USA > Kentucky > A history of Kentucky > Part 11
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States district judge, that honorable position having been vacated by its holder, Thomas B. Monroe. John C. Breckinridge was deprived of his seat in the United States Senate, and Garrett Davis was chosen by the legislature to succeed him.
Previous to the 21st of October, only insignificant skir- mishes had taken place on Kentucky soil; but on that day First battles in occurred quite a desperate encounter at Camp Kentucky Wild Cat, in the Rockcastle hills. The Fed- eral troops were commanded by Colonel T. T. Garrard; the Confederate, by Brig- adier General Zollicoffer. The Confederates were out- numbered, and in spite of the efforts of their able commander, were forced to retreat. Shortly afterward, not far away, at Ivy Moun- tain, in Pike County, a sim- ilar victory was gained by Federal troops under Gen- eral William Nelson.
On the 18th of Novem- Jacqueshe ber, there occurred a unique William Nelson event. Delegates, elected by the dissatisfied minority of the State, assembled at Russellville, in Logan County, and formed what they called a provisional Confederate government of government for Kentucky. George W. John-
Kentucky son was chosen governor, and a full corps of State officials was also elected. Bowling Green was se- lected as the new seat of government. Henry C. Burnett, sometime representative in the United States Congress,
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THE INVASION OF KENTUCKY
William Preston, and William E. Simms were sent as del- egates to Richmond, Virginia, and on the 10th of December, the government there established went through the form of admitting Kentucky into the Confederate States. This little episode had small effect, however, upon the even tenor of Kentucky's real administration. Soon the princi- pal actors in it themselves left their visionary posts, to enter into the serious events of Southern warfare.
On November 13, Brigadier General Don Carlos Buell succeeded to the command of the department which in- cluded Kentucky. Early the following month, Buell he had organized at Louisville for the Union in command army about sixty thousand soldiers. The Confederates
held a long military line from Cumber- land Gap into Arkansas and Missouri. They had strong fortifications on the Cumberland, Tennessee, and Missis- sippi rivers. They had been greatly discouraged by Kentucky's unwavering efforts for the Union; but they still hoped to gain possession of the State. On January 19, 1862, General George Don Carlos Buell B. Crittenden, commanding a Confederate force of about five thousand infantry, came upon the advancing Federal army, commanded by Major General George H. Thomas, under whom were Colonels Speed Significant Federal victory in Kentucky Smith Fry and Frank L. Wolford, at Mill Springs, in Pulaski County. The Confederate attack was led by General Zollicoffer, who was killed after a few hours' hard fighting. The Federal force, which at the out- set was somewhat less than that of the enemy, was about this time reenforced. The Confederates were thrown into confusion and driven to retreat into Tennessee. This was
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the first of the important victories which led to the evacua- tion of the State.
Another discouraging defeat to the Confederates was soon to follow. On the 6th of February, General Lloyd Tilghman, in command of the Confederate
Fall of Forts
Henry and Fort Henry, on the Tennessee River, was
Donelson compelled to surrender to General Grant. On the 12th of the month, General Grant began his celebrated assault on Fort Donel- son, on the south- west bank of the Cumberland River. The Confederate troops were commanded by Generals John B. Floyd, Gideon J. Pillow, and Simon B. Buck- ner. Two Kentucky regiments
Bombardment of Fort Henry were engaged on each side: Colonel John H. McHenry's and Colonel James M. Shackleford's, on the Federal; Colonel Roger W. Han- son's and Colonel H. B. Lyon's, on the Confederate. The terrible carnage lasted nearly five days, during bitterly cold weather, rain, and sleet. On the night of the 15th, Generals Floyd and Pillow escaped with portions of their brigades. On the 16th, General Buckner proposed terms of capitulation, but General Grant demanded and obtained an unconditional surrender.
On the 14th, before the fate of Donelson was definitely decided, the Confederates abandoned Bowling Green. On the 27th, Columbus was also evacuated. Federal troops
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THE INVASION OF KENTUCKY
under the chief command of General Buell-114,000 men -
Kentucky evac- were meanwhile
uated by the pressing southward.
Confederates On the 25th of Feb- ruary, they took possession of Nashville, Tennessee.
