USA > Kentucky > Jessamine County > A history of Jessamine County, Kentucky, from its earliest settlement to 1898 > Part 9
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
An immense concourse, estimated at 20,000, greeted the soldiers of this regiment at Lexington. Revolutionary sires, hoary with age, wives whose hearts were filled with apprehension and dread, sweethearts whose trustful and tearful eyes told the story of love for men in the ranks, children who looked with strange wonder upon the brilliant scene of these uniformed soldiers passing in review before the vast and sympathetic crowd, came from far and near to say good-bye and god-speed to the country's defenders. Each company paraded in its own uniform, and each vied with the other in evolution and manly
111
History of Jessamine County, Kentucky.
bearing. None surpassed the Jessamine Blues under Captain Price and the other Jessamine company under Captain Gray, and the vast crowds of their fellow citizens felt a just pride at their splendid appearance as they marched so promptly at their country's call.
They formed on Water street in Lexington and then marched into Main street and from thence out to the Georgetown road. They marched only about four miles and then camped for the night and next day went into camp at Georgetown. The Lewis Regiment was reinforced by those of Col. John M. Scott and Col. John Allen, and they were formed into a brigade under Gen. John Payne.
On the following Sunday the brigade was reviewed by Gov. Charles Scott and Generals John Payne and James Winchester. After the review the soldiers and the crowd assembled and listened to an address from Henry Clay and a sermon from the eloquent Dr. James Blythe, who was then president of Transylvania. Mr. Clay reviewed the causes of the war and set forth the many and unbearable grievances which had forced the government to de- clare war, and closed with an appeal to the troops to remember that Kentucky was renowned for the bravery of her people and that they must remember that they had both the glory and the prestige of Americans and Kentuckians to maintain. The vast crowd departed after these patriotic, soul-stirring words and the soldiers went into camp, and a few days after marched to New- port to receive their arms and equipment. The most of the march was made in drenching rains, which were ominous of the hardships and misfortunes which awaited them in the campaigns upon which they had entered.
Dudley's Defeat.
A part of the Jessamine troops were in what was known as Dudley's defeat, which was fought on May 5, 1813, on the left bank of the Maumee river, opposite to Fort Meigs, a few miles south of Toledo, Ohio.
Col. William Dudley's regiment was part of Gen. Green Clay's brigade of Kentucky volunteers. After leaving Newport, they
112
History of Jessamine County, Kentucky.
had a fatiguing march for men and ammunition, and they found these on approaching the open boats lodged on the left bank of the Maumee river, within hearing of the cannon of Fort Meigs, where General Harrison was then besieged by the British and a large force of Indians.
At twelve o'clock on the night of May 4th, when General Har- rison was informed of General Clay's approach, he directed Gen- eral Clay to land 700 men on the west side where the British were, charge their batteries, spike their cannon, and immediately re- turn to their boats and cross over to the American fort. The remainder of Clay's troops were to land on the east bank and force their way into the fort by sorties from the garrison. Dudley's regiment was ordered to perform the first service. They were successful in the beginning, but the bravery of the Kentuckians and a misunderstanding of orders drew them into an ambuscade where they were cut off and surrounded by overwhelming num- bers, and the apparent victory was turned into dreadful defeat.
When the Kentuckians landed they marched at once toward the battery. This battery was taken without a struggle. It was left in possession of two companies, but it was shortly after taken by the British and forced to retreat to their boats and cross the river, when they reached Fort Meigs in safety.
The Kentuckians advanced and charged the Indians, and after seeing that they were outnumbered they attempted to retreat to the battery. They found this no longer in possession of their friends, but manned by British soldiers in large numbers, who opened fire upon them. Arriving without order and being taken completely by surprise, they were compelled to surrender or be shot down. They surrendered. They were robbed by the In- dians, who inflicted blows upon the prisoners at their pleasure. Most of the Americans were stripped of their clothes, and they were told by the British soldiers that the Indians intended to make them run the gauntlet, and just before the Americans reached the fort, the Indians taking advantage of their helpless condition, whipped and bruised and killed them as they pleased. A large number of them were shot down and scalped. One In- dian shot four prisoners and scalped them in the presence of their comrades, and in the presence of the British officers these Ken- tucky troops were subjected to all sorts of indignities, and even
113
History of Jessamine County, Kentucky.
murdered. Captain Lewis was killed in the battle, together with a number of the men from Jessamine county.
