USA > Kentucky > The Union regiments of Kentucky, Vol. I > Part 7
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In the war with Mexico he was major of the 4th Ky. Inf., and entered the city of Mexico with Gen. Scott in 1847.
After peace was made, he resumed the practice of law in Green and several of the adjoining counties. He repre- sented his county in the state legislature in 1850, and his district in Congress of the United States in 1851-1853, and afterward practiced his profession in the Green river part of the state, until the breaking out of the war be- tween the states in 1861.
The governor of Kentucky (Magoffin) was known to be a sympathizer with the Southern cause, and he not only took no steps to raise troops for the Union army, but remained quiet while many of the State Guard and others flocked to the South, taking away with them the arms of the state. The Union men were without an official head in Kentucky, and it looked for a time as though the whole population would be forced into the Southern cause. Gen. Nelson established Camp Dick Robinson, and Maj. Ward visited it, and then went to Washington, D. C., and was commissioned brigadier- general of volunteers by the Secretary of War, and also given commissions for the field officers of three regiments that he undertook to raise. The state of Kentucky was then not commissioning anyone in the Union cause. The officers of these three regiments were as follows:
Col. E. H. Habson, Lieut .- Col. John B. Carlisle, and Maj. Wm. E. Hobson, raised the 13th Ky. Inf.
Col. C. D. Pennebaker, Lieut .- Col. Jno. H. Ward, and Maj. James Carlisle, raised the 27th Ky. Inf. Of the third of these regiments only one officer was commissioned, Lieut .- Col. Wheat. Ho raised a large part of a regiment that was later consolidated with troops from about Lex- ington under Col. Dudley and became 21st Ky. Inf.
These regiments were largely recruited at Greensburg. Ky., when the Rebel forces were at Munfordville, only 24 miles down Green river. Nearly all the while fight- ing was going on between the two camps. Gen. Ward lost men in killed, wounded and prisoners, before there was an armed company in his camp. Many of the recruits were Union men who came from inside the rebel lines. They brought their own rifles, or shot guns, with them. and it was an event when 30 or 40 Home Guards brought in with them their old style muskets.
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Biographical Sketches.
It was very difficult to arrange so that the men wishing to enlist could leave with their families even the $13 of advanced pay, that other states gave their recruits. At first it could only be done by the officers furnishing it, or borrowing it from soldiers in camp, and repaying them after the state arranged through its military commission to advance one month's pay to recruits on enlistment. This first attempt to raise Union troops on Kentucky soil south of Camp Dick Robinson and before the state had taken a step to assist in the work, was an undertaking with difficulties perhaps nowhere else encountered and overcome. The men who eulisted under such conditions, and their officers, deserve unusual gratitude for their patriotism. Many of these men were fighting six months before they were mustered into the United States service, then were mustered for three years, and so served three years and six months.
It was finally determined that state troops should not be placed in brigades and divisions together, hence these regiments were separated and ordered to different com- mands.
Gen. Ward was placed in command of camp of in- struction at Bardstown, Ky., the only one perhaps in Kentucky, and became a fine tactician.
When the 11th and 12th Corps from the Army of the Potomac canie West, some of the troops with Gen. Ward, all Western men, and none from Kentucky, were added to them, and the 20th Corps formed, commanded by Gen. Jos. E. Hooker. In the 3d Division Gen. Ward commanded a brigade. These veterans instructed the Western soldiers and made a fine reputation in the fighting on the Atlanta campaign.
At the battle of Resaca, Ga., May 15, 1864, after un- successful attacks on the rebel fortifications, the 3d Division, 23d Corps, charged them and effected the first lodgment inside the works. This charge, in which Gen. Ward was wounded in the arm and chest, was one of the most fatal assaults made during the war, considering numbers and times engaged. In about 20 minutes 963 men were lost, only equaled by Pickett's charge at Gettys- burg. and Cleburn's at Franklin. It was successful and raptured 4 brass Napoleon cannons, more than taken at any other place on the Atlanta campaign. Soon after this Gen. Butterfield gave up the command of the 3d Division, 20th Corps, and Gen. Ward took command and hold it to the end of the war.
