USA > Kentucky > Jessamine County > A history of Jessamine County, Kentucky, from its earliest settlement to 1898 > Part 10
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21
The subjoined names were taken from recent transcripts fur- nished by the War Department :
Baum, Whitfield : Baines, Zachariah ; Beeler, Henry ; Brown, Joel ; Bunds, Geo. S .; Burchum, Jos. ; Corn, James ; Corn, Hiram ; Davis, James ; Damele, Spencer ; Dixon, Geo .; Dornell, William ; Erwin, Stephen; Fitzjarrell, Silas; Fizer, Jacob; Gardner, Francis : Hanes, Simeon ; Jack, Andrew ; Kendrick, Michael ; Lee. Achilles, musician ; Lowry, Stephen ; McClain, James ; Mc- Millen, William; Mofford, James ; Overtums, Garland ; Parish, Price : Pierson, Allen; Paxton, Joseph; Pilcher, Shadrach ; Rankins, John; Right, Jonathan; Singleton, Daniel; Smith, John; Stewart, Gehew: Stewart, William: Walker, David T .; sergeant ; Walker, Matthew; Wallace, Robert; Wallem, John ; Wilsom, Gabriel.
River Raisin.
General Hull, in command of the Ohio troops, on the 16th of August, 1812, surrendered at Detroit. His army composing the army of the northwest, together with Detroit, had been turned over to the British. This conduct aroused the keenest indigna- tion. No sooner had the news reached Kentucky than all the volunteers that the state and government desired pressed forward at once and offered themselves for the purpose of wiping out the disgrace which General Hull had inflicted upon the American army.
The two troops from Jessamine county in the regiment of Colonel Lewis, marched from Cincinnati towards Detroit and finally reached Fort Winchester. Here their baggage was trans- ferred to canoes upon the Maumee river. The road was difficult and long. The troops, starting from home with their summer clothes, had not yet been provided with their winter outfit, and this amid the fierce climate of the northwest presented most serious
COURT HOUSE, NICHOLASVILLE.
127
History of Jessamine County, Kentucky.
difficulties. In a little while the provisions failed and for fourteen days the Kentucky troops subsisted on hickory roots, elm bark and the beef of a few cattle, which were killed in a half-starved state. In the midst of the winter a supply of warm clothing was received, and this gave the troops new courage and animation.
A small force of regulars had been united with the Kentucki- ans in this march. The Kentuckians received their winter clothing first. and it was quite a while before the regulars were supplied, and, with the chivalry and generosity which marked men of that period, these gallant Kentuckians demanded that the regu- lars should be exempted from camp duty, and all military serv- ice required should be performed by them.
On the 8th of January they were ordered to march to the rapids. Upon reaching this point the officers were informed that in the village called French Town, the inhabitants were terrified at the approach of the English and the Indians. French Town is on the River Raisin, a small stream emptying its waters in Lake Erie. General Winchester promptly sent forward Col- onels Lewis and Allen, with six hundred men. They reached the River Raisin on the 18th of January, 1813, and met the com- bined English and Indian force, about 500 strong, under Major Reynolds, of the Canadian militia, and drove them from the place. The people of French Town were delighted with the result. A few days before they had feared the tomahawk of the Indian, and now they rejoiced at the presence of their Kentucky defenders. Those who had been assigned to march with Colonel Lewis's regi- ment were delighted that glory was placed in their grasp, while those who remained behind felt as if a great sorrow had come into their lives.
On the 21st of January. 1813, General Winchester moved for- ward and reinforced Colonels Lewis and Allen. This reinforce- ment consisted of 300 regulars, commanded by Colonel Wells. Colonel Lewis, who was an experienced officer in Indian serv- ice, had posted his troops in an enclosed garden, with an open field on his right. Colonel Wells outranked Lewis as an officer of the regular army, as Lewis was only a volunteer, and he de- manded the position on his right. This placed Colonel Wells in the open field, while Lewis and Allen still remained in the en. closed garden, with a picket fence as their protection. Colonel
128
History of Jessamine County, Kentucky.
Lewis strongly insisted that Colonel Wells should be placed in the same garden on his left, but General Winchester, yielding to the exactions of the regular army officer, ordered that Colonel Wells be placed in the open field on the right.
