REIGN OF TERROR IN WEST KENTUCKY?

By Dieter C. Ullrich and Berry Craig

During fifty-one days in the settlers immigrated to the Pur- tary Academy from 1835 to 1839 summer of 1864 a “reign of ter- chase from the South and many and graduated twenty-fourth ror” existed in Western Kentucky still communicated with family in out of a class of thirty-two. After under the military command of that section of the country. The graduation he was commissioned General Eleazar Arthur Paine, at region’s trade routes also pointed as a Second Lieutenant in the 1st least that is what historians and South and its economy relied of Infantry and sta- folklorists have written over the more heavily upon slavery than tioned at Fort Pleasant in Flori- past 150 years. However, new ev- other regions of Kentucky: the da. Though the Second Seminole General Elea- idence from contemporary doc- number of slaves in the Purchase War was in progress, Paine saw zar Arthur Paine uments provide a contradictory increased by over 40 percent only post duty, serving on the (1815-1882). LOC narrative to the story. Western in the decade prior to the war. staff of General . Kentucky, particularly The political landscape reflected On August 24, 1840, he submit- the seven counties these facts, and secessionist and ted his resignation, stating his in the far south- Southern Rights candidates over- father’s health was in decline and west known as whelmingly won seats in both he must return to Ohio to assist the Jackson state and national elections in with the family businesses. Paine Purchase, had August of 1861. Kentucky’s na- left Florida and the Army on close cultural, tive son, , came October 11, 1840. On his return economic, and in dead last during the 1860 pres- to Painesville, he studied law political attach- idential elections, receiving only and passed the state bar in 1843. ments to the 10 votes in the Purchase. After Paine served as Deputy United Confederacy. A the fall of Fort Sumpter an esti- States Marshal for the State of majority mated 5,000 volunteers from the Ohio from 1842 to 1845 and was of the section joined the Confederate an officer in the Ohio State Mili- orig- forces, while approximately 600 tia. He wrote the drill manual for inal white and 250 African-American the State Militia and climbed to men chose to wear blue. When the rank of brigadier general be- the war concluded, the popula- fore his resignation in 1848. Late tion resisted Reconstruction and that year Paine moved his family for over a century glorified the and law practice to Monmouth, fight for Southern independence, . While at Monmouth, he but unlike the cliché that “history served in the Illinois State Legis- is written by victors,” Paine’s fate lature from 1852 to 1853 and was was strictly in the hands of the one of the founders of the Mon- defeated.1 mouth Republican Party in 1856. So who was Eleazer Arthur It was during that time in Illinois Paine? He was born at Parkman, that Paine and Abraham Lincoln Geauga County, Ohio on Sep- crossed paths in 1854, when tember 10, 1815. Not much is Lincoln campaigned as the Whig documented on his childhood candidate for the or early adulthood except that Senate. Four years later when he was educated at home and Lincoln ran again for Senate, this worked on the family farm. Paine time as a Republican, Paine re- attended the United State Mili- newed his support by canvassing

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north&south 4.indd 48 2019/12/29 16:04:24 the entire state to stir up votes 6 when they landed at Paducah stricted duty until November 24 Map of the for Lincoln. In 1860, Paine once as part of General Ulysses S. when he was assigned to guard Jackson Pur- more stood by Lincoln as he ran Grant’s troops. Paine was placed the railroad line between Mitch- chase, 1962. LOC for the presidency.2 in charge of maintaining disci- ellville and Nashville at Gallatin, Paine was at Monmouth pline in the regimental camps Tennessee. It was there that he when news arrived of the fall of and managing the Paducah first experienced the brutality Fort Sumter. The next day, April police force until his transfer to of guerrilla warfare and came to 13, he volunteered as a private in Bird’s Point, Missouri, on De- understand the necessity to enlist Company F of the 17th Illinois cember 20. He later served as former slaves as soldiers. In late Volunteer Infantry. A week later, commander of the 4th of April of 1864, Paine departed for he received an appointment to the Army of the Mississippi and Tullahoma to defend the roads be on Governor Richard Yates’ led them into combat during the and bridges between the Duck military staff to organize the Island No. 10 campaign at New and Elk Rivers in south central volunteer units converging on Madrid, Missouri, and Tipton- Tennessee. It was at Tullahoma Springfield. Seeking a field com- ville, Tennessee. At Tiptonville, on June 29 that he received the mand, Paine resigned the follow- his division captured over 4,400 order to take command of the ing week and mustered into the Confederate soldiers and large newly created District of Western . On April cache of small arms and heavy Kentucky at Paducah.3 23, he was elected of the and light artillery pieces. Shortly By the time Paine arrived in 9th Illinois Infantry Regiment following a skirmish near Farm- Paducah, the city had evolved at Springfield. One week later, ington, Mississippi, on May 9, into a busy military camp and Paine and the 9th Illinois were 1862, Paine contracted typhoid supply depot for the Union ordered to Cairo where they re- fever which left him unfit for Army in the Western Theater. mained in camp until September field duty. He was placed on re- Perhaps ninety percent of the

