USA > Kentucky > Collins historical sketches of Kentucky. History of Kentucky: Vol. I > Part 25
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Oct. 26-The large and unoccupied resi- dence of Provisional Governor Richard Hawes, at Paris, seized by the Federal authorities and converted into a box- pital.
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Oct. 27-Gen. Jeff. C. Davis, of Indi- | dered Maj. Gen. McCook his resignation- ana, indicted in Louisville for manslaugh- ter in the killing of Gen. Nelson.
Oct. 28-31-Col. R. M. Gano's regiment of Morgan's Confederate cavalry destroys long sections of the Louisville and Nash- ville railroad, and of the Memphis branch, and burns trestle work and bridges, south and southwest of Bowling Green.
Oct. 31-Gold selling in Richmond, Va., for $2 50 and silver for $2 premium in Confederate notes ; and in New York city, gold selling for 26@27 cents premium, in U. S. treasury notes or " greenbacks."
Nov. 4-In the Vidette, a newspaper at Springfield, Tenn., improvised by Col. John H. Morgan's Confederate cavalry, are published many letters denunciatory of Gen. Buell, selected from a mail cap- tured in their route out of Ky .- They were "glad to lielp, by these means, to push ont of their way the man whom they thought the ablest general in the Federal service."
Nov. 5-Maj. Holloway, and the 8th Ky. cavalry, surprise and defeat, at Pond river, 7 Miles from Madisonville, Hopkins co., Col. A. Fowler's guerrillas, killing Fowler and 3 others, and capturing 16.
Nov. 5-Death, at Danville, of Col. Curran Pope, of the 15th Ky. infantry, from typhoid fever, superinduced by his wound at Perryville.
Nov. 5-Gen. Boyle orders all Confed- erate prisoners now in hospital at Har- rodsburg and other places in Ky., who are able to march or ride, to report at once at Louisville, for removal to Vicksburg, Mississippi.
Nov. 6-Provost marshal general Dent paroles 200 Southern sympathizers, under arrest, on condition that they will go and remain North of the Ohio river.
Nov. 6-9 Confederate soldiers capturec. and hung, near Hackney's corners, 212 miles from Big Rockcastle river in Rock- castle co .- said to be in retaliation for the hanging, near Cumberland Ford, in Josh Bell co., by some pickets of Gen. Kirby Smith's army, of Capt. H. King, his two sons, R. M. Singleton, and 12 others, mostly volunteers for the defense of Crab Orchard, but who were charged with being bushwhackers. Fearful inauguration of the most horrible feature of civil war !
Nov. 6-Judge L. Watson Andrews, of the Mason circuit court, at Maysville, de- cides the Federal confiscation act uncon- stitutional.
Nov. 7-Col. John Dills, Jr., with his 39th Ky. mountaineers, routs a company of Confederate soldiers, capturing 75, and 150 guns, wagons and horses.
Nov. 7-Maj. Wm. R. Kinney, and 60 of the 12th Ky. cavalry, surprise n rebel camp of 40 men near Calhoon, McLean co., kill 1, wound and capture 1, and dis- perse the rest, who abandon 25 horses and other valuables to the eaptors.
Nov. - Lieut. Johnson, of the 17th Ky. Federal infantry, and brother of the Con- federate Col. Adam R. Johnson, having ten-
on account of President Lincoln's eman- cipation proclamation-was ordered under arrest by MeCook and sent in irons to the military prison. Two weeks after, Gen. Boyle released him, because no charges had been preferred, and ordered him to his regiment. He again resigned, upon the same grounds ; and was again placed under arrest, then dismissed in disgrace from the service and his insignia of office stripped from him in the presence of the whole regiment.
Nov. S-The distinguished young tra- gedian, J. Wilkes Booth, playing to crowded houses, for 12 nights past, at the Louisville theater. He becomes still more celebrated by the prominent part he takes, at Ford's theater, in Washington city, on Friday evening, April 14, 1865-in the real tragedy of the assassination of Presi- dent Lincoln.
Nov. 9-Brig. Gen. Ransom's expedi- tion, near Garrettsburg, Christian co., de- feats Col. Woodward's Confederate force, 800 strong, killing 16, wounding 40, and taking 25 prisoners ; Federal loss 3 killed, 17 wounded.