Battle of the Thames.
The blundering and misfortunes and the disasters which at- tended the War of 1812 in the Northwest, in the end took a turn. The American arms were at last to receive some reward. The great naval battle fought on Lake Erie, on the 10th of September, 1813, had destroyed the British fleet under Captain Barclay; not a single ship escaped. The gallant Perry had grandly ac- complished his task and told his own story of the victory and success in those glorious words, "We have met the enemy and they are ours."
More than a hundred Kentuckians who knew nothing of ships and had never sailed on any water but rivers, volunteered to serve on the vessels under Perry, and they deserved part of the credit for that superb victory.
General Proctor and his Indian allies under Tecumseh, after the destruction of the British fleet, were safely shut in upon English soil. General Harrison was not slow to avail himself of the effect this naval victory had secured, and he at once crossed into Canada and commenced his pursuit of Proctor and Tecumseh.
The horses of the Kentucky troops were corralled on the Michigan shore ; they were surrounded by brush and trees cut down and pickets driven so as to make a complete enclosure. When the pursuit was determined upon it was impossible to se- cure guards for the horses and camps other than by draft. No man was willing to accept such inglorious service unless by con- pulsion.
The capture of the British vessels enabled General Harrison to make an immediate crossing and with five brigades of Ken- tuckians and 120 United States regulars, he landed on the Canada side on the 27th of September.
Col. Richard M. Johnson's Kentucky mounted infantry was the only cavalry in the invading army. It was a splendid regi- ment of thirteen companies and contained nearly 1,400 mnen.
8
REMAINS OF STONE MILL AT KEENE.
-
115
History of Jessamine County, Kentucky.
With this regiment was detailed one of the Jessamine companies under Captain Bower.
The river Thames is a small stream rising in Canada east of Detroit and emptying into Lake St. Clair. About forty miles east of Detroit there was a small Moravian settlement, and after a dreadful and tiring march of a week, late in the afternoon of Oc- tober 5, 1813. the American army was in such close pursuit that Proctor and Tecumseh were forced to offer battle.
Proctor had 600 British regulars and Tecumseh had 1,500 Indians. They were formed along the river bottom, with Tecum- seh on the left, and there awaited the approach of the American army, which was composed almost entirely of Kentuckians. Governor Shelby had abandoned his duties as governor and as- sumed the place of commander-in-chief of the Kentucky forces. Both he and General Harrison had upon their staffs some of the most brilliant men of the state-Geo. Walker, William T. Barry, John Speed Smith, Gen. John Adair. J. J. Crittenden and Percival Butler.
Colonel Johnson had during the previous months trained his regiment to charge on horseback, and so soon as General Har- rison learned that the British were formed in open order he di- rected Colonel Johnson to charge with his regiment mounted.
Colonel Johnson discovered that the front of the British regulars was too narrow for the use of all his men. He divided his regiment, gave half of it to his brother, James Johnson, Lieut .- Colonel. Colonel Johnson called for an advance guard of twenty men to move in advance of the troops. * He had promised the wives and mothers and sweethearts and friends of his troops, when they assembled at Stamping Ground to start for the war, that he would in every way protect their lives in the campaign on which they had entered with him. He conceived the idea that if he could draw the fire of the Indians upon an advance guard, that the main force could charge and ride over the enemy's line before it could reload, and that, though he might sacrifice the twenty men he would save heavy mortality among the remainder of his force.
It was a heroic thought, and it was carried out in a heroic way. Nineteen men gallantly volunteered to ride with Colonel Johnson in advance on the enemy ; of these only ten are known.
116
History of Jessamine County, Kentucky.
The advance was placed under the command of Col. William Whitley, who was a private in Captain Davidson's company. Of the members only the following names are known: Lieut. Samuel Logan, Coleman's company ; L. L. Mansfield, Stucker's company ; Benjamin Chambers, quartermaster ; Robert Payne, Stucker's company ; Dr. Samuel Theobald, Coleman's company ; William Webb, Stucker's company ; Garrett Wall, forage major ; Eli Short, forage master.
