Collins historical sketches of Kentucky. History of Kentucky: Vol. I, Part 32

Author: Collins, Lewis, 1797-1870. cn; Collins, Richard H., 1824-1889. cn
Publication date: 1874
Publisher: Covington, Ky., Collins & Co.
Number of Pages: 1452

USA > Kentucky > Collins historical sketches of Kentucky. History of Kentucky: Vol. I > Part 32

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).

*Journal of Ky. Senate, 1865, p. 11; House Journal, 1865, p. 49. .

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a free exchange of views could be had, it would avoid the evils which have resulted from Burbridge's weakness. But he and I can not hold personal converse, after his bad conduct within the last few weeks. Our intercourse must be restricted to official correspondence in writing ...... The system of arrest inaugurated by Burbridge outrages public judgment and ought to be restricted. His entire want of truthful- ness enables him unscrupulously to make false charges to sustain his outrages against public judgment. The system inaugu- rated by him of trade permits, has been most shamefully carried out in some places. Although his published order seems fair enough, yet the manner of its execu- tion revolts the public sense. Many loyal men are driven out of business-after hav- ing paid the tax and obtained a license, and for no other reason than their political preferences. [For his remarks about the "hog orders," see ante, p. 143.] I beg of you, Mr. President, to assist and give me such aid as you have in your power in pre- verving peace, order, and unity in Ken- tucky. Our people are right and true, though they have been much bedeviled by the course of subordinate officers. Bur- bridge will not correct these evils ; for he has favorites to reward and enemies to punish, and will use his official station to carry out his favoritism and personal ven- geance."

Nov. 15- Two Confederate soldiers, named McGee and Ferguson (the latter had been a citizen of Lexington). taken out of prison by order of Gen. Burbridge, and hung, near the Fair grounds in Lex- ington.

Nov. 15-Under new rules of the U. S. war department, persons held as prisoners of war in the military prisons cannot be visited by friends and relatives, except by special permission, granted only in cases of severe illness.

Nov. 16-Because President Lincoln has set apart the 24th inst. as a day of national thanksgiving and prayer, Gov. Bramlette recommends its observance by the people of Ky.

Nov. 18-Gold panic in New York ; gold selling at 2111/2, a fall of 47 ets. in 10 days.

Nov. 18-At Eddyville, Lyon co., Gen. Lyon's Confederate cavalry attacks 37 of the 48th Ky. under Capt. Hugh M. Hiatt.

Nov. 19- Eight guerrillas sent from Louisville prison, by order of Gen. Bur- bridge, to Munfordsville, Hart co., to be shot to death-W. C. Martin, W. B. Dunn, John Edmonson, J. M. Jones, W. L. Rob- inson, John Tomlinson, A. B. Tudor, and Sanford Turley - in retaliation for the killing of Union men.

Nov. 19-Six Confederates shot to death, by order of Gen. Burbridge, near Oceola, Green co .- in retaliation for the killing of two Union inen. One of the six, Lycur- gus Morgan, is represented as one of the boldest, most desperate, and perfectly fear- less inen in the world.

Nov. 20-Thos. S. Pettit, editor Owens- boro Monitor, arrested by order of Gen. Hugh Ewing, and sent under guard to Memphis, to be thence sent through the Confederate lines.

Nov. 21-Gen. Lyon's Confederate cav- alry overtaken in camp near Providence, Webster co., by Lieut. Col. Wm. W. Hester, with 180 of 48th Ky .- who, after a brief skirmish, captures the camp, some stores, and some prisoners.

Nov. 21-Col. Frank Wolford again ar- rested (the 4th time), and sent off to Cov- ington, en route to the Southern Confed- eracy.

Nov. 22-Chief justice Joshua F. Bullitt, Thos. Jeffries, M. J. Paul, H. F. Kalfus, John Talbott, John Colgan. and John Harris-who were arrested in Louisville in August, charged with belonging to a secret political society called the "Sons of Lib- erty," and nominally sent off via Mem- phis, Tenn., into the Southern Confed- eracy, but really retained in the military prisons in that place-reach Louisville to- day. Their release was secured by the Confederate Gen. N. B. Forrest, in ex- change for some citizens of Memphis, and engineers captured in one of his raids.

