I'S-i^t^' t '^'' J-n STORY S UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT LOS ANGELES IJr^l V f. K .- n ^i ol c. .-\ i.At UKWiA .v . Lu^ ANGELES LIBRARY HISTORY OF KENTUCKY BY ELIZABETH SHELBY KINKEAD oi*ic NEW YORK •:• CINCINNATI •:• CHICAGO AMERICAN BOOK COMPANY Coi'VRIGHT, 1S96, BV AMERICAN BOOK COMPANY HISTORY OF KENTUCKY E-P 1 TO THK MEMORY OK MV FATHER William 55ur^ iiinfecaD FROM WHOM WAS DERIVED WHATEVER TRUTHFUL UNDERSTANDING OF THE KENTUCKY PEOPLE THIS LITTLE BOOK CONTAINS PREFACE In the preparation of this book, an attempt has been made to relate the events of practical, everyday life, in such a manner as to make the study of the history of our State a pleasure to the pupil. While adhering to facts as closely as they could be ascertained, the aim has been that the whole shall entertain as a connected story. Special effort has been made to portray the spirit of the Kentuckians, in order that the student may understand and revere the people from whom he is sprung. To this end, more space has been given to their character- istics as indicated by tales of particular acts, than to the statistics of battles in which they have taken part. As this is a narration of the life of a State, and as the connection of one incident with another is of more im- portance in a work of this kind than the grouping of kindred topics, the chronological order of development has been followed. The subject naturally divides itself into five clearly marked periods. And these lend themselves readily to important subdivisions. That portion of the history which extends to the close of the War of 1812 belongs to the poetic stage in the State's life; and that which follows, to the prose stage. It has been necessary in developing the later prose periods to depart somewhat 5 5 PREFACE from the simple method followed when setting forth the early poetic periods. But this seems rather an ad- vantage; for if the interest of the pupil is awakened at the outset, he will be eager to follow the fortunes of his State to the end, and will, it is hoped, patiently study the more prosaic episodes, in order to get a thor- ough grasp of the whole. It has been my earnest desire that the work should be historically sincere. The difficult aim has been con- stantly before my mind to make it impartial in all in- stances, and at the same time forceful and inspiriting. A Kentuckian, from my infancy I have been imbued with a knowledge and love of the State. And yet, having grown up in the New Kentucky, in her days of quietude, I have been enabled to approach the con- sideration of her significant periods with little individual prejudice. I have made a laborious and careful study of all available material, and I have tried to let the actions of the people, as they have been unfolded to me, speak for themselves, and reveal the Kentuckians. It is my hope that what I have written will find favor with my own people. E. S. K. CONTENTS \—PJOiVEER DAYS 1669-1782 I. First White Men in Kentucky . II. Early Settlements in Kentucky III. Thk County oe Kentucky . IV. Division of the County PAGE 9 19 29 40 W-THE STRUGGLE EOR INDEPENDENCE 1782-1792 V. The District of Kentucky .... VI. Beginning of the Struggle .... VII. The Spanish Conspiracy VIII. The End of the Struggle ..... 50 59 69 \\\ — FOUNDING OF THE COMMONWEALTH 1 792-1850 IX. Organization of the Government X. Political Situation in Kentucky XI. The War of 1812 XII. Local Affairs XIII. Civil Affairs and the Mexican War 7 93 105 1x6 127 141 CONTENTS IV — THE CIVIL WAR 1850-1865 XIV'. The Situation in Kentucky XV. Kentucky's Position of Neutrality XVI. The Invasion of Kentucky XVII. The Second Invasion of Kentucky XVIII. Civil Conflicts PAGE 161 186 196 V— THE NEW KENTUCKY I 865-1 896 XIX. The Restoration of Peace XX. The Era of Transition 205 213 Constitution of Kentucky Index .... 227 273 I — PIONEER DAYS, 1669-1782 CHAPTER I FIRST WHITE MEN IN KENTUCKY, 1669-1775 The history of Kentucky is at once unique and attract- ive. It begins like a romance, thrilling in tales of heroic deeds and exciting adventures. From the ,, , , , '^ Kentucky's earliest settlement of the State, all through the honored crises in its own life and the life of the nation, r Kentucky has held an honored position, and has produced men of great and noble character. None but the brave dared or desired to risk the perils of these untried forests ; therefore, Kentucky was founded by men of forceful qualities, remarkable as well for strength of mind as for endurance of body. The tide of immigration has passed, for the most part, to the north and to the south of Ken- tucky ; hence its present population consists almost exclu- sively of the descendants of the early settlers. The men who are prominent to-day are, in the main, sons of fathers whose fathers helped to establish the Commonwealth. Long ages before Kentucky was discovered, there dwelt in the land a race of beings called Mound Builders, on account of the mounds or monuments they The Mound erected. Many of these mounds have been Guilders opened, and have been found to contain bones of human 9 lO PIONEER DAYS beings and of the mastodon (a gigantic animal now extinct), as well as implements of stone, flint arrowheads, and pieces of pottery. Until recently, historians believed that these Relics from Mounds remains indicated a people different from, and more civil- ized than, the Indians; but modern scientists have con- cluded that the Mound Builders were simply the ancestors of the present Indians. At the time when Kentucky was visited by the first pioneers, it was not the home of Indians, as were many of the other parts of America ; but it was the Kentucky as ^ i i - i i r • i i • seen by hunting ground and battlefield of neighbormg pioneers tribes from the north, the west, and the south. The beautiful and luxuriant for- .■.'^^■^? ests \\L.ie filLd with elk and V V )v buffalo and \ai il- tics of game that ha\e long been extinct. , ^ , „ ^ Beats and wolves, pan- ^^^i^lj^^^ij^ thers, tigers, and wild cats abounded in the dense undergrowth. M , uff Wild Animals of Kentucky FIRST WHITE MEN IN KENTUCKY II Indian valua tion of the land Seven rivers drain the land, — the Big Sandy, the Lick- ing, the Kentucky, the Salt, the Green, the Cumberland, and the Tennessee. Following a northwestward course through the east, the middle, and the west of the State, these all flow into the Ohio, and thence into the waters of the mighty Mississippi. The Indians were by no means ignorant of the value of this land. They were prepared to resist its jjermanent settlement to their ut- most ability, so that the pioneers, or first white men who came to Kentucky, had to contend not only with the wild beasts of the forest but with the equally savage Indian warriors. From the fierce encounter of Indians with Indians, and Indians with pio- neers, it came about that the State was called " The Dark and Bloody Ground." That courage which was a necessity to our forefathers is still a marked characteristic of the sons of Kentucky. The pioneers were men sent forth by the wis- courage of dom of God to found a new Commonwealth. Kentuckians They went in peace, but with their rifles cocked to defend their lives from the Indians. In the early days of American discovery, some people Indian Warriors 12 PIONEER DAYS La Salle believed that there was a great river in America leading across the continent to China. The distin- First white guished Frenchman, La Salle, while in search meninKen- of this river, iri the year 1669 or 1670, passed " ^ through a portion of Kentucky from the Big Sandy to the rapids of the Ohio. As early as 1750, Dr. Thomas Walker of Virginia led an exploring party into Kentucky by way of Powell's Valley, through the mountains in the eastern part of the State, and built a log cabin on the Cumberland River. But the land company he represented was not successful, and he returned home with little knowledge of the coun- One year later, Christopher Gist, an agent of the Ohio Land Company, beheld, stretching out before him, from some point on the Kentucky River, the impressive and beautiful land of Kentucky. There is also a tradition that, in the year 1754, a man by the name of McBride cut his initials on a tree at the mouth of the Kentucky River. Faint rumors now reached Virginia and North Carolina of the fertile land beyond the mountains, and, in the year Daniel Boone i/^Q, John Findlcy piloted Daniel Boone and in Kentucky f^^jj. Q^^gj- companions into the country which he had visited two years before. These courageous men were not driven by persecution, nor by the need to seek a livelihood for themselves and their families. Each one left behind him a " peaceable habitation," as Boone called his quiet home on the Yadkin, in North Carolina, and started forth with a rifle in one hand and a hatchet in the other, in quest of adventure. try. FIRST WHITE MEN IN KENTUCKY 13 They pitched their tent on the banks of the Red River (a , branch of the Kentucky), and remained peace- Booneand . ., , • x^ 1 n ^ Stewart in the fully huntmg until late m December. But one ^°°^^ day Boone and John Stewart, when alone in the woods, were captured by Indians. After seven days they succeeded in making their es- cape, and returned to their camp, to find it deserted, no trace being left of their former com- panions. Boone and Stewart were soon joined by Squire Boone, a younger brother of Daniel's; but shortly after this, Stewart was killed by Indians. The two brothers, find- ing that they did not have enough ammunition, decided that the younger should go back to North Carolina to supply their need. Daniel was now left alone in the vast forests. In July, 1770, Squire Boone arrived with the ammuni- tion. The two brothers remained until March of the following year, and then returned to North ,j,jjg Long . Carolina. Five other adventurers had joined Hunters them in their camp on the Red River. In the year 1 769, a party of about forty men from Virginia and North Caro- lina went out on a hunting expedition. Nine of this Daniel Boone 14 PIONEER DAYS company, led by Colonel James Knox, reached Kentucky the following year, and explored the country about the Cumberland and Green rivers. They did not come in contact with Boone's party. From the length of time all these adventurers were absent from home, they were called "The Long Hunters." Up to the year 1763, France had claimed the country on the east of the Mississippi which included Kentucky. Conflicting After the French and Indian War, Great claims Britain gained the right to this region. But because of prior possession, various tribes of Indians laid claim to the country. In the year 1768, the English gov- ernment purchased from the tribes of Indians called the Six Nations the title to all the lands lying between the Ohio and Tennessee rivers. This treaty was held at Fort Stanwix, now Rome, in New York. Bounty lands on the Ohio River were then granted to many of the officers and soldiers of the Virginia troops. Surveyors sent ^^'^ surveyors were sent to mark them out. to Kentucky Thus wcrc brought to Kentucky many of the clever and gallant young men of Virginia whose names, or those of their descendants, afterwards became asso- ciated with the hi.story of the State. Two interesting characters of this period were Han- cock Taylor and John Floyd. They were deputies under Colonel William Preston, surveyor of Fin- Hancock Tay- _ -' lor and castlc County, Virginia, of which Kentucky °^ was a part until 1776. These men started forth in the high hopes of their young manhood, to survey the far-famed lands of Kentucky. Honor and wealth lay before them, and all the exciting pleasures of a perilous undertaking. The one was shot down by Indians a few months after his arrival ; the other lived nine years — FIRST WHITE MEN IN KENTUCKY 15 long enough to establish his family in Kentucky, and to aid in founding the new country — and then he fell a victim to the same death. There were other surveyors in the early days of Ken- tucky to whom a romantic interest attaches. Captain Thomas Bullitt, of Virginia, at the head of a party, in 1773, made surveys of land for Dr. John Connolly, at the falls of the Ohio, where the city of Louisville now stands. Close upon his explorations fol- Other surveyors Earlv K—n4(i.:k^ Settlers lowed those of James Douglas, who visited Big Bone Lick, where he found scattered on the ground the bones of the mastodon, whose huge ribs he used for his tent poles. The scholarly John Todd, later to be noticed, and his brother Levi, came to Kentucky in the same capacity, as did also two representatives of the Lee family of Virginia. The same year, there came into Kentucky a party of hunters and surveyors from Virginia, led by three brothers, James, George, and Robert McAfee, who later on became 1 6 PIONEER DAYS prominent in the new country. This visit was for investiga- tion, and after selecting lands on the Salt River, in Mercer County, they made their way homeward, well- TI16 McAfees Boone, and ' nigh exhausted by the trials of the journey, others j^ Powell's Valley they met a large party which Daniel Boone was guiding into Kentucky. The life in the wilderness was so delightful to Boone that he deter- mined to make his home there. On the 25th of Septem- ber, 1773, he set out with his wife and children, and was joined by five other families and forty men besides. Their progress was interrupted, however, on the very thresh- old of Kentucky soil by an Indian attack, and six of the company were killed, Boone's son being one of the num- ber. This so disheartened the pioneers that they turned back toward their old homes. The same year, Simon Kenton roamed through Ken- tucky. The following year, James Harrod and forty men Indian hostiii- built themselvcs cabins and laid off the town ^*^^ of Harrodsburg, which, however, they were soon obliged to abandon. Shortly afterward, Governor Dunmore of Virginia sent Daniel Boone and Michael Stoner to guide out of the wilderness the surveyors who were in Kentucky. The Shawnee Indians had become so hostile to the settlement of Kentucky that it was danger- ous for any white man to remain there. They were now gathering under their great chief. Cornstalk, for the blood- iest conflict that ever occurred between the whites and the Indians. The battle of Point Pleasant took place the loth of « **, . T, ■ ■>■ October, 1 774, near the mouth of the Kanawha Battle of Point ' ' ' ^' Pleasant River. The white forces were collected by General Andrew Lewis, but the latter took no per- sonal part in the fight, being occupied with superintending FIRST WHITE MEN IN KENTUCKY 17 the erection of certain breastworks, necessary for the en- counter. The forces consisted mainly of sturdy Scotch- Irish from Virginia, under the command of Colonels Charles Lewis, William Fleming, and John Field. They were joined by two companies of brave men from beyond the Cumberland Mountains, who were eager to avenge the injuries they had suffered from the Indians ; one of these companies was under the command of Captain Russell, and the other under Captain Evan Shelby, who, with his fifty volunteers from the Watauga settlement, in North Carolina, hurried forward to the encounter. The attack was opened upon the division of Colonel Charles Lewis, but he was soon mortally wounded. In quick succession, the two remaining colonels, William Fleming and John Field, were cut down, the one being wounded, the other slain. The command then fell to Captain Shelby. From sunrise the battle raged fiercely. Victory wavered between the two sides. Many had already fallen, when, toward noon, Cornstalk determined to outflank Result of the the whites and, by a bold movement, to end ''^"^^ the conflict. But just at this time, Isaac Shelby, then a young lieutenant left in charge of his father's company, determined also to make a flank movement against the Indians. He took with him two other companies, com- manded by James Stewart and George Matthews. They crept through the underbrush, along the banks of the Kanawha, and surprised the enemy in the rear. The Indians became alarmed and began to retreat. The fight- ing, however, did not cease until near sunset. The victory thus gained by the whites was of the utmost importance in the settlement of Kentucky. Shortly afterward, the Shawnees entered into a treaty with Governor Dunmore, of Virginia. They gave up all their title to the lands KENT. HIST. — 2 PIONEER DAYS south of the Ohio River, and promised not to molest the white men further. Peace now reigned for a time, and the pioneers were enabled to make their homes in Ken- tucky. RECAPITULATION Kentucky's romantic history. Interesting relics found in ancient mounds. Mound Builders the ancestors of Indians. No Indian homes found in the region. The region the Indian hunting ground. A valuable region. Indians determined to resist its set- tlement. The courage of the pioneers. La Salle in Kentucky in 1669 or '70. Walker, Gist, and McBride come be- fore 1754. Findley guides a party in 1 769. Boone and Stewart captured. They escape, to find their camp de- serted. They are joined by Squire Boone. Stewart is killed by Indians. Squire Boone goes home and returns. The brothers leave in 1 771. The Long Hunters. Great Britain gains the region in 1763. Also, she buys it from the Six Nations. Floyd, Taylor, and other surveyors sent to Kentucky. The McAfee brothers. Boone's party attacked by Indians. Simon Kenton visits Kentucky. James Harrod lays off Harrodsburg. Indian hostilities force the surveyors to leave. Indians gather under their great chief. Cornstalk. The battle of Point Pleasant. Colonels Lewis, Field, and Fleming killed or wounded. Captain Evan Shelby commands. Flank movement against the Indians. The whites gain a significant victory. Dunmore's treaty secures peace for a time. CHAPTER II EARLY SETTLEMENTS IN KENTUCKY, 1 775-1 776 In the year 1775, permanent homes were made in Ken- tucky. James Harrod and his company came back to their cabins, which they had been forced to Permanent leave by Indian hostilities, and the McAfees stations returned to their settlement on the Salt River. Not far from Harrodsburg, Benjamin Logan, with a few slaves, erected a station, to which he brought his family during the following year. A most important aid to the settle- ment of the country was the road Daniel Boone cut from Cumberland Gap to the fort m Madison County which bore his name. Far and wide was spread Boone's glowing account of the unknown region ; and though he did not succeed in firing very many with a desire to brave the „ ^ -' '^ _ Boone's perils of its untried forests, the news soon account of the reached some of the influential and wealthy men of North Carolina, who quickly foresaw the vast riches and power which might be theirs if they could gain pos- session of it. We have already seen that the Six Nations had sold to the English their title to that vast area of country which included the present State of Kentucky, gaie of Indian and that after the battle of Point Pleasant, the *^^^^^ Shawnee Indians, also, had renounced their right to the region. But such was the lawless and unstable condition 19 20 PIONEER DAYS of Indian possessions that the ownership seemed to rest with that nation which had gained the latest victory in the tribal wars. Thus the Cherokees, likewise, asserted a claim to the land. Captain Nathaniel Hart, of North Carolina, formed a company, known as Henderson and Company (consisting Henderson and of himsclf, his two brothers, and six others), to Company purchase this Cherokee title. They chose Colonel Richard Henderson as their legal head. Across the country, a distance of about three hundred miles, Hart and Henderson went to hold a conference with the Indians at their villages beyond the Alleghany Mountains. The Indians promised to consider the matter, and sent a com- mittee to examine the goods to be given in exchange for the land. These proved satisfactory, and a place of treaty was determined upon. On the 17th of March, 1775, twelve hundred savage warriors assembled at the Sycamore Shoals of the Watauga River. The nine members of the company were there, and all the men, women, and children of the settlement gathered to hear the decision of the council. When the Indian chiefs finally decided, after much speech-making on both sides, to sell to the whites their "hunting ground," — about seventeen million acres of land, — for the consideration of ten thousand pounds sterling, there was great rejoicing. The land bought by the company lay on the other side of the mountains; and though it was covered with wide- spreading forest trees, they gave it the pic- The colony of ^ '^ . . Transylvania turcsquc and not inappropriate name of Tran- in America , . , r .7 7 --ni r sylvania, beyond the woods. 1 he purpose of the company was to found a colony of which they should be the proprietors, and to sell lands to persons desiring to make their homes in the region. The scheme was brilliant EARLY SETTLEMENTS IX KENTUCKY 21 and gigantic ; and though it was soon abandoned, it had a most important influence on the future of the State. The proprietors were all educated men, who attracted to the country other men of ability. Daniel Boone was sent ahead to open a road for the .proprietors. The trace then cut was later widened into the famous Wilderness Road,^ one of the two ,1-1 r n ^ Boonc's road ways (the other bemg by means of liatboats down the Ohio) by which there entered Kentucky the brave men and women who laid the foundations of the State. Colonel Boone's company consisted of about twenty-two men, and they were joined by a party of eight, under the leadership of Captain William Twetty. Their task was not so difficult as it was perilous, and just before it was completed their courage was put to the test. One morning, while they still lay asleep in camp, they were attacked by Indians. Two of their number were killed, and one was wounded so seriously that he could not be moved immediately. With that spirit of heroism inspired by the times, several of the men remained with their wounded comrade at the risk of their lives, while the others went on ahead about fifteen miles, to select a site upon which to erect a fort. When the proprietors arrived, they found three stations besides Boonesborough already settled in the country. Thev called for an election of delegates from -' . ^ The Boones- these, in order that laws might be made for borough the government of the colony. Twelve dele- gates were duly elected and sent from Harrodsburg, Boil- ing Springs, and St. Asaph's or Logan's Station, and six 1 T/ie IVilderncss Road. By Thomas Speed. Filson Club Publication No. 2. 22 PIONEER DAYS were elected for Boonesborough. This first legislative assembly held west of the Alleghanies met at Boones- borough, May 23, 1775, under the branches of a mighty elm which could comfortably shelter in its shadow one hundred people. The parliament passed nine laws to the satisfaction of all concerned, and adjourned to meet the- following autumn ; but it never again assembled. The independent settlers in the country soon became dissatisfied, and asked Virginia to take them under her protection. Accordingly, in 1778, the legislature of that State annulled the purchase of the Transylvania propri- etors ; but in order to compensate them for their loss, she granted them 200,000 acres of land, and gave good titles to all those who had bought lands from the company. The structure Boone and his men erected at Boones- borough was the first military fortification on Kentucky TheBoones- soil, and it provcd a very secure stronghold borough fort against the unskilled attacks of savages. It was laid out as a parallelogram, inclosed by posts sharp- ened at the end and driven firm- '^li^i^^^-^'^/? ly into the ground. At the four corners were built strong two-story log cabins with windows which looked out on the open space 01 couit of the inclosure The sides ' ''^., which faced the forest had no _ ^ , ^' ' ", u Fort at Boonesborough windows, but only loopholes through which the pioneer«|j:^gEhjd fire at their enemies. EARLY SETFLEMENTS IN KENTUCKY 23 Pioneer women The furnishings of the cabins were very rude, — a bed in one corner made of upright forks of trees, on which rested poles whose ends were thrust into holes ^^ ^ ._ " The furnish- in the wall of the building, and on these poles ingsofthe , r 1-1 cabins were thrown tor mattress and covermg the skins of wild animals ; a rough-hewn dining table, and a few three-legged wooden stools. The windows were covered with paper saturated with bear's oil, through which the light penetrated, and an air of cheerfulness was gained by the huge fireplace which stretched nearly across one side of the room. Shortly after the fort was completed, in September, 1 775, Daniel Boone brought his wife and daugh- ter to Kentucky. At Harrodsburg, also, Hugh McGary, Richard Ho- gan, and Thomas Dan- ton settled with their families. In Novem- ber of this year, John McClellan brought his family into Kentucky, and, in company with Colonel Robert Patter- son, built a station which was named McClellan's. Here, fifteen years later, the town of Georgetown was incorporated. With the coming of the women, home life began in the wilderness, with all of its hardships, its perils, and its inspiriting ^ Backwoods Gin 24 PIONEER DAYS adventures. The women stood side by side with the men, and suffered and grew strong, labored and prospered, with them. To-day we look back to their lives of unselfish devotion, and are thrilled by admiration for their courage. There are no wild beasts for us to fight, no Indians, no dangers from hunger and cold. But if we would be true children of brave ancestors, there is a battle to enter far harder and more worthy of victory than any they were called upon to wage — a battle for the honor and purity of our own lives and of the State. Daniel Boone can in no way stand as a type of the early Kentuckians. They were far more remarkable and clever men. He did not feel himself inspired by character of any high motive, though he was always kind ^^^i^i^oo^e and courageous. He sought the unpeopled lands of Kentucky because he loved the wild life of the woods. With the coming of civilization, he de- parted. But he was an instrument in the hands of God to open the way for the foun- dation of a great State. By the side of Dan- iel Boone there towers another picturesque figure, Simon Kenton, famous Simon Kenton as an In- dian scout, and the hero of many startling adventures. Simon Kenton EARLY SETTLEMP:NTS IX KENTUCKY 25 His manhood began with a tragedy. He loved a girl who was won by his friend. He fought a duel with his rival, and, believing that he had killed him, fled from his old home in Virginia, and under another name tried to forget his deed in the wilderness of Kentucky. But he could not forget. The burden of that thought weighed heavily Running the Gauntlet upon his naturally kind and simple-hearted nature. Long years afterward, he ventured to return to Virginia to visit his family and to bring them to Kentucky. To his over- whelming joy, he found the man he supposed he had killed, alive and ready to be his friend. Once he was captured by Indians. Eight times he was made to run the gauntlet ; that is, to run down a long line of Indian men, women, and boys, each armed with a tom- 26 PIONEER DAYS ahawk, club, or switch, with which the runner was struck. Three times he was tied to the stake to be burned aHve, and every time he was saved through some unexpected dehverance. By his daring coolness, he filled even the Indians with terror, and thus he aided much in the settling of the new country. But he, too, like Boone, passed away before the advance of civilization in Kentucky. For the most part, the pioneers of Kentucky were from that unsurpassed race of people, the Scotch-Irish, who _, . settled in the valley of Virginia, and then of the spread out into the neighboring States. Their Kentuckians i i rr i t • ancestors had surrered religious persecutions in the Old World, and the pioneers brought into the rich, free land of Kentucky an intense love of God, of liberty, and of education, — three important factors in the great- ness of a nation as well as of an individual. Such men, seeking homes and prosperity for their children, were not to be daunted even by the fury of the savages. Occasionally, the faint-hearted would grow weary of the hardships and dangers, and would depart ; but they left behind them the strong and brave who were worthy to be Healthful life the possessors and founders of the beautiful of the pioneers ^^^ country. The men could not- safely plant the crops, nor could the women milk the cows, except under the protection of armed guards who stood ready for the attacks of Indians ; yet none the less they perse- vered in their determination to remain. An existence of healthful work with a steadfast purpose made them cheer- ful. The children played, and the young people laughed and were happy, although the only variety in their lives was the dread of a surprise or an occasional Indian raid. One day in the summer of 1776, Jemima Boone and the two daughters of Colonel Richard Callaway were out EARLY SETTLEMENTS IX KENTUCKY 27 on the Kentucky River, in a canoe, when they were cap- tured by five Indians. The girls tried to beat a romantic off the savages, while they screamed for help, ^p'^""^^ Being unsuccessful in their efforts, they dropped broken twigs or torn bits of their gowns to mark the way they were carried. Boone and Floyd, with a party of men Beating off the Savages from the fort, went in pursuit. They searched for two nights and days, but did not overtake the Indians until they had gone about forty miles from Boonesborough. There they found the girls, thoroughly frightened, but unharmed. It is entertaining to learn that three weeks later the first wedding upon Kentucky soil took place when Squire Boone united in marriage Betsy Callaway, the eldest of the girls, and young Samuel Henderson, one of the rescuing party. 28 PIONEER DAYS RECAPITULATION Permanent homes in Kentucky. Harrod and his company return. The McAfees again at their station. Boone's account impresses influential men of North Carolina. Their desire to buy the region. The Cherokees' claim. Hart and Henderson form a com- pany. Colonel Henderson elected presi- dent. Conference with Indians at Wa- tauga. Indians sell their hunting ground. Colony of Transylvania in America, Boone cuts the Wilderness Road. His company attacked by Indians.- Boonesborough fort erected. Arrival of the proprietors. Other stations previously settled. Delegates appointed to frame laws for the colony. Boonesborough parliament meets, May 23, 1775. The proprietors' purchase annulled. The compensation made by Virginia. The Boonesborough fort, a strong fortification against Indians. The rude furnishings of the cabins. Daniel Boone's family arrive. Other families come to Harrodsburg. McClellan's station built. Pioneer women. Character of Daniel Boone. Simon Kenton's adventures. The pioneers mostly Scotch-Irish. Character of the early Kentuckians. Healthful and happy life in the wil- derness. Indian raids the only variety. Capture of Jemima Boone and the Callaway girls. Their rescue by Boone and Floyd. First marriage on Kentucky soil. CHAPTER III THE COUNTY OF KENTUCKY, 1776-1780 Although it was not until 1778 that the title of the Transylvania Company was legally annulled, it had long before ceased to be considered valid. On the ,, , , Kentucky 4th of July, 1776, the Continental Congress county adopted the Declaration of Independence, and ^^^^^^^®'^^<* in December of that year Kentucky^ County was estab- lished by Virginia. Before this time, the region was a part of Fincastle County, Virginia, and so remote a part that the settlers had no voice in the government of the State. But now they were entitled to choose for them- selves two representatives to the Virginia legislature, and to have local courts of justice and military pro- tection. The change brought greater stability to the colony. Harrodsburg was selected as the county seat, and the first court was held there in September, 1777. It was composed of the ablest men of the time. Among the number were John Floyd, John Todd, Benjamin Logan, ^ After the Transylvania Colony was abolished, the name "Kentucky" was adopted by the pioneers. " Kentucky is from the Iroquois word Kentake, meaning prairie or meadow land. The name probably originated in those treeless stretches of country between the Salt and Green rivers, which our ancestors called barrens. The Indians in early times burnt the trees off these lands and then designated them by Kentake, meaning the meadow or prairie lands." — Centenary of Kentucky, by R. T. Durrett; Filson Club Publication No. 7. 29 30 PIONEER UAVS John Bowman, and Richard Callaway, all men of character, who became distinguished in the pioneer struggle for exist- ence. Levi Todd was appointed clerk, and John Bowman colonel of Kentucky County. For the next two years, the different stations were dis- Repeated turbcd by frequent raids from Indians, which, Indian raids howevcr, did not result in any serious loss of life to the whites, but proved extremely distressing to the Fleeing from the Indians women and children and unfavorable to the growth of the country. Harrodsburg was first attacked, and then, in quick succession, Boonesborough and Logan's fort. An incident in connection with the latter siege is worthy of remembrance, as it illustrates the sagacious heroism of a man whose every act was honorable and courageous. THE COUNTY OF KENTUCKY 31 In the spring of 1777, some women were milking cows outside the fort, guarded by armed men, when they were fired upon by Indians. All fled toward the Logan's fort, but one man was killed, another slightly heroism wounded, and a third so severely injured that he was unable to escape. The Indians left him where he fell, while they lurked within gunshot. Secure of his scalp, they hoped Logan rescuing his comrade to entrap others who might venture to his rescue. In- side the fort his wife and children wailed in apprehen- sion for his fate, and still none dared face the certain death of going to his assistance. When twilight came on, Logan tied over his body the loose feather bed his wife had brought from Virginia, and getting down on all fours he crept outside the fort, grunting like one of the hogs which roamed around the inclosure. Suddenly he seized the wounded man, and darted toward the fort, before the sur- 32 PIONEER DAYS prised and puzzled Indians had time to recover sufficiently to take sure aim at him. Balls and arrows flew about him, but he and his companion reached the fort in safety. The Indians continued their resistance to the settle- ment of Kentucky, and yet the population slowly grew. Indian Booncsborough suffered a second attack, July, hostilities i^^j. At this time there were only twenty- two fighting men to defend the fort ; but toward the end of the year that station was increased by fifty men and their families, and Logan's fort had an addition of thirty- eight families. There were now between five hundred and six hundred people in Kentucky ; and only the stout- hearted came, for it was known that the Indians were powerfully aided by the English in their warfare upon the Kentuckians, and that it would probably be long continued. We have seen that the country west of the Alleghanies and east of the Mississippi had been in the possession of the French, who began to settle it as early, probably, as The British 1 688, after the celebrated La Salle (who made aid the Indians explorations there) had returned to his native land with accounts of the great river and the fertile country. Later on, a conflict arose between the French and English colonists in North America that developed into what is called the French and Indian War. After a long and fierce struggle, the French surrendered to the English in 1763. The old French villages, Kaskaskia, Cahokia, etc., in Illinois, and Vincennes, on the Wabash, were fortified by the conquerors, and, at the outbreak of the Revolution, these posts were the military strongholds of the English king. It was from them that the Indians, who had allied themselves with Great Britain against the Americans, received the supplies which enabled them to besiese the Kentuckians. -^. THE COUNTY OF KENTUCKY 33 George Rogers Clark had been contemplating an attack upon these British possessions that would subdue the power of the Indians, and open the west to the Americans. About this time he received ah order from the Virginia legislature to lead his expe- George dition into the Illinois coun- Rogers Clark's try, as that region was then expedition ■' hi /^i i mdefinitely called. Clark had visited Kentucky in 1776, and had ' w' ' G^u^-'V, determined to throw in his fortunes ^ ' « <^« . , , , T T George Rogers Clark /Cdo o> J With that colony. He was a young ^ '\\ Virginian of striking bearing and bold, unwavering char- ^i ^-IT acter. He possessed precisely the order of talent fitted for the expedition to which he was called. His plan of conquering the Illinois country was adroit and vigorous. His victorious march from Kaskaskia to Cahokia, and the final capture of Vincennes, February 25, 1779, distin- guished him as a man of high military genius. An account of these campaigns belongs properly to the history of the United States. Their result, however, was of inestimable benefit to the settlers in Kentucky and they rejoiced in the glory attending them ; for most of the men who served with Clark either had lived in Kentucky or in- tended to make their homes there. John Todd, already a prominent Kentuckian, was made county lieutenant or governor of the Illinois country. When Clark and his troops came down the Ohio in flat- boats, on their way to the Illinois country, they brought with them about twenty families who intended „, , ,^ ■^ Clark the to settle in Kentucky. They landed upon a founder of ,,., , , T^n ri /-^^ • ii/r LOUiSViUe small island at the rails of the Ohio, May 27, 1778, and proceeded to erect a fort. Here they remained KENT. HIST. — 3 34 PIONEER DAYS until the following autumn, when they removed to the mainland and built a fort at the foot of the present Twelfth Street. In 1780, this settlement, which grew to be the largest city in the State, received the name of Louisville. On Christmas day a party was given in the old Twelfth Street fort. Everybody assisted. They called it a house- A Christmas Party the warming, and they made merry together, dancini 'Virginia reel to the music of an old negro fiddler. While Clark and his Kentucky captains were carrying on their conquests in the West, a very important event had Boone's cap- taken place at home. In February, 1778, t"""^ Boone and twenty-six men, who had gone to the Blue Licks to make salt for the different stations, were THE COUNIY OF KENFUCKY 35 captured by a party of Indians on their way to attack BoonesboroLigh. The Indians were so elated with their prize that they abandoned the idea of going to Boones- borough, for the time, and returned in triumph with their prisoners, to their village, Chillicothe. There Boone re- mained until early in the following June, when the savages again assembled to carry out their delayed plan. Then he Boone's Escape determined to escape, and to warn his fort, whatever might be the danger to himself. He reached his friends, un- harmed, in four days, after a journey of i6o miles, during which he had but one meal. Boone's escape delayed, for several weeks, the plan of the Indians ; but on the 8th of August, a formidable band of savages, painted and bedecked with all their gjggg ^^ war equipments, and with French and British Boonesborough colors flying, surrounded the fort. They were commanded 36 PIONEER DAYS by a French officer, Captain de Ouindre, who demanded, in the name of his Britannic Majesty, the surrender of the garrison. Strange to relate, two days were granted for the consideration of this proposition, during which time all the horses and cattle were collected in the fort, and then Boone announced, with many jeers at the discom- fited captain, that they were ready to defend their fort while a man was living. De Ouindre now determined to entrap Boone, if possible. He asked him, with eight other men, to come outside the DeQuindre's fort to treat with him, and this was agreed to. "■^^^ But before the conference was over, the cun- ning ofihcer said that it was a custom, when concluding a treaty, for two of the Indians to shake the hands of each white man. Thereupon two powerful Indians seized Boone and his men with the intention of capturing them ; but the hardy Kentuckians wrung themselves free and fled into the fort. Soon the firing began. The Indians made an unsuccessful attempt to burn the fort, while de Ouindre ordered a trench dug to undermine its walls ; but his purpose was discovered in time and frustrated. The siege lasted nine days. The stoutest hearts were tried, but no one thought of surrendering. 