USA > Kentucky > The Union regiments of Kentucky, Vol. I > Part 8
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GEN. W. E. WOODRUFF was a soldier in the Mex- ican War, and, having a military turn of mind, continued afterward in command of a military company at Louis- ville. In 1861 he was very active in organizing the Home Guard companies at Louisville. In July he took two companies to Camp Clay, opposite Newport, Ky., and there formed a regiment, which became the 2d Ky. In- fantry (see account of that regiment). He was ordered to West Virginia that summer, and in a short time was taken prisoner. Being exchanged, he returned to Louis- ville, and the city council passed a resolution welcoming him, aud rejoicing that he could further defend the cause of the Union. He was then promoted to brigadier- general. After the battle of Perryville he was with Buell's army in pursuit of Bragg, in command of a di- vision in MeCook's corps.
In the battle of Murfreesboro he was in command of the 3d Brigade, 9th Division. Being wounded in that battle, he remained for a time in Nashville, and was then ordered to report to Cincinnati. He was then detailed on detached duty, being unable to take the field. After the war, Gen. Woodruff practiced law in Louisville, where he still resides.
GEN. CASSIU'S M. CLAY, son of Gen. Green Clay, was born October 19, 1810, in Madison county, Ky., where
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he now resides. In 1846 volunteered in the Mexican War as captain; was taken prisoner at Encarnacion, 1847. At the outbreak of the Civil War was one of the very earliest defenders of Washington City, as a volunteer. Was com- missioned major-general April 11, 1862, but served only till March 11, 1863. In 1861 was minister to Russia; re- called in 1862; served as above, 1862; reappointed minister to Russia 1863, and served under Lincoln, Johnson and Grant until the fall of 1869. He has been associated with all the political movements of his day, and through- out a great part of his life. Was the boldest of all the enemies of slavery; and has taken rank among the most noted political reformers of his age.
GEN. S. G. BURBRIDGE was a citizen of Logan county, Ky., and began his military career as colonel of the 26th Ky. Inf. He was made brigadier-general, June 12, 1862, and commanded a brigade under Gen. Buell during Bragg's invasion of Kentucky, and immediately after was assigned to command of a division. In the fall of 1862 he was sent to Sherman's army on the ex- pedition against Vicksburg. He remained in that depart- ment until the capture of Vicksburg; being in the engage- ments at Chickasaw Bluff, Port Gibson, Champion Hills, Big Black and Siege of Vicksburg. He also served under Gen. McClernand, at Arkansas post, and under Gen. Banks, in the Red River campaign.
He made an excellent record as an officer in the field and for meritorious service was brevetted major-general.
February 15, 1864, Gen. Burbridge was assigned to command in Kentucky. His administration of affairs was during a most difficult and distressing period and he received much censure. He has published his own de- fense to the charges against him (Louisville Commercial, february 5, 1882), in which he copies the orders under which he acted. He also copies from the reports of vari- ous Confederate officers, showing that they charged one another with conduct similar to his own.
February 10, 1865, Gen. John M. Palmer was assigned to the command of Kentucky, and on the 18th of February he took charge, relieving Gen. Burbridge. He, like Bur- Fridge, received severe censure, and in a short time was indicted in the state court upon the charge of running Javes across the Ohio river.
Gen. Burbridge's administration in Kentucky was at a most turbulent time, and violent language was very general, and somewhat indiscrimate.
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GEN. WILLIAM P. SANDERS was born at Frank- fort, 1833. He was educated at West Point Military Academy, being a cadet from July 1, 1852, to July 1, 1856; promoted brevet second lieutenant of dragoons July 1, 1856; second lieutenant, 2d Dragoons, May 27, 1857; first lieutenant, 2d Dragoons, May 10, 1861; captain, 6th Cav., May 14, 1861.
He served, in the Civil War first on the defenses of Washington, August 1, 1861, to March, 1862; with the Army of the Potomac to February, 1863. He was then made colonel of the 5th Ky. Cav., March 4, 1863. In the summer of 1863 he went with Gen. Burnside on the East Tennessee campaign; October 18, 1863, made brigadier- general. Gen. Sanders greatly distinguished himself in this campaign, and was much relied on by Gen. Burnside. Having led his command most efficiently in a number of engagements, he was mortally wounded in a severe battle near the "Armstrong House" near Knoxville, November 16, 1863. He fell about one mile in front of the celebrated Fort Sanders, which was so named for him. He died November 19th, in the city of Knoxville, during the siege. and was buried in a church yard in the city. Gen. San- ders was a typical soldier; remarkably fine looking; trained in the military art; brave to rashness. His un- timely death was greatly lamented by the army.