The retreating Confederates passed through Nashville be- tore the advance of the Fed- erals. General Albert Sidney Johnston reorganized his army at Murfreesboro, and having been reënforced Battle of Shiloh by General Beaure- Lloyd Tilghman gard, again moved southward to Corinth, Mississippi. General Grant pushed his forces in a parallel direction and established his camp at Pittsburg Landing, near Shiloh Church, on the Tennes- see River. The engagement which occurred there on the morning of the 6th of April, although desired by the Union army, was hastened by the wis- dom of the Confederate com- mander. The battle of Shiloh was one of the most terrible in the war. The fighting contin- ued for two days. At the close of the first day the Federals were driven in disorder to the river, and it seemed as though victory were with the Confeder-
Albert Sidney Johnston
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ates, although their commander, General Johnston, had fallen with a mortal wound. But in the night General Grant was reenforced by General Buell with twenty thou- sand men. After a rushing march of twenty-five miles,
Attack on Fort Donelson
General Buell reached the field in time to turn the victory to the Federals. But the loss of life was very great, and the Kentucky regiments suffered more than their pro- portion.
RECAPITULATION
Kentucky's futile efforts for peace. It was impossible for her to remain apart from the war. Kentucky Federals and Confederates recruited outside the State. Kentucky's tragic situation.
Federals and Confederates organized within the State. The neutrality position not yet aban- doned.
Confederate victory in the battle of Bull Run.
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Conservative Union party carries the State elections of 1861.
The newly elected legislature assem- bles September 2.
Confederates invade the State on the 3d.
General Polk establishes troops in the southwest; General Zollicoffer, in the southeast.
Legislature orders withdrawal of the Confederates.
General Polk refuses unless Federal troops are also withdrawn.
Legislature demands an uncondi- tional withdrawal.
Neutrality abandoned, September 18. Kentucky declares herself actively for the Union.
Robert Anderson appointed comman- der of Kentucky department of war. T. L. Crittenden, commander of Ken- tucky militia.
Other important resolutions passed by the legislature.
State Guard joins the Confederate army:
Young men from Paducah follow General Lloyd Tilghman.
General S. B. Buckner invades Ken- tucky, September 18.
Bowling Green the Confederate head- quarters for a time.
The Confederate general John Hunt Morgan.
The Home Guard almost entirely Union.
A body of undisciplined troops.
Cause trouble by making unlawful ar- rests.
Prominent Confederates arrested.
Efforts to constrain the citizens to submit to the Union policy.
Many Kentuckians join the Confed- erate army.
Notable Confederate leaders.
About three times as many join the Federal army.
The households of the State are di- vided.
A number of civil offices left vacant by Confederates.
First battles in Kentucky.
Federal victories at Camp Wild Cat and Ivy Mountain.
Confederates meet at Russellville, Lo- gan County.
Frame a provisional government for Kentucky.
George W. Johnson chosen their gov- ernor.
Don Carlos Buell commander of Kentucky Department.
Sixty thousand Federal troops organ- ized at Louisville.
Battle of Mill Springs, Pulaski County.
Federals gain a significant victory.
Fall of Confederate Forts Henry and Donelson.
Kentucky evacuated.
One hundred and fourteen thousand Federal troops pressing south- ward.
Nashville taken possession of.
Another Federal victory in the battle of Shiloh.
General Buell's part in the battle.
CHAPTER XVII
THE SECOND INVASION OF KENTUCKY, APRIL-DEC., 1862
THE Conservative Union people of Kentucky loved the Union and the constitution above all property considera-
Congress tions, sacrificing for it kindred and ties of
actively favors sympathy, and life itself. Very many of them abolition were large slave owners, and they relied upon the protection which the constitution of the United States gave to their slave property. Many who regretted the existence of such property, as well as those who approved it, were agreed in maintaining that the government had no right to interfere with it. During all the early months of that time of trial they clung-with a trust that refused to see the tendency of the issue-to the belief that the government did not intend to invade the rights of the South; that its sole object was to suppress the rebellion, and then to restore the Union and the constitution. But all the while events were steadily pressing towards the abolition of slavery. In April, 1862, the first step in this direction was taken by Congress abolishing slavery in the District of Columbia. The venerable John J. Crittenden made one of his last great efforts to defeat this measure, as did other of the statesmen of Kentucky,- Aaron Hard- ing and William Henry Wadsworth, in the House of Representatives, and Garrett Davis in the Senate.