Gen. Benj. Harrison succeeded to the command of Gen. Ward's brigade. A very severe and critical battle
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was fought at Peach Tree Creek on the 21st of July, 1864, largely by this division. Gen. Johnson had just been superseded by Gen. Hood in command of the rebel army, and both armies knew that he intended to force the fight- ing. The space Gen. Ward's division was ordered to oc- cupy, on the flank of the 20th Corps, was found too great for him to cover in the usual form, with two lines of battle and a reserve force. It could only be occupied by a single line of battle with no second line and no reserve, and what was worse, the shortest line where he could join his right and left Hanks with the remainder of the army placed his line on low ground with a hill in his front, which would give an attacking force an advantage over his single weak line. Soon it was seen that Ilood was about to attack right at this point. But as the enemy advanced, Gen. Ward's division moved forward also, and met them on the topof the high ground and drove them from the field. Again and again the enemy formed in the woods and returned bravely and stubbornly to the attack, and three times they were defeated and forced to retire, until they gave up the attempt on that part of our line. Perhaps the fact that two or more regiments were armed with the repeating Spencer rifle enabled the divis- ion to hold its line. It was the first time they had been used in a considerable battle.
After the many battles around Atlanta, it was at last surrendered to Gen. Ward by the mayor of the city.
Gen. Ward was a brevet major-general and continued with his division on the march to the sea, thence to Wash- ington, D. C., and was in command of his division at the grand review at that city at the end of the war in 1865.
Not only Gon. Ward, but his family did its full duty for the Union cause. Col. Juo. II. Ward, of 27th Ky. Inf., and Maj. Edw. W. Ward, major 3d Ky. Cav., his sons. served through the war, and his son-in-law, Lieut. Thos. E. Miller, 21 U. S. Art., served in the Army of the Potomac, and only one son over the fighting age was left at home with the mother and a small child. After the war, Maj. Edw. W. Ward, joined the regular army and was in active service over twenty years and was retired on account of bad health brought about by fighting Indians in the West, and is now on the retired list at Lincolnston, N. C .*
Gen. Ward practiced law for years in Louisville after the war and died October 12, 1878.
GEN. THOS. JJ. WOOD was born in Kentucky, at Mun- fordville, September 25, 1823. Cadet at military acad-
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Biographical Sketches.
viny from July 1, 1841, to July 1, 1845. Promoted to brevet 2d lieutenant topographical engineers July 1, 1845. Served in Texas, 1845; in Mexico, 1846-48; in bat- tles of Palo Alto, Monterey and Buena Vista. Trans- ferred at his own request to 2d Dragoons, October 19, IS46. Second lieutenant, December 2, 1846. Brevet 1st lieutenant, February 23, 1847, "for gallant and meritori- ous conduct at Buena Vista." On frontier duty in Texas, 1849 to 1851. First lieutenant, June 30, 1851. On duty in Texas (scouting and recruiting) to 1855. Captain 1st Cavalry, March 3, 1855. Quelling Kansas disturbances, 1856-7; Utah expedition, 1858; Fort Wahita, Ind. Ter., 1858-9. Scouting Indian Territory, 1859. Leave of ab- sence in Europe, 1859-61. Served during Civil War, 1861-1866. Major 1st Cavalry, March 16, 1861. Lieu- tenant-colonel, May 9, 1861. Brigadier-general U. S. Volunteers, October 11, 1861. Colonel 2d Cavalry, No- vember 12, 1861. In command of division in the Tennes- see and Mississippi campaign to June 26, 1862; guarding and repairing railroads to September, 1862. Command of division (Army of the Ohio), October, 1862, to Novem- ber, 1862. In command of 6th Division (Army of the Cumberland), December, 