Daviess County, Kentucky - Chapter 5: Sketches of Public Men, 1883 (part 2 of 2)

In Angnst, 1854, while practicing law and editing the Gazette, he was elected County Judge of Daviess County, which office he held for four years. Although such an office was an honor to so young a man, and though he could and did continue his practice in the Circuit Courts and Court of Appeals, he discovered that the position rather retarded than advanced his principal aim - to become eminent in his profession - and declined to be a candidate for re-election.

He was married Nov. 20, 1855, to Lelia P., daughter of Eobert Triplett. After the expiration of his term as County Judge, he continued to practice, both in the Circuit Courts and the Court of Appeals, until the breaking out of the civil war, when, in August, 1861, he was elected to the Legislature of Kentucky, by a small majority. The canyatss was one ot' the most active, heated, and earnestly contested ever made in the county. He was the candidate of what was known as the Union party, opposed to secession, and opposed to calling a convention to consider the question, the Eepublican party having at that time a very small following in riie State.

The following session of the Legislature covered an important and critical period in the history of the State. Before his term of two years had expired, he was, at a special election, held in October, 1862, elected to Congress from the Second District, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of General James S. Jackson, and served one session. In August, 1863, he was re-elected, and served the full term. While in Congress he advocated and voted for the Constitutional Amendment abolishing slavery in the United States. He became a candidate for re-election, and in August, 1865, was defeated, though securing a larger vote than when elected.

In the autumn of 1865, without any solicitation or application on his part, he was named as Minister to Copenhagen, and sailed for that capital in October, 1865. Wiiile residing at Co])enliageij he wrote and published the " Study of Government." Early in

1870 he tendered his resignation, but rcuiaiucd at his ]iMht until his successor arrived in October, when he took leave ot tlie Daui-h Government and returned to the United States. lie di<l ii'")t resume the practice of his profession in Kentuckj-, but settled in New York, where he has since resided. Since removing to New York he has taken an active interest in the labors of the Bar Association of that city, has been Vice-President and President of the Medico- Legal Society, and for several years was lecturer on Constitutional Law in the Law School of Columbia College.

In politics Mr. Yeaman, as a young man, was a Clay Whig, ot the protective tariff school, but is now an ardent free-ti'ader. After the disruption of the Whig party, he advocated the election of the Bell and Everett ticket. In Congress he co-operated with conservative border State Union men, such as Crittenden, Griden and Wadsworth of Kentucky, and Kollins of Missouri. After the position of affairs became such as to render, in his opinion, that course impracticable, if not unwise, he sustained the Republican party, as a moderate, not radical, member of it, and in New York has of late sided with the Garfield Hepublicans, called "half-breeds" by the stalwarts.

Martin Yewell, the present County Attorney, was born and raised about three miles from Owensboro, southeasterly'. Was Deputy Sheriff for a time. Present office, with Owen & Ellis, north side of the public. square.

Colonel Charles S. Todd, a distinguished politician and statesman, was for many years a resident of this county and was the son of the late Thomas Todd, who filled the high office of Judge of the Supreme Court of the United States, lie was from near Danville, Ky., on 2-2d January, 1791, and graduated with high reputation, at the ancient university of William and Mary in Virginia in 1809, and in ISIO attended a course of lectures in Litchfield, Conn., by Judges Heeves and Gould.

In ISll he established a law office in Lexington, but at that time the second war with Great Britain broke out and he took part in the contest, and in 1812 volunteered his services and was elected ensign in one of the companies from Lexington, though before the march of the troops in August, was appointed to a situation in the Quartermaster General's Department which made him, the acting Quartermaster of the advance, of the left wing, of the North- western Army. In December he was appointed into General Harrison's stalf, as Division Judge Advocate of the Kentucky troops. In this capacity he was the bearer, 100 miles across the wilderness on ice and snow, of the confidential instructions from the Commander-in-chief to General Winchester, previous to the disastrous affair of the river Raison. McAfee's History of the war, Butler's History of Kentucky, and Judge Hall's life of Harrison, all speak of incidents in this campaign, in which Ensign Todd's enterprise and intrepidity were highly commended. He was appointed to a vacancy of Captain in tlie Seventeenth Hegiment of Infantry, and after commanding the recruiting rendezvous of the regiment at Newport, was transferred to an original vacancy in the Twenty-eighth Regiment of Infantry attached to the brigade of General Cass and was appointed aid to General Harrison.

During tlie summer of 1814 Major Todd acted also as Adjutant General of the district and is thus handsomely noticed in General McArthur's report of the expedition into Canada during that fall : " I have tlie support of the troops in assuring you, that to the military talents, activity and intelligence of Major Todd, who acted as nn' Adjutant General, much of the fortunate, progress and issue of this expedition is attributable."

In march following he was promoted to the position of Inspector General with the brevet rank and pay of Colonel of Cavalry. Upon the disbandment of the army in 1815 he returned to his profession at Frankfort, and in 1816 married the youngest daughter of Governor Isaac Shelby.

Soon after be was appointed " Secretary of State" by Governor Madison. Colonel Todd resigned this office upon the death of Governor Madison, and the year following was elected to the Legislature from Franklin County, and again in 181S.

In 1820 Colonel Todd was appointed Minister to Colombia, South America, upon a confidential mission, with the pay and duties of a chargi^ (Vaffalres. He returned to the United States in 1821, and resumed his yjosition at the capital of Colombia in 1822, bearing the recognition of the independence of that Government. At the close of the mission to Colombia, in 1824, Colonel Todd returned to the United States, and established himself upon a tract of land in Shelby County, originally located by Governor Shelby. In 1837 to '39 he served as a commissioner in the Presbyterian General Assembly, in Philadelphia, by which the separation was eifected, he sustaining the Old School party. In 1840 he was invited by the committees of Ohio and Kentucky, in connection with the late Benj. Drake, of Ohio, to prepare sketches of the civil and military history of General Harrison. He then assumed the editorial charge of the Cincinnati Republican, devoted to the support of General Harrison's claims to the Presidency. Colonel Todd accompanied General Harrison to Washington, and remained with him as a member of his family during the short interval that he occupied the Presidential chair, and as the last sad office accompanied his remains to North Bend, and by request of Mrs. Harrison selected the spot for his burial.

On the death of Harrison, President Tyler, desiring to carry out the wishes of Harrison, appointed Colonel Todd Envoy-Extraordinary to St. Petersburg, and John Lathrop Motley, was chosen first Secretary of Legation, and they reached St. Petersburg early in November, 1841.

The Emperor of Russia held him in high esteem, and he was elected a member of the Imperial Agricultural Society, the only compliment of the kind ever paid an American citizen. His mission to Russia expired in 1846, and he returned to the United States. In 1850 he accepted a mission, in company with Robert B. Campbell and Oliver P. Temple, tendered them by the United States Government, to treat with the Indian tribes on the borders of the United States and Mexico.

Col(Tnel Todd was among the first of American statesmen who advocated and demonstrated the practicability of the Pacific Railroad from the Mississippi, through Te.vas to EI Paso, and was elected Vice-President of the road upon its organization, and held that position up to the breaking out of the late war.

