keep with them. I dragged myself along in their
rear, loading my gun as I went. I had about
half crossed the* field when four men rode down
on me. When about one hundred (100) feet dis
tant, I took deliberate aim, fired and missed, and
threw down my empty gun. I think this was-
about two hours from the time the first shot was
fired. I expected, of course, to be shot instantly,



294



REBELLION RECORD, 1862.



but was met instead with unexpected good treat
ment and kindness. It seemed to be the policy
of Morgan to treat his prisoners with conciliation
and forbearance. Some few of his men who were
rough with their captives, were sharply repri
manded by their officers, and in no case did I
hear of any ill-treatment of prisoners. One of
their orderlies, McMnllen by name, was especial
ly attentive to our wounded, and refused any
compensation.

The prisoners were gradually collected, march
ed into town, and lodged in the upper room of
the Court-House. Our parole was made out, and
we signed it that night. The next morning, sup-
perless and breakfastless, we were marched on
the road to Falmouth, about six miles. Our
guards here left us, and we made the best of our
way to that place, twenty -one miles distant. We
arrived, in straggling parties, that night and the
next morning. Here we found most of our bridge-
guards, who, hearing we were there, left their
bridges and came there to meet us. We got a
train at ten o clock Saturday night, and arrived at
Cincinnati next morning at four.

The young men of my company, though inex
perienced and untried in this kind of thing
some of them having their first drill and their
first battle in the same hour yet fought with a
courage and determination that could not be sur
passed. In many instances separated from their
officers, and from each other, each one fought
desperately on his own account, until overpower
ed by numbers. The two lieutenants collected
about eighteen men at the depot, threw them
selves in a brick house, which they defended to
the last extremity. There was not an instance
of flinching or cowardice in any boy in the com
pany.

When we left Covington we were informed
by the authorities that sent us, that ample pro
vision would be forwarded for our company ;
also serviceable arms supplied us. Instead of
this, what little sleep our boys had was taken
on the bare ground, without shelter or even a
blanket to cover them. As for food, they had
aone, only what they bought or begged. On our
arrival at Cynthiana, we were well cared for by
Col. Landrum, Acting Commissary Ware, and the
citizens generally, who all seemed anxious to
show kindness to Cincinnati men. The guns we
took with us proved to be nearly worthless.
This difficulty was also remedied by Col. Land-
rum, who gave us some twenty good muskets.
These, of course, fell into Morgan s possession,
together with our equipments and private bag
gage. Although these private possessions might
not be very valuable, still some of their owners
could ill stand their loss.

Some thirty odd of our number were required
to give their parole. We would respectfully ask
of this committee, that these paroled men^ be
placed at once on a proper footing with the Gov
ernment, as, if they should be drafted and again
be taken, they would be liable to be hung at
once. And surely the Government has no right
to send a man out to fight with a rope round his



neck. We would also respectfully ask of this
Committee, to whom we arc to look for payment
of our services. Yours respectfully,

JOHN J. WEIGHT,

Captain.
MAJOR W. 0. SMITH S LETTER.

CYXTHIAXA, July 23.

Having been left by Colonel Leonidas Metcalfe
in command of his camp, near this place, as Major
of the First Battalion, and having been present
and in command of his men at the fight on the
seventeenth, I deem it proper to make a brief
statement of facts over my own signature, in re
gard to the battle. At about two o clock P.M., on
the seventeenth, an order was made for one hun
dred cavalry to proceed to Leesburgh and remain
all night, reporting any facts regarding the ap
proach of the enemy, and to return next morning
to this place. The order was scarcely made be
fore the men were formed to start, when Colonel
Landrum sent an aid to me, countermanding the
order, and requiring my immediate presence at his
headquarters. He informed me that reliable infor
mation had come to him, that Morgan was coming
on us that evening in large force, and to dismiss
my men, with orders to rest on their arms, and
to be prompt in assembling at the beating of the
long roll. I executed his order, and in less than
an hour afterward, our pickets from the McGee
road came dashing in, giving the alarm that they
had been fired on, and one was missing from
them.