0« the 20th Result of the day of the month, the warriors took their de- siege parture. Only two men among the whites were killed and four were wounded. The Indians prob- ably suffered no greater loss ; but they were discouraged by the resistance of the garrison, and never again at- tempted an attack upon Boonesborough. Clark's victories in the West, coming about this time, weakened the power of the Indians and inspired confidence in the hearts of the Kentuckians. Immigrants streamed into the country, and new stations sprang up everywhere. THE COUNTY OF KENTUCKY 37 News traveled slowly into the wilderness in those days ; but the spirit of the pioneers was in ardent sympathy with the great struggle for independence which was Founding of going on beyond their borders. In April, Lexington 1779, Colonel Robert Patterson, in company with James Masterson, the McCon- nels, Lindseys, Morri- sons, and others, began a settlement in the most beautiful part of the Blue Grass Region, to which the name of Lex- ington was given, in honor of the first battle of the Revolution. The same year, in May, the land laws were passed by the legis- lature of Virginia, and commissioners were ap- pointed to consider all claims and settle all disputes on the subject. The court was opened at Logan's fort, October 13, 1779, with Wil- liam Fleming, Edmond Lyne, Tames Barbour, ° J 1 J Land laws and Stephen Trigg as commissioners, and John Williams as clerk. The bold hunter, whose greatest desire had been for romantic adventure, was now joined by the speculator, who sought fortune in the new country — Virginians, largely, in whom the love of land was bred as a passion. Altogether, the year 1779 was a notable one in the his- tory of Kentucky. But following close upon its growth and prosperity came what is known in the annals of Robert Patterson 14651G 38 PIONEER DAYS oU.jl the State as the "Hard Winter." Unmelting snows lay deep over the land. Horses and cattle perished, and The "Hard even the wild animals shrunk to the bones. Winter Only the bears, living in the hollows of trees, withstood the severity of the cold. Life in the roughly built cabins of the pioneers was trying during the mildest of winters ; but it was torturing now. Because of the in- creased ])opulation, the supply of corn gave out. The only food was lean game, which was secured with the greatest difficulty. But the sufferings of the travelers who had been overtaken by the storms on their way to Kentucky were even greater. Crowded into the cabins, the settlers could manage to have some amusement for the time and could hope for the future. The women spun and wove, and the men made the utensils necessary for daily use. They turned their attention, also, to the education of their children. During this winter, a school was opened at Boonesborough by Joseph Doniphan. As early as 1776, Mrs. William Coomes taught a school in the fort at Harrods- burg. She had no text- books. Smooth boards of wood were used for paper, and the juice of oak balls for ink. The children learned to write and work ex- First schools in amities from Kentucky --" copies set them by the teacher. When they could read, they had Bibles Little private schools of this kind, where the pupils were taught to read and write A Schoolhouse in the Backwoods and hymn books to study. >0\U'C' THE COUNTY OF KENTUCKY 39 and calculate, were opened in the different stations. Per- haps the children studied as hard (being gratef.ul for any opportunity to learn) as the boys and girls do to-day, who have cultured teachers and attractive text-books. The spring brought many men of talent and education to Kentucky ; it brought, also, continued warfare with the British and Indians. Captain Henry Bird, a capture of British officer, with six hundred Canadians MarS-'s^'"^ and Indians, invaded the settlements on the stations Licking River, June 22, 1780, and captured Ruddle's and Martin's stations. These garrisons offered no resistance to an army so formidable in numbers and supplied with artillery. Everything valuable that the forts contained was carried off by the savages. The inhabitants were captured and taken to the Northwest, where they were scattered among the Indians. Many of the women who could not travel fast enough were tomahawked. RECAPITULATION Kentucky County established. Harrodsburg the county seat. Men of ability compose the first court. Indians attack Harrodsburg, then Boonesborough. Logan's fort attacked. Second attack of Boonesborough. Population increases. The British aid the Indians. Clark's expedition. I lis military genius. He conquers the Illinois country. John Todd made governor of the Illinois country. Clark the founder of Louisville. Christmas party at Louisville. Boone and others captured at the Blue Licks. A third siege of Boonesborough planned by the Indians. Boone escapes to warn his fort. Boonesborough attacked. Indians commanded by Captain dc Quindre. Boone declines to surrender. De Quindre's tricks unsuccessful. The siege ended after nine days. The population increases. Lexington founded. Land commissioners appointed. Court opened at Logan's fort. Speculators come to Kentucky. The " Hard Winter." First schools in Kentucky. Capture of Ruddle's and Martin's stations. CHAPTER IV DIVISION OF THE COUNTY, 1 780-1 782 The population steadily increased. In 1780, the legis- lature of Virginia thought it advisable to divdde the County Division of o^ Kentucky into three counties, — Jefferson, the county Fayette, and Lincoln. John Floyd, John Todd, and Benjamin Logan were appointed colonels of their respective counties, and William Pope, Daniel Boone, and Stephen Trigg, lieutenant colonels. Colonel Clark was raised to the rank of brigadier general. The most important consideration of the newly settled country was military protection from the Indians. The Eagerness ^^^^ interest was the proper distribution of for land j^g lands. Each county had its special sur- veyor, — George May for Jefferson, Thomas Marshall for Fayette, and James Thompson for Lincoln. So great was the desire to gain property in this beautiful Kentucky country that on one occasion when General Clark had planned an attack upon certain Indian towns, he was obliged to order the surveyor's office to be closed, and to state that it would not be opened until after the expedition was over, before he could induce any one to listen to his call for volunteers. Raids were no less frequent during the year 1781, but they were less carefully planned than formerly. The Continued Indians were preparing for war on a larger warfare scale, which they hoped would drive out the 40 DIVISION OF THE COUNTY 41 intruders from their hunting ground. But through all this tale of disheartening warfare runs the invigorating story of the valor of the Kentuckians, and pictures of noble magnanimity stand out to refresh us. John Floyd, the colonel commandant of Jefferson County, Wells assisting Floyd had gone with a number of men to the assistance of a neighboring settlement. He was wounded, weiis's and was retreating on foot before the pursu- magnanimity ing Indians, when he was overtaken by Captain Samuel Wells, who was also fleeing for his life. Floyd and W^clls hadbeen enemies, but the past was forgotten. Instantly the 42 nONEER DAYS generous captain sprang from his horse, lifted Floyd into the saddle, and ran by his side to support him, thus risk- ing his life for his enemy. Both were saved and were friends ever afterward. The following spring opened with a fierce conflict which has always been known as Estill's defeat. A party of twenty-five Wyandots were seen passing; Estill's defeat ^^ , , ^t r , r Boonesborough. News of the tact was brought to Captain James Estill at his station on the south of the Kentucky River, near where Richmond now stands, and he started in pursuit of the Indians, with forty men. Shortly after his departure the savages came upon his unguarded fort, killed and scalped a young girl, and destroyed the cattle, before they departed. Two boys were sent as runners to bear the news of the tragedy to Estill. A party of the men returned to protect the women, while the rest, to the number of twenty-five, pushed on and overtook the Indians, not far from the present town of Mount Ster- ling. The fight which then occurred required hearts of unwavering courage. It was not a battle, but a combat of man with man. For nearly two hours the struggle lasted, each one of the company from behind a tree shooting toward the Indian he had selected. At last the whites were overcome. Nine were killed, including the brave Estill, and four were wounded. The latter, however, escaped" with those who were uninjured. In the month of July, two British captains, McKee and Caldwell, with a company of rangers from the British posts at Detroit, o-athered together over one thou- McKee and ' '^ ^ ^ Caldwell's sand Indians, — the largest body of troops-iip ^"^"^^ to that time collected west of the Alleghanies. It was their intention to attack Wheeling, but on their march thither, news reached them that General Clark was DIVISION OF THE COUNTY 43 on his way to surprise the towns of the Shawnee Indians. They turned back to defend these towns, and, to their mortification, found that the report was false. This so discouraged the Indians that a large number of them deserted ; but the more resolute British officers were not to be thus deterred from their purpose to harass and fight the Americans. They succeeded in holding a com- pany of over three hundred Indians and rangers, with which they pushed on into Kentucky, to attack the weak stations in Fayette County. They reached Bryan's station on the morning of the 1 6th of August, 1782. Halting in the neighborhood of the fort, they sent a few Indian spies ahead to Bryan's sta- draw out the whites, meaning then to rush upon ^^"'^ attacked them with the whole body of their forces. Most fortunately, the majority of the men were inside the fort, making ready to go to the assistance of the stations on the south of the Kentucky River, whither the Wyandots had gone after Estill's defeat. The spies were discovered ; and the oft-tried Kentuckians, wise in the tactics of Indian warfare, understood the meaning of their presence, and immediately began preparations for a siege. Now there was no spring inside the walls of the fort; and water would be a necessity if the attack should continue long. The fetching of water was everywhere Heroism of the the work of women, a fact which the Indians ^'"en knew. If the men should go for it now, the spies would immediately suspect that they had been discovered. The attack might then begin at once, which would be fatal to the garrison. It was unlikely, however, that the women would be disturbed, and they were called together. The situation was explained to them. They were urged to go for the 44 PIONEER DAYS water and to act as though they did not know that a band of savages was within gunshot. There was a moment of intense excitement, of inde- cision and shrinking from the task; but the women in those stirring times of danger had acquired a warlike courage. Moreover, they had learned to forget them- selves, and to think only of the good of their family, their station, and their country. The bravest among the Marching to the Spring older women stepped forward and declared their readi- ness to go on the trying rjijssion. One by one, the younger women and girls followed, emboldened by this resolute spirit, until the whole body of women marched to the spring with their buckets, laughing and talking unconcernedly together. On their return, however, their steps gre.w faster and faster, and they fairly rushed into the safety of the fort. DIVISION OF THE COUNTY 45 Immediately afterward the attack began ; but the gar- rison was now ready for it. Swift-footed runners were sent to summon assistance from the neighbor- ing stations. Five miles away, at Lexington, ^ ^^^^ Major Levi Todd, with forty men, had just started for the southern border of the country. A messenger overtook him, and in a short time he reached Bryan's Station. The British officers now saw that all hope of taking the fort by surprise was vain. At night the Indians attempted to set fire to it ; but, being unsuccessful, they were quite ready to depart. However, there was a young white leader among them who determined to make another effort to force the fort to surrender. This was Simon Girty, — known far and wide to the border people of that day as the "White Renegade," — a man despised by every one. When he was a boy, his father had been killed by Indians, and ^™*"^ ^"^*^ he himself had been adopted by them. He had grown up a savage, and chose to remain one. He possessed all the cunning cruelty of his foster brethren, and by his knowl- edge of English he became a power among them in their schemes to torture the Americans. He now made a speech to the fort's defenders. He spoke of the numbers with him, and of the reenforcements and artillery that were ex- pected; but he told them that if they would surrender they would not be harmed. The Kentuckians knew that their rude fortifications could not withstand cannon ; but they could not be intimidated. One of their young men, Aaron Reynolds, answered Girty in a bold, bantering spirit that won the admiration of his associates. He assured Girty that they were not at all afraid of his artillery or of his numbers ; that, as for the latter, all the country was coming to their assistance. 46 PIONEER IJAVS Girty knew this, as did the Indians, and they concluded it would be the part of wisdom to leave ; but they did all the injury possible, destroying the fields and killing hun- dreds of cattle, sheep, and hogs. On the following morn- ing, they took their departure, having had five of their number slain and several wounded. Four of the whites were killed, and three injured. It did not take long to gather the riflemen of Kentucky. They answered the summons for assistance as hurriedly Gathering of as did the clansmen of Scotland the signal of the riflemen ^j^^ .. ^^^.^ cross." ^ On the afternoon of the day the Indians left Bryan's Station, 182 men, many of them commissioned of^cers, mustered there under the command of Colonel John Todd, the ranking officer of Kentucky, Lieutenant Colonels Trigg and Boone, and Majors McGary, Harlan, and Levi Todd. Without wait- ing for Colonel Logan, who was to follow as soon as possible with the forces of Lincoln County, they pushed on the trail of the Indians, and overtook them near the Blue Licks, on the morning of August 19. They halted and held a council of war. The Licking River lay be- tween them and the enemy. Should they cross and open the attack at once, or should they await the arrival of Logan's troops ? The prudent decision was cast in favor of the latter course, when Major McGary, an impulsive man, filled with a passionate hatred of all Indians because his son had been 1 111 the hordcr warfare of Scotland, "an ancient method of gathering the people was by sending the ' fiery cross ' through the country. This mj'sterious symbol of haste and danger was formed of yew, first set on fire and then quenched in the Ijlood of a goat. Every man who received it was bound to pass on with it through torrents, or over mountains, by day or night, until another took it off his hands." See, also, The Gathekinc, III. Canto, T/ie Lady of the Lake. DIVISION OF THE COUNTY 47 killed by some of them, plunged forward into the river, waving his hat over his head and shouting : " Let all who are not cowards follow me ! " Immediately, Battle of the as if fired by his taunt, the impatient troops ^^"^ ^^'^^^ rushed after him. The sober officers had no alternative but to follow. Soon the battle began. From the first the advantage was with the enemy, because of superior num- McGary in the River •- ^ bers. Colonel Trigg was killed, then Harlan with nearly all his advance guard was swept away. John Todd and Boone tried to rally the men, until Todd himself was shot down. Then a wild panic took place. Leaving the dead on the field of battle, every one attempted to escape. The fighting had lasted only about five minutes, and in that time the Kentuckians had lost seventy of their bravest 48 PIONEER DAYS soldiers, twelve had been wounded, and seven captured. The loss on the other side was insignificant in corn- After the parison. Several days later, Colonel Logan batue arrived at the scene of the tragedy with four hundred men, — a force large enough to have completely overwhelmed the Indians. But all was over now. Nothing remained to do but to bury the dead where they had fallen. By the rash act of one man was brought about the greatest disaster that had ever befallen Kentucky. It is impossible to describe the anguish of that time. Sorrow and wailing prevailed everywhere. For weeks the women could not be consoled. But the unconquerable Kentuckians did not long rest in their mourning. The blow must be retaliated. Troops quickly gathered at the Falls under Colonel Floyd and at Bryan's Station under Colonel Logan. Uniting at the mouth of the Licking under General Clark, they marched rapidly into the Indian country. On the loth of November, 1782, the Miami towns were burnt to the ground. Warning had been given the Indians, and they escaped into the woods ; but all their valuable property was destroyed. From village to village, the mighty force of Kentuckians swept with their desolating firebrands. At last the Indians were conquered. Though, for ten years longer, occasionally a few straggling savages would disturb the security of the settlers, Kentucky never again suffered any serious Indian invasion. RECAPITULATION Kentucky County divided. Jefferson, Fayette, and Lincoln coun- ties. Military officers and surveyors ap- Great eagerness to obtain lands. Indians preparing for war. Samuel Wells's magnanimity. Estill pursues a band of Indians. pointeil. I A young girl killed at his fort. DIVISION OF THE COUNTY 49 Indians overtaken near Mount Ster- ling. Estill's defeat. McGee and Caldwell's army of over one thousand Indians. A false alarm changes the course of the army. A smaller force marches into Ken- tucky. Attack on Bryan's Station. Heroic women supply the fort witli water. The siege begun. Runners summon assistance. Indians fail to burn the fort. Girty attempts to frighten the men into surrendering. Aaron Reynolds's fearless answer. KENT. HIST. — 4 Indians do great damage before de- parting. The riflemen of Kentucky gather. One hundred and eighty-two men at Bryan's Station. The officers of the company. The Indians are pursued. Council of war held. A prudent decision made. McGary's rash act. Battle of the Blue Licks. Terrible slaughter of the whites. Great anguish caused. The blow retaliated. Village after village destroyed. The Indians are conquered. No more serious invasions of Ken- tucky. II — THE STRUGGLE FOR INDEPEND- ENCE, 1782-1792 chaptI':r V THE DISTRICT OF KENTUCKY, 1 782-1 784 Beyond the borders of Kentucky, the Confederated Colonies were passing through their victorious conflict for „ ^ , , independence from Great Britain — six terrible Kentucky's ^ struggle for years of ceaseless warfare from the battle at existence Lexington, 1775, to the surrender of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown, 1781. Cut off from the East by the high wall of the Cumberland Mountains, separated from the neighboring regions of the Northeast, the North, and the West by a connected system of waters, Kentucky was waging alone, unaided by continental arms and con- tinental supplies, an equally terrible conflict. Li the his- tory of this era, too little recognition has been made of this struggle, whose successful issue gave to the nation a strong, faithful State, and opened the way for the con- quest of the vast, rich West. At Paris, France, on the 30th of November, 1782, the preliminary treaty of peace between the United States and Peace with Great Britain was signed. There were no England occan cablcs in those days, no telegraph lines, no railroads, no postal service. Slowly the news reached 50 THE DISTRICT OF KENTUCKY 5 I the far-away land of Kentucky, told by traveler to trav- eler, or written in letters which were borne to friends by immigrants to the country. But early in the following spring the cheering fact was known. At this time there were less than thirty thousand people in Kentucky. Now the growth became very rapid. By 1790, the population had increased to more immigration to than seventy-five thousand. The long war Kentucky which had just closed had left the Atlantic States impov- erished. The fertile lands of Kentucky offered an allur- ing prospect to families whose fortunes had been thus injured. From Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and the Carolinas, especially from Virginia, came this great influx of people to Kentucky. Of course there were some men among them of low character and slender ability ; but the majority of them were clever, educated people of moral strength, who were notable even in that most remarkable epoch of American history. Among them were officers whose military genius had hastened the victory of the Revolution ; soldiers whose unselfish loyalty had aided the cause ; and young men of talent, fresh from the colleges of the East. Their names will fill the pages of the following period. The men whose rare courage and entertaining adventures stirred us in the story of the pioneer days, have passed away ; either death has come to them, or they have finished their great work. Only one or two recur in the narrative of the public affairs of the new era opening before us. By an act of the Virginia legislature the three counties, Jefferson, Fayette, and Lincoln, were united in 1783 and Kentucky District was established. A district ■^ Kentucky court was erected, and John Floyd, Samuel District McDowell, and George Muter were appointed 52 THE STRUGGLE FOR INDEPENDENCE judges. Walker Daniel was also commissioned attorney- general, and John May was selected to be the clerk of the court. Shortly after his appointment, John Floyd, the vigorous, intellectual pioneer, was killed by an Indian. He had The District fought, unscathed, through the terrible border judges wars, and now, in the time of peace, riding unguardedly in the woods near his home, wearing his scar- let wedding coat, — a definite mark for the savages, — he received his death wound. It is a curious coincidence that two other members of this district court, pioneers like Floyd, met a similar death, — -Walker Daniel in 1784, John May in 1790. The other judges were Virginians, whom the close of the war brought to Kentucky. They had been ofificers in the Revolution and each bore the rank of colonel. Their recognized worth and ability are indicated by their appointment to this po.sition of trust and dignity. We shall have need to refer to them frequently in the fol- lowing pages. ^^ ^ •■^ - - . s. - V ^r-t,*^fei«*4K.,,iik. As^s- An Ohio River Flatboat On the third day of March, 1783, the court was opened at Harrod.sburg ; but there being no house large enough at Founding of that place for its accommodation, it adjourned Danville ^^ .^ church six miles away. One of its first official acts was to order a log courthouse to be built at some safe place near Crow's Station (about ten miles from THE DISTRICT OF KENTUCKY 53 Harrodsburg), and a jail also, of "hewed or sawed logs at least nine inches thick." The location was wisely chosen ; it was on the Wilderness Road, the great highw^ay through Kentucky, and within the famous Blue Grass region. From this judicial beginning grew the town of Danville, which became the seat and center of all the public affairs of the District, and whose early history suggests so many picturesque and interesting events. Each town in Kentucky has its particular tone. Danville may be characterized as sober and intellectual, self-respecting in the management of its own affairs, and unworldly. Security and hope prevailed in Kentucky District, and its reputation increased abroad. Fkitboats filled with immigrants were constantly landing at the Falls (Louisville), in the northwestern part of the Prosperity 54 THE strugglp: for independence settled region, and at Limestone (now Maysville), in the northeast. Heavily laden pack horses brought a contin- ued stream of settlers through Cumberland Gap, over the Wilderness Road. At Louisville, Daniel Brodhead, an officer in the Revo- lution, who had recently come to Kentucky, opened a shop where all kinds of goods, imported from Philadelphia, were sold. The home-woven cotton gowns and sunbon- Brodhead's n^ts Were replaced by gay-figured calicoes and ^^"""^ straw bonnets. There were also more costly articles for gala days, — silks and parasols for the maidens, broadcloths and silk stockings for the men. A French- man, landing at the Falls in 1784, described a party of young people that he ,'' ~' saw thus attired starting off for an excursion on the river. There is on record, also, an account of a party given by Mrs. Martha Donne to cele- brate the first crop of wheat raised at the Falls, in 1783. Early merry- The wheat was '^^^'''^' ground with a hand mill, James Wilkinson ^j^^^^ through a cambric handkerchief which Mistress Martha had brought from Philadelphia, shortened with raccoon fat, baked, and served for the refreshment of the guests. Thus early the town of Louisville took or. its brilliant, fashionable, hospitable tone. THE DISTRICT OP' KENTUCKY 55 In February, 1784, General James Wilkinson made his advent into Lexington as the representative of a mercan- tile firm in Philadelphia of which he was the head. Wil- kinson was brilliant in mind and affable in james wiikin- manner, but corrupt in morals and selfish in son's advent character. He acted an important part in the political events of the period. Wilkinson's shop, like Brodhead's, was a great advantage to the neighboring region. At this time there were eight towns in Kentucky : Louisville and Bardstown, in Jefferson County ; Harrods- burg, Boonesborough, and Danville, in Lincoln Lexington's County ; and Lexington, Leestown, and Green- Position ville, in Fayette County. Of these, Lexington was the larg- est. Never rapid, but always steady in growth, Lexington was advancing into that substantial business and social position which she has maintained until the present day. Her early interest in all things intellectual caused her to become the center of the literary culture of the District, and gave to her the title, — in the high-sounding phrase- ology of the time, — Athens of the West. Here John Filson ^ wrote the first history of Kentucky, which was likewise the first history of any portion of that vast region lying west of the Alleghanies. The fame of the "happy climate and plentiful soil" of ... . John Filson Kentucky had reached Filson m his home m southern Pennsylvania, and he went thither to secure lands for himself. This was probably in the year 1782, when he was about thirty-six years old. He was a schoolmaster, and very well educated except in the matter of spelling and the use of capitals. He led a roaming, stirring life until his death in 1788. Shortly before that time, he had 1 The Life of John Filson. By Reuben T. Durrett. Filson Club Publi- • cation No. i. 56 TflE STRUGGLE FOR INDEPENDENCE entered into a partnership with Matthias Denman and Colonel Robert Patterson (one of the founders of Lexington) to lay off a town where the present city of Cincinnati stands. Filson brought his Greek, Latin, and French knowl- edge into use to coin a name for his town : Losan- tiville — ■ tJie city opposite the vionth of the Licking. While out survey- ing, he became separated from his companions and was never again seen. He was killed either by the savage Indians, or by. the beasts of the forest. Filson gained the information for his history, and the map with which it is illustrated, from a close intercourse First history with Daniel Boone, Levi Todd, James Harrod, of Kentucky Christopher Greenup, John Cowan, and Wil- liam Kennedy, whose " distinguished assistance " he grate- fully acknowledges. Beside the map, the history is made further entertaining by a narrative of " The Adventures of Colonel Daniel Boone," which the author learned from the old pioneer himself. There was no printing press in Ken- John Filson THE DISTRICT OF KENTUCKY 57 tucky at that time, so Filson carried the manuscript of the history to Wihiiington, Delaware, and that of the map to Philadelphia, where the book was published in 1784. One year later it was translated into French by M. Parraud, and published in Paris. This little book is now very rare and valuable. We have noticed the early desire of Kentuckians for education. Thus far, all that had been possible were little private schools held within the stations. Now xransyivania we are to learn somethino; of the first school university ° founded or college in the West. In 1780, the Virginia legislature passed an act to establish such a school in Kentucky as soon as the condition of the country should permit. An endowment of eight thousand acres of land was given to it and thirteen trustees were appointed. In 1783, the trustees were increased to twenty-five and the endowment of land to twenty thousand acres. The school was to be called Transylvania Seminary, and the trustees were to hold their first meeting at Crow's Station (Dan- ville) the second Monday in November of that same year. The trustees were influential men in the District. The names of those who attended the first meeting have been preserved for us. They are John Craig, Walker Daniel, Willis Green, Christopher Greenup, Robert Johnson, Sam- uel McDowell, David Rice, James Speed, Isaac Shelby, and Caleb Wallace. The Reverend David Rice was elected chairman of the board. " Father Rice," as he was commonly called, had lately arrived in Kentucky from Virginia. He was the first Presbyterian preacher in the District, an earnest man, and well educated for that day, being a graduate of Nassau Hall, afterward Princeton College. At this first meeting, the trustees did little but grow 58 riiK srRL:(;GLK for indkpendence more enthusiastic concerning the advantages of education. Their uncultivated lands gave them no money with which either to buy a schoolhouse or to ])ay teachers. Two years later, however, the seminary was opened at the home of the chairman, near Danville, and, in 1788, it was removed to Lexington. Before long, theological differ- ences arose in the school, and, in 1796, the Presbyterians withdrew their support and established Kentucky Acad- emy, at Pisgah. But in 1798 all disagreements were adjusted, and the rival institutions were united at Lexing- ton under the name "Transylvania University." RECAPITULATION Kentucky's unaided struggle during the Revolution era. Her important service to the nation. Treaty of peace, November 30, 1 782, ])roclaimed in Kentucky the fol- lowing spring. High class of imniigrants. Pioneers pass away. New names appear in public affairs. Kentucky District established, 1783. Samuel McDowell and George Muter. Judiciary appointments. Floyd, Daniel, and May murdered by Indians. Court opened at Ilarrodsburg. Removed to Crow's .Station. Danville founded. Characteristics of Danville. Prosperity in the District. Brodhead's store. Louisville's flourishing condition. Early merrymakings. Wilkinson's arrival in Kentucky. Lexington's substantial position. John F'ilson conies to Kentucky. F'ilson's first history of the region. Transylvania Seminary established Becomes Transylvania University. CHAPTER VI BEGINNING OF TILE STRUGGLE, 1 784-1 786 The security of the Kentuckians was beginning to be disturbed. The country which the Americans wrested from Great Britain consisted of the Atlantic Military States, extending from Canada to the thirty- posts in the ' '^ ■' Northwest first degree of latitude, and Kentucky and the Illinois country, which the pioneers had won. Off in the Northwest, — far away then, but now at the very threshold of that vast region, which has become thickly settled, — -at and about Detroit, the British still held the military sta- tions which they had gained from the French. In their treaty of peace with the United States the British had promised to surrender these posts ; but, because of cer- tain complications, they now refused to comply with their agreement. When the news of this fact reached Kentucky, great fears of Indian hostilities were felt. We have learned that the Indians had been instigated to attacks jq^j^^ upon the Kentuckians by the British. If the hostilities . . . . . anticipated l^ritish still held stations in America, then the Indians would still be urged to warfare. Virginia was far away from Kentucky — too far to send her assistance in time of trouble, l^ut as Kentucky was not independent, no military expedition could be undertaken beyond the borders of the District unless so ordered by the V^irginia 59 6o THE STRUGGLE FOR INDEPENDENCE