Colonel Todd then removed to Owensboro, and was appointed United States Assessor by President Lincoln for Southwestern Kentucky, which position he retained during the war, when his feeble health and increasing years would not permit him to engage any longer in public life, and the last years of his life were spent with his children in Owensboro, Ky. Ho was reared in the military school of Harrison and was a pupil in the diplomatic school of Monroe, and with his riyje experience in public affairs and high mental accomplishments, united to courteous and graceful manners, was worthy to have been associated with such eminent patriots and illustrious statesmen as Madison, Monroe, Adams, Harrison, Clay and AVebster. After having discharged faithfully and with ability all the duties of tlie man, the soldier, the patriot and states- iiolert S. Todd, born Dec. 7, 1856, in Daviess County, is a Bon of David F. and Jane II. Todd. He lived on a farm till the fall of 1865, when his parents moved to Owensboro. During the fall of 1873 he taught a district school for a short time, and in the winter of tlie same year entered the county clerk's office as deputy; continued in this office till December, 1S77, when he was appointed Master Commissioner and Receiver for Daviess County Circuit Court: continued till September, 18S0, when he resigned and procured license to practice law, at the September term of 1880, of Daviess Circuit Court. He began the study of law in 1875, while lie was in the clerk's ofiice. On the 15tli day of March, 1881, he formed a partnership with Geo. W. Jolly, and is now engaged in the practice of his profession. He was married April 8, 1879, to Curram P. Thrustum, daughter of Colonel A. S. Thrustum (deceased), a Colonel in the Te.xan war. They have one daughter, Jeane D., born Jan. 26, 1880.

Geo. W. Triplett. The "life of Judge Triplett has been closely identified with the history of Daviess County for many -years. Forty-two years ago he came to the county, and in his public career has filled the position of County Surveyor, member of the House of Representatives, member of the Senate of Kentucky, member of the Confederate Congress, and Judge of the County Court.

The original three brothers of the name of Triplett were doubtless the ancestors of all by that name in tliis country. Judge Triplett's great-grandfather, John Triplett, emigrated from England to Virginia at a date which reaches back to the colonial period. His grandfather, also John Triplett by name, was born in Culpeper County, and followed the profession of public surveyor, holding a commission from George III., then King of England. The struggle of the thirteen colonies for their independence found him on the side of freedom. He joined the patriot army together with five of his sons, whose names were John, Roger, William, IS'athaniel and Hedgeman. The last and the youngest of these, Hedgeraan Triplett, became the father of Judge Triplett. He was born in Culpeper County, Va.. about the year 1760. He was only six- teen years of age when he ran away from home, at the beginning of the Revolutionary war, to join the army. At eighteen he was made Lieutenant and served till the conclusion of the struggle, doing his share of the fighting at Guilford Court-House, on the field of Cowpens, and of Brandy wine. Himself and all his brothers except Roger, who was badly wounded, were present at the battle of Yorktown. John and Roger were Captains.

After the war, about the year 1782, Hedgeman married Miss IS'ancy Popham, daughter of Job Popham, who was sent over from England to dispose of those who were exiled for minor crimes. He was a descendant of Sir John Popham, who came to Massachusetts as an agent of the Government t9 establish a colony that failed. Job's wife was a Miss Nail, of Virginia. Hedgeman emigrated to Kentucky and settled in Scott County, stopping the first season at Bourbon. He lived in Scott County ten years, then moved to Franklin County, where he died in 1837. He had in all a family of twelve children, ten of whom grew to maturity; three are living. Nancy married Edmund Poe and died at the age of ninety-five: Betsey Gravett is now aged ninety-six; Mildred married Mr. "Wright, and died at the age of eighty-six; William is in Platte County, Mo., in his eighty-sixth year; Hedgeman died many years ago in Franklin County, Ky.; John was killed in a steamboat explosion near New Orleans; Frank died at the age of about thirtyeight, and was buried on Island No. 10.

George W. Triplett, the subject of this sketch, was born Feb. 18, 1809, in Franklin County, Ky. His early education was limited, but at the age of sixteen he pursued the study of grammar, geography, surveying, trigonometry and other branches in a school of higher grade than ordinary. In 18i7 he began teaching school in Scott Count}', and taught for six consecutive years. Oct. 18, 1827, he married Amelia A. Head, a native of Scott County, but whose ancestors were from Orange County, Ya. While teaching school Mr. Triplett began surveying, and served two or three years as Deputy County Surveyor. In 1833 he came with his wife and three children to Daviess County, and reached Owensboro, Oct. 30, same year. He commenced farming about two miles from Owensboro, and the subsequent year he took charge of the school at Owensboro, which was under his care for nine months. He also turned his attention to merchandising, but surveying was his principal employment. He was engaged in this pursuit for seventeen years, and his long experience entitles him to the rank of veteran survejor in this part of Kentucky. There is no part of Daviess County over which he has not sighted his instruments and measnred the lines. From 1836 to 1840 he carried on a wood-yard at Bon Harbor, on the Ohio, three miles below Owensboro. In the politics of the day he bore a prominent part, and sympathized with the Whig party. He was first elected to the Legislature in 18*0, and was kept there three successive terms. In 1848 he was elected by the Whigs to the State Senate, and ably represented the counties ot Daviess and Henderson.

The commencement of the civil warfound Judge Triplett in ardent sympathy with the Confederate States. In May, 1861, he enlisted in the service, and for three years belonged to the Army of the Tennessee, first as Captain in the First Kentucky Cavalry; next as Major in Brigadier-General Helm's staiF, commanding the Kentucky Brigade; then on the staff of John C. Breckenridge. During his three years connection with the Army of the Tennessee Mr, Triplett never asked leave of absence, never had a furlough, and was absent only one day from duty. In 1864 he was elected a member of the Confederate Congress, sitting at Richmond, to represent the Second Kentucky District, composed in part of Daviess County. He served in the Confederate Congress till the defeat of the South. On his return home he found his property destroyed, and the necessity before him of beginning life over again. A year alter coming' back to Owensboro he was chosen County Judge of Daviess County and occupied the position until Sept. 1, 1878.

Jlidge Triplett has had eleven children, six sons and five daughters. Of the sons, Captain Robert S., born in 1830, owns the npper wharf boat in Owensboro, and is agent of navigation companies; Joseph F., born in 1834, is a stock-raiser and rancher at Camp Halleck, JSlev. ; went there in 1852; Captain John H., now running the H. M. Sweetzer, has followed steamboating since he was sixteen years of age; George W., Jr., born in 1849, now residing at Aspen, Col., in mining and land agency. Two sons, Willie and Daniel, died in infancy. Of Judge Triplett's daughters, Mary married James M. May, and died in 1854; Sallie died in Owensboro aged about twenty; Margaret married S. J. Howard, and is now living in Lyon County, Ky. ; Amelia married John Jewett, and resides in Nevada, near Elko; Octavia married Dr. J. H. Seaton, of Kansas, and died several years ago.