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north&south 4.indd 49 2019/12/29 16:04:38 termined resistance movement. He was unaware of the mis- fortunes of his predecessors or the influence and power of his adversaries. He entered Paducah prepared to safeguard the men under his command, protect the loyal citizens in his district and defend the nation against its ene- mies. He preferred to sermonize and educate the disloyal but if that failed he would use threats, intimidation and brute force to Paducah, seen residents resisted the occupa- Bedford Forrest entered the city, achieve his assigned goals. from the Ohio tion in a subtle but determined attacked Fort Anderson, and ap- Paine was warmly greeted River. Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper manner. The women of the city propriated or destroyed supplies by members of the local Union shunned Union officers, neglect- from military stores near the League of America at Paducah ed the sick and wounded soldiers port. The events that occurred on July 19. The Union League in the hospitals, and never wore that day had a dramatic impact represented the “true Union men the color blue in public. Preach- upon Paine’s management of the of this section of the country” ers refused to pray for President district. The stories of Southern and was influential in Paine’s Lincoln or for the United States sympathizers assisting Forrest’s appointment. The officers of the during their Sunday sermons men by furnishing food, provid- organization expressed their de- and the hymn books in the local ing flags and pointing out Union light in Paine’s appointment and churches displayed none of the owned stores, shops and dwell- looked forward to his awarding traditional patriotic songs. The ings had been deeply imbedded “traitors and secret Southern 15th Kentucky Volunteer Caval- in his mindset. Paine later noted sympathizers their just dues.” ry, which consisted of recruits that “there were more persons in This resolute group of men had from the city, were considered town who openly assisted Forrest well designed plans to stem the scalawags and “not treated with in his attack in March than there illicit trade to the South and pro- the consideration to which their were Union persons there, and a tect their business interests in the patriotism and eminent services large, very large majority deep- region. entitled them.” The business ly sympathized with him and The next day, Paine set up of- sector was also at odds with their cordially wished him success.” fices for his staff in the Continen- occupiers, as trade restrictions The first of Paine’s objectives as tal Hotel and began his campaign and corruption fueled illicit trade district commander was to reim- to end the unsanctioned trade and a booming black market. burse Union men for property with the South. He issued Gen- The traffic of contraband to the lost during Forrest’s raid. His eral Order No. 3 which declared Confederacy, uncontrollable methodology for compensation that “no rebel or disloyal person since the early days of the war, included assessments upon the living in the District of Western had increased radically since disloyal residents, which he inter- Kentucky shall ship produce to the Confederate raids earlier in preted as being part of Lincoln’s market, or receive supplies by the year. So much so, that some original order.5 railroad or river” and that no Union merchants claimed that The many deeply-rooted shipments left Paducah without the “rebels are doing all the busi- and complicated issues caused a permit from Paine’s headquar- ness and they are reaping all the by the war had long existed be- ters. The order also specified that advantages of trade.”4 fore Paine’s steamboat docked no arms or ammunition could The most defining moment at Paducah. He did not fully be sold in the district without a of the war for Paducah had three comprehend the enormous task special permit from his office. months earlier occurred on of settling old scores among A list of those to be issued trade March 25, 1864 when three thou- neighbors or the strong political permits was to be composed and sand men under General Nathan undercurrent that drove a de- examined weekly. Several dele-

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north&south 4.indd 50 2019/12/29 16:04:54 “having encouraged this rebellion . . . you must, aye, you shall, reap a traitor’s reward.”

gations which represented mer- ignored. It appeared evident to possession of the Government.8 chants in the city soon lined up him that not much had changed Paine issued General order No. outside of Paine’s headquarters and now more than ever he was 7 on the morning of July 26. to seek permission to operate determined to make those who The decree prohibited all banks their businesses. His response to prospered during the war “feel within the city from transferring all was blunt and direct. the want of a nation’s defense or depositing funds except by “Gentlemen, it is a notorious and support.”6 special permit granted by district fact that this district is intensely To press his intentions fur- headquarters. When confront- disloyal. It has caused more trou- ther, Paine issued General Or- ed by the bank representatives, ble to the Government than all ders No. 4 and No. 5 the next Paine declared his purpose was your tobacco, cotton, banks and day. The former limited the sale to “tie up everything [and] that business is worth. The question and trade of tobacco and cotton the banks were backed up by is not how much money your to only “known and tried loyal thirty pieces of silver and that men can make this year. ‘Tis not men” and the latter amended he was backed up by bayonets.” how much tobacco, cotton, or General Order No. 3 by grant- They grieved that without the au- hemp you can grow. The only ing the Port Surveyor’s Office thority to transfer funds among question on trial here is ‘are your the authority to grant permits. other banks in the city that they people of this district ready for The order also defined the per- would have to “give up the idea Federal Salvation’. If so well; if mit application and inspection of doing business.” Paine backed not, you must die. I have a plan process and concluded with the down and issued an addendum to suggest, and I hope God will proviso that violators were pro- to the order which allowed the give me grace to sustain it. My hibited from conducting further banks in Paducah to conduct plan will be the only plan of Fed- business in the district and their business with other city banks eral salvation in this district. The goods were subject to seizure without permission from district first and great commandment is and confiscation. A ten dollar headquarters. The responsibility Colonel Waters that all you disloyal, rebellious port fee for every hogshead and a of granting permits for money W. McChesney, not one of the people shall not circulate one special tax of twenty five percent transfers outside the district was Union’s finest dollar of capital in all the land. on all tobacco and cotton bought assigned to the Surveyor of the officers. LOC Not a dollar, no debt, or bill of from “disloyal men or in which Port of Paducah. The bank offi- exchange can be paid or made a disloyal men had an interest” cers continued to press Paine to without my signature, and I was later collected by the Port remove the remaining restric- pledge to you I will not approve Surveyor.7 tions but he made no further any money transactions of a dis- On Friday the 23rd, Paine is- concessions.9 loyal man. All his capital, all his sued General Order No. 6 which Unable to make any seri- money, every cent of it, shall be prohibited the collection of rent ous impact on the partisan placed at the disposal of the Gov- by landlords found not to be resistance in the outlying ernment. I will teach you that “unswerving, unconditional and countryside, Paine decid- having encouraged this rebellion, undeviating Union persons.” ed to use the tactic he had having comforted and aided your The occupants residing on the used successfully as a post country’s enemies, you must, property of disloyal landlords commander in Tennessee aye, shall reap a traitor’s reward.” were to make payments to the earlier in the war—brute When they grumbled about Post Quartermaster after August intimidation. On the 27th their rights, he howled back 1. Paine also hired informants he ordered a Southern “Talk about your rights! Why to spy on known Southern sym- sympathizer and “horse you have no rights to talk about! pathizers. With the knowledge thief” known to Paine, to de- A loyal citizen is the only one acquired from his sources he sys- liver a proclamation to rebel left with any rights at this time.” tematically began to extirpate the commanders across the State Paine also reminded them that parties one by one. By the end line at Dresden, Tennessee. he was in Paducah in 1861 and of his first week in command, The man was issued a horse, that he advised them of a “better Paine had closed and confiscated given a military pass and way, the only way to peace,” but fifteen businesses and proper- ordered to inform all along that his frequent appeals were ties and placed them under the the road to Dresden that

