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General Lucius Desha civil war diary : ms., 1861-1863
General Lucius Desha civil war diary : ms., 1861-1863 Desha, Lucius 400dpi TIFF G4 page images 2002 1998MS00 These pages may be freely searched and displayed. Permission must be received for subsequent distribution in print or electronically. General Lucius Desha civil war diary : ms., 1861-1863 Desha, Lucius 1861-1863 $IMLS This electronic text file was created by Optical Character Recognition (OCR). No corrections have been made to the OCR-ed text and no editing has been done to the content of the original document. Encoding has been done through an automated process using the recommendations for Level 1 of the TEI in Libraries Guidelines. Digital page images are linked to the text file. Left my home in Harrison County Ky. on the evening of the 30th of Sep. 1861. to escape an arrest which I apprehended by the military authorities, this apprehension was based on the fact of information from sources entitled to credit that my name was on the list made out of those to be arrested _ the further fact that on the evening above men- tioned, and before I left I recd [recieved] word from several sources, that Major Curry, Mr. Wherritt, Mr. Glane & Mosey had been arrested, to be taken off, as it was believed and confined in some prison in the Northern States. Upon receiving this information My wife and daughters besought me, with tears, if I valued their happines to go to some place of security, my wife expressing the a prison, that owing to the tendency of congestion of the brain that confinement in prison would speedily cause my death = I therefore concluded to leave my home - bid farewell to my wife & children but remained in the County (hoping that a turn would be takin in the policy adop- ted and I be permitted to remain until the evening of the 3rd day of Oct. During my sojourn for three days in the vicinitiy of my home my reflections were any thing else than pleasant. I had endeavored during life to pursue an upright honorable course, feet conscious I had discharged my duty as a man and a citizen - was unconscious of having been guily of any disloyal act; for on the contrary had a few days previous, to wit: on the 21st and 23rd of Sep. [September] advised my county men to render evedience to the cause as a duty of citizens - had recommended to them, those who did not intend to join either army to enter into a league agreeing with each other to keep the peace to observe law and order and for the mutual protect -ion of all citizens in their persons property and rights from all law -ful marauders, and to bring all offenders to justice, in accordance with such suggestions a large meeting was held in the court house in Cynthiana on Monday the 23rd of Sep. enbracing citizens of all parties, from the several precincts of the county when resolutions conservative in their character were adopted and an article prepared & signed by the cit izens generally in furterance of the suggestions made by me. I will add that I was one of the Committee to prepare said article of resolutions, and cheerful -ly concieved & signed the article. On the evening of the 3rd of Oct. [October] I together with eight others (who had the same object in view big: escape from arbitrary pow -er had fallen in with me) turned our backs on homes and friends on the evening cast above men- tioned I rec [recieved] information from two sources that my premises were surrounded by armed soldiers, then it was I finally determined to turn my back on my family and that home rendered dear to me by many hallowed memories & where I had fondly expected to spend my remaining days We were joined that night on our way out by 2 or 3 parties of men having as they said, the same object in view, escape - the party numbering about 30 men all agreeing to adhere together for mutual safety & protection until we should be beyond danger when each one should deter mine [determine] for himself, what action to take. We traveled through the eastern protion of the state. when in the vicinity of Prestons- burg [Perestonsburg] the party diddolved some re maining [remaining] there, others going on further I proceeded through Prestonsburg to Abingdon Washington county Va. [Virginia] which place I reached on the evening of the 14th. of Oct. [October] where I remained at a hotel (nursing my eyes which were sorely diseased before leaving home, and which [became] worse by the exposure on my way out) until the 25th when I left in company with three gentlemen on horseback I for the neighborhood of Gallatin Tenn. [Tennessee] they