Judge Triplett now co-operates with the Democratic party, and is known as a man possessing honesty of purpose and a faithful servant of tlie people.

Phil. Triphtt, a younger brother of Itobert, commenced the practice of law in Owensboro about 182i, in an office owned and titted u]) by his brotlier. He came to be a leading member of the bar in this Judicial Circuit, following the Judge around, who made his tour twice a year. In IS'26 he was elected to the Legislature, and afterward twice to Congress; in 184:9 he was elected to the State Constitutional Convention. He married Betsey Hopkins, of Henderson County, and had twelve or more children, but only two of these lived to be grown and married. One married John Green, who died during the war, and the other married James L. Johnson, and died last fall, leaving only one child, Dr. Phil. T. Johnson, as the representative of the family.

United States Senator George Q. Vest, of Kansas City, Mo., was once a practicing lawyer in this county. He came from Frankfort, Ky., his native place, to Owensboro, about 1852 and edited the Gazette about two years, when he moved to Booneville, Mo., and afterward to Sedalia. He served in the Confederate army under General Price, and served three sessions in the Confederate - Congress, and was a member of the Senate when the war closed. He is a remarkably shrewd man, and is now well known throughout the nation, as a formidable competitor of Northern statesmen.

The Civil War

When, on the 12th day of April, 1861, the news by telegraph reached the citizens of Daviess County that the bombardment of Fort Sumter had commenced, they scarcely knew what to think or say. The sympathies of some were with the Federal Government, and those of others with the South; and nearly all deplored the incoming of war. Being on the border, many did not know which way to turn, or which way the State of Kentucky herself would turn. It is to be taken as granted, however, that whatever public course any man chose to pursue in the terrible ordeal, his motives v7ere patriotic. He either stood up for the party he honestly thought was originally right, or for what seemed to be the quickest way to end the fratricidal war. In other sections of the country further south or further north, the citizens flew to arms, as they would be expected to do, with extraordinary readiness, within a few days or weeks after the outbreak; but here the people had to hesitate, although, it is to be supposed, with the same degree of patriotism.

The State of Kentucky was at first very desij-ous of remaining neutral, and so did the people of Daviess County ; and accordingly " Home Guards," for the protection of property and life against marauders were organized all over the State. These were voluntary, and not imder any military authority. One such company was organized in Owensboro, in July, 1861, but^events so turned out that it was of little or no avail.

Sept. 6 Joseph H. Millett' raised a companj' of about seventy men, mostly from this county, and joined the Confederate army in Tennessee, as Company K, Fourth Regiment. On the 13th he was elected Captain, .and Nov. 19, 1863, he was promoted Major. He fought at Shiloh, Vicksburg, Baton Rouge, Jackson, Ohickamauga, Mission Ridge, Rocky Face Gap, Resaca and Dallas - at which last place he was killed May 28, 1864. Previously he had received several wounds. In this company were also the following men from Daviess County: David C. Hughes, First Lieutenant, afterward Captain ; Geo.W. Rogers, Second Lieutenant ; James Hand-

Sept. 9, 1861, J. H. McHenry and John <^rissom commenced recruiting for the U. S. army. The latter, however, did not enter the service; but McHenry raised a regiment, the greater portion from Ohio Connty, and the next in numbers, from thi.'s "ounty. This regiment was numbered the Sixteenth Kentucky. On the 24th the Colonel came with 400 or 500 men from Hartford to Owensboro for equipment.

Sept. 21, 1861, Brigadier-General Robert Anderson, of the United States Army, at Louisville, announwd his assumption of the command of the Department of the Cumberland.

Sept. 25 the gunboat Lexington was anchored opposite Owensboro, to protect the place, and probably also the Union soldiers. Two days afterward the gunboat Conestoga took its place.

Oct. 2 the steamer Hettie Gilmore arrived at Owensboro from Louisville with Colonel Jackson, and during the night it was watched by the home guards. The next day Colonel Jackson's cavalry and Colonel Burbridge's infantry, all of whom came by boat from Louisville, encamped on the fair grounds. Colonel Jackson had a presentiment that he would never come out of his first battle alive; and, sure enough, he was killed in first action at Perryville. On the 4th the camp here was named, " Camp Silas F. Miller, " after the proprietor of the Gait House in Louisville, who is still a resident there, and a leading Republican. The next day Lieutenant-Colonel Johnson, of the regular army, arrived, and on" the 7th he was made Provost-Marshal of Owensboro. On the 9th Colonel Hawkins and 400 men, with two six-pounders, arrived in Owensboro, on the way to Rumsey, on Green River.

Oct. 21, first battle in Kentucky. It took place in Laurel County, between ZollicofFer, of Tennessee, and Colonel Garrard. The former was afterward killed at the battle of Mill Springs. On Uie 24th four six-pounders arrived at Owensboro, and on the 2i:tth 251 horses came down liver on a packet and were taken to thecani]). ]S[ov.l a good many Union troops passed Hartford for a Southern field. On the 4:th, Colonels Jackson and Burbridge, with cavalry, returned from Hartford, but two days afterward two companies of cavalry left for Oalhoon, where the Federals began to rendezvous, and " Camp Silas F. Miller " was gi-adually broken up.

Nov. 16 these Colonels, with 600 or 700 men, went to Henderson, there being rumors that Confederate troops were marching in that direction; but the rumor proved to be without foundation.

During the month of December mercantile business was greatly embarrassed by the embargo laid on commerce along the Ohio, by the Government. Owensboro merchants could not get their produce in Indiana delivered across the river, even when there were several thousand men back of the city to protect it. Colonel Crufts was the immediate commander to enforce this prohibition, which lasted for some time, and back of him was Ofiicer Robinson, at Evansville.

1862. - At the beginning of this year the chains of war began very perceptibly to tighten their clanking hold upon a helpless people. Even newspaper circulation was prohibited to some extent, and citizens of nearly all classes began to be arrested for suspected disloyalty, or persecuted and robbed by guerrillas for having any strong sympathies in any direction. J. G. McFarland, H. S. Elliott and others were arrested on the 9th of January, on charge of assisting deserters from the United States army, at Calhoon, to cross the river into Indiana. On the 11th they were taken to Louisville, but were afterward released. But this was generally the case. Nearly or quite all who were arrested for disloyalty were detained in camp at Louisville, or elsewhere, for awhile, and soon released, without anything more done. These arrests were often made, apparently without any discrimination.

Feb. 19, etc., a great many boats and troops came down the river. On the 23d George Moorman (son of S. M. Moorman) and others passed up the river to some point, as prisoners, but were soon afterward released. On the 26th Captain Behr's battery of eight guns arrived from Calhoon and passed through Owensboro. Feb. 27 General Thomas's brigade passed down the river.

During this month four regiments, two Kentucky and two Indiana, Colonels Hawkins and Burbridge, came from Calhoon and embarked on eight steamers for Tennessee Eiver; and while they were here the Grey Eagle brought a dispatch from Evansville that Fort Donelson was captured by the Federal forces. Colonel McHenry's regiment was engaged in that battle, but none of the Daviess County soldiers were killed there.

