At the time much of the historical information [regarding Casey County] was recorded, as is usually the case, the information was factual according to available resources and research techniques. I've researched the county history since 1993 and have uncovered information which I doubt otherwise would have been possible without the use of the internet and digital archives to support more traditional historical research methods.

  

            The purpose of this article is to correct the local historical record about Civil War activities in Casey County. Although these records largely note the county for the mustering of the First Kentucky Calvary and the role of Colonel Frank Wolford in his pursuit of Confederate Colonel John Hunt Morgan, historical records reveal a number of events that hold significance for local history greater than commonly known or understood.

             Civil War skirmishes, raids, and foraging activity happened in the contiguous counties through out the war from 1861-1865. These activities occurred in Casey County as well, but on a limited scale for several reasons:

 ·        Geographically the county did not have any major navigable rivers or river ports that conducted extensive commercial trade.

·        Militarily the county did not offer any strategic value because of its location away from major overland transportation routes.

·        In terms of transportation there was neither a rail road nor a rail road station for transportation of supplies or men.

·        The location of several Union camps and forts established throughout the region in most surrounding counties, Adair, Boyle, Lincoln, Marion, Pulaski, Russell and Taylor  acted as a buffer to provide some protection against confederate forces. [1]

                      Therefore, these collective features did not make the county a target for major guerilla warfare tactics by the Confederate army. Nevertheless Casey citizens were not immune to their activities either.  

           The following examples are events that had an effect on the lives of the citizens of Casey County. They have tended to be overlooked due to the limited nature of the engagements. They do, however, hold local significance nonetheless. 

            Since the Casey County economy was primarily agricultural it offered value for foraging by Union and Rebel armies. For example, two farmers filed claims for reimbursement from the federal government after the war. In 1872 George W. Gadbury was paid one hundred fifty-two dollars and six cents for a horse and equipage taken and used by the army during the war. Likewise, William L. Brown was paid one hundred forty-two dollars for a horse taken and used by the army during the war. [2]  

  

Morgan’s Raiders

            During July 1862 Morgan’s Raiders operated in the local area of Lincoln. and Pulaski Counties. His troops burned the Dix River bridge in Lincoln and destroyed 120 Union supply wagons in Somerset. While conducting guerilla operations in the Casey County area John Hunt Morgan narrowly escaped being shot by 'bushwhackers.' Although he escaped injury, a teenage slave orderly riding with him was wounded. The boy died six hours later from his wound. The bushwhacking incident resulted in Morgan issuing a proclamation that he would shoot all bushwhackers and lay waste to the surrounding area. [3]  

             In Oct. 1862 Morgan’s Raiders participated in the Battle of Perryville. After the battle, while Confederate troops were withdrawing from the area, they captured some of the local citizens as they withdrew to Pineville, Kentucky near the Cumberland Gap.  These 14 citizens, two of which were citizens of Casey County, were accused of spying and hung. [See article "Group Captured at Swiggett's Bluff in 862." Kentucky Explorer, Vol. 19, No. 9, March 2004, 32-34.]

 

‘Roundheads’ at Middleburg, KY

            Union Colonel Daniel Leasure was ordered into the area from Covington, Kentucky to provide protection to the citizens and to engage the enemy because of Colonel John Hunt Morgan’s Raid into south central Kentucky in the spring of 1863.

             Colonel Leasure briefly established a Union Headquarters in Middleburg from May 18-20^th. He was the commanding officer in charge of the 100^th PA, "The Roundheads," and 46^th NY Union troops. The First KY Calvary and Colonel Wolford were attached to his command to perform scouting duties. [4]

             Colonel Leasure, a doctor in civilian life in Pennsylvania prior to the war, had been involved in many major battles prior to his assignment in Kentucky. [5] Some of his major campaigns included: Sherman's Expedition to Port Royal Harbor, S.C. 1861, the Battles of Seccisionville, Popes Campaign in Northern Virginia, Bull Run, Chantilly, Antietam, and Fredericksburg in 1862.[6] 

             A skirmish between Union and Confederate troops occurred at Jamestown, Russell County on June 2, 1863. July 4^th elements of Morgan’s Raiders attacked Green River bridge [Tebbs Bend] and Campbellsville in Taylor County. After being repulsed eight consecutive times, the Confederates decided to bypass Campbellsville on to Lebanon. Morgan and his men attacked Lebanon on July 5^th.  A contingent of Morgan’s men lead by Lt. Bullitt were pursued shortly after they left Lebanon traveling toward Martin’s Creek in Casey County.

 

Martin’s Creek

            On July 10, 1863, Captain George W. Drye, First Kentucky Calvary, was ordered to pursue a band of Rebel raiders cut off from Morgan's forces after they had attacked the Union supply depot in Lebanon. Captain Drye and his men engaged 11 Confederates led by Lieutenant Thomas Bullitt on Martin’s Creek in Casey County. These Confederates were a contingent of Morgan’s Raider’s who had been marauding in the area. [7]

             After a brief fight, Captain Drye and his men captured 9 rebels including Lieutenant Bullitt. Captain Drye had shot Bullitt in the back as he had attempted to escape. Captain Drye ordered his men to take Bullitt to Elder Steele’s home on Martin’s Creek to recuperate from his wound. [8] After Bullitt recovered he was imprisoned at the Ohio State Penitentiary along with other member of Morgan’s Raiders, including John Hunt Morgan who was captured during his raid into Ohio days later. [9]

 

Little South Fork

            Increasing guerrilla actions in the region, as well as the activities of thieves taking advantage of the chaos caused by war, had come to the attention of federal authorities. Union Major J. F. Herrick was ordered into the region January 14, 1865 for the purpose of providing protection to citizens in the counties of Madison, Garrard, Lincoln, Casey, Pulaski, Estill, Rockcastle, Laurel, Jackson, and Owsley by hunting the guerrillas and thieves. [10] No further activities were noted until February 8^th.