for Nashville - reached Knoxville on the 29th there in Consequence of my horses back becoming very sore, I thought it best to dispose of him, which I did and left at 2 O'clock the next day on the Cars for Nashville which I reached the next morning thu. [Thursday] 31st at 8 O'clock I remained in Nash- ville 2 days, left and reached Gallatin the smae day big. the 2nd of Nov. the next day went out to my relations on Bled- so's [Bledso's] creek in Summer Co. where I remained making it my home, until on the morning of the 11th of Feb. [February] 1862 I started on horseback in company with Larkin Fowle for my home - reached Frank -fort [Frankfort] on the evening of the 17th. of Feb. [February] - made my appearance in the H. of Rep. [House of Representaives](being a member thereof) the next day, was warm ly [warmly]greeted & welcomed by the members generally, after reciv [recieving] their greeting, arose to a privi ledged [priviledged] question. Stated the cir cumstances [circumstances] attending my absence from the state, & consequent absences from my seat in that body at a former [Delegation?] the rea sons [reasons] for my returns none; that I had barned during my absence a committie had been appointed to enquire had been appointed to enquire into the cause of the absence of certain members and report what action was deem neccssary in the premises that I learned the committee reported in favor of the ex pulsion of certain of the numbers and that in the case of myself and three others asked to be dis -charged [discharged] from further consider ation [consideration] - saying that no evidence had been produced that we had in any manner been en gaged [engaged] in the rebellion - that the report of the [committee] & House I retrieved my acknowledgements - but that I was now present and felt it due to the house the country to my immediate constituency of to myself that a [committee] Should be raised to fully investigate the matter an to myself where I could confront my accusers if any- Whereupon several members arose in [?]including 3 or 4 of the committee that had investigated the matter, all concieving in the opinion that no further investigation was ne cissary [necessary] inasumuch as the matter had been fully investigated & the Committee & House by their action had fully exonerated my when I stated if the house was entirely satisfied, that I was disinclined to trouble it un- -necessarily - but if a single member was not satisfied, I hoped he would say so and I would insist on the appoint ment [appointment] of a Committee - no one dissenting to the views expressed by members a committee was not appointed. On that day, the 18th of Feb. [February] a member asked indefinite leave of absence for for me which was granted, at at 2 P.M. I left for my home which I reached at 10 that night. I had the extreeme pleasure of finding my family in health, with which they had been generally [blessed ?] during my absence. I remained at home until the morning of the 25th of Feb [February] (recieving visits daily from numerous friends of all parties) when I left for Frank -fort [Frankfort] to attend the Legislature in Session where I remained until the adjoun ment [adjournment] on the 17th of March - on the 18th I reached home again - From the moment of my first reaching home in Feb. [February] I have been the object of the most bitter perse cution [persecution] - falsehood & calumny have done their best to hunt me down the authorities have been besieged continually to have me arrested until finally ont he night of the 26th of May a party of soldiers commanded by a Captain & Lieut. [Lieutenant] of Col. Warner's 18th Ky. [Kentucky] Vol. [Volunteer] visited my house about 10 O'clock and informed me they were ordered to arrest me and take me to Camp near Lexington - I submitted and was conducted to Rankin's hotel in Cynthiana when I was guarded during the night and next morning until the arrival of the cars from Covington when I was taken by a Captain Sam Rgers & Lieut [Lieutenat]Jno Robins to Col. Warmers camp near Lexington - it is but just to say I was treated with no indignity on my route from home to Lexington that treatment I ascribe to the pres -ence [presence] of Liuet. [Lieutenat] Robins who used every effort to have me treated as a gentleman - nor can I complain of any improper treatment whilst in camp. I remained there until the following day, when the same Lieut. [Lieutenat] Robins told me, about 1 O'clock he was directed to inform me to be ready to reach the cars in Lex. [Lexington] to pro- ceed to Louisville on the 2 O'clock train, that he had solicited and had been