A-prll 8, John T. Higdon, a soldier from tliis county, was killed at Pittsburg Landing. His remains were afterward brought home and buried here.

June 16, E. A. Hathaway, Dr. S. S. Watkins, Mr. Barber and others were arrested by the Provost Guard at Louisville, Captain Blood, on charge of " aiding and abetting " the Rebellion. Most of them were required to take the oath of allegiance to the United States, and were all released in a few days.

About these times arrests were made almost daily by the military authorities, and for a time a picket guard was kept around tlie city of Owensboro.

July 18, J. M. Hany, being ordered to arrest Vawters on account of hurrahing for Jeff Davis and publicly exulting over the occupation of Henderson by the Confederates, was resisted; and the latter, swearing that he would die, etc., before he would be taken, was shot and killed. On this da}' also a company of horse guards was or- (ranized in Owensboro, to protect the town against marauding bands. Geo. H. Yoiiman was elected Captain, Jo Harrison First Lieutenant, and Joseph Thomas Sscond Lieutenant. This compiiTiy, however, was not long kept up.

About sunrise on Frida}-, Sept. 19, a band of about 850 guerrillas advan'^ed upon this post, in three divisions, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Martin. One division, iuHnberin<T 3S5, underthe command of Major J. S. Scobee, a Methodist minister, took ywssession of Owensboro. A second division, under Captain Taylor, numbering 225, marched from a southwest direction; and the third division, under the command of Captain Merri weather, numbering 2J-0, from a westerly direction. As Major Scobee was inarching in he was recognized by a pious Methodist woman, who in immediate ecstacy cried out, "Thank God! my Savior has come."

Very soon a Confederate soldier was stationed at each street crossing, and efforts made to oljtain what equipments and ammunition were within reach. During the day the soldiers took all the saddles and bridles there were in Mr. Littell's shop, and some of Mr. Scott's; also, what powder they could find in the jail and some of the stores, and were on the point of robbing the stores by wholesale, but were restrained by the officers. Judge Geo. H. Y«a'mau and several others were arrested and taken away a short distance, but soon released. From the Judge was exacted a promise to use his influence against the indiscriminate arrest of Southern sym]);ithizers - which, indeed, he had all along been doing.

About eight o'clock this morning Major Scobee sent a'flag of truce to Colonel Netter, in camp at the fair-grounds, and demanded his unconditional surrender; but the latter peremptorily, yet politely, refused. About one o'clock in the afternoon the Major, with his men, retired on the gravel road to Panther Creek.

Colonel Netter, immediately after his refusal to surrender, formed his men, made all necesfeary arrangements, and marched against Captain Merriweather'with 200 men, leaving the cannon and 140 men to protect the camp. His advance guard, under Adjutant Stout, discovered the enemy in ambush, in a corn-field. Colonel Netter flanked them, and whilst leading his men in action, and in the act of climbing over a fence, he was shot, with a squirrel rifle, by one of the enemy who had a white handkerchief tied about his head; and he himself immediately had all his brains blown out by a Union soldier named W. C. J. Adams, of Company A. The report that Jaincs Faulds was the man wlio killed Netter is probably not true. At the same instant Colonel Netter, ,is he was shot, sprang to his Digitized by Microsoft® feet, turned to his command, and with a clarion voice, amidst the crashing reports of muskets, called out, " Forward! charge bayon - " and fell. On seeing him fall, the left of the line gave way, the center collecting around him amidst the deadly storm of bullets and buckshot from the enemy. The right also fell back. Adjutant Stout immediately assumed command and rallied the men, reforming line, advanced, and at the point of the bayonet completely routed the enemy. This action lasted half an hour, resulting in the death of Colonel Netter and the wounding of Lieutenant Cherry, John London, A. W. "Wallace and Mr. Taylor, on the Union side, and in the death of twelve and wounding of fifteen or twenty on the other side.

According to previous arrangement, squads of soldiers were detailed to Rockport and Enterprise, Ind., who gave the alarm, and within a few hours Colonel Wood, of the First Indiana Cavalry, was on hand and assumed Colonel Netter's place. Soldiery from across the river, to the number of 400 or 500, arrived during the afternoon of Friday as fast as they could be transferred in skiffs, and at the last the steamer Ben South brought the remainder of the "Warwick County boys over, and also took the remainder of the Spencer County troops to their homes. The steamer McCombs also was impressed into service and brought about 300 Indiaiia farmers over toward night. Three companies of home guards also came into town, while many citizens left for parts unknown, to avoid the contingencies of a cruel siege or battle.

The Battle At Sutherland'S Hill

This was the only battle that occurred within the limits of Daviess County during the " civil war." "We will give first a complete history of the afiair as told by the Federals, and then note the differences from their story as claimed by the other side.

Durinc the night they were searching the enemy, and about breakfast time Saturday morning (Sept. 20) they came up with them on the grat^el, or Livermore, road, about a naile and a half south of North Panther Creek, and on the farm of Mr. Sutherland, which is eight to nine miles from Owensboro. The Federals numbered 342, and were commanded by Colonel Wood, of Evansville, and James Holmes, of Owensboro. The battle opened with a running fight three quarters of a mile north of Sutherland's, sixty of Netter's Cavalry driving the rear guard and cannon that distance into the lane that goes up to the house. Here the Confederates, about 400 strong (or even more, according to some), were posted, under Colonel Martin and Major Scoljee, with one line drawn up in the lane and another over in the meadow, at a right angle to the first, with the cannon, a six-pounder, in front. The Federals, numbering 340, were commanded by Colonel Wood. Major Townes charo-ed up the lane, exposed to the flanking fire of the battalion and cannon in the field; but his men and horses, being untrained, were thrown into confusion at the first fire of the cannon, and all except about twenty fled. For a few moments then no Federals were in sight of the enemy; but the infantry soon came up, took iK'sitiou along the main road in front of the meadow and corn-fleld adinininc it. The Confederates advanced to meet them and a des- -le'rate fi"-ht ensued, when the enemy retreated a little way and formed in array again; but again were they driven back, when, foi' the third time, tliey endeavored to make a stand, just b'eyond the crest of the hill, but in vain; they scattered in every direction, but not pursued by the Federals, all of whom were infantry, except about two dozen.

The Federal loss in this battle was: Killed - Curtis Lamar, Sampson Palmer and Isaac Yarner - three; wounded - John Calhoon and one other man, seriously, and a half dozen others more sli"'htly. Immediately after the battle Colonel Wood detailed a K(juad of men to count tlie Confederates lying upon the field, aud tlieir report was thirty-six dead and over tlurty woiinded. The luimes of four of the killed and sevL'uteen ot the wounded are given in theOwensboro J/oi/uVo/'of Sept. 24, 18(52. Some of the slain were buried there. About a thousand Federals remained to hold (Jwensboro.