The long roll was beaten, and lines of compa
nies formed as well as possible, and about four
hundred infantry and raw recruits of Metcalfe s
cavalry formed and were posted along the river
bank above and below the bridge on the south
side of tho river. I was ordered by Colonel Lan
drum to post a company above the bridge, one or
two companies at discretion and from consulta
tion with Captain W. B. Dunn of the Second
Kentucky, who was present and acting as an aid
to myself, I ordered a company of Home Guards
to proceed to the top of McGee s hill and engage
the enemy, which they did, and repulsed them
with severe loss. In the mean time I ordered the
remaining company to proceed at double-quick to
the Williamsburgh pike, as an alarm caine that
Morgan s cavalry were coming down that way.
This company was ordered by myself to check
that approach, but owing to the fact that Glass s
gun was playing on them from Main street, it be
came too hazardous for them to go up the hill,
and I ordered those mounted men to cross the
street in the face of the fire and go with me, and
more dismounted to fall back and sustain the
company that was returning from McGee s Hill.
I then proceeded to the south part of the town,
where I found about sixty mounted men of the
Seventh Kentucky in a state of confusion. I form
ed them with those brought forward, and made
an attack on the rebels that were stationed at
the Episcopal Church, but they being in superior
force and hid behind fences, our raw men could
not stand the fire, and were compelled to fall back
to the Reformed Church.



DOCUMENTS.



295



I will hero state that these men were badly
armed. Many had none, and some had carbines
that at the first lire got, out of order and became
perfectly worthless. I then dismounted all the
men who had muskets or guns that would shoot,
taking a gun myself, let my horse go, and we
kept up a street-fight at different points for more
than half an hour, until we were surrounded a,
the crossing of Main and Pleasant streets. I
with others, was forced to throw down my gun,
some escaping in different directions.

We were then marched to Mr. Cuson s build
ing on Main street, and kept guarded until the
righting ceased in the north-west part of the town.
We were then marched across the bridge as pris
oners. We there witnessed the falling of the flag
pole, and also the different parties through De-
sha s corn-field picking up Morgan s dead and
wounded.

I was kept as a prisoner the next day after all
the Union men and soldiers were released ; and
had it not been for some of the prominent men
opposed to me in sentiments, I have no doubt but
that some miscreants here would have had me
shot or hung. I was first placed in a tent and
strongly guarded, and no one permitted to speak
to me. When Morgan was ready to start, a horse
was brought to the tent, and I ordered to mount
and start with the guard. I asked a gentlemanly-
looking man standing by, who appeared to be an
officer, to present my compliments to Colonel
Morgan, and ask for me the privilege of an inter
view with my family. On his return, it was
granted ; and whilst I was at a friend s with my
family, there was a meeting of citizens in regard
to my case, and I was finally released on parole
of honor as a prisoner of war.

In conclusion, I would say that the men under
my command fought well, considering the quali
ty of their arms and being perfectly raw recruits.
Great praise is due Lieutenant-Colonel J. J. Lan-
drum for his coolness and bravery.

The following-named officers of Colonel Met-
calfe s regiment acted well and did credit to them
selves, to wit : Captain Robert Scott of Harrison,
Captain W. W. Bradly of Berry s Station, Cap
tain Benjamin Robins of Falmouth, Captain Sharp
of Bath County.

Respectfully, W. 0. SMITH.

SURGEON LAIR S LETTER.

CYNTHUJU, Ky., July 22, 1862.
Having seen so many exaggerated reports of
our defence against the band of thieves headed
by John Morgan, who made an attack upon our
little band of patriots last Thursday, with a force
of six to one, I feel somewhat disposed to make a



few corrections. As I was present during the
entire "battle," I feel that I am pretty well
posted.