government. The question of asking for separation from Virginia was continually discussed. The Congress of the Confederation of States did not advise any attempt to exterminate the Indians; but rec- causes of In- ommended a peaceful course of action toward dian hostilities ^j^gj,-, -p^ ^j^jg ^j^,^]^ commissioners were ap- pointed to treat with the various tribes to induce them to recognize the authority of the victorious States. But cer- tain Indians on the east of the Miami River, who had been induced against their will to enter into a treaty, still re- tained their animosity toward the Kentuckians ; and certain others farther to the west, who had never entered into any treaty, were likewise inflamed at the thought of the Americans possessing their lands. Furthermore, law- less men in Kentucky, who believed there could be no good in any Indian and that it was never well to let one live, would sometimes kill those that were harmless. The revengeful savages retaliated by murdering innocent white men. Information came to Colonel Benjamin Logan that a serious invasion by the Cherokees might be expected. Meeting of mil- General Clark had been retired. Colonel itary officers Logan was now the ranking officer of Ken- tucky. Accordingly, in November, 1784, he called, at Danville, an informal meeting of the military officers of the District, to consider the manner of resisting the an- ticipated attack. This meeting agreed that the Kentucki- ans must passively await the inroads of the savages, as they had no authority among themselves to order an expe- dition into the Indian country in order to repel the inva- sion. Therefore it was resolved that it would be wise to call for the election oi one delegate from each of the militia companies in tlie District, who should meet in con- BEGINNING OF THE STRUGGLE 6i vention to consider the subject of seeking independence from Virginia. As there was no printing press in Kentucky, a circular address setting forth the facts was many times copied and distributed among the people. We can picture the Ken- tuckians, chafing under a sense of restraint as they alertly listened for the war whoop of the Indians. At Danville, on December 27, 1784, the first convention for separation met, and decided by a large majority that the dang-ers to which the District was subject ^. ^ c" •' First conven- could be remedied only by its becoming an tionfor , I r- -r. 1 1 • • independence independent State. But the subject as it pre- sented itself to the people at that time was one of grave importance. It demanded calm, deliberate action. There- fore a second convention was called for May 23, 1785. The second convention duly assembled at Danville and elected Judge Samuel McDowell president, and Thomas Todd secretary. The matter ' ^ _> ^ was again presented and con- sidered with the most earnest deliberation, and it was again decided that sepa- Second conven- _ ' tion for inde- ration was ncces- pendence . . . sary. A petition to the Virginia Assembly was prepared as well as an address to the people of the District. The former was calm, the latter inflaming in tone. It Samuel McDowell was written by General James Wilkinson ; he was not a member of the convention, but his brilliant, florid style had won him the admiration of the Kentuckians. The convention had lull power to apply 62 THE STRUGGLE EOR INDErENDENCE immediately to Virginia for action in the matter ; but with surprising caution it forbore to do this, and, in order that the will of the people might be known positively, called for a third convention to ratify what had already been done. Kentuckians, when they act individually, are generally im- pulsive, often hot-tempered and rash in their deeds; when Prudence of the they act in conccrt, they are deliberate, prudent, Kentuckians g^j^^j wise in their decisions. They are people of intellect. The individual standing alone acts from emotion before he has had time to think. The individual as a part of a body of men cannot act on his own impulse. Thus opportunity is gained for reason to assert itself and to assume control. This fact should be borne in mind ; the truth of it will be proved as we continue. The third convention assembled in August, 1785, and elected the same president and secretary that had served Third conven- ^1 the former conventions,— Samuel McDowell ^'°° and Thomas Todd. They were reelected at each succeeding convention. Wilkinson managed to have himself elected a member, and now began his scheming, dazzling career in Kentucky. The calm petition to the Virginia Assembly was discarded for one he prepared, "which was less a petition than a demand." . The chief justice of the District, George Muter, and the attorney- general, Hary Innes, were appointed to present this peti- tion to the Virginia Assembly. In spite of the tone of the petition, the State of Vir- ginia passed an act setting forth the conditions upon which First act of f^c separation might take place. They were separation ^^ f ollows : Delegates were to be elected to a fourth convention, which should meet in Danville, Septem- ber, 1786, to determine whether it w^as the wall of the people of the District to be erected into an independent BEGINNING OF THE STRUGGLE 63 State. If such were their will, they were to fix upon a date later than September i, 1787, when the authority of Vir- ginia should forever cease. But this was to take place provided "that prior to the ist day of June, 1787, the United States in Congress assembled shall consent to the erection of the said District into an independent State, and shall agree that the new State shall be admitted into the Federal Union." The majority of Kcntuckians regarded this act of the Virginia Assembly as reasonable, and submissively bore the delay in the longed-for separation, court and But there were others who received it with country parties opposition, and in whom it caused the greatest irritation. Of these Wilkinson was the recognized leader. The party he represented was called the Court party, on account of the ofificial position of its members. Wilkinson now offered himself as a candidate for delegate from Fayette County to the fourth convention. Humphrey Marshall, a representative of the opposite faction, which was called the Country party, was the contending candi- date. Great excitement prevailed in this county. The elec- tions were not then conducted as rapidly as they are to-day, — they lasted five days. On the first day, Wilkin- son was put forward by his friends to speak to the people. He urged them to disregard the act of Virginia and to declare themselves independent at once. Marshall an- swered him in a sensible, logical speech. Wilkinson's speech was, as usual, showy and oratorical. The election closed, and Wilkinson was found to have obtained the larger number of votes. The great dreaded Indian invasion did not take place ; but serious distress was caused throughout the District by 64 THE STRUGGLE FOR INDEPENDENCE petty depredations of small parties of Indians. The Ken- tuckians complained to Virginia, and Virginia petitioned Self-protection Congress to raise troops to protect this frontier authorized region. But at the time about which we are studying, the Congress of the Confederation of States was not so powerful a body as the Congress of to-day. It could do little more than recommend certain measures to Indian Depredations. the different States ; it had no ability to cause them to be carried" out. However, Congress granted the Kentuckians the privilege of protecting themselves. In accordance with this permission, early in September, 1786, more than one thousand troops collected at Clarkesville (opposite Louisville), with the intention of attacking the Wabash Indians liv- ing in the present State of Indiana. They were organ- Expeditions of Clark and Logan BEGINNING OF THE STRUGGLE 65 ized under General George Rogers Clark. Colonel Benja- min Logan was sent back to Kentucky to raise volunteers for an expedition against the Shawnee Indians living in the present State of Ohio. Logan quickly secured four or five hundred men. With this force he proceeded to the Indian towns on the Mad River, burned them to the ground, and took seventy or eighty prisoners. He returned in twenty days, after a successful expedition. Unfortunately, General Clark's expedition proved fruitless. The provi- sions were delayed on their way to Vincennes, where his troops were stationed. Insubordination took place. The great general had lost control over the men who served under him, and many of them deserted. When the time came for the fourth convention to as- semble, so many of the delegates were absent with Clark and Logan that a quorum could not be obtained. Those who were at home, however, met every day, and adjourned until the following Postponement January, when of separation ,-j^g necessary number were present. The condition required by the Virginia Assembly for the separation was that prior to the first day of June, 1787, the Congress of the United States should have agreed to admit the new State into the Federal Union. It was now too short a time, in those days of slow travel, for the Kentuckians to take the necessary steps toward this end. Therefore, they KENT. HIST. —5 John Marshall 66 THE STRUGGLE FOR INDEPENDENCE petitioned the Virginia Assembly to alter that clause in the act. Their petition was presented by John Marshall (afterward the great chief justice), who strongly urged his request. But the Assembly did not see fit to grant it. Consequently, another act was passed which fixed the time for the separation to take place as January i, 1789, instead of September i, 1787. John Marshall's letter bearing this fact reached Danville while the convention was still assembled. It is needless Result of the ^o describe the disappointment it brought the disappointment Kcntuckians. Virginia had acted as seemed to her right ; but we can well understand how her long postponement of the separation might have appeared to restless men, impatient of delay, like indifference to their sufferings. Throughout the District, there was a growing resentment towards Virginia. This was inflamed by certain ambitious politicians, notably by General Wil- kinson. But in spite of the passions of some, reason and dignity controlled the meeting, and it adjourned submissive to the act of Virginia. Another convention had been ordered for the following September. Shortly after this, another incident occurred which led to further distrust of Virginia's good feeling toward Ken- virginia tucky : A man was killed by Indians in misunderstood Lincoln County. Benjamin Logan, the com- mandant of that county, was absent ; but his brother quickly- raised a company and pursued the murderers into Tennessee. The Indians were overtaken, several of them were slain, and the horses they had stolen were captured. On pushed the victorious Logan and his men, like heroes of the Round Table, seeking further adventures. They discovered the trail of another band of Indians, came upon them, killed seven, and captured their horses and game. BEGINNING OF THE STRUGGLE ^7 Now it happened that these latter were peaceable tribes living under a treaty with the United States. Intense wrath consequently prevailed among the Indians. They complained to the governor of Virginia, and he directed the attorney-general of the District, Hary Innes, to take the necessary steps " to prevent and punish, if possible, all unjust violences." As this very reasonable direction was many times repeated it became exaggerated. Thus it came about that numbers of people in the District hon- estly believed that Virginia had commanded them not to protect themselves from the barbarities of the Indians. The Kentuckians were now about to enter upon a trial that would reveal their character. RECAPITULATION Treaty of peace not fulfilled. Military posts in the Northwest still held by Great Britain. Fears of Indian sieges felt in Ken- tucky. The Indians are aided by the British. Kentucky's dependent position. Separation from Virginia discussed. Miami and other Indians are hostile. Lawless Kentuckians cause trouble. Great Indian invasion dreaded. Colonel Logan's called meeting of military officers. They order an election of delegates to a convention. First convention meets at Danville. Considers separation from Virginia desirable. Another convention called. Second convention considers separa- tion necessary, and prepares a pe- tition to the Virginia Assembly. Wilkinson prepares the address to the people. The convention shows rare cau- tion. Character of Kentuckians. A third convention held. Virginia passes the first act for sepa- ration. The act not satisfactory to many Kentuckians. Court and Country parties. Wilkinson advocates illegal separa- tion. Congress allows Kentucky to protect herself from Indian inroads. Clark's expedition unsuccessful; Lo- gan's successful. Fourth convention set for .Septem- ber, 1786. No quorum obtained. Meets and adjourns every day until Tanuarv. 68 THE STRUGGLE FOR INDEPENDENCE Too late then to comply with the conditions of the act. Virginia petitioned to alter the act. She refuses, but passes another act. John Marshall informs the convention of this fact. Kentuckians grievously disappointed. Some resent Virginia's course toward Kentucky. The convention sul^mits. John Logan's expedition causes trou- ble. Virginia forbids all unjust violences towards Indians. Virginia's action is misunderstood by many. Her good feeling toward Kentucky is momentarilv doubted. CHAPTER VII THE SPANISH CONSPIRACY, 1786-1788 The southern territory of the United States extended to the 31st degree of latitude. Below this line the Spanish still held the dominion they had exercised since the dis- covery of the continent. In 15 13, Ponce de Spanish Leon landed on the southeastern coast, and ^°°i*°i°°® claimed in the name of the Spanish king a region of in- definite extent, to which he gave the name of Florida. Here he planted a short-lived colony, composed of men who had come to drink of the fabulous fountain of immor- tal youth. Through this region the intrepid and ambitious De Soto had led his deluded followers in their hopeless search for gold, only to find his grave in the Mississippi River. Here the Huguenots had sought refuge from religious persecutions in France, and here Menendez had established the first permanent Spanish colony at St. Augustine, in 1565, years before the I^nglish had settled at Jamestown "or the Pilgrim Fathers had landed at Ply- mouth. It was a land of warmth and beauty, of luxuriant vegetation, of stagnating civilization. Soon the vigorous Americans were to drive out their weaker neighbors, but not before the Spanish king had made an adroit effort to hold and increase his dominions in the New World. Spanish possessions lay on both sides of the Missis- sippi River. The United States demanded the right to 69 70 TIIK STRUGCLK FOR IXI)P:PENL)ENCE navigate that river. Spain refused to concede this privi- lege. John Jay, of New York, secretary for foreign Jay's affairs, was most anxious to conclude a treaty proposition ^^-^j^ Spain. Furthermore, he was ignorant of the great growth of the Western Country, as Kentucky and the neighboring region was then called. In the summer of 1786, he went before Congress and proposed a " project " which he hoped would bring about the desired treaty. It was this : that the United States should agree to forbear to navigate the Mississippi below the southern boundary for twenty or thirty years. To this, the seven northern States voted in the affirmative, the six southern States, in the negative ; and Virginia immediately passed resolutions in opposition to the proposition. It required the concurrence of nine States to carry such a motion. Nevertheless, Mr. Jay, acting upon the decision of the majority, made his proposi- tion to Gardoqui, the Spanish minister; but it was rejected with scorn. These transactions took place in far-away New York. There were only a few citizens in Kentucky who knew of them shortly after their occurrence. Most of receptioif of the tbe people were in ignorance of the truth con- congress ' ccrning them. The action of Congress was misrepresented. Already Wilkinson had done much to inflame the people against the Federal govern- ment. Excitement in the District was rising to a high degree. There was no other way of transportation except by water. Kentucky's present and future prosperity seemed to depend upon her being able to carry her THE SPANISH COXSITRACY 7I products on the Ohio River into the Mississippi, and thus to the markets of the world. It was a subject of vital importance. A meeting of citizens was held at Danville in May, 1787, to discuss the navigation question. In the early summer, Wilkinson gathered together all the tobacco and other products he could buy, and went to New Orleans, ostensibly on a trading expedi- The Spanish dition. His real object, however, was to offer <=°°^P>''*<^y his services to Spain in order to restore his now reduced fortune. If he failed in this effort, his intention was to turn to England for the same purpose. At New Orleans, an order was given to seize his cargo ; but the cunning general sought an interview with Miro, the Spanish gov- ernor of the province. He explained his visit. Then he was treated with the utmost courtesy. He was allowed to sell his goods, for which a high price was paid ; and per- mission was granted to him to ship goods to New Orleans for sale. The evidence goes to prove that then and there Wilkin- son sold himself to Spain. ^ He bound himself to use all the influence in his power (and that influence was great) "to obtain the separation of Kentucky from the United States, and then to deliver the District thus separated into the hands of his Majesty the King of Spain, to become a province of that power." All privileges of trade were granted to Wilkinson, in order that he might prove to the people of Kentucky the advantages they would obtain by becoming Spanish subject.s. A large sum of money was now advanced to him, and in the following February he returned to Lexington, to display the success of his trading venture, in a carriage drawn by four horses, and accom- ^ 77/1? Spanish Conspiracy. By Thomas Marshall Green. 72 THK STRUCKiLK H)R INDKl'KXDKXCK panied by slaves as attendants. He gave brilliant balls, and the young people danced and praised the gallant host ; Wilkinson's Return to Lexington he gave fine dinners, and in the midst of the good cheer and flashing conversation the older men applauded the cap- tivating politician. In the meantime, a most notable undertaking had been accomplished. On the i8th day of August, 1787, John and TheKentucke Fielding Bradford issued at Lexington the first Gazet e _ newspaper published in Kentucky, and the sec- ond west of the Alleghanies, to which they gave the name Kentuckc Gazette. Accustomed as we are to a multiplicity of journals containing a wide range of information, it is hard for us to realize the general satisfaction and rejoicing occasioned by the appearance of this meager, quaint little sheet, still reverently preserved in the public library at Lexington. THE SPANISH CONSPIRACY 73 The fifth con vention During Wilkinson's absence, the fifth convention assem- bled, September 17, 1787. It held a quiet session, and ad- journed submissive to the act of Virginia, after having pre- pared a petition to Congress, in which the 31st of Decem- ber, 1788, was fixed upon as the time when the authority of Virginia over Kentucky should terminate. . The people of the Dis- trict were now informed of the proceedings of the con- ^ vention through the columns S= of the Gazette. John Brown was COmniis- Early Printing Press sioned to present to Congress Kentucky's application for admission into the Confederation of States, by which name the thirteen original colonies were at r 11 1 T 1 -n. 11 r T-. J^*^" BrOWn nrst called. John Brown,^ the son of a Pres- byterian clergyman of Augusta County, Virginia, had come to Kentucky in 1783, the year which brought over so many men who acted important parts in the public affairs of the period. He had been a member from the District in the Virginia Senate, and was now going to take his seat in Congress, to which he had just been appointed. Unfortunately, no quorum in Congress was obtained until late in January, 1788. Kentucky's application was not presented until the 29th of February. From the opening of Congress the absorbing interest had been the question of the adoption of the new Federal consti- 1 The Political Beginnings of Kentucky. By John Mason Brown. 74 THE STRUGGLE FOR INDEPENDENCE tution, which had recently been prepared and off ered to the Constitution several States to be voted upon. It was a topic adopted of deep importance. If this constitution were adopted, — its supporters wisely foresaw, — a new, strong Union would be established in place of the old, weak Confederation then existing. No attention was paid to Kentucky's application until the end of May. While Congress was slowly considering this all-important matter for Kentucky, news was received that New Hampshire had voted in favor of the constitution. Nine States — • enough to cause its adoption — were now secured, and Virginia was soon to add her ratification. Of the Ken- tucky delegates in the Virginia Assembly only three voted in the affirmative. They were Robert Breckinridge, Rice Bullock, and Humphrey Marshall. In Kentucky the new constitution did not meet with hearty acceptance. This fact was due to a misapprehen- The Political ^^^^ ^f the situation. The people were afraid ci"** that if a stronger central government were es- tablished, their right to the navigation of the Mississippi would be bartered away in order to secure a treaty with Spain. The different points contained in it were freely discussed, night after night, at the meetings of the Politi- cal Club, an organization that was founded in Danville in 1786, and existed until 1790. Many of the prominent citizens of the neighborhood were members of the club, and matters of vital interest to the District were considered by them with an ability that proves the Kentuckians of that time to have been a remarkable people. The minutes of the club, which were carefully preserved by the secre- tary, Thomas Speed, have recently been published. ^ The Political Club. By Thomas Speed. Filson Club Publication No. 9. THE SPANISH CONSPIRACY 75 As the new constitution was now adopted, the Congress of the old Confederation, then in session, resolved that it had no authority to act upon the application ^ppii^jation re- of Kentucky. It was therefore referred to the ferredtonew • ■. • r 1 ^ ^u Congress consideration of the new government. 1 he resolutions were conveyed to the sixth convention, assem- bled at Danville, July 28, 1788. About the same time, a letter was received by Judge Samuel McDowell, the presi- dent of the convention, from John Brown, the congress- man, which contained information concerning the act of Congress, and also an account of an interview Brown had had with Gardoqui, the Spanish minister. In this conver- sation the Spaniard had " stated that if the people of Kentucky would erect themselves into an independent State and appoint a proper person to negotiate with him, he had authority for that purpose, and would enter into an arrangement with them for the exportation of their produce to New Orleans on terms of mutual advantage." It is not surprising that the acts of Congress created the utmost disappointment in Kentucky, after the tedious, now useless efforts which had been made to obtain Three classes independence. They did more, — they height- "i Kentucky ened the resentment of some of the people, and increased their doubt of the good disposition of the central govern- ment toward them. The northern States had been indif- ferent to the welfare of the Western Country, and there were many disinterested though unwise men in Kentucky, who were exasperated at the slow action of Congress in their affairs. Recognizing the necessity of the District's becoming an independent State, and the value of the per- mission to navigate the Mississippi River, they were will- ing to resort to revolutionary means in order to obtain these advanta2"es. But there were others who had no jG THE STRUGGLE FOR INDEPENDENCE thought of the good of the community, and acted solely from selfish interest. Whatever conflicting views may be held regarding the motives of some during this most con- fusing period, there can be no doubt of the falsity of Wil- kinson and Sebastian, — they are self-convicted. There was another class, to whom too much honor cannot be given, — those who in the midst of the excited passions of the time remained loyal to the government of the United States. The two former classes belonged to the Court party ; the latter, to the Country party. Still that controlling spirit of wise moderation (which has been pointed out in the second chapter of this period) Temper of the ^^^^ ^^^ Convention back from any rash act. sixth conven- Howevcr, as an outgrowth of the prevailing excitement, it called for the election of dele- gates to a seventh convention, who should be empowered " to do and accomplish whatever, on a consideration of the state of the District, may in their opinion promote its interest." Now was Wilkinson's opportunity to lead the people to believe that it would " promote their interests " to become Spanish subjects ; but like all schemers he worked slyly, never openly. Before the election of delegates to the seventh conven- tion, George Muter, chief justice of the District, published Judge Muter's ""1 the Gazette an address to the people. He address proved that they had no authority to act for themselves independently of Virginia, and that by so doing they would be guilty of treason. He pointed out the evi- dent meaning of the resolution of the late convention. He showed that it clearly gave to the delegates of the next convention power to treat with Spain to obtain the naviga- tion of the Mississippi. He proved that such action would be contrary to the Federal constitution, and he therefore THE SPANISH CONSPIRACY JJ suggested to the people of Fayette County that they should instruct their next delegates not to agree to frame a con- stitution and form of government without first obtaining the consent of the Virginia legislature and not to make any application for the navigation of the Mississippi other than to the legislature of Virginia or to the Congress of the United States. This had the desired effect. The contest in the other counties was quiet ; but in Fayette it was attended by great excitement. As usual, the election lasted five The Fayette days. It became evident that the Country election party was going to be completely victorious. The ever adroit Wilkinson, one of the candidates of the Court party, perceived the situation, and promptly announced that he would be guided in voting in the convention by the wishes of his constituents. This promise and his great popularity secured his election, while his associates were defeated. The other four delegates chosen were John Allen, Colonel Joseph Crockett, Colonel Thomas Marshall, and Judge Muter. The seventh convention assembled November 4, 1788. The most vital question in the life of Kentucky was about to be decided : whether she should determine seventh to submit to the recent act of Congress and convention take the necessary legal steps to obtain her separation from Virginia and admittance into the Union, or whether she should determine to separate herself illegally from Virginia and erect herself into an independent State. If the latter course were followed, the Spanish government had a good chance to obtain control of Kentucky. The forces in the convention were drawn up against each other. Let it not be supposed, however, that all those who favored violent separation from Virginia knew yS 11 IK STRUG(JLK FOR INDEPENDENCE of, or sympathized with, Wilkinson's scheme to make Kentucky a Spanish province. At the outset a discussion arose as to the power which the convention possessed. The Court party contended that it had all power necessary to frame a constitution, to declare the District independent, etc. The Country party, on the contrary, strongly opposed every argument of this nature. Upon the day following this discussion Wilkinson made a speech before the convention. He dwelt feelingly upon Wilkinson's the dangers of Indian hostilities, and described speech brilliantly the advantages of the navigation of the Mississippi River, and pointed out the inability of Con- gress to obtain for Kentucky this benefit. He openly advocated the violent separation of Kentucky from Vir- ginia ; but he only hinted at his real scheme, — to deliver Kentucky when thus separated into the hands of the Spanish government. And all the while he watched the faces of his hearers to see what effect his adroit sugges- tions would have upon them. If he discovered satisfac- tion on their countenances, he would go further and declare his plan ; if he discovered disapproval, he had not com- mitted himself in words, and he could yet retreat. The majority of the convention were not only indisposed to listen to any overtures from Spain, but the'y were de- Loyaityofthe cidcdly loyal to the government of the United convention States, and opposed to an illegal separation from Virginia. Wilkinson misunderstood the Kentuckians. They applauded his showy oratory, but they were independ- ent in action and stanch in principle. They were thor- oughly aroused to an appreciation of the dangers which might arise from their dependent position, and of the fatal results of the Mississippi being closed to them. And yet they nobly resisted the temptation of benefits offered to THE SPANISH CONSPH-IACV 79 them by Spain, and remained loyal to the country lor which they had fought, and had been ready to give their lives. In the revulsion of feeling created by the sentiments thus boldly advocated by Wilkinson a resolution, offered by John Edwards and seconded by Thomas Turning point Marshall, was agreed to, which proved to be ^^ ^^^ contest the turning point in the contest. The resolution provided for the appointment of " a committee to draw up a decent and respectful address to the people of Virginia, for ob- taining the independence of the District of Kentucky agreeable to the late resolutions and recommendations of Congress." But even after this decisive indication of the loyal feel- ing of the convention had been given, other efforts were made by the opposite faction to carry their object. Before the "decent and respectful" of the court address was accepted, Wilkinson offered a resolution that a committee be appointed to draft an ad- dress to the good people of the District urging them to furnish the convention at its next session with instruction how to proceed in this important subject of an indei:)endent government. This resolution was adopted, greatly to the fears of tliig^ party opposing illegal separation. Whereupon, Colonel Crockett, lately an officer of the Revolution patriotism and a stanch adherent of the Union, left the t"umphs convention and hastened to Fayette County. He returned in two days, having oGtained the signatures of several hundred citizens who were opposed to an illegal separa- tion. Wilkinson, who had given his promise to be guided by the will of his constituents, was obliged to submit. Patriotism carried the day. The address to the Virginia 8o THE STRUGGLE FOR INDEPENDENCE Assembly was accepted, and the convention adjourned to meet again the following July. This was the crisis in the life of Kentucky. It has been dwelt upon thus at length because no other event in her history so clearly reveals the character of the Loyalty -^ ■' characteristic people. Let every one who studies this subject en uc y x^^^w that in the midst of high excitement the Kentuckians acted deliberately and soberly ; in the midst of strong temptations they acted wisely and patriotically. Let him also learn that in Kentucky every individual has weight. Although Wilkinson did not abandon his scheme to separate Kentucky from the United States, and although his friend, Sebastian, after this received a pension from Spain for his efforts in that work, yet there was no further danger that Kentucky would become disloyal to the Union. RECAPITULATION Spanish possessions in America. Spain desires to hold the region. Owns both sides of the Mississippi below the 31st degree of latitude. Refuses navigation to the Ameri- cans. "Jay's project." Action of Congress on the subject misunderstood. The navigation necessary to Ken- tucky's prosperity. Excitement in the District. Meeting (if citizens at Danville. Wilkinson goes to New Orleans. Allies himself with Spain. Right of trade, etc., granted him. He returns in state to impress the people. Kenttuke Gazette established. Fifth convention holds a quiet session. Fixes the time for separation. Proceedings published in the Gazette. John Brown, congressman of the Dis- trict. He presents Kentucky's petition. Congress is absorbed in other mat- ters. Pays no attention to the petition. New Federal constitution adopted. The petition is brought before the old Congress. Is referred to the new Congress. The sixth convention is informed of this fact. Brown's letter to McDowell. Gardoqui's proposition to Kentucky. Kentucky distracted because of her situation. Two classes in the Court party. The Country party loyal. THE SPANISH CONSPIRACY Wilkinson and Sebastian. The convention moderate in action. Dangerous resolutions are adopted. Muter's card points out the meaning of the resolutions. Effect upon the election in Fayette County. Wilkinson's promise and election. The vital question before the seventh convention. Illegal separation advocated. KENT. HIST. — 6 Wilkinson's adroit speech. Convention opposed to his sugges- tions. Contrary resolutions carried. Wilkinson's further effort. Crockett's petition from Fayette County. Wilkinson obliged to submit. Victory of the loyal party. Kentucky's sober conduct. The people control. CHAPTER VIII THE END OF THE STRUGGLE, 1 788-1 792 Still the struggle for statehood was not ended. No- where was there any official opposition to Kentucky's be- statehood not coming an independent member of the Union, yet attained neither within the District, in the Virginia Assembly, nor in the Congress of the United States. And yet, by some strange enchantment, it seemed impossible to accomplish the desired end. The fruitless conventions have been compared to " the card edifices of children which are no sooner erected than, at a breath, they are destroyed." No parallel occurs in history of such exasperating, need- less delay in a worthy cause. The annals of history may be searched in vain, also, to find a parallel to the patience with which the high-spirited Kentuckians bore these trials, and to the loyalty which they cherished toward the govern- ment of their country. Kentucky's situation was isolated ; but the deep excitement which prevailed in the District concerning the separation and the navigation of the Mis- sissippi was known abroad. In the autumn of 1788, Dr. John Connolly appeared in Kentucky. He was the same Connolly for whom, in 1773, British lands had been surveyed at the Falls of the intrigue Ohio, where the city of Louisville now stands. He announced that he came to look after these lands, of which he had been deprived because he was a Tory. But in reality he was a British agent. His mission was to induce 82 THE END OF THE STRUGGLE 83 Kentucky to withdraw from the Union and to throw her- self upon the protection of Great Britain, who would assist her with troops, ammunition, etc., to take possession of New Orleans, and thus to force the navigation of the Mississippi from Spain by arms. The fertile Kentucky country and the vast West con- nected with it were objects of desire to foreign kingdoms. Already it had been known to the people of the District that Great Britain stood ready with open arms to receive them. Connolly visited many prominent men in Louisville, and then went to Fayette County, where he held an inter- view with Colonel Thomas Marshall, a few days after the exciting seventh convention (November, 1788). But Marshall was strongly attached to the Federal government and a friend of Washington, the President elect of the United States. Dr. Connolly met with no encouragement, and the British intrigue came to an end. Still other acts w^ere to be passed by the Virginia legisla- ture, and further conventions held in Kentucky, before the weary work of separation was over. The eighth other conven- convention, which assembled July 20, 1789, ^^°^^ objected to certain points in the third act of Virginia. A fourth act was then passed. To this, the ninth conven- tion, assembled July 26, 1790, agreed, and fixed the ist day of June, 1792, as the date when the separation should take place. This convention called for the election of delegates to a tenth convention. Other acts regarding Kentucky were also passed by the Virginia legislature about this time. One sixth part of the surveyors' fees, formerly paid to William ^ and Mary College (Virginia), were ordered to the Virginia 1 • 1 T- 1 • r- • All Assembly be paid to 1 ransylvania Seminary. Also the county of Woodford was established, the last of the nine 84 I'lIE STRUGGLE FOR INDEPENDENCE formed while Kentucky was a District. They were in order: Fayette, Jefferson, Lincoln, Nelson, Bourbon, Mercer, Madison, Mason, and Woodford. The last towns established during the colonial period were Bardstown and Hopewell. The latter was settled as Houston's Station, in 1776. In 1790, the name was changed to Paris. To-day it is the thriving center of the wealthy county of Bourbon. Many prominent men lived in and about Bardstown in the early times. There, in the cemetery, is the grave of poor John Fitch (bearing the date of his death, 1798), whose name is so pathetically connected with the invention of the steamboat. The town and surrounding neighborhood were settled largely by Maryland Catholics at the close of the Revolution. They were people of culture, and they have held the region to the present day, planting in it their institutions of learn- ing and religion. Thither fled Trappist monks from France, who founded the " Home of the Silent Brother- hood." Near by the pious Sisters of Loretto dwell in their convent of the Stricken Heart. The Presbyterians in Kentucky have already been dwelt upon. The Baptists entered Kentucky in the very begin- Eariy religious ^^^S ^f its Settlement. The Rev. William denominations Hickman preached here as early -as 1776; but it was not until 1781 that there existed an organized church. In September of that year, the Rev. Lewis Craig, and most of his congregation, left Spottsylvania County, Virginia, for Kentucky.