Jessamine County KyArchives History - Books .....War Of 1812 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, 11:43 pm Book Title: A History Of Jessamine County, Kentucky Soldiers in the War of 1812. Jessamine county sent soldiers to the war of 1812, commanded by the following captains: Capt. Jas. C. Price, Capt. Mason Singleton, Capt Richard Hightower, Capt Patrick Gray, Capt Thos. Lewis, Capt. Robt. Crockett, Capt. Augustine Bower. Quite a large number of Captain Price's company were killed at the battle of the River Raisin, while Capt Thos. Lewis' company was in Dudley's defeat at Fort Meigs, May 15, 1813, and there lost a large number of its members, who were either killed during the fight or murdered by the Indians after the surrender. The following letter, written by a member of Captain Bowers' company in the battle of the Thames, will be of interest to those whose ancestors were engaged in that fight. It was written by Nathaniel Adams, who died some years since in Pulaski county, and was the maternal uncle of S. M. Duncan. There are parts of it that relate to purely personal matters, which are omitted from the text as published: MR. ADAMS' LETTER TO MISS NANCY STINSON. Put-In-Bay, on the Shore of the Great Lake. Oct. 15,1813. My Dearest Nancy: I reached this muddie den of a village on Monday, the 11th. I was in the battle on Tuesday, October 5th, and was not hurt by the bullets of the British and Indians, though I was in very great danger, as the company I was in formed the second line when Colonel Johnson made his men charge the enemy. The Indians raised a loud yell and opened a severe fire on our advance. About seventy or eighty red-coated British soldiers and an equal number of Indians opened a heavy fire on us again, emptying eighteen saddles, killing twelve and wounding more than thirty of our men in the front line. Captain Bowers rushed up in a moment and ordered our company to advance instantly. Out men rushed forward in a rapid gallop over the front line of the British, who stood their ground like men who preferred being shot down rather than surrender. Our company killed several British soldiers who had surrendered, and who attempted to escape. When we dispersed their army in the charge, we captured over five hundred prisoners. I saw a large Indian wandering along the river with two guns and a bag of fried fish. I called the attention of Captain Bowers to the Indian, who, to all appearances, was going to steal a horse that belonged to one of Colonel Trotter's men. Captain Bower ordered three of the men to catch him. All three of us dashed at him. He raised one of the guns and fired; the ball came very close to my left ear. Instantly John Doolin shot him dead. He had fried fish in a dirty bag, and six scalps were in the bag, separated from his dinner of fish by a dirty, old towel, which was marked by stains of blood. We scalped him and left him lying on his back. John Doolin wanted to cut a razor strap from his thigh, but I objected to this and as we were picking up our wounded and sending them across the lake, I saw no more of the Indian. War of 1812-1815. The War of 1812 was one in which Kentucky figured more prominently than any other state. The warlike spirit had been undaunted by Indian aggressions on the frontier from 1783 down to 1811, when the men of Kentucky fought at Tippecanoe, and where the brilliant and popular Joseph Hamilton Daveiss and other gallant Kentuckians gave their blood for the defense and preservation of the Northwestern territory. Kentucky, off and on, had in this war over 25,000 soldiers. She gave some of her noblest blood in the battles it produced and manifested a patriotism and valor which gave her increased renown. To this war Jessamine county sent, first and last, 600 soldiers. England had never accepted gracefully the result of the Revolutionary War. The Northwestern Indians were fed and maintained by the British officials in Canada. They wore British clothes.; used British guns and knives and traded with and for British gold. The war was brought about by a series of events, but there were two principal causes: First. England claimed the right to stop and examine, anywhere on the high seas, American vessels engaged in commerce, and to take from such vessels all British subjects. "Once a subject, always a subject," a favorite maxim of John Bull, was interpreted in the most offensive sense and any man who was supposed to be an Irishman, Scotchman, etc., was taken and forced to serve in the British navy, even though he was an American citizen. Diplomacy, always slow to redress -wrongs, was in these cases extremely tardy, and thousands of American citizens were thus relentlessly forced to serve a country whose allegiance they repudiated. The necessities of the English government were very great. Its navy, greatly increased by the war with the French people led by Napoleon, could only be maintained by impressment, and these American ships were most attractive places for that sort of work. It took the news of these seizures a long time to reach home, and then a long time to get to the State Department, and then there was a long correspondence before even a bearing could be obtained. In the mean time, the men were in the navy and driven by the lash or other more dreadful punishment to this hateful service. Second: The United States, in the thirty years that had passed since the Revolutiouary War, had built up a large ocean carrying trade. England, through the blockade of European ports, claimed the right to seize all American ships and cargoes bound for any blockaded port in Europe (and they were nearly all blockaded) unless these ships, going to or returning from such ports, first entered an English port and registered and obtained license to prosecute their voyage. . With such claims on the part of any government, war could not long be avoided, and so on the 18th of June, 1812, Congress declared war. As soon as the news of the war reached Kentucky and before the President's requisition came to the Governor, volunteer companies all over the state rushed to offer themselves to the Governor. Kentucky's quota .was 5,500 of the 100,000 called for. Weeks before the actual declaration of war had been made, recruiting offices had been opened and war meetings throughout the state gave assurance that however lukewarm New England might be, Kentucky would give the government the heartiest support. By August