GEN. ELI LONG was born in Woodford county, Ky., June 16, 1837; graduated at the Kentucky Military In- stitute in 1855, and was appointed second lieutenant, 1st U. S. Cav., in 1856. By 1861 he had risen to the rank of captain, having seen active service against hostile Indians in the far West. He entered the service as colonel of the 4th Ohio Cav., being in the campaigns of the Army of the Cumberland, of 1861, 1862, 1863 and 1864. During the At- lanta campaign he was constantly in the front, in com- mand of a brigade, having reached the rank of brigadier- general August 18, 1864. He had won numerous brevets in the regular service by this time. He commanded a divis- ion of cavalry in the famous Wilson cavalry expedition of the spring of 1865, into Alabama. At the attacks on Selma, March 13, 1865, he led his division in the assault npon the town with reckless bravery, which he communi- cated to his men, making the charge a success, but he was severely wounded at the moment of the taking of the place. For this he was brevetted major-general of volun- teers. He was also brevetted major-general of the regular army, and having been mustered out of the volun-
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tror service, JJanuary 27, 1866, he was retired with the rank of major-general in August, but was reduced to brigadier-general through the operation of the act of March 3, 1875. He now resides in Plainfield, N. J.
GEN. WILLIAM JENNINGS LANDRAM was born at Lancaster, Ky., February 11, 1828; was educated at the best schools in Garrard county; entered the service of the United States first as a private in Company A, of Col. Humphrey Marshall's 1st Ky. Cav., in the Mexican War, being mustered in June 9, 1846; promoted to orderly sergeant; wounded by saber cut on the shoulder at Buena Vista; mustered out June 8, 1847. In 1861 entered the service at Camp Dick Robinson and was commissioned rolonel, 1st Ky. Cav., which he soon resigned on account of his dislike to the cavalry service. Later he raised the 19th Ky. Vol. Inf., and was commissioned colonel. The history of his regiment, in another part of this volume, will give his record while in command of it; though colonel, he afterward commanded the 2d Brigade, 4th Division, 13th Army Corps; finally, at the battle of Sabine Cross Roads, La., he commanded the 4th Divis- ion, 13th Army Corps. In 1865 was promoted to brig- adlier-general and commanded the Baton Rouge, La., district for some time. Was mustered out at the end of the war, while on duty near New Orleans. Was ap- pointed collector of internal revenue under President Johnson, and held it till 1885. He then entered the practice of law at Lancaster, Ky., where he resided per- manently. For forty-two years he was an older in the Presbyterian church. He died October 11, 1895.
GEN. ELI HUSTON MURRAY was born at Clover- port, Ky., February 10, 1843. Ilis father was Hon. David R. Murray; his mother was the daughter of Col. John Allen, who was killed at River Raisin, and granddaughter of Col. Benjamin Logan. She first married Hon. Henry "'rittenden, brother of Hon. John J. Crittenden. When 18 years of age, Eli HI. Murray was commissioned major in the 3d Ky. Cavalry, which he helped to raise. He was a tall, handsome young man and his fine character and position, united with the fire and dash of youth, made him an ideal soldier, and it developed that he was peculiarly gifted for active field service. One month after he was winmissioned major, on the 28th of December, 1861, he commanded his battalion of the 3d in the field at
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Sacramento, Ky., against Forrest, and received the highest encomiums of his commanding officers for his gallant conduct. August 13, 1862, at the age of 19, he was made colonel of the 3d Ky. Cavalry, and. led that splendid regiment throughout the war, either in im- mediate command or in command of the brigade or divis- ion to which it was attached. Very soon after he was commissioned colonel he was, placed in command of the 1st Brigade, Ist Division, Army of the Cumberland. He led his command at Shiloh, and to Corinth, and many other points in Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee; was with Buell's army in Kentucky; fought at Murfreesboro, where he was especially commended for his service. Col. Minty saying in his report: "Col. Murray with a hand- ful of men performed service that would do honor to a regiment."
He was with Rosecrans' army in all its movements in 1863. Then under Gen. Grant that year. In the Atlanta campaign he commanded a division of cavalry, and part of the time a brigade. He led his command through to the sea under Sherman, and March 25, 1865, was brevetted brigadier-general, when he was assigned to the command of a military district in Kentucky. In April, 1865, he was with the cavalry expedition which captured Selma, Ala., and was mustered out of service July 15, 1865, at the age of twenty-two.