^ As they traveled, they stopped occasionally on the way to hold regular services. Thus they entered the District as an organized church. ^ Other immigrants had attached themselves to the expedition. There were in all between five and six hundred. The Traveling Church, by George W. Ranck. THE END OF THE STRUGGLE 85 The next in point of time were the Methodists, whose evangehstic spirit early led them forth to preach the Gos- pel in the new country. The Episcopalians had no church until many years after the District had become a State. That large and ever increasing denomination known under the broad appellation the Christian church had not yet taken its rise. Again the depressing account of Indian depredations must be continued. The people of the District had left the protection of the forts, and were now liv- ing in separated homes. The Indians no longer came in large numbers, but small parties would fall upon and murder Indian single indi- depredations ^iduals, Or several traveling to- gether. Men hunting game for their families were attacked. Men and women calmly going to church were killed or captured. Tragedies Captured on the way to church upon the Ohio River were especially frequent. Boats bearing travelers from, or settlers into, the District were seized, and the occupants were subjected to the most cruel tortures. Far and wide rang the cry of these distressing facts. Complaints were made to the President of the United States and to the secretary of war. In answer, the President assured the people that measures for their protection v/ould be taken ; and the secretary of war 86 THE STRUGGLE FOR INDEPENDENCE authorized the county lieutenants to call out scouts to ofuard the frontier. Kentucky Captives At last the government of the United States had learned that treaties with Indians were of no avail, and that the only way to subdue them was to carry war home to them in their own country. General Harmar was now placed at the head of three hundred and THE END OF THE STRUGGLE 87 twenty regulars of the United States army. Soon a force amounting to more than eleven hundred volunteers was collected in Kentucky, under Colonel John Hardin. These troops assembled at Fort Washington (where Cincinnati now stands), September 30, 1790, and marched to Harmar's the towns of the Miami Indians. Harmar had ^^^^^^ been an officer in the Revolution ; but he seems to have lost his military ability upon this expedition. He might have overawed and conquered the Indians by meeting them with his whole body of troops. But instead of doing this, twice he sent out small detachments, each time under the command of Colonel Hardin, and each time these were surprised and almost completely destroyed ; while not far away, the larger portion of the army remained calmly in camp. Harmar's defeat lost him his reputation, and made the Indians exultant and consequently more murderous toward the Kentuckians. Between the years 1783 and 1790, about fifteen hundred persons had been killed or taken captive within the Dis- trict, or on their way to it. Further efforts Local Board of were made to stop such tragedies. A local ^^^ Board of War was appointed by Congress, which should have charge of the protection of the District. The men chosen for this position of trust were Colonel Isaac Shelby, the man who had turned the tide at Point Pleasant, and who had planned the scheme of attack which led to the decisive victory at King's Mountain ; General Charles Scott, also a tried officer of the Revolution ; Hary Innes, formerly attorney-general of the District, now judge of the Federal court; Congressman John Brown; and Benjamin Logan, well known to us as a pioneer. About this time General Arthur St. Clair, then governor of the Northwestern Territory, was appointed commander 88 THE STRUGGLE FOR INDEPENDENCE in chief of the army of the Northwest. Another expe- dition against the Miami Indians was planned. As a preparation for this serious undertaking two g^. ciair's ap- small, but successful, expeditions against the pointment Wabash Indians were arranged by the local Board of War, — the first under General Charles Scott, the second led by Colonel James Wilkinson. Their object was to subdue these Indians, so that they would not aid the Miami tribes. General St. Clair's appointment was not agreeable to the Kentuckians. While he was an honor- able man and a brave ofificer, he was old and infirm, and altogether unfitted for the projected campaign against the most formidable of Indian confederations. No volunteers offered in Kentucky. Therefore, one thousand unwilling men were drafted and placed under the command of Colonel William Oldham. Many of these deserted before reaching their destination. St. Clair was not aided by the government as he might have been.^ By the day of the battle not more than four- teen hundred men remained g^ fair's de- in his army. Of these only *^^t a small portion were regulars. The rest were dissatisfied, undisciplined troops, with whom a very capable leader would have found victory difficult. With St. Clair defeat was inevitable. On the 3d of November, 1791, the army was en- Arthur St. Clair camped on the eastern fork of the Wabash River. During the afternoon and evening, Indians were discovered in the vicinity, and were fre- quently shot at by the sentinels. St. Clair had been 1 Si. Claires Defeat. By Hon. Theodore Roosevelt. Harper's Magazins, February, 1896. THE END OF THE STRUGGLE 89 expressly warned by Washington against a surprise, and yet he made no preparation for an attack. Consequently, just after sunrise, the next morning, when the Indians opened fire upon the army, there was the old story of a surprise, with all the panic and slaughter which usually follow. St. Clair and General Richard Butler, the second in command, courageously tried to rally their men, but in vain. The Indians were so hidden by the smoke of the artillery of the whites that they could not be seen. They seemed suddenly to spring out of the earth to shoot down the foe, and then to disappear. Most of the officers (among them. General Butler) were killed, and about two thirds of the army. Then only one thought inspired the rest, — every man made a mad rush to save his own life, and the Indians followed in close pursuit. The previous February, the Congress of the United States had agreed to admit Kentucky into the Union as an independent State, June i, 1792. Accord- constitutional ingly, April 3, 1792, the tenth and last conven- convention tion assembled at Danville, as usual, to form a constitution for the new Commonwealth. The convention was com- posed of five delegates from each of the nine counties then existing. The majority of them were very able men ; many of them had served repeatedly in former conventions. The constitution was modeled after the recently launched Fed- eral constitution. The government was organized under three heads, — legislative, executive, and judicial. The legislative power was vested in a General Assembly, consisting Features of the of a Senate and a House of Representatives, constitution The senators were chosen for four years by a college of electors. The representatives were chosen for one year, and were elected by the people. The executive 90 THE STRUGGLE FOR INDEPENDENCE power was vested in a governor, who was likewise chosen for four years by the college of electors. The judicial power was vested in a supreme court and inferior courts, which the legislature might from time to time establish. The judges of the supreme court and of the inferior courts were nominated with the consent of the Senate, were ap- pointed by the governor, and held office during good behavior. Elections were made by ballot, and the right of suffrage was granted to every free male white inhabi- tant of the State, of the proper age, who had not been dis- franchised by conviction of crime. Ministers were not allowed to hold any legislative office. No point in the document is more worthy of note than the fact that com- merce in slaves was prohibited. While the provision was made that the legislature could not emancipate slaves without the consent of their owners, yet the power was given to that body to force the owners of slaves to provide properly for them, and to treat them with humanity. " Immediately after the adoption of the constitution, Colonel Isaac Shelby was elected governor. In him the State secured an admi- , Isaac Shelby, rable chief magistrate, the first The people could not s°'*'^'"'^°'' have chosen better. He was a Marylander, who became, in his early manhood, a citizen of what is now Tennessee (then a part of North Carolina). He did brilliant service in the battle of Point Pleasant, in October, 1 774. After- wards, in North Carolina, he played a most gallant part in small expeditions, but especially in remedying the ruin that the Isaac Shelby THE END OF THE STRUGGLE 91 defeat of Gates at Camden brought upon the continental cause. When others were appalled by the magnitude of this disaster, Shelby seemed to awake to a full sense of his really great military power. He saved a little army he then commanded, and secured a large number of prisoners in his hands by a swift march to the west into the recesses of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Then, when he had disposed of his captives, he turned upon the famous Battle of King's Mountain Ferguson, and by the well-conceived and admirably exe- cuted move on King's Mountain, destroyed the force of that able commander at a single blow. Although Shclbv was not in name the chief in this action, there is no reason to doubt that the conception of the campaign and the vigor of its execution were his alone. His also was the scheme of attack which led to the battle of Cowpens. He went to Kentucky in 1783, where he married and re- 92 THE STRUGGLE FOR INDEPENDENCE mained, taking part in the early struggles for emancipa- tion from Virginia's control. As brave in action as he was wise in council, his choice as the first governor was an honor and a blessing to the young Commonwealth." ^ RECAPITULATION Statehood not yet attained. The fact known abroad. A British agent sent to Kentucky. The bribe ready for Kentucky. The intrigue disclosed to Colonel Thomas Marshall. The end of the intrigue. Eighth convention rejects the third act of Virginia. Ninth convention agrees to the fourth act. Date for separation fixed. Tenth convention called. The counties of the colonial era. Hopewell established. Bardstown established. Roman Catholic occupation. Baptists in Kentucky. "The Traveling Church." The Methodists. Other denominations. Troubles from Indians again. Treaties with Indians of no avail. An expedition against the Miamis planned. Force sent from Kentucky. Harmar's defeat. Indians more belligerent than ever. Local Board of War appointed. St. Clair's appointment. Dissatisfaction of Kentuckians. Kentucky troops are drafted. Expedition against the Miami Indians. St. Clair's overwhelming defeat. Kentucky admitted into the Union. Tenth convention. State constitution framed. Resembles the Federal constitution. Legislative, executive, and judicial powers. Commerce in slaves prohibited. Isaac Shelby chosen governor. His military and civil services and iit- ness for the position. ^ The above quotation is taken from Professor Shaler's scholarly study Kenhuky in the American Commonwealth Series. — FOUNDING OF THE COMMON- WEALTH, 1792-1850 CHAPTER IX ORGANIZATION OF THE GOVERNMENT, 1 792-1 796 The years of weary waiting were over at last, and the government of the new Commonwealth was about to be organized. On the morning of the 4th of Lexington the June, 1792, the town of Lexington — ap- s^'st capital pointed to be the first capital of the State — was stirred with eager anticipation. The day before, Lsaac Shelby had left his country place in Lincoln County and started on his journey to assume the duties of governor. At Danville the citizens poured forth to offer their congratulations in an ad- dress which had been prepared for the occasion. On the way, Shelby was met by a company of volunteer troops, which had been sent out from Lexington to conduct him into the capital. From various parts of the State, stran- gers had come to witness the ceremonies of the inaugura- tion. The people were all in the streets, arrayed in their best attire. There was a generous mingling of broadcloth costumes and buckskin, of imported silk and homespun gowns. 93 04 FOUXDIXG or THE COMMONWEALTH As the procession neared the town, loud cheers arose, which were somewhat drowned by the firing of a cannon. The inaug- the cracking of rifles, and the beating of drums, uration ^^ ^^^ comer of Main Street and Broadway the governor was received with military honors by the Lex- Shelby s Inauguration ington Light Infantry. There he alighted from his horse to receive the address of welcome which was presented to him by the chairman of the town Board of Trustees, John Bradford, otherwise "Old Wisdom," who has already been introduced to us as editor of the Kentucke Gazette. Courtly formality and homely simplicity met in the un- ORGANIZATION OF THE GOVERNMENT 95 paved public square. The oath of office was adminis- tered to the governor. Then, with the same stateliness and mihtary parade that had characterized the entire proceed- ing, he was escorted to his chambers to rest at the Sheaf of Wheat inn, while the enthusiasm of the citizens continued and the bells of the town broke forth in joyous acclamation. Later in the day, the governor sent his reply to the address of welcome and, at the same time, announced his appointments for secretary of state and attor- state ney-general. James Brown, selected for the appointments former office, afterwards served repeatedly in the United States Senate and ably filled the high position of minister to France. George Nicholas, appointed to the latter office, was one of the brilliant Virginians who had sought Ken- tucky at the close of the Revolution. He was a truly great lawyer. His career here was as successful as it was short. He settled near Danville in 1788, and died in Lexington in 1799. The legislature assembled and chose the speakers of the two houses, — Alexander Scott Bullitt, for the Senate, and Robert Breckinridge, for the House of Legislature Representatives. On the sixth day, the gover- assembles nor met the legislature in person, after the ancient custom of English kings which had been followed by the colonial governors. He appeared at the door of the Senate cham- ber of the first log statehouse, attended by his secretary of state. The speaker of the Senate advanced to meet him to conduct him to his seat. After a moment of solemn silence, he arose, read an address to the two Houses, and presented a manuscript copy to each of the speakers, and then retired in an impressive manner. The speaker of the House of Representatives and the members thereof likewise retired to transact business in 96 FOUNDING OF THE COMMONWEALTH their own hall. The legislature elected two United States senators, — John Brown, who had already represented Ken- tucky in the old Congress, and John Edwards. The House of Representatives elected five commissioners to fix upon a permanent seat of government. The court of ap- peals consisted of three judges. The persons appointed judges ap- by the gov- p"*"^*"* ernor for this dignified position were Caleb Wallace, another able Virginia lawyer who had risen to high stand- ing in Kentucky ; Ben- jamin Sebastian, the same who had entered into the Spanish con- s p i r a c y , but whose treason was not then suspected ; and Hary Innes, who was se- lected to be chief justice. Innes declined, however, in order to receive the office of United States district judge, and George Muter was appointed in his stead. On the 22d of December, 1792, the second session of the first Kentucky legislature adjourned, to hold no more Frankfort the meetings in Lexington. The commissioners iurorthe ''^^' ^^^^^ selected Frankfort as the permanent cap- state ital of the State. Nestled in the midst of hills, on the banks of the Kentucky River, Frankfort had certainly the advantage of a picturesque situation. A Hary Innes ORGANIZATION OF THE GOVERNMENT 97 private dwelling was employed as a temporary statehouse while a permanent stone building was being erected. This was occupied November 3, 1794. A governor's mansion was likewise built. The Indians were not yet subdued and still continued to harass the Kentuckians. Major John Adair, with about one hundred Kentucky militia, after a gallant Military fight at Fort St. Clair, in Ohio, was defeated by ^^^"^ a large body of Indians under Little Turtle. Colonel John Hardin and Major Truman were sent by General James Wilkinson on a mission to the Indians in northwest Ohio, and both were murdered. Boats were continually waylaid, and isolated frontier stations were attacked. After his disastrous defeat. General St. Clair retired from the command of the armies of the Northwest, and General Wayne, known as " Mad Anthony," was appointed to that position. Gen- eral Wayne called upon Kentucky for volunteers; but the Kentuckians had lost confidence in regular troops, because of the defeats of Harmar and St. Clair, and none offered. Gov- ernor Shelby ordered a draft, and in this way one thousand mounted mili- tiamen were raised and placed under General Charles Scott's command. They joined General Wayne, October 24, 1793, at his headquarters, about eighty miles north of Cincinnati. Because of the approach of winter, however, the commander in chief decided not to prosecute the pro- posed campaign at that time. Fort Greenville was built, and the regular troops went into winter quarters, while the Kentucky militia were dismissed. One benefit had been KENT. HIST. — 7 Anthony Wayne 98 FOUNDING OF THE COMMONWEALTH Political affairs obtained : General Wayne's military ability had inspired the Kentuckians with coniidence. Two issues ran side by side in the State and divided the thoughts of the people : the cessation of their Indian troubles, and the navigation of the Mississippi River. For years there had been many poli- ticians in Kentucky who believed that these beneiits might have been obtained for them, if Congress had not been indifferent to their welfare. Great animosity was felt toward England, which still held the military posts in the Northwest, and toward Spain, which had closed to them the Mississippi. In 1793, news reached Kentucky that France had de- clared war against Eng- land, Spain, and Holland. The further fact was made known that the President had refused to enter into an alliance with France. Washington knew that war at this time would be disastrous to the United States. He stood firm on this point through that marvelous, calm foresight which con- trolled all his actions, l^ut the majority of the people of the United States sympathized with France, who had so re- cently aided them in their conflict with Great Britain. Nowhere was this attachment more ardent than in Ken- George Washington ORGANIZATION OF THE GOVERNMENT 99 tucky. Nevertheless, as is invariably the case, there was a division of sentiment. Those who adhered to the policy of the government of the United States were called Federalists ; those who were oi:)nosed to it were called either Anti-Federal- ^ ^ '- Federalists and ists, or Republicans, and later, Democrats. At Anti- Fcdcrs-lists Lexington there was organized a Democratic Club, — an outgrowth of the one already established at Philadelphia, which was modeled on the Jacobin clubs of France. Others sprang up at Georgetown and Paris. In Kentucky the horrors of the French Revolution were still unknown. It represented only an inspiring movement toward liberty. The tone of the Lexington society is indi- cated by the following resolution : " That the right of the people on the waters of the Mississippi, to its navigation, is undoubted, and ought to be peremptorily demanded of Spain by the United States government." John Breckinridge was its first president. He was a young lawyer, who had recently come to Kentucky from Virginia. His clear mind and eloquent oratory jo^n had brought him recognition in his native State. Breckinridge In Kentucky he took an active part in political affairs. He died in 1806, having held for one year the office of attorney- general in Jefferson's cabinet. Citizen Genet, minister of France, had recently landed at Charleston, South Carolina, for the purpose of enlisting aid for his country in the impending war. Im- French mediately he saw the situation in Kentucky, conspiracy and sent thither several agents to raise volunteers for an expedition against New Orleans and the Spanish posses- sions. So intense was the feeling in Kentucky on the navigation question, that the Frenchman succeeded in en- listing two thousand men for this conspiracy. George lOO FOUNDING OF THE COMMONWEALTH Rogers Clark accepted the commission of "major general in the armies of France and commander in chief of the revolutionary legions on the Mississippi." The proposed conspiracy became known to the Federal government. Letters passed between Washington and Shelby on the subiect. It was a time of trial Governor ■' •' Shelby's to the govcmor, but his conduct was marked position ^^,j^j^ caution and wisdom. As governor of Kentucky he stood ready to perform whatever was con- stitutionally required of him ; but he believed that this matter concerned the Federal government, and not that of the State. He did not believe he had the power to forbid the expedition if it could be accomplished. Moreover, he did not believe that it would be carried out. But the mat- ter offered him a fitting opportunity to make known to the President the intense feeling of the Anti-Federalists in Kentucky against the central government, which had not obtained for the State the navigation of the Mississippi. Happily the expedition was not accomplished. Washing- ton succeeded in having Genet recalled, and another minis- ter was appointed in his stead. The campaign against the Indians in the Northwest, projected by General Wayne in the autumn 'of 1793, was carried into effect the following summer. In July, Gen- eral Charles Scott, with sixteen hundred Kentucky vol- unteers, joined General Wayne at Fort Recovery. The Wayne's regular force under General Wayne was about victory equal in numbers to the Kentucky militia. On the 20th of August, 1794, a battle was fought at Fallen Timbers, on the Miami, which resulted in a brilliant victory for the Americans. An equally beneficial event followed close upon Wayne's conquest. In November, Chief Justice John Jay succeeded in concluding a treaty ORGANIZATION OF THE GOVERNMENT roi between the United States and Great Britain. Conse- quently the British posts in the Northwest were at last surrendered. It was some time before this last fact was known in Kentucky. Prior to that time, in the year 1795, the Spanish governor of Louisiana again at- ^^^^^^ tempted to bribe Kentucky to secede from Spanish the Union, and to form an alliance with '^""^p^''^^^ Spain, in order to obtain the navigation of the Mississippi. Thomas Power, a naturalized Spaniard, was sent to Ken- tucky to secure agents to accomplish this end. The man selected to receive Power's communication was Judge Benjamin Sebastian, one of the accomplices in the first Spanish conspiracy. Sebastian conferred with several prominent Kentuckians. He then proceeded to Natchez, and on to New Orleans, to negotiate with the authorities there. However, before any agreement had been reached between the Kentuckian and the Spanish governor, news came that a treaty be- tween the United States and Spain had been effected, and that Spain had granted to the United States the free navi- gation of the Mississippi River. Nevertheless, the Spanish governor was not willing to renounce, at once, all hope of ever gaining Kentucky. Sebastian was paid two thousand dollars for his efforts in this dishonorable work, and con- tinued to receive that amount annually for eleven years. Sebastian's treason was unknown to his fellow-Kentuck- ians, with probably two or three exceptions. He con- tinued to hold his office of judge of the court of appeals until 1806, at which time he was exposed and compelled to resign. We have learned that the opposition of the Kentuckians to the Federal government had its origin in their own 102 FOUNDING OF THE t'OMMONWEALlH trials; for a large majority of the people believed that the central government might have put an end to these if it had attempted to do so. But there were also clauses in the constitution of the United States to which they were directly opposed. Many objected to the policy of the Federalists (by whom the constitution was framed) because they believed it tended toward a monarchical rather than a republican form of government. We have noticed Kentucky's isolated situation and her long, single-handed struggle for existence. Naturally her people were watchful for their State's rights and liberties. But we have learned, also, that in the times of greatest temptation her people stood true to the Union. This fact indicates loyalty and sagacity and calls forth the highest admiration. Now the Indian troubles were at an end, and the Missis- sippi was open to Kentucky. Added to this, the feeling on the French question had changed. Genet's Temporary ' • i r- change of illegal actions in the United States had awak- sen im n encd disapproval. A fuller knowledge of the French Revolution had produced a natural revulsion of feeling. Consequently, the Federal party in the State rose into temporary power. In 1795 Humphrey Marshall, the pronounced leader of the Federal side, was elected United States senator over John Breckinridge, the popular representative of the Republicans. During this same year, however, the governor appointed Breckinridge attorney- general of the State. In the year 1793, the first steamboat which ever success- full)' moved on any waters was exhibited at Lexington. Invention of The town branch of the Elkhorn — now dis- the steamboat appeared from sight, but then a considerable stream — was dammed up for the trial of the miniature ORGANIZATION OF THE GOVERNMENT TO- model which had been constructed, and crowds of enthusi- astic spectators rejoiced over the success of this important invention. The inv^entor was Edward West, who emigrated from Virginia to Lexington in 1785, where he died in vSzy, after a long life spent in experi- menting in inven- tions. The honor of having invented the steamboat be- longs, however, to John Fitch, — be- fore referred to in these pages, — who, as early as 1785, completed his model. But unfortunately Fitch's invention failed of success, either because he lacked the necessary funds or the adequate force of character to bring it to the knowledge of the people. Fitch's Steamboat RECAPITULATION Lexington the first capital. Governor .Shelby inaugurated. Military honors and picturesque pa- rade. Two appointments announced. Legislature assembles; speakers chosen. The governor opens the legislature. Stately proceedings. United States senators elected. Judges appointed. Frankfort selected as the permanent capital. Public buildings erected there. Indian troubles again. General Wayne's appointment. One thousand Kentuckians drafted. Campaign postponed. The French war. England, Spain, and Holland in- volved. Washington refuses to take part. United States divitled on the subject. Kentucky is indignant. She dislikes England and Spain. Desires to aid France. Federalists and Anti-Federalists. Democratic clubs. The Lexington club. John Breckinridge its president. The French conspiracy. General Clark's commission. 104 FOUNDING OF THE COMMONWEALTH Governor Shelby's cautious action. Failure of the conspiracy. Wayne's victory. British posts resigned. Second Spanish conspiracy. Sebastian's treason. Treaty with Spain concluded. Kentucky generally Anti-Federal. Opposed to a strong central govern- ment. Momentary change of sentiment after the Indian troubles are ended and the navigation granted. Federal party rises into power. Humphrey Marshall elected United States senator. Edward West at Lexington. Models a steamboat in 1793. Successful trial on Elkhorn Creek. Fitch's invention unsuccessful. CHAPTER X rOLITICAL SITUATION IN KENTUCKY, 1 796-181 1 In May, 1796, James Garrard was elected second gov- ernor of Kentucky. The first year of his administration Garrard's was marked by few events of importance, administration ^j^^ following spring, the advisability of re- vising the State constitution was discussed, and a vote was taken to obtain the will of the people. But no decision was reached in the matter, as a number of the counties failed to make returns. A second vote was taken on the same subject in 1798, and met with a similar result. In the autumn of that year, the question was brought before the legislature, and as a majority of the members voted in favor of revision, a convention was called for July 22, 1799. During the summer of 1797, Thomas Power was again sent to Kentucky to concert with Benjamin Sebastian re- garding the separation of the State from the Union. But this third Spanish conspiracy failed in its very beginning. The November session of the legislature revised the criminal code, and punishment by death was allowed only for murder in the first degree. The interval of quiet which Kentucky had been en- joying was destined to be interrupted by a profound agita- Aiienand tion. In the spring session of 1798, the edition laws (Congress of the United States passed two acts known in the political history of the nation as the Alien and Sedition laws. The particularly objectionable 105 io6 FOUNDING OF THE COMMONWEALTH features in these acts were the following : The first act gave to the President authority over all foreigners. He mio-ht grant them license to remain in the United States ; he might order them to depart from its territory if he sus- pected them of treasonable designs ; he might imprison, according to his judgment, all foreigners who returned to the United States without having obtained his permission. The second act was an attempt to control the people in the free ex- pression of opinion. By this law it became an offense, subject to fine or imprisonment, for any one to utter, print, or publish any libel against the gov- ernment of the United States, the President, or either House of Congress. The Kentuckians were aroused, almost to a man. There was «;^f ' no wavering in their ^f"^' judgment of these obnoxious laws. They deemed them directly unconstitutional. In their opinion Kentucky's they indicated an assumption, on the part ^^tion of the Federal government, of an authority which did not belong to it. The first to issue a protest against them were the citizens of Clark County. They embodied their opposition in a vigorous set of resolutions, which were transmitted to their representative in Congress to be pre- ^^ Henry Clay POLITICAL SITUATION IN KENTUCKV 10/ sented by him to each branch of that body and to the President. In the crowd which gathered at Lexington to discuss the subject was young Henry Clay, — twenty- one years old, — who had come from Virginia the year before to make his home in Kentucky. He had already made himself known in the State by advocating the grad- ual emancipation of slavery. The people called upon him to speak to them. The subject was one to stir the un- fledged genius of the orator. He was lifted into a cart, from which " proud eminence " he poured forth suqh de- nunciations of the act of Congress as won the admiration and satisfaction of his high-wrought audience. But the most bold, far-reaching, effective summary of political doctrine called forth by these laws was that con- tained in the resolutions known as the Ken- Kentucky tucky Resolutions of 1798.