There was a simultaneous attack from every
street and lane leading into the town. We were
fired upon with shot and shell on the west, and
musketry from the north, east and south. Our



I forces were under command of Lieut. -Col. J. J.
Landrnm and Major William 0. Smith, who
showed energy and courage .

Among those who manifested bravery and de
termination, were Col. Landruin, Major Smith,
Capt. Robert Scott, Capt. W. S. Wilson, and
Capt. McClintock.

Up to this time we have found twent3^seven
Federals dead and nineteen rebels.

The next day succeeding the battle, Morgan,
with his band of yelling hounds, left this place,
bound southward to Paris, bearing away the ma
jority of his wounded. He left eighteen in care
of our surgeons, several of them supposed to be
mortalty wounded.

I send our list of wounded :

Captain Rogers, Eighteenth Kentucky, leg,
slightly.

T. S". Duvall, arm amputated.

H. Reed, Home Guard, left side.

J. W. Minor, Home Guard, left lung.

J. Carver, thigh amputated.

Geo. Scott, Seventh Kentucky cavalry, wound-

-.,,. J

ed, thigh.

Charles Tate, Thirty-fourth Ohio, both thighs.

Rev. Mr. Morrison, Home Guard, ankle.

William Sanders, Home Guard, right thigh.

James Little, Seventh Kentucky cavalry, right
lung.

Christian Ledger, Home Guard, shoulder and
ankle.

W. J. Hill, Home Guard, right thigh.

A. J. Powers, Seventh Kentucky cavalry, right
leg.

R. Rose, Seventh Kentucky cavalry, left hip.

John W. Adams, left side.

Win. Hinman, Eighteenth Kentucky, left thigh.

Milton A. Hall, Seventh Kentucky cavalry,
right side.

Joseph McClintock, Home Guard, leg and arm.

John McClintock, Home Guard, right hip.

Alfred McCaulcy, Seventh Kentucky cavalry,
back.

Thomas Barry, Home Guard, right thi^-h.

L. A. Funk, Ohio, heel.

Lewis Teny, Home Guard, leg, twice.

G. Land, Home Guard, foot.

Capt. Bradley, Seventh Kentucky cavalry, leg.

Leroy Rankin, Home Guard, left shoulder.

Rev. Carter Page, Home Guard, leg.

James S. Frizell, Home Guard, side, slightly.

Mr. St. Thomas, Home Guard, chest and face.

James Dickey, Home Guard, both sides and
shoulder.

T. J. Yemont, Home Guard, both thighs.

B. T. Amos, Seventh Kentucky cavalry, left
inn.

James II. Orr, Seventh Kentucky cavalry,
ight arm.

Mr. Purcell, Eighteenth Kentucky, abdomen.

William Nourse, Home Guard, side, slightly.

I am glad to say to the friends of thejrounded,

hat we are well prepared to afford relief to all

vho are in our care. We have received marked

attention and assistance at the hands of J)rs.



206



REBELLION RECORD, 1862.



John Kirkpatrick, W. 0. Smith, McCloud, and
others, to whom we feel very thankful.
Very respectfully, etc., JOHN A. LAIR,

Acting Assistant-Surgeon Seventh Kentucky Cavalry,

A SOLDIER S REPORT.

The Pleasant Ridge, and the Cherry Grove
Home Guards, of Bracken County, Ky., having
received orders from Gen. Fennel, at five P.M. on
Tuesday, forty-two men immediately started for
Falmouth, under command of Capt. W. A. Pep
per, and there received a despatch to report to
Lieut. -Col. Landrum, Cynthiana, where we arriv
ed at nine A.M., Wednesday. At four P.M., Thurs
day, July seventeenth, our pickets were driven
in by Morgan s advance-guard. Orders to form
were given, and instantly obeyed, and positions
assigned to each company ; our company, under
Capt. Pepper, occupying the extreme right. The
enemy soon hove in sight in front of the town,
and on the opposite side of the river planted his
cannon at about eight hundred yards distant, and
commenced shelling the town. Capt. Glass im
mediately returned the compliment, evidently
with good effect, his bronze twelve-pounder show
ing its mark at every shot.