An antagonism was therefore spreading throughout
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the State to the Federal authorities at Washington. This
was greatly increased by the military policy which was now adopted. On June 1, 1862, Kentucky was placed under martial law. Brigadier Kentucky adverse to this course
General Jeremiah Tilford Boyle was made military commandant. Provost marshals were appointed in every county. Any one suspected of aiding or abetting the Confederacy was ar- rested and compelled to subscribe to an oath of allegiance to the gov- ernment of the United States before he was discharged. The printed formula of the oath stated that its violation was death.
For some time the lives and property of loyal citizens had been dis- turbed by lawless bands of men called guerril- las. The guerrillas were mostly soldiers who had broken away from the Jeremiah T. Boyle ranks of the Confederacy,-wild, reckless men, who had been made inhuman by some injury they or Martial law their families had suffered from Federal offensive
soldiers or authorities. They banded themselves together and dashed through the country, wreaking their vengeance upon the innocent victims in the Commonwealth. Now the order went forth that whenever such depredations should hereafter occur, the Confederate sympathizers in
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the neighborhood where the offenses were committed should be held responsible and made to pay the damages. Although these raids were exceedingly harassing, the measures employed for their suppression were most objectionable to the Kentuckians generally. However, General Boyle endeavored to execute the severe orders of the secretary of war with as much leniency as possible.
Meanwhile, an excitement of a very practical nature had been created in Morgan, the
the State. Exag- Confederate gerated reports cavalry raider
were spreading wildly, con- cerning General John Hunt Morgan, who with his Con- John Hunt Morgan federate cavalry had entered Monroe County early in July on his first Kentucky raid. This daring leader of a few hundred men did most effective service to the Confederate cause. The methods he em- ployed required quick wits and coolness of action.
At Tompkinsville he defeated two hundred and fifty Federal cavalry, and then moved northward, following the line of the Louisville and Nashville railroad, through Glas- gow, to Bear Wallow. There an expert operator on his staff tapped the telegraph wire and, on the ground that all things are fair in war, sent false dispatches concerning Morgan's numbers and movements, and also received in- formation in regard to the Federal plans. The telegraph was frequently employed in this manner, and the Federal officers were much mystified and alarmed.
Along the line of Morgan's march, railroads were de
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stroyed, supply trains were captured, and horses were seized for the use of the Confederacy. At Cynthiana, quite a severe contest occurred. A Federal force of nearly five hundred, under Colonel John J. Landrum, was captured, after a resistance of nearly two hours. Being pursued by General Green Clay Smith and Colonel Frank L. Wolford, with a Federal force somewhat superior in numbers to his own, Morgan hastened southward, capturing several towns on his way, and destroying government stores. He trav- eled over one thousand miles in twenty-four days, fought repeatedly, and lost only about ninety of his men.
It is noteworthy that in this time of intense excitement a change in the highest civil office of the Commonwealth was made in an altogether dispassionate and Orderly change
rather unique manner. The governor, a in the State administration Southern sympathizer, had been out of accord
with the rest of the administration. He indicated his desire to resign, provided his successor should be agreeable to him. The lieutenant governor, Linn Boyd, having died, the president of the Senate, John F. Fisk (to whom the governor was inimical) would have become governor upon the vacation of the office. That gentleman, perceiving the situation, consented to resign his position. James F. Rob- inson, a harmonizing member of the Union element, was elected speaker. Governor Magoffin resigned, and Speaker Robinson became acting governor. Whereupon, the Hon- orable John F. Fisk was reëlected to his former office.
Morgan's bold ride through the State was but a prepara- tion for the military disturbance which was now anticipated. Since the battle of Shiloh there had been organizing at Chattanooga a force of more than General E. Kirby Smith's invasion forty thousand Confederates, under the chief command of General Braxton Bragg, for the invasion of
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Kentucky, and especially for the capture of Louisville and Cincinnati. General Buell, the department commander, did not anticipate this move. He held his troops between Murfreesboro and Nashville, expecting an attack in central Tennessee. During the last week in August, General E. Kirby Smith, with about one third of this Confederate army, entered Kentucky at Big Creek Gap and moved on towards Richmond, where the only organized force of the State was stationed,- two brigades of seven or eight thou- sand, mainly undisciplined troops from Ohio and Indiana, under the command of General William Nelson.