^ The resolutions Resolutions of were drafted by Thomas Jefferson, and revised and offered to the legislature, on November 8, by John Breckinridge, the representative of Fayette County in the State legislature and a leader in the Republican party. These resolutions had perhaps a deeper import than the mere expression of righteous indignation against the pas- sage by Congress of two odious acts that were destined to exist only for a brief term. In them we find the germ of the doctrine of nullification which became an important factor in the causes which led to the Civil War. This doctrine is briefly as follows : That the several States composing the United States of America are not united in submission to their general govern- Doctrine of ment ; that the general government was ^***® "^''*® created by a compact of the several States, each State agreeing thereto, and yet reserving to itself the right to 1 Keiiliitky Resolutions of ijgS. \\y Ethelbert Dudley Warfield. I08 FOUNDING OF THE COMMONWEALTH its own self-government ; that the government created by this compact is not made the final judge of the powers delegated to it ; that as each State is a party to the compact, therefore each State " has an equal right to judge for itself as well of infractions as of the mode and measure of redress." The resolutions thus presented to the legislature in an ardent speech by their mover, passed the Lower House with one dissenting voice. William Murray, a Resolutions accepted by the clcvcr lawyer, made an earnest protest agamst legislature ^^^^^ j^ ^^^ Senate, John Pope made an un- successful effort to amend them, and they were unanimously accepted. At the time of their adoption the possible tendency of the resolutions was not considered. They were framed to meet a need of the hour. The Federal govern- ment had assumed an authority, the Kentuckians believed, which was unconstitutional. Therefore, the Federal govern- ment must be censured, else it might encroach and assume greater power, and then become monarchical, instead of Democratic. Kentucky was passionately Democratic or Republican. The resolutions were signed by the governor, and then submitted to the other States to be considered. Only Virginia, however, concurred with the action of Ken- tucky. The convention to revise the State constitution assembled July 22, 1799, at Frankfort, and chose Alexander Scott Second "Bullitt president, and Thomas Todd — who so constitutional many times before had served in this capacity convention -^ . . ,. — clerk. The outburst of feeling awakened by the mere suspicion of a monarchical inclination in the central government largely influenced the changes which were made in the constitution. The governor was no longer to be elected by a college of electors, but directly POLITICAL SITUATION IN KENTUCKY 109 Local politics by the votes of the people. Furthermore, his authority was Hmited. His veto might be overruled by a majority of the legislature. The office of lieutenant governor was created. This officer, similarly elected by the people, should be the speaker of the. Senate. The senators, like- wise, were to be elected by the direct votes of the people. The new constitution went into effect June i, 1800. James Garrard had again been chosen governor, and Alexander Scott Bullitt was elected lieutenant gov- ernor. John Breckinridge was chosen speaker of the House. There was the utmost quiet in local elec- tions. Kentucky's whole political interest was now absorbed in the affairs of the nation, — the forthcom- ing contest between the Federalist and Democratic parties. When Thomas Jefferson, the Democratic nominee, was declared President, the satisfaction in the State was almost univer- sal. It expressed itself in exuberant speeches of delight. Of course, the hated Alien and Sedition laws were then repealed. But the most important event to Kentucky in Jeffer- son's administration was the purchase of Louisiana from the French, to whom it had been ceded by Spain. Gen- eral James Wilkinson, whose character has onl^' been Thomas Jetferscn I lO FOUNDING OF THE COMMONWEALTH understood in recent years, was then holding the rank of major general in the United States Army. It is an enter- taining and curious fact that on the 20th of December, 1803, the French governor general delivered up the terri- tory to that officer. Thus at last the projector of the Spanish Conspiracy took possession of New Orleans ; but in a manner totally different from what he had imagined, — under the honorable authority of his national government. But Wilkinson is often accused of complicity in another equally romantic and treasonable conspiracy, and in this, too, the bold, adventure- Aaron Burr's loving Kentuckians were ^°°^P'''^^y tempted to disloyalty. Aaron Burr, late Vice President of the United States, — now bearing upon his soul the crime of having taken the life of Alexander Hamilton, — being cut off from all high official attainment, restlessly sought a means to gratify his proud ambition. Burr's dazzling scheme was to conquer the Spanish province of Mexico, then friendly to the United States, to unite to it the southwestern States, to make New Orleans the capital of this vast territory, and himself the emperor or ruler. Wilkinson, according to his accusers, was to be second only to Burr. Blennerhasset, a wealthy Irish scholar, living on a beautiful island in the Ohio River, had become fascinated by Burr's allurements to the extent of employing his vast fortune for the cause, and he was to be a powerful duke or chief minister of the empire. The cooperating Kentuckians were likewise to reap the reward of their assistance. To arrange his project. Burr made frequent POLITICAL SITUATION IN KENTUCKY III trips to Lexington and Louisville, and through the south- ern cities. Joseph Hamilton Daveiss, United States attorney for Kentucky, first became suspicious of Burr's move- ments, then convinced of his treacherous de- Burr indicted signs. On November 3, 1806, he appeared m the court at Frankfort and brought an indictment against Burr for high treason. Burr met the charge with cool denial. Several days later, with a sem- blance of sincerity, he urged the court to continue the pros- ecution. A day was set for the trial. After giving a writ- ten pledge of his in- nocence, Burr secured Henry Clay and John Allen for his counsel. Intense popular inter- est was aroused. The prosecution seemed to take on the form of a perse- cution, because of the ardent political feeling of the time. Burr had won many friends in Kentucky. Daveiss was a stanch adherent of the despised Federalist party. Henry Clay had thrown the weight of his influence into Burr's faction. The trial did not come off because of the failure, on the part of the United States attorney, to obtain the attendance of the necessary witnesses. Nevertheless, the expectant audiencti was granted the Joseph Hamilton Daveiss 112 FOUNDING OF THE COMMONWEALTH excitement of listening to a flashing debate on the sub- ject between Clay and Daveiss. Never have two greater, more brilliant men met in opposition at the famous bar of Kentucky. Shortly afterward, a ball was given in Frankfort in Burr's honor. This was followed by a similar festivity Fate of the given by the friends of the United States conspirators attorney. For a while Daveiss suffered a great loss of popularity on account of his efforts toward the prosecution ; but he was soon to be vindicated. Burr's times of suc- cess were at an end. He was tried in Richmond, Virginia, in March, 1807. Though certain legal technicalities pre- vented his convic- tion, no one doubted An Early Methodist Church |-jjg cruilt. His laSt days were spent in wretched poverty and sorrow. Blen- nerhasset also died forlornly. Only Wilkinson lived on in the favor of fortune. Running along by the side of these social agitations was a deep spiritual movement which spread throughout the The great State. This revival began in the Methodist revival . ^hurch, but it awoke religious enthusiasm in all the existing denominations. Thousands flocked to the camp meetings which were constantly held, and humble laborers and learned statesmen were equally stirred by a consideration of the greatest problem of life. In the trend of this Christian movement came the formation of an association called the Friends of Humanity. Six ^^rS^Sss. POLITICAI. SITUATION IN KENTUCKY 113 Baptist ministers of note, and others of less conspicuous ability, united themselves together for the purpose of advocating the abolition of slavery. Their numbers in- creased at first, but they were discountenanced by their brother associations, and soon vanished. In 1804, Christopher Greenup was elected governor. He was one of the strong characters of the early days. For more than ten years, he had been actively 1 • I 1 1 1 • rr • r Years of quiet connected with the public affairs of Kentucky. It was during his administration (1806) that the trial of Judge Benjamin Sebastian occurred. Burr's conduct led to the investigation concerning Sebastian. During the same year, George Muter resigned from the office of chief justice, and Thomas Todd was appointed to fill the va- cancy. But Judge Todd did not long execute the duties of chief justice, as higher honors awaited him. In Feb- ruary, 1807, he was appointed judge of the United States supreme court in the newly created circuit of Kentucky, Ohio, and Tennessee. Several eminent jurists now occu- pied the chief justice's bench in quick succession. Felix Grundy, Judge Todd's successor, resigned after a few months to make his home in Tennessee. Ninian Ed- wards, the next appointee, resigned after a little more than a year's service, to become governor of the Illinois Territory. He was followed by George M. Bibb, who also resigned in less than a year. In 1807, the Bank of Kentucky was chartered with $1,000,000 capital. Robert Alexander was appointed president by the governor. Prior to this time, Kentucky had been rigorously opposed to banking ; but through some curious misunderstanding on the part of the legisla- ture, in 1802, the Kentucky Insurance Company had been chartered with banking powers. REM'. lUST. 8 114 FOUNDING OF THE COMMONWEALTH The Prophet In 1808, General Charles Scott was elected to succeed Governor Greenup. His opponent was the rising young lawyer, John Allen, who Beginning of made a vigorous canvass. ^^^ But the Kentuckians were pleased to honor the military services ^^^^v of the veteran officer, especially as the years of peace were at an end. For some time the Indians living on the Wabash River had been growing restless under the advance of white civilization. They were roused to rebellion by their two great chiefs, Tecumseh and his brother the Prophet, and also by the influence of the English, who now anticipated another war with the United States. In the summer of 181 1, General Harri- son, governor of the Indiana Territory, called for volunteers from Ken- tucky. Many brave men, ambitious for military glory, answered the summons. The battle of Tippecanoe was fought November 7, 181 1. Harrison was surprised in the night by the Indians ; never- theless, he bravely and %,M Tecumseh incitiirr the Creeks POLITICAL SrrUATION IX KENTUCKY 115 successfully met the attack. But Kentucky suffered a deeply felt loss by this battle, in the early death of two of her valued citizens, Colonel Joseph Hamilton Daveiss and Colonel Abraham Owen. A county of the State was named in memory of each. RECAPITULATION James Garranl, second guvernor. Legislature orders a constitutional convention. The third Spanish conspiracy. Alien and Sedition laws. The first gave the President control of aliens. The second restricted the expression of opinion. Kentucky condemns the laws. Clark County makes the first protest. Henry Clay denounces them. Kentucky Resolutions of 179S. Doctrine of State Rights involved. The general government a compact of States, each State retaining the right to govern itself. Each State has the right to judge acts of the general government, and to nullify them if they are objection- able. John Breckinridge, the mover of the Resolutions. Opposition of Murray and Pope. Resolutions carried in the legisla- ture. Second constitutional convention. Recent agitation causes certain changes in the constitution. James Garrard, third governor. A. .S. Bullitt, lieutenant governor. John Breckinridge, speaker. Local politics quiet. National politics absorb attention. Kentucky rejoices over Jefferson's election as President. Alien and Sedition laws repealed. Louisiana purchased. Delivered up to General Wilkinson. Aaron Burr's conspiracy. Wilkinson implicated. Blennerhasset's part in the scheme. liribe offered to Kentuckians. Burr is indicted by J. H. Daveiss. II. Clay and John Allen, Burr's coun- sel. Burr's cool audacity. .Speeches of Clay and Daveiss. The two balls given at P'rankfort. The fate of the conspirators. The great revival. "The Friends of Humanity." Christopher Greenup, governor. Benjamin Sebastian is tried and con- victed. Judge Thomas Todd. The first banks in the State. General Charles Scott, governor. Tlie beginnings of war. The battle of Tippecanoe. CHAPTER XI THE WAR OF 1812, 1812-1S15 War with all of its horrors and feverish anticipations was again at hand. The causes which led to the second Causes which conflict with Great Britain had long been ac- ledtothewar cumulating. England and France were in arms against each other, and the United States main- tained a neutral position. In order to injure France, Eng- land blockaded with men of war the whole coast of France, and France retaliated by declaring a similar blockade of the coast of England. American vessels were seized as prizes, and the commerce of the United States was inter- rupted in a most disastrous manner. But this was not all. A greater injury, in that it con- tained an insult to our nation, was endured from England before war was declared. By the policy of the United States, any foreigner, after having thrown off allegiance to his own government, might become an- American citizen, if he so desired. On the contrary, England claimed that a man born an English subject was always an English subject. American vessels were boarded by English officers, and searched by them to find sailors whom they claimed to be deserting Englishmen. In this way thousands of our seamen were captured. The United States deeply resented this outrage. Then the crisis came. On the i8th day of June, 18 12, war was declared. 116 THE WAR OF 1812 117 In addition to the regular army ordered to be raised, one hundred thousand militia were to be furnished by the different States of the Union. Many of the -^ Kentucky's States were opposed to the war, and conse- warenthusi- quently refused to comply with the President's demand. But not so Kentucky ; her people had ever looked upon England as the cruel enemy of their pros- perity ; and they eagerly rushed forward to aid in right- ing the wrong against their nation. Only five thousand five hundred men were required of Kentucky, but she was granted the privilege of fur- nishing seven thou- sand. And the State did not hold back her best, but offered her worthiest sons for the cause. A righteous resentment of of- fenses, and an unsurpassed courage and high sense of honor, were S indicated by this eager desire to participate in the opening con- flict. On the 1 5th of August, two thousand troops, destined to join the army in the Northwest, assembled at Georgetown. They consisted of a regiment of regulars, un- Troops leave der Colonel Samuel Wells, and three militia ^^e state regiments under Colonels John Allen, J. M. Scott, and William Lewis. Of the companies under Lewis, Lexing- Impressment of Seamen Il8 FOUXDIXG OF THE COMMONWEALTH ton had furnished six, and one was the Lexington Light Artillery, even then historic, commanded by the gallant young captain, Nathaniel G. T. Hart. They were formed into a brigade, and placed under the command of Brigadier General John Payne. Several days later, the troops were reviewed in the presence of thousands of interested spec- tators. Henry Clay made a speech, and Dr. Bhthe, presi- dent of Transylvania University, preached a sermon ; and thus animated and encouraged, they w^ere prepared to begin their hard, eventful campaign. On their march to Detroit the troops learned that Gen- eral Hull, governor of Michigan Territory, had surrendered Harrison's ""^ the most cowardly manner to the British, appointment Great indignation w^as aroused. Letters were written to Kentucky to request the appointment of General Harrison as commander of the Kentucky militia. Gov- ernor Scott's term of office w^as drawing to a close, but some action was imperative. He sought a council of ex- Governor Shelby, ex-Governor Greenup, Henry Clay, Judge Thomas Todd, and several other distinguished cit- izens. They unanimously agreed in recommending the appointment. It was therefore made. In a few more days three other companies were raised by Colonels Richard M. Johnson, James Johnson, and Captain John Arnold. General Harrison was also appointed by the President as commander of the army of the Northwest, to supersede General Winchester. On the 29th of September, he left Lexington to join the forces thus placed under his control. The Kentucky troops reached the Rapids of the Maumee the lOth of January, and halted to await the arrival of First battle at General Harrison. But they were not long to Frenchtown remain inactive. A few days later a call for assistance reached them from Frenchtown, on the river THE WAR r)F 1812 119 William Henry Harrison Raisin, about thirty-eight miles away. A detachment commanded by Colonel Lewis, under whom were Colonel John Allen and Majors Martin D. Hardin, George Madison, and Benjamin Graves, eagerly has- tened to respond to the summons. On the 1 8th a successful battle was fought, and the British were driven from the village. But this victory was to be followed by an awful tragedy. Two days later. General Win- chester arrived with a recnforce- ment consisting of Colonel Wells's regiment of regulars. Although General Winchester was soon informed that a large force of the enemy was on its way toward the town, he made no preparation for an attack. The night was second battle bitterly cold, and the caution of placing pickets ^^ Frenchtown on the road by which the enemy would approach the town was neglected. Accordingly, before daylight on the morn- ing of January 22, the camp was surprised by an army of two thousand British and Indians under General Proctor. The firing was opened upon the stockade of the Kcntuck- ians and was returned with considerable loss to the British. But Colonel Wells's company was encamped on the open field. It was impossible for it to resist the attack, and the men retreated panic-stricken. At this crisis. Colonels Lewis and Allen, with a detach- ment of one hundred men, rushed forward like typical Kentuckians to rally the retreating soldiers. Nearly all of Wells's men were killed or wounded, as were very many of those under Lewis and Allen. Lewis was wounded, I20 FOUNDING OF THE COMMONWEALTH and Colonel Allen was slain. Thus fell in early manhood one of the most promising citizens of Kentucky, a man of pure life, of heroic character, and strong legal ability. Then came a summons to surrender. To the heroes of Kentucky death was far preferable to defeat. But after a consultation, in view of their situation, the remaining officers wisely determined to comply with the demand of the enemy. Having obtained a solemn promise from the British that the wounded Americans would be safely guarded, they agreed to lay down their arms. But the pledge was not fulfilled. The Indians were not restrained by the British, and early the next morning they entered the cellar of a tavern where some of The massacre the wounded soldiers were quartered, broke open casks of liquor, and drank until they were maddened far beyond their usual state of cruelty. Soldiers were dragged out of their beds and tomahawked. A house containing other wounded men was burned to the ground. Several of the officers attempted to escape under the escort of Indians whom they paid to guide them, and were treacherously murdered on the way by their escorts. Never did a more barbarous butchery of human beings occur. The details are too ghastly to be repeated. In Kentucky, anguish prevailed such as had not been felt since the fatal battle of the Blue Licks. There were many widows and mourning friends and relatives left to recount the horrors of the Raisin massacre. And Ken- tucky has preserved the memory of some of her brave soldiers who lost their life at that place by naming various counties of the State after them, — Allen and Edmonson, Graves, Hart, and Hickman. In August, 1812, Isaac Shelby had been elected governor for the second time. He had consented to become the THE WAR OF 1812 121 chief executive again, only because the United States was involved in war. He now exerted all his influence to arouse the patriotic ardor of his fellow citizens „ .. , ^ Reenforce- to reenforce the army of the Northwest and ments from 11 -r-. • • T-i ^ r Kentucky retrieve the loss at Kaisin. 1 housands or Kentuckians hastened to volunteer for the service. A strong brigade of three thousand men was formed under Brigadier General Green Clay, consisting of four regiments commanded by Colonels Dud- ley, Boswell, Cox, and Cald- well. This force reached the banks of the Maumee, oppo- site Fort Meigs, on the night of the 4th of May. In the distance could be heard the cannon of the enemy. Since the first day of the month. Gen- eral Proctor with about two thousand British and Indians had surrounded the camp of the Americans. The fact of the approach of the Kentuck- ians was borne to General Harrison, and orders were re- turned to the brigadier general. The next day General Clay, with the larger portion of his men, fearlessly and successfully pushed his way through the ranks of the British to the southern shore of the river. With this reenforcement, the fort was en- abled to repel Proctor's attack so vigorously that the siege was raised on the ninth day. But the fate of the other portion of the Kentucky troops was far different. While the main body was proceeding Green Clay 122 FOUNDTXf. OF TITE COMMONWEALTH to Fort Meigs, a detachment of seven or eight hundred men, commanded by Colonel William Dudley, had been dis- Dudiey's patched to the northern shore of the riv^er«to defeat storm the British batteries. In this they were successful. But other orders, which commanded them to return immediately to their boats, were misunderstood. The Kentuckians delayed, to return a straggling fire from the Indians. They were surprised by Proctor, greatly outnumbered, and completely defeated. Many were slain and many wounded. Again the Indians treated their prisoners with the barbarous cruelty that had been prac- ticed upon the victims of the Raisin massacre ; and the British did not forbid the outrage. Only one hundred and fifty men escaped, and these also might have been mur- dered if the noble Indian chief, Tecumseh, had not jushed with his sword drawn, into the midst of the carnage, and controlled his savage brethren. Again Kentucky was called upon for reenforcements, and again she offered double the number demanded. Gov- ernor Shelby announced that he would take the field in person, and called upon volunteers to meet him Kentucky ' ' ^ sends more at Newport. In less than thirty days, four thousand Kentuckians had assembled. Out- side of Kentucky the governor had no authority to com- mand ; but his authority rested with his men, whose con- fidence, in their leader expressed itself in the watchword of the time, — "Old King's Mountain will lead us to vic- tory! " It is a fact of curious interest that Governor Shelby and his large reenforcement of Kentuckians reached the Result of the camp of General Harrison just at the moment council of war ^y]-,qj-i Commodorc Perry was landing with his prisoners after his important victory over Commodore Bar- THE WAR OF 1812 12' clay on Lake Erie. Later on a council of war was held, to decide whether the American forces should cross the lake into Canada and pursue the British army, which was known to be retreatins-. Battle of Lake Eri. The practicability of pursuing and overtaking Proctor was carefully argued and weighed as a military proposi- tion. But in the mind of Governor Shelby there was no hesitation. He had gone all that distance with his " Kentucky boys " to meet the enemies of his country, and his determination was fixed to seek an encounter. Therefore an affirmative decision was cast. The order was given by General Harrison to parade the army for embarkation on Perry's fleet. 124 FOUNDING OF THE COMMONWEALTH Kentuckians have always shown a tendency to be strongly influenced by eloquent oratory. On Governor Shelby's staff were two young officers, who Power of ora- -' . tory over later became famous throughout the nation, ■ — Majors John J. Crittenden and William T. Barry. Upon the suggestion of the governor, each ad- dressed the troops of his State. Whatever reluctance to cross on to foreign soil may have existed among them, vanished under the fire of eloquence poured forth by the young speakers. They recounted in picturesque and dra- matic words the wrongs their nation had endured from the British, and the awful slaughter of their countrymen at the hands of the enemy, until every heart was stirred with patriotic impulses. ^^ Remember Raisin,'" rang in their ears, and all were eager for action. The march the first day was made in close order in solid columns. To the alert and practiced eye of Shelby this The march into manner of movement seemed to be too slow Canada £qj. ^j^^ hazardous undertaking before them — that of reaching Proctor and bringing him to battle. He communicated his fears to General Harrison, who, per- ceiving at once the truth of the suggestion, commanded that the order of march be changed in accordance with Governor Shelby's advice. The columns, therefore, were broken, and the army moved forward as a great com- pany of travelers, each individual being urged to the utmost speed. Colonel R. M. Johnson's regiment of Kentucky cavalry was pushed eighteen or twenty miles in advance, to prevent a surprise. Soon all recognized the advantage of the new order of march. On the third day, straggling soldiers from the British army were cap- tured at the crossing of different streams, and were passed to the rear of the American army as prisoners. This THE WAR OF 1812 125 fact gave hope and increased vigor to the movements of our men. On the fourth day the American army came upon Gen- eral Proctor encamped at the Moravian town, on the river Thames, eighty-six miles northeast of xhe battle of Detroit. Here a decisive battle was fought, t'le Thames October 5, 18 13. The American force was larger than the British and more cleverly ordered. Tecumseh fell early in the action, and the Indians grew disheartened at the loss of their great chief. The result was complete victory for the Americans and an end to the war in the Northwest. Almost the entire force was from Kentucky, and many distinguished men were included in its number, — General John Adair, who fought brave- ly at the battle of New Or- leans, and afterward became governor of his State ; Barry and Crittenden, already men- tioned ; General Joseph Desha, prominent in the political affairs of his day, and also des- tined to be governor of Ken- tucky ; the gallant Colonel Richard M. Johnson, the slayer of Tecumseh ; and Col- onel Charles S. Todd, who in the times of peace served his country in the halls of Con- gress and as an ambassador to Russia. A treaty of peace was signed at Ghent, December, 1814; but before the news reached this country several more battles were fought. Of these, the only one which Richard M. Johnson 126 FOUNDING OF THE COMMONWEALTH concerns the history of Kentucky was the brilHant bat- tle of New Orleans, January 8, 1815. The British forces Battle of were commanded by Sir Edward Paken- New Orleans ham; the American, by General Andrew Jackson of Tennessee. Here again Kentuckians rendered important assistance, and again had the joy of partici- pating in a triumph. It has been said of them that they " formed the strength of that central force which repulsed Pakenham." RECAPITULATION England and Fiance at war. United States neutral. American commerce interrupted. Sailors captured by England. United States resents the insult. Declares war, June, 1812. Kentucky enthusiastic for the war. One hundred thousand militia ordered to be raised. Kentucky furnishes seven thousand. Gives her worthiest sons. Two thousand troops leave George- town. Their request of Governor Scott. A council of distinguished men. General Harrison's appointments. He becomes commander of the Ken- tucky militia, and of the army of the Northwest. He leaves Lexington for his post. The Kentucky brigade reaches the Northwest. Is not long inactive. Battle at Frenchtown. British driven from the village. General Winchester arrives. Makes no preparation for an attack. Is surprised by Proctor. Fate of Colonel Wells's regiment. Heroism of Lewis, Allen, and others. Kentuckians obliged to surrender. British promise safety to prisoners. Promise not fulfilled. Indians become intoxicated. Terrible slaughter of prisoners takes place. Counties named for slain officers. Isaac Shelby again governor. Brigadier General Green Clay. He reaches Fort Meigs. Clay divides his force. Reenforces General Harrison. Dudley's defeat. Again prisoners are butchered. Tecumseh's timely appearance. Governor Shelby's call for volunteers. Four thousand meet him at Newport. The governor takes command. Dramatic meeting at Harrison's camp. Decision to pursue Proctor. Speeches of Crittenden and Barry. The battle of the Thames. Death of Tecumseh. End of the war in the Northwest. Distinguished Kentuckians in the battle. Brilliant battle of New Orleans. Kentucky's part in the victory. CHAPTER XII LOCAL AFFAIRS, i8i 6-1835 War was now at an end, but peace did not await the people of Kentucky. They were about to enter a political conflict as severe as any they had ever fought The return to with arms. The first contest in the legislature state affairs arose in 18 16, when George Madison, the newly elected governor, suddenly died, and the question whether the legislature had the power to order a new election came up for decision. After a fight, the vote was cast in the nega- tive, and Gabriel Slaughter, the lieutenant governor, be- came governor. He fulfilled the duties of that position until 1820, although the matter was not suffered to rest with this first decision, and was repeatedly agitated during various sessions of the legislature. But the disturbance thus caused was as an ordinary strong wind to a cyclone in comparison with the storm which was caused by the financial condition of the country. While war prevailed in Europe, America had been cut off from foreign trade. The capital of the country was therefore employed in establishing factories Financial for home manufactures. But when the war in depression Europe was over, foreign goods were again sent over to the United States. The newly established trades of this country could not at once compete with the cheaper and better commodities of the older country ; hence resulted a 127 128 FOUNDING OF THE COMMONWEALTH temporary financial depression. Furthermore, during the European wars, and the war of America with England, gold and silver had been banished from circulation, and in their place had been substituted a paper currency, which gave a high nominal value to commodities. The return to specie payment lowered this value, and the result was very general bankruptcy. Beside these causes of disaster, the country was burdened with an enormous war debt. For a time Kentucky was in a prosperous condition. Her portion of the war debt was promptly paid. Manu- factories sprang up all over the State. In financial Lexington alone, in 1817, there were more than sixty mechanical shops, and Louisville, the town next in importance, soon vied with Lexington. The increase of trade in the State demanded a better cir- culating medium than had existed before. In the earliest days, skins of wild animals had constituted the only cur- rency. Later on, Spanish milled silver dollars were intro- duced. These were cut into four parts to make quarters, which again were cut to obtain smaller bits. Of course dishonesty resulted and great loss was caused, and the need for something more satisfactory was strongly felt. We have learned that Kentuckians were opposed to banks. In 1817, there existed in the State only one such Independent institution, the Bank of Kentucky, which was banks on a solid foundation. But, moved by the chartered , _ ^ exigencies of the time, the people went to rash extremes. The legislature of 181 7-1 8 chartered forty-six independent banks which were not required to redeem their notes with specie. The State was flooded with the paper of these banks, and a mere shadow of prosperity hung over the people. Speculation rose to an LOCAL AFFAIRS 1 29 exorbitant degree. Then the shadow disappeared, and the true financial condition was exposed. Before the end of the year 18 18, most of these unsubstantial banks were wrecked; and, in 1820, the legislature repealed the char- ters which gave them existence. With the banks went under also a vast number of speculators who had relied upon them. The suffering from debt was terrible. The cry for some means of relief resounded throughout the State. And now began an intense political conflict. The State became divided into two bitterly antagonis- tic factions, known as the Relief and Anti-Relief parties. Each enrolled many of the distinguished names two new of the time. On the one side may be men- state parties tioned William T. Barry, George M. Bibb, Joseph Desha, John Trimble, and John Rowan ; on the other, Richard C. Anderson, John J. Crittenden, R. A. Buckner, Sr., George Robertson, Christopher Tompkins, and Robert Wickliffe. At first the Relief party was stronger in the State. The great mass of debtors were in favor of the measures it advocated. General John Adair and Major William T. Barry, both Relief candidates, were elected governor and lieutenant governor. As a "relief measure," the legislature of 1820-21 char- tered the Bank of the Commonwealth. This bank was allowed to issue $3,000,000 of paper money. Bank of the d- 1 , 1 •. . • Commonwealth was not required to redeem its notes in specie. Soon the paper of the bank fell far below its face value, and creditors refused to receive it in payment of their debts. But the legislature had passed a further act, known as "the two years' replevin law," under which every creditor was obliged to accept in payment of his debt the paper of the Bank of the Commonwealth, or KENT. HIST. — 9 130 FOUNDING OF THE COMMONWEALTH receive nothing at all for two years, with the risk at the end of that time of further delays, or the failure of his securities. The question of the power of the legislature to pass such an act was brought before the judges of the State. Judge Clark's The first to give an opinion on the point decision ^^^^^ Circuit Judge James Clark, of the Clark County district, who fearlessly declared the act unconsti- tutional. The Relief party was strong in numbers and power. The storm raged about him ; but no recognition of individual loss made Clark waver in pronouncing the judgment which seemed to him correct. He was brought before the legislature in the spring of 1822, and reso- lutions were entered requiring the governor to remove him from office. The resolutions, however, failed to receive the necessary two-thirds vote, and were consequently lost. All now anxiously awaited the decision of the court of appeals. This highest tribunal of the State was then filled . by men of recognized integrity and unsur- the court of passcd legal ability. John Boyle was chief justice, William Owsley and Benjamin Mills, associate justices. In the midst of an intense excitement which pervaded the entire State, the judges maintained a dignified silence, and awaited the time when they should be called upon to give a decision as a court. This occurred in the autumn of 1823. The verdict of the court sustained the decision of Clark and the other judges who had concurred with him, and declared the "replevin law" unconstitutional; that is, directly in opposition to the constitution of the United States, which provides that no State has the right to pass any law which shall impair the obligation of contracts. Now, there were many men in Kentucky at this time who LOCAL AFFAIRS 131 Temporary power of the Relief party believed that a State had the right to nullify or disobey a law of the United States, if that law interfered with what seemed to them the right of the State. Thus was brought into the controversy the old point of divergence between the Federalist and Democratic parties of 1798. The mass of the people were for the time in sympathy with the Relief party. The decision of the judges awak- ened great opposition and caused intense ex- citement in the State elections of 1824. The result was victory for the Relief party. Gen- eral Joseph Desha, the Relief candidate, was elected gov. ernor by a majority of nearly sixteen thousand over his oppo- nent, Christopher Tompkins, of the opposite faction ; and Gen- eral Robert B. McAfee, also a Relief candidate, was elected lieutenant governor by a major- ity of about eight thousand over William B. Blackburn, of the Anti-Relief side. The Relief party also had a majority in both houses of the legislature. The judges of the court of appeals held ofifice for life, dur- ing good behavior. They could only be removed by the concurrence of two thirds of both houses. ^,^ ^ , Old court of That their removal might be accomplished, appeals the judges were brought before the legislature the following December. But as in the case of Judge Clark, the number of votes necessary for their removal was not obtained. Nevertheless, it was the will of the majority that the judges should be removed. ^^^/'^^j^i Joseph Desha 132 FOUNDING OF THE COMMONWEALTH Another means to accomplish this object was now re- sorted to. A bill was introduced to repeal the act under which the court of appeals had been established. If this were carried, then a new court might be organized in harmony with the will of. the people. For three days, before crowded houses, the bill was debated. Each side put forth its best efforts in this unique contest. Logical and brilliantly illogical arguments mingled with the bold charge and counter-charge of the combatants. The bill passed both houses by a large majority, and was signed by the governor. A new court of appeals was soon organized. William T. Barry was appointed chief justice, John Trimble, James Haggin, and Rezin H. Davidge, associate ius- A new court fc>& ' o ' J of appeals ticcs. The clerk of the old court refused to give up the papers and records of the court to the new clerk, whereupon the office was broken open to obtain them. During all this time of trial, the old judges stood firm in their conviction, and continued to sit as a court, in spite of opposition. A majority of the lawyers recognized them as the only court and obeyed their decisions. Some recognized the new court, and others refused to decide between them. An entertaining incident, which expresses the high excitement of this time, is recorded as having taken place How a riot ■ in Lexington. There occurred in the streets was quieted ^^ ^^^^ ^^^^^^ ^ regular pitched battle on this subject. Men appeared armed with pickaxes, with which they tore up the sidewalks, that they might have bricks to hurl at those who differed from them. When the riot was at its height, R. J. Breckinridge and Charlton Hunt, young men then in the beginning of their careers, LOCAL AFFAIRS 133 came out with locked arms and walked through the midst of the combatants. These young men were opposing candidates, the former being an adherent of the old court How a Riot was Quieted and the latter, of the new court. It is needless to add that the rioters were covered with shame, and quiet ensued. 