General Proctor, who was in command of the British at Mal- cien, pushed forward with all his force. He prepared for an as- sault on the dawn of the 22d. It was hardly light, when, with his artillery covering his right. and both his flanks protected by Indian marksmen, he advanced upon the Americans. But no sooner had he reached within musket shot of the Kentuckians, than he was met by such galling and incessant a fire that part of his army fell in confusion. Discovering the exposed position of the army under Wells, the British general rushed forward all his force against him. Volley after volley of musketry broke the stillness of the morning air, and the whoop of the Indians and the cheers of the Kentuckians sounded on every side. But the 300 regulars could not withstand the assault of the entire British force. After the battle had lasted twenty minutes, General Winchester saw that he must relieve Wells and place him within the en- closure occupied by General Lewis. The moment an order was given for this purpose the British and Indians redoubled their forces and pressed the Americans so hard that the line fell in dis- order. A panic seized the regulars and they rushed towards the river to cross the rapids, where the remainder of the Kentucky army was in camp. The British and Indians pursued them, toma- hawking and scalping all who came in their way.
General Winchester, although incompetent, was brave. He endeavored to reform his men. Colonels Lewis and Allen each took a company of fifty men, rushed out of their enclosures. and did their best to check the defeat and rout. Nothing would avail ; nothing could prevent the disaster. Colonel Allen was killed and General Winchester and Colonel Lewis taken prison- ers. The two Kentucky companies that had come with the regu- lars were swept away. It was here that the Jessamine troops in- terposed with superb courage and bravery. Captain Price was killed, together with a large number of his company. Some fell by rifle balls. some were scalped, others were left to perish in the cold.
In the fight thus far Proctor had lost one-fourth of his force,
129
History of Jessamine County, Kentucky.
but he was delighted to know that General Winchester was among the prisoners. Sending for General Winchester he re- counted the savageness of the Indians, and the difficulty which he would have in restraining them if the battle was continued. He said that he could set fire to every house in the village and this he would probably have to do and that as a result the innocent women and children would be massacred by the Indians. He then asked General Winchester to direct his men to surrender. General Winchester consented to advise surrender, but when the message was carried to the Kentuckians and handed to Major Madison, who was the ranking officer after the capture of Colonel Lewis, informing him that he and the Kentuckians with him had been surrendered by General Winchester, Major Madison refused to recognize General Winchester's authority to command his surrender while a prisoner, and declared his determination to die with the Kentuckians unless favorable terms of surrender were given.
At last General Proctor entered into an agreement that all private property should be respected, that sleds should be sent the next morning to remove the sick and wounded to Amherstburg, that the prisoners should be guarded from the savages and that the side arms of the officers should be restored to them next morning. Major Madison finally did reluctantly surrender. He was induced to do this by the failure of ammunition.
That night the prisoners, 600 in number, were carried to Am- herstburg. They were put in a wood-yard, exposed to a pelting rain, without sheds or blankets or fire. Instead of the sleds, which were to come for the wounded, came 200 savages, who rushed in the houses where the wounded lay and killed them, scalped them and set the houses on fire. In the smouldering ashes the bones of 64 men were consumed.
The bodies of the Americans were denied sepulture and were left a prey to the animals of the village. Afterwards they were placed in the ground and the following summer, when the Ameri- can army passed the same way, their bones were again exposed. They were buried once more, but there went up from the heart of every Kentuckian the stirring cry of "Remember the Raisin."
The night before this awful battle Captain Price had written to his father-in-law. He had a premonition of his death.
9
131
History of Jessamine County. Kentucky.
Capt. James C. Price was the father of the late Kleber F. Price, of Jessamine county, who died at his residence, above Nich- olasville, in 1864. The accompanying letter of Captain Price was addressed to his wife, and was, doubtless, the last letter he ever wrote to his family. He was killed in the battle of Raisin, January 22, 1813. He was a gallant and chivalrous soldier and a man of noble and generous impulses. His body was never recognized and his remains, with those of his compatriots, who died in that dreadful conflict, rest in unmarked graves, in the soil of the state they died to redeem and defend. He commanded the Jessamine Blues, which was one of the most noted military companies in its day. The uniform was blue, with light facings, and was con- sidered, in those days, a marvel of beauty.
"In Camp, near Raisin River, "Jan. 16, 1813.
"Dear Susan: I have only time to inform you that we ex- "pect to have a battle tomorrow with the British and Indians. "On the eve of battle I have believed it proper to address you "these lines. As you are aware that the object nearest to my "heart is your welfare and that of my children, and so far as I "have been able I have provided everything in my power for "your comfort and that of my children. I feel in no unhappy "mood about my girl children; I know they are in your com- "pany at all hours of the day. You know where they visit and "who are their associates. My only son, I feel a great interest "in his future life and welfare. Early impressions are lasting "and often, perhaps always, tend to give a permanent cast to the "Icading principles of the heart, and to the general character of "the mind. Teach my boy to love truth, to speak truth at all "times. He must not be allowed to associate with children or "other persons who indulge in swearing or misrepresentations. "He must be taught to bear in mind that 'an honest man is the "noblest work of God :' he must be rigidly honest in his dealings. "He must be taught to attend church every Sabbath. Never "allow him to run about on Sabbath days, fishing. Teach my son "the habits of industry. Industry and virtue are twin brothers, "but indolence and vice are closely connected. Indolence leads to "every vice and every other evil. Industry leads to virtue and
132
History of Jessamine County, Kentucky.