Skirmishing began on the 29th between the advance of both armies. General Nelson was absent from head- Battle of Rich- quarters. General Manson of Indiana (the mond officer next in command), believing he should encounter only one of the raiding parties then numerous in the State, pushed on the next morning with his one brigade and gave attack to the whole of General Smith's army. The Federals held their own for several hours, but were finally overcome and driven back in wild confusion towards Richmond.
After a furious ride, General Nelson reached the scene of disorder. Raging and desperate, he vainly tried to rally his forces. One of his own officers called to his men to scatter and run, and the infuriated Nelson drew his sword and cut him to the ground. But he had arrived too late. The victorious Confederates moved on to Lex- ington, where several days later they were joined by Morgan's Confederate cavalry.
On Sunday night the legislature met and adjourned to Louisville (according to a provision which had been passed for such an emergency), carrying the archives of the State thither for protection.
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While Kirby Smith impatiently awaited the orders of General Bragg, that officer, with the main army, was making his slow march into Kentucky. By way of misleading Buell, Bragg first moved Bragg and Buell's contest for Kentucky westward to Nashville, and when he reached Glasgow, in Barren County, he had lost at least ten days. Sixteen more days were consumed in a march to Lexing- ton. Meanwhile Buell had outreached him, and with an army now numbering one hundred thousand men, had entered Louis- ville on September 25. The conditions of the two armies were reversed. The Federals had a most de- cided advantage. Western troops had hastened to the defense of Cincinnati. The Federal General Lew Wal- lace was in command. All chance of the Confederates Braxton Bragg capturing that city and Louisville was lost.
On October I, Buell moved out of Louisville to give attack to the Confederates. A detachment was sent toward Frankfort, while the main army followed a south- eastward course. Instead of vigorously grasping the situ- ation, Bragg tarried at the capital, where the Confederates went through the vain ceremony of inaugurating Richard Hawes provisional governor of Kentucky, in the place of George W. Johnson, who had fallen at Shiloh. The act was hardly completed when the advance guard of Buell's army reached the town. Governor Hawes hastened to
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Lexington, and the provisional government of Kentucky vanished, never to reappear.
The two armies came together near Perryville, in Boyle County, on October 8. There was fought one of the severest contests of the war: a battle terrible
Battle of Perryville in loss of valuable lives on both sides, and yet undecisive in result. Of the twenty-five thousand Federals and fifteen thousand Confederates engaged in it, at least seven thousand fell in the few hours the fighting continued between noon and twilight. The immediate commander of the Federal force was Major General Alexander McCook; of the Confederate, Major General William J. Hardee. Nearly half of the Confederate army was at Frankfort, while the Federals had heavy reënforce- ments (Major General Thomas L. Crittenden's corps ) within summoning distance. The battle was brought on through a misunderstanding on the part of the Confed- erates, who believed they were attacking only a detach- ment of the Federal force. General Buell, who expected an engagement the next day, was some distance away and was not informed of what was taking place before the battle was half over. And then, through a misunderstand- ing on his part of the true situation, - supposing Bragg's entire army was engaged, - he determined not to press che action further until the morning.
But on the morrow Bragg had withdrawn his forces and begun his retreat from Kentucky. At Harrodsburg he Confederates
Failure of was joined by General Smith's corps. With to secure wise caution, Buell refrained from bringing on Kentucky an engagement with the Confederates. Only skirmishes took place. No other definite battle occurred; and Bragg escaped from the State, having made a failure of his whole campaign. After this, fighting on a large
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THE SECOND INVASION OF KENTUCKY
scale was practically ended in Kentucky. Again and again Morgan's "wild riders " spread terror throughout the State, and repeated skirmishes occurred in various localities ; but no other Confederate effort was made to secure Kentucky.
Morgan's Wild Riders
The soldiers of Kentucky were now to be engaged in many of the great battles of the South. They took part at Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Missionary The soldiers of Ridge, Lookout Mountain, Kenesaw Mountain, Kentucky Vicksburg, etc .; and everywhere, on both sides, they were conspicuous for their courage and power of endur- ance. They were all volunteers, and belonged to the best families of the Commonwealth, - strong, tall men, un- KENT. HIST. - 13
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equaled in size by any other troops of the United States, with the exception of those of Tennessee.
The Confederate army continued to receive recruits from Kentucky until the end of the war. Though it is impossible to state precisely the number given to that service, it has been fairly estimated as over forty thousand. It is possible to be more exact in regard to the Federal numbers. According to the estimates of the adjutant generals, before the close of the war the State had given to the Federal service upwards of one hundred thousand white men, -nearly one tenth of the entire population. Besides this, eleven thousand negroes were enlisted for the United States army.