Lieut .- Col. Johnson at once charged the British regulars. He passed through their line, then turned and fired upon them in the rear. They immediately surrendered. Col. Richard M. Johnson, with half the regiment, with the advance guard in front, charged the Indians who at once poured in a deadly fire upon the advance guard, all of whom were either killed, wounded, or had their horses shot under them, except Dr. Samuel Theobald, of Lexington. The brave and heroic William Whitley was killed at the first fire on the advance guard.
In these later days, when acts of heroism are applauded with such vigor and enthusiasm, it is well to remind the world of such deeds as those of Gen. William O. Butler and Johnson's advance guard at the river Thames. These lose nothing in comparison with the conduct and courage of any men of any age.
Proctor's regulars were all captured, the Indians were routed, Tecumseh was killed, his force was scattered, and peace in the Northwest was at once assured. Proctor himself abandoned his men, his carriage and baggage, and fled precipitately from the field. His guilty conscience smote him as he heard the Ken- tucky hosts on entering the battle, with mighty shout cry out, "Remember the Raisin." He knew that his perfidy and bar- barity deserved the death that the comrades of the murdered heroes of Raisin would inflict upon him, and like a coward he fled from the just wrath of the American soldiers.
In this splendid battle a large number of the men from Jessa- mine participated, and part of its glory belongs to those who com- posed the Jessamine troops.
The accompanying letter written by a Jessamine man who participated in this conflict will be both interesting and historical :
117
History of Jessamine County, Kentucky.
"Bass Island, Lake Erie, October 10, 1813.
"My Dear Father : I have only time to inform you and my friends that I am now confined to my bed with severe rheumatism in my legs. I am unable to walk, but am very kindly treated Frenchman who served in our armies under General Washington and received a severe shot in the left hip joint at the battle of Princeton, he has lived in this dreary country thirty years en- gaged in fishing on the lake. Our company under Captain Bowen was in the battle of Thames river on the 5th. A cannon ball killed Captain Bowen's horse in the beginning of the battle, but he soon got another one much stronger and active than the horse he brought from home. After Commander Perrie gained the victory on the lake, the Barbarian Proctor abandoned the post at Malden and took a position on the river Thames. His rapid movements, we have learned since the battle, was very an- noying and displeasing to his Indian allies. This morning Cap- tain Bowen called to see me in company with Captain Danfield of the British army. I heard Captain Danfield say that the In- dian chief Tecumsey was very mad at General Proctor for leaving his Indian brethren exposed to the vengeance of our soldiers. Danfield said that he heard the Indian chief address Proctor in very severe language about his leaving Maldens. It was also stated by the English officer that Proctor was fairly outgeneraled by Harrison and was unable to escape with all his baggage, be- ing hard pressed by him in every move up the Thames. After a great deal of heavy marching and loss of sleep both armies met in the vicinity of a Dunkard settlement called Moravian town, which was deserted, not a human being in it when the fight took place October 5th. The battle did not last very long, but it was fierce and savage. The Indians under their Chief Tecumisey were in possession of a thick woods, who, with the British in- fantry had formed their line of battle on ground which gave them some advantage over our troops. When the fight opened I saw Gen. Harrison with Commodore Perrie who was in the battle and was acting as aid, he and Captain Butler, Colonel Cass who was a very large man had the post of honor and led the front line. Colonel Johnson, of Scott county, with the mounted men was or- dered to charge at full speed, and break their line. Johnson
-
b.
119
History of Jessamine County, Kentucky.
rushed along the line hat off and gave command in a loud voice that now was the time to fight, and in an instant his mounted men including Captain Bowen's company were rushing on the lines of the enemy. At first our horses recoiled on receiving the heavy fire from the British and Indians, yet it was only momentarily, the voice of Colonel Cass and our Colonel Trotter was heard amid the roaring of musketry, the enemy run in every direction, we were completely victorious. Governor Shelby whose presence on the field was greeted by thousands. The Indian chief Tecumsey was killed, over 500 of the enemy were taken in by our men, 80 of the English were killed and over 100 Indians were left on the field. Come to Newport after me and bring three feather beds in the wagon, as I can not bear jolting. Your son,
"GEORGE T. CHRISMAN. "Hugh Chrisman, Jessamine Co., Ky."