Gen. Murray's military record was remarkable. Though young in years, he displayed singular ability as a leader and commander; always cool, self-possessed, keonly alive to the situation and equal to every emerg- eney in which he was placed. Gen. Sherman said: "What- over I told Murray to do, I knew it would be done." He had the confidence of every general under whom he served, Gons. Grant, Sherman, Sheridan, Thomas, Critten- den, Negley, Elliott, Kilpatrick, and others. In 1866 he was appointed United States marshal for Kentucky, a position he held for ten years. In 1881 he was appointed governor of Utah by President Hayes. In 1886 he re- moved to California. He died in Kentucky, November 18, 1896.
In the memorial of the California Commandery of the Loyal Legion it is said: "Companion Murray was a man of magnificent physique and very handsome features, a cultured, high-bred gentleman, a finished speaker, and a most genial and lovable companion."
His comrades in Kentucky have a vivid and loving memory of this brilliant young soldier.
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GEN. RICHARD W. JOHNSON born in Livingston county, Ky., February 7, 1827. Graduated at West Point July 1, 1849. Brevetted second lieutenant, 6th U. S. In- fantry, July, 1849. Promoted second lieutenant, 12th Infantry, June 10, 1850; became adjutant of that regi- ment March, 1853; became first lieutenant of 2d Cavalry, June 12, 1835. December 1, 1:56, promoted captain in same regiment, employed in scouting among the Indians in Texas till the spring of 1861, when he escaped with his company, at the time Gen. Twiggs surrendered all his troops to the Confederates, and proceeded to Carlisle Barracks in April. Served with Gen. Patterson in West Virginia, in 1861; by order of Gen. Robt. Anderson as- sumed command of the Home Guards of Louisville, at Lebanon Junction, September 19, 1861; appointed lieu- tenant-colonel of 3d Ky. Federal Cavalry, before the regi- ment was fully organized; was appointed brigadier-gen- vral of volunteers about October 25, 1861. After the capture of Nashville, was absent on sick leave until after Shiloh; joined in the siege of Corinth; December 31, 1862, commanded a division at Stone's river; remained with the Army of the Cumberland in all its battles, distinguishing himself at Chickamauga. He was wounded at New Hope Church, in the Atlanta campaign, May 27, 1864; was in command of division of cavalry on extreme right at Battle of Nashville.
After the close of the war he was assigned to duty as provost marshal of the military division of the Missis- sippi, and when the necessity no longer existed for a provost marshal, was transferred to and discharged the duties of judge advocate of the same military division, and afterward of the Department of the Cumberland. In 1867 he asked to go before the retiring board, and was placed on the retired list October 12, 1867, on account of wounds received May 28, 1864. In 1862 he had been pro- moted to lieutenant-colonel in the regular army for services at the battle of Chickamauga.
Gen. Johnson was military professor in the University of Missouri in 1868-69 and in the University of Minnesota in 1869-70, and in 1870 he took up his residence in St. Paul, which was his home during the remainder of his life. He was at one time president of the chamber of commerce and long a member of the historical society, the Loyal Legion, the Masonic fraternity, etc. From his boyhood he had been a consistent and earnest member of the Presbyterian church, and for many years he never missed a service at the House of Hope church, to which he belonged.
Gen. Johnson died at St. Paul, April 21, 1897, after an illness of about one week.
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GEN. JOHN THOMAS CROXTON was born in Bour- bon county, Ky., November 20, 1837. The eldest son of Henry Croxton, a well-to-do farmer of that county. At Paris, Ky., he prepared for Yale College, where he grad- uated with honors in 1857. He studied law at George- town, under Judge Jas. F. Robinson, and began the prac- tice in Paris, Ky., 1859.
He was early an opponent to slavery, even when a boy, and when such views were exceedingly unpopular in his community, as well as all over the state. In 1860 he, with one other man, cast the only two votes Abraham Lincoln received in Paris, and expecting an attack, it is said he went to the polls armed for the fray.