The Confederate account concerning the two days' events diflers ironi the foregoing principally in the following particulars: Their forces here were a branch of the regular army, and not guerrillas; llioy committed no robberies in Owensboro or in the country anywhere; they were not quite a hundred strong at the battle at Sutherland's; they retreated simi>ly because their ammunition gave out, and retreated in good dnlor; they lost but one oi- two killed, one commanding olliccr not remembcj'ing that any one was killed outright, or thai iui\ wounded (very few at most) were left upon the battle-field (if any were left, they iMt confident tliey were left among friends, who would take care of tb j

When musket tirinnj eomnuTieed at SiitherlaiKrs Hill, Colnnel Wood shouted out, "T>oys, wlieel about that cannon, faciiii;- the enemy," and he himself lis::;hted hiscip;ar with aniatch, and tired the gun - the iirst and second i'f)unds with canuister slu^t, and the third a solid shot, which was so heavy that it broke off' the (hinge and rendered the cannon useless. When tlio Colonel and John Hicks were marching up tiie hill, a ritle shot was apjtarently received, wlien the Colonel fell as if dead. Ilicks remarking that lie iKis killed, the forme!' junipeil n]> and called out, "No, 1 ain't; but (pointing to a jiarticiilar man among the enemy) kill tliat d - n rebel." '

The Confederates rendezvoused afterward at some point on Green River, but were soon driven away again. The Federal forces were coming and going on the next Monday and Tuesday; nearly all the citizens were under' arms tor awhile, until the excitement died away.

The following account of the death of (Jolonel Netter, furnished us by one of his soldiers, and now one of the best citizens ot Owensboro, is so well worded that we give it verbatim:

On that eventful morning of the lt)thof Scpt.,lS62, under cover of a dense tog, the enemy (800 in all) gained possession of the tow'n to the number of about 400, while aii e([ua] number concealed thenis(.-lves in the wood to the west of o\ir camp, thns placing ns between two foj-ces, eitlmr of which was doubly superior to our own.

Our Oolonel ha\-ing received iiiir(.'liable information of the presence of the concealed enemy, at once decided to recotinoiter in tha! dii'cction \vm\ ascertain if the ri'pfrt was true.

"Boys, this officer comes with a flag of truce, from Lieutenant Golond Martin, who with 800 guerrillas has possession of the town, and demands of me an unconditional surrender of all my command and the Government property in my possession. I want you to hear my answer." Then, turning to the messenger, with a graceful motion of the hand, and with a firm voice and tone, he replied: " Kevee, till the last man of us lies low in the dust.'''' Then turning to us, sweetly and gently he inquired, "Boys, does my answer suit you?" Inspired with admiration for, and confidence in, our brave and undaunted commander, what could we do but just what we did? and that was to swing our caps in the air and respond with three lusty cheers. The rebel ofiicer, witnessing the impressive scene, shared in our admiration of the young hero, for he reverently ic.noved his hat and feelingly replied, " Colonel, I cannot but respect you and your brave men," and with a parting salute, he returned to deliver his message. There was no acting in all of their scene; it was serious, sober, honest reality. With the exception of a few words of command, these were the last words ever spoken by the gallant Netter. At the head of his little band of about 200 all told, he marched in the direction of the supposed enemy. He found them there, and in the skirmish which ensued he fell bravely, fighting to make good his words.

Colonel Gabriel Netter was a Frenchman by birth, but a true American by adoption. At the breaking out of the war he was doing a profitable business in Ohio County, this State, but left it to enter the army. He soon exhibited agreatdegreeof good judgment as well as bravery, and he was recalled from the field bv General Finnell to raise a regiment in this Congressional District. He was devoting his whole time and energy to tiie work he had in hand, when the day of disaster visited him. He was very popular among his men, as well as among the people of Owensboro. He was a " shining mark " at which death aimed his fatal blow at the beginning of his power.

War Diaey Resumed

1862, Sept^ 22, President Lincoln issued his emancipation proclarnatioji, to take eifect, conditionally, Jan. 1, ibllowing. This is the epoch of a new era between the political parties, disaff'ectiug Union men who were not Abolitionists, and renderinw all Democrats, especially the Southern wing, more bitterly opposed to Kepublicari management. 2.5, Major Holman in command ai 0\vensl)oro.

Oct. fi. court-house door barricaded. On the Tth all was quiet again, and the county otticers resumed their places. Colonel Shanks' men caine from Cloverport and were consolidated with Nfitter's. Oct. 9, Q. L. Shanks was elected Colonel and A. W. Holman Lieutenani-Coionel. Oct. 12, Shanks moved the camp down to Bon Harbor, or rather the Barrett farm near there, a healthier location, and being at a greater distance from town the discipline of the soldiers would be the easier. Named " Camp James F. Robineon." Oct. 24, people very much excited at rumors of Confederates coming to Hartford; but the rumors proved false. Oct. 30, 300 Confederate prisoners pass down theriver for Vicksburg; exchanged.

December. - Confederates were assessed for Union losses, and some monej' collected; but the ]>lan worked very hard and unevenly and was soon abandone !. On the 11th, Greneral Boyle ordered Colonel Shanks to refund what he had collected. Dec. 12, Shanks' regiment left for Munifordsville.

During this month an ''additional article of.war " was published oy the Government, aiding fugitive slaves; and Colonel John H. Mellenrj-, one of the best soldiers and commanders the Government ever had, considei-ed the order unjust, unconstitutional and even disloyal. lie therefore, as commander of the Seventeenth Kentucky Infantry, issued an order returning slaves to their masters from his canii). lie was consequently dismissed from his position. lie has ever since then had the sympathy of the D:iviess County public with him.

The year l.S()2 closed with gloomy prospects of the war ending; and Jame.^ Weir deliberately reviews the natioiial situation at length in the Monitor.

1S63, Jan. 1, the Iviiaiuiiuition Proclamati(jn dampens the ardor of many Unionirits. President Lincoln had at the beginninii; of his term declared his intention not to interfere with slavery.

Feb. 21, a company from Colonel Foster's regiment from Indiana arrived here. Feb. 22, no packet arriving at Owetiaboi-n: the Government had inii)re.~sed her into military service.

March 3, the Logir^lature resolved --that we iiave witncsse(l with juide the gallant conduct of (volonel .lohn 11. Mellenry, Jr., late couunaTider of the Srxcnteenth Kentucky Volutiteers, and do heartily endorse and approve the order made by him in October last - construing it, as we do, to mean that he would expel from his lines, and permit their owners to take in possession, all runaway slaves found within his camp."

Feb. 2, the House of Kepresentatives unanimously passed a spirited report and resolution, arguing the hardship and injustice of the slavery requirement, and asking the President of the United States to rescind the order dismissing Colonel McHenry; but the Senate, after repeat'^d sessions upon the matter, Feb. 25, passed the foregoing resolution.

May 17, J. P. Thompson surrendered himself to Captain Hornbrook in the morning, and was sent off on the Grey Eagle at ten o'clock in the evening. On the same day, Jo Morris, Graham Hughes, Jo Sebree and others were brought in by the Federals as prisoners.

June 3, J. E. Grissom, Provost Marshal of this district, ranking as Captain. June 17, town excited over the report that 500 Confederates were at Hardinsburg. Report proved to be erroneous. About sixty Confederates crossed over into Indiana and were all captured.