Nov. 22-Gov. Bramlette telegraphs President Lincoln that " Lieut. Gov. Ja- cob is at Catlettsburg, and Col. Wolford at Covington, both under arrest, and by order of the Secret Inquisition, ordered into the rebel lines. Will you either order their release at once, or a suspension of the order until you receive my communi- cation of this date ?" The President re- plied from Washington city that Gen. Suddarth and Mr. Hodges were there, and with the secretary of war and himself, were trying to devise means of pacifica- tion and harmony for Kentucky.

In his communication to the President,t Gov. Bramlette said : " I dispatched you by telegraph in reference to the arrest of Lieut. Gov. Jacob and Col. Frank Wolford, and the order sending them into the Con- federate lines. I speak what I do know, when I say that they are both incorrupt- ible patriots, and invincibly devoted to the preservation of the Union, and for the suppression of the rebellion ......... But I understand that affidavits made in some dark corner-extra judicial and ex parte- by men who are afraid to avow their in- famy in the face of an open tribunal, face to face with the men they accuse, consti- tute the foundation of their arrest. I say to you, Mr. President, that it is their ac- cusers that shrink from the investigation, and not Lieut. Gov. Jacob or Col. Wolford. Those who falsely accuse dread the light of an open investigation ; and, therefore, they seek to keep up a secret inquisition-

* Generally understood as referring to a cer- tain cabal of five, or " Council of Evil," at Lex- ington-who, it was freely said. " controlled" the action of Gen. Burbridge. Of these, two were distinguished citizens, and three in some military capacity ; but whose names it is not deemed proper to make public at this time. t Senate Journal, 1503, pp. 43-45.

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in which to condemn without a trial, and ' Lexington, and Capt. J. Lawrence Jones, punish without a hearing. There can ex- of Paris, Ky. Nov. 30, the latter, while being conveyed as a prisoner to Johnson's Island, near Sandusky, Ohio, jumped from

ist no just reason for this character of pro- ceeding in Kentucky. An open investiga- tion in the case of any man can be had in the train in motion, and escaped to Can- Kentucky ; and if the testimony sustains + ada. a conviction, all will say, so mote it be. Nov. 28-Steamer Tarascon makes the run from Henderson to Evansville, 1112 measured miles, in 5312 minutes - the quickest trip ever made between the points. But this open, fair mode of proceeding-in conformity with the genius of our institu- tions and the forms of our government -- would drive cowardly malignants to con- ceal their venom in their own bosoms, and Nov. 28-Capt. Alanson M. Pulliam, Lieut. Peterson Roff, and 11 men, of the 27th Ky., captured by guerrillas, near Stephensport, Breckinridge co. hide their perjury in their own hearts. Secret inquisitorial dispatch and punish- ment is the field of their operations ; and thus have they done much harm in Ken- Nov. 28-The True Presbyterian-edited by Rev. Dr. Stuart Robinson, "who, on { account of his open and avowed sympathy with the South, is sojourning in Canada," whither he escaped to avoid a second ar- rest-suppressed by order of Gen. Bur- bridge. "The paper eschewed politics, - except when condemning the attempts on the part of churches to decide political questions, or the interference of the mili- tary with the churches as such." tucky, not only to the interest of our country, but to the cause of humanity. Deeds of evil, done in the name of the government, which revolt the public judg- ment, are hurtful to our cause. And so revolting to public judgment was the ar- rest of these battle-scarred veterans, that to their prudent patriotism we are in- debted for its not being resisted. Hun- dreds of good, true, loyal men felt so out- raged at the proceeding, that-in the heat Nov. 28-Geo. D. Prentice, editor of the Louisville Journal, leaves Washington city for Richmond, Va., to look into the case of his only living son, Clarence J., under arrest for killing, in self defence. He is provided with passes from both Federal and Confederate officials. of their indignation and zeal for what they decmed to be defense of outraged patriotism-they would have rushed to the forcible rescue of these men ....... .. Put a veto upon this secret inquisition - this banishment of scarred veterans, of true men, from their homes and their country. Nov. 30-Guerrillas and Confederate re- cruits very active in middle and west- ern Ky. Mr. President, do stop these mis- erable, cowardly, stay-at-home, abuse- every-body patriots from giving such aid and comfort to the rebellion-as does such acts as the banishment of Jacob and Wol- ford give. Better send their accusers off ; for they will not help us in the day of bat- tle, and Jacob and Wolford will."