Nov. 11-Col. Foster's command sur- prises a band of guerrillas, near Madi- sonville, Hopkins co., and captures sev- eral.
Nov. 14-10 gunboats with 121 guns, and 13,000 troops, rendezvousing at Co- lumbus, Hickman co., for an expedition against Vicksburg and the opening of the Mississippi river.
Nov. 15-Three officers of the Federal army arrested in Cincinnati for stealing horses in Ky .; one honorably discharged, and two handed over for further trial.
Nov. 15-At a special term of the Fay- ette circuit court, the grand jury brought in 215 indictments, 208 of which were for treason. In Bourbon circuit court, the grand jury, on 29th, brought in 215 indict- ments, of which 195 for treason.
Nov. 22-At Washington city, President Lincoln discusses, with Kentuckians, the question of emancipation-saying he would rather die than take back a word of the proclamation of freedom, and dwelling upon the advantages to the border states of his scheme for the gradual abolish- ment of slavery, which he urged them to bring favorably before the people.
Nov. 25-Louisville Courier printing establishment sold at auction, in the ab- sence of the proprictor in the South ; pur- chased by the Louisville Democrat com- pany for $6,150.
Nov. 25-A few Kentuckians, " political prisoners," released from Camp Chase, Columbus, Ohio, after 3 to 6 months' im- prisonment.
Nov. 27-Gen. Boyle issues an order forbidding all officers and privates to in- terfere or interineddle with slaves in any way ; slaves are not to be hllowed to enter the camps.
Dec. 2-Publication of Frankfort Yeo- man resumed.
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Dec. 2-Capt. Martin Thornberry, with 200 of the 39th Ky. Federal infantry, de- feated near Wiseman's shoals, in Floyd co., by a large rebel force under Col. Geo. Floyd; loss 2 killed, (one of them Adju- tant Levi J. Hampton, ) -15 missing, and 7 boatloads of arms, munitions and provi- sions, including 700 muskets and 40 rounds of cartridges.
Dec. 3-Gen. Humphrey Marshall's law library, which had been "captured " at Carrollton and sent to Cineinnati, decreed by Judge Leavitt in the U. S. district court to be confiscated and sold-because he was then actually making war against the government.
Dec. 8-U. S. congressman Chas. A. Wickliffe, of Ky., in a card requests his constituents or other Kentuckians who have had slaves taken from them by the U. S. army, to send him a sworn state- ment of the facts. His object is to have some law passed by which such slaves thus wrongfully taken may be peaceably recovered or accounted for.
Dec. 9-Death of ex-Gov. Wm. Owsley, near Danville, aged 80.
Dec. 9-Col. John H. McHenry, of the 17th Ky. infantry, dismissed from U. S. service, "for issuing an order returning slaves to their masters from his camp, in violation of additional article of war."
Dec. 10-Fayette circuit court issues a writ for the restoration to their " Union " owners, of slaves now detained or har- bored by several regiments of soldiers near Lexington. The sheriff is prevented by armed force from executing the writ. 13-A public meeting in Lexington ap- points a committee to enquire of Gen. Gordon Granger, commanding army of Ky., whether the forcible detention of the slaves and resistance were authorized, or will be sanctioned or permitted hereafter, etc. Gen. Granger's answer was satis- factory and encouraging, but that of Maj. Gen. H. G. Wright, commanding depart- ment of the Ohio, was frank, but not sat- isfactory ; really increasing instead of al- laying the public anxiety as to how far the military would be subordinate to the civil authority, and how far the escape of slaves would be encouraged.
Dec. 12-Louisville Journal and Louis- ville Democrat subscription-price increased $2 for the daily, and 50 cents for the weekly-because of the enhanced cost of the white paper on which they are printed. Other papers follow suit.
Dec. 13-Acting-Gov. James F. Robin- son and Adj. Gen. John W. Finnell leave Frankfort for Washington city, to confer with President Lincoln upon the present position of affairs in Ky.