1862. Wounded at Stone's River, December 31, 1862. Disabled to February 15, 1863. In rommand of 1st Division, 21st Corps (Army of the Cum- berland), in the Tennessee campaign to September 22, 1863. In command of 3d Division, 4th Army Corps, to April 16, 1864. In command of division (Army of the ('umberland), May 3d to September 27, 1864. Severely wounded at Lovejoy's Station, September 2, 1864. In command of division of Army of Cumberland to Decem- ber, 1864, and of 4th Army Corps, December, 1864, to Feb- ruary, 1865. Major-general U. S. Volunteers, January 27, 1865. Brevetted general U. S. Army for gallant serv- ires at Chickamauga, March 13, 1865. Brevetted major- general U. S. Army for gallant services at Nashville, March 13, 1865. In command of division in East Ten- unssee, March to April, and at Nashville to June, 1865; in Texas to August, 1865. In command of Central Dis- friet of Arkansas, September 9th to November 3, 1865; Department of Mississippi, November 14, 1865, to August 13. 1866; District of Mississippi, August 13, 1866, to Jan- stry 17, 1867. Mustered out of volunteer service Sep- Umber 1, 1866. Retired from active service as major- %pheral, June 9, 1SGS. Changed to brigadier-general by law of March 3, 1875, for disability from wounds re- "vived in battle. Resides at Dayton, Ohio.
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Union Regiments of Kentucky.
GEN. LOVELL H. ROUSSEAU was born in Lincoln county, Ky., in 1818. He left home with a limited educa- tion, and acquired the French language while employed at daily labor. Studied law and began practice soon after reaching manhood, at Bloomfield, Ind., 1841. Became a member of the Indiana Legislature, 1844. Was in the Mexican War; captain of a company, distinguishing him- self at Buena Vista. About 1850, removed to Louisville to become quite prominent at the bar and in politics. Served in both branches of the General Assembly; was in the Senate at the breaking out of the war. In the summer of 1861, recruited a large force at Camp Joe Holt, in Indiana, opposite Louisville. The 5th Ky. Infantry, a battery, a battalion of infantry, which became part of the 6th Ky. Infantry, and two companies of cavalry, were enlisted at Camp Joe Holt.
On the advance of Buckner, from Bowling Green to- ward Louisville, September 17, 1861, Rousseau, with his command, crossed the river and moved to Lebanon June- tion, preventing the anticipated move on Louisville. Was promoted to brigadier-general, October 1, 1861; served during the war in Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama; made major-general for bravery at Perry- ville, Ky., October 8, 1862; distinguished himself at Shi- loh, Stone's River and Chickamauga; in 1865 was elected to House of Representatives and left the field, took sides with the Democrats in Congress. In 1867, was sent to Alaska to take formal possession of the country in the name of the United States; was appointed on his return to the command of the Gulf Department, and died sud- denly in New Orleans, January 7, 1869.
Of an uncommonly handsome personal appearance, and tall, well proportioned figure, he attracted attention at all times. His personal popularity was immense with the men of the army, whether of his own command of not, and his progress through the camps was usually ac- companied with the cheers of whole regiments. He pos- sessed great bravery and considerable executive ability.
MAJOR-GENERAL WALTER C. WHITAKER, was born in Shelbyville, Ky., August 8, 1823. He received a classical education at Bethany College, and was a grad- uate of the Lexington Law School. . In the Mexican War he was lieutenant of the 3d Ky. He was twice state Senator from the Sixth District; the second time from 1861 to 1865. Among the first to declare allegiance to the Union, he at once began to raise volunteers, with the
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Biographical Sketches.