July 9, town excited about John Morgan at Brandenburg. 12, Colonel Foster and 400 men left up the river. July 28, flag raised on the court-house lot; speech by Wm. B. Wall. July 29, Colonel Foster issued an order requiring all persons to take the oath of allegiance at the approaching election who are suspected of disloyalty; tlie order was carried out. July 31, martial law declared in this State by General Burnside. jSTo disloyalist to vote or run for office.

Oct. 3, Colonel Starling's regiment, the Thirty-Fifth Kentucky, Federal, mustered into service. Oct. 26, J. H. McHenry is Colonel and M. Mclntyre Lieutenant-Colonel of the militia.

1864. - During the sj)ring of this year negro enrolling commenced, and their freedom from slavery encouraged. Joseph Thomas and several others visited a Jiegro military camp near Indianapolis, foj' the purpose of obtaining indemnity for citizens of Daviess (,\iunty for the loss vi tlieir servants, but tliev Were treated in a very ruffianly manner. Directly before their eyes, one negro loaded a gun and called upon his fellows to join him, saying, with reference to Mr. Thomas particularly, " There goes the d - d rascal who has the papers! Shoot him! G - d d - n him!" Captain Snow, a white man there, said he could not control the ruffianly conduct of the dark soldiery, and he guessed Mr. T. would have to take care of himself. Colonel Russel, who was not there, afterward said that if he had been present he would have prevented such insolence.

April 11, Captain Prange and his compaiy left. JSlo soldiers here. April 21, Joseph Thomas received the agency to procure compensation for owners of slaves who had run away and enlisted; but never was a dollar paid for this purpose. April 22, Owensboro citizens expecting guerrillas again to night. Great excitement about them. April 22-30, negroes running away in great numbers, crossing the river into Indiana.

May 13, fifty-eight men drafted in Daviess County for the Federal service. May 20, citizens of Owensboro watching to-night for guerrillas again. Federal picket fired upon. May 26, Prange's men quartered on Confederate families. May 27-31, negroes enlisting in great numbers; great excitement. They thronged the Provost Marshal's office so boisterously that violence was feared,and they were taken to the fair-ground in a body and sent back to the office in small squads for enlistment.

May 8. - About this time some ten or twelve young men from the vicinity attempted the rash act of making their way to the Confederate army, and among them was James T. Mitchell, sixteen or seventeen years of age. On their way thither they encountered the Home Guards of Ohio County, about seven miles from Livermore, When a skirmish ensued, resulting in the killing of this youth and the capture of Captain Vickers, of Forrest's Cavalry, and several other soldiers, who had a hearing before Captain Grissom on Sunday evening, and were remanded to jail in Owensboro. The remains of young Mitchell were brought here and appropriately buried.

May 20, excitement on account of guerrillas in the county, whose intended depredations were headed off by Captain Grissom calling the Home Guards together and sending out scouting parties.

June 1, seventy-eight negro soldiers sent to Louisville. June 5, Captain Howard, with sixty or seventy men arrived. June 6, 165 negroes left on the Grey Eagle. Captain Prange's men killed two and wounded two guerrillas. June 13, Prange's company left. Woodward's six-months' men quartered in the court-house. Negroes all left. June 21, no crossing of the river allowed; skiffs all taken out, and boats guarded. June 22, 200 Confederates reported in Hawesville and expected here. Those that appeared at Hawesville, however, soon left.

June 18. - Powers arrived from Hawesville with about a score of negro recruits on board a small steamer, and marched them to the court-house square, intending to quarter them in the court-house with Colonel Woodward's State Guard of white soldiers; but the latter refused to let them in. Both sides were called to arms, and a light almost ensued. The colored recruits were then quartered in the jail, with nothing to eat, and under locks and bolts for about twenty -four hours.

June 23. - Early this morning a squad of forty guerrillas came into Owensboro on the Litchfield road, circled around the cemetery and disappeared out on the Hartford road. Soon afterward a small party of '-graybacks, " bearing a flag of trnce, came into town on Frederica street, demanding, in the name of Jones, the surrender of the place, saying that the town was beleaguered by several hundred Confederate troopa. Colonel Woodward, who had command of the small force of State troops here, declined to surrender. T)ie "Confederates" then retired in the direction of Calhoon. Tlieir pickets were in front of the residences of Messrs. Weir, Johnson and GriiHth, and several men were in the fields near Major Smith's house, while the whole body were very near, having come in on the Hartford road. Thev claimed to be 275 strono-, and to be of Adam Johi!son's regiment and Morgan's command. They said they had been in the Gynthiana fight, and come down through Shelbyville and Eardstown, Tkey left the county without doing much damage.

After dinner the six-montlis' troops were disbanded, and no soldiers left in Owensboro. The guns which they left in the courthouse (poor ones) were afterward mostly taken by a guerrilla squad- On the 27tli, at night, they took a horse from S. M. Wing. Business dull; about suspended. Tlie August court ordered to be sus- 1. ended.

July ;-). - Ciptiiiii PrH.nge and some 200 men came in, scouting, .lulj 5. t'.\M guurrili.'^is in t..>w:i; stole another horse from Mr. Wing, tnking it tmiu a bug/y , Their names were Tanner and Nave and tli'iy 'vere ciiitured by (Japtain Yarber, nbout four miles out on the

Livennore road, and delivered over to the gun-boat, No. 23 (Silver Lake). Mr. Wing was a merchant, and at one time was President of the Owensboro branch of the Southern Bank, principal bank at Hopkinsville. July 6, at a negro ball in the upper end of town in the evening, an attendant sent up a rocket, just for fun, and the commander of the gun-boat, suspecting guerrillas, signaled with a cannon and threw a shell up in that direction, which alarmed the citizens generally, making them believe that guerrillas were, indeed, in town, and that a bombardment bad commenced.

Kentucky Under Martial Law

July 1 1, Captain "Wilson brought in " Warren, " a guerrilla, but he was soon released. July 12, sixty men, under Lieutenant Forrest, of the Fifty-Second Kentucky Volunteers (Federal), came in. July 13, Charles Carlin arrested and sent to Louisville; four men killed near Hine's Mill, in Ohio County. July 16, Forrest's men left. July 22, Powell and Thompson, guerrillas, were shot at Henderson, by order of G-eneral Burbridge, in retaliation for the guerrillas killing Colonel Poole, a citizen of that place. By way of rejoinder, Walker Taylor, commander of the guerrillas, issued a proclamation that he would retaliate by MWing four.

During the last days of July, the gun-boat Silver Lake, or No. 23, stood in the river opposite;Owensboro. The packets, before landing, had to land at her side and put the mails off. No tra eling or shipments of produce were allowed except under permit from Captain Coyle, according to the orders of General ^wing prohibiting disloyal persons from shipping or receiving freight of any kind.

At tills time negro recruiting went on rather slowly, but their crossing over into Indiana progressed briskly. On boarding Captain Coyle's gun-boat, he said he could not permit them to be taken o^ against their will. While the people generally wished there were no negroes in the State, they hated to see them go in this way.