the 14th, the Kentucky quota was ready. Jessamine sent two full companies and scattering soldiers into other commands-One of these companies was commanded by Capt. James C. Price, a son of Col. William Price. The other was commanded by Capt. Patrick Gray. The roster of these two companies was as follows: Roll of Capt. James C. Price's Company. Lewis' regiment, Kentucky Volunteers. War of 1812. Captain--James C. Price, Lieutenant-William Caldwell. Ensign-Daniel Bourne. Sergeants-William E. Price, David Richardson, John Shanklin, John Scott. Corporals-Nathaniel H. Caldwell, John Ficklin, Solomon Smith, Elisha Williams. Privates-Barkleye, William; Barr, George; Bennett, James; Brice, John T.; Brown, Thomas; Carlton, Isaac; Carlton, Noah; Carlton, George; Callender, Jacob; Conner, Rice; Daugherty, John ; Dedman, James; Easley, Pleasant; Edwards, Thos.; Elkin, Benj.; East, Elijah; Finney, James; Forset, James; Forsee, Stephen; Farrow, John; Goin, John; Haggard, John; Hicks, James; Hews, Charles, Hushman, Matthew; Kindred, Edward; Krickbaum, John; Lewis, Wm. A.; Moss, Pleasant; Morgan, W.; McGrath, Terrance; McConnell, M. G.; Neal, George; Netherland, John; Overstreet, W.; Rice, Joseph; Rice, Geo. W.; Richards, Alexander; Ramsey, John; Richardson, Robt.; Scott, Joseph; Scott, Joseph ; Simmons, David ; Skeene, William; Taylor, John; Underwood, Edward; Woodson, Obediah; Wilson, Thos.; Ward, William; Webber, Benj.; Walker, James; Ward, Geo. S.; Young, Joel; Young, Richard. Roll of Capt. Patrick Gray's Company, Lewis' regiment, Kentucky Volunteers. War of 1812. Captain-Patrick Gray. Lieutenant-James Fletcher. Ensign-James Clark. Sergeants-William Sechrest, Thomas Reed, John Batts, Geo. Chrisman. Corporals-Robt. Dunwiddie, Sam'l Huckstep, James Norrel. Privates-Anderson, Oliver; Armstrong, Livy; Arnett, John; Bagwell, Gary; Bishop, John; Brown, Samuel; Bradshaw, Smith; Burk, Benj.; Campbell, James; Cardwell, Sam'l; Cardwell, James; Cary, Melford; Clark, Geo. W.; Croslin, Benj.; Downes, Penore P.; Dickerson, Wm.; Dickerson, David; Elmore, Edward; Howard, Achilles; Hopkins, Thos.; Hutcherson, Sam'l; Hunter, Chas.; Jeter, Henry; Jimerson, David; Jimerson, Wm.; Jimerson, John; Johnson, John; Kennady, Wm.; Lana, Henry; Leon, Moses; Lusk, James; Marshall, James; Marshall, Wm.; May, Lindsay; Messick, Nathan; Morris, Henry; Myers, John; Miller, Francis; McClure, Martin; Nevens, Henry; Newal, Armstrong; Patterson, John; Pilcher, Louis; Read, Peter; Robinson, Michael; Rusk, Robert; Sales, Thos. P.; Spencer, Absalom; Spiers, Greenbery; Summers, James; Summers, Thos.; Smith, Peter; Stype, John; Shelton, Thos.; Thompson, Pitman; Venable, Hamden S.; Waters, Lewis; Wallace, James; Whorton, Joseph; Wallace, Abraham; Welsh, Alexander; Willis, John; Willis, William; Wager, Absalom. These companies were part of the 5th Kentucky Regiment, commanded by Lieut-Col. William Lewis and Majors Joseph Robb and Benjamin Graves. The other companies constituting the regiment were those of Captains Hart, Hamilton and Megowan from Fayette, Captain Williams, from Montgomery, and Captains Martin and Brassfield from Clark. They were ordered to assemble in Lexington on the 14th of August. They were enlisted on the 15th at Georgetown. An immense concourse, estimated at 20,000, greeted the soldiers of this regiment at Lexington. Revolutionary sires, hoary with age, wives whose hearts were filled with apprehension and dread, sweethearts whose trustful and tearful eyes told the story of love for men in the ranks, children who looked with strange wonder upon the brilliant scene of these uniformed soldiers passing in review before the vast and sympathetic crowd, came from far and near to say good-bye and god-speed to the country's defenders. Each company paraded in its own uniform, and each vied with the other in evolution and manly bearing. None surpassed the Jessamine Blues under Captain Price and the other Jessamine company under Captain Gray., and the vast crowds of their fellow citizens felt a just pride at their splendid appearance as they marched so promptly at their country's call. They formed on Water street in Lexington and then marched into Main street and from thence out to the Georgetown road. They marched only about four miles and then camped for the night and next day went into camp at Georgetown. The Lewis Regiment was reinforced by those of Col. John M. Scott and Col. John Allen, and they were formed into a brigade under Gen. John Payne. On the following Sunday the brigade was reviewed by Gov. Charles Scott and Generals John Payne and James Winchester. After the review the soldiers and the crowd assembled and listened to an address from Henry Clay and a sermon from the eloquent Dr. James Blythe, who was then president of Transylvania. Mr. Clay reviewed the causes of the war and set forth the many and. unbearable grievances which had forced the government to declare war, and closed with an appeal to the troops to remember that Kentucky was renowned for the bravery of her people and that they must remember that they had both the glory and the prestige of Americans and Kentuckians to maintain. The vast crowd departed after these patriotic, soul-stirring words and the soldiers went into camp, and a few days after marched to Newport to receive their arms and equipment. The most of the march was made in drenching rains, which were ominous of the hardships and misfortunes which awaited them in the campaigns upon which they had entered. Dudley's Defeat, A part of the Jessamine troops were in what was known as Dudley's defeat, which was fought on May 5, 1813, on the left bank of the Maumee river, opposite to Fort Meigs, a few miles south of Toledo, Ohio. Col. William Dudley's regiment was part of Gen. Green Clay's brigade of Kentucky volunteers. After leaving Newport, they had a fatiguing march for men and ammunition, and they found these on approaching the open boats lodged on the left bank of the Maumee river, within hearing of-the cannon of Fort Meigs, where General Harrison was then besieged by the British and a large force of Indians. At twelve o'clock on the night of May 4th, when General Harrison was informed of General Clay's approach, he directed General Clay to land 700 men on the west side where the British were, charge their batteries, spike their cannon, and immediately return to their boats and cross over to the American fort. The remainder of Clay's troops were to land on