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north&south 4.indd 51 2019/12/29 16:05:07 “Prostitutes in the city paid a fifty dollar fee to practice their trade, and a certain Miss Hester Baldwin was levied one hundred dollars.”

“if another Union man before a squad from the 8th Unit- Bryan was tied up and brought to is killed by bushwhack- ed States Colored Heavy Artillery Mayfield where he was publically ers or rebels, five rebel and shot on the banks of the executed on the courthouse lawn sympathizers will share the below Fort Ander- by Gregory and his men.13 same fate for every Union man son.11 His execution later became Paine initiated another series associated with Paine’s com- Colonel Adam killed.” The message also noted R. Johnson. The that Captain Kess, a recently of fines and fees upon the disloy- mand though he had no direct Partisan Rangers of the al citizens of Paducah. It began authority over the Home Guard , captured guerrilla leader, was to ed. William J. Davis be executed before the departure with a ten cent permit fee for all nor is there any documentation of the messenger. To ensure the items purchased in Paducah and that he met or communicated man’s return, his father and two taken beyond the picket lines on with Gregory prior to Bryan’s brothers were detained in the August 1. A five-dollar tax was capture.14 guardhouse. He came back the placed on mules sold in the city, The Adjutant General Loren- following week with the signa- a 50 cent fee on all letters mailed zo Thomas visited Paducah on tures of rebel commanders on by disloyal citizens and newspa- August 4 while on an inspection the reverse side of the proclama- pers unfriendly to President Lin- tour of colored and tion.10 coln’s policies were charged an camps along the Ohio and Mis- Captain Kess was the most additional 50 cents a bundle. To sissippi Rivers. After he met with notorious of the partisan lead- penalize the immoral vices of the Paine and observed the condition ers in the Jackson Purchase. His population Paine increased the of black troops at Fort Anderson given name was James Kesterson fines for drunkenness and disor- and their family members in the and before the war he was an derly conduct, taxed saloons ten nearby camp, he wrote Secretary uneducated farmer who resided to fifteen dollars a month, and of War Stanton that he found in Graves County. Once the war charged one dollar for every bar- “everything progressing satis- commenced, Kesterson favored rel of whiskey sold in Paducah. factorily.” He further recorded the Confederacy, but rather than Prostitutes in the city paid a that Paine understood his views join the rebel army he organized fifty dollar fee to practice their in regard to “colored women a gang of forty or fifty ruffians trade and a certain Miss Hester and children and will exercise a to terrorize and murder Union Baldwin was levied one hundred judicious policy with them.” To men. Before being wounded and dollars. The funds collected were the dismay and alarm of many captured near Clinton on July 9, deposited into the Provost Mar- of Paducah’s white inhabitants, Kesterson and his gang murdered shal’s relief fund for the widows Paine commenced a policy that an estimated thirty men. Kester- and children of missing and dead protected and advanced the in- son was accused of personally Union soldiers.12 terests of the African-American gunning down a minister and On the morning of August 2, community. One of his staff offi- the shooting to death of a May- Captain Thomas Jones Gregory cers noted that he gave “audience field business owner. Prior to his and a cavalry company of Home to a poor black woman and lis- incarceration, Paine received a Guards captured a guerrilla by tened with all possible attention warning that if Kesterson was ex- the name of William Shelby to her complaint.” He continued ecuted that “all the Union men, Bryan in the hamlet of Dublin in to encourage the recruitment of women and children would be Graves County. Bryan was a Ten- black soldiers, housed and fed shot in the district.” When inter- nessee native who had moved their families, and refused to rogated, Kesterson proudly ad- to Graves County in 1860 and return runaway slaves to disloyal mitted killing both men and two was involved in a long-standing owners. Paine also increased the others. After hearing the details feud with Gregory dating back visible presence of black soldiers of the murders, Paine ordered his to the beginning of the war. in the city’s defenses and law en- execution and advised Kesterson The two families had been close forcement.15 to “turn his whole attention to neighbors geographically but In late July Major General that being and if he has reassures polar opposites politically. The Stephen G. Burbridge, com- laid up in heaven he had better Gregory family was fervently for mander of the Military District of draw for the full amount.” The the Union while the Bryans sup- Kentucky, began to round up and next morning Kesterson was led ported the Confederate cause. detain leading sympathizers at