Dec. 15-Garret Davis, of Ky., in the U. S. senate, offers a resolution that, " Whereas, after it had become manifest that an insurrection against the United States was about to break out in several states, James Buchanan, then President- from sympathy with the conspirators and their treasonable projects-failed to take
the necessary and proper steps to prevent it ; therefore, he should receive the censure and condemnation of the senate and the American people." Laid upon the table, next day, by a vote of 39 to 3.
Dec. 16-At Nashville, Tenn., Gen. Bragg issues an order to conscript every exiled Kentuckian and Tennesseean- whereupon Generals John C. Breckinridge, Simon B. Buckner, and Roger W. Hanson - threatened resignation if this were done.
Dec. 16-A detachment of the 39th Ky. Federal infantry defeated and captured, at Peters' creek, Pike co.
Dec. 20 .- $1,000,000 U. S. postal cur- rency, in pieces of 5 cents, 10 cents, 25 cents, and 50 cents, forwarded to the West from Washington city.
Dec. 24-Skirmish at Glasgow, Barren co., between detachments of 9th Ky. and 3d Ky. Confederate cavalry (Morgan's) and 2d Michigan cavalry.
Dec. 26-Skirmish at Bear Wallow, Hart co., near Cave city ; Federals have the ad- vantage, over Morgan's cavalry. [An- other account says it was near Hardyville, Hart co.]
Dec. 26-Stubborn defence of Bacon creek bridge, Hart co .; 100 Federals cap- tured, and bridge burned, by Morgan's cavalry.
Dec. 27-Desperate engagement at Eliz- abethtown, between 600 Federals under Lieut. Col. Smith and Morgan's Confed- erate cavalry ; former captured.
Dec. 28-Two great trestle works at Muldrow's Hill, Hardin co .- each 80 or 90 feet high and some 500 feet long-des- troyed and burned by Morgan's cavalry, after capturing the two garrisons defending them, of 600 and 200 men.
Dec. 29-A large Federal force under Col. John M. Harlan, 10th Ky. infantry, overtakes Morgan's cavalry at Rolling Fork river, and repulses them ; loss slight.
Dec. 30-A detachment of Morgan's cavalry makes a dash upon a small Federal force at New Haven, Nelson co., but is repulsed.
Dec. 30-Remarkable all-night march of Morgan's Confederate cavalry, through great trials and hardships-" night in- tensely dark, weather bitterly cold, guides inefficient, and the column floundering along blindly "-from Springfield, Wash- ington co., near to and around Lebanon ; . to avoid attack from a large Federal force concentrated at Lebanon, and another mov- ing to intercept them from Glasgow to Co- lumbia. At Lebanon, the troops drawn up, confidently expecting attack from another direction-where Morgan had kept up fires, all night, as if in camp, By night- fall of the 31st, his rangers had passed over Muldrow's Hill, and were in Camp- bellsville, Taylor co.
Dec. 31-Near Newmarket, Marion co .-- (Gen. Basil W. Duke, Ilist. of Morgan's cavalry, p. 341, says after they had crossed the hill and were in Taylor co.)-a des- perate hand-to-hand fight occurred bc- tween Capt. Alex. Trbible and Lieut. Geo.
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Eastin, on Morgan's side, and Col. Dennis J. Halisey, 6th Ky. cavalry, and one of his lieutenants, on the other-in which Hali- sey was killed and his lieutenant made prisoner.
Dec. 31-Skirmish near Newmarket, Marion co .; Col. Hoskins' 12th Ky. in- fantry and Col. Halisey's 6th Ky. Federal cavalry attack and drive Morgan's re- treating forces, capturing some men and military supplies.
Dec. 31-Great 4-days battle at Stone river, within two miles of Murfreesboro, Tenn., between 45,000 Federal troops under Gen. Wm. S. Rosecrans, and 30,000 Confederates under Gen. Braxton Bragg. The Confederate success on Wednesday, the first day's fight, was remarkable-the line of the Federal right having been driven back from two to three miles, 31 pieces of artillery lost, and the dead and wounded, with nearly 4,000 prisoners, in the enemy's hands. Friday, Jan. 2d, witnessed one of the bravest and most de- termined charges ever made, by Maj. Gen. John C. Breckinridge's division, in which all the Kentuckians in the Confederate army were involved ; but they were met, mowed down and torn to pieces by such a terrific cross-fire of artillery, masked and massed for the purpose, as has no parallel in the history of wars. Nothing but the singular coolness and tenacity of Rose- crans prevented a decisive defeat on the first day; indeed, that would not have saved him, in the end, but for the brilliant massing of his artillery on Friday. Dur- ing Saturday night, because the Federals had been reinforced, Bragg quietly with- drew his forces, taking with him his pris- oners, captured guns, and stores.