the east bank and force their way into the fort by sorties from the garrison. Dudley's regiment was ordered to perform the first service. They were successful in the beginning, but the bravery of the Kentuckians and a misunderstanding of orders drew them into an ambuscade where they were cut off and surrounded by overwhelming numbers, and the apparent victory was turned into dreadful defeat. When the Kentuckians landed they marched at once toward the batten-. This battery was taken without a struggle. It was left in possession of two companies, but it was shortly after taken by the British and forced to retreat to their boats and cross the river, when they reached Fort Meigs in safety. The Kentuckians advanced and charged the Indians, and after seeing that they were outnumbered they attempted to retreat to the battery. They found this no longer in possession of their friends, but manned by British soldiers in large numbers, who opened fire upon them. Arriving without order and being taken completely by surprise, they were compelled to surrender or be shot down. They surrendered. They were robbed by the Indians, who inflicted blows upon the prisoners at their pleasure. Most of the Americans were stripped of their clothes, and they were told by the British soldiers that the Indians intended to make them run the gauntlet, and just before the Americans reached the fort, the Indians taking advantage of their helpless condition, whipped and bruised and killed them as they pleased A large number of them were shot down and scalped. One Indian shot four prisoners and scalped them in the presence of their comrades, and in the presence of the British officers these Kentucky troops were subjected to all sorts of indignities, and even murdered. Captain Lewis was killed in the battle, together with a number of the men from Jessamine county. Battle of the Thames. The blundering and misfortunes and the disasters which attended the War of 1812 in the Northwest, in the end took a turn. The American arms were at last to receive some reward. The .great naval battle fought on Lake Erie, on the 10th of September, 1813, had destroyed the British fleet under Captain Barclay; not a single ship escaped. The gallant Perry had grandly accomplished his task and told his own story of the victory and success in those glorious words, "We have met the enemy and they are ours." More than a hundred Kentuckians who knew nothing of ships and had never sailed on any water but rivers, volunteered to serve on the vessels under Perry, and they deserved part of the credit for that superb victory. General Proctor and his Indian allies under Tecumseh, after the destruction of the British fleet, were safely shut in upon English soil. General Harrison was not slow to avail himself of the effect this naval victory had secured, and he at once crossed into Canada and commenced his pursuit of Proctor and Tecumseh. The horses of the Kentucky troops were corralled on the Michigan shore; they were surrounded by brush and trees cut down and pickets driven so as to make a complete enclosure. When the pursuit was determined upon it was impossible to secure guards for the horses and camps other than by draft. No man was willing to accept such inglorious service unless by compulsion. The capture of the British vessels enabled General Harrison to make an immediate crossing and with five brigades of Kentuckians and 120 United States regulars, he landed on the Canada side on the 27th of September. Col. Richard M. Johnson's Kentucky mounted infantry was the only cavalry in the invading army. It was a splendid regiment of thirteen companies and contained nearly 1400 men. With this regiment was detailed one of the Jessamine companies under Captain Bower. The river Thames is a small stream rising in Canada east of Detroit and emptying into Lake St. Clair. About forty miles east of Detroit there was a small Moravian settlement, and after a dreadful and tiring march of a week, late in the afternoon of October 5, 1813, the American army was in such close pursuit that Proctor and Tecumseh were forced to offer battle. Proctor had 600 British regulars and Tecumseh had 1,500 Indians. They were formed along the river bottom, with Tecumseh on the left, and there awaited the approach of the American army, which was composed almost entirely of Kentuckians. Governor Shelby had abandoned his duties as governor and assumed the place of commander-in-chief of the Kentucky forces. Both he and General Harrison had upon their staffs some of the most brilliant men of the state-Geo. Walker, William T. Barry, John Speed Smith, Gen. John Adair, J. J. Crittenden and Percival Butler. Colonel Johnson had during the previous months trained his regiment to charge on horseback, and so soon as General Harrison learned that the British were formed in open order he directed Colonel Johnson to charge with his regiment mounted. Colonel Johnson discovered that the front of the British regulars was too narrow for the use of all his men. He divided his regiment, gave half of it to his brother. James Johnson, Lieut.-Colonel. Colonel Johnson called for an advance guard of twenty men to move in advance of the troops. He had promised the wives and mothers and sweethearts and friends of his troops, when they assembled at Stamping Ground to start for the war, that he would in every way protect their lives in the campaign on which they had entered with him. He conceived the idea that if he could draw the fire of the Indians upon an advance guard, that the main force could charge and ride over the enemy's line before it could reload, and that, though he might sacrifice the twenty men he would save heavy mortality among the remainder of his force. It was a heroic thought, and it was carried out in a heroic way. Nineteen men gallantly volunteered to ride with Colonel Johnson in advance on the enemy; of these only ten are known. The advance was placed under the command of Col. William Whitley, who was a private in Captain Davidson's company. Of the members only the following names are known: Lieut. Samuel Logan, Coleman's company; L. L. Mansfield, Stucker's company; Benjamin Chambers, quartermaster; Robert Payne, Stackers company; Dr. Samuel Theobald, Coleman's company; William Webb, Stucker's company; Garrett Wall, forage major; Eli Short, forage master. Lieut.