The following extracts from a letter, written by John Nether- land, who was a son of Maj. Benjamin Netherland, will prove in- teresting and show how the men from Jessamine acted in the battle of the Thames :
"On the Thames, October 7, 1813.
"My Dear Parents: I never wanted to see you so badly in my life. After the massacre of so many of the company of the brave Captain Price at the river Raisin, I succeeded in making my escape, after running seventeen miles in snow over two feet deep. I joined the main body of the army under General Har- rison and served with Colonel Johnson in the battle which took place day before yesterday. I stood on the shore of lake Erie on Sunday, the 10th of September, and saw Captain Perry whip hell out of the British fleet on the lake. As soon as they were whipped on the water, General Harrison made us all get on board of the ships of Captain Perry and sailed to Canada. When the army landed we marched in pursuit of the d-d murderers and cut- throats. We came up with them at the river Thames on the 5th of October, gave the devils a sound thrashing and took over seven hundred prisoners and shot to death five Indians for breaking their paroles five days before the battle. It took old Governor Shelby a long time to keep our company from scalping twenty
120
History of Jessamine County, Kentucky.
English soldiers for giving rum to the Indians and furnishing them with guns and powder to murder our people. We are now burying the dead and will leave here as soon as we can hunt up all who are wounded and unable to get home. When I come home I can tell you of as much suffering in this army as you ever suffered in the Revolutionary War. I must say that every man and officer from Jessamine was game and did his duty without fear or favor. Billy Caldwell and Lieut. Ebenezer Price, brother of Captain Price, was like a mad bull in battle. He was brave on all occasions and he and Billy Caldwell could hallo louder than any men in the army. They were ever ready to fight. I send you this letter by Noah Carlton, who goes to Newport and who will send it to you from Lexington. Don't let brother Ben go frollicking about on my horses. Be- fore I left home he was in the habit of letting the young women have my horses to hunt grapes and persimmons on Hickman creek. I will be at home in five weeks.
"Your oldest son,
" JOHN NETHERLAND."
Jessamine County Soldiers who Battled at Thames.
Jessamine county had two companies in the battle of the Thames, fought June 13, 1813. The two companies were mounted men and were in Col. George Trotter's regiment. Capt. Gustavus Bower commanded one of these companies. He was born near Fredericksburg, Va., in 1786 and settled in Nicholas- ville in 1810, as a physician. When the War of 1812 was de- clared he raised the following company, which was in the battle of the Thanies:
Captain-Gustavus Bower. Lieutenant-Bartholomew Kin- dred. Ensign-Smith Bradshaw. Sergeants-Joshua High- tower Ist, R. Michael Bower 2d. Peter Withers 3d, Robt. D. Overstreet 4th. Corporals-Geo. T. Chrisman Ist. Reuben Bennett. 2d, Wm. Wilson 3d, Benj. Bradshaw, Jr., 4th.
Privates-Allison, Jno .; Bird, Jno .; Bourne, Daniel ; Brad- shaw, Benj .; Bustard, David; Campbell, Jno .; Campbell. Wm .; Carroll, Jno .; Cobb, Thos .; Connor, Rice; Connor, Wm. R .; Corr, Jas .; Casby, Chas .: Casby, James; Crockett, Jno. W .;
121
History of Jessamine County, Kentucky.
Crutcher, James ; Davenport, Jno. F .; Davidson, Richard ; Davis, James ; DeMoss, Asa ; Dickerson, Fontaine; Dickerson, James ; Dougherty, James ; Duncan, James; East, James; Fitzgerald, Francis ; Fassee, John ; Gilman, James ; Gray, David ; Haggard, Jno. ; Hawkins, Thos .; Higbee, James H. : Higginbotham, Jesse ; Hunter, Davidson ; Johnson, John G .; Lewis, Daniel ; McCarly, Dennis ; McConnell, Andrew ; McCune, Jno. L. P .; McDaniel, Thos. ; Miles, Benj. ; Miles, James ; Murrain, Wm. ; Pennington, Saml .; Moss, Wm .; Powers, Samuel : Reynolds, Wm .; Rice, Thos. N .; Richards, Alexander; Robertson, Michael; Scott, James ; Shaw, John ; Shearer, Caleb ; Shelton, Wm .; Sike, David ; Smith. Adam: Smith, Alexander; Stipe, David; Stipe, Henry; Stipe, Jacob; Taylor. Samuel; Taylor, William; Thompson, Alex .; Thornton, Elijah ; Trister, Peter ; Turner, Robt. ; Walker, Reuben ; Wallace, Thomas; Walters, Thomas; Ward, Geo. S .; Welch, Alexander ; Willis, Drury; Wilson, W. M. S .; Woods, James ; Zimmerman, John.