The total Federal loss was 8,485 killed and wounded, (about 1,580 of the former, and 6,905 of the latter), and 3,600 missing. Of these the Ky. regiments lost : Ist 91, 2d 79, 3d 103, 5th 126, 6th 109, 8th 81, 9th 92, 11th 88, 15th 60, 23d 82-total 911.
The Confederate loss is not known, but was very heavy. In Breckinridge's divi- sion, it was 2,140, of which about 1,700 occurred on Friday. In the brigade of Gen. Roger W. Hanson (who was killed) the loss of the Ky. regiments in killed, wounded and missing was : Lieut. Col. Jas. W. Hewitt's 2d 108, Col. Robert P. Trabue's 4th 70, Col. Jos. H. Lewis' 6th 76, Col. Thos. H. Hunt's 9th 29, Capt. Robert Cobb's Battery 6-total 289.
1863, Jan. 1-All day, as Morgan's cav- alry are marching from Campbellsville south ward to Columbia, in Adair co., they distinctly hear the roaring of heavy can- nonading-which proved to be at Murfrees- boro, Tenn., (115 miles distant, in an air line,) where the great conflict between the armies of Rosecrans and Bragg was raging.
Jan. 1-President bincoln issues his Emancipation Proclamation - which he had threatened to issue, or had issued in a qualified form, on Sept. 22, 1862. “ As a fit and necessary war measure for sup- pressing the rebellion ......... he orders and
declares that all persons held as slaves within the designated states [now in re- bellion] are and henceforward shall be free." The military and naval authori- ties will recognize and maintain their freedom ; and the freedmen will be enlisted to garrison forts, etc.
Jan. 1-At Owensboro, negro farm hands hire for $200 to $250 per annum, and cooks for $25 to $125; prices were never higher.
Jan. 2-Morgan's cavalry (nearly all Kentuckians) cross the Cumberland river at Burksville. The danger of further pur- suit being over, they move leisurely to Smithville, Tenn., and halt to rest and recuperate. The published results of the expedition, besides the destruction of the several lines of the Louisville and Nash- ville railroad, were the capture of. 1,877 prisoners, and a large amount of military stores, arms, and other government prop- erty - having lost only 2 killed, 24 wounded, and 64 missing. On May 17, 1863, the Confederate congress by resolu- tion tendered thanks to "Gen. John H. Morgan and his officers and men, for their varied, heroic and invaluable services in Tennessee and Kentucky on this expedi- dition-services which have conferred upon them fame as enduring as the records of the struggle which they have so brilliantly illustrated."
Jan. 8-Legislature meets in adjourned session.
Jan. 12-Legislature authorizes the ele- vation, at the center, of the Covington and Cincinati bridge to be made 100 fect above low water mark, instead of 122 feet. .20-By resolution, requests congress to pass an act for the exchange of certain citizens now "confined in some military prisons of the so - called Confederate States " [Wm. Thompson of Metcalfe co., Jonathan Williams of Russell co., Nathan Buchanan of Pulaski co., and John S. Stockton, Noah Cresselius, and Jeff. Dicken of Clinton co.] and all others in their condition-either as prisoners of war, or for citizens held in military prisons by the Federal government. ....... Accepts the do- nation of lands from the U. S. congress to Ky., for the endowment of an agricultu- ral college.
Jan. 14-Very heavy rains all day in northern Ky., followed by sleet and snow. Jan. 15, 16-One of the heaviest falls of snow ever known in Ky .; 10 inches deep at Paris and Lexington, 18 inches at Maysville, at some points nearly 2 fect ; railroad trains " snowed up" for two days. 15-Railroad bridge over the Ky. river at Frankfort swept away by the flood.