By direction of Lieut. Wm. Nelson, Croxton was au- thorized to enroll troops at Camp Dick Robinson, and he rode through many counties in the state, recruiting for the Union cause, and, at its organization, he bacame the lieutenant-colonel of the 4th Ky. Federal Infantry, of which Speed S. Fry was the colonel. When Fry became brigadier-general, Croxton was promoted colonel, in March, 1862. The regiment under his command partici- pated in many engagements and marches, as will be found in the history of the regiment, given elsewhere in this volume. At the battle of Chickamauga he com- manded a brigade in Brannan's division, and his brigade opened the battle September 19, 1863. In the fierce fight Col. Croxton received a severe flesh wound in the leg. He was recommended for promotion for gallantry in this battle, but did not receive his commission until July 30, 1864. At the battle of Missionary Ridge, November 25, 1863, he was in command of his regiment, though not recovered from his wound, and insisted on going into ac- tion. While passing through the abandoned rebel trenches and camps at the foot of the ridge, a shell burst near him, and burying him under the materials of a hut he was just passing, a huge log of wood pinned him to the earth, reopened his wound, and put him hors de combat for a long time.
The remainder of Gen. Croxton's services in the field were in command of cavalry. His brigade took part in the Atlanta campaign, against Forrest in Tennessee and watched Hood until he had crossed the Tennessee river, in the fall of 1864. Croxton achieved an honorable re- cord in all the numerous engagements of that memorable campaign, which ended with Hood's seeking safety be- yond the Tennessee. In the great cavalry expedition under Gen. Wilson, in 1865, in Alabama, he commanded a separate column, which, becoming isolated from the
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main command, fought its way across Alabama and into Georgia, and finally joined Wilson at Macon, Ga. "The boldness of conception, energy of action, and readiness and fertility of resource which marked his management during his separate campaign, showed his genins for mil- itary operations."
He was brevetted major-general for his conduct in the operation against Hood and his superior management in the Wilson expedition. He afterward commanded the Military District of Georgia for about a year, with his headquarters at Macon, making many friends and doing much to bring about a reconciliation between the two sections.
Returning to Paris, he became a farmer, though he took a small part in law practice for intimate friends. His health failing, he removed to Colorado; and, being appointed minister to Bolivia, sailed for that country, to die at his post, April 16, 1874. His remains returned to this country, and were buried at Paris, Ky.
Before his removal to Colorado he was active in es- lablishing the Louisville Commercial, and is it said that if it had not been for his energy, determination and liberal help, it would have had but a short career. It was his untiring energy that told upon his delicate constitu- tion, and it gave way before he was permitted to render the great services for which he seemed to be so well fitted.
GEN. LOUIS DOUGLASS WATKINS was born near Tallahassee, Fla., November 29, 1833. At the breaking out of the rebellion he was a member of the National Rifles, at Washington, D. C., but that body proving dis- loyal, Watkins resigned, and was the first to organize a new company, enlisting as a private. Before three months had elapsed, however, he was appointed a 1st lieutenant in the 2d, afterward the 5th, regular cavalry. July 17, 1862, he was promoted to a captaincy and or- dered West, to report to Gen. Granger, commanding the Army of Kentucky. In October, appointed chief of cav- alry for Army of Kentucky, and in December of same vear accompanied Gen. S. P. Carter on his raid into East Tennessee, for gallantry in which was appointed colonel of 6th Ky. Cavalry. Was brevetted brigadier-general of volunteers, to date from June, 1864, and full brigadier- general, September 25, 1865. Was honorably mustered out April 30, 1866, and appointed lieutenant-colonel of the 20th Infantry in the regular army, in the summer of
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the same year. Joined his regiment at Richmond, Va., in October, and assumed command, remaining there until January, 1867, when they were ordered to Baton Rouge, La. His death occurred at New Orleans, La., during a visit there, on the 28th of March, 1869.
From the time of his arrival in Kentucky until he was honorably mustered out of the volunteer service, Col. Watkins was so constantly associated with the troops of this state that he will always be remembered as a soldier of Kentucky.
For a long period he was colonel commanding a brig- ade composed of the 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th Regiments of Cavalry from Kentucky, and held the position in the Army of the Cumberland for many months during 1863-4. He also participated in the memorable cavalry expedition of the spring of 1865, into Alabama and Georgia. Gen. Watkins married the eldest daughter of Maj .- Gen. L. H. Rousseau, which was a genuine romance of the war, but brief and sad, for she followed him to the grave in a few months.
Gen. Watkins will always have a firm hold on the memory of the bold riders of the brigade so long com- manded by him.
GEN. JOHN JAMES LANDRUM first entered the service of the United States, as private in Company E. Ist Ky. Cavalry, June 9, 1846; promoted to orderly ser- geant; mustered out with his regiment, June 7, 1847; en- rolled in the 18th Ky. Infantry, October 20, 1861. Com- missioned lieutenant-colonel, JJanuary 20, 1862; resigned February 6, 1863, on account of disability caused by a wound. Was in the battle of Buena Vista. Commanded United States forces at the battle of Cynthiana, Ky., July 17, 1862. Was severely wounded at the battle of Rich- mond, Ky., August 30, 1862. Died November 13, 1890.