Capt. Mason Singleton, of the Keene neighborhood, also raised a company which was in Trotter's regiment. The follow- ing is a list of the company :
Capt. Mason Singleton's Company.
Captain-Mason Singleton. Lieutenant-Benj. Williams. Ensign-Thomas Haydon. Sergeants-Joel Turnham Ist. Wm. Scott 2d, Jesse Hayden 3d.
Privates-Sallee, Edward; Burton, Thos .; Conklin, Hugh ; Ellison, Thos .; Evans, Andrew; Ficklin, Thomas ; Frost, Jno .; Gatewood, Gabriel ; Hampton, Stephen ; Haydon, Ezekiel ; Hay- don, Jno .; Holloway. Samuel : Hughes, Chas. ; Hundley, Jno. ; Lambkins, Daniel ; McVey, Jno .; Moore, Joel P .; Morrow, Jno .; Moseley, Ewd .; Neal, Jno .; Proctor, Isaiah; Proctor, Thos .; Reed, Phillip; Reynolds, Drake; Rice, Richard: Richardson, Jesse ; Poper, Jesse : Schofield, Samuel : Sharewood, Wm .; Singleton. Lewis; Smith, James; Smith, Wm .; Starr, Henry; Steel, Darbey G .; Webster, Christopher ; Wells, Jacob ; Williams, Elijah ; Williams, Thos. : Willis, Lewis ; Wilson, Nathan ; Wilson, Alex .; Woods. Richard; Woods, Christopher; Young, Lewis; Fizer, Jacob : Jenkins, Henry.
1
123
History of Jessamine County, Kentucky.
These captains, as well as their men, all acted a courageous and handsome part in the battle. Captain Bower, after the war, married a daughter of Col. Joseph Crockett, and went to George- town to practice medicine. He subsequently removed to Pal- myra, Mo., where he died in 1869.
The following is also the list of the company of Capt. Richard H. Hightower, in 17th United States, engaged in the War of 1812:
Captain-Richard Hightower. Ist Lieutenant-Thomas C. Graves. Sergeants-Lucius C. Pleasants ist, Benj. Segar 2d, Jesse Denilliess, 3d.
Privates-Acton, Win .; Alison, Jno .; Andrews, Robt. : Bar- ton, Karswell ; Bates, Alfred ; Black, Beverly A. ; Blythe, William ; Byron, Jno .; Camp, Wm .: Carter, Jno .; Casey, Joshua ; Cesgar, Thos .: Childers, Thos .; Cooly, Jno .; Cook, Matthew; Craig, Walter; Davis, William; Delaney, Willis; Denore, Baldwin , Dobbs, Jno .; Dyne, Andrew ; Emmerson, Wm .; Farrow, Isham ; Fisher, Jno .; Fowler, James; Fowler, Thos .; Gentry, Zebedee ; Gohagen, Wm .: Goodlett, Wm .; Grindstaff, Isaac; Ingsley, Jas .; Hanley, Thos. H. ; Hobson, Bennett ; Hope, Geo .; James, Saml .; Johnson, Wm .; Lane, Jno .; McCarty, David; MeDaniel, Wm., Mckenzie, Jno .; Martin, Jas .; Mathews, Philip; Maxwell, Jno .; Mayfield, Sutherland : Morgan, J .; Murphy, David ; Murrane, J .; Murrane, Mark. ; Murrane, Tom ; Pagget, James ; Pagget, Thos .; Pogue. Jno .; Prewitt, Edmund ; Price, Jno .: Ralston, Alex .; Reed, Adam ; Reed, Robt .; Scroggins, Wm .; Shaw, Jno. ; Shimp, Geo .; Shover, Simon ; Smith, Richard; Stewart, Rice; Sumer- field, Ephraim ; Thompson, James : Tiller, Jno .: Walker, Jere- miah ; Webb. Adam ; White, Chas. ; Williams, Silas ; Winchester, Peter : Wood, Jno.