Jan. 20-Col. John C. Cochran, of the 14th Ky., and other officers resign, because of the president's emancipation procla- mation.
Feb. 2-A letter from Col. Laban J. Bradford, of Augusta, shows that Ky. is the largest tobacco-growing state. She produced in 1860, 97,906,903 and in 1950, 55,501, 196 pounds-an increase of 42,405,-
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707 pounds in ten years. The Louisville warehouses in 1857 sold a little over 8,000 hogsheads, and in 1861 about 29,500-one house alone selling more than the entire sales of Liverpool, England.
Feb. 4-Legislature instructs our sen- ators and requests our representatives in congress to try and secure the speedy pay- ment of all just claims of our citizens against the National government ; and to have one or more Kentuckians appointed commissioners to take proof of and assess the damages sustained by the seizure and appropriation of private property to public use, with enlarged discretion as to in- formal vouchers .. .... .. 6 - Appropriates $50,000, out of which to pay to 9-months' volunteers one month's pay in advance .26-Lays off the state into 9 con- gressional districts ...... 28-Makes it the duty of county court clerks, in certifying instruments for record, to certify that they are duly stamped, or not, as required by act of congress.
Feb. 6-Heavy siege guns being mount- ed on the fortifications in the rear of Cov- ington and Newport.
Feb. S-Richard Springer, a Revolu- tionary soldier 104 years old, still living in Louisville ; he fought at Brandywine and at Germantown, being wounded at the latter place ; he has never received a pension, or any provision from the govern- ment-probably from the difficulty of proving his service.
Feb. 11-Ky. bank notes at 5 per cent in Cincinnati, and gold in New York at 543% per cent premium; cotton 92 cents per pound.
Feb. 12-Two companies of Morgan's Confederate cavalry attack and defeat Federal soldiers at Burksville, Cumber- land co., killing or wounding 7; and " break up in tremendous disorder" a pub- lic meeting where Col. Wolford was ap- pointed to speak.
Feb. 13-Ky. University authorized to loan its funds at not exceeding ten per cent conventional interest.
Feb. 17-In the house of representatives, Dr. A. B. Chambers moved that the house adjourn over till Feb. 19th, and the use of the hall be tendered to the [Democratic state] convention to assemble in Frankfort to-morrow. For the first time in the his- tory of the state, the courtesy of the use of the hall by a state convention of a great party was refused ; yeas 36, nays 40.
Feb. 18-Ky. bank notes at Louisville 10, and gold 61, per cent premium.
Feb. 18-Death of James Harlan, U. S. district attorney for Ky., at Frankfort, aged 63.
Feb. 18-Col. Roy S. Cluke's regiment of Morgan's Confederate cavalry, 750 strong, cross Cumberland river in flatboats, on a raid into Ky .; the cold so bitter that 8 horses chilled to death immediately after swimming the river.
Feb. 18-Senate refuses to further con- sider a petition from J. A. Bell, of Scott co., " praying permission for certain free
negroes of Brown county, Ohio, to return to slavery."
Feb. 18-200 delegates, from 40 counties, to the Democratic state convention-called to nominate candidates for governor, lieu- tenant governor, and other state officers, to be voted for at the August election- having been denied the use of the hall of the house of representatives, meet at Met- ropolitan Hall, in Frankfort, at 11 A. M., are called to order by Capt. John W. Leathers, of Kenton co., and organize with ex-U. S. senator David Meriwether, of Jefferson co., in the chair and two sec -- retaries. When called to order, and be- fore organizing, Col. E. A. Gilbert, of the 44th Ohio Federal infantry, commander of the forces here-and who had fortified himself for a bold move by ordering his soldiers, with guns and fixed bayonets to be drawn up in front of the Hall-read his " general order No. 3;" " that all per- sons now here who are not residents, and who are not members of the Ky. legisla- ture, or officers of the state government. shall forthwith report their names to these headquarters, accompanied with a satisfac- tory reference as to their loyalty to the government of the U. S." Asa P. Grover of Owen co., and Wm. B. Read of Larue co., senators, and W. P. D. Bush of Han- cock co., Wm. Johnson of Scott co., and Dr. A. B. Chambers of Gallatin co., rep- resentatives, who were present as mem- bers of the convention, vouched for the delegates-as their names were called out and taken down by Col. Gilbert's adjutant.