The Union forces fought bravely, but in less
than twenty minutes the town was entirely sur
rounded, and after having done all that skill and
bravery could do, were borne down by numbers,
and compelled to surrender. Some few succeed
ed in cutting their way through the rebel lines
and escaped. The balance were killed, wound
ed or captured. Captain Pepper s company of
Bracken Home Guards lost three killed, and two
wounded very severely. The killed: Second
Lieut. Henry Myer, Fourth Sergeant George
Walker, and private P. B. Boughner. Wound
ed : C. Ledrer and William Hill.

We suffered severely from shots by the citi
zens from their windows.

Capt. Pepper was calm durirg the action, en
couraging his men by word arid example. The
entire Union loss, eighteen killed and about forty
wounded.

The prisoners were paroled, and after being
kept twenty-four hours without food, were sent
home.

The Bracken boys are anxious to dance at the
next party the renegade Morgan gives.

The action lasted two and a half hours. Rebel
loss, seventy killed and many badly wounded.

Capt. Pepper awards to every man under his
command that praise due to veteran warriors, for
the gallantry displayed, and the promptness with
which they discharged their various duties.

SOLDIER.



Doc. 90.
PROCLAMATION OF THE PRESIDENT.

PRESIDENT LINCOLN, in accordance with the
provisions of the act for the collection of direct
taxes in the insurrectionary districts within the



United States, issued the following proclamation

July 1, 1862.

By tlie President oftlie United States of America,

A PROCLAMATION.

Whereas, in and by the second section of an
act of Congress passed on the seventh day c f
June, A.D. 1862, entitled, "An act for the collec
tion of direct taxes in insurrectionary districts
within the United States, and for other pur
poses," it is made the duty of the President to
declare, on or before the first day of July then
next following, by his proclamation, in what
States and parts of States insurrection exists :
Now, therefore, be it known that I, ABRAHAM
LINCOLN, President of the United States of Ameri
ca, do hereby declare and proclaim that the
States of South-Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Ala
bama, Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, Arkansas,
Tennessee, North-Carolina, and the State of Vir
ginia, except the following counties, Hancock,
Brooke, Ohio, Marshall, AVetzel, Marion, Monon-
galia, Preston, Taylor, Pleasants, Tyler, Ritchie,
Doddridge, Harrison, Wood, Jackson, Wirt,
Roane, Calhoun, Gilmer, Barbour, Tucker, Lew
is, Braxton, Upshur, Randolph, Mason, Putnam,
Kanawha, Clay, Nicholas, Cabell, Wayne, Boone,
Logan, Wyoming, Webster, Fayette, and Ra
leigh, are now in insurrection and rebellion, and
by reason thereof the civil authority of the
United States is obstructed so that the provisions
of the "Act to provide increased revenue from
imports to pay the interest on the public debt,
and for other purposes," approved August fifth,
eighteen hundred and sixty-one, cannot be peace
ably executed, and that the taxes legally charge
able upon real estate under the act last aforesaid,
lying within the States and parts of States as
aforesaid, together with a penalty of fifty per cent
um of said taxes, shall be a lien upon the tract;
or lots of the same, severally charged, till paid.

In witness whereof, I have .hereunto set my
band and caused the seal of the United States tc-
be affixed.

Done at the City of Washington, this
first day of July, in the year of out
r -, Lord one thousand eight hundred and
-" sixty-two, and of the Independence of
the United States of America the eighty-
sixth. ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
By the President.
F. W. SEWARD,

Acting Secretary of State.



Doc. 91.
BATTLE OF BATON ROUGE, LA.

COLONEL CAHILL S REPORT.