             On February 8^th Quantrill’s Raiders (approximately 45 men) attacked a Union wagon supply train near New Market in Marion County. They burned many of the wagons, killed the mules, and killed three train guards of the Thirteenth Kentucky outright; four train guards were captured and taken to Bradfordsville where they were murdered by the guerrillas.

             Although Union Major Mahoney and his troops pursed the rebels and engaged them in a fierce battle at Bradfordsville, the rebel forces were too strong. Union detachments stationed in Danville, Stanford, Lebanon, Lawrenceburg, Crab Orchard and Lawrenceburg moved into the area to assist in the capture of the rebels. [11]

             Captain Bridgewater's detachment from Stanford successfully attacked the guerrillas on Little South Fork in Casey County west of Hustonville at 2 o'clock in the morning on February 9^th. In the fighting that ensued Captain Bridgewater and his men killed four guerrillas and captured thirty-five horses and equipment. Approximately thirty-five guerillas ran into the woods; many were barefooted; only seven escaped on horses. The infamous Captain Clarke, aka "Sue Munday," was one of the seven. [12]

             Unfortunately, two Casey residents, Prior Prewitt and his brother-in-law, William Cunningham, were killed by these marauders’ before Captain Bridgewater’s forces could attack [See "Casey County Homestead Raided by Quantrill's Raiders in 1865." Kentucky Explorer, Volume 18, Number 1, May 2003, p. 42-43.]

             There is still much more to be written about the history of Casey County in general and the role of its citizens in the Civil War. Hopefully this article will inspire others to share their story.

 

Research Bibliography

 

Cornell University Library: Making of America. Official Records of the War of the Rebellion:

             July 10, 1863, Skirmish on Martin Creek, KY. Report of Colonel Orlando H.             Moore, Twenty-fifth Michigan Infantry. Lebanon [KY] July 11, 1863.

                         Telegram: Headquarters Third Brigade, Middleburg, KY, May 18^th, 1863. To:             Capt. George A. Hicks, Assistant Adjutant-General, From : Daniel Leasure,             Colonel, Commanding Brigade.

             Telegram: Headquarters Third Brigade, Middleburg, KY, May 20^th, 1863. To:             Capt. George A. Hicks, Assistant Adjutant-General, From : Daniel Leasure,             Colonel, Commanding Brigade.

             February 8-9, 1865. Affair at New Market [Marion County] (8^th), skirmish at             Bradfordsville (8^th), and skirmish at Hustonville (9^th), Ky. Report No. 1 General             Edward H. Hobson, U.S. Army, commanding First Division, Military District of             Kentucky. Feb 9^th 1865.

             Telegram Danville, KY., February 9, 1865 To: Capt. J.S. Butler, Assistant             Adjutant-General, From: W.L. Gross, Captain and Assistant Superintendent.             Regarding details of the skirmish on Little South Fork [Casey County] west of             Hustonville.

 Union Kentucky Volunteers: 1^st Regiment, Kentucky Calvary; Service: Martin’s Creek, July 10^th, 1863. http://www.itd.nps.gov/cwss/template.cfm

 Leasure, Joseph. “Exploits of Dr. Leasure and Roundheads.”  http://www.100thpenn.com/drleasure.htm

 Union Pennsylvania Volunteers: 100^th Regiment, Pennsylvania Infantry. http://www.itd.nps.gov/cwss/template.cfm

 Tarrant, Eastham. The Wild Riders of the First Kentucky Calvary. Henry Clay Press, Lexington, Kentucky. Copyright 1969, p. 190. 

Ramage, James A. Rebel Raider: The Life of General John Hunt Morgan. The University Press of Kentucky. Lexington, Kentucky. Copyright 1986, p. 121.

 Library of Congress. A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774-1874. Bills and Resolutions, House of Representatives, 42nd Congress, 2nd Session, Read twice, referred to the Committee on Claims, and ordered to be printed. Mr. Read, on leave, introduced the following bill: A Bill For the benefit of William L. Brown, of Liberty, in Casey County, Kentucky. May 27, 1872. H.R. 2924. "To Pay William Brown the sum of one hundred forty-two dollars, for a horse taken and used by the Army during the war of the rebellion."

 Library of Congress. A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774-1874. Bills and Resolutions, House of Representatives, 42nd Congress, 2nd Session, Read twice, referred to the Committee on Claims, and ordered to be printed. Mr. Read, on leave, introduced the following bill: A Bill For the benefit of George W. Gadbury, of Casey County, Kentucky. May 27, 1872. H.R. 2925. "To pay George W. Gadbury one hundred fifty-two dollars and six cents for a horse and equipage taken and used by the Army during the war for the rebellion." 

Leach, Allan R. "Casey County Homestead Raided by Quantrill's Raiders in 1865." Kentucky Explorer, Volume 18, Number 1, May 2003, p. 42-43. 

Fogle, Angela. "Group Captured at Swiggett's Bluff in [Marion County] 1862." Kentucky Explorer, Volume 18, Number 9, March 2004, p. 32-34.