"every other good. Not a day must be lost in teaching him how "to work, and the great principles of our holy religion must be "on all occasions impressed on his mind. It may be possible I "may fall in battle and my only boy must know that his father, "next to God, loves his country, and is now risking his life in de- "fending that country against a barbarous and cruel enemy. Be "sure and teach my son, with Pope, to say and feel that- "Vice is a monster of such frightful mien "As to be hated needs but to be seen.
"Yet seen, too oft, familiar with her face,
"We first endure, then pity, then embrace.
"Teach him these lines of the great poet; they will do him "good when he grows older. Pray for me that you may be with "me once more.
"Your affectionate husband,
"JAMES C. PRICE.
"Susanahı Price,
"Near Nicholasville, Ky.
"Post Script .- The snow is two feet deep, the crust is very "hard and we walk over it and ride upon it on horseback. We "often sleep under such deep snow, we cover up in our blankets "and we sleep warm during the night. Eb. has been sick, but is "now on duty. "J. C. P."
In Camp, Near Newport, Ky. February 20, 1813.
Mrs. Mary Price :
You will, long before this reaches you, have received the pain- ful intelligence of the death of your brave and gallant son, Capt. James C. Price, who was killed and scalped by the Indians on the morning of January 22d. He had been engaged in a severe skirmish early on the morning of the 17th. At ten o'clock he was ordered by General Winchester to bring in all the wounded men and carry them in all the sleds beyond the reach of the In- dians. In the discharge of this duty Captain Price and myself, at the head of fifty men of our company, were attacked by a large body of Indians, who had concealed themselves in the timber, on the river bank. The Indians had succeeded in breaking the crust
133
History of Jessamine County, Kentucky.
of the deep snow a mile above our camp, on the river, which was the only road through which we could reach the command of General Winchester, who had retreated about three miles, and was awaiting the arrival of General Harrison. As soon as the Indians opened a heavy fire on us we returned their fire and con- tinued a rapid retreat to the main army, under General Winches- ter, over the only road on which the Indians, under their chief, Te- cumseh, had early on the morning of the 18th succeeded in break- ing the thick crust of the snow, which was two feet deep. In this trap we were caught. In getting away from the river many of our men were killed, and scalped before we got out of the deep snow. Captain Price was shot in the right shoulder by a musket ball, which disabled his right arm ; he was attacked by three Indians; he ran his sword through the heart of one of them, but was soon overpowered, killed and scalped. Eight of our company, besides Captain Price, were brutally massacred; more than thirty got away and reached the command of General Win- chester in safety. I had five bullet holes in my hat and clothing. The force of General Winchester was 350 and we were attacked again early on the morning of January 22d by a large force of . British and Indians. We were completely routed and all of our army taken prisoners. General Proctor, the British commander, suffered the savages to kill and scalp more than twenty of our sol- diers after we had surrendered. About twelve o'clock we were marched off. Dr. Todd and Dr. Augustine Bower of our regi- ment were left with the sick and wounded. About sunrise the next day, instead of sleds coming to convey the sick and wounded to Malden, a large body of Indians made their appearance, paint- ed black and red. They began to plunder, and the sick and wound- ed were scalped. One Indian had the scalp of Captain Price. I, be- ing next in command of the company from Jessamine, the sav- age showed the scalp to me, but I knew he was lying for Captain Price was very baldheaded on the top of his head. The few who were able to be sent to Malden were saved, but all who gave out were killed on the way and were left lying on the road in the deep snow. General Proctor, after he had promised us protec- tion before our surrender, never named, nor did he pay any atten- tion to our sick and helpless soldiers. General Winchester and Major Madison repeatedly told him of it, but he paid no atten-
NICHOLASVILLE CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
135
History of Jessamine County, Kentucky
tion to them whatever. Capt. Elliott, a cowardly British officer, said to Major Madison and Winchester, in my hearing, that "the Indians were very excellent surgeons and ought to kill all the officers and men." I have, as you well know, passed through a terrible winter in suffering for our country. We have all been exchanged, and will be at our homes the tenth of March. I re- joice that we have done our duty to God and our country. Ebe- nezer is now lieutenant in my place. Look for us on the tenth.