granted the privilege to escort me which he accompanied by a non - com. [commisioned]officer did. I recd [recieved] from him the same gentlemanly courtesy which characterised him before reaching the camp at Lex. [Lexington]. On reaching Louisville the evening of the 27th of May and was deliver over to the provost guard and by it lodged in teh Military prison- the next morning two Gentlemen Members of the H of Rep. [House of Representatives] vis. [visited] N'th'l Wolfe & J H [Hamey] seeing the fact announced in the morning papers, visited me and at 3 o'clock that evening, succeded in obtaining for me a release on my parole of honor until further orders that evening when I rec'd [recieved] informa -tion [information] of my parole the Hon. [Honorable] James Guthrie with whom I had served in the Legislature & in the Cons -tional [Constitutional] Convention had visited me - those three gentlemen very gererously set themselves to work to procure for me a release in which they were successful by procuring an order from Col. [Colonel] Duffield then Military Commandant of Ky. [Kentucky] I gave bond & as required and was released on the 1st of June- - on the morning of the 2nd. took the cars & reached home again that evening. Wherupon my persecutors in my vicinity became more vindictive than before and by their constant missrepresentations [misrepresentations] and importunities influenced the civil authorities to [still] procede on me & have me convicted under an indictment for treason found against me at the session in January /62 held in Covington which warrant had been [?] did [?] my return home. I was accordingly arrested on the 13th of June - the Marshal Mr. Sneed very generously giving me the priv ilege [privilige] of going to Frankfort instead of Covington. I was therefore con- ducted [conducted] there on the 14th was permitted to remain at the Cap- itol [Capitol] Hotel until on Wednesday the [?]th I was permitted to [?] to a [recognize?] for my appearance at Covington on the first Monday of December 1862. I will [?] that the grand jury at the Session of the Court at Frankfort in May 62, also indicted me for a misdermeanor I gave bond for my appearences at F. on the 1st Monday of January 63 to answer the last - My return home once more seemed to have [increased] the fury & spleen of my already embittered enemies so that on Sunday the 6th July 1962 a party of 8 armed men, a detatchment of Col. [Colonel] Metcalfe's men encamped on my farm south of Cynthiana visited said premises and handed me a document a page of which is as follows: "(A Duplicate) Cynthiana July 6, 1862 In conformity to resolution passed in the Court - House on yesterday, we deem it proper to give you notice of the fact To wit: That on Monday, County Court day next, the adjourned meeting of yesterday, will proceed to put into practical force those resolutions. The substance of resolutions passed, is that you and all such as you, be required to leave this county or you will be shot or other -wise [otherwise] severely dealt with. You can consider the action of yesterdays meeting and govern yourself accordingly - You will be required to conform to the "Nicholas County resolutions" as tey were passed in full at yesterday's meeting WO Smith GA Gragg H Hesbit OC Raburn Whilst engaged in attending exclusively to my legitamate pursuits, striclly comply -ing [complying] with the condition of the bond & executed by me (and I here declare I have done nothing in violation there of) on the 26th of July at 11 1/2 O'clock while engaged in helping to repair a bridge on a turnpike over a mile from my dwelling, I was arres- ted [arrested] by a lieut. [lieutenant] & 8 men of the "Homeguards taken by my dwelling not allowed to stop & bid farewell to my wife & children or to procure and clothing or money, was taken to the courthouse in Cynthiana at about 3 1/2 O'clock that evening, with several other citizens was conducted to the cars, thence conveyed to the Newport Barracks, at which we arrived about dusk that evening was put in the prison-house when we found about 30 other citizens were closely confined & guarded, having fur nished [furnished] us no bed clothing except what we furnished ourselves with the toughest fare I have yet met which remained there until the morn- ning [morning] of the 30th. when with ten others of the inmates of that most loathsome prison, I was conducted to Camp Chase, was placed in prison 2, Mess. 12 found among those in the Mess several friends & acquaintances & tho members of the Mess generally agreeable gentlemen It consisted of the following TL Jones, JR Hallam A. Daniel, FJ Helm of