Roll of Capt. Robert Crockett's Company.
Roll of Capt. Robert Crockett's Company, Kentucky Mounted Volunteer Militia-Commanded by Lieut .- Col. James Allen. War of 1812.
Captain-Robert Crockett. Lieutenant-John C. Morrison. Ensign-Henry Lindsey. Sergeants-Jonathan Robinson, Ist, Alexander Logan, 2d, William Mead, 3d, John Lawny, 4th.
124
History of Jessamine County, Kentucky.
Privates-Armstrong, Samuel; Bank, Ephraim; Baxter, Samuel; Brownlee, John; Bobb, William; Butler, Samuel; Bond, Cornelius; Crockett, John W .; Crockett, Samuel C .; Carr, Thomas; Cloud, Sam'l G .; Decreet, Joseph ; Duncan, James ; Dougherty, James; Fracher, Charles; Fink, John; Fracher, John; Gaunt, William; Harrison, Jos. C .; Jewet, Matthew; Logan, Samuel ; Moore, Angus; Messock, Isaac; McCall, Will- iam; McCornell, William; Parmer, James; Rankin, Adam ; Roberts, John ; Ramsey, Robert ; Royall, William ; Smith, John; Tadloer, Andrew; Talbot, Jonathan ; Venable, James ; Villers, George ; Wardlow, John ; Walker, Matthew ; Young, Leavin.
Roll of Capt. Thomas Lewis' Company.
Roll of Capt. Thomas Lewis' company of infantry of the Ken- tucky Militia, detached-Commanded by Lieut .- Col. William Dudley. War of 1812.
Captain-Thomas Lewis. Lieutenant-George S. Herndon. Ensign-William Sally. Sergeants-William Moss Ist, Henry King, 2d, William Roach, 3d, Newton H. Tapp, 4th. Corporals -William Dunn, Ist, Thomas Payne, 2d, Eliphalet Roan, 3d, George Doxen, 4th.
Privates-Acres, Larkin; Aldridge, Joshua; Anderson, James ; Attsman, Henry; Baker, Lewis; Ball, Henry; Baxter, James ; Bourne, John; Bowman, John; Brockman, Aaron ; Brooner, Davis: Brown, Samuel; Buskitt, David; Busley, Wil- liam; Butler, Wm. W .; Castle, John; Clark, James; Cromwell, Oliver ; Davis, Jarred; Dunnegan, David; Easley, Obediah ; Fisher, James ; Frazier, Jeremiah ; George, Ellis ; Green, James ; Green, John ; Hampton, Thos .; Hendricks, Michael ; Hitt, Elias ; Houser, Isaac ; Hughes, Thomas; Hunter, John ; Hynes, Alex- ander R .; Keen, John; Lewis, Adam; Lockhart, Silas; Master- son, Moses; May, Solomon ; McAtee, Abednego; McCune, Samuel ; McDaniel, Alexander ; McDougal, James; Mifford, Joseph ; Moon, Zachariah ; Morris, Jesse : Morrow, James ; Moss, Pleasant ; Myers, Jacob; Mutter, William; Ritter, Michael ; Romans, Jolın ; Ronyan, Francis ; Rutherford, Archibald ; Ruth- erford, Jesse; Rynolds, Samuel; Sandusky, Jacob; Scanlan, Travis ; Scott, Matthew T .; Sergeant, Wm. B .; Shannon, Jacob;
125
History of Jessamine County, Kentucky.
Shrewsberry, Nathaniel ; Simpson, Nathaniel; Skewens, Clay- ton ; Spencer, Charles ; Starr, Christopher ; Starr, John : Ateward, John; Tapp, Nelson; Taylor, Conrad; Twindle, Alexander ; Triplett, Fielding; True, John ; Truit, John; Ungles, Hillery ; Wallace, Thomas ; Waters, John ; Williams, Lewis ; Williamson, Richard; Wilson, James ; Wilson, William.
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.