Your friend and neighbor.
WILLIAM CALDWELL, Acting Captain of the Blues.
Conduct of the Kentuckians at Raisin.
The conduct of the Kentucky troops under their own officers evinced the highest order of courage and gallantry. They were worthy of the state whence they came and worthy of all the ex- pectations of those who had sent them to this war.
General Winchester, in speaking of the Kentucky troops, said :
"On them too much praise can not be bestowed. Assailed by numbers greatly superior, supported by six pieces of artillery constantly employed, they gallantly defended themselves with small arms alone for over four hours of constant battle. No troops ever behaved with more cool and determined bravery, from the commanding officer down to the common soldier. There was scarcely a single abandonment of duty. At last, when their ammunition was nearly exhausted and they were surrounded by the enemy, greatly superior in numbers and the means of war, they surrendered with a reluctance rarely to be found on similar occasions."
Had the regulars under Colonel Wells sustained themselves as did the volunteers under Lewis and Allen, the awful tragedy of the Raisin would have been avoided, and instead of defeat and massacre and broken faith, there would have been a glorious victory. The Kentuckians beat off Proctor and his Indians. "At ten o'clock in the morning." says Butler, in his history, "Proctor, finding it useless to sacrifice his men in a vain attempt to dislodge this little band of heroes, withdrew his forces to the heights, intending to abandon the contest or to await the return
136
History of Jessamine County, Kentucky.
of the Indians who had pursued the retreating party. The loss sustained by our men was inconsiderable and when Proctor with- drew they employed the leisure it afforded them to take breakfast at their posts."
Their surrender was only obtained by Proctor taking ad- vantage of General Winchester's capture and by basely misrepre- senting a message which he had sent to these Kentucky troops. within the enclosure.
Civil War.
At the commencement of the Civil War, the people of Jessa - mine county were divided in sentiment, and many of its citizens. took up arms both in the Federal and Confederate armies.
Company K, of the 20th Regiment, Kentucky Infantry, com- manded by Col. Sanders Bruce, was almost altogether composed of Jessamine county men, and they were in the service three years.
Andrew McCampbell, captain, resigned June, 1862; Charles R. West was elected captain May 24, 1863, served three years; George W. Baker, first lieutenant, resigned in 1862; Ben Thorn- burg, Joseph Lewis, afterward William L. Steele; Samuel M. Anderson was made first lieutenant September 29, 1862 ; Allen A. Burton and S. T. Corn, now of Corlinville, Ill., were first and second lieutenants ; William Plumblee, first sergeant ; Levi Rey- nolds, second sergeant; Oliver Davis, first corporal; Jonathan White, second corporal.
Names of Men of the Company:
Albertson, Adam ; Bailey. E. Hayden ; Bailey, Robt .; Baker, Benedict : Barnes, David: Barnes, Geo. W .; Brennan, John; Bright, Benj. ; Brown, S. S .; Brumfield, James ; Bruner, Tilford ; Bruner, M .: Burch, James ; Burgess, Wm .; Coleman, Francis ; Courtney, Jno. F .; Crow, Zebedee; Dean, Wm .: Dobson, Elias ; Dobson, Pleasant : Easley, Jno. T .; English, W. T .; Fain, Jno. K .; Foster, Frank: Foster, James; Gifford, Jabez: Gilride, Thos .; Green, Corydon B .: Henderson, S. M .: House, Benj .; Hocker- smith, Edward ;. Howard, James W .; Hunter, Jos. W .. Hersey, Jno .; Land, James ; Land, Robt .; Letcher, Alex .; McKane.
137
History of Jessamine County, Kentucky.
James ; McMurty, Robt. L .; Masters, Frank; Masters, Henry WV .; Murphy, Chas .; Phillips, Dr. H. H .; Plumbly, Wiley; Preston, Alfred; Preston, Samuel ; Ramsey, Samuel; Ramsey, Jno. F .; Reynolds, Henry ; Reynolds, James ; Reynolds, W. H .; Rhorer, Hardin ; Riley, Henry ; Sharp, Thos .; Short, James M .; Thornbro, Robt .: Tredway, David; Tredway, Wm .; Turpin, Jno .; Walters, Bluford; Walters, Geo .; Woods, Jess.