H. D. Helm, R Mattox Newport, Ky. L. B. [Arnold], P Jackson Sam Winston, AM Winston Jesse Yelton, Campbell Co. Ky. James Fitzgerald, Owen Co. Ky. HC White, Lexington, Ky. Wm. Hanley, Hardin Co. Ky. D. Buckner, Christian Co. Ky. John S Turner, Christian Co. Ky Peter Cane, Nelson Co. Ky. the 5 last Confederate prisoners James O'Harra is of Covington Ky. who came with me AM Peacock, a Scotsman Nashville & E C Marshall, Woodford, Co. Ky. who arrived and came in to the Mess a few days after I arrived and S.S. Farris Barren Co. Ky. who had been a prisoner some two months I omitted to mention that when in Newort, learning that Leuit. Col. Lan drum [Leuitenant Colonel Landrum] of the 18th Ky. Vol., by whose order I was arrested, was at the [Gibbson House?] Cin I addressed him a note requesting him as an act of Justice to informe me of the charge or charges on which [it?] was based and give me an opportunity to exculpate myself - this not was sent by the sergeant of the guard to the Head quarters [headquarters] of the Barracks, the messen ger [messenger] returned with an answer that it would not be permitted to be sent. And I was deprived of that privilege usually granted to supposed culprits. Tuesday Aug. [August] 12. Had the satisfaction of recieving a letter from my wife inform ing [informing] me that all were well and every thing [everything] quiet in teh neighborhood, also recd [recieved] from home a box of provisions which was very acceptable. Recd [recieved] divers letters from home the last under date Aug. 22. all hearing the welcome inteligence that "the loved ones at home" continue to enjoy health - One of them, the joyful news that my son Ben had entirely recoverd. On Sunday the 24th the prisoners of of war from prison 2 were removed to 3 and their places supplied by a greater number of citizen prisoners. on the morning of the 26th the prisoners of war numbering about 1100 left this Camp for Vicksburg in compliance with the cartel entered into for an exchange of prisoners. On the 11th. Sep. [September] Rec'd [recieved] a letter from my wife, Post marked Dayton O- [Ohio] all well but much excitement consequent on the advance of the Confederate army under Kirby Smith - all of my working hands had been imprisoned - some of them taken by an Ohio Federal regiment under Col Runkle on its retreat from Cyn'a [Cynthiana] all of them however had escaped & returned home same one - no direct inteligence from home until about the last of Sep. [September] all well at home. About the 12th of Sep. having been previously indisposed for near 2 weeks was seriously threatened with an attack of congestion of the brain to which I have been subject for some years - was quite ill I presume for a few days, was treated by Dr. Wharton, a fellow prisoner from Nashville, who was instrumental through a kind Providence, in alleviating my suffering and arresting the disease. I was confined to my pallet, in my mess and Kindly cared for and attended to by many friends among them my neighbors Wherritt King Garnett & two sons and James O' Hanna jr of Covington and TL Jones of Newport. I must have lost in flesh at least 25 pounds and my recovery of strength had been slow up to the evening of the 9th. When through the kind influences of three Ky. [Kentucky] Gen tlemen, Judge Prior, Col. [Colonel] James Taylor & acting Liuet. Gov. Fisk, I was paroled by Gov. Tod to the city of Columbus. I found the Gov. a very polite courteous gentleman and can say he treated me with kindness & courtesy. I continued on my parole of honor confined to the city until my discharge from Custo -dy [custody] on the 3rd of Nov. My examination was had on the evening of the 25th of Oct. [October] or rather, the Cam Hon Sam'l Galloway, without asking of me a single question, determined to reccomend my unconditional release - the oreders from the War Department in accordance therewith reaching Coulumbus on the night of the 1st of Nov. [November] 1 the next day being Sun -day [Sunday], I deferred going to Camp Chase to get my discharge until Monday the 3rd. - on the day following, the 4th of Nov. [November] left Columbus on the noon train, reached Covington that evening about sun-set, reaching my home the day following the 5H5 Nov. And had the extreme satisfaction of finishing my fam- -ily well - a blessing enjoyed by them during my absence. Of the Commissioner, the Hon. [Honorable] Sam'l [Samuel] Galloway, it affords me a pleasure to say that I found a most favorable opinion, his cond -uct [conduct] in the discharge of his duty proud that whilst he faithfully discharged his trust he was possessed of a heart of