of threats against me and advised me that I could not safely live at home, owing to personal enimies [sic] & merauders [sic] that infested the country.

I believed it, as a means of safety the best I then could desire for myself & prosperity I determined to get my slaves the first chance I found to do so and some household furniture and moved into virginia and thus try to preserve my self & property during the war I knew which is true that my residince [sic] in Kentucky could not be regularly Protected by either army & would be the abode of lawless men during the war. I was now away from home with my family in a destitute condition without meanes [sic] of support, and no meanes [sic] open to me except to do some service in or for the armies of the confederates I accordingly as a hand done service in the subsistence department for a time, and about the 20th of January 1862, I was appointed capt. commissary of the 5th Regiment of Ky. confederate Volunteers, which I excepted [sic] (seeing it announced in the papers of Virginia that Kentucky had seceded also) this position I held & filled untill [sic] Oct 1862

I then met an opportunity to get out the remainder of my slaves that had not escaped, & a waggon load of household furniture & commenced keeping house in Scott County Va where I have resided ever since this I did not to aid the rebellion but to enable me to leave the service since which time I have not been connected with the army in any way nor have I given the rebellion any aid or comfort except to settle my commissary accounts which I done in march 1863 the business having bin [sic] done in the time by a sargent [sic], I had become convinced the rebellion had been matured and put on foot to disclose forever the Union and that Kentucky had not finaly [sic] secured I therefore wholy ceased to aid it further declined ______ positions that was afterwards tendered me and devoted my time trying to support my family, by toiling with my own hands and in trying to get security against injurys [sic] in future and reparation for injurys [sic] past for a class of persons here who maintained friendly veins towards the United states for which they were often oppressed and since the fall of Richmond by trying to restore law and order & reconcile the people to the government of the United States.

This is a faithful statement of all I ever did with the causes that led to it which I never intended or sought but which was forced on me as herein stated and for which I am truly penatent [sic]. I am fifty years old there are no charges against me in either kentucky or Virginia that I know of & I know none can be truthfully made except the facts heirin [sic] stated.

I took the oath of amnesty at Liberty, the 12th of June 1865 - rode over two hundred miles to do it. and being now advised that all Kentuckians who left their homes as I did are excluded from the benefit of the amnesty, offered in your Excellencies proclamation. Therefore being ardently desirious to again become a citizen of the United states & live under its protection the residue of my life humly [sic] ask your Excellency to grant me a special pardon & amnesty from the consequences of treason & rebellion hereby earnestly promising your excellency in the future to faithfully observe my allegience [sic] and studiously and in all affileation [sic] with treason or rebellion and as in duty bound your petitioner will ever pray &c.
Wm. H. Burns

Filed Nov. 28, 1865
Recommended by Gov. for immediate pardon [last word underlined]
Pardoned June 27, 1866

Supporting documents in the application papers show that Burns left his home in West Liberty with his wife on Oct. 23, 1861, upon the approach of the 2nd OVI, which was part of General William "Bull" Nelson's Federal troops who were on their way to the Big Sandy Valley.

Burns' military records indicate that he received a commission as Commissary of Subsistence, with the rank of captain, in the 5th KY Mounted Infantry [CS], dated November 3, 1861, near Pound Gap, VA. He continued to serve in this capacity until his resignation April 21, 1863.

According to Jesse Barber, a witness in this case, Burns returned to West Liberty in September 1862 and removed his remaining slaves and household goods to Virginia. It is unclear how many of his slaves made the trip to Virginia.

William Harvey Burns settled with his family at Estillville in Russell Co. VA. After the war, he once again pursued his legal career. He died on June 31, 1884 at Lebanon, Russell Co. VA, where he is buried in the North Cemetery along with his wife Mary and daughter Anna.

Amnesty application transcribed and researched by Marlitta H. Perkins, April 2010.

The War In The Mountains Of Kentucky

The following letter was written by a soldier in the 39th KY Mtd. Infantry by the pen name "Gitaway". It vividly describes the hardships people in the mountains of Eastern Kentucky had to endure during the Civil War. The letter appeared in the Ironton Register on January 22, 1863. Transcription by author.

Special note: I'd like to warn the reader that parts of this letter may be considered offensive but are reproduced "as is" in order to retain historical accuracy. It does not reflect in any way, shape or form the opinion of the author of this blog.