GEN. THEOPHILUS S. GARRARD was born near Manchester, Ky., June 7, 1812. He was a member of the Lower House of the Kentucky Legislature in 1843-4: served through the Mexican War as a captain in the 16th U. S. Infantry; went to California, on the discovery of gold in 1849, by the overland route; remained in the mines fifteen months, and then returned, by way of Panama, to Kentucky. He was elected to the state Senate in 1857. resigned to become a candidate for Congress and elected a state Senator again in 1861. At Camp Dick Robinson, in the fall of that year, he was appointed a colonel of the
NOTE.
Two officers bearing the rank of Brigadier-General were accidentally omitted in the printing --
BRIGADIER-GENERAL SAMUEL WOODSON PRICE.
BRIGADIER-GENERAL ALEX. M. STOUT.
General S. W. Price's service is mentioned in connection with his regi- ment, the 21st Ky. Inf. Subsequent to his service with his regiment he was brevetted Brigadier-General for gallant service on the field, especially during the Atlanta campaign. The narrative of the 21st Ky. shows his great energy and fidelity to duty. He won distinction in the battle of - Stone's River, where he redeemed his promise to General Rosecrans to hold the ford over which the enemy, in strong force, attempted to cross. He was continuously with his regiment, either in its command or in command of the brigade to which it was attached, until he was wounded in the cele- brated charge on Kennesaw Mountain.
General Price was boru August 5, 1828, at Nicholasville, Ky. He was educated at the Kentucky Military Institute and became captain of a mil- itary company at Lexington before the war, which went into his regiment. He had a genius for painting, and studied and worked in that art with de- cided success. After the war he continued in this work, and produced a number of excellent pictures, among which his portraits of General Thomas and President Fillmore are the most noted.
In the year 1865 he was made Brigadier-General and placed in command of the Post at Lexington, Ky., in which position he continued until the war ended. After the war he was nominated by his party, and made the race for State Senator. He was appointed Postmaster at Lexington by President Grant. Subsequent to that service he removed to Louisville, where he now resides. Injuries received in the war affected his eyes, and since his residence in Louisville he has entirely lost his sight. Kentucky furnished no more efficient and faithful soldier than General Price, and as a citizen be has always held the highest regard of his countrymen.
General Alex. M. Stout, served with great credit as Colonel of the 17th Ky. Inf., as is mentioned in the account of that regiment. He was bre- vetted Brigadier-General for meritorious conduct in the field. He was a lawyer by profession, and after the war practiced in Louisville, but re- moved to Chicago, where he resided and continued the practice until his death in 1895.
He especially distinguished himself by heroic conduct in the battles of Chickamauga and Mission Ridge.
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3d Ky. U. S. Volunteer Infantry, promoted to brigadier- general November 29, 1862; served with great credit until he was mustered out on April 4, 1864, on account of a serious affliction of the eyes. He has since resided in Clay county, Ky.
GOV. CHARLES ANDERSON was born June 1, 1814, in Jefferson county, Ky., and died at Kuttawa, Lyon county, Ky., September 2, 1895. He resided in Texas at the commencement of the war, but was a strong Union- ist. Being arrested on account of his Union sentiment, he made his escape to Mexico, from whence he went to New York. He was appointed colonel of the 93d Ohio Infantry, and proceeded with it to Kentucky, August, 1862. He continued to command this regiment until February, 1863. In the battle of Stone's River he was wounded and, on account of this, was compelled to re- sign. Hle afterward became governor of Ohio, but upon retiring to private life he returned to Kentucky, and con -- tinued to reside there until his death.
Gov. Anderson was a most accomplished gentleman and orator, and a scholar as well as soldier, and an hon- ored citizen of Kentucky.
GEN. JOHN W. FINNELL was born December 24, 1821, in Clark county, Ky. He was educated at Tran- sylvania, and studied law under Hon. Richard HI. Moni- fec. In 1845 was elected to the state legislature as a Whig. Afterward, he edited the Frankfort Common- wealth. In 1849, was secretary of state under Gov. Crit- tenden. He located as a lawyer in Covington; from that district he was elected to the legislature as a Unionist, in 1861. In the fall of that year he was appointed adju- tant-general of Kentucky. In this position he rendered very efficient service in organizing the Union troops of the state, discharging the duties of the office in the most exciting and critical period with great ability.
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