134 FOUNDING OF THE COMMONWEALTH Party names were now shifted. The Relief party be- came the New Court party ; the Anti-Relief party, the Old Court party. The elections of 1825 were Old Court and . . New Court f ought Under this issue. The storm had gath- ^ ered velocity as it raged. This was the most exciting period in the whole tempest. But a calm was soon to follow. The result indicated a great change in the sentiment of the people. A large majority of the Old Court candidates was elected to the House, and the fol- lowing year a majority of that party was likewise gained in the Senate. The new court was abolished and its acts annulled. The old court was reestablished, and the salaries were paid to the judges for the time during which they had been de- barred from office. Of course the "replevin law" was now repealed. The paper of the Bank of the Common- wealth was destroyed, and branches of the United States Bank were established at Louisville and at Lexington. Again the conservative element was victorious in Ken- tucky. Quiet being now attained, a matter of national politics next divided the people of the State. In 1824, the vote Henry Clay's for United States President was thrown into o?pow?rTn°'' the House of Representatives. H'enry Clay, Kentucky member of Congress from the Ashland district, cast his vote for John Ouincy Adams, and it was perhaps due to -Clay's exertion that Adams was elected. The majority of Kentuckians were eager for the election of Gen- eral Jackson, the closest contending candidate. Clay's sup- port of Adams was received with disapproval throughout the State. This dissatisfaction among his own people arose at the time of Clay's highest national power. He had just succeeded in carrying in Congress his famous Missouri LOCAL AFFAIRS 135 John Quincy Adams Compromise bill, by which the difficulties between the North and South on the slavery question were tempo- rarily subdued. Although an account of Clay's work belongs more to the history of the United States than to that of Kentucky, his influence was so distinct upon the political affairs of the Commonwealth during his day, that it must not be lost sight of. The mass of the Old Court party, which represented the con- servative element of the State, warmly upheld Clay. This fac- tion now became merged into a new party that had adopted the name National Republican, while the disagreeing faction united with the Democratic Republican party. The oppo- sition to Adams had been obliged to smolder change of party during the time of local agitation ; but when °^™®^ he was offered as candidate for reelection against Jackson, the latter carried the State by a majority of eight thousand. The Democratic Republicans carried also all the State elections with the exception of that of governor. Thomas Metcalf, the candidate on the National Republican ticket, was elected over William T. Barry, by a majority of only a few hundred. For a time, the control of State politics wavered between these two parties. But finally, Henry Clay's great ability forced for him the renewed support of his ' ^ Triumph of the fellow citizens. In i83i,hewas elected to the NationaiRe- United States Senate. Although the National ^" Republicans obtained a majority in the legislature, the 136 FOUNDING OF THE COMMONWEALTH triumph of that party in the State was not yet as- sured. A vigorous contest for governor occurred in 1832, and the Democratic Republican candidate, John Breathitt, was elected over Judge "'-"™ : - r-7-T--r^—- ^T^l j^_ ^_ Buckncr, Sr., by ; a small majority. In the exciting presidential i campaign of 1832, Clay and Jackson were op- posing candidates. The State gave Clay a ma- jority of over seven thousand votes. Thus also was attained the complete victory of the National Republican party in Kentucky. Under various names and through various changes, that party held control of the politics of the State thereafter for more than thirty years. In the spring of 1825, Kentucky arrayed lierself in proudest attire to do honor to the French hero of the Social and lit- Revolution, the Marquis de Lafayette. The erary matters distinguished visitor was received with ova^ tions at Louisville, Frankfort, Versailles, Lexington, and Maysville ; and each place vied with the other in the grace of the dinners and balls given him. The State had now recovered from its first financial crisis, and home life in the largest towns was as luxurious as that in Philadelphia or Boston. Andrew Jackson LOCAL AFFAIRS 137 Perhaps this was the era of Kentucky's highest fame. Her statesmen towered by the side of the greatest in the Union. Her lawyers were renowned. Transylvania University, under the presi- dency of the accomplished and fascinating Dr. Horace Holly, had attained high rank, and was recognized as a great institution of learning, not only in the United States, but abroad. For seven years Professor C. S. Rafinesque,^ known to the scientists of the world, had occupied the chair of Natural Sciences and Modern Languages. During this time, he projected his dream of establishing botanical gardens at Lexington, and though he was unsuccessful in this undertaking, it added a charm to the town and to the State. By Dr. Holly's resignation in 1825 the University suffered a loss, but the brilliancy of his day lingered over it for years. In Lexington, also, during this time, was established a Lyceum, or literary society, in which the best talent of the day took part in lectures and debates. Here, „ -^ ^ _ Scientific and in 1827, Thomas Harris Barlow constructed artistic pro- the first model railroad and locomotive ever successfully run in western America, and here he achieved his most complete invention, known as Barlow's Planetarium. Neither was Kentucky barren of artistic Marquis de Lafayette 1 The Life and Writings of C. S. Rafinesqne. By Richard Ellswortli Call, M.A., M.Sc, M.D. Filson Club Publication No. lo. 138 FOl'XDIXr. OF THK COMMC )\\VKAI,TH productions. During tliis time Matthew Harris Jouett was producing a series of portraits which have given to his name an ever-increasing fame. Many prominent Ken- tuckians of his day were painted by him. On the walls of the old homesteads of the State hang these priceless relics of cherished ancestors. Jouett, whose Revolution- ary forefathers had taken part in the founding of the Commonwealth, was born in Mer- cer County, April 22, 1/88, and died in Fayette County, August lO, 1827, at the early age of thirty-nine. Some- thing of his talent for making por- traits and for beauty of coloring descend'ed to his pupil, Oliver Frazer of Le.xington (born 1808, died 1854). Older in point of time than the latter was another artist- son of Lexington, Joseph H. Bush (born 1793, died 1865), w^ho did vigorous, though perhaps less polished work than the others mentioned. One of the most celebrated of Kentucky artists was the sculptor, Joel T. Hart, who was born in Clark County in 1 8 10, and died in Florence, Italy, in 1877. Hart's circum- stances were restricted, and he was obliged to begin his Matthew H. Jouett LOCAL AFFAIRS 139 career as a stonemason. But by virtue of the genius within him, and that necessary accompaniment to genius, — the power to labor unfalteringly, — he succeeded in the profession toward which his ideal ever aspired. He made several statues of prominent men of the day ; but his chief claim to fame rests upon the imaginative group to which he gave the name Woman Triumphant.^ He spent twelve years'- work upon this statue, death alone ending his efforts to perfect it. RECAPITULATION George Madison, newly elected gover- nor, dies. Power of legislature to order new , election agitated. Gabriel Slaughter, lieutenant gover- nor, succeeds. European wars interrupt foreign trade. Home manufactories established. War ended, foreign trade resumed. American manufactories fail. Gold and silver banished from use. Commodities bring high prices. Specie payment resumed after the war. Financial depression ensues. Kentucky prosperous for a time. Shops in Lexington and Louisville. Unique currency of the early days. A better currency needed. Wild extreme of the legislature. Forty-six banks chartered. State flooded with paper money. Banks and speculators break. Commonwealth's Bank a "relief" measure. " Two years' replevin law " passed. Judge Clark decides against the law. Failure of attempt to remove him from office. Court of appeals concurs with Judge Clark. State rights element in the ques- tion. Relief party carries the .State. General Joseph Desha governor. Failure of attempt to remove court uf appeals judges. Charter of the court of appeals re- pealed. A new court organized. Old court firmly guards papers, etc. New court takes forcible possession. An entertaining incident. ' In 1884 a Hart Memorial Association was organized at Lexington by Mrs. Issa Desha Breckinridge, for the purpose of raising $5000 with which to purchase of Messrs. Tiffany & Co., of New York, Woman Triumphant. The statue was secured, and is now in one of the i)ublic buildings of the city. I40 FOUNDING OF THE COMMONWEALTH Old Court and New Court parties. A change of sentiment in the State. Old Court party victorious. A return to national politics. Henry Clay's vote for President Adams. Dissatisfaction occasioned in Ken- tucky. Two new parties. The Democratic Republicans elect all the State officers except governor. Thomas Metcalf chosen governor. Victory wavers between the two par- ties. John Breathitt, Democratic Repub- lican, elected governor. Henry Clay elected to the United States Senate. Final triumph of National Repub- licans in the State. Lafayette's visit to Kentucky. A brilliant era. Transylvania University. Dr. Holly and Professor Rafmesque. Botanical gardens projected at Lex- ington. Thomas H. Barlow, inventor. The artists of Kentucky. CHAPTER XIII CIVIL AFFAIRS AND THE MEXICAN WAR, 1836-1849 The National Republican party became merged into the Whig party, and the affairs of Kentucky were now controlled by that conservative element. As Rise of the an evidence of this change of sentiment in the ^^'^ ^^"^^^ State, James Clark, the judge who gave the decision against the replevin laws, was elected governor in 1836. The elections of the following year gave a continued triumph to the Whigs. It was as a re- sult of a congressional contest of this year that one of the most gifted sons of Kentucky was brought within the recognition of the nation. Among those men who shed luster upon Kentucky in the Richard H. early days of the Menefee ^ ^ present century, none surpassed, if any equaled, Richard H. Menefee. He was born in Bath County in 1809. His public career began in 1832, before he had completed his twenty-third year, when he was appointed Common- wealth's attorney. With one term in the State legislature, 141 Richard H. Menefee 142 FOUNDING OF THE COMMONWEALTH one term in the Congress of the United States as the Whig representative of his district, and less than two years' legal practice at the Fayette bar, his brief life closed at the age of thirty-two. In legal ability and the powers of oratorical persuasion he has never been sur- passed, and in those dis- tinctive characteristics of high-spirited chivalry which mark the Kentuckian, he has never had a superior. But his name is connected with no great event in history. Such men are forgotten un- less they are held up in grate- ful remembrance before the people of the State upon which they brought honor in their day and generation. And it must be understood that this was the day of great men in Kentucky. From the long list of nota- ble names, one or two may be selected as representative of the others. Thomas F. Marshall was born' in Frank- Thomas f ^°^''-' J^^^^ 7) 1 80 1, and died at his old home, Marshall " Buck Pond," near Versailles in Woodford County,- September 22, 1864. In wide scholarship and fervent, imaginative oratory he was rarely gifted. As a speaker he possessed the rather unusual combination of vigorous logic and captivating brilliancy. If his moral character had equaled his intellectual ability, he might have made an enduring impression upon his country. In the beginning of his second term. President Jackson Thomas F. Mai ' ohall = CIVIL AFFAIRS AND THE MEXICAN WAR 143 vetoed the bill to recharter the Bank of the United States. As a result of this measure State banks sprang up all over the Union. The legislature of Kentucky, in 1833-34, established the Bank of Kentucky, the Bank Financial of Louisville, and the Northern Bank of Ken- ^^^'^^^'^'^ tucky. Paper money became abundant; as usual, specula- tion increased, and bankruptcy followed. In the year 1837, all the banks in the United States were obliged to suspend specie payment. By prudent management, however, they were able to resume specie payment the following year. But unfortunately for the coun- try, the spirit of speculation had been stifled only momentarily, not destroyed. Business ven- tures increased, and again, the next year, there occurred a uni- versal suspension of banks. This financial depression not only ex- isted in Kentucky, but was gen- eral throughout the United States for several years. In 1842 an attempt was made to revive the old "relief measures." But there was no danger now of the passage of any radical laws by the legislature. The people had at last learned that legislation does not remedy evils. Still the Whigs led in State politics. In 1840, Robert P. Letcher, who had been a member of Congress for ten years, was elected governor by a majority of continued nearly sixteen thousand votes over the nomi- '^•^^s ^^o'ltroi nee of the Democratic party — by which name the Demo- cratic Republicans were now called. But the political contests of 1844 were the most exciting that had occurred 144 FOUNDING OF THE COMMONWEALTH in the State for many years. The Whig nominee for governor was Judge WiUiam Owsley, who will be remem- bered as one of the distinguished judges of the old court of appeals during the famous controversy. The Demo- cratic nominee was the popular Major William O. Butler, later General Butler of the Mexican War. Butler was a man of ability. Furthermore, he had been a brave sol- dier. He had survived the slaughter at Raisin and par- ticipated in the victory at New Orleans. Nevertheless, the Whigs carried the day. Judge Owsley was elected by, a majority of about forty-five hundred votes. In the autumn of this year the election for President of the United States took place. Again Henry Clay had Issue of the been chosen the nominee of the Whig party, presidential Kentucky stood true to Clay, and gave him a election . . -^ j c majority of over nine thousand votes. But James K. Polk, of Tennessee, was elected after a very close contest. The issue had turned upon the question of the annexation of Texas to the United States. Clay opposed this measure for various reasons, two of which were that it would in- crease the slave-holding territory in the United States,- and that it would inevitably result in war with Mexico. Just before the inauguration of Polk, and under his advice, the acting President, Tyler, signed the bill for the an- James K. Polk .; > & nexation of Texas to the Union. As had been foreseen by Clay, war with Mexico was inevitable. Immediately after the annexation was accom- plished, the authorities of Texas sent an urgent request CIVIL AFFAIRS AND THE MEXICAN WAR 145 to the President to forward an army for their protection. General Zachary Taylor, of the United States outbreak of the army, a Kentuckian by adoption, was dis- Mexican war patched. Hostilities immediately began. On the 13th of May, 1846, Congress declared war with Mexico. Al- though the people of Kentucky, by their vote for Clay, had shown their opposition to the measure which brought about the Mexican War, yet, when war was declared, they were ready, as they had always been, to aid the Union in her time of need. Of the fifty thou- sand troops which the President called for, Kentucky quickly offered ten thousand and many zachary Taylor more were eager to be called into service. Three of the important oflficers of this war were Kentuckians, — Zachary Taylor, major general of the regu- lar army ; William O. Butler, major general of volunteers ; and Thomas Marshall, brigadier general of volunteers. One hundred and five companies, nearly twice as many as were called for, went out from Kentucky to join General Taylor's army. The first regiment of infantry, Kentucky comprising nine companies from Louisville, '^''""p® was commanded by Colonel Ormsby; the second, by Colonel William R. McKee, of Lexington, Lieutenant Colonel Henry Clay, Jr., and Major Gary H. Fry. The first regiment of cavalry was commanded by Colonel Humphrey Marshall, of Louisville, Lieutenant Colonel Ezekiel H. Field, of Woodford County, and Major John P. Gaines, of Boone County. KENT. HIST. — 10 14^) FOUNDINf; OF THE COMMONWEALTH The war was fairly commenced before the Kentucky troops reached their destination. The first action in which any of them fought was the charge on the •city of Monterey. The Louisville legion took part in that suc- cessful assault, Sep- tember 24, and were reported to have showed obedience, patience, discipline, and calm courage. General Butler was wounded, and Major Philip N. Barbour was killed. The leg- islature the following year, 1847, passed resolutions in compliment of the Louisville legion, and ordered swords to be presented to Generals Taylor and Butler, and to the widow of Major Barbour. The only important action in the Mexican War in which Kentuckians largely took part was the memorable battle Battle of of Buena Vista, fought February 22 and 23, Buena Vista 1847, around which have gathered so many stirring recollections. Here fell two of the most gallant sons of Kentucky, — Colonel William R. McKee and Lieutenant Colonel Henry Clay (eldest son of Henry Clay the statesman). One fifth of the troops in this battle were from Kentucky, and of the seven hundred and twenty- three men killed or wounded, one hundred and sixty-two were from this State. Humphrey Marshall CIVIL AFFAIRvS AND THE MEXICAN WAR 147 The successful issue of this battle led to the capture of Vera Cruz, the daring attack upon Cerro Gordo, and the final capture of the City of Mexico. With the triumph of the American arms, peace was gained in Texas, and a vast territory was surrendered by Mexico to the United States. An independent company of one hundred men from Clark County, commanded by Captain John S. Wil- Ceneral Taylor at Buena Vista liams (afterward General Williams of the Confederate army, and later United States senator), took part in the battle of Cerro Gordo, April 18, 1849, where the Mexicans lost in killed and wounded one thousand men, besides three thousand who were taken as prisoners, and all their materials of war. . 148 FOUNDING OF THE COMMONWEALTH The Kentucky troops buried their dead comrades upon the field of Buena Vista ; but a few months later the State brought home the ashes of some of her heroes Funeral cere- ° monies at to rest in the cemetery of the capital. On the 20th of July, 1847, the solemn and interesting ceremonies took place. An address was delivered by the Rev. John H. Brown of the Presbyterian Church, and an oration by John C. Breckinridge. A little later the State erected a handsome monument in memory of the heroes. It was for the occasion of its unveiling that Theodore O'Hara wrote his immortal elegy, T]ie Bivouac of tJic Dead. O'Hara,^ born in Danville, Kentucky, in 1820, was the son of Kane O'Hara, an Irishman exiled for his religion, who was celebrated in his day in Kentucky for profound classical scholarship. Theodore O'Hara had himself served with distinction in the Mexican War. Entering the army under the appointment of a captaincy, he retired with the rank of brevet major. His heart was stirred by the events through which he had just passed, and his genius expressed itself in as great a poem of the kind as was ever written. It is thrilling even to think of the scene in the cemetery at Frankfort that summer day — with the State's great dead resting all aro'und under the shade of primeval forest trees — when the soldier poet lifted up his voice in the impressive measure of his verse : - " The muffled drum'.s sad roll has beat The soldiers last tattoo; No more on life's parade shall meet The brave and daring few. 1 O'Hara and I/is Elegies. By George W. Ranck. CIVIL AFFAIRS AND THE MEXICAN WAR 149 On fame's eternal camping ground Their silent tents are spread. And Glory guards, with solemn round. The bivouac of the dead.'' In 1848 John J. Crittenden retired from the Senate of the United States to accept the Whig nomination . for governor of Kentucky. He was elected by 1 ■ -^ 1 • . T John Jordon a large majority over his opjoonent, Lazarus cnttenden W. Powell, one of the most notable men in elected gover- ' _ nor the Democratic party of that day. Crittenden was born in the county of Woodford in 1786. After he was called to the bar, he moved to that portion of the State known as the Green River country, then attracting many young men of talent. From Russellville, in the county of Logan, in 18 11, he was sent, for the first time, as a repre- sentative to the legislature. In 18 1 7, he was chosen United States senator. During the troublous times of the Old and New Court controversy he again consented to take part in his State's affairs. Accordingly he was elected a representative from Frankfort, where he had settled to prac- tice law. In 1835, he was again called into national politics. He held the office of gov- ernor of Kentucky until 1850, when he resigned to become attorney-general in President Fillmore's cabinet. John L. Helm, the lieutenant governor, was inaugurated governor. John J, Crittenden ISO FOUNDING OF THE COMMONWEAL Til In 1849. the State constitution was revised for the third time. Four important changes may be noted: (i) The iudiciarv, which formerly had been appointed Third revision •" -^ 1 i • i 1 of the consti- by the governor, was made elective by the *"*^°° people. (2) The power which the legislature had possessed to raise money for debt on the credit of the State was abolished. (3) Certain provisions for the continuation of slavery were made. (4) No convention to revise the constitution could be called without a two- thirds vote of the entire voting population of the State. Rise of the Whig party. James Clark, governor. Richard H. Menefee. Thomas F. Marshall. Charter of United States banks re- pealed. Three banks chartered by the legisla- ture. Paper money plentiful. Speculation followed by bankruptcy. Momentary return of prosperity, fol- lowed by wide-spread failure. Attempt to revive " rehef measures." Extreme measures not to be carried. Robert P. Letcher governor. Exciting contest for the succeeding governor. William Owsley, Whig, elected. Clay the Whig nominee for Presi- dent. Kentucky gives him a large ma- jority. The annexation of Texas the ques- tion of the contest. Clay's opposition to the annexation defeats him. War with Mexico inevitable. RECAPITULATION General Taylor of the United States army dispatched to Texas. Hostilities begin. War declared. Kentucky's attitude toward the war. She offers 10,000 militia. Kentuckians high officers in the war. The Kentucky troops. The Louisville legion. The charge on Monterey. Battle of Buena Vista. One fifth of the troops Kentuckians. Distinguished Kentuckians slain. The battle leads to the American vic- tory. Peace in Texas. Acquisition of a vast territory. Ashes of the heroes of Buena Vista buried at Frankfort. Memorial monument later erected. (3'Hara and his Bivouac of the Dead. John J. Crittenden governor. Succeeded by John L. Helm in 1850. Crittenden's ability. State constitution revised in 1849. Four important changes made. IV— THE CIVIL V^AR, i8jo-i86j CHAPTER XIV THE SITUATION IN KENTUCKY, 1850-1860 Long before the peal of thunder and the flash of light- ning announce the downpour of rain, forces have been at work in the heavens to produce a storm, causes of the Long before the outbreak of the Civil War, ^^^'^ '^^^ events had been slowly tending toward the inevitable con- flict. With the first slaves introduced upon American soil began the conditions which brought about the final tragedy. Of course there were many branches that grew out of the main vine, — the slavery question, — and one was so im- portant and grew so rapidly as time went on that it seemed to many the parent vine, — the original source of the con- troversy. This was the different and directly opposite views held by the North and the South as to the nature of the government of the United States, the former believing that sovereign power resided in the Federal government ; the latter, that it resided in the States.^ In the warm Southern States where cotton was ex- tensively produced, slavery was deemed a ne- slavery in cessity to the agricultural life. This was not Kentucky the case in Kentucky. Bu^ the institution had existed and flourished from the earliest days of the settlement of 1 T/if IVar hehcweii the States. By Alexander H. vStephens. 151 152 THE CIVIL WAR the region. In 1850 the population of the State was 982,405, of which over 200,000 were slaves. On the great landed estates of the Commonwealth the lot of the slave was comparatively happy. And yet, over and over again, in important conventions of the State, this problem of human property had claimed the consideration of the people. For years, Henry Clay had been jjresident of the American Colonization Society, and he had advocated a system of gradual emancipation. Many of the prominent citizens of the State, who were large slave owners, concurred in this humane project ; but they were in the minority, and we have seen that the revised constitution of 1849 provided for the continuation of slavery. This provision in the constitution grew out of Ken- tucky's resentment of the course which extreme persons Effect of ^" ^h*^ North were beginning to pursue toward abolitionism ^hg slavc-holding States of the South. It had its immediate cause in a desire to oppose the conduct of certain abolitionists who, as early as 1841, began a system of stealing away slaves from their masters and running them into Ohio (a free State) and thence into Canada. These persons had accomplices stationed in different parts of Kentucky, and along routes known only to themselves. When the negroes were stolen, they were passed on from one station to another until they were safely out of the country. Thus the means by which this business was ac- complished received the name of the " underground rail- road." Again and again the conspirators were discovered in different parts of the State, and were tried and con- demned ; 1 but still the work went on because those engaged 1 The most noted case was that of Miss Delia A. Webster, who was tried at Lexington, in 1844, and sentenced to two years in the State penitentiary. THE SITUATION IN KENTUCKY 153 in it believed they were doing right. Hundreds of slaves were stolen in this way from their owners. In many cases the slaves were unwilling to leave their Negroes' Dance , . - , homes. While they greatly desired freedom, they were as a class a peaceable people that dreaded change, characteristics They knew the life they were living. It had of the slaves sore trials ; but they realized that they would always be But the same jury that had condemned her for what they judged a crime, signed a petition to tlie governor for her pardon. She was released because she was a woman, while her companion in the work was sentenced to serve fifteen years in the penitentiary. 154 THE CTVir. WAR provided for. They knew nothing about the life into which they would be taken. Moreover, the careless, ir- responsible existence they led made them unthinking. They lived for the moment, and if they could steal off at night and meet together at some neighboring " quarters " for a dance, they gave themselves up to the frolic with reckless disregard of the punishment which might follow on the morrow. The leader of the antislavery movement in Kentucky was CaSSRlS An abolition ^ _ . ___ . _ , M. Clay, a ^^^wspaper man of strong will, fearless in advocating his opinions. In 1845, he began to issue at Lexington an abolition newspaper called The True American. Its tone was inflammatory and was considered alto- gether improper. The citizens of that town met and decided that its publication was detri- mental to the peace of the community, and that it must be discontinued. When the editor, who was at home ill at the time, was informed of the action of the meeting, he sent back a defiant reply ; whereupon a com- mittee of sixty of the most honorable citizens of the place were deputed to go to the office of TJie True American and take possession of it. The whole proceeding was managed Cassius M. Clay THE SITUATION IN KENTUCKY 155 in the most orderly manner. The secretary containing the private papers of the editor was sent to him at his home. The press, type, etc., were packed by printers and sent to the care of a reliable firm in Cincinnati, and the editor was informed that he would find them there awaiting his order. Of course the committee of sixty had to be tried, for their action was illegal ; but the jury, without hesitation, gave a verdict of "not guilty." All over the The state State enthusiastic meetings were held in com- acu^^of^*^^ mendation of the action of the citizens of Lex- Lexington ington, and strong resolutions were passed recommending the prevention of such incendiary publications as The True American in the State. This shows that the unwise con- duct of extreme abolitionists awakened much excited feel- ing that otherwise might not have existed. Kentucky was rapidly growing intensely proslavery. The majority of her people believed to a certain extent in the doctrine of State rights. All their sympa- „ , ° _ J i- Proslavery and thies were in harmony with the customs of the union . sentiments Southern States ; and yet, at the same tmie, Kentucky had ever been most ardently attached to the Union. As an evidence of this fact note the words which the legislature of 1850 ordered to be engraved on a block of Kentucky marble that was to be placed in the " General Washington Monument" at Washington City: "Under the auspices of heaven and the precepts of Washington, Kentucky will be the last to give up the Union." Slowly, steadily, the division between the two sections of country was widening. But all the while the g^^^ ciav's great and patriotic mind of Henry Clay was compromise struggling to adjust the differences which threatened dissolution to the Union. The prediction 156 THE CIVIL WAR which Clay had made concerning the annexation of Texas in 1845 was fast being fulfilled. Already a war with Mexico had been fought. Out of the vast territory ceded by Mexico in 1848 to the United States, new States were forming. Already California had framed its constitution and asked for admission into the Union. The question whether slavery should be allowed in the new States raised a conflict of opposition on the one hand, ,/ -' fw' T|. Clay's Home, Ashland, Kentucky and advocacy on the other, such as had never before occurred in the nation. In this condition of affairs, on the 29th of January, 1850, Henry Clay came forward in the United States Senate with his- celebrated Compromise Resolutions, which were known later as the Omnibus Bill. Clay's earnest speech in exposition of these measures of peace lasted two days, beginning February 5. For months the bill called forth exciting debates in the halls of Congress ; but finally the various measures which composed it were passed before the close of that memorable year. This was Clay's last THE SITUATION IN KENTUCKY 157 great effort. Two years later he died, just prior to the downfall of the Whig party, of which he had long been the leader in spirit, if not in place. In 185 1, Lazarus W. Powell, one of the most talented members of the Democratic party, was elected governor. But the Whigs secured a majority of the other ° ■'-'.. state politics State offices and elected most of their men to both houses of Congress. At this time the first Emanci- pation ticket in Kentucky was run, with Cassius M. Clay at its head, as nominee for governor. His vote, however, was only about thirty-six hundred. Archibald Dixon, who had been the Whig nominee for governor against Powell, was elected United States senator in the place of Henry Clay, resigned. The days of the Whig party were num- bered. With the election of Franklin Pierce, the Democratic nominee for President, in 1852, the Whig party disap- peared from national politics, never to reap- Downfall of the pear. In Kentucky, for several years longer, ^^^^ ^^^^^ it continued to exist as a distinct organization, under the leadership of John J. Crittenden. But a disruption had occurred in its ranks. Some of its members, more extreme in one direction, had gone off with the abolition move- ment ; while others, of the oppo- site tendency, had united with the Democratic forces. In the unsettled, agitated condi- tion of the nation it was inevita- ble that new parties should arise to embody the various opinions the times inspired. The American or Know-Nothing Franklin Pierce 158 THE CIVIL WAR party, as it was commonly called, appeared like a meteor only to fall like a meteor. It existed from 1853 to 1856. Know-Nothing 1^1 the Kentucky elections of 1855 for State party officers and members of Congress this ticket was mainly successful. Charles S. Morehead, a former Whig, became governor. But the variations in the politics of the State were like the waverings of a newly started pendulum before it finally assumes its regU- Democratic lar beat. The supremacy hour of Democratic su- premacy was at hand. In 1856, John C; Breckinridge of Kentucky, the Democratic nominee for Vice President, was elected,^ with James Bu- chanan as President. Young Breckinridge was peculiarly fitted to become the leader of the Democratic forces of his State. He was brave, with a winning manner and a ready ora- tory. His sympathies went out ardently toward the South in the question which was now before the nation. In the ensuing State elections, the Democrats were victorious. In 1859, Beriah Magoffin, Democrat, was elected governor, and a majority of Demo- crats was obtained in both houses of the legislature. Although the Democracy held the scepter of power, yet there still existed in the State that old conservative element whose influence has been repeatedly noted. This element John Breckinridge THE SITUATION IN KENTUCKY 159 has been known to us most recently under the appellation Whig. Left now without a party name, the men of that policy became designated for a time simply as -pjjg conserva- the "Opposition." But they were soon to tive element make for themselves a name which is expressive of the work they did for their State and the nation, — Conserva- tive Union party. This body was composed of some of the purest and most patriotic men the State has ever produced. In their num- ber will be found the names of such able judges as L. W. Andrews, R. A. Buckner, C. F. Burnam, W. B. Kinkead, Joseph R. Underwood, and Nathaniel Wolfe ; of such dis- tinguished statesmen as Joshua F. Bell and James Guthrie ; and of such brilliant editors as George D. Prentice of the Louisville y^w^- crat, and D. C. Wickliffe of the Lexington Observer and Reporter. And there were many others who, in the legis- lature, in public speeches to the citizens of the State, and in newspaper editorials, likewise labored to avert the threatened dissolution of the nation. Of these men, John J. Crittenden stood as the representative type in the Federal Congress. All hopes were now turned to him to save the Union. RECAPITULATION The North and the South hold con- trary views. They interpret the Federal constitu- tion differently. Slavery becoming a serious prob- lem. Slavery not necessary to Kentucky. E.xtreme abolitionists excite temper in the people. "The underground railroad." Many slaves captured in this way. The careless lives of the slaves. .