Russell's Place, Lawrence Co., O.
January 16, 1863

Editor Register: Supposing that my experience in Northeastern Kentucky might interest some of your readers and have a tendency to make them more happy in the enjoyment of their homes, by eclipsing their imaginary evil by a rehearsal (though in a very imperfect manner) of the real evils to which their less fortunate loyal neighbors are subjected in the mountains of Kentucky I venture, for the first time, to place myself before the public as a letter writer, and ask the sympathy of your readers in looking over my many imperfections. In introducing myself to your readers I will just say that I am a refugee from Southwest Virginia - I was a man of small means, but prospering in business. I could not advocate a rebellion against the best Government the world has ever seen, and help to establish upon its ruins an aristocracy. I lost all, and by circuitous journey of about five hundred miles, enduring untold exposure of myself and family, reached Ohio in a shocking state of destitution. I have pretty successfully battled with privation.

In October last, I cast my lot upon the tented field, in the 39th Kentucky Regiment, and engaged to raise a company for that regiment. I was getting along tolerably well recruiting, when we left Catlettsburg, (about the 28th day of October) and marched up Big Sandy to Piketon. -

Your readers are already informed of our success of running the rebels, capturing guns, horses, &c., &c., and about eighty prisoners. After we got to Piketon, a respectable citizen of Letcher county, adjoining Pike on the west, (an ex-member of the Senate) and myself, went to Letcher for the purpose of recruiting. We heard of no trouble until we got to Letcher, where we learned from the faithful women, that the country was full of the most inhuman guerrillas. By taking the side of the mountain a part of the way, we reached my friend's residence. He had not been at home before three months, having been compelled to leave his home when Marshall invaded the State last summer. We entered his house, and I witnessed the hurried greeting pass between him and his wife and children, lasting about five minutes, when his faithful wife convinced us that we were trifling with life itself by staying a moment longer. We left, to seek refuge in the holes and cliffs in those mammoth mountains. We took up our quarters on the top of a spur, leading to the towering misty top. After dark, our faithful adviser came to us, and did not forget to bring that most needed by us, something to eat. While we were devouring the content of the tin pan, she lost no time in telling us the news; we had missed being murdered only by our hasty retreat. The guerrillas came in fifteen minutes after we were gone, tried to track us, cursed, and beat the earth with rage. She then went on to tell us the nature of their warfare, &c., -

They did not hesitate to forcibly enter the house, and after having searched for and devoured, whatever might be found to eat, they proceeded to plunder chests, trunks, &c., -

Never did they stop, after searching in the usual places for valuables, but would open bed-ticks, pillows, &c., and search them; and finish by taking the clothes of the family. -

They took the mother's dresses, even the underclothes, and the children's clothes of every description; then they turned their attention to cups, plates, knives and forks, spoons, &c. and even the thimble, needles, pins, scissors, &c., and on two occasions made women pull off their shoes, and some bare-footed things, who could get them on, would strut off in them. As to bee-stands, and out-of-doors property, they have settled that point long since.

On the following day we got with half a dozen others, who were saving their lives by hiding in the caves and cliffs. Let us imagine, for a moment, the feelings of those unfortunate women, destitute of every thing almost that sustains life, or affords comfort to themselves or children. See the mother wade through snow ten inches deep, climb to the top of a steep ridge, chop her wood, drag it to the bottom, and with caution watch for fear of losing her axe, chop her wood at home, and keep fire, get corn, and go to a neighbor's house, and grind their meal, cook for the family, and for us, and then, after dark, bring it to us, sometimes two miles, up a huge mountain. -

Horse-mills are substituted for water-mills in the dry season, but there are no horses to run them. It is heart-rendering to witness the suffering of those unfortunate people and their unwavering and unshaken fidelity and loyalty to the Union, although there seems to be but little hope of their country's redemption from the hands of their merciless invaders. They do not ask pay for their patriotism; they are not for the Union only so long as it adds weight to their purse; they are not for the Union to save even their property; but they are for the Union because they love the Union. No section of the country is more entitled to our sympathy, East Tennessee not excepted - than Letcher and Perry counties, Kentucky.

We found on the top of a huge mountain a house where our camp fire could not be seen from any frequented place, and in fact it was so nearly surrounded by cliffs, that it was scarcely visible from any point, until within a very short distance. Here, in this horrible condition, we remained for one long and wearisome week, hearing every day the tales of sorrow and murder, while saving our lives by concealment; others, less fortunate, fell into the hands of an enemy, who is a stranger to mercy, and dumb to the positions of their victims. The widow's wail and the orphan's cry seem to be but music in their savage ears.