HEADQUARTERS SECOND REGIMENT, *
BATON ROUGE, August 6. /

CAPTAIN : I have the honor to report that an

ttack was made early yesterday morning by a

confederate force of about ten regiments, under

command of Major-Gen. J. C. Breckinridge, and



DOCUMENTS.



297



that, after a fight of four hours duration and o
great severit} , the enemy were repulsed.

I regret to state that Brig. -Gen. Williams wa
killed on the field, by a rifle-ball through th
chest.

During the battle, our forces were obliged t
retire about a quarter of a mile from our origina
position, and the enemy were thus able to occu
py temporarily the camps of the Twenty-first In
diana, Seventh Vermont, and Fourteenth Main
regiments, and to destroy much of the baggag
and camp equipage. They were, however, driver
out ; but our numbers being much lessened by
sickness, and the men on the field being mud
exhausted by fatigue and heat, it was deemed in
expedient to pursue.

I am unable as yet to give a report of our cas
ualtics, which, I am sorry to say, are consider
able.

The enemy has retired several miles, and, fron
all I can learn, are still retiring. I am expecting
it possible they may receive reinforcements, anc
am disposing my troops in the strongest positions,
Our force engaged numbered less than two thou
sand five hundred ; the enemy had at least five
thousand, with twelve or fourteen field -pieces,
and some cavalry.

The ram Arkansas approached with the inten
tion of engaging our gunboats, but grounded
above the point, at a distance of about six mile
and to-day was engaged by the iron-clad Essex,
and destroyed.

Enclosed is a copy of a communication received
by flag of truce from Major-Gen. J. C. Breckin-
ridge, and my reply thereto. You will see by
the latter that Brig.-Gen. Clarke, and his aid-de
camp, have delivered themselves up as prisoners
of war.

I have also fully seventy wounded prisoners,
that were left on the field, also about thirty cap
tured. I would like instructions as to the dispo
sition you wish made of them. Some express a
wish to be paroled.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
THOMAS W. CAIIILL,

Colonel Commanding Post.

Captain R. S. DAVIS,

Assistant Adj utant-G eneral,

. Headquarters Department of the Gulf.

The following is the communication of General
Breckinridge to Col. Cahill :

HEADQUARTERS CONFEDERATE FORCES IN THE FIELD, >
NEAR BATON ROUGE, August G, 18(52. ]

To Hie Commanding Officer of the United States

Forces, Baton Rouge, La. :

I have sent Major De Bauer with a flag of
truce, with the request that he will be allowed to
attend to the burial of our dead who may have
been left within your lines. Major Haynes, ac
companying, desires to communicate with Brig.-
(j eneral Charles Clarke, that he may supply him
with money and clothing, and such articles as
may contribute to his comfort.

Respectfully, sir, your obedient servant,
JOHN C. BRECKIXUIDGE,

Major-General Commanding.



Col. Cahill replied as follows :

HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES FORCES, \
BATON ROUGE, LA., August 6, 18(52. f

GENERAL : In reply to your communication of
this morning, under a flag of truce, I have the
honor to say that we are now engaged in the
burial of your dead within our lines, and that we
shall soon finish the now nearly accomplished
work. Gen. Clarke and his aid-de-camp, Lieut.
Yerger, have surrendered themselves as prison
ers of war, and are being cared for by our sur
geons. A friend of Gen. Clarke, from this city,
will attend to his pecuniary wants.

Kespectfulty, your obedient servant,

THOMAS W. CAHILL,

Colonel Commanding.

Major-General J. C. BRECKIXRIDGE,

Commanding Confederate Forces.

COLONEL CAHILL S SECOND REPORT.

BATON ROUGE, August 9, 1862.