\n abolition newspaper forcibly dis- continued. Large slave population of the State. The " committee of sixty " tried and The slave problem repeatedly dis- turbs the people. Gradual emancipation advocated. acquitted. Lexington's action commended by the State. i6o THE CIVIL WAR Kentucky opposed to abolitionism. Her belief in State Rights. Her ardent attachment to the Union. Henry Clay's prophesy concerning Texas fulfilled. New States ask admission to the Union. Question of slavery in the new States. Clay's Resolutions of 1850. The various measures carried. Clay's death two years later. Whigs carry most of the elections of 1851. Lazarus W. Powell, Democrat, elected governor. Cassius M. Clay heads an Emancipa- tion ticket in 1851. Archiljald Dixon succeeds Clay in United States Senate. National downfall of the Whig party. Crittenden holds it together a little longer in Kentucky. Rise and fall of the Know-Nothing party. Democratic supremacy. John C. Breckinridge the Democratic leader. Beriah Magoffin, Democrat, governor. Old Whig party first called the " Op- position." Becomes the Conservative Union party. Its members men of weight in the community. CHAPTER XV KENTUCKY'S POSITION OF NEUTRALITY, Nov. i86o-June i86i It is a curious coincidence that the two men who were destined to take the political lead in the great conflict of the nation were born in Kentucky, within one ■' \ Lincoln and year of each other. Jefferson Davis was born Davis, natives June 3, 1808, in that part of Christian County of Kentucky which afterward became Todd County family moved southward to M ississippi, where he be- came imbued with the spirit and the customs of the planters. Abraham Lin- coln was born in a log cabin in that p art of Hardin County which afterward became Larue County, on the 1 2th day of February, 1809. KENT. HIST. — II 161 In his infancy his Abraham 1 inrol n \ \\ 1 62 THE CIVir, WAR In his boyhood, his family moved northward into the uncultivated regions of the newly opened West. From a life of vigorous physical toil and earnest mental exer- tion, he learned those lessons of truth and freedom which prepared him for his mission. In November, i860, Abraham Lincoln was elected President of the United States. The leaders of the South had declared that in the event of his election Secession of Southern they would withdraw from the Union. Seces- sion feeling was growing. On December 17, South Carolina met in a State convention that re- sulted in the secession of that State from the Union on December 20. Within -two months Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas followed this precedent. On December 18, John J. Crittenden offered in the United States Senate certain compromise proposi- tions which, if adopted as amendments to the Federal con- stitution, he hoped would bring peace between the North and the South. But the propositions were voted down. The country was in no state of mind to listen to reason. Ten years had. passed since Clay had carried in that same body his compromise measures of 1850. For ten years fuel had been added to the flame which was then burning in the North and in the South. In 1850, it wasr possible to subdue it ; in i860, it had grown beyond the power of man to quench. In January, 1861, a committee composed of one member from the representation in Congress of each of the Bor- ^ der States met and framed other compromise Efforts toward ^ compromise resolutions which Crittenden, a member of the unavailing ' . , , . r ^ • committee, accepted as substitutes tor his own. But these proposed amendments met the same fate as their predecessors. In the meanwhile, at home, the Union men KENTUCKY'S POSITION OF NEUTRALITY 163 upheld the hands of their senator. Conventions passed resohitions in favor of his efforts to avert the approaching catastrophe. Earnest speakers addressed the citizens in different parts of the State and implored them to be mod- erate in their actions. "Secession," they said, "means revolution, and revolution means war. And war with whom? With our neighbors, our friends, our brothers!" In glowing language they urged the citizens nobly to face the wrongs which the South had suffered from the North, not .failing to recognize, at the same time, the honor and the blessing of living in a great united country ; and to stand firm in the position they had taken for the Union. On the 17th day of January, 1861, the legislature met in called session. Governor Magofifin, in his message, set forth the condition of the country as it ap- The governor's peared to him at the time, and strongly recom- message mended the calling, forthwith, of a State convention to determine the future attitude of Kentucky toward the Federal government. The governor also recommended the arming of the State ; the appointment of commission- ers to act for Kentucky in a convention of Border Slave States to meet in the city of Baltimore at an early day ; and the presentation of the Crittenden compromise, or its equivalent, as an ultimatum. Many members of the Democratic party advocated call- ing a State convention. Notable among these was Vice President Breckinridge, who definitely ex- Democratic pressed his views on the subject in a letter to ^*®^® the governor received a few days before the legislature convened. After giving a summary of the Crittenden compromise propositions, and mentioning other efforts which had been made to settle the political differences then dividing the country, he stated his firm conviction that no 164 THE CIVIL WAR plan of adjustment would be adopted by Congress. He therefore gave his voice for a State convention. In his opinion, civil war was imminent unless it could be arrested by the prompt and energetic action of the several States in their sovereign capacity. He believed that it might be arrested if Kentucky and the other Border States should calmly and firmly present a united front against it. But if the war could not be avoided, he desired that Kentucky should be in a position to decide whether she would sup- port the Federal Union or the Southern cause. On the other hand, the Union men were distinctly opposed to calling a State convention. They argued that Union views on such a convention would not better the condi- the subject ^-Qj^ Qf Kentucky, that the legislature had full power to do everything necessary for the good of the Commonwealth. On one point only it could not act. It could not withdraw the State from the Union. It was only through the action of a State convention that such a step could be taken. They believed that if a convention were called, Kentucky might be led to secede. They were assured that most of the people of the State were attached to the Union ; but they knew that in times of high excite- ment men may be tempted to rash action, contrary to their sober judgment. In the legislature, this important matter was earnestly argued by both sides ; but finally the decision was reached that action at that time on .political affairs was Legislature . against a State both unnecessary and inexpedient, and the legislature refused to call a convention that might take the State out of the Union. On February 11, the legislature adjourned until March 20. Little was done at this second session of sixteen days beyond further discussion of the state of the country. By special invita- KENTUCKY'S POSITION OF NEUTRALITY 165 tion, an address from the Union standpoint was delivered by John J. Crittenden, which was followed several days later by another from the Democratic point of view by John C. Breckinridge. Crittenden had just left the United States Senate. Breckinridge was his successor. On the 4th of February, a Peace Conference of twenty- one States assembled at Washington. Kentucky sent six delegates, — William O. Butler, Joshua F. Bell, Definite turn James B. Clay, James Guthrie, Charles S. ^°^"^*" Morehead, and Charles A. Wickliffe ; but nothing was accomplished by this meeting. All efforts toward compromise were of no avail. Matters were tending to a crisis. By this time seven States had seceded. On the same day that the Peace Conference opened in Washing- ton, delegates from ^^^^^^^K^^^ six of the seceded ^ States met at Mont- gomery, Alabama, to frame a government for The Confederate States of America. T re T-\ • Jefferson Davis Jenerson Davis was elected President. On the 4th of March, Abraham Lin- coln was inaugurated President of the United States. On the 1 2th of April, 1861, the first gun in the war between the States was fired on Fort Sumter, in South 1 66 THE CIVIL WAR Carolina. The garrison was under the command of Major Robert Anderson of the United States army, a Beginning native of Kentucky. On the 14th, the Federal of the war forccs were compelled to abandon the fort. The President immediately made proclamation for troops. Kentucky was called on to furnish four regiments for the service of the government. Governor Magoffin promptly telegraphed the following reply to this demand: "In an- swer, I say, emphatically, Kentucky will furnish no troops for the wicked purpose of subduing her sister Southern States." Troops requested for the Confederate States were also refused by the governor. The Union men now nerved themselves for a mighty effort to hold Kentucky in a position of neutrality. On the 17th of April, Crittenden made a speech Efforts to hold ' . . , Kentucky to a large audience at Lexmgton. He brought all the weight of his great intellect to bear on his appeal to the people to maintain an independent course. Kentucky, he showed, had done nothing to bring on this war ; she had done everything in her power to prevent it. Now that civil strife was begun, there was no reason why Kentucky should be forced to take part either with the North or the South. Let her stand true to the Union alone and remain in her place as a peacemaker. The Union State Central Committee (formed January 8) followed up this line of argument in an address to the people." They earnestly urged that Kentucky should persevere in a position of neutrality, and they recom- mended that she should arm herself thoroughly, so that she might protect her soil from the invasion of either the Federal or Confederate forces. Similar Union meetings were held in various localities. Everywhere, it was evi- dent, the desire of the people was for neutrality. KENTUCKY'S POSITION OF NEUTRALITY 167 Thus two facts are apparent to us, — that the people of Kentucky were ardently attached to the Union, and that they were distinctly opposed to war. „ ■^ - . Kentucky's at- They believed that the disagreement between titude toward the North and the South ought to be settled in some peaceable way. They shuddered at the thought of civil war — war between friends and kindred. There- fore there was no probability, just at this time, that the State would decide to unite with the Federal government in resisting the secession of the Southern States. The extreme Unio.nists — those who were ready for war — were in the minority. But it was possible that Ken- tucky might decide to support the Southern cause. The Conservative Union men and the Democrats were agreed in believing that the Northern congressmen had no right to make laws against the slave property of the South. But the Democrats believed in the doctrine of State Rights, — that a State had the right to secede when it judged that the Federal government had acted unconsti- tutionally toward it. They dwelt upon the wrongs the South had suffered, and the subject appealed to the spirit of many of the gallant young men of the Commonwealth. The Kentuckian, from the days of his earliest conflict with Indians, had allowed no foe to overcome him. It was his impulse now^ to rush forward and take his stand beside his resisting brethren. It would not have been impossible, perhaps, by a few impassioned speeches on this line, to have turned the State into the Confederacy. In this state of feeling the legislature was again assem- bled in called session. May 6. At first it ap- Legislature peared as if the Southern Rights element was in [oria?n"u-'^" the majority. But there were in that body a tr^iity number of old tried Whigs, — Union men now, — who braced 1 68 THE CIVIL WAR themselves to exert every effort to keep their State from the horrors of this war, and to hold her true to the Union. Their strength was as the strength of many because they were convinced that their purpose was righteous. More- over, they were upheld by the will of the people. Petitions poured in from the women of the State, imploring the legislators to " guard them from the direful calamity of civil war." Furthermore, several members who had been elected as Democrats before this crisis of war had come, now went over to the aid of the Union men. Notably among these was Richard T. Jacob, later colonel of the Federal army, and lieutenant governor of the State. And so it came about that this legislature decided the fate of the State, and perhaps of the nation, by voting in favor of mediatorial neutrality. Kentucky's position of mediatorial neutrality was pri- marily a decision for the Union. It did not mean that the Federal government had no riirht to raise Meaning of ^ _ *=" mediatorial troops for its defense on her soil. It rather neutrality • t i i • i i • i indicated such a right, and was simply a re- quest to the Federal government for a postponement of that constitutional right, in order that an effort might be made on her part to try to win back the seceded States to the Union and to secure peace. ^ But if peace were im- possible, and the war should continue, Kentucky was deter- mined to stand by the Union, even to her temporary disad- vantage in the possible destruction of her slave property. What was gained by this position was delay. In that hour of impassioned action every moment of rational inaction was of vital importance. 1 Synopsis of House Resolutions in exposition of the position of the leg- islature of 1 86 1. Offered by the member from Oldham, Richard T. Jacob, and accepted by the legislature, September i, i86i. KENTUCKY'S POSITION OF NEUTRALITY 169 The Union victory was attained by only one vote in the House and a meager majority in the Senate ; but none the less was it regarded by the Conservatives ... Union victory as a triumph which would result in immeas- urable good. In the list of those who accomplished it are found the names of men who are known to the nation. There are R. A. Buckner, Speaker of the House, C. F. Burnam, Lovell H. Rousseau, James Speed, Joseph R. Underwood, Nathaniel Wolfe, and others too numerous to mention. Old men who were present in that legislature tell us to-day of the deep earnestness of the discussion through which that decision was reached. Throughout this study we have had occasion to notice the sober dignity with which Kentucky has met every serious issue in her history ; and we have also observed the important work she has done for the nation. Let us especially recall the period of her severest trial, — her tedious struggle for independence from Virginia, — and we shall find that she decided her course of action in this present vital hour of the nation's life in harmony with that judgment which controlled her in the former period. The governor issued a proclamation setting forth the fact of Kentucky's neutrality, and likewise warning and forbidding any State, whether of the United xhe governor's States or of the Confederate States, to enter or Proclamation occupy Kentucky with armed forces. The legislature also directed that the State should be armed for her own pro- tection. The necessary funds were immediately raised, and arms and ammunition were procured for the State Guards and the Home Guards; and it was especially pro- vided that neither the arms nor the militia were to be used against either the United States or the Confederate I/O THE CIVIL WAR States, but solely for the defense of the State of Kentucky. The governor appointed Simon Bolivar Buckner inspector general, Scott Brown adjutant general, and M. D. West quartermaster general. The President called a special session of Congress for July 4, 1 86 1. The election thus made necessary is de- union men scribed by one of the Union workers of that elected |-j|^^g ^g follows : " And now the contest opened before the people of Kentucky, and the Union men went boldly and confidently into the fray. . . . All eyes were at once turned to Mr. Crittenden, and his ser- vices were demanded in that Congress. . . . The noble old man heard the call and did not hesitate for a moment. . . . Animated by intense patriotism and the stirring scenes around him, he moved through the district with all the vigor and spirit of a young man, unbent by age, his manly form erect, his voice clear and thrilling, his eye blazing with all the fervor which the high responsibility of his position inspired. Crowds flocked to listen to him ; the people everywhere responded to his appeal. . . . He was elected by a large majority. Many others of the best men of the State were sent to Congress.^ The most trusted men were selected for the legislature, and secession was no longer thought of in Kentucky. " No one doubts that had Mr. Crittenden faltered at all, or had he pursued any other course than that which he did Crittenden's pursuc, Kentucky would have been lost to the influence Union. His personal influence in the late legis- lature had contributed much to prevent injudicious action. 1 The men selected to represent the State in this Congress were Henry C. Burnett, James S. Jackson, Henry Grider, Aaron Harding, Charles A. Wick- liffe, George W. Dunlap, Robert Mallory, John J. Crittenden, William H. Wadsworth, and John W. Menzies. KENTUCKY'S POSITION OF NEUTRALITY 171 His eloquence and his great popularity secured the tri- umph of the Union men in his district ; and the great confidence the whole State reposed in him kept the State in the Union. Should Kentucky at that critical moment have cast her destiny with the South, who can calculate what mio^ht have been the result ? "^ RECAPITULATION Both Lincoln and Davis born in Ken- tucky. Lincoln elected President of the United States, i860. His election objectionable to the South. South Carolina and six other States secede. Crittenden's compromise resolutions rejected by United States Senate. Border States' compromise resolu- tions also rejected. Crittenden's efforts for peace appre- ciated at home. Speakers urge the people to be mod- erate in action. The legislature meets in called ses- sion. The governor's message. He recommends calling a State con- vention. Democrats generally desire this step. Views of Vice President Breckin- ridge on the subject. He earnestly advocates holding such a convention. It would enable the State to decide her course toward the war. Union party strongly oppose calling a State convention. They fear the State might thus l)e led to secede. Legislature decides not to hold a State convention. Legislature addressed on the condi- tion of the country. J. J. Crittenden speaks from the Union point of view. J. C. Breckinridge speaks from the Democratic point of view. Peace conference at Washington ac- complishes nothing. The crisis approaching. . The Confederate States of America formed. Jefferson Davis chosen President. Lincoln inaugurated President of the United States. Confederates fire upon Fort Sumter, South Carolina. Major Robert Anderson, U.S..\., in command. F^ederals obliged to abandon the fort. President Lincoln makes proclama- tion for troops. Confederate States also request troops. Governor Magoffin declines both re- quests. 1 W. B. Kinkead in an article on John J. Crittenden in the AV.f y'o>-Ji- Su>i. 172 THE CIVIL WAR Union men strive to hold Kentucky neutral for a time. Crittenden recommends an indepen- dent course. He shows that Kentucky had no part in bringing on the war. He urges the people not to rush into the contest, but to remain peace- makers, true to the Union. Union meetings held in various local- ities. All recommend the same course. Kentucky much attached to the Union. Generally opposed to war. Does not intend just yet to enter the war on the Federal side. More chance of her supporting the Confederate cause. It appeals to the sympathy of the young men of the State. Conservative Union men and Demo- crats widely differ on one point. Democrats believe that a State has a right to secede. Second called session of legisla- ture. Southern Rights element in the ma- jority at first. Conservative Union men make a strong fight. Several Democrats come to their aid. Mediatorial neutrality carried. This was a plea to the Federal gov- ernment to postpone raising troops in the State while further efforts for peace were made. Above all it meant a decision for the Union. The State armed for her own protec- tion. Special election of Congressmen held. Crittenden helps to secure the Union victory. CHAPTER XVI THE INVASION OF KENTUCKY, JULY 1861-APRIL 1862 Had the other States followed Kentucky's example of forbearance, there would have been no war. But perhaps war was necessary. Perhaps it was the only Beginning of means by which the abolition of slavery could ^^^ tragedy be accomplished. Of course it was impossible for Ken- tucky to make peace, and equally im- possible for her to remain apart from the combat. Outside the borders of the State, at Camp Clay opposite Newport, and Camp Joe Holt opposite Louisville, Federal regiments were being recruited, and thither in the summer of 1861 hastened many Unionists of the State. Many dissatisfied Secessionists assem- bled at Camp Boone near Clarksville, Tennessee, where Confederate troops were being enlisted. And thus began the tragedy in Kentucky ! Most of the other States went solidly with one side or the other ; but Kentucky was divided against herself ! Fathers differed from sons, and went forth to fight against them. Brothers parted from brothers, friends from friends. Ah, the awful anguish of it all ! ^73 Union Soldier 174 THE Civil. WAR On the soil of Kentucky itself Federal forces were organized at Camp Dick Robinson, in Garrard County, by Federal and General William Nelson. General Humphrey Sforglnized Marshall had a recruiting camp in Owen in Kentucky County, thirty miles from the capital, where Confederate forces were organized. In other parts of the State, Confederate troops were raised by Colonel Blanton Dun- can. And still, the State's neutral position was not yet officially abandoned. On the 20th of Mav, 1861, the definite Confederate government was organized at Rich- Kentucky is mond, Virginia. In ^'^'°° that State, on the 21st of July, the first great battle of the war was fought along the banks of Bull Run stream, not far from Manassas Junction. The result was defeat to the Federals, and a general rout and flight of their forces. Hope was inspired in the hearts of the Confederates ; but the Federals fought with renewed energy. Each side watched Kentucky with interest. The August elections came off, and the State voted overwhelmingly in favor of the Unioriists. Seventy-six Union to twenty-four State Rights members were elected to the House; twenty-seven to eleven, to the Senate. The newly elected legislature as- sembled September 2, 1861. The day following, by an almost simultaneous move upon Kentucky, the State was invaded by Confederate forces at two different points. Major General Leonidas Confederate Soldier THE INVASION OF KENTUCKY 1 75 Polk, of Tennessee, occupied and fortified a strong posi- tion at Hickman and Columbus, in the southwest, and General ZollicofTer established troops near '■ Confederates Cumberland Gap, in the southeast. Where- invade Ken- upon, on the 5 th, a Federal army of several thousand strong, under an order from Brigadier General U. S. Grant, entered Kentucky and took its position at Paducah. The legislature promptly ordered that the flag of the United States be hoisted on the capitol, to proclaim Kentucky's Union attitude. General Polk notified Governor Magoffin that he would withdraw his troops provided the Union troops were simultaneously withdrawn ; and offered the Legislature further guarantee that Confederate troops drawirof^con- should remain out of the State provided Fed- federates eral troops should not be allowed to enter or occupy any point in Kentucky in the future. Now the Union people disapproved of the condition thus laid down by General Po!k.^ On the iith, the legislature passed resolutions to the effect that Kentucky expected the Confederate troops to withdraw from her soil unconditionally. The governor, who was opposed to the Union policy, and in sympathy with the Confederacy, vetoed the resolution, but it was passed immediately over his veto. As the Confederate forces refused to comply with this order, on September 18, the State, in her General Assem- bly, abandoned the neutrality ijosition, and de- -' ' , -^ ' ' Neutrality clared herself an active supporter of the Federal position government. Resolutions were introduced and carried : ( i ) to request General Robert Anderson, who had already been appointed commander of the Department ^ See p. 168, the meaning of niediaturial neutrality. 176 THE Civil. WAR of the Cumberland, which included Kentucky, to take instant command, with authority to call out the volunteer force of the Common- wealth for the purpose of expelling the in- vaders from the soil ; (2) to protect all peaceable citizens while this necessary duty was being per- formed ; (3) to request the governor to give all the aid in his power to accomplish this end, and to call out the militia force of the State under his con- trol, and place it vmder the command of Gen- eral Thomas L. Crittenden ; (4) to invoke the patriotism and aid of every Kentuckian for the defense of the Com- monwealth. Again the governor used his right of veto, and again the legislature disregarded his act. ' Several days later, a bill was passed, — notwithstanding the usual veto, — directing the governor to call out not less than forty thousand Kentuckians to be placed under the authority of the commanding general, to aid in expelling the in- vaders. The State Guard, who had been armed and equipped by the State for her own use and protection, laid down their The state arms in some instances, and in others carried Guard them with them, and went almost in a body into the ranks of the Confederacy, whither their principles Robert Anderson THE INVASION OF KENTUCKY 177 or sympathy led them. On September 18, their leader, Brigadier General Simon B. Buckner, was ordered to invade Kentucky and to fortify a central camp at Bowl- ing Green. This point became, for a time, the headquarters of the Con- federate Army of the West, then placed under the command of Gen- eral Albert Sidney John- ston, a Kentuckian by birth. As early as July, Gen- eral Lloyd Tilghman, a resident of Paducah, had resigned his position in the State Guard, and at the head of the third Kentucky regiment of infantry, had joined the Confeder- ate army. Paducah was intensely Southern, and most of the young men of the city, previously members of the State Guard, went with Tilghman. From the force of the State Guard, also, went John Hunt Morgan, then captain of the Lexington Rifles, to become the famous Kentucky cavalry raider, — General Morgan of the Confederacy. By some daring stratagem, he succeeded in evading the Fed- eral authorities, and leading most of his company, all car- rying their arms with them, he reached Bowling Green a few days after General Buckner had taken his station there. On the contrary, the Home Guards were nearly all sup- porters of the Federal government. But they were a KENT. HrST. — 12 -I Thomas L. Crittenden 1/8 THE CIVIL WAR The Home Guard body of undisciplined troops who were not always wise in their conduct. Arrests of innocent persons were fre- quently made by them, and thereby wrath was awakened among the Southern sympathizers against the Union policy the State had adopted. The legislature heartily condemned all such unjustifiable arrests, and General Anderson, who was always fair as well as brave, issued a proclamation of protection to the people. It was to the effect that no Kentuckian should be arrested unless he took part, either by action or speech, against the authorities of the general or State government, held correspondence with, or gave aid or assistance to, the enemy. Under a construction of this order of the command- ing general, a „ *=* *=" ' Prominent number of arrests confederates T ^ arrested were made of men who, by their position, were able to give efificient aid to the Confederate cause. William Preston Jamcs B. Clay was arrested for this reason, as were also Reuben T. Durrett, editor of the Louisville Courier, and ex-Governor Charles S. Morehead, who were sent to politi- cal prisons in the East. The judge of Harrison County and other officers of that court were arrested and sent to the United States barracks at Newport. Every effort was put forth to constrain the citizens to submit to the Union policy which the State had adopted. The State was being rapidly divested of her South- THE INVASION OF KEXTUCKV 179 ern sympathizers among the soldiers. During" the last week of September, nearly one thousand Kcntuckians passed into Virginia, to join the Southern confederate forces. John C. Breckinridge left his seat in ^^^^^^^ the United States Senate to become brigadier general in the Confederate army. Other notable leaders of Confederate volunteers were Roger W. Hanson, Ben Hardin Helm, George W. Johnson, Humphrey Mar- shall, William Preston, and John S. Williams. Meanwhile the State was gathering loyal soldiers for the Federal service. It is difficult to estimate the exact numbers furnished to the Con- federate side ; but it may be generally stated that about three times as many of the inhabitants of the Common- wealth went into the Federal army as into the Confederate. Nevertheless, many mothers and aged fathers who re- mained at home awaited in anguish and suspense the tidings from the opposing armies, each of which contained dearly loved members of their divided families. The departure of the Confederates left vacant a number of State offices. John W. Finnel, an efficient Union mem- ber of the legislature, was appointed adjutant important general, in the place of Scott Brown, and official changes William A. Dudley quartermaster general, in the place of M. D. West, who had followed his associate into the Southern army. Bland Ballard was appointed United Divided households Bland Ballard i8o THE CIVIL WAR States district judge, that honorable position having been vacated by its holder, Thomas B. Monroe. John C. Breckinridge was deprived of his seat in the United States Senate, and Garrett Davis was chosen by the legislature to succeed him. Previous to the 21st of October, only insignificant skir- mishes had taken place on Kentucky soil ; but on that day First battles in occurred quite a desperate encounter at Camp Kentucky ^^j^j Q^.^^ jn the Rockcastle hills. The Fed- eral troops were commanded by Colonel T. T. Garrard; the Confederate, by Brig- adier General Zollicoffer. The Confederates were out- numbered, and in spite of the efforts of their able commander, were forced to retreat. Shortly afterward, not far away, at Ivy Moun- tain, in Pike County, a sim- ilar victory was gained by Federal troops under Gen- eral William Nelson. On the 1 8th of Novem- ber, there occurred a unique event. Delegates, elected by the dissatisfied minority of the State, assembled at Russellville, in Logan County, and formed what they called a provisional Confederate ■' '■ government of government for Kentucky. George W. John- Kentucky "^ , 1 J- 11 r son was chosen governor, and a tull corps 01 State officials was also elected. Bowling Green was se- lected as the new seat of government. Henry C. Burnett, sometime representative in the United States Congress, William Nelson THE INVASION OF KENTUCKY i8l William Preston, and William E. Simms were sent as del- egates to Richmond, Virginia, and on the loth of December, the government there established went through the form of admitting Kentucky into the Confederate States. This little episode had small effect, however, upon the even tenor of Kentucky's real administration. Soon the princi- pal actors in it themselves left their visionary posts, to enter into the serious events of Southern warfare. On November 13, Brigadier General Don Carlos Buell succeeded to the command of the department which in- cluded Kentucky. Early the following month, Bueii he had organized at Louisville for the Union J^i command army about sixty thousand soldiers. The Confederates held a long military line from Cumber- land Gap into Arkansas and Missouri. They had strong fortifications on the Cumberland, Tennessee, and Missis- sippi rivers. They had been greatly discouraged by Kentucky's unwavering efforts for the Union ; but they still hoped to gain possession of the State. '^'' On January 19, 1862, General George B. Crittenden, commanding a Confederate force of about five thousand infantry, came upon the advancing Federal army, commanded by Major General George . H. Thomas, under whom were Colonels Speed Federal victory Smith Fry and Frank L. Wolford, at Mill Springs, in Pulaski County. The Confederate attack was led by General Zollicoffer, who was killed after a few hours' hard fighting. The Federal force, which at the out- set was somewhat less than that of the enemy, was about this time reenforced. The Confederates were thrown into confusion and driven to retreat into Tennessee. This was 1 82 THE CIVIL WAR the first of the important victories which led to the evacua- tion of the State. Another discouraging defeat to the Confederates was soon to follow. On the 6th of February, General Lloyd Tilghman, in command of the Confederate Fall of Forts ° ' Henry and Fort Henry, on the Tennessee River, was compelled to surrender to General Gran,t. On the 1 2th of the month. General Grant began his celebrated ,/ ^ assault on Fort Donel- son, on the south- west bank of the Cumberland River. The C onf e d erat e troops were commanded by Generals John '^ B. Floyd, Gideon J. Pillow, and Simon B. Buck- ner. Two Kentucky regiments Bombardment of Fort were euffasTed Oil cach sidc : Colonel Henry &'' John H. McHenry's and Colonel James M. Shackleford's, on the Federal; Colonel Roger W. Han- son's and Colonel H. B. Lyon's, on the Confederate. The terrible carnage lasted nearly five days, during bitterly cold weather, rain, and sleet. On the night of the" 15th, Generals Floyd and Pillow escaped with portions of their brigades. On the i6th, General Buckner proposed terms of capitulation, but General Grant demanded and obtained an unconditional surrender. On the 14th, before the fate of Donelson was definitely decided, the Confederates abandoned Bowling Green. On the 27th, Columbus was also evacuated. Federal troops THE INVASION OF KENTUCKY 183 Lloyd Tilghman under the chief command of General Buell — 114,000 men — were meanwhile Kentucky evac- uated by the pressing southward. Confederates ,-. ,, ^,, r t- i On the 25th of Feb- ruary, they took possession of Nashville, Tennessee. The retreating Confederates passed through Nashville be- fore the advance of the Fed- erals. General Albert Sidney "^ Johnston reorganized his army at Murfreesboro, and having been reenforced Battle of Shiloh i /-- i r) by General Beaure- gard, again moved southward to Corinth, Mississippi. General Grant pushed his forces in a parallel direction and established his camp at Pittsburg Landing, near Shiloh Church, on the Tennes- see River. The engagement which occurred there on the morning of the 6th of April, although desired by the Union army, was hastened by the wis- dom of the Confederate com- mander. The battle of Shiloh was one of the most terrible in the war. The fighting contin- ued for two days. At the close of the first day the Federals were driven in disorder to the river, and it seemed as though Albert Sidney Johnston victory WCrC with the Coufcdcr- 1 84 THE CIVIL WAR ates, although their commander, General Johnston, had falle-n with a mortal wound. But in the night General Grant was reenforced by General Buell with twenty thou- sand men. After a rushing march of twenty-five miles, Attack on Fort Donelson General Buell reached the field in time to turh the victory to the Federals. But the loss of life was very great, and the Kentucky regiments suffered more than their pro- portion. RECAPITULATION Kentucky's futile efforts for peace. It was impossible for her to remain apart from the war. Kentucky Federals and Confederates recruited outside the State. Kentucky's tragic situation. Federals and Confederates organized within the State. The neutrality position not yet aban- doned. Confederate victory in the battle of Bull Run. THE INVASION OF KENTUCKY 185 Conservative Union party carries the State elections of 1861. The newly elected legislature assem- bles September 2. Confederates invade the State on the 3d. General Polk establishes troops in the southwest; General Zollicoffer, in the southeast. Legislature orders withdrawal of the Confederates. General Polk refuses unless Federal troops are also withdrawn. Legislature demands an uncondi- tional withdrawal. Neutrality abandoned, September 18. Kentucky declares herself actively for the Union. Robert Anderson appointed comman- der of Kentucky department of war. T. L. Crittenden, commander of Ken- tucky militia. Other important resolutions passed by the legislature. State Guard joins the Confederate army. Young men from Paducah follow General Lloyd Tilghman. General S. B. Buckner invades Ken- tucky, September 18. Bowling Green the Confederate head- quarters for a time. The Confederate general John Hunt Morgan. The Home Guard almost entirely Union. A body of undisciplined troops. Cause trouble by making unlawful ar- rests. Prominent Confederates arrested. Efforts to constrain the citizens to submit to the Union policy. Many Kentuckians join the Confed- erate army. Notable Confederate leaders. About three times as many join the Federal army. The households of the State are di- vided. A