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north&south 4.indd 52 2019/12/29 16:05:17 Louisville. This was in response those accused claimed they were the general’s home in Paducah. to a field order issued by General guiltless and true friends of the Tilghman occupied Woolfolk’s Sherman several weeks earlier to Union. However, three on the home when he was recruiting arrest Kentuckians who “encour- list had sent a letter to Jefferson soldiers in the city. When Grant’s aged or harbored guerillas and Davis beseeching the Confeder- troops arrived in the city in Sep- robbers” and to prepare them ate army to occupy Columbus tember of 1861 Woolfolk refused for deportation outside of Union and Cairo when Kentucky had to lower his Confederate flag and lines. Having read accounts in declared neutrality. After some replace it with the national flag. Louisville newspapers, Paine protest not all on the list were The night before he was to be followed suit and developed a subject to banishment and a few expelled, Woolfolk snuck away list of persons to be apprehended others not named on the list were on a boat traveling upriver to with the assistance of his spies forwarded to Paducah for fur- Evansville leaving behind his wife and citizen advisors. Over forty ther “examination.” In all about and six children.18 people appeared on the list and thirty persons were assembled at At 8 o’clock on the morning they “were the men and women the city dock and herded upon of August 8, Captain Harlow B. most prominent in assisting For- a steamer by a squad of black Norton and a squad of twelve rest in his attack upon Paducah soldiers led by Captain Phelps soldiers from the 8th United and rebels equally guilty residing Paine, the son of General Paine.17 States Colored Heavy Artillery in Columbus.” Where to have Meanwhile at Paducah, Paine marched to Woolfolk’s home. them deported was a dilemma followed a similar pattern where- When Paine was apprised of for Paine. He earlier had made by he alerted and informed those Woolfolk’s escape he shouted to threats to send “damned rebels” to be exiled on August 4th to pre- have him brought back “dead or to Central or South America pare for departure. Foremost on alive.” His family, nonetheless, but an article in the Lexington his list was Robert O. Woolfolk, was directed to march to a wait- National Unionist from August 5 a merchant in the city, who had ing ship anchored on the river. convinced him that Canada was an extensive record as being a One of Woolfolk’s daughters, a wiser choice. The article report- radical Confederate sympathizer. Kate Woolfolk Whitfield, would ed that when secessionists “have Before the war, Woolfolk was an write nearly 50 years later: to leave Kentucky they invariably associate of Confederate General “The morning of the eighth choose to go to Canada”. The Lloyd Tilghman and constructed broke clear and warm. Captain next day Paine set in motion the Norton with twelve negroes, banishment of the most rampant some of them family servants, Confederate sympathizers in his . were our escorts. We marched Fort Anderson, 16 ' district to Windsor, Ontario. down Broadway past headquar- Paducah. LOC Orders were first sent to Columbus on July 31 to noti- fy the persons to be banished and to make arrangements for . Í'\< ~' ~ ~ . their transportation to Cairo on ... . , August 8. The order further de- • ~ -tói .. clared that those being expelled would be permitted to take only their “wearing apparel, jewelry, pictures, fine table ware and one medium sized box containing as they selected.” All expenses for travel were furnished by the deported individual. What property was not taken was in- ventoried and stored by the Post Quarter Master and their homes and businesses confiscated. All