-Col. Johnson at once charged the British regulars. He passed through their line, then turned and fired upon them in the rear. They immediately surrendered. Col. Richard M. Johnson, with half the regiment, with the advance guard in front, charged the Indians who at once poured in a deadly fire upon the advance guard, all of whom were either killed, wounded, or had their horses shot under them, except Dr. Samuel Theobald, of Lexington. The brave and heroic William Whitley was killed at the first fire on the advance guard. In these later days, when acts of heroism are applauded with such vigor and enthusiasm, it is well to remind the world of such deeds as those of Gen. William O. Butler and Johnson's advance guard at the river Thames. These lose nothing in comparison with the conduct and courage of any men of any age. Proctor's regulars were all captured, the Indians were routed, Tecumseh was killed, his force was scattered, and peace in the Northwest was at once assured. Proctor himself abandoned his men, his carriage and baggage, and fled precipitately from the field. His guilty conscience smote him as he heard the Kentucky hosts on entering the battle, with mighty shout cry put, ""Remember the Raisin." He knew that his perfidy and barbarity deserved the death that the comrades of the murdered heroes of Raisin would inflict upon him, and like a coward he fled from the just wrath of the American soldiers. In this splendid battle a large number of the men from Jessamine participated, and part of its glory belongs to those who composed the Jessamine troops. The accompanying letter written by a Jessamine man who participated in this conflict will be both interesting and historical: "Bass Island, Lake Erie, October 10, 1813. "My Dear Father: I have only time to inform you and my friends that I am now confined to my bed with severe rheumatism in my legs. I am unable to walk, but am very kindly treated Frenchman who served in our armies under General Washington and received a severe shot in the left hip joint at the battle of Princeton, he has lived in this dreary country thirty years engaged in fishing on the lake. Our company under Captain Bowen was in the battle of Thames river on the 5th. A cannon ball killed Captain Bowen's horse in the beginning of the battle, but he soon got another one much stronger and active than the horse he brought from home. After Commander Perrie gained the victory on the lake, the Barbarian Proctor abandoned the post at Maliden and took a position on the river Thames. His rapid movements, we have learned since the battle, was very annoying and displeasing to his Indian allies. This morning Captain Bowen called to see me in company with Captain Danfield of the British army. I heard Captain Danfield say that the Indian chief Tecumsey was very mad at General Proctor for leaving his Indian brethren exposed to the vengeance of our soldiers. Danfield said that he heard the Indian chief address Proctor in very severe language about his leaving Maldens. It was also stated by the English officer that Proctor was fairly outgeneraled by Harrison and was unable to escape with all his baggage, being hard pressed by him in every move up the Thames. After a great deal of heavy marching and loss of sleep both armies met in the vicinity of a Dunkard settlement called Moravian town, which was deserted, not a human being in it when the fight took place October 5th. The battle did not last very long, but it was fierce and savage. The Indians under their Chief Tecumsey were in possession of a thick woods, who, with the British infantry had formed their line of battle on ground which gave them some advantage over our troops. When the fight opened I saw Gen. Harrison with Commodore Perrie who was in the battle and was acting as aid, he and Captain Butler, Colonel Cass who was a very large man had the post of honor and led the front line. Colonel Johnson, of Scott county, with the mounted men was ordered to charge at full speed, and break their line. Johnson rushed along the line hat off and gave command in a loud voice that now was the time to fight, and in an instant his mounted men including Captain Bowen's company were rushing on the lines of the enemy. At first our horses recoiled on receiving the heavy fire from the British and Indians, yet it was only momentarily, the voice of Colonel Cass and our Colonel Trotter was heard amid the roaring of musketry, the enemy run in every direction, we were completely victorious. Governor Shelby whose presence on the field was greeted by thousands. The Indian chief Tecumsey was killed, over 500 of the enemy were taken in by our men, 80 of the English were killed and over 100 Indians were left on the field. Come to Newport after me and bring three feather beds in the wagon, as I can not bear jolting. Your son, "GEORGE T. CHRISMAN. "Hugh Chrisman, Jessamine Co., Ky." The following extracts from a letter, written by John Netherland, who was a son of Maj. Benjamin Netherland, will prove interesting and show how the men from Jessamine acted in the battle of the Thames: "On the Thames, October 7, 1813. "My Dear Parents: I never wanted to see you so badly in my life. After the massacre of so many of the company of the brave Captain Price at the river Raisin, I succeeded in making my escape, after running seventeen miles in snow over two feet deep. I joined the main body of the army under General Harrison and served with Colonel Johnson in the battle which took place day before yesterday. I stood on the shore of lake Erie on Sunday, the 10th of September, and saw Captain Perry whip hell out of the British fleet on the lake. As soon as they were whipped on the water. General Harrison made us all get on board of the ships of Captain Perry and sailed to Canada. When the army landed we marched in pursuit of the d-d murderers and cutthroats. We came up with them at the river Thames on the 5th of October, gave the devils a sound thrashing and took over seven hundred prisoners and shot to death five Indians for breaking their paroles five days before the battle. It took old Governor Shelby a long time to keep our company from scalping twenty English soldiers for giving rum to the Indians and furnishing them with guns and powder to murder our people. We are now burying the dead and will-leave here as soon as we can hunt up all who are wounded and unable to get home. When I come home I can tell you of as much suffering in this army as you ever suffered in the Revolutionary Wan I must say that every man and