Scott County, Kentucky
Diary of Edward Callistus Barlow 1829 - 1897
Pages 36 - 47
Page 36
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June 7 had his cartridge Box filled and his gun loaded. I went to the house of Mr Huffman the deposit Banker and told him to save himself and money and tell the other Bank. (He told Mr. Aloin Barns the President) from there I went to James Crawford the clerk of the court, and waked him up & told him to run Crawford being a Union man and some of the Rebels were for Catching him. I told Jim Campbell [Crumbell?] and some officers bording in town and by the time I got back, Capt Rover was still in town in front of the Kentucky Hotel with Col Edwards of the 1st Ky scouts on his way to Owensville to join his com"d. I had been there but a very short time when our Picketts were fired on and being driven in Capt Rover struck for Camp I step[p]ed down to the Stable mounted my horse then in readiness for Me. my company had been in line waiting for me I made a few remarks of encouragement
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June 8th told them I had often heard them boast of their bravery, and the time had come, and we would see who showed the white feather. That I had given them all the information, who was coming and how many they were, for I intended to fight them if they were one thousand. My company cheered, and all said they would stick by me to the last. I told them it was all I asked. The boys were anxious and eager for a fight, their [there] had been a slur on the Regmt for letting Everett come in and burn the Court House 6 months before, and the[y] thought it was him returning with a larger force to finish the town, and they were Keene to wipe out all insinuations and show the people of Mt Sterling that the 40th Ky would fight. All the roads in that direction were picketed. There are ten roads a leading into Mt Sterling, and a rather open level country, with no forts at
Page 38
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Jun 8 the time, and no natural fortifications. I gave my men orders not to shoot from the houses unless nesessaryly compelled but we would fight from the stone fences, paster rail fences, Corners of streets and other advantages they could secure and the open streets, which most of the fighting was done for fear I am to[o] fast I will return to when the picketts were fired on and drove in I order[ed] some 6 men to mount there horses and come with me, and left the company in comd of the 1st sergt. (my 1st and 2nd lieuts having gone with the Regiment to take Kings Salt Works in Virginia) I and my 6 men rode to where the first firing was heard, and could see the Rebels deploying to the right and left, more particularly to the left. we were fired on and driven back. I hurried back to my company and made such distribution as I deemed nesessary to check the enemy it was not light enough to tell the
**1864
June 8th number or strength of the Rebs. The firing [was] still becoming more animated, and we could see them coming through the pastures, woods and over the hills of Mr Hazelriggs and Appersons bearing around to Surround the town, and approaching very cautiously. by this time I heard firing at the Camp com"ded by Capt Rover (I then believed it to be a much heavier force than I first thought on receiving my information on the 7th) The fighting had been going on in and around the town for 30 minutes before they attacked the Camp one mile from the town. I soon seen I had my hands full, rode up and down the line of my men encouraging them and sending them from one Street to and other [another], and while engaged in checking some half dog Rebs my horse was Shot and became unruly and [I] mounted an other, and we fought them in this way, for over
Page 40
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two hours, for they had surrounded the town and were approaching on every street and cross firing, and I was forc[e]d to dismou[n]t and about this time their cavelry charged in to the town, and in the charge, we killed Capt Swango [Swamgo?], Capt More & some ten or twelve more and wounded in the fight over twenty. [I stuk? And killed-marked out] Lt Jordons horse was killed in the Street in front of the Ky Hotel & he escaped. they had captured the Camp of the 12th & 40th I supposed as firing had ceased in that direction, and after charging in to the town with Cavelry on Every Street I was drove in to the Ky. Hotel and there Captured and made a prisinor. I was robbed of every thing I had in my pocketts including my wedding ring, a lot of gold pens & some other valuebles. I was forced to draw my boots, but fortunately they were to[o] small for any of them and I was permitted to put them on
**1864
June 8th The Capt. that captured me was a Stranger, and I could not find him out. He was a Georgian & belonged to [Gilmers?] Com"d. He was for sending me to their Camp, where the balance of the prisoners were, when I demand[ed] them to carry me to Genl Morgans or Col D.H. Smiths Head Quarters. I had gone but a few yards, and Dr Duke Col Souths brigade Sergeon hearing me ask the question remarked, that he was going wright there, asked who I was when I told him he dismissed the gard and we proceeded to Dr Ashleys, Col Smiths Hd-Qrs. I found the Col in the parlour. He was glad to see me and complimented my fighting very highly. After the compliments of the fight had ceased he asked me when I was at home. I told him I had just return[ed] and that his son Howard was at the point of death and he burst in to a flood of tears and and [sic] wept like a child. After he recovered
Page 42