Col. Gilbert notified the convention that its further business was " arrested ;" that those present would not be permitted to hold a convention within the department under his command ; that if nominations were made, the candidates would be ar- rested ; and if elected, they would not be permitted to hold office. He should pre- serve the list of delegates, it might be of great importance ; he required all present to return peaceably and quietly to their homes, and to refrain from all " seditious and noisy conversation." He said he might have acted differently, had not the "Conservative Democratic legislature" re- fused the use of its hall ; and the conserv- ative Democratic newspapers repudiated them as Democrats, while they, as well as common rumor, characterized them as rebel sympathizers.
Dr. Chambers presented to Col. Gilbert a series of 6 resolutions, adopted at a pre- liminary meeting, as embodying the views of this meeting. But Col. Gilbert refused to let them be read, and said positively the convention inust not be holden. The delegates then quietly adjourned sine die, under the persuasive arguments or threats of military despotismn.
Next day, Feb. 19, in the house of rep- resentatives, Dr. A. B. Chambers moved to dispense with the rules of the house, to enable him to present a petition from Gov. Meriwether, G. W. Williams of Hancock co., and Dr. Jos. R. Buchanan of Louis-
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ville, fully setting forth the facts above, with the resolutions; and praying the adop- tion of such legislation as will best con- serve the constitutional right of citizens peacefully to assemble together, the right of suffrage, and the right of free speech, and protect the citizens from military vio- lence. The motion was rejected and a hearing refused, by a tie vote, 40 yeas to 40 nays.
The senate, March 2, by yeas 14, nays 12, on motion of C. T. Worthington, " Re- solved, That the course taken by Col. Gil- bert in suppressing the late convention assembled here on Feb. 18th, is condemned by the senate as unealled for by the exi- geneies of the time, and not needed or desired by the Union Democracy of Ky., who are self-reliant, and able to control all such assemblages. Such interference on the part of the military is dangerous in its tendencies, and should not pass unre- buked." At night, in the absence of sev- eral senators who had voted for it, the resolution was reconsidered, and referred to the committee on federal relations.
Feb. 20-Cluke's cavalry eapture Fed- eral troops at Mt. Vernon, Rockeastle eo.
Feb. 20-Skirmish 10 miles south of Richmond ; Lieut. Cunningham, of Cluke's cavalry, and 17 scouts, defeat and capture 24 Federals.
Feb. 21-Capt. Thos. H. Hines, com- manding Morgan's scouts, detailed with Lieut. J. M. Porter and 13 men for the purpose, burns the depot and three cars, stored with Federal property, at South Union, Logan co., on the Memphis branch railroad. 25-Captures steamer Hattie Gilmore, on Barren river, heavily laden with Federal military stores, which he destroys, paroling the boat. 26-Destroys a locomotive, and 21 ears filled with U. S. property, at Woodburn, Warren co., on the" Louisville and Nashville railroad. Total value of U. S. government property destroyed $500,000.
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Feb. 21-Maj. Theophilus Steele, with 3 companies of Cluke's regiment of Mor- gan's cavalry, pursues a retreating Federal force of 250 from Richmond to Lexington, skirmishing briskly at Combs' ferry.
Feb. 24-Maj. Gen. Cassius M. Clay, in a letter to the New York Times, says " he has done what he eould, and shall do what he can, to indnee the President to put Gen. Benj. F. Butler in place of " Gen. II. W. Halleck, as general-in-chief-because the latter is "too pro-slavery." He (Clay) "had told President Lineoln that he could not and would not enter the field, unless the policy of liberating the slaves of rebels was adopted. Nothing short of that can give the vigor and effect to our arms which the crisis and the public sen- timent demands."
Feb. 24-The house of representatives adopts the report of the seleet committee exonerating Gen. Lucius Desha, the member from Harrison county, from the charge of " having given aid and assist- ance to the rebel, John Morgan, and his
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