officer from Jessamine was game and did his duty without fear or favor. Billy Caldwell and Lieut. Ebenezer Price, brother of Captain Price, was like a mad bull in battle. He was brave on all occasions and he and Billy Caldwell could hallo louder than any men in the army. They were ever ready to fight. I send you this letter by Noah Carlton, who goes to Newport and who will send it to you from Lexington. Don't let brother Ben go frollicking about on my horses. Before I left home he was in the habit of letting the young women have my horses to hunt grapes and persimmons on Hickman creek. I will be at home in five weeks. "Your oldest son, "JOHN NETHERLAND." Jessamine County Soldiers who Battled at Thames. Jessamine county had two companies in the battle of the Thames, fought June 13, 1813. The two companies were mounted men and were in Col. George Trotter's regiment. Capt. Gustavus Bower commanded one of these companies. He was born near Fredericksburg, Va., in 1786 and settled in Nicholasville in 1810, as a physician. When the War of 1812 was declared he raised the following company, which was in the battle of the Thames: Captain-Gustavus Bower. Lieutenant-Bartholomew Kindred. Ensign-Smith Bradshaw. Sergeants-Joshua Hightower 1st, R. Michael Bower 2d, Peter Withers 3d, Robt. D. Overstreet 4th. Corporals-Geo. T. Chrisman 1st, Reuben Bennett, 2d, Wm. Wilson 3d, Benj. Bradshaw, Jr., 4th. Privates-Allison, Jno.; Bird, Jno.; Bourne, Daniel; Bradshaw, Benj.; Bustard, David; Campbell, Jno.; Campbell, Wm.; Carroll, Jno.; Cobb, Thos.; Connor, Rice; Connor, Wm. R.; Corr, Jas.; Casby, Chas.; Casby, James; Crockett, Jno. W.; Crutcher, James; Davenport, Jno. F.; Davidson, Richard; Davis, James; DeMoss, Asa; Dickerson, Fontaine; Dickerson, James; Dougherty, James; Duncan, James; East, James; Fitzgerald, Francis; Fassee, John; Gilman, James; Gray, David; Haggard, Jno.; Hawkins, Thos.; Higbee, James H.; Higginbotham, Jesse; Hunter, Davidson; Johnson, John G.; Lewis, Daniel; McCarly, Dennis; McConnell, Andrew; McCune, Jno. L. P.; McDaniel, Thos.; Miles, Benj.; Miles, James; Murrain, Wm.; Pennington, Saml.; Moss, Wm.; Powers, Samuel; Reynolds, Wm; Rice, Thos. N.; Richards, Alexander; Robertson, Michael; Scott, James; Shaw, John; Shearer, Caleb; Shelton, Wm.; Sike, David; Smith, Adam; Smith, Alexander; Stipe, David; Stipe, Henry; Stipe, Jacob; Taylor, Samuel; Taylor, William; Thompson, Alex.; Thornton, Elijah; Trister, Peter; Turner, Robt.; Walker, Reuben; Wallace, Thomas; Walters, Thomas; Ward, Geo. S.; Welch, Alexander; Willis, Drury; Wilson, W. M. S.; Woods, James; Zimmerman, John. Capt. Mason Singleton, of the Keene neighborhood, also raised a company which was in Trotter's regiment. The following is a list of the company: Capt. Mason Singleton's Company. Captain--Mason Singleton. Lieutenant-Benj. Williams. Ensign-Thomas Haydon. Sergeants--Joel Turnham 1st, Wm. Scott 2d, Jesse Hayden 3d. Privates-Sallee, Edward; Burton, Thos.; Conklin, Hugh; Ellison, Thos.; Evans, Andrew; Ficklin, Thomas; Frost, Jno.; Gatewood, Gabriel; Hampton, Stephen; Haydon, Ezekiel; Haydon, Jno.; Holloway, Samuel; Hughes, Chas.; Hundley, Jno.; Lambkins, Daniel; McVey, Jno.; Moore, Joel P.; Morrow, Jno.; Moseley, Ewd.; Neal, Jno.; Proctor, Isaiah; Proctor, Thos.; Reed, Phillip; Reynolds, Drake; Rice, Richard; Richardson, Jesse; Poper, Jesse; Schofield, Samuel; Sharewood, Wm.; Singleton, Lewis; Smith, James; Smith, Wm.; Starr, Henry; Steel, Darbey G.; Webster, Christopher; Wells, Jacob; Williams, Elijah; Williams, Thos.; Willis, Lewis; Wilson, Nathan; Wilson, Alex.; Woods, Richard; Woods, Christopher; Young, Lewis; Fizer, Jacob; Jenkins, Henry. These captains, as well as their men, all acted a courageous and handsome part in the battle. Captain Bower, after the war, married a daughter of Col. Joseph Crockett, and went to Georgetown to practice medicine. He subsequently removed to Palmyra, Mo., where he died in 1869. The following is also the list of the company of Capt. Richard H. Hightower, in 17th United States, engaged in the War of 1812: Captain--Richard Hightower. 1st Lieutenant-Thomas C. Graves. Sergeants-Lucius C. Pleasants 1st, Benj. Segar 2d, Jesse Denilhess, 3d. Privates-Acton, Wm.; Alison, Jno.; Andrews, Robt.; Barton, Karswell; Bates, Alfred; Black, Beverly A.; Blythe, William; Byron, Jno.; Camp, Wm.; Carter, Jno.; Casey, Joshua; Cesgar, Thos.; Childers, Thos.; Cooly, Jno.; Cook, Matthew; Craig, Walter; Davis, William; Delancy, Willis; Denore, Baldwin, Dobbs, Jno.; Dyne, Andrew; Emmerson, Wm.; Farrow, Isham; Fisher, Jno.; Fowler, James; Fowler, Thos.; Gentry, Zebedee; Gohagen, Wm.; Goodlett, Wm.; Grindstaff, Isaac; Ingsley, Jas.; Hanley, Thos. H.; Hobson, Bennett; Hope, Geo.; James, Saml.; Johnson, Wm.; Lane, Jno.; McCarty, David; McDaniel, Wm., McKenzie, Jno.; Martin, Jas.; Mathews, Philip; Maxwell, Jno.; Mayfield, Sutherland; Morgan, J.; Murphy, David; Murrane, J., Murrane, Mark.; Murrane, Tom; Pagget, James; Pagget, Thos.; Pogue, Jno.; Prewitt, Edmund; Price, Jno.; Ralston, Alex.; Reed, Adam; Reed, Robt.; Scroggins, Wm.; Shaw, Jno.; Shimp, Geo.; Shover, Simon; Smith, Richard; Stewart, Rice; Sumerfield, Ephraim; Thompson, James; Tiller, Jno.; Walker, Jeremiah ; Webb, Adam; White, Chas.; Williams, Silas; Winchester, Peter; Wood, Jno. Roll of Capt Robert Crockett's Company. Roll of Capt. Robert Crockett's Company, Kentucky Mounted Volunteer Militia-Commanded by Lieut.-Col. James Allen. War of 1812. Captain-Robert Crockett. Lieutenant-John C. Morrison. Ensign-Henry Lindsey. Sergeants-Jonathan Robinson, 1st; Alexander Logan, 2d, William Mead, 3d, John Lawny, 4th. Privates-Armstrong:, Samuel; Bank, Ephraim; Baxter, Samuel; Brownlee, John; Bobb, William; Butler, Samuel; Bond, Cornelius; Crockett, John W.; Crockett, Samuel C.; Carr, Thomas; Cloud, Sam'l G.; Decreet, Joseph; Duncan, James; Dougherty, James; Fracher, Charles; Fink, John; Fracher, John; Gaunt, William; Harrison, Jos. C.; Jewet, Matthew; Logan, Samuel; Moore, Angus; Messock, Isaac; McCall, William; McCornell, William; Parmer, James; Rankin, Adam; Roberts, John; Ramsey, Robert; Royall, William; Smith, John; Tadloer, Andrew; Talbot, Jonathan; Venable, James; Villers, George; Wardlow, John; Walker, Matthew; Young, Leavin. Roll of Capt. Thomas Lewis' Company. Roll of Capt. Thomas Lewis' company of infantry of the Kentucky Militia, detached-Commanded by Lieut.