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north&south 4.indd 53 2019/12/29 16:05:29 ters to the river, my mother with six were refugees who had fled to Paducah had only drilled the regiment twice and children and a colored nurse.” before Forrest invaded the region in was criticized by his officers as being The five others exiled along with early spring. Included in their ranks was unable to manage a battalion drill. The the Woolfolks were prominent citizens Congressman Lucien Anderson. Their enlisted men despised him. On one oc- whom Paine had been informed aided hopes were to return to their businesses casion he was hanged in effigy in a tree the rebels during past raids upon the and homes under the protection of the near the parade field after he ordered a city. All boarded the Masonic Gem that . Soon after their depar- private to be strung up by his thumbs morning and sailed downriver for Cai- ture the skies opened and a drenching for being absent for roll call. On an- ro.19 rain soaked the soldiers and their band other occasion the colonel ordered his The twelve exiles along with Cap- of followers.21 troops to halt and stack arms in ankle tain Norton and his guards disem- Paine and his men entered Mayfield high mud, whereby a few men threw barked at Cairo and marched to the late on the night of August 11 after their knapsacks over ten feet in his train depot. There waiting in railcars a twenty-six mile march that lasted general direction. The men constantly at the station was Captain Paine and almost two days. Willis Danforth, a mumbled and groaned whenever he his men and the twenty-one people surgeon with the 134th Illinois Volun- ventured out from his headquarters. banished from Columbus. After the teer Infantry, found the “town literally The vast majority, if not all, of his Paducahans were transferred to the cars deserted” when they arrived. Paine and officers and men had absolutely no the locomotive departed for Chicago. his staff set up headquarters at the Mor- confidence in his abilities to manage a The train made no stops along the way ris Hotel while his men encamped upon military post.23 and reached Chicago that evening. The the court square and in surrounding Paine ordered McChesney to sink station was full of onlookers as news of buildings and warehouses. The occupa- a well near the courthouse, repair the their arrival had preceded them. The tion of Mayfield began the next morn- railroad between Paducah and May- gawkers anxiously peered through the ing as Paine ordered pickets out to cov- field and send cavalry detachments to cabin windows, which led Mrs. Whit- er the main roads into town and orga- instruct all rebel farmers to deliver hay, field to sarcastically remark, “just step nized a command structure to manage corn, oats, and cattle to the post’s quar- this way, gentlemen, this way to see the new post. Paine selected Colonel termaster for transport for Paducah. the caged animals.” The train switched Waters W. McChesney a twenty-seven- He insisted that McChesney operate his tracks at Chicago and proceeded on its year-old native of Chicago who had a command “free of cost to the Govern- voyage to Detroit, halting at the end of dubious military past. McChesney had ment” and that “these rebels must pay the line late on the evening of August been a member of Elmer E. Ellsworth’s the cost of this war.” He also stated that 9. The next morning Captain Paine United States Zouave Cadets before the they must “pay five hundred dollars for and his guard escorted the thirty-three war and received authorization to raise every widow they make or cause to be exiles onto a steamboat to Canada. The a regiment on April 16, 1861. He was made, support and educate the orphan expatriates landed at Windsor at noon commissioned as colonel of the 10th children of our soldiers and finally go on August 10, where they were met on- Regiment State Volunteers to Central America, South America, or shore by British soldiers and Confeder- on May 15, 1861. While at the Battle the jungles of Africa to eat the apple ate prisoners who had escaped North- of Big Bethel, McChesney was report- of their discontent and die despised of ern penitentiaries. Their fellow South- ed to have “absented himself from the men.” Before he departed for Paducah erners walked them to the “Windsor”, a regiment nearly the whole time.” A few the next day, Paine told McChesney “shabby old hotel” where many would days following the battle, McChesney to build a stockade around the court stay until Paine’s order was revoked on returned to claiming ill- square and “loop-hole” the court- September 13, 1864.20 health and resigned on June 22. The house.24 As Paine solidified his control over regiment’s historian recalled after the After his return from Mayfield, the city, he turned to securing the sur- war that “he resigned his commission suffering ongoing health problems and rounding countryside,e where guerrilla in consequence of the discovery that he aware of the growing political divisions activity was still a major concern. The did not possess the confidence of the over the Emancipation Proclamation nucleus of the partisan movement in officers of his regiment.”22 at Frankfort, Paine told his staff and the Jackson Purchase was at Mayfield, McChesney later exaggerated his a few other significant leaders in the so at 3:00 p.m. on August 9 Paine or- qualifications and was elected to serve community that he desired to resign. dered over 1,500 infantry, cavalry, and as colonel of the 134th Illinois Volunteer He set the date of September 10, his artillery to march south toward May- Infantry Regiment. Before being as- forty-ninth birthday, as the day he field. Keeping pace behind the troops signed post commander at Mayfield he wished to step down and return to his

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north&south 4.indd 54 2019/12/29 16:05:42 ► Soldiers of the 134th Illinois. The 134th was one of the “100-day” regiments raised in 1864 to boost manpower for a final push to win the war. It was mustered into the army on May 31st and mustered out on October 15th. LOC