August. - In the early part of this month an Owensboro patrolman fired at a colored man and missed him, the ball passing near the gun-boat; whereupon the latter fired 100 musket balls along the bank.

fantrj had the court-house as quarters. Aug. 8, about 200 negro soldiers came up from Henderson. Aug. 23, 165 more arrived from the same place. Aug. 25, they all left at night. Aug. 15, Captain J. C. Cowin, of the One Hundred and Eighth Colored Infantry, after a little lighting, captured nine guerrillas at Yelvington and brought them to Owensboro, where they were con-fin.?d in jail.

Aug. 1(5, Captain Yarber arrested, under order of Colonel Bishop, his men disarmed, liorses taken from them, and tliey disbanded. The Captain could show no authority for his proceedings. Aug. 18, Benedict D. Mitchell, the jailer, was shot by mistake by one of the guards, who had orders to shoot any one making his appearance in the jail-yard that night. Mr. Mitchell, not knowing that Guch an order had been given, appeared in the yard about 2 o'- clock in tlie morning, for the purpose of attending to some necessity.

Owensboro Captured

On tlie afternoon of Saturday, Aug. 27, as unexpectedly as a flash oFliglitning from a clear sky, something over twenty guerrillas, under Captain Bennett, dashed into town. They tirst announced their presence in front of the court-liou^e, by the rapid tiring of revolvers, sometimes in the air and sometimes at fleeing citizens and at store and office doors. They accompanied this demonstration with orders for all persons at once to repair to the court-house yard; and these orders were " sanctioned " with the wickedest profanity. They thus advertised themselves to the guerrillas at once. One follow dashed "horse, foot and dragoon" into Blair, Queen & Co.'s store, driving its customers pell-mell, into the rear yard. Such a stampede, of all classes of people, from the central part of town toward the outskirts was never before nor since witnessed in any other place during the war. It was ludicrous as well as exciting. It was remarkable with what agility the people shot out of the back doors and windows of the stores and offices and hid themselves in boxes, barrels, privies, dog kennels, deep weeds, etc. We wish we had space to rehearse some of the " hairbreadth escapes," ludicrous "feats of agility "' and serio-comical situations that wore witnessed on this occasion.

The invaders succeeded in huddling 200 or 300 citizens togetlier into the court-house yard. The commander, "Jake Bennett,'' pro- ])osed to burn the court-liouse, and even the banks if their money was not given up, but he was dissuaded from it by R. L. Boyd and other citizens. The robbers entered only one store, and that was the jewelry establishment of Mr. Bradford, in care of Mr. Zulauf, from which they took three gold watches, valued at $700. They also took a few horses from Clint. Griffith, Ridgely Griffith and George Smith.

Burning of the Wharf-hoat. - But by far the worst thing they did was to burn Messrs. Ayers & Elders' wharf-boat,, with a number of liuman beings confined upon it. They mistakenly supposed that considerable Government freight was upon it The private property consumed was estimated at about $6,000. Nine colored soldiers, said to have been the guard that conducted the Yelvington prisoners to Louisville, were at this boat. They first fired at the guerrillas, and then concealed themselves within, for a time; but it is said that three jumped off, ran up the bank and escaped. Two of them were shot by the murderers and thrown overboard, and the charred remains of one more was found on the boat, the fire being extinguished before the hull was consumed. Three negroes took refuge in the hull, and were cut ont by Mr. Ayres after the marauders had left. They pleaded piteously for their lives and declared they were anxious to return to their owners. Lieutenant Walters, previously of the Third Kentucky Cavalry, was killed during the aflfray. A lot of Government stores on the levee were fired just bofore they left, but the most of the property was saved afterward by the citizens. These guerrillas were here but one hour, and they left on the Litchfield road.

Th Court- House. - This was a convenient building for military occupation; and it was wonderful to witness the rapidity with which it was transformed from a civil establishment to a military, and the reverse. When the former change was made, the doors were perforated and disfigured by rude openings to fire muskets through, and were rendered ball-proof from without by heavy oak timbers nailed on the inner side. The windows, to the height of a man's head, were barricaded with planks a foot apart and the space between filled with dirt, leaving openings to fire through. In this work of fortification, all the benches in the court-house were cut up, and other lumber was used. Even the planks were stripped from the fence around the yard. Some ditching was also done about the yard - for rifle-pits or for a stockade. On the re-occupation of the conrt-house by the civil officers, a day or two only was required to transform all back again to old time appearances.

During this month the independent companies, commanded by Captains Wilson, Yarber, Johnson, Little, Boyd and Burger, were dissolved by General Burbridge, because they were acting too much the part of guerrillas. Governor Bramlette had authorized these men to recruit companies for the purpose of clearing this part of the State from guerrillas; but the soldiery became too reckless with the property of peaceable citizens. Yarber and Philpot were particularly implicated.

October. - Guerrillas reported in all parts of the county, but the reports were greatly exaggerated. Oct. 10, One Hundred and Eighteenth Colored liegiment left Owensboro. Oct. 11, provos^ marshal's office closed, and marshal left town.

Oct. 17. - About half-past two o'clock on the morning of this day, about twenty-five armed men entered town, seized the Sheriff, Jno. G. Harrison, placed him coatless and hatless upon a horse, although the air was biting cold, and took him out on the Litchfield road a few miles, threatening to kill him, but released him about dawn, furnishing him a coat and giving him some instructions as to how he should conduct himself in the future. About $4,500 worth of goods was taken from the merchants. The raid was conducted very quietly.

Owensboeo Taken Again

this time by thirteen regular Confederate soldiers about noon. Most of these were officers, and after they remained here quietly for several hours, the mail packet Morning Star hove in sight, when all was astir. ISTearly 200 additional Confederate soldiers at the same time appeared from the upper part of town, under Major Anderson, intending to take the steamer, believing that negro soldiers were aboard. A few of the soldiers in advance went t the wharf and endeavored to decoy the boat to the landing, but in vain. They fired forty or fifty shots, but only one touched the boat, doing no damage.

The Confederates were here about two weeks, but it can liardly be said that they " held " the place. United States officers and State officers all went about their daily routine of duty as uncon- cerned as it no enemy waA, within a thousand miles. The Confederate soldiery behaved themselves quite well during their sojourn in Owensboro.

During the latter part of this month (October) the Confederate Government talked of conscripting here, but the task was never undertaken. Some Federal troops, however, stationed on an island opposite the city, wantonly fired into the place occasionally, and at one time seriously wounded an eight-year-old boy.

Nov. 1, three companies of colored soldiers arrived, and quartered in the court-house. Nov. 2, a colored picket killed. 6, a guerrilla shot J. Taylor's tiegro, robbed and hung up Mr. Cavin (who lived in the country) two or three times, and robbed others in the county.

During a war nearly all wicked men are tempted to be robbers, because they can then carry on such work under a sort of military guise and thus elude punishment.

Nov. 17. - Thomas S. Pettit, editor of the Owensboro Monit6r^ arrested for disloyalty and sent across the lines, via Memphis, within the bounds of the confederacy. When the facts attending the arrest reached the ears of President Lincoln he pronounced it unjust. Nov. 20, news received that this county was exempt from draft. Great rejoicing.