-Col. William Dudley. War of 1812. Captain-Thomas Lewis. Lieutenant-George S. Herndon. Ensign-William Sally. Sergeants-William Moss 1st, Henry King, 2d, William Roach, 3d, Newton H. Tapp, 4th. Corporals -William Dunn, 1st, Thomas Payne, 2d, Eliphalet Roan, 3d, George Doxen, 4th. Privates-Acres, Larkin; Aldridge, Joshua; Anderson, James; Attsman, Henry; Baker, Lewis: Ball, Henry; Baxter, James: Bourne, John; Bowman, John; Brockman, Aaron; Brooner, Davis: Brown, Samuel; Buskitt, David; Busley, William; Butler, Wm. W.; Castle, John; Clark, James; Cromwell, Oliver; Davis, Jarred; Dunnegan, David; Easley, Obediah; Fisher, James; Frazier, Jeremiah; George, Ellis; Green, James; Green, John; Hampton, Thos.; Hendricks, Michael; Hitt, Elias; Houser, Isaac; Hughes, Thomas; Hunter, John; Hynes, Alexander R.; Keen, John; Lewis, Adam; Lockhart, Silas; Masterson, Moses: May, Solomon; McAtee, Abednego; McCune, Samuel; McDaniel, Alexander; McDougal, James; Mifford, Joseph; Moon, Zachariah; Morris, Jesse; Morrow, James; Moss, Pleasant: Myers, Jacob: Mutter, William; Ritter, Michael; Romans, John; Ronyan, Francis; Rutherford, Archibald; Rutherford, Jesse; Rynolds, Samuel; Sandusky, Jacob; Scanlan, Travis; Scott, Matthew T.; Sergeant, Wm. B.; Shannon, Jacob; Shrewsberry, Nathaniel; Simpson, Nathaniel; Skewens, Clayton; Spencer, Charles; Starr, Christopher; Starr, John; Ateward, John; Tapp, Nelson; Taylor, Conrad; Twindle, Alexander; Triplett, Fielding; True, John; Truit, John; Ungles, Hillery; Wallace, Thomas; Waters, John; Williams, Lewis; Williamson, Richard; Wilson, James; Wilson, William. The subjoined names were taken from recent transcripts furnished by the War Department: Baum, Whitfield; Baines, Zachariah; Beeler, Henry: Brown, Joel; Bunds, Geo. S.; Burchum, Jos.; Corn, James; Corn, Hiram; Davis, James; Damele, Spencer; Dixon, Geo.; Dornell, William; Erwin, Stephen; Fitzjarrell, Silas; Fizer, Jacob; Gardner, Francis; Hanes, Simeon; Jack, Andrew; Kendrick, Michael; Lee, Achilles, musician; Lowry, Stephen; McClain, James; McMillen, William; Mofford, James; Overturns, Garland; Parish, Price; Pierson, Allen; Paxton, Joseph; Pilcher, Shadrach; Rankins, John; Right, Jonathan; Singleton, Daniel; Smith, John; Stewart, Gehew; Stewart, William; Walker, David T.; sergeant; Walker, Matthew; Wallace, Robert; Wallem, John; Wilsom, Gabriel. River Raisin. General Hull, in command of the Ohio troops, on the 16th of August, 1812, surrendered at Detroit His army composing the army of the northwest, together with Detroit, had been turned over to the British. This conduct aroused the keenest indignation. No sooner had the news reached Kentucky than all the volunteers that the state and government desired pressed forward at once and offered themselves for the purpose of wiping out the disgrace which General Hull had inflicted upon the American army. The two troops from Jessamine county in the regiment of Colonel Lewis, marched from Cincinnati towards Detroit and finally reached Fort Winchester. Here their baggage was transferred to canoes upon the Maumee river. The road was difficult and long. The troops, starting from home with their summer clothes, had not yet been provided with their winter outfit, and this amid the fierce climate of the northwest presented most serious difficulties. In a little while the provisions failed and for fourteen days the Kentucky troops subsisted on hickory roots, elm bark and the beef of a few cattle, which were killed in a half-starved state. In the midst of the winter a supply of warm clothing was received, and this gave the troops new courage and animation. A small force of regulars had been united with the Kentuckians in this march. The Kentuckians received their winter clothing first, and it was quite a while before the regulars were supplied, and, with the chivalry and generosity which marked men of that period, these gallant Kentuckians demanded that the regulars should be exempted from camp duty, and all military service required should be performed by them. On the 8th of January they were ordered to march to the rapids. Upon reaching this point the officers were informed that in the village called French Town, the inhabitants were terrified at the approach of the English and the Indians. French Town is on the River Raisin, a small stream emptying its waters in Lake Erie. General Winchester promptly sent forward Colonels Lewis and Allen, with six hundred men. They reached the River Raisin on the 18th of January, 1813, and met the combined English and Indian force, about 500 strong, under Major Reynolds, of the Canadian militia, and drove them from the place. The people of French Town were delighted with the result. A few days before they had feared the tomahawk of the Indian, and now they rejoiced at the presence of their Kentucky defenders. Those who had been assigned to march with Colonel Lewises regiment were delighted that glory was placed in their grasp, while those who remained behind felt as if a great sorrow had come into their lives. On the 21st of January, 1813, General Winchester moved forward and reinforced Colonels Lewis and Allen. This reinforcement consisted of 300 regulars, commanded by Colonel Wells. Colonel Lewis, who was an experienced officer in Indian service, had posted his troops in an enclosed garden, with an open field on his right. Colonel Wells outranked Lewis as an officer of the regular army, as Lewis was only a volunteer, and he demanded the position on his right. This placed Colonel Wells in the open field, while Lewis and Alten still remained in the enclosed garden, with a picket fence as their protection. Colonel Lewis strongly insisted that Colonel Wells should be placed in the same garden on his left, but General Winchester, yielding to the exactions of the regular army officer, ordered that Colonel Wells be placed in the open field on the right. General Proctor, who was in command of the British at Malden, pushed forward with all his force. He prepared for an assault on the dawn of the 22d. It was hardly light, when, with his artillery covering his right, and both his flanks protected by Indian marksmen, he advanced upon the Americans. But no sooner had he reached within musket shot of the Kentuckians, than he was met by such galling and incessant a fire that part of his army fell in confusion. Discovering the exposed position of the army under Wells, the British general rushed forward all his force against him. Volley after volley of musketry broke the stillness of