To Captain R. 8. Dams, A. A. General, Depart
ment of the Gulf:

SIR : Being called to the command of the forces
at Baton Rouge, on the occasion of the action of
August fifth, by the unfortunate death of Gen.
AVilliams, it becomes my duty to report the cir
cumstances of the glorious victory. Rumors of
the advance of the enemy in heavy force had pre
vailed for some days. On the afternoon of August
fourth, Gen. "Williams called the attention oi the
commandants of regiments and batteries to the
probability of an attack at an early hour in the
morning. The Fourteenth Maine, Col. A. Nick-
erson; the Twenty-first Indiana, under Lieut-
Colonel Keijth ; the Sixth Michigan, under Acting
Lieut. -Colonel Clark, and Seventh Vermont, Col.
Roberts, were encamped, the first with its right
resting on the intersection of the Greenwell
Springs road, and fronting on a road running to
the intersection of the Bayou Sara and Clinton
oads. These encampments were in heavy timber.
The Twenty -first Indiana were encamped on about
he same line front, and on the right of the Green-
veil Springs road. On nearly the same line front,
but still further to the right, at the intersection
of the Clay Cut and Perkins roads, were the Sixth
Michigan. The Seventh Vermont were some dis-
ance to the rear, and between the Sixth Michigan
t nd Twenty-first Indiana, with the camp fronting
he city. "^Everett s battery, under Lieut, Carruth,
vas in bivouac, on the right of tbe Fourteenth
Elaine, and on the right of the Twenty-first Indiana.
3 till further to the right were the guns in charge of
he Twenty-first Indiana. On the extreme right,
he guns of Nirn s battery, under Lieut. Trull, were
3rought in position early in the action on the right.
The Thirtieth Massachusetts, under Col. Dudley,
vere brought up from their quarters in the capi-
ol on the night of the fourth, and took position
>n the left of the Sixth Michigan. On the ex-
reine left, in advance of the left bank, of the
Jayou Gap, with an oblique front towards the in-
ersection of the Bayou Sara and Clinton roads,
nth two pieces of Manning s battery, were the
Inth Connecticut and Fourth Wisconsin. The



293



REBELLION RECORD, 1862.



remaining guns of Manning s battery were in po
sition on the right bank of the bed of Bayou Gap.
This was the real line of defence for the left flank,
covering the north and east of the arsenal grounds.
Gen. Williams, in his instructions to myself and
Lieut. -Col. Bean, commanding Fourth Wisconsin
volunteers, was very clear and positive in his or
ders to hold this position at all hazards, as he
anticipated the enem} r would advance (under cover
of the fire from the ram Arkansas, with the gun
boats from the Red River) through the open
grounds of the Sawmill and Dougherty s planta
tion, and take possession of the Manae ground.
The above-mentioned advance on the left bank
of the Ba) ou was only ordered by Gen. Williams,
after a lengthy consideration, on the evening of
the fourth inst., with the intention of checking
an advance on the same position by the Bayou
Sara and Clinton roads ; and for that reason we
only brought forward the light howitzers of Man
ning s battery to the advance positions, leaving
the heavy guns on the original line.

At early daj light on the morning of August
fifth, the enemy threw his whole force on the
camps of the Fourteenth Maine, Twenty-first In
diana and Sixth Michigan, with the batteries at
tached to each regiment. These troops stood
their ground nobly, meeting the tremendous force
thrown upon them with unflinching bravery. On
looking over the battle-ground since the engage
ment I cannot conceive how it was possible for
so many men to have been engaged in so small a
space of ground. The attack was nearly simul
taneous ; but the first fire in line from the ene
my s right was directed on the Fourteenth Maine,
and was instantly answered by that regiment by
a solid line volley, which must have done terrible
execution. The companies of the Twenty-first
Indiana, which were in advance as pickets, had
fallen back in order. The whole regiment ad
vanced towards the Magnolia cemetery and
east of it. At this time Major Hays was seri
ously wounded, and was taken from the field.
The regiment worked, advancing and retiring,
and changing front as the enemy showed himself
through the smoke. At nearly the close of the