Jessamine County KyArchives History - Books .....Militia Of Jessamine Co. 1898 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ky/kyfiles.html ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com August 5, 2007, 8:21 pm Book Title: A History Of Jessamine County, Kentucky Militia of Jessamine County. Even to the soldiers who participated in great battles in Mexico or the recent war there was never any military experience which left so charming memories as that of service in the old state militia, commonly known as the "Corn Stalk Militia." It was called the Corn Stalk Militia because there were no arms for the troops and very frequently they used corn stalks in the place of guns. The state militia grew up with the early settlement of Kentucky. In those times every man was a soldier and was ready to respond to such call as might be made in defense of his home or in punishment of the Indians, who had invaded the state. From 1775 down to 1793, every able-bodied man was of necessity connected with some military command. A while after the Indian peace of 1794, the militia organization slackened a little, yet it never died out as a state institution until after the Constitution of 1849-50 was enacted. Up to that time every male citizen from the age of twenty-one to forty-five was to report for duty-at all drills, in default of which a fine was adjudged. Jessamine county had two regiments, formed in different parts of the county, and they were required to assemble in the spring for battalion drill. In September they had what was called a "big muster," which was a brigade drill, called in that day "The Evolution of the Line." Nicholasville, the county seat, as the central point, was selected for this army movement. The uniform of the officers, from brigadier-general-down, consisted of epaulets, sword, red sash, high hats with plumes tipped with white, and a black cockade on one side. The great day in the county was the big muster, and from all parts of the county, not only the soldiers but the citizens came to Nicholasville, and these military officers were as proud and well satisfied with their appearance as any army officer equipped with gold and tinsel, under the forms prescribed by General Miles of the present day. The drills were great occasions and were especially attractive to the bpys, who would post themselves along the roads and watch the incoming of the officers. Standing on the-fences and on high steps they would wait with keen zest for the uniformed men, and as they would see an officer coming up in his splendid attire, they would yell but with delight and enthusiasm: "Here comes a muster man." The band was not composed of scientific musicians or many pieces; it included a tenor and bass drum and a fife, all of which were played by the negroes. The band would begin the march around town playing martial airs, early in the morning, and they would march up and down the streets and thrill the crowds with their soul-stirring strains. First, the musicians, then the companies would fall in. After marching around the town, the musicians would halt at the court house, the music would cease and the orders would be given: "Fall in. Captain Crozier's Company; fall in, Captain Hoover's Company; fall in Captain Rohrer's Company." And so on, until all the companies of the regiment had been called and had taken their places in the line. When the line had been formed, the captain would go up and down and dress the men with his sword or cane. After the alignment of the companies, they would form in regiments and move in column to a field or pasture near the town. At the head of this cavalcade would march Brigadier-General Horine. The troops would move along without keeping step, some with umbrellas raised, some with coats, some without coats, and many smoking, and the brigadier-general commanding would have his cob pipe in his mouth—thus unconscious of his military position and unconscious of his military bearing, as he sat on his horse with his back bent and his head inclined forward. On reaching the field, the great and striking maneuver would be to form a hollow square. The use of this by the British troops had impressed it upon the soldiers' minds as a most important accomplishment. It took a long time to get the square formed and sometimes took a still longer time to unform. After squaring and unsquaring, the command would come to parade rest and then would be extended an opportunity for notices to be given by the farmers—such as "farms for sale or rent, stock for sale, or lost live stock." After this the square would be formed again and from this a battle line would be stretched; then a counter-march would be ordered. On one occasion General Horine had his command in line of battle, but not remembering to reverse or about face when they had almost reached a high worm fence which enclosed a thirty-acre field, he called out: "Pull the fence down or climb it." As, under the orders of the commanding general, it had been left discretionary with them what course to pursue, they pulled the fence down. After two or three hours of drilling they would march back to town and were dismissed. Small boys and all the idlers about town moved up and down with the line and became as profoundly interested in the evolutions as the soldiers themselves. These occasions were always splendid opportunities for great profit of the vendors of watermelons, ginger cake, and sweet cider. Few Jessamine men of that day will forget Aunt Milly Howard and Aunt Fannie Mason as they sat at their tables and dispensed such ginger cake and fried chicken and fried ham as the world has never surpassed. Notwithstanding the slackness of the Corn Stalk Militia in Jessamine county, there were organizations of special companies which acquired great proficiency in drilling and were not only efficient but beautifully uniformed. One of these companies, raised by Capt. George S. Shanklin, attained great skill and was thoroughly drilled, as much so as any modern militia. Capt. Thompson Worley had a cavalry company which was perfectly trained. The men had good horses, took pride in them, and while they had nothing but sabres and flintlock pistols, they performed cavalry evolutions in a most creditable manner. Capt. William R. Kean organized an infantry company known as the Jessamine Grays. This command for a long time had great celebrity. The uniform was of gray cloth, with frock coat, the breast of which was ornamented with silver braid, and had silver stripes down the sides of the trousers. The hat was of black leather with a drooping red and white plume. Capt. J. D. Hill was in command of this company for many years. He was succeeded by Capt. Tucker Olds, of Nicholasville. The company was long the pride of the citizens of the county and it was not disbanded until near the beginning of the late war. Additional Comments: Extracted from: A HISTORY OF JESSAMINE COUNTY, KENTUCKY, FROM ITS EARLIEST SETTLEMENT TO 1898. By BENNETT H. YOUNG, PRESIDENT POLYTECHNIC SOCIETY; MEMBER FILSON CLUB; MEMBER CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION, 1890; AUTHOR HISTORY OF THE CONSTITUTIONS OF KENTUCKY, OF "BATTLE OF BLUE LICKS, ETC, ETC. S. M. DUNCAN, ASSOCIATE AUTHOR. Every brave and good life out of the past is a treasure which cannot be measured in money, and should be preserved with faithfullest care. LOUISVILLE, KY.: COURIER-JOURNAL JOB PRINTING CO., 1898. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ky/jessamine/history/1898/ahistory/militiao262gms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/kyfiles/