Nov. 23-Gov. Bramlette issues a proc- lamation calling upon Kentuckians "whose slaves have been taken for army purposes · to devote whatever sum the governinent may pay for them to the noble purpose of relieving the wants and supplying the necessities of the wives and children, and widows and orphans," of [Federal] Ken- tucky soldiers. He offers whatever is received for his two slaves; and hopes " $500,000 will be dedicated to this patri- otic charity."

Nov. 24-Skirmish at Clay Village, Shelby co.

Nov. 24-City Railway company, Gen. Jerry T. Boyle president, opens its first line of street railway on Main street, from. Twelfth to Wenzel street, Louisville.

Nov. 24-Destruction by fire of a two- story brick building, 220 by 40 feet, within the penitentiary walls at Frankfort, con- taining the carpenter, cooper, and paint shops and a grist-mill; loss about $20,- 000-half by the state, and half by the keeper, Harry I. Todd.

counties, to fill up the quota.

Nov. 25-Among the Confederate officers recently captured while on recruiting serv- ice in Ky., are Maj. Theophilus Steele, of

Dec. 1-Alex.Caldwell, a Confederate sol- dier, tried in the Campbell circuit court, at Newport, for horse-stealing, and acquitted. His plea that he had taken President Lin- coln's amnesty oath, and was thereby par- doned, was held not good; Judge Jos. Doniphan deciding that the President had authority to pardon offenses against the constitution and laws of the Federal gov- ernment, but not against those of the com- monwealth of Kentucky. His second plca -that he seized the horse under the orders of his commanding officer, Maj. Cameron, C. S. A., and handed him over next day to the Confederate army, under Gen. Heth, Sept. 16, 1862-the court sustained ; and instructed the jury that, inasmuch as the President of the U. S. had recognized the Confederate soldier as a belligerent and entitled, as such, to the laws and immuni- ties of war, if they believed the horse was taken by the defendant as a soldier and by authority, for military purposes and not otherwise, his offense was not felony, and they should find for defendant.

Dec. 2-Maj. Gen. John C. Breckin- ridge, C. S. A., issues an order to husband arms and accoutrements, and to glean lead from the battle-fields.

Dec. 4-Further drafting stopped in Ky.

Nov. 25-Supplemental draft in several | Bath co., rob the stores, and make a bon-

Dec. 4-Guerrillas visit Owingsville, fire in the street of many records and court papers from the clerk's office.

Dec. 7-Gold in New York 239.

Dec. 7 to 28-Brevet Maj. Gen. Stephen

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G. Burbridge leaves Ky., with 4,000 men, on his second Saltville (Va.) expedition. Among his Kentucky troops, were three cavalry regiments, 11th, Col. Milton Gra- ham, 12th, Maj. Jas. B. Harrison, 13th, Col. Jas. W. Weatherford, and five of mounted infantry, Col. Francis N. Alex- ander's 30th, Col. Cicero Maxwell's 26th, Lieut. Col. W. C. Johnson's 53d, Col. Harvey M. Buckley's 54th, and Lieut. Col. Weden O'Neal's 55th. During the expedi- tion, the battles of Clinch river, Marion and Saltville are fought ; Lieut. Col. Wm. 0. Boyle, 11th Ky. cavalry, a remarkably gallant officer, only 19 years old, among the killed, at Marion, Dec. 18. Dec. 20- lead works near Wytheville and salt works at Saltville, Gen. Burbridge's official dis- patch says, "are in ruins and cannot be repaired during the war ;" but the Con- federate Gen. John C. Breckinridge tele- graphs they "can soon be repaired ; the enemy are being pursued ; our troops are bearing the fatigue and exposure with great cheerfulness ; many bridges and de- pots on the railroad have been burncd." Official reports of the Federal Ky. regi- ments say : "The expedition was hazard- ous and exhausting ;" the 53d "suffered much from the excessive cold, and the long and fatiguing marches ;" the 11th "suffered terribly, having many officers and men frost-bitten and rendered unfit for service ;" the 54th " lost many men by exposure to the extreme cold weather."