An aged citizen, of high respectability, was led out in the presence of his family and shot down in the road. A boy of fifteen years with whom I was intimately acquainted, was treated in like manner; leaving his widowed mother in a hopeless condition, she being poor and dependent upon this son for her support. A third was shot in both arms and the shoulder, but he did not die; others had the name of being parolled, but were followed by them and shot. We were told by many of those good women, that even their own lives were threatened, and to be cursed, and abused in the most shocking manner, was an every day occurence. One woman told us that in a few days after her house had been plundered, she saw some of the plunderers pass, wearing her clothes, having been cut and made into shirts.

After a week of suffering in our rock house, and being sickened to hear those tales of murder and robbery, I determined to try to get through to Harlan county, where there was a State guard numbering something over two hundred, and by passing through great danger, we succeeded in getting to the State guard. We tried in vain to get that organization to go and attack the guerrillas; there was a want of guns and ammunition, &c., and a number of the men lacked shoes and other articles of clothing; so after staying there a week, I started with the intention of getting back to Piketon to my regiment.

At this time the rebels were out on a scout; they were going to Perry county to gather stock. They met with complete success in driving a home guard off, and taking all the property in the neighborhood. This band of robbers is under command of Ben. Caudill, a Minister of the Gospel; he takes the liberty, however, to curse the Union and Union men; he says they are cursed and damned, and why may he not curse and damn them, and God damn them. I and four recruits who were willing to risk their lives through the dangers we had to pass in getting to Pike, started on our dangerous march; we went as far as we could by day-light, and having no hope of escape. -

We then decided to take the night for it, and as the snow was about eight inches deep, and the night very cold, we supposed the secesh would not travel. We had to wade the water, where the ice would not bear us, and our road was in the creeks a great part of the way. It was not long till our pants up to the knees were as stiff as stove pipes. So we made our way through the worst of the danger, but I found that I was frost-bitten; so we determined to call at a house and thaw, and risk the consequences. The people were all loyal on this creek, but the dangers was in the rebels being scattered through the country to stay all night, for it was their custom to rat around all day, and stay where night overtook them. We found no one at the house, however, but the lady and some small children. There we were thunderstruck by the unwelcome tidings that the 39th had been routed, scattered, and driven from Pike, losing all our guns, clothes, ammunition, suppiles, &c.

All hope was lost of our getting through to any Union forces in that direction. We were then in the midst of enemies, being fifty miles in any way we could go before we were clear of them. Pike, Letcher and Perry counties having for their lines on the South side, the Cumberland Mountains; Pike being at the head of Big Sandy waters, and Letcher, Perry, and a part of Harlan counties at the head of Kentucky River. From the Cumberland Mountain can be seen confused masses of huge mountains for fifty miles northward. To view the country from the top of any of those mighty monuments, one would suppose that he was in the midst of an uninhabitated wilderness, as there is no sign of human habitation, the settlements being buried beneath or between those wonderful mountains; The spectator is almost lost in profound admiration; such a vast, almost endless field of wild and romantic scenery, is presented to the view. As far as the eye can see, is the summit of one lofty mountain towering above another one.

We had a hard and dangerous journey of it, but, thankful to say, we got out side their lines. When we got where we could travel the road in the day time, I was pained, and yet gratified to witness the kindness and attention of the people to a soldier; after they had done all in their power, and more than a soldier wished, they were not satisfied, and seemed to be pained, because they could not do more.

After we began to get nearer the old settlements, these attentions began to wane; as we had no money, the recruits began to fear, that we would have rather a hard time of it in making so long a journey, so I went alone to Richmond, Kentucky, and obtained transportation to Lexington. I went to the Provost Marshall's office to report myself, and when I entered my eyes were almost dazzled. I beheld a blue ground streaked with shoulder straps, and the room was full of officers. The Marshal was not there. A jug sat under the desk, which seemed to command a great deal of attention. The shoulder straps were all in a good way; they played ball with chairs, bats, &c. I got transportation to Covington the next day, and after staying there two days, I got transportation to Catlettsburg on the "Fannie McBurnie".