the morning air, and the whoop of the Indians and the cheers of the Kentuckians sounded on every side. But the 300 regulars could not withstand the assault of the entire British force. After the battle had lasted twenty minutes. General Winchester saw that he must relieve Wells and place him within the enclosure occupied by General Lewis. The moment an order was given for this purpose the British and Indian® redoubled their forces and pressed the Americans so hard that the line fell in disorder. A panic seized the regulars and they rushed towards the river to cross the rapids, where the remainder of the Kentucky army was in camp. The British and Indians pursued them, tomahawking and scalping all who came in their way. General Winchester, although incompetent, was brave. He endeavored to reform his men. Colonels Lewis and Allen each took a company of fifty men, rushed out of their enclosures, and did their best to check the defeat and rout. Nothing would avail; nothing could prevent the disaster. Colonel Allen was killed and General Winchester and Colonel Lewis taken prisoners. The two Kentucky companies that had come with the regulars were swept away. It was here that the Jessamine troops interposed with superb courage and bravery. Captain Price was killed, together with a large number of his company. Some fell by rifle balls, some were scalped, others were left to perish in the cold. In the fight thus far Proctor had lost one-fourth of his force, but he was delighted to know that General Winchester was among the prisoners. Sending for General Winchester he recounted the savageness of the Indians, and the difficulty which he would have in restraining them if the battle was continued. He said that he could set fire to every house in the village and this he would probably have to do and that as a result the innocent women and children would be massacred by the Indians. He then asked General Winchester to direct his men to surrender. General Winchester consented to advise surrender, but when the message was carried to the Kentuckians and handed to Major Madison, who was the ranking officer after the capture of Colonel Lewis, informing him that he and the Kentuckians with him had been surrendered by General Winchester, Major Madison refused to recognize General Winchesters authority to command his surrender while a prisoner, and declared his determination to die with the Kentuckians unless favorable terms of surrender were given. At last General Proctor entered into an agreement that all private property should be respected, that sleds should be sent the next morning to remove the sick and wounded to Amherstburg, that the prisoners should be guarded from the savages and that the side arms of the officers should be restored to them next morning. Major Madison finally did reluctantly surrender. He was induced to do this by the failure of ammunition. That night the prisoners, 600 in number, were carried to Amherstburg. They were put in a wood-yard, exposed to a pelting rain, without sheds or blankets or fire. Instead of the sleds, which were to come for the wounded, came 200 savages, who rushed in the houses where the wounded lay and killed them, scalped them and set the houses on fire. In the smouldering ashes the bones of 64 men were consumed. The bodies of the Americans were denied sepulture and were left a prey to the animals of the village. Afterwards they were placed in the ground and the following summer, when the American army passed the same way, their bones were again exposed. They were buried once more, but there went up from the heart of every Kentuckian the stirring cry of "Remember the Raisin." The night before this awful battle Captain Price had written to his father-in-law. He had a premonition of his death. Capt. James C. Price was the father of the late Kleber F. Price, of Jessamine county, who died at his residence, above Nicholasville, in 1864. The accompanying letter of Captain Price was addressed to his wife, and was, doubtless, the last letter he ever wrote to his family. He was killed in the battle of Raisin, January 22, 1813. He was a gallant and chivalrous soldier and a man of noble and generous impulses. His body was never recognized and his remains, with those of his compatriots, who died in that dreadful conflict, rest in unmarked graves, in the soil of the state they died to redeem and defend. He commanded the Jessamine Blues, which was one of the most noted military companies in its day. The uniform was blue, with light facings, and was considered, in those days, a marvel of beauty. "In Camp, near Raisin River, "Jan. 16, 1813. "Dear Susan: I have only time to inform you that we expect to have a battle tomorrow with the British and Indians. On the eve of battle I have believed it proper to address you these lines. As you are aware that the object nearest to my heart is your welfare and that of my children, and so far as I have been able I have provided everything in my power for your comfort and that of my children. I feel in no unhappy mood about my girl children; I know they are in your company at all hours of the day. You know where they visit and who are their associates. My only son, I feel a great interest in his future life and welfare. Early impressions are lasting and often, perhaps always, tend to give a permanent cast to the leading principles of the heart, and to the general character of the mind. Teach my boy to love truth, to speak truth at all times. He must not be allowed to associate with children or other persons who indulge in swearing or misrepresentations. He must be taught to bear in mind that 'an honest man is the noblest work of God;' he must be rigidly honest in his dealings. He must be taught to attend church every Sabbath. Never allow him to run about on Sabbath days, fishing. Teach my son the habits of industry. Industry and virtue are twin brothers, but indolence and vice are closely connected. Indolence leads to every vice and every other evil. Industry leads to virtue and every other good. Not a day must be lost in teaching him how to work, and the great principles of our holy religion must be on all occasions impressed on his mind. It may be possible I may fall in battle and my only boy must know that his father, next to God, loves his country, and is now risking his life in defending that country against a barbarous and cruel enemy. Be sure and teach my son, with Pope, to say and feel that- "Vice is a monster of such frightful mien "As to be hated needs but to be seen. "Yet seen, too oft, familiar with her face, "We first endure, then pity, then embrace. "Teach him these lines of the great poet; they will do him good when he grows older. Pray for me that you may be with me once more. "Your affectionate husband, "JAMES C. PRICE. "Susanah Price, "Near Nicholasville. Ky. "Post Script.