number of civil offices left vacant by Confederates. First battles in Kentucky. Federal victories at Camp Wild Cat and Ivy Mountain. Confederates meet at Russellville, Lo- gan County. Frame a provisional government for Kentucky. George W. Johnson chosen their gov- ernor. Don Carlos Buell commander of Kentucky Department. Sixty thousand Federal troops organ- ized at Louisville. Battle of Mill Springs, Pulaski County. Federals gain a significant victory. Fall of Confederate Forts Henry and Donelson. Kentucky evacuated. One hundred and fourteen thousand Federal troops pressing south- ward. Nashville taken possession of. Another Federal victory in the battle of Shiloh. General Buell's part in the battle. CHAPTER XVII THE SECOND INVASION OF KENTUCKY, APRIL-DEC, 1862 The Conservative Union people of Kentucky loved the Union and the constitution above all property considera- tions, sacrificing for it kindred and ties of Congress . actively favors sympathy, and life itself. Very many of them abolition , , j ,, t i were large slave owners, and they relied upon the protection which the constitution of the United States gave to their slave property. Many who regretted the existence of such property, as well as those who approved it, were agreed in maintaining that the government had no right to interfere with it. During all the early months of that time of trial they clung — with a trust that refused to see the tendency of the issue — to the belief that the government did not intend to invade the rights of the South ; that its sole object was to suppress the rebellion, and then to restore the Union and the constitution. But all the while events were steadily pressing towards the abolition of slavery. In April, 1862, the first step in this direction was taken by Congress abolishing slavery in the District of Columbia. The venerable John J. Crittenden made one of his last great efforts to defeat this measure, as did other of the statesmen of Kentucky, — Aaron Hard- ing and William Henry Wadsworth, in the House of Representatives, and Garrett Davis in the Senate. An antagonism was therefore spreading throughout 186 THE SECOND INVASION OF KENTUCKY 187 the State to the Federal authorities at Washington. This was greatly increased by the military policy which was now adopted. On June i, 1862, Kentucky j, ^^^ ^ was placed under martial law. Brigadier adverse to this coursG General Jeremiah Tilford Boyle was made military commandant. Provost marshals were appointed in every county. Any one suspected of aiding or abetting the Confederacy was ar- rested and compelled to subscribe to an oath of allegiance to the gov- ernment of the United States before he was discharged. The printed formula of the oath stated that its violation was death. For some time the lives and property of loyal citizens had been dis- turbed by lawless bands of men called guerril- las. The guerrillas were mostly soldiers who had broken away from the ranks of the Confederacy, — wild, reckless men, who had been made inhuman by some injury they or Martial law their families had suffered from Federal "Sensive soldiers or authorities. They banded themselves together and dashed through the country, wreaking their vengeance upon the innocent victims in the Commonwealth. Now the order went forth that whenever such depredations should hereafter occur, the Confederate sympathizers in Jeremiah T. Boyle THE CIVIL WAR the neighborhood where the offenses were committed should be held responsible and made to pay the damages. Although these raids were exceedingly harassing, the measures employed for their suppression were most objectionable to the Kentuckians generally. However, General Boyle endeavored to execute the severe orders of the secretary of war with as much leniency as possible. Meanwhile, an excitement of a very practical nature had been created in „ Morgan, the the State. Exag- confederate , , cavalry raider gerated reports were spreading wildly, con- cerning General John Hunt Morgan, who with his Con- federate cavalry had entered Monroe County early in July on his first Kentucky raid. This daring leader of a few hundied men did most effective service to the Confederate cause. The methods he em- ployed required quick wits and coolness of action. At Tompkinsville he defeated two hundred and fifty Federal cavalry, and then moved northward, following the line of the Louisville and Nashville railroad, through Glas- gow, to Bear Wallow. There an expert operator on his staff tapped the telegraph wire and, on the ground that all things are fair in war, sent false dispatches concerning Morgan's numbers and movements, and also received in- formation in regard to the Federal plans. The telegraph was frequently employed in this manner, and the Federal officers were much mystified and alarmed. Along the line of Morgan's march, railroads were de- John Hunt Morgan I I THE SECOND INVASION OF KENTUCKY 189 stroyed, supply trains were captured, and horses were seized for the use of the Confederacy. At Cynthiana, quite a severe contest occurred. A Federal force of nearly five hundred, under Colonel John J. Landrum, was captured, after a resistance of nearly two hours. Being pursued by General Green Clay Smith and Colonel Frank L. Wolford, with a Federal force somewhat superior in numbers to his own, Morgan hastened southward, capturing several towns on his way, and destroying government stores. He trav- eled over one thousand miles in twenty-four days, fought repeatedly, and lost only about ninety of his men. It is noteworthy that in this time of intense excitement a change in the highest civil office of the Commonwealth was made in an altogether dispassionate and Orderly change rather unique manner. The governor, a in the state „ , , . 1 . Ill ^ r 1 administration Southern sympathizer, had been out of accord with the rest of the administration. He indicated his desire to resign, provided his successor should be agreeable to him. The lieutenant governor, Linn Boyd, having died, the president of the Senate, John F. Fisk (to whom the governor was inimical) would have become governor upon the vacation of the office. That gentleman, perceiving the situation, consented to resign his position. James F. Rob- inson, a harmonizing member of the Union element, was elected speaker. Governor Magoffin resigned, and Speaker Robinson became acting governor. Whereupon, the Hon- orable John F. Fisk was reelected to his former office. Morgan's bold ride through the State was but a prepara- tion for the military disturbance which was now anticipated. Since the battle of Shiloh there had been General E. organizing at Chattanooga a force of more than Kirby smith's forty thousand Confederates, under the chief command of General Braxton Bragg, for the invasion of 190 THE CIVIL WAR Kentucky, and especially for the capture of Louisville and Cincinnati. General Buell, the department commander, did not anticipate this move. He held his troops between Murfreesboro and Nashville, expecting an attack in central Tennessee. During the last week in August, General E. Kirby Smith, with about one third of this Confederate army, entered Kentucky at Big Creek Gap and moved on towards Richmond, where the only organized force of the State was stationed, — two brigades of seven or eight thou- sand, mainly undisciplined troops from Ohio and Indiana, under the command of General William Nelson. Skirmishing began on the 29th between the advance of both armies. General Nelson was absent from head- Batue of Rich- quarters. General Manson of Indiana (the ^°^^ officer next in command), believing he should encounter only one of the raiding parties then numerous in the State, pushed on the next morning with- his one brigade and gave attack to the whole of General Smith's army. The Federals held their own for several hours, but were finally overcome and driven back in wild confusion towards Richmond. After a furious ride. General Nelson reached the scene of disorder. Raging and desperate, he vainly tried to rally his forces. One of his own officers called to his men to scatter and run, and the infuriated Nelson drew his sword and cut him to the ground. But he had arrived too late. The victorious Confederates moved on to Lex- ington, where several days later they were joined by Morgan's Confederate cavalry. On Sunday night the legislature met and adjourned to Louisville (according to a provision which had been passed for such an emergency), carrying the archives of the State thither for protection. THE SECOND INVASION OF KENTUCKY 191 While Kirby Smith impatiently awaited the orders of General Bragg, that officer, with the main army, was making his slow march into Kentucky. Bv ° . . -^ ■' Bragg and way of misleading Buell, Bragg first moved Bueirs contest westward to Nashville, and when he reached ° "c y Glasgow, in Barren County, he had lost at least ten days. Sixteen more days were consumed in a march to Lexing- ton. Meanwhile Buell had outreached him, and with an army now numbering one hundred thousand men, had entered Louis- ville on September 25. The conditions of the two armies were reversed. The Federals had a most de- cided advantage. Western troops had hastened to the defense of Cincinnati. The Federal General Lew Wal- lace was in command. All chance of the Confederates capturing that city and Louisville was lost. On October i, Buell moved out of Louisville to give attack to the Confederates. A detachment was sent toward Frankfort, while the main army followed a south- eastward course. Instead of vigorously grasping the situ- ation, Bragg tarried at the capital, where the Confederates went through the vain ceremony of inaugurating Richard Hawes provisional governor of Kentucky, in the place of George W. Johnson, who had fallen at Shiloh. The act was hardly completed when the advance guard of Buell's army reached the town. Governor Hawes hastened to Braxton Bragg 192 THE CIVIL WAR Lexington, and the provisional government of Kentucky vanished, never to reappear. The two armies came together near Perryville, in Boyle County, on October 8. There was fought one of the Battle of severest contests of the war : a battle terrible Perryville ^^ ^^g^ ^^ valuable livcs on both sides, and yet undecisive in result. Of the twenty-five thousand Federals and fifteen thousand Confederates engaged in it, at least seven thousand fell in the few hours the fighting continued between noon and twilight. The immediate commander of the Federal force was Major General Alexander McCook ; of the Confederate, Major General William J. Hardee. Nearly half of the Confederate army was at Frankfort, while the Federals had heavy reenforce- ments (Major General Thomas L. Crittenden's corps) within summoning distance. The battle was brought on through a misunderstanding on the part of the Confed- erates, who believed they were attacking only a detach- ment of the Federal force. General Buell, who expected an engagement the next day, was some distance away and was not informed of what was taking place before the battle was half over. And then, through a misunderstand- ing on his part of the true situation, — supposing Bragg's entire army was engaged, — he determined not to press the action further until the morning. But on the morrow Bragg had withdrawn his forces and begun his retreat from Kentucky. At Harrodsburg he Failure of was joined by General Smith's corps. With to securr*^^ wise cautiou, Buell refrained from bringing on Kentucky g^^^ engagement with the Confederates. Only skirmishes took place. No other definite battle occurred; and Bragg escaped from the State, having made a failure of his whole campaign. After this, fighting on a large THE SECOND INVASION OF KENTUCKY 193 scale was practically ended in Kentucky. Again and again Morgan's "wild riders" spread terror throughout the State, and repeated skirmishes occurred in various localities ; but no other Confederate effort was made to secure Kentucky. Morgan's Wild Riders I The soldiers of Kentucky were now to be engaged in many of the great battles of the South. They took part at Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Missionary The soldiers of Ridge, Lookout Mountain, Kenesaw Mountain, Kentucky Vicksburg, etc. ; and everywhere, on both sides, they were conspicuous for their courage and power of endur- ance. They were all volunteers, and belonged to the best families of the Commonwealth, — strong, tall men, un- 13 KENT. HIST. 194 THE CIVIL WAR equaled in size by any other troops of the United States, with the exception of those of Tennessee. The Confederate army continued to receive recruits from Kentucky until the end of the war. Though it is impossible to state precisely the number given to that service, it has been fairly estimated as over forty thousand. It is possible to be more exact in regard to the Federal numbers. According to the estimates of the adjutant generals, before the close of the w^ar the State had given to the Federal service upwards of one hundred thousand white men, — nearly one tenth of the entire population. Besides this, eleven thousand negroes were enlisted for the United States army. RECAPITULATION Love of Kentucky Conservatives for the Union. Their trust that the constitution would be restored after the war. Belief that the government did not intend to destroy the institutions of the South. The first step in the revolution taken. Slavery abolished in the District of Columbia by Congress. Kentucky statesmen vainly try to de- feat the measure. The State excited against the Federal government. Martial law enforced, June, 1862. General J. T. Boyle military comman- dant. Provost marshals appointed in every county. Terrible raids of outlaws called guer- rillas. Severe measures enforced to suppress guerrillas. Morgan's first Kentucky raid. His quick wits and bold methods. His victory in the battle of Cynthi- ana. His effective service to the Confed- eracy. The State administration mainly Conservative Union. Governor Magoffin, a Southern Rights man, resigns. His successor chosen in a unique manner. James F. Robinson, Conservative, becomes governor. Over 40,000 Confederates organized at Chattanooga. General Braxton Bragg in chief com- mand. The invasion of Kentucky proposed. The State invaded by E. Kirby Smith with one third of this army. The only organized force of the State at Richmond. THE SECOND INVASION OF KENTUCKY 195 General William Nelson, Federal, in command. Confederate victory in the battle of Richmond. They triumphantly enter Lexington. Are joined by Morgan's Confederate cavalry. The legislature adjourns to Louis- ville. Bragg's dilatory march to Kentucky. Buell reaches the State first. Takes possession of Louisville. Federals also in possession of Cin- cinnati. Buell has the advantage of Bragg. Bragg's army inaugurates a governor at Frankfort. The two armies meet at Perryville. A terrible engagement. An indecisive result. Fighting ends at twilight. Buell proposes to continue the action on the morrow. Bragg withdraws his forces the next day. Buell refrains from bringing on an- other encounter. Bragg, joined by General Smith, es- capes from the State. War practically at an end in Ken- tucky. Kentucky soldiers in the great battles of the South. Their courage and conspicuous size. Numbers furnished by the State to each side. CHAPTER XVIII CIVIL CONFLICTS, 1863-1865 The opposition in Kentucky to the Lincoln administra- tion rose to a high tide when on January i, 1863, the President issued his Emancipation Proclama- Kentucky . ,., . , , . , ,. opposed to Lin- tion, hberatmg" the slaves m the secedmg CO n s po icy 5j-a^tes Kentucky, being loyal, was not im- mediately concerned; but the proclamation was deemed a violation of the constitution of the United States. President Lincoln had been elected under a policy which declared that all the people in the seceded States had to do was to lay down their arms and return to their allegiance to the Union, and that then they would be protected in all their rights by the constitution. As the war progressed, it seemed necessary to the President to depart from this policy. But the people of Kentucky, at that exciting time, could not perceive as we do to-day the destiny which urged Lincoln on to mighty deeds. The Radical or Unconditional Union element in the State alone upheld the administration ; but the controlling Opposition power was still the Conservative Union, or increased Union Democratic party, as it was now called. Their ticket was victorious at the August election. Thomas Elliot Bramlette and Richard T. Jacob, both Federal officers, were chosen respectively governor and lieutenant governor. Although there was hardly a possibility of the Union ticket being defeated, the most arbitrary means 196 CIVIL CONFLICTS 197 were enforced to secure its success. The military officers of the State were controlled by orders from the War De- partment in Washington. Prior to the election, martial law was declared. The polls were guarded by soldiers, and no disloyal person was allowed to vote. The Kentuckians very generally resented this interference of the military rulers with their civil government. In the autumn of 1863, President Lincoln called for three hundred thousand more men to prosecute the war. Kentucky's quota was twelve thousand seven uggro soldiers hundred and one. Early in January, 1864, ^"""oiied the Federal government began recruiting in the State negro regiments for the United States army. Now the people of Kentucky had ever been true to the Union. No call for men and money had been made upon them that was not promptly met. They were gal- lant soldiers, proud of their military record. The negroes were their slaves. To arm these slaves and place them by their side in battle seemed to them at that time a degrada- tion to themselves and to that high calling for which they had volunteered their lives. What we name race prejudice to-day was, at that time, an almost unconquerable feeling. Drilling Negro Recruits igS THE CIVIL WAR Opposition to this measure and to the men who con- trolled the Federal government burst forth in denunciatory Indignation of Speeches within the State and in Congress. Kentucky js^^ Lexington, the daring Federal cavalry raider, Colonel Frank L. Wolford, with his picturesque, untutored eloquence, roused the people to revolt from the idea of " keeping step to the music of the Union alongside of negro soldiers"; and for his defiance was arrested and imprisoned. Lieutenant Governor Jacob also de- nounced the methods of the administration, and likewise suffered arrest. In Congress, Aaron Harding spoke ably on the same subject, and William Henry Wadsworth made a speech which increased Kentucky's claim to orators. Early in January, 1864, General Boyle resigned the position of military commandant of Kentucky. He had Military Striven to fulfill his trying duties as a Christian oppression gentleman ; and his resignation was a misfor- tune to the Kentuckians. For the next two years the people were harassed by a series of military rulers who were re- garded at the time as nothing less than tyrannical. In February, Major General Steven G. Burbridge was ap- pointed commander of the department of Kentucky. He belonged to the extreme Radical wing of the Union party in his State, and he met the situation in Kentucky in what seemed a harsh and unrelenting manner. The terrible guerrilla raids, alike condemned by honor- able Confederates and Federals, became exasperatingly Notorious frequent during the last years of the war. guerrillas Scarcely a county in the State escaped their depredations, and their leaders usually succeeded in evad- ing the officers of the law. It was only after long months, when unnumbered crimes had been committed, that three of the most notorious leaders were captured ; and then by CIVIL CONFLICTS 1 99 accident. Captain Billy Magruder, of a powerful gang, had been dangerously wounded. Two of his comrades, Henry Metcalf and "Sue Munday," — showing that spark of goodness which exists in all human beings, — had tarried by to nurse him. They were captured, and Munday, the most conspicuous of the three, was taken to Louisville and hung, although to the last he maintained his innocence of- the crimes with which he was charged. Meanwhile terror filled the hearts of the aged, and the women and children ; for none were exempt from the guerrilla cruelties. The civil authorities of the civii and miii- Commonwealth made an earnest effort to sup- t^'v conflicts press this evil, but they did not have the power which belonged to their offices. From now until the establish- ment of peace they were disturbed and enfeebled by un- avoidable conflicts with the military rulers which the secretary of war placed ov^er the State. The new commanding officer. General Burbridge, as- sumed control of the State. The measures which he adopted to suppress the guerrillas were thought very gen- erally to be as brutal as the acts of those outlaws them- selves. He issued an order to the effect that whenever a citizen was killed by guerrillas, four military prisoners should be taken to the spot where the murder was com- mitted, and hung in retaliation. These prisoners were supposed to be guerrillas, yet as has been stated, guerrillas were seldom captured. The victims were usually simply Confederate prisoners of war. Strong opposition to such measures was expressed throughout the State, but to no effect. In the western district, where Brigadier General E. A. Paine was in command, the military acts grew so oppressive — extending even to bold murder and robbery — that many peaceable citizens were obliged to abandon 200 THE CIVIL WAR their homes to escape a horrible fate. In several cases, even loyal men who had fought for the Union, were arrested by order of General Burbridge and sent outside of Kentucky, because they had expressed their opposition to the men in control of national affairs. But these were not all the grievances which the people of that day had to ■deplore. The Federal officers further encroached upon the civil powers by attempt- ing to control the elections of the State. In August, 1864, the elec- tion for judge of the court of appeals in the ^,. ^ ^^ _ Victory of Con- second district servatlve union was to take place, as well as for some minor county and precinct officers. Judge Alvin Duvall, a South- ern Rights man, was the Democratic candidate for re- election. The division in the Union party of the State, which has already been noted, was steadily becoming more pronounced. Mortimer M. Benton, an eminent lawyer of Covington, was the nominee of the Radical wing of that party. Several days before the election. General Burbridge ordered that the name of Alvin Duvall should not be allowed to appear on the poll books as a candidate. This interference of the military authorities with the civil government was not only insufferable, but altogether un- necessary. Kentucky was still a zealous Union State. There was no chance just yet of any Southern Rights George Robertson CIVIL CONFLICTS 20I candidate being elected. The coast now seemed cleared for the election of the Radical candidate, Benton ; but the Conservative Union men, in righteous resentment of Gen- eral Burbridge's order, on the very morning of the election, telegraphed over the district the name of a new candidate, George Robertson, formerly chief justice, and he was elected. George Robertson, who was one of the most competent judges in Kentucky, had always been on the Conserva- George tivc sidc in Robertson politics. He had taken part in the in- teresting conflict between the Old Court and New Court parties, upholding the former faction. He had been a stanch Whig, and now he was a Con- servative supporter of the Union. He stood promi- nent in the midst of such able lawyers as Madison C. Johnson, George Black- burn Kinkead, Thomas A. Marshall, and Aaron K. Woolly, of the Lexington bar, and Samuel Smith Nicholas, James Guthrie, and James Speed, of the Louisville bar. The political state of Kentucky was most interesting at this time. The year 1 864 was the year of the presiden- tial election. Kentucky held three convcn- Action of the tions to select delegates to the national con- three parties ventions. The Unconditional Union, or Radical conven- tion, was presided over by Robert J. Breckinridge, a George McClellan 202 THE CIVIL WAR Presbyterian divine and political speaker, — a strong con- trolling spirit in his party. This convention indorsed the administration and voted for President Lincoln's reelection. The Conservative Union, or Union Democratic, convention, of which James Guthrie was the leading spirit, boldly an- nounced its opposition to Lincoln and declared for General George B. McClellan. The Democratic, or Southern Rights, convention was harmonious with the Conserva- tive, and in favor of McClellan. President Lincoln received the nomination on the basis of reestablishment of the Union with- out slavery ; Gen- eral McClellan, of reestablishment with slavery. Lincoln was elected No- vember, End of the 1864, by t-'^sedy an overwhelming majority ; but Ken- tucky gave a ma- jority of over thirty- six thousand to McClellan. Peace was at hand. The State was becoming relieved of her mil- itary oppressors. Toward the end of the year, Paine was deprived of his office in the western district, and the following February General Burbridge was replaced by General Palmer, to the great satisfaction of the Kentuckians, Ulysses S. Grant CIVIL CONFLICTS 203 On April 9, 1865, the Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia to General U. S. Grant, at Appo- _ mattox Courthouse, Vir- ginia. Five days later, Abra- ham Lincoln was assassi- nated at Ford's theater, in Washington. But he had finished his work. The cause for which he lost his life was estab- lished. In December, 1865, the Thirteenth Amendment to the Federal constitution — which declared that nei- ther slavery nor involun- tary servitude should any longer exist in the United States — was ratified by three fourths of the States and became a part of the con- stitution. Kentucky opposed the amendment. Robert E. Lee RECAPITULATION Lincoln departs from the policy he was elected under. Issues the Emancipation Proclama- tion, January i, 1863. Radical Union party of Kentucky ap- proves his course. Conservative Union party denounces it. Conservative Union party the con- trolling power. Colonels T. E. Bramlette and R. T. Jacob, Conservatives, elected gov- ernor and lieutenant governor, Au- gust, 1863. Martial law enforced during the elec- tion. Negro soldiers first recruited in the State, January, 1864. Jacob and Wolford denounce the ad- ministration on this account. 204 THE CIVIL WAR They are arrested and banished. General Boyle resigns his office. S. G. Burbridge, a Radical Union man, appointed commander of Kentucky military department. The beginning of harassing situa- tions. The State's civil rulers are Conserva- tive. The military rulers are Radical. They are in conflict until peace is es- tablished. Munday, Magruder, and Metcalf, no- torious guerrillas. Many crimes committed by them and other guerrillas. Confederate prisoners of war hung in retaliation. General E. A. Paine's course in the western district. The military attempt to control elec- tions. Judge Alvin Duvall, a Southern Rights man, candidate for reelec- tion to court of appeals. Military forbid his name to appear on the poll books. Efforts of the military to elect the Radical candidate. Defeated by the prompt action of the Conservatives. George Robertson, Conservative, elected. Conservative Union, Radical Union, and Democratic conventions held. The Radical Union convention for Lincoln. Conservatives and Democrats support McClellan for President. President Lincoln reelected. Kentucky's large vote for McClellan. General Burbridge replaced by Gen- eral Palmer. Kentucky rejoices over Palmer's ap- pointment. Paine removed in the western dis- trict. Peace at hand. Lee surrenders at Appomattox Court- house. Abraham Lincoln assassinated. The Thirteenth Amendment passed. Slavery abolished in the United States, December, 1865. V— THE NEW KENTUCKY, 1865-1896 CHAPTER XIX THE RESTORATIOxN OF PEACE, 1865-1875 On December 18, 1865, the Conservative majority in the legislature passed resolutions of general pardon to all citizens who had fought for the Confederacy. Return of the As the Confederate soldiers returned to their confederates old places, the Conservative men, who still had control of the State, stretched forth their hands in welcome, with a promise to forget the differences which had separated them in past issues, in the hope that the good men of all parties would unite with them for the restoration of peace. But in this they were disappointed. The Confederate soldiers had just suffered defeat. They believed that the support which the Conservative men caused „ ^ '^ _ _ _ Powerful the State to give to the Union was an impor- Democratic tant factor in that defeat. Therefore, they had little desire for party harmony with those men. Also, the people in general, who had stayed at home and taken no active part in the war, had suffered so much from the mil- itary rulers which the Republican party had placed over the State, that they felt a temporary hostility towards Union principles. Even a portion of the old Conservative element went over into the more extreme position of the 205 2o6 THE NEW KENTUCKY Democrats. Thus, when the Democratic State convention met at Frankfort, February 22, 1867, to select nominees for the pending August elections, it showed a large and powerful body. At the other extreme stood the Radical, or Republican, party, which had steadily, though slowly, increased in the State, and at this time received also a portion of the Con- servative force. This party put forth a ticket headed by S. M. Barnes and R. T. Baker. The men who still adhered to the Con- servative ^ . „ ..^ Downfall of the doctrine conservative party organ- ized in Louisville in the spring of 1867 and nominated W. B. Kinkead for gover- nor, Harrison Taylor William B. Kinkead for licutcnant govcr- nor, John M. Harlan for attorney-general, J. S. Hurt for auditor, Alfred Allen for treasurer, J. J. Craddock for register, and B. M. Harn'ey for superintendent of public instruction. They had no hope of carrying the election. Their purpose in presenting a ticket was the opportunity thereby gained of making known their principles. Their work was finished. They soon dissolved as an organization and passed mainly into the Democratic party. A few, however, went with the Republicans. Distinguished among these were C. F. THE RESTORATION OF PEACE 207 Burnam, John M. Harlan, James Speed, and William Henry Wadsworth, who received high national ap- pointments. The Democratic ticket was composed of John L. Helm for governor, John W. Stevenson for lieutenant governor, John Rodman for attorney-general, D. Howard Democratic Smith for auditor, J. W. Tate for treasurer, J. ^"""ip'i A. Dawson for register, and Z. F. Smith for superintend- ent of public instruction. The Democratic candidates were elected by an enormous ma- jority, and the politics of the State was settled for many years to come. Until the present day this party has had almost undisputed power. Only Democrats of Southern sympathies were elected to Congress, with one exception. Major George M. Adams, a Federal soldier, who had now joined the Democratic party, received the election in the 8th district ; and for some time he alone was al- lowed to take his seat in Congress. On September 3, 1867, John L. Helm received the oath of inauguratijDn as governor, while lying dangerously ill at his home in Elizabethtown. Five days later johnw. he died, and John W. Stevenson, the lieutenant Stevenson governor, became acting governor until the following August, when he was elected governor. Governor Steven- son was a man eminently fitted for the position to which William H. Wadsworth 208 THE NEW KENTUCKY he was called. He was a lawyer, and at the Covington bar had gained the reputation of exceptional ability. By this time Kentucky was in a state of financial prosperity and comparative peace, [ ^ though law and order were not yet firmly es- tablished. One of the causes of the disturbance of the peace was the establish- ment in the State, in the year 1865, of agencies of the Freedmen's Bureau. In preedmen's March, 1865, ^"■"^^^ Congress had passed an act setting free the wives and children of negro soldiers. This was prior to the adop- tion of the Thirteenth Amendment to the Federal constitution, which declared that slavery should no longer exist in the United States. We have seen that the emancipation act of- 1863 did not practically affect Kentucky, which was a loyal State ; but the agents of the Freedmen's Bureau attempted to en- force-this law in Kentucky. They demanded money for the services of the wives and children of negroes who had been enlisted in the United States army. The proceed- ing was deemed unconstitutional, and was deeply resented by the Commonwealth. A number of suits were brought for this cause by the Freedmen's Bureau ; but they were all lost, as the court John W. Stevenson THE RESTORATION OF PEACE 209 of appeals sustained the lower courts. The first was against Garrett Davis, then ably representing Kentucky in the United States Senate, — a stanch Union man and a large owner of slaves. The effect of the Freedmen's Bureau was: (i) to irritate the people against the Re- publican party, the party in power in the nation ; (2) to strengthen the Democratic party ; (3) to retard the ad- vancement of the negro. The organization assumed the guardianship of the race. It awoke an opposition on the part of the slave to his former owner, and thereby prevented the friendly rela- tions which to-day exist between the two races. By 1870, the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments to the United States constitution were ratified and the rights of citizen- ship and suffrage were conferred upon the negroes of the nation. Another cause of the disturbance of the peace was the terror created in various counties of the State — especially Marion, Boyle, Lincoln, and Mercer — by -' ■' Kuklux bands of men at first called Regulators and afterward Kuklux. These men took it upon themselves to punish the offenders against the laws of the State. When a crime was committed, a large number of them would go out together in the dead of night, thoroughly armed, and disguised by masks, proceed to the home of the culprit, drag him out of bed, take him to the woods, and whip him or inflict some other torture upon him. The members of the Kuklux pretended that such acts were done by them in order to intimidate evildoers, and thereby improve the moral condition of the State ; but in reality these men made themselves criminals of the most dangerous order. Their conduct was wrong enough when their cruelties fell upon the guilty; it was horrible when KENT. HIST. — 14 2IO THE NEW KENTUCKY the innocent became their victims. The Kuklux were suppressed by 1873, but the lawless spirit which animated them has not yet wholly died out in Kentucky. Sometimes, particularly in the hill country, lynchings still occur — the speedy executions of mob law. Governor Stevenson, having been elected to ths United States Senate in February, 1871, resigned the position of governor, and Preston H. Leslie, acting lieu- Negroes vote o ^ y o for the first tenant governor, assumed the duties of the ofifice. The following August he was elected governor. His opponent was the eminent Republican, John M. Harlan. John G. Carlisle was elected lieutenant governor. The Democratic majority was greatly reduced, because of the addition to the Republican numbers for the first time of the negro vote. Whereas, in the presidential vote of 1868 the Democratic majority in the State had been seventy-six thousand, at this time it was scarcely more than thirty-seven thousand. At the close of the war was begun a much-needed reform in the public school system of the State. We Educational have noticed that Kentuckians had never affairs been indifferent to education ; nevertheless, the facilities for public education had never been of the very highest. Old Transylvania University had now passed away. Center College, chartered by the Presby- terians in 1 8 19, still existed, and retained somewhat of that picturesque interest which had formerly belonged to it. Its distinguished presidents were from some of the most prominent families of the State, — Reverends Jere- miah Chamberlin, Gideon Blackburn, John C. Young, Lewis W. Green, and William L. Breckinridge. Other denominational colleges existed in various parts of the State, but Kentucky was beginning to realize that it is THE RESTORATION OF PEACE 211 upon the public schools that the educational life of a State depends. The financial condition of the Commonwealth at the close of the war was good. In 1873, there occurred a financial panic which was the greatest ever period of known in the history of this nation. Though