Dec. 9-Gen. H. B. Lyon's Confederate troops, with two masked batteries on the bank of the Cumberland river, capture the Thomas E. Tutt, Ben. South, and other steamers, and control the navigation.

Dec. 11-The U. S. marshal of Ky. con- fiscates, at Louisville, the household furni- ture and theological library of Rev. John H. Rice, D. D., in 1861 pastor of a Pres- byterian church there, but now a chaplain in the Confederate army.

Dec. 12-In the absence of Gen. Bur- bridge and his troops from the state, on his second expedition to the salt works in Vir- ginia, the guerrillas seem to have undis- puted possession of a large portion of the state.

Dec. 12-Garret Davis, of Ky., intro- duces in the U. S. senate a series of reso- lutions for the restoration of peace and the Union ; proposing to refer to a convention of all the states, as a basis of settlement, several important amendments to the con- stitution.

Dec. 13-Capt. James H. Bridgewater, with 110 Ky. state troops, reinforced by 40 Henry co. home guards, after a spirited engagement near Newcastle, Henry co., defeats Col. Geo. M. Jessee's force, which retreats rapidly, with serious loss.

Dec. 17-Gen. Burbridge issues an order requiring ferry boats plying on the Ohio river to have permits, or to know that the owners have permits, for cattle, produce, and goods crossing.

Dec. 17-Gen. Edward M. McCook's forces overtake Gen. Lyon's Confederate

cavalry at Ashbridge, McLean co., and after a sharp engagement defeat and put them to flight, killing a number and cap- turing one piece of artillery.

Dec. 18-A portion of Gen. Lyon's Con- federate cavalry defeated at Hopkinsville, Christian co., and 42 prisoners taken.

Dec. 19-President Lincoln, by proc- lamation calls out 300,000 more troops.

Dec. 19-Only 4 newspapers in north- ern Ky .; 16 stopped since the war began. Dec. 20-Confederate conscript-law be- ing enforced by Gen. Lyon in western Ky.

Dec. 21-Congress passes a law taxing all whisky manufactured after Jan 1, 1865, $2 per gallon ; the stock on hand then is not to be taxed.

Dec. 23-Gen. H. B. Lyon's Confederate force attacks a train at Nolin station, Har- din co., having 200 Federal soldiers on board, which he captures after a spirited resistance.

Dec. 23-Court house at Campbellsville, Taylor co., burnt by Gen. Lyon's Confed- erate troops, after removing the records and papers to a place of safety ; other outrages committed.

Dec. 23-Richard Davis, formerly of Maysville, executed by the Federal mili- tary at Memphis, Tenn. He was famous as a Confederate soldier, then as a guer- rilla and bushwhacker ; made a confession to a priest, admitted he had killed 76 "Yankees," and was sorry he could not live to kill an even 100.

Dec. 23, 24-Gen. Lyon's Confederate troops capture the garrison at Elizabeth- town, Hardin co., parole the men (45), burn the stockade, railroad depot, and two bridges ; and retreat on the arrival of a Federal detachment.

Dec. 24-The wife, son and daughter of Maj. Gen. Wm. Preston, C. S. A., arrive at Boston from Europe, on steamer Africa. The U. S. war department refuse them per- mission to go by rail to Canada, or even to come ashore ; they must remain on board, and be taken back to Europe.

Dec. 27- Hall, of Gentry's guer- rillas, captured on yesterday at Floyds- burg, Oldham co., is publicly shot to death by a guard of Federal soldiers, at La- grange, Oldham co.