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June 8 we talked again of the fight and he told me they would take Lexington and any place they would go to, and asked me if I thought he would meet any opposition. I said he would and he laughed in his sleeve. he said he was sorry to see me fighting for Lincoln when I and every person knew his policy I told him it was true, although opposed to his policy, I had taken my choice and would fight for the old Union and the flag of my country, and I had no niger on the brain, that the negro was gone any way. I told him that I was a prisoner of his, and desired to be paroled. He said he would do it but that Genl Morgan had given orders not to parole any officers or men. I went with Col Smith to see Genl Morgan, whose Head-Qrs was at Lawyer [Sawyer?] Holts father's. we found the Genl in his room with his Staff. I was introduce[d] to Genl Jno[.] although acquainted with him before the war broke out and have met him
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June 8th since on his raids in to Kentucky, he did not seem the same man, he had very much changed in appearance and his manners. he was bloated, crabit in his conversation. he refused to parole me. But on Col. D. H. Smith insisting and claiming it as a privalege that he Morgan had given him he pressed it and it was done under protest of Genl Morgan he saying it was not respected by our government. He told Col Smith to carry me to Major Tenny [Jenry?] Provost Marshal for the Division and he would fix the proper papers. Tenny was too busy and wanted me to wait until we got to Lexington Ky Col Smith finally with the assistance of Dr Andrews his Adjt wrote it and I was at Liberty to go at large. I looked around, Met O. West on Col Smith['s] staff George Cantrell, Eph Osborn and a great Many others I knew and had went from Georgetown & Scott County. O'ville West stay-
Page 44
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ed with me until he was ordered by Col Smith to move the Com"d out on the Lexington Pike which was about 5 o'clk that evening, and they said they were going to capture Lixington by day light the morning of the 9th. I must acknowled[g]e that I was treated after my Capture & being turned over to Col Smith very courteously by all the Com"d. And am under everlasting obligations to Col Smith for the kindness in parole [paroling] me, I being the only [one] of over 100 men and Officers captured. Morgans command consisted of 3 Brigades numbering about 2800 in all. 2000 was mounted and in the fight on the 8th day of June 800 were infantry under Com"d of Col Alston and did not arrive at Mt Sterling until after dark that night & of course did not participate in the fight of the 8th and did not come in to town that night fortunately for the town and Citizens, for the advance of Morgan['s] cavelry had nigh well gutted and stole
**1864
Jun 8 every thing in the way of Boots Shoes Ready made clothing and even carried off by the armfulls, calico, silks, goods of every description, and waisted them in the most wanton manner. I visited the Camp w[h]ere the Federal prisoners were confined & carried them bread and other eatables, which were very scarce for the Rebs come in like hungry wolves and distroyed what they could not eat. I visit[ed] the Hospital to see the sick and wound[ed] and had the dead buried. We had seven killed and some fifteen wounded. I returned to town after dark and met Capt Rees at the Hotel, who had just Come up with the infantry under Col Alston and were encamped ½ mile in a small woods of the town. He was very glad to see me, and I had a long talk with him, and we parted he had to go to camp and I to bed for I was tired having been up the night before. But I could not sleep soundly, was kept
Page 46
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June 9th awake by the excitement I had undergone I finnally dozed off, slept for a short time, when I was awakened by the firing of cannon & musketry. I knew then what was out. Genl Burbridge had made forced marches, and had come upon Col Alstons Infantry and completely taken them by surprize I soon dressed, and went where I could see the Battle raging, the Rebs were scattered and running in every direction, some rall[i]ed and they fought for two hours very stubbornly. They finally gave back & run and our Boys under Genl Burbridge entered Mt Sterling with a yell and you may guess my joy at meeting them, & they to see me for they were certain I was killed in the fight of the 8th for they had met a flag of Truce with Capt Swango['s] body (Rebel) & they said I was dead, and seeing me alive and not hurt they were very glad to see me. We captured over 200 prisonners. There was killed and woun-
**1864
June 9th ded some 300 Rebels. After some four or five hours cessation, The Rebs were reinforced by Col Giltner and made an other attack and our Brave Boys went at it again and after 2 hours fighting the Rebs gave way & left for Lexington Ky. They still kept up pickitt fighting all evening & half the night. Genl "B" barrakaded the Streets and looked for an attack that night, But they did not come, but retreated in the night-The Federal Army could not pursue until next morning, owing to the fact that the men & horses were completely tired out having Marched 180 miles in 3 days & nights & the men had to eat. So the morning of the 10th we all left in pursuit for Lexington & our advance arrived at 3 o'clck in the [evening?]. Morgan tarried but four or five hours in Lexington, and on the 11th was in Georgetown, and Genl "B" in Lexington. I remained in Lexington on the 11th and Genl "B"
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