Dec. 20. - A large body of Confederates reported near Ciirdsville. Dec. 22, great excitement about the Confederate soldiers. The Tarascon detained here.

Tiie pickets and soldiery under the Confederate Walker Taylor kept up* firing for some time during the afternoon near Owensboro, just southeast of the city. About sunset a flag of truce was sent into the city and a surrender demanded, but it was refused. After .'^pending most of the night sociably witli the Federal officers in the court-house, Major Taylor took his departure, saying tiiat as he had no disposition to injure the town, he declined making any attack. 1865, Jan. 4, the court-house burned by Davidson and his men; the records and furniture mostly saved. Davidson had orders to destroy every court-house that had been occupied by negro troops. Probably two or three other court-houses were burned in the State, under these orders. This destruction was expected, and the county officers Lad time to save ti'e records. Mr. Thomas took all the records of liis office (circuit clerk) and deposited the most of them in the vestibule of the Methodist church, and the rest in Captain flail's buildino-. Tlie other records were taken care of by the re- spective officers. The Confederates lia(^ no permission or desire to burn the records. Another account says tiiat a man named Coulter was the Commander-in-chief of the court-hbuse-burning gang, and that he acted without authority from the Confederate Government. He and his men were doubtless a part of Davidson's force. Coulter is said to have been a tall, fine-looking man, trim built, and having very keen eyes. Four revolvers were buckled around him. The Planter's Hotel had also been used as barracks, and it was rumored that it was to be burned also. Coulter was appealed to, and he declared with an oath that no more buildings should be burned; and he actually impressed citizens into aiding him to prevent further violence.

Davidson was formerly a Federal Captain in Colonel J. H. Mc- Henry's regiment, the Seventeenth Kentucky Infantry. He resigned and went into the Southern army and became a guerrilla. He was a very violent man, and made himself notorious by acts of felony and arson in this portion of Kentucky. At one time he was arrested, carried to Louisville and placed in prison; but he immediatejy made his escape and came down into this section, where he contihued his mischief A few days after he burned the Owensboro court-house he was killed in a skirmish with Federal soldiers in Bteckenridge County, Ky. He was a fearless and brave man. His father was Dr. H. A. Davidson, of Hawesville, who killed himself in an abortive attempt to blow up a Mr. Sterrett with an " infernal machine. "

Jan. 11. - In the morning the steamer Grey Eagle arrived at Owensboro with a detachment of Federal troops, the Twenty-seventh Kentucky, under Colonel "Ward, sent there for the purpose of driving out the guerrillas. When the boat landed a body of these guerrillas immediately made their appearance on the top of the bank for this purpose of attempting the capture of the boat, the Federals being kept out of sight on purpose to deceive them. "When they had nearly reached the boat our troops suddenly made their appearance in the engine-room and commenced an attack. The cowardly guerrillas immediately commenced skedaddling in all directions, hotly pursued by the Union troops. Four were captured, and quite ^number wounded, among them a son of "Walker Taylor. On the "Wednesday following the guerrillas were reinforced, made a dash on the Federal pickets, and drove them in. Jan. 21 ^ packets all engaged in taking Government troops up the river.

Feb. 4, Amos ivletcalf killed Chandler, a guerrilla, at Knottsville. Feb. 15, Colonel Birge, Federal, with a part of the Eighteenth Kentucky Cavalry arrived, and the Twenty-seventh Kentucky left. Feb. IS, 100 men of the Twelfth Kentucky Cavalry arrived. Metcalf's men captured by Davidson and paroled.

A.pril 1, guerrillas killed a soldier. April 6, drafting in this district. 8, small-pox among the soldiers. April 9, a company of the One Hundred and Eighty-fifth Ohio arrived, under Captain Edmiston. April 10, news received of Lee's surrender at Appomattox, Ya. ; bonfires and illuminations in the evening, because "this cruel war was over," and not particularly because one party: had conquered the other. April 15, draft suspended.

March 9, 1871, Congress }?n52ed ' 'I.l ci'^i-eery's disability bill," which, auiGTlg lliany from other States, relieved from political disabilities the following Daviess County citizens: Geo. W. Trijjlett, Charles S. Todd, Jr., John P. Thompson, J. O. Shott, Thomas C. Jones, Graham Hughes, Baker Boyd, T. E. Crutcher, and William H. Clark.

Company A, First Kentucky Cavalry

This company was formed of Daviess County men, and served in the Confederate army. Sept. 30, 1861, Dr. C. T. Noel was elected Captain; W. J. Taylor, First Lieutenant; T. C. Jones, Second Lieutenant; and Joseph Yewell, Third Lieutenant. Dr. Noel was a prominent citizen. He was a candidate for the Legislature in 1861, but was defeated by Geo. H. Teaman. During the war Mr. Taylor became Captain.

The next morning after organization, this company reached Rough Creek, four miles above its mouth, where they feared their -passage would be disputed by Federal troops, who occupied Caliioon and Hartford. But they succeeded in reaching Eussellville, where they saw for tlie first time an organized Confederate force. Here, Oct. 5, they were mustered into the army for three years, or during the war. They were first ordered to Bowling Green, where General Buckner had concentrated the bulk of his army, and was fortifying his position and drilling his troops. Here thej were I'oined to the First Kentucky Cavalry, under Colonel Ben Hardin

Helm, who was afterward killed. The pompany was subjected to rigid military discipline, and during the ensuing winter several sickened and died - among them Ignatius McDaniel, Wm. Jones and Thomas Lackland. From Bowling Green they went to Glasgow, where they spent their first Christmas in camp.

Company A engaged in all the battles and hardships which the regiment suffered during the war, which were many and severe. "Would that we had space to record them all here, as well as the names of those who fell on the battle-iield and in camp, never again to appear alive in the presence of their families and friends.

Marcus Jerome Clarke, alias " Sue Munday, " was a noted guerrilla Captain during the last civil war, and once appeared upon he streets of Owensboro, in female attire, with long hair, etc. He was a nephew of Beverly L.Clarke, a Kentucky statesman of Simpeon County.

Sue Munday was a lively and mischievous guerrilla, although it isnotknowii that he committed any depredations in Daviess County. His headquarters were principally about Chaplintown and Bloomfield. He committed many acts of depredation and murder in various portions of the State. Mar. 12, 1865, he and Captain Billy Magrnder and Henry Metcalfe, other notorious guerrillas, were captured near Webster, Breckenridge County, by a company of Federals, and taken to Louisville, 'where Munday and Metcalfe were convicted of murder, and sentenced to be hung. Munday was executed at the age of only twenty years. Metcalte, through the intercession of his attorney. Colonel John H. McHenry, of Owensboro, had his sentence commuted to imprisonment for five years in the State penitentiary. He was soon afterward released, and is now a respectable citizen of Ohio County. Magrnder had been dangerously wounded Feb. 28, and, after remaining in a military hospital for some time, he was tried, found guilty of murder, and executed