home in Monmouth. His secret was leaked to the press on August 14 and became newsworthy enough to make Northern papers a few days later. The reaction of Unionist publications was one of surprise and hope that he would reconsider his plans. To his enemies, as was expected, the news was received with great excitement and relief.25 On the night of August 13, a small force of two hundred men under the command of Colonel Adam R. “Stove- pipe” Johnson crossed the Ohio River and landed near Shawneetown, Illi- nois. After the rebels came ashore they erty of rebels.26 They also destroyed property of the plundered farms and herded “200 fat The Union boats dropped anchor more outspoken rebel supporters. cattle” and “sacked oats” to waiting not far down-river from Uniontown One resident of the county remarked barges which they shipped to the Ken- before midnight on August 17. At afterwards that “farms were stripped tucky side of the river at Caseyville. 5:00 a.m. the next morning, Paine’s of everything indiscriminately” and Several Union transports that had men entered the town, but Johnson’s if owners were absent their “houses grounded on a sand bar eight miles be- command had been forewarned and were sacked.” Another recounted that low Shawneetown were later attacked departed the day before when troops Paine’s men “broke into [his] house the next day. The barges were boarded under Brigadier General Alvin P. and piled up everything in the middle by Johnson’s men and the government Hovey crossed the river from . of the room and set fire to it.” There stores carried off. The steamers that Paine interrogated residents on the were also numerous accounts of Yan- towed the barges were later ransomed whereabouts of guerrillas in the region kee soldiers using abusive language to their owners. In response, Paine but received only claims of ignorance and making harsh threats. All along received orders from Burbridge at Lex- or tightlipped silence. Angered by their the route to Caseyville slaves left their ington to move 1,500 men to Union- response, he ordered his men to confis- masters and followed the columns of town on August 16 in an effort to encir- cate the horses, cattle and other prop- blue jackets. Some of the male slaves cle Johnson and his raiders. He imme- erty of those who refused to cooperate. were promised freedom and housing diately closed the port and impressed He also placed under arrest several for their families by army recruiters if into service all boats tied to the docks prominent Southern sympathizers in they came to Paducah. After a forced and any ships traveling upriver. He the town who had been identified by march of over twenty miles the lead gathered three regiments of infantry, former slaves and returning Unionist units of Paine’s army began to arrive at the 34th New Jersey and the 132nd and refugees. At 2:00 p.m. Paine stationed Caseyville in a heavy rainstorm at about 141st Illinois, a detachment of Cavalry 300 men at Uniontown and began 7:00 p.m.28 and a battery of artillery from the 8th the seven-mile march to Morganfield, Not long after entering the vil- United States Colored Heavy Artillery. where it was believed guerrillas under lage, Federal troops began to loot and They embarked on the steamships Co- Johnson had driven cattle taken from ransack stores and warehouses on the lossus, Fisher, General Lawrence and the Indiana. He reached Morganfield that main avenue and along the riverfront. Arcola for Uniontown on the morning evening at 6:00. He was notified that The soldiers entered homes uninvit- of August 17. Before Paine departed, he Hovey had moved south toward Mad- ed, demanded food of the owners and ordered the return of the 136th Illinois isonville in pursuit of guerrillas earlier remained the night sheltered from the and a battery of the 8th United States that day.27 Paine decided the chase was storm. Peter Acker, a resident and busi- Colored Heavy Artillery from Mayfield up and marched his troops to Caseyville ness owner at Caseyville, recalled that to temporarily replace the regiments then follow the Ohio River to Paducah. he had between twenty five and thirty that were leaving Paducah. He also As the Union troops marched men intrude upon his family dwelling closed the port to river traffic and in- through the heart of Union County the first night the village was occupied. formed Woodward, Superintendent of they seized small arms, horses, cattle, The following morning he caught sev- Trade, to place on public auction all buggies, and carriages of those defined eral soldiers in the act of breaking into seized tobacco deemed to be the prop- as being disloyal by local Unionists. his store to find liquor. To appease the