Dec. 28-Capt. Basham and 20 guerrillas dash into Hardinsburgh, Breckinridge co., capture the home-guard arms in the court house, and set fire to that and other build- ings. The citizens rally, fire upon the guer- rillas, kill 2, wound 2, drive the rest from town, and save the buildings from the flames. In the afternoon, 80 mounted Con- federates under Capt. Simeon Hanley, HI. Clay Hodges, and Moses Webster, demand the surrender of the town, saying they would respect private property. The citi- zens refuse to surrender unless allowed also to retain the public arins, as their only pro- tection against guerrillas-which is con- ceded by the Confederates, who repudiate all connection with guerrillas. They re- main in the town until next day, in a quiet and orderly manner.

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1865, Jan. 2-Geo. D. Prentice, editor of the Louisville Journal, returns to Wash- ington city from Richmond, Va. He is under parole to tell nothing of what he saw in the capital of the Confederate States; but his interposition for his son was successful.

Jan. - Gen. H. B. Lyon's Confederate forces, on their way out of the state, visit Burksville, Cumberland co., burn the court house, plunder the stores, and im- press horses.

Jan. 4-Adjourned meeting of the leg- islature. In the absence of the presiding officer, Lieut. Gov. Richard T. Jacob, (banished by Gen. Burbridge to the South- ern States), John B. Bruner is elected speaker pro tem. of the senate.

Jan. 4-The ( Radical) Union state con- vention in session at Frankfort, Judge Wm. C. Goodloe, president. Gen. Thomas and staff, and Gen. Burbridge and staff, invited to seats with the delegates. Brevet Maj. Gen. S. G. Burbridge, " as a reward for his gallant services in the field, and for his able administration of the affairs of this military district," recommended to the president for appointment as Brig. Gen. in U. S. regular army. The appear- ance of Joshua F. Bullitt in his seat as chief justice of Ky., under the notorious circumstances existing concerning him, denounced as an outrage on all propriety, it demands the notice of the public author- ities, both Federal and state." The con- vention "approves cordially of the most rigorous retaliatory warfare against all guerrillas, raiders, and predatory bands of assassins and robbers, and fully endorses the action of the Federal military author- ities in the discharge of these duties." It declares in favor of abolishing slavery by an amendment to the national constitu- tion.

Jan. 4-In the Union convention, Gen. Burbridge explains that Judge Joshua F. Bullitt's return to Ky. was by an exchange of prisoners between (Confederate) Gen. Forrest and (Federal) Gen. Washburne ; that " he was liable to re-arrest on his re- turn to Ky., ought to have been arrested and hung, and would have been arrested had he not escaped. Judge B. has friends even among the loyal men of Louisville, who talk as if they would consent to all other traitors being punished except Judge Bullitt."

Jan. 6-Radical politicians from Ky. now in Washington city concur in asking the President to appoint Gen. Benj. F. Butler to the command in Ky., in case he removes Gen. Burbridge.

Jan. 6-Gov. Bramlette, in his annual message to the legislature, recapitulates his efforts (by a personal visit to Wash- ington to confer with the president and secretary of war) to allay excitement and prevent unlawful acts growing out of negro-recruiting ; they agreeing to stop recruiting or drafting in each county as soon as its quota is filled, to confine re- cruiting to the regularly appointed officers

for that service, and to remove the recruited negroes to camps of instruction outside of the state. Gen. Burbridge, who was se- lected to carry out these agreements, "in- stead of doing so, adopted the most offen- sive and injurious modes of violating them.". .. " He also established a sys- tem of trade permits in violation of law and to the detriment of the public inter- ests-which, as administered, was a most shameful and corrupt system of partisan political corruption and oppression." The governor advises the legislature " to col- lect the facts, showing its corrupt use, and present them to the national authorities, in such form as to secure the abolishment and future prohibition of all such inter- ferences with the lawful and necessary trade of the country."