humanity. I will add that in my own case, no charges were made but in a letter from Gen. Boyle to Mr. "Galloway, he states O was ar- -rested [arrested] for no offence, and no charges were made against me and that I was arrested for my protection. And he advises my discharge. I continued at home without interruption, attending to my business vocations until on the 29th of Nov. [November] I went to Covington to appear under my recognizance at the Federal Court under an indictment for treason found against me at that place at the Jan. [January] turn 1862 - on the 2nd. day of Dec. the case was called when the U.S. attorney stated he was not ready, in consequence of the sub -poena [subpoena] for witnesses not reaching the hands of the Marshall un -til [until] the evening of the 29th of Nov. [November] and therfore not served on the witnesses for the U.S. whereupon the court ordered a continuance of the case. This to me was a disappointment for I was in waiting with my wit -nesses [witnesses] present - but I had to submit. On the first monday in January 1863 I appeared under my bond heretofore executed, on an indictment formed by the grand-jury in May last charging me with a high misdemeanor, the spe -cial charge, recruiting for the rebel service- on thursday the 8th of Jan. [January] the case was called a jury of loyal men [??] [??], the U.S. witneses exam and apart of mine when the court adjourned for the day the next day when about to introduced further testimony on my part, proceed -ing proceeding were arreseted by the Judge, Blan Ballard stating he saw no necessity for consuming the time of the court by the intro duction [introduction] of other witnesses as the jury could not, from the evidence on the part of the U.S. bring in a verdict of guilty, the district attor -ney [attorney] concurring, the clerk wrote the verdict of not guilty which was signed and agreed to by the jury without retirement, wherof= I was discharged. On the evening of Thursday whilist my case was pending in the Federal Court, I was arrested by the serjeant at of the House of Rep. [Representatives] under a call of the House, I was taken by him to the Hall where it appearing a quorum was present- further proceedings under the call was suspen ded [suspended] and the House and Senate after usual ceremo nies [ceremonies] between the two received a message from the Governor JF Robinson esq. after which they adjourned for the day. Deposited Jan 6 1863 in Farmers Bank at Frankfort drawn all Left in the hands of May Quinn Cam't at Camp Chase for [gas?] O'Harra jr. $10.50 E. Sutter's acct (see recpt) account ing [accounting] since Oct. 9 $2.50 leaving in hands of commant $8- drawn by me on order of O'Harra Oct. 25. and after paying an account to Merritt am to account to O'Harra for balannce firs deducted 40 cents, omnibus for to and from camp. July 31 2 campstools 1.20 "" box blacking & brush 30 Ang 4 a bottle of Ginger 40 ' indelible ink 25 " a shirt for clamland 80 " tobacco for Williams 10 " 5 a Cedar pencil 5 tobacco for self 10 Envelopes 30 Articles Beagle 40 postage stamped 30 a bottle of Pectoral 1.00 to pay for self and O'Hara 2.00 tobacco for self & Brock .2 "18 postage stamps 30 "20" tobacco 10- Envelopes 25 20 candy "21st candy 20 22 Candy 10 10 Cash for Sutter up to 25th of Aug. inclusive $11.50 July 31- pay for a campstool $.60 "1/2 of box blacking & brush .15 cr. by cash 1.00 Aug 13 Dr. a bottle of pectoral 1.00 " 14 Cash for Jackson 1.50 cash for commision to Sutler 1.00 15 do you beef commes way .50 16 Cash & postage stamps .48 24 cash for maddox 2.50 .25 do " Jackson .50 Sep. 3. amount of order on 1.20 [?] for transportation .35 [?] for Douglas for washing .55 Sep 15 order on Sutter 1.55 "22 Ch. to me by Sutter .55 " amt credited to Wherritt .50 Oct 4. for washing .45 cash for sutter & cook 1.05 14.43 amt of bill made with sutter & ch to me 1862 July 3 Recd of Jn. H Dills- 100.00 to be paid out by me to witness in his behalf paid as follows to James Carrol 32.70 " W H Bowen 38.70 " Frank Craig 20.00 " John Musselman 20.00 " Perry Boyers 20.00 " John Kellar ([washman?]) 11.00 142.40 100.00 overpaid deposits by 42.40 Weamor Gardner WS & WH Martin Recd of Treasurer $26.85 paid to him JH Dills FG Craig James [?] John White JW Musselman FD Taylor Wm Taylor James [?] David Townsend Wm Smith RW Robertson Elijah Myers JS Boyd Jn. H Steers Paul King Mrs. Eliza McIntosh Patrick Fitzpatrick Wm Croswhite John H Steers John White (Indian K) Wm F Martin Elijah Myers Paul King James Dean Dawean Taylor John H Dills David Townsend Columbus Yarnall Wm A Osborne Wm Crosthwaith Henry E Pugue A Kilgore