energy that inspired his entire life. He was commis- sioned colonel of his regiment, the 6th Ky. Infantry, Aug- ust 9, 1861. He was officially complimented for his gal- lantry in the battle of Shiloh and Murfreesboro, and in many others. June 25, 1863, he was commissioned brig- adier-general and placed in command of the 1st Brigade, Ist Division, Army of the Cumberland. This brigade was conspicuous at Chickamauga. Gen. Whitaker received a wound early in the action, which unhorsed him, but he remounted and remained to the last with his men. Gen. Thomas gave Whitaker's brigade the name of "Iron Brigade." This brigade bad the honor of fighting "above the clouds" at Lookout Mountain. The official mention of its first planting the flag on the summit is shown in the account of the Sth Ky. Infantry. Whitaker's brigade was afterward conspicuous in the Atlanta campaign and Middle Tennessee campaign, in the battles at Rocky Face, Resaca, New Hope, Kennesaw, Atlanta, Spring Hill, Franklin, Nashville.
March 13, 1865, Gen. Whitaker was made major-gen- eral by brevet for gallant service, he having commanded a division for some time previous. After the war, he re- sumed the law practice in Louisville. He died at his home, Lyndon, Ky., July 9, 1887.
GEN. JEREMIAHI TILFORD BOYLE, son of Chief Justice John Boyle, of Kentucky, was born in Boyle county, Kentucky, May, 1818; graduated at Princeton College, New Jersey, and at Transylvania, Lexington, Ky. Practiced law at Danville, from 1841 to 1861. When the war broke out, he showed the quality of his manhood by promptly announcing that he would raise a brigade of four regiments, which were soon put into the field, being the 9th, 18th, 19th and 23d Ky. Infantry. He was made brigadier-general November 9, 1861, and went into active service under Brig .- Gen. Geo. II. Thomas. Having served through the winter in Kentucky, he led his brigade, under Gen. Buell, in the campaign which ended with the battle of Shiloh, where he was attached to Nelson's division.
"June 16, 1862, Gen. J. T. Boyle was placed in com- mand of District of Kentucky, with headquarters at Louisville. He was a distinguished citizen of the state, well acquainted with the people and highly esteemed. Hle discharged the duties of his arduous position with great ability and moderation. His leniency caused some complaint on the part of his associated officers, yet he
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Union Regiments of Kentucky.
has been subjected to criticism for alleged severity. Such a criticism in Shaler's Kentucky is wholly unjust. Gen. Boyle was an upright and just officer, and none could have discharged his delicate duties with more fair- ness."
At the coming of Gen. Boyle into command in Ken- tucky, the conditions of affairs in the state had under- gone great changes as compared with those obtaining when he so gallantly volunteered and raised his brigade.
Ile was well known personally to hundreds of men of place and influence, and he had also an extensive con- nection, by birth, marriage and law practice. A large number of these had become tired of the war, soured against the government or secretly aiding the enemy. Most of them wanted to use the general to advance indi- vidual interests, and sought to carry out their plans by personal interviews. As his military duties compelled him to carry out the orders of his superior officers, it was not possible for him to oblige many of these visitors of his, and consequently trouble and friction developed ere long.
John Morgan, the summer of 1862, was particularly annoying, from a military point of view, keeping the troops guarding the lines of railroad in very active oper- ation. Ilis successful raid into the center of the state, and subsequent movements, kept the command of Gen. Boyle aroused and moving very often. Gen. Boyle car- ried himself creditably through the campaign of 1862, 1863, into 1864, but the cares of his office and its unpleas- ant conditions became so burdensome that he was com- pelled, by its effect upon his health, to resign in , 1864.
Entering into business affairs at once, he interested himself in, and became the president of the first street railway in Louisville. Afterward, he revived and com- pleted the long talked of railroad from Nashville to Hen- derson, Ky. He died of apoplexy in Louisville, July 28, 1871.