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north&south 4.indd 55 2019/12/29 16:05:54 men and save his business from dam- Union man burned, destroyed, stolen. salt, two hundred and sixty bales of hay, age, Acker opened his store and poured or carried off.” He further declared belonging to the government, and seized them drinks. Others came as word that if another Union man was killed and drove back here [Paducah] ninety spread that whiskey was to be found he would return with “fire and sword” head of cattle, one hundred forty seven at Acker’s store. Within a few hours of and their “punishment should be terri- horses and forty mules.” He also con- consuming drinks, a number of intox- ble.” He later asked the unconditional fiscated ten buggies and carriages. The icated men were noticed staggering in Unionists to step to the right, and those horses and mules were transferred to the the streets. A neighbor of Acker’s re- who were not to remain where they Military Post’s Assistant Quarter Master called that he “saw a great many drunk stood. Astonishingly the entire crowd and the Customs Surveyor received the soldiers” loitering about and being ob- stepped to the right. Paine then asked whiskey, salt, and cattle. The buggies and noxious. Paine was informed by a staff how many supported the Emancipation carriage were sent to the District Provost member of the situation and immedi- Proclamation. Several responded they Marshal and sold at auction with the ately sent an officer and guards to close could not. He concluded the meeting proceeds added to the relief fund. The down Acker’s establishment. A brief by lecturing the minority of their moral small arms were destroyed. And an esti- tussle occurred at the doorstep as one obligation to God and country. 31 mated two hundred former slaves were tipsy soldier refused to leave unless giv- Late on the afternoon of the Au- added to the muster rolls of the United en another shot of liquor. When verbal gust 20 Paine’s command herded the States Colored Troops.33 demands failed the officer of the guard livestock and marched in two columns Within thirty days, Paine had end- lifted him off the steps and threw him toward Smithland, one by way of Mar- ed illicit trade in his military district, into the street. The officer then posted ion the other by Salem. Also traveling removed subversive Southern sympa- guards at the entrance and asked Acker with the troops were over a dozen thizers from Columbus and Paducah, to lock the doors. 29 prisoners, including two rebel spies occupied the center of the partisan An hour after the incident, Acker who furnished “valuable information” movement at Mayfield, and driven out was arrested and charged for having to the Confederate forces in the region a rebel force from Union County. He sold liquor to soldiers. As he stood and partook in “destroying boats and also incorporated progressive policies before Paine,HeH a neighbor claimed capturing cattle.” Their names were to advance the protection and welfare Acker was an “obstinate malicious rebel and E. W. S. Matheny. of African-Americans, improved troop sympathizer” and a recently freed slave Taylor was from Henderson, Kentucky morale, and once-persecuted Union- accused Acker of having smuggled am- and had previously served as a private ists were now able to speak freely and munition to guerrillas. Acker denied in the 10th Kentucky Cavalry Regiment return to their homes outside Federal the accusations but Paine ordered his (CSA). Matheny was from Smithland lines. However, these successes were storehouse searched, where they found and had served with the 3rd Kentucky short-lived, as a growing undercur- buckshot, pistol cartridges, a gun, and Mounted Infantry, also a Confederate rent led by Paine’s political enemies in more barrels of liquor. The ammuni- unit. Both were imprisoned and later Frankfort and Washington began to tion and gun were confiscated and the executed as spies. Left behind at Ca- seek his demise. In part two, we shall liquor poured into the street. Acker seyville was a detachment of two hun- focus on Colonel McChesney’s occu- appeared again before Paine who or- dred men to protect the loyal Union pation of Mayfield, Captain Gregory’s dered that he be hanged by his thumbs men in the village from possible rebel brutal conflict against guerrillas in the and, if not dead by evening, shot. Acker retribution. From Smithland, Paine Jackson Purchase, and General Paine’s was taken to a large cedar tree at the and his men pressed on to Paducah. On removal from military command. center of the village and initially hung the outskirts of the city he was met by by his thumbs. However the bed cords John P. Bolinger, a local businessman, NOTES that were used to tie him kept slipping who informed him that guerrillas had from his thumbs, so an officer restrung threatened to burn cotton and tobacco 1. Berry Craig, Kentucky Confederates: Secession, Civil War, and the Jackson Purchase (Lexing- the cords about his wrists and lifted stored in warehouses at Hickman. He ton, KY: University of Kentucky Press), 1-10, him until he rested on his toes. Acker ordered Bolinger to take the govern- 292-293. remained suspended for an hour until ment steamer Convoy and remove the 2. United States Military Academy. Register of Paine had him untied and confined cotton and tobacco before it could be the Officers and Cadets of the U. S. Military 30 to his home. Paine held a public stolen or destroyed. He also sent his Academy (West Point, NY: United States meeting before his headquarters on son and an armed force to retrieve poll Military Academy Printing Office, June, the afternoon of the 20th to express and county tax books held at Clinton 1839),[3]-24; George W. Cullum, Biograph- his condemnation of the inhabitants’ for the following month’s scheduled ical Register of the Officers and Graduates of conduct during the war. He accused assessments.32 the U. S. Military Academy at West Point, his audience of encouraging guerrilla Paine wrote in his official report that N. Y. from its Establishment in 1802 to 1890 raids and aiding Johnson’s men. He he had “seized sixty hogsheads of tobac- (Boston: Houghton, Mifflin and Co., 1891), 15-16; James Grant Wilson, Biographical warned that “disloyal citizens and rebel co and shipped the same to Assistant Sketches of Illinois Officers Engaged in the War sympathizers were to be made to pay Quarter Master at Evansville… [and] Against the Rebellion of 1861 (Chicago: James for every Union man killed or wound- also seized seventy four barrels of whis- Barnet, 1862), 17-18; Ezra J. Warner, Gen- ed and for every dollar of property of a key, one hundred and forty barrels of erals in Blue: Lives of the Union Commanders