-The snow is two feet deep, the crust is very hard and we walk over it and ride upon it on horseback. We often sleep under such deep snow, we cover up in our blankets and we sleep warm during the night. Eb. has been sick, but is now on duty. "J. G. P." In Camp, Near Newport, Ky. February 20,1813. Mrs. Mary Price: You will, long before this reaches you, have received the painful intelligence of the death of your brave and gallant son, Capt. James C. Price, who was killed and scalped by the Indians on the morning of January 22d. He had been engaged in a severe skirmish early on the morning of the 17th. At ten o'clock he was ordered by General Winchester to bring in all the wounded men and carry them in all the sleds beyond the reach of the Indians. In the discharge of this duty Captain Price and myself, at the head of fifty men of our company, were attacked by a large body of Indians, who had concealed themselves in the timber, on the river bank. The Indians had succeeded in breaking the crust of the deep snow a mile above our camp, on the river, which was the only road through which we could reach the command of General Winchester, who had retreated about three miles, and was awaiting the arrival of General Harrison. As soon as the Indians opened a heavy fire on us we returned their fire and continued a rapid retreat to the main army, under General Winchester, over the only road on which the Indians, under their chief, Tecumseh, had early on the morning of the 18th succeeded in breaking the thick crust of the snow, which was two feet deep. In this trap we were caught. In getting away from the river many of our men were killed, and scalped before we got out of the deep snow. Captain Price was shot in the right shoulder by a musket ball, which disabled his right arm; he was attacked by three Indians: he ran his sword through the heart of one of them. but was soon overpowered, killed and scalped. Eight of our company, besides Captain Price, were brutally massacred; more than thirty got away and reached the command of General Winchester in safety. I had five bullet holes in my hat and clothing. The force of General Winchester was 350 and we were attacked again early on the morning of January 22d by a large force of British and Indians. We were completely routed and all of our army taken prisoners. General Proctor, the British commander, suffered the savages to kill and scalp more than twenty of our soldiers after we had surrendered. About twelve o'clock we were marched off. Dr. Todd and Dr. Augustine Bower of our regiment were left with the sick and wounded. About sunrise the next day, instead of sleds coming to convey the sick and wounded to Malden, a large body of Indians made their appearance, painted black and red. They began to plunder, and the sick and wounded were scalped. One Indian had the scalp of Captain Price. I, being next in command of the company from Jessamine, the savage showed the scalp to me, but I knew he was lying for Captain Price was very baldheaded on the top of his head. The few who were able to be sent to Malden were saved, but all who gave out were killed on the way and were left lying on the road in the deep snow. General Proctor, after he had promised us protection before our surrender, never named, nor did he pay any attention to our sick and helpless soldiers. General Winchester and Major Madison repeatedly told him of it, but he paid no attention to them whatever. Capt. Elliott, a cowardly British officer, said to Major Madison and Winchester, in my hearing, that "the Indians were very excellent surgeons and ought to kill all the officers and men." I have, as you well know, passed through a terrible winter in suffering for our country. We have all been exchanged, and will be at our homes the tenth of March. I rejoice that we have done our duty to God and our country. Ebenezer is now lieutenant in my place. Look for us on the tenth. Your friend and neighbor. WILLIAM CALDWELL, Acting Captain of the Blues. Conduct of the Kentuckians at Raisin. The conduct of the Kentucky troops under their own officers evinced the highest order of courage and gallantry. They were worthy of the state whence they came and worthy of all the expectations of those who had sent them to this war. General Winchester, in speaking of the Kentucky troops, said: "On them too much praise can not be bestowed. Assailed by numbers greatly superior, supported by six pieces of artillery constantly employed, they gallantly defended themselves with small arms alone for over four hours of constant battle. No troops ever behaved with more cool and determined bravery, from the commanding officer down to the common soldier. There was scarcely a single abandonment of duty. At last, when their ammunition was nearly exhausted and they were surrounded by the enemy, greatly superior in numbers and the means of war, they surrendered with a reluctance rarely to be found on similar occasions." Had the regulars under Colonel Wells sustained themselves as did the volunteers under Lewis and Allen, the awful tragedy of the Raisin would have been avoided, and instead of defeat and massacre and broken faith, there would have been a glorious victory. The Kentuckians beat off Proctor and his Indians. "At ten o'clock in the morning," says Butler, in his history, "Proctor, finding it useless to sacrifice his men in a vain attempt to dislodge this little band of heroes, withdrew his forces to the heights, intending to abandon the contest or to await the return of the Indians who had pursued the retreating party. The loss sustained by our men was inconsiderable and when Proctor withdrew they employed the leisure it afforded them to take breakfast at their posts." Their surrender was only obtained by Proctor taking advantage of General Winchester's capture and by basely misrepresenting a message which he had sent to these Kentucky troops within the enclosure. 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/warof181265gms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/kyfiles/