RECAPITULATION
Love of Kentucky Conservatives for the Union.
Their trust that the constitution would be restored after the war. Belief that the government did not intend to destroy the institutions of the South.
The first step in the revolution taken. Slavery abolished in the District of Columbia by Congress.
Kentucky statesmen vainly try to de- feat the measure.
The State excited against the Federal government.
Martial law enforced, June, 1862.
General J. T. Boyle military comman- dant.
Provost marshals appointed in every county.
Terrible raids of outlaws called guer- rillas.
Severe measures enforced to suppress guerrillas.
Morgan's first Kentucky raid. His quick wits and bold methods. His victory in the battle of Cynthi- ana.
His effective service to the Confed- eracy.
The State administration mainly Conservative Union.
Governor Magoffin, a Southern Rights man, resigns.
His successor chosen in a unique manner.
James F. Robinson, Conservative, becomes governor.
Over 40,000 Confederates organized at Chattanooga.
General Braxton Bragg in chief com- mand.
The invasion of Kentucky proposed. The State invaded by E. Kirby Smith with one third of this army. The only organized force of the State at Richmond.
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General William Nelson, Federal, in command.
Confederate victory in the battle of Richmond.
They triumphantly enter Lexington. Are joined by Morgan's Confederate cavalry.
The legislature adjourns to Louis- ville.
Bragg's dilatory march to Kentucky. Buell reaches the State first.
Takes possession of Louisville.
Federals also in possession of Cin- cinnati.
Buell has the advantage of Bragg.
Bragg's army inaugurates a governor at Frankfort.
The two armies meet at Perryville.
A terrible engagement. An indecisive result.
Fighting ends at twilight.
Buell proposes to continue the action on the morrow.
Bragg withdraws his forces the next day.
Buell refrains from bringing on an- other encounter.
Bragg, joined by General Smith, es- capes from the State.
War practically at an end in Ken- tucky.
Kentucky soldiers in the great battles of the South.
Their courage and conspicuous size. Numbers furnished by the State to each side.
CHAPTER XVIII
CIVIL CONFLICTS, 1863-1865
THE opposition in Kentucky to the Lincoln administra tion rose to a high tide when on January 1, 1863, the President issued his Emancipation Proclama- Kentucky opposed to Lin- coln's policy
tion, liberating the slaves in the seceding States. Kentucky, being loyal, was not im- mediately concerned; but the proclamation was deemed a violation of the constitution of the United States.
President Lincoln had been elected under a policy which declared that all the people in the seceded States had to do was to lay down their arms and return to their allegiance to the Union, and that then they would be protected in all their rights by the constitution. As the war progressed, it seemed necessary to the President to depart from this policy. But the people of Kentucky, at that exciting time, could not perceive as we do to-day the destiny which urged Lincoln on to mighty deeds.
The Radical or Unconditional Union element in the State alone upheld the administration ; but the controlling Opposition power was still the Conservative Union, or increased Union Democratic party, as it was now called. Their ticket was victorious at the August election. Thomas Elliot Bramlette and Richard T. Jacob, both Federal officers, were chosen respectively governor and lieutenant governor. Although there was hardly a possibility of the Union ticket being defeated, the most arbitrary means
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CIVIL CONFLICTS
were enforced to secure its success. The military officers of the State were controlled by orders from the War De- partment in Washington. Prior to the election, martial law was declared. The polls were guarded by soldiers, and no disloyal person was allowed to vote. The Kentuckians very generally resented this interference of the military rulers with their civil government.
In the autumn of 1863, President Lincoln called for three hundred thousand more men to prosecute the war. Kentucky's quota was twelve thousand seven Negro soldiers hundred and one. Early in January, 1864, enrolled the Federal government began recruiting in the State negro regiments for the United States army. Now the people of Kentucky had ever been true to the Union. No call for men and money had been made upon them that was not promptly met. They were gal- lant soldiers, proud of their military record. The negroes were their slaves. To arm these slaves and place them by their side in battle seemed to them at that time a degrada- tion to themselves and Drilling Negro Recruits to that high calling for which they had volunteered their lives. What we name race prejudice to-day was, at that time, an almost unconquerable feeling.
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