GEN. SPEED SMITHI FRY was born September 9, 1817, in Mercer county, Kentucky. Graduated at Wabash College, Crawfordsville, Ind., 1841. Practiced law at Danville, Ky. At outbreak of Mexican War was in command of a militia company, and soon raised men enough for a company for service, and was attached to Col. McKee's regiment, in which he bore a conspicuous part at the battle of Buena Vista; mustered out in 1847. Under Gen. Wm. Nelson, who had been ordered to Ken-
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Biographical Sketches.
theky by President Lincoln, he, on August 6, 1861, opened, with a handful of men, "Camp Dick Robinson." October 6, 1861, his regiment, the 4th Ky. Volunteer In- fantry (see account 4th Infantry), was mustered into the service by Brig .- Gen. Geo. H. Thomas. January 19, 1862, at the battle of Mill Springs, he shot Gen. Zollicoffer, of the Confederate Army, with his pistol. March 21st, by sickness of Brig .- Gen. Schoepff, he commanded a division and held that position until next spring. May 26, 1863, made commander of the Eastern Division of Kentucky; had charge of Camp Nelson winter of 1864-5; honorably mmstered out, August 24, 1865.
Through all his career he sustained the character of a sincere and earnest Christian, holding the office of rul- ing elder in the Presbyterian church. He was a man of perfect simplicity of manners, warm in friendships and dignified in carriage. He was in charge of the Soldiers Home near Louisville, where he died August 1, 1892.
GEN. JAMES S. JACKSON, son of David Jackson, a farmer, was born in Fayette county, Kentucky, Septem- ber 27, 1823. Graduated at Jefferson College, Cannons- burg, Pa .; also studied law and graduated at Transyl- vania, 1845. In 1847, volunteered and served a brief time in 1st Ky. Cavalry as a lieutenant, but having had a duel with Capt. Thomas F. Marshall, of the same regi- ment, fearing a court martial, he resigned. While sery- ing in Congress, as a member from the Second District of Kentucky, President Lincoln authorized him to raise a cavalry regiment, and he accordingly recruited and or- ganized the 3d Ky. Cavalry (see account of that regi- ment), and remained connected with this body until he was promoted brigadier-general, August 13, 1862, serv- ing in that rank until he was killed in action at Perry- ville, Ky., October 8, 1862, being cut off in the beginning of a career that promised unusual brilliancy. Of his death, Col. Forney, the great Philadelphia editor, wrote: "To die such a death, and for such a cause, was the high- est ambition of a man like James S. Jackson. Ile was the highest type of the Kentucky gentleman. To a com- manding person he added an exquisite grace and suavity of manner, and a character that seemed to embody the purest and noblest chivalry. He was a Union man for the sake of the Union; and now, with his heart's blood, he has sealed his devotion to the flag. He leaves a multi- Inde of friends, who will honor his courage and patriot- ism and mourn his untimely and gallant end."
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Union Regiments of Kentucky.
His remains were finally buried, March 24, 1863, at Hopkinsville, Ky., which was his home at the commence- ment of the war.
GEN. EDWARD H. HOBSON first entered the serv- ice of the United States as a private in Company "A," 24 Ky. Volunteer Infantry, May, 1846, for war with Mexico; promoted to 2d lieutenant May, 1846; to 1st lieutenant September, 1846; mustered out with the regiment, June, 1847; commissioned colonel 13th Ky. Infantry, Septem- ber 18, 1861; promoted to brigadier-general, March 13, 1863; mustered out, August 24, 1865.
In the war with Mexico, he participated in the battle of Buena Vista, February 22 and 23, 1847; was at Shiloh, Corinth and Perryville, 1862. Was placed in command of the specially selected brigade which pursued the rebel Gen. Morgan's troops through Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio, in July, 1863, and broke up his command at Buffing- ton Island, Ohio, after a pursuit of twenty-one consecu- tive days and nights in the saddle. Was wounded at the battle of Keller's Bridge, Kentucky, June 10, 1864; afterward commanded 1st Division, Department of Ken- tucky, which was continually fighting raiding parties and guerrillas. Broke up and destroyed the rebel Gen. Johnston's command in Western Kentucky, in 1864, at Princeton, Ky., capturing the general. After the Mor- gan raid, was assigned to the command of Burnside's cavalry corps, but the surgeon forbade his assuming the command on account of the shattered condition of his health, caused by exposure during the Morgan raid. He lives at Greensburg, Ky. Since the war, Gen. Hobson has taken deep interest in all the enterprises inaugurated for the welfare of the soldiers, and has been commander of the Kentucky Department of the Grand Army of the Republic.