I was very sick when I got on the boat, so I did not feel like drawing rations, and I supposed that I would get cabin fare, and would not need anything to eat that day. But, on the following morning I asked the cooks if I could not buy some breakfast; one said I could in one hour, so I waited till I thought the lazy hour had crept away, and went to see about it, I asked if it was ready. A thick-lipped nigger answered, "we have to fix for de white folks first, and you next," I had no gun or pistol, I replied that he was devlish saucy nigger, he said he knew he was and had something to uphold him. I did not understand what it was. I went to a young man belonging to an Ohio regiment to talk the matter over, and to see if I could not get redress; he was as nice a young man as I could wish to see; moral, educated, and intelligent. He told me he had been ordered down from the cabin, and his feelings were much hurt. I will close this hasty and imperfect letter, by asking the reader to look over errors, as it is my effort and written in haste.

Gitaway

Alonzo Cushing Awarded Medal of Honor 147 years after his death - Civil War Hero had local Tri-State Area Ties

On July 3, 1863, Alonzo Hereford (Lon) Cushing, commander of the famed Cushing's Battery, Battery A, 4th Artillery, died during Pickett's Charge at Cemetery Ridge next to the artillery guns he refused to leave. It was the third and final day of the Gettysburg battle. Cushing was just 22 years old. After his death he was postumeously promoted to the rank of Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel.

Now, 147 years after his death, Cushing will be honored with a medal of Honor in recognition of his heroism. The secretary of the Army has approved the request, which must pass a few more hurdles before it will be signed by the president. The military will then present the Medal of Honor to Cushing's family during a ceremony.

Cushing spent most of his life in Delafield, Wisconsin, but surprisingly, his family is closely connected to the local tri-state area.

His father Dr. Milton Buckingham Cushing and his two uncles Alonzo and Dr. Zattu Cushing were born in the state of New York.

Milton graduated from Hamilton College, Utica, New York and entered the medical profession. Finding his practice too arduous, he embarked on a mercantile career and was a merchant in Zanesville, Ohio, for many years. He then removed to Chicago, Illinois, where he resumed his medical practice. He died in Gallipolis, Gallia, Ohio in 1847. Aside from taking a prominent part in educational matters, he was one of the pioneers in the anti-slavery and temperance movements. At his funeral an eulogist said "...He was a conscientious and active antislavery man and gave liberally of this money, and his time and thought, to assist in bringing freedom to the colored
race..."

Dr. Zattu Cushing settled in Eastern Kentucky and was married on July 2, 1840 to Ann White Smith at Louisa, Lawrence County, Kentucky. Unlike his brother Milton, Zattu was not opposed to the idea of slavery. In 1850, he was listed as a slave holder in Lawrence County, Kentucky Census, with one slave. By 1852, Zattu and his family had moved to Catlettsburg, KY but were living in Covington, Kenton County, Kentucky in 1860, where Zattu operated a sawmill. He died in Covington in 1869.

Milton's youngest brother Alonzo Cushing settled in Gallipolis, Ohio, where he was a practicing attorney for more than forty years. He also served as State Senator, Prosecuting Attorney and Postmaster. Shortly before the eruption of the Civil War, he was elected chairman and presided over a large Union meeting that took place at Catlettsburg, Boyd County, Kentucky, on February 22, 1861.
Speakers from North-eastern Kentucky, North-western Virginia, and Middle Southern Ohio as well as Indiana presented their views about the threatened break-down of the Government of the fathers of 1776. On this occasion, Alonzo Cushing gave an able and patriotic speech.
Cushing later moved to WV where he served as member of the Constitutional convention. He died on his farm in Mercer's Bottom, Mason Co. WV, in 1877.

It may be noted that Brvt. Lt. Col. Alonzo H. Cushing's bother William Barker Cushing also gained fame, as one of the most daring Naval commanders of the Civil War. His two most famous acts are the nighttime raid and destruction of the formidable Confederate ram CSS Albemarle and his leading of the naval brigade in the assault upon Fort Fisher, North Carolina.

The Boggs Murders on Colliers Creek, April 24, 1865

During the final days of the Civil War, members of Captain William Horton's Co. M, 10th KY Cavalry [CS] terrorized Unionists in what is now Elliott Co. as well as in Lawrence County, Kentucky. On April 24, 1865, Hugh Boggs and his first cousin, James Boggs were working in a field near the mouth of Colliers Creek when they were shot and killed by John L. Sparks.