The following is a list of the colored soldiers who served in the United States Army in Company L, Fifth Cavalry, Capt. J. S. Caldwell, Bowen's Regiment, J. S. Brisbin's Brigade :
Allen, Dudley ; Anderson, Jefferson; Ballard, Wilson; Bal- ard, Geo .; Berry, Chas .; Bowen, James; Baggs, Geo .; Burley, Frank; Berry, Edmund; Bell, A. Travis; Brown, Richard ; Brown, David; Brown, Sidney; Brown, Sandy; Bowles, Jack ; Blackburn, Chas .: Bush, Jos .; Black, Jacob; Brown, Perry ; Bryant, Green ; Burnside, Jno .; Campbell, Alexander ; Carter, Jos .; Carson, Wm .; Clay, Ambrose ; Clay, Henson ; Coleman, Samuel ; Davis, David; Denny, Ben: Douglas, Ned .; Favors, Jos. ; Fry, Louis ; French, John ; Gable, Green ; Grodon, Marion ; Dr. Garnett ; Gatewood, Thos .; George, Lewis ; Garvin, Henry ; Gess, Frank: Hamilton, Henry; Hamilton, Perry; Hamilton, Sanford; Hanson. Robt .; Howard, Adam, (died 1882, 99 years old) ; Hood, Daniel ; Hunt, Jack ; Jackson, Alex. ; King, Hiram ; King, Milo; Kyle, Orange; McConnell, Geo .; McDowell, Bacchus ; Mason, Robt .; Massie, Jos. : Martin, Edward ; Moran, Anderson ; Oldham, Thos .: Overstreet, Burd; Owsley, Branch ; Peniston, James ; Priest, Stephen : Ridgeley, Dick ; Scott, Alfred ; Scott, Charles ; Scott, King ; Smith, Jos. ; Smith, Win. ; Spillman, Alex .; Stout, Isaac : Stuart, John ; Thomas, James ; Thompson, Frank ; Walker, Edmund; Walker, Whitfield.
Confederate Monument.
The handsomest public monument in Jessamine county is that erected by the Jessamine Confederate Memorial Associa- tion, to the Confederates buried in Maple Grove cemetery, Nich- olasville. This monument reflects great credit on the Confed- erate soldiers and friends who built it. The work was started
39.
CONFEDERATE MONUMENT.
DR. CHAS. MANN.
139
History of Jessamine County, Kentucky.
in 1880; the monument was dedicated on the 15th of June, 1896, and stands in the court-house yard. The platform was erected in the court-house yard as the place for the dedicatory ceremo- nies. Special trains were run on all the roads entering the city, and the delegation from Louisville, headed by Col. Bennett H. Young, brought the largest number of persons. The city of Nicholas- ville royally entertained all those who came to unite in the cere- monies. At one o'clock they began. Dr. Charles Mann, presi- dent of the association, presided. Capt. John H. Leathers and Col. Bennett H. Young, of Louisville, were the orators of the day. The monument was unvailed by Miss Josephine Mann and Master Lawson Oxley, of Cynthiana, son of Jefferson Oxley, the first president of the association. The exercises were opened with prayer by Rev. F. W. Noland, a member of the Eighth Kentucky Confederate Cavalry, and the Confederate Glee Club of Louis- ville, sang a beautiful and appropriate selection ; the closing song, "Tread Lightly, Ye Comrades," produced a profound impres- sion upon the audience. The history of the work of the asso- ciation, in connection with the monument, was read by Prof. A. N. Gordon, its secretary and treasurer.
In 1862, Dr. Charles Mann, then a surgeon in the Confed- erate Army, was ordered by Gen. Kirby Smith, to gather and care for the sick and wounded who had been left about Camp Dick Robinson. About eighty of these, he brought in private convey- ances to Nicholasville, where they were nursed and cared for by the ladies of the community ; those who died there were buried in the Nicholasville cemetery. After the war, Dr. Mann, with the aid of James S. Mckenzie and Charles Oldham, gathered other Confederate dead, including those who had been buried in the Federal cemetery at Camp Nelson, and brought them to the cemetery at Nicholasville, where a lot had been generously do- nated by the Cemetery Company for that purpose. . .
The original headboards, having rotted down, were replaced by Col. Bennett H. Young, and these, in turn, by beautiful granite tablets, which now mark them.
Jefferson Oxley, long a leading merchant in Nicholasville, and as true, brave and chivalrous a soldier as ever wore the gray, did as much as, if not more than, any one man to secure the funds necessary to construct the monument. He died when success
140
History of Jessamine County, Kentucky.
was in sight, but before he saw the work accomplished. His comrades, and those whose dead the monument commemorates, will long keep green his memory.
Dr. Chas. Mann, the president, was the surgeon of the Fifth Kentucky Confederate Infantry, and rendered distinguished serv- ices in the Army of Tennessee. He was frequently detailed to important positions, and returned from the war with highest com- mendations of his skill and efficiency as a surgeon and man, since which time he has practiced his profession in Jessamine county.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.