The message further says : "An attempt was also made, under cover of these mili- tary trade regulations, through the Com- missary department, to perpetrate a most extensive swindle upon the farmers of Ky. in the purchase of their hog crop. Under the trade orders none could ship or drive to market without a permit ; and all were prohibited from shipping across the Ohio river - thus closing the Cincinnati and other markets to our farmers. The buyers and packers at Louisville and elsewhere were warned off, under threats of arrest and confiscation, etc. Agents, who were assigned to this wholesale swindle, went actively to work, notifying the farmers that the government had determined to take their hogs, and had fixed the prico which they must take-a price greatly below the market value. To have a stop put to this swindle-which was being car- ried on through the Commissary depart- ment, under the patronage of the com- mandant of the district of Ky. [Gen. Bur- bridge]-I sent a communication to the president, borne by reliable messengers, to explain the details of the matter of my letter. The hog swindle was promptly ended ; but not until the farmers had sus- tained losses to at least $300,000-yet in time to save them the loss of over $1,000,- 000. It is due to the honest farmers of the state that you collate, or provide for so doing, the facts bearing upon this at- tempted and partially executed fraud, and present them also in connection with the military trade regulations."

" The gravest matter of military outrage has been, and yet is, the arrest, imprison- ment, and banishment of loyal citizens without a hearing, and without even a knowledge of the charges against them. There have been a number of this class of arrests, merely for partisan political ven- geance, and to force them to pay heavy sums to purchase their liberation. How the spoils, so infamously extorted, are divided, has not transpired to the public information I recommend that the limitation to actions for malicious arrest and false imprison- ment be repealed, or so modified as not to begin to run until one year after the rebell- ion shall be suppressed." He further rec-

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ommends that the offense of causing or procuring such arrests and imprisonments be made punishable as a felony or high misdemeanor. The telegrams, letters, &c., growing out of the arrests of Gen. John B. Huston, Lieut. Gov. Richard T. Jacob, Col. Frank Wolford, etc., and also the re- port concerning the infamous conduct of Gen. Eleazer A. Paine, accompany the message.

The message shows the total enrollment of persons liable to military duty in Ky. to be 133,493 ; of whom, from the begin- ning of the war to Jan. 1, 1865, 76,335 volunteers were furnished to the U. S. army-61,417 white and 14,918 colored troops. Nearly 7,000 more are already recruited under the recent call, and some mustered in, but no rolls yet returned. Thousands more have been actively cm- ployed as home guards, state guards, and state forces.

The report of A. H. Buckner, commissioner to investigate the defalcation of Thos. S. Page, late auditor, shows the total defal- cation to be $88,927. His term of office extended from Feb. 28, 1839, to Dec. 31, 1859, nearly 21 years.

Jan. 8-President Lincoln sets aside the order of Dec. 17, restricting trade with Ky. Gen. Burbridge's adjutant general denies that such an order was ever issued.

Jan. 8-Court house and public records at Owensboro burned, by guerrillas under Davidson and Porter.

Jan. 9-U. S. senate passes a bill, by 27 to 10, setting free the families of slaves who have enlisted in the U. S. army.

Jan. 9-President Lincoln has called into the army, since the commencement of the war, 3,258,846 men.

Jan. 10-A young man named Allen, of Todd co., of Col. Malone's Confederate command, captured and shot to death by Federals, in Christian co .- said to be in retaliation for the shooting of a Federal soldier, a few days before, near the same place, by Malone's men.

Jan. 11-Galt House in Louisville burned early this morning; two corpses found in the ruins ; the other guests escaped, losing their baggage ; loss on buildings and fur- niture $557,000, insured for $231,000; guests lose, in addition, $100,000.

Jan. 11-Gold in New York 219.

Jan. 11-James Guthrie elected by the legislature U. S. senator for six years from March 4, 1865 : Guthrie 65, Lovell H. Rousseau 56, Wm. O. Butler 2, John B. Huston 3, L. Watson Andrews 1.

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Collins historical sketches of Kentucky. History of Kentucky: Vol. I, Part 32

Author: Collins, Lewis, 1797-1870. cn; Collins, Richard H., 1824-1889. cn Publication date: 1874 Publisher: Covington, Ky., Collins & Co. Number of Pages: 1452

Author: Collins, Lewis, 1797-1870. cn; Collins, Richard H., 1824-1889. cn
Publication date: 1874
Publisher: Covington, Ky., Collins & Co.
Number of Pages: 1452