The motive for these killings is mere speculation but it may have been a contributing factor that James Boggs' brother Hugh [sometimes confused with the victim Hugh Boggs] was a Union soldier who served in Co. B, 14th KY Infantry.
Sparks, on the other hand, was a member of the 10th KY Cavalry, Co. M, [CS] who had seen previous service in the 5th KY Mounted Infantry and Fields' Rangers [CS].
It may be of interest to note that Sparks was also listed as a particpant in a raid in Lawrence County on the very same day the killings took place.

27 year old Hugh Boggs left behind a four months pregnant wife and three small children, including 2/12 year old William Boggs who, according to tradition, would cry out for his father "Hugh! Hugh!" when taken to the cemetery.

It is also told that Sparks rode away after the murders wearing a fine pair of boots he had pulled off Hugh Boggs' feet. It is said that he afterwards sent a taunting message to the Boggs family, boasting of the deed. John L. Sparks subsequently fled to Scott County, Virginia.

Hugh Boggs' brother Jesse, a Confederate soldier, who is rumored to have served in the same unit as Sparks, pursued his brother's killer to Virginia. His younger brother Lorenzo Dow was too young to bear arms but followed his older brother Jesse and was present when he finally caught up with Sparks while he was working his land. Jesse Boggs shot Sparks down without mercy and left him for dead. Further records show that Jesse, formerly a member of the 64th VA Infantry and possibly a member of the 10th KY Cavalry [CS], surrendered at Cumberland Gap on May 5, 1865.

John L. Sparks survived and remained in Virginia for the rest of his life, maintaining very little contact with his relatives in Kentucky. His immediate family rejoined him and in 1868 a son was born to him and his wife Polly. The couple had ten children, five of which reached maturity. John L. Sparks began the practice of medicine and was generally known as "Doctor Sparks". According to descendants, he died in 1893.


Additional Information
Hugh Boggs: Son of William Boggs and Ann Johnson; married to Louisa Stidham. Born 1838.
Not to be confused with Hugh Boggs, son of David Boggs and Sarah Holbrook, a member of the 14th KY Infantry, Co. B, and a brother of the second victim, James Boggs. He died in Nebraska in 1914.

Jesse T. Boggs: Son of William Boggs and Ann Johnson;
Born 1830. Member of the 10th KY Cav.; formerly 64th VA Infantry. Surrendered at C-Gap 5/5/1865. Resided in Wise Co. VA in 1860. Born ca. 1830. Brother of the first victim, Hugh Boggs.

Lorenzo Dow Boggs: Son of William Boggs and Ann Johnson.
He was too young to bear arms, but he had followed his older brothers. He was present when his brother, Jesse, killed John Sparks in Virginia because John, who had been a member of Jesse's company in the Confederate Army, had bush-whacked Jesse's cousins, who had been pro-Union. Dow knew every spring and trail from Blaine to Wise County, Virginia.

James Boggs: Son of David and Sarah Holbrook Boggs.
Born April 17, 1837, Lawwrence Co. KY
Not to be confused with James H. "Goins" Boggs, Co. B, 14th KY Infantry [US]; James H. was discharged Jan. 31, 1865. Son of Hugh and Hannah Blevins Boggs.

John L. Sparks: Son of Levi and Sarah Lyon Sparks.
Born ca. 1820, Wilkes Co., NC. "He was carried as a baby to Lawrence County where his parents settled on the headwaters of Big Blaine Creek about 1821. He grew to maturity in the home of his parents and when fully grown, he was a tall, thin man." He was married to Mary "Polly" Hay about 1850, a daughter of James Hay and Elizabeth Johnson, b. abt. 1822. John L. and Polly lived on what is referred to today as the "Calvin Dobyns farm" on upper Blaine Creek. His neighbors included his brothers, Calvin and Wiley Sparks.

The wife of his half-brother Garrett Sparks was an aunt of Hugh Boggs [Elizabeth Boggs, b. abt. 1808, d/o John O. Boggs & Nancy Wells]. It has been handed down that during the Civil War John L. had a falling out with Garrett Sparks, possibly over the fact that three of Garrett's sons, Levi J., Walter & David L., served in the 14th KY Infantry, Co. B. As a result, John L. Sparks ransacked Garrett's house, even ripping apart the feather beds. It is possible that this incident led to further violence which resulted in the killing of Hugh and James Boggs. The latter is pure speculation on my part, of course.