GEN. JAMES M. SHACKELFORD. Mention is made of this officer in connection with the 25th Ky. In- fantry and Sth Ky. Cavalry. He raised the 25th at the beginning of the war, and was with it during the siege and capture of Fort Donelson. After that, he returned to Kentucky and raised the Sth Ky. Cavalry. While commanding this regiment he fought with a force under Col. Adam Jolison, at Geiger's Lake, Union county, Ky., September 1, 1862, and was severely wounded by a slug fired from a cannon. It passed directly through his foot.
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Biographical Sketches.
and, though exceedingly painful, he never relinquished command. He was made brigadier-general January 2, 1863. From that time until August he was on duty in Kentucky, and pursued and captured Gen. John Morgan, as is mentioned in the account of the 8th Cavalry. He went with Gen. Burnside to East Tennessee in the sum- mer and fall of 1863, being in command of a division of cavalry. Upon reaching Tennessee, he was sent with his command to take Cumberland Gap, which duty he skillfully and promptly performed. He then led his force into the border of Virginia, having many fights with the enemy in that section. Being ordered back to Knoxville, he moved rapidly to that place, and, with his command, fought the advancing columns of Longstreet. In one of these engagements, near Knoxville, Gen. Sand- ers was killed, and the entire command on the field de- volved upon Gen. Shackelford.
During the siege of Knoxville he commanded all the forces on the south side of the river, and successfully de- fended his lines against all assaults. The siege being over, he pursued Longstreet up the Tennessee valley, be- ing in command of all the cavalry. At Bean's Station he fought a hard battle with Longstreet's infantry, be- ing attacked. He successfully defended his position, but fell back after the battle to the infantry lines during the night.
Gen. Shackelford resigned in 1864, his wound contin- uing to give trouble, and, after the war, lived at Evans- ville, Ind., engaged in the practice of law. He was ap- pointed United States Judge at Muscogee, I. T., where he is now residing.
GEN. GREEN CLAY SMITH was born at Richmond, Ky., July 2, 1832. His early education was had in that town. At fifteen years of age he volunteered and served in the Mexican War, rising to 2d lieutenant in 1st Ky. Cavalry, Col. Humphrey Marshall. In 1850, graduated a1 Transylvania University, at Lexington; subsequently studied law and graduated in that in 1853, when he re- turned to Richmond to practice, removing in 1858 to Cov- ington. Elected to the legislature, 1860-61. At the out- break of the war, assisted in raising the 3d Ky. Union Cavalry; was offered the position of major in that regi- mont; resigned it to return to his seat in the legislature. In May, 1862, was appointed colonel of the 4th Ky. Cav- alry; served with distinction in the several engagements 5
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in Tennessee, and was promoted to brigadier-general, June 11, 1862, for "gallant and meritorious conduct in the engagement with Gen. John Morgan, at Lebanon, Tenn., May 5, 1862."
In June, 1863, he was placed in command, for the time being, of Covington and Eastern Kentucky. While holding this position he was elected to Congress from the Covington District, which caused him to resign from the army, December 1, 1863; was re-elected to Congress in 1865. President Johnson appointed him governor of Montana at the close of his Congressional term, which office he held until the fall of 1868. He entered the ministry of the Baptist Church, April, 1869. He became distinguished in his church, and was deeply interested in temperance, and, in 1876, was the candidate for President. on the ticket of the Prohibition Reform party. He be- came a prominent leader in his denomination, and finally was called to take charge of the Metropolitan Baptist Church at Washington, D. C., where, after several years' residence, he died, June 29, 1896.
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