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north&south 4.indd 56 2019/12/29 16:06:05 (Baton Rouge, LA: Louisiana State University (PhD diss., Auburn University, 2008), 208; Press, 1964), 355-356; E. A. Paine, Military Berry Craig, Kentucky Confederates: Secession, Instructions: Designed for the Militia and Civil War, and the Jackson Purchase (Lexing- Volunteers with Particular Directions to Com- ton, KY: University Press of Kentucky, 2014), missioned Officers, Respecting their Duties at 226. the Officer Musters (Painesville, OH: Office of 12. Testimonies of Henry Bartling, R. J. Barber, the Northern Ohio Freeman, 1843). Lyman D. Olin, William Burgess, Letters; Fi- 3. Dieter C. Ullrich and Berry Craig, General E. nal Report of Judge Advocate General Joseph A. Paine in Western Kentucky: Assessing the Holt, Records. “Reign of Terror” of the Summer of 1864 (Jef- 13. OR, Ser. 1, vol. 39, pt. 2, 260-61. Evansville ferson, NC: MacFarland & Co., 2018), 11-25. Daily Journal (Evansville, IN), August 12, 4. Andrew Lucas Hunt to Edwin Hunt, 12 and 1864; Louisville Daily Journal (Louisville, 14 August 1864, Andrew Lucas Hunt Papers, KY), August 16, 1864; “Civil War Soldiers & University of at Chapel Sailors Database,” National Park Service, ac- Hill; Jennie Fyfe to Nell, 31 March 1864, cessed February 3, 2012, http://www.nps.gov/ Fyfe Family Papers, University of Michigan, civilwar/soldiers-and-sailors-database.htm; Bentley Historical Library; Steven L. Wright, “Bryan Family History,” accessed February Kentucky Soldiers and their Regiments in the 27, 2012, http://www.rcasey.net/acrobat/ Civil War: Abstracts from the Pages of Con- bry0807h.pdf. Dieter Ullrich serves as the Di- temporary Kentucky Newspapers (Utica, KY: 14. Evansville Daily Journal (Evansville, IN), Au- rector of Special Collections McDowell Publications, 2009), vol. 2 (1862), gust 12, 1864. and Archives at Morehead State 203; OR, Ser. I, vol. 39, pt. 2, 171. 15. OR, Ser. III, vol. 4, 708-709; OR, Ser. III, vol. University in Kentucky. He has 5. Explanations of E. A. Paine, Records; Final 4, 573; Andrew Lucas Hunt to his parents, conducted extensive research in Report of the Judge Advocate General Joseph 14 August 1864, Andrew Lucus Hunt Papers, Holt, Records: Berry Craig, Kentucky Confed- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. the Jackson Purchase region of erates: Secession, Civil War, and the Jackson 16. American Annual Cyclopaedia and Register of Kentucky and Tennessee and has Purchase (Lexington, KY: University Press of Important Events of the Year (New York: D. contributed several articles on the Kentucky, 2014), 231-245. Appleton & Co., 1864), vol. 4 (1864), 451- subject to scholarly journals, He 6. General Order No. 3, July 20, 1864, Letters; 52; Explanations of E. A. Paine, Records; is also the co-author of General Chicago Tribune (Chicago, IL), September 4, Affidavits of Thomas J. Pickett, Hiram R. E. A. Paine in Western Kentucky: 1864; Military Order of the Loyal Legion of Enoch and J. M. Thompson, Letters; National Assessing the Reign of Terror of the the United States. War Papers: Being Papers Unionist (Lexington, KY), August 5, 1864; Summer of 1864 and Uncondition- Read Before the Commandery of the State of 17. Order of E. A. Paine to Henry Prince and al Unionist: The Hazardous Life of Wisconsin, Military Order of the Loyal Legion Final Report of Judge Advocate General Lucian Anderson. of the United States, 4 vols. (Wilmington, NC: Joseph Holt, Records; John E. L. Robert- Broadfoot Publishing Co., 1993), vol. 1, 333. son, Paducah: Frontier to the Atomic Age 7. Testimony of John T. Bolinger and Special (Charleston, SC: Arcadia Press, 2002), 54; Orders, Letters. Don Simmons, Hickman County, Kentucky 8. General and Special Orders and Testimony of Census of 1860 (Melber, KY: Simmons His- Henry Bartling, 14 September 1864, Letters; torical Publications, 1987); Daily Missouri Missouri Democrat (St. Louis, MO), July 27, Democrat (St. Louis, MO), August 10, 1864; 1864. Louisville Weekly Journal (Louisville, KY), 9. Statement of Bank Officers at Paducah to August 16, 1864; Steven L. Wright, Kentucky General Solomon Meredith and the testi- Soldiers and their Regiments in the Civil War: mony of Thomas M. Redd, Letters; Cashiers Abstracts from the Pages of Contemporary of Paducah Banks to Solomon Meredith, 19 Kentucky Newspapers (Utica, KY: McDowell September 1864, Records. Publications, 2009), vol. 4 (1864), 183-185; 10. Testimony of T. L. Jacobs, Letters; Military Berry Craig, Kentucky Confederates: Secession, Order of the Loyal Legion of the United Civil War, and the Jackson Purchase (Lexing- States. War Papers: Being Papers Read Before ton, KY: University Press of Kentucky, 2014), the Commandery of the State of Wisconsin, 264. Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the Unit- 18. James W. Raab, Confederate General Lloyd ed States, 4 vols. (Wilmington, NC: Broad- Tilghman: A Biography (Jefferson, NC: Mc- foot Publishing Co., 1993), vol. 1, 331. Farland & Co., 2006), 22; Fred G. Neuman, Berry Craig is an author and pro- 11. OR, Ser. I, vol. 39, pt. 1, 355; Explanations of The Story of Paducah (Paducah, KY: Young fessor emeritus of history at West E. A. Paine, Records; Evansville Daily Journal Printing Co., 1927), 135; Grant Papers, vol. Kentucky Community Technical (Evansville, IN), February 29, 1864; Louisville 4, 189. Testimony of R. O. Woolfolk and College in Paducah. He has writ- Weekly Journal (Louisville, KY), March 1, Thomas M. Redd, Records; Testimony of W. ten six books on Kentucky history 1864; Affidavits of Donnell Higgins, Edgar F. Swift, Letters; Paducah News Democrat H. Andress, Henry B. Aldrich, Harry Post (Paducah, KY), February 15, 1903; Berry and co-authored two more with and Samuel Beers, Letters; Pam Ann Hoskins, Craig, Kentucky Confederates: Secession, Civil Dieter Ullrich, He is working on “The Old First is with the South: The Civil War, and the Jackson Purchase (Lexington, a book on Kentuckians and Pearl War, Reconstruction, and Memory in the KY: University Press of Kentucky, 2014), Harbor. Jackson Purchase Region of Kentucky,” 164-165. (continued on page 91)

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