Steamboats on the Big Sandy River during the Civil War

The first steamboats appeared on the Big Sandy River in 1837. They soon became a familiar sight and carried merchandise and passengers to various points of destination up and down the valley. On an average, the stream, with its Levisa and Tug Forks, was navigable by steamboats of small size for four months a year for a distance of 87 miles and six months for 50 miles. During low-water season goods had to be transported by push boat.
When the Civil War broke out in 1861, the lack of good roads made steamboats a natural choice to transport troops and supplies up the river. The following boats were in use during the Civil War. This list is a work in progress and more boats may be added as additional information becomes available.


Banner
May have been previously named "Victor"
Owner: Judge Joseph Patton
Pilot: Captain Cummings
Delivered goods to Joseph Francis Hatten Landing at the mouth of Bear Creek on Jan. 29, 1863.
Burned by CS raiders.


Barnum
Type: Steamboat, built 1864.
Transported government freight up the Big Sandy. Captured on Nov. 5, 1864 at Buffalo Shoals in Johnson Co. KY, by the 34th Battalion Virginia Cavalry under command of Lt. Col. Vincent A. Witcher. Burned.


Ben Franklin
Type: Steamboat
Transported troops up the Big Sandy to Piketon in spring of 1862.


Bostona
In service under General Nelson's Eastern KY Campaign, Nov. 1861.
In service under Garfield's Eastern KY Campaign, 1861/1862.
The boat made several trips up the Big Sandy to Piketon during the February flood of 1862 and transported troops from Piketon to Catlettsburg in March 1862.


Capitola
Built in 1860
Moved up Big Sandy during the February flood 1862. Anchored on mainstreet in Piketon on Feb. 24, 1862. Transported troops up the Big Sandy in March 1862.


Champion No. 4
Type: Towboat, built in 1860
Utilized during Gen. Nelson's Eastern Kentucky Campaign in November 1861. Carried troops from Louisa on the Big Sandy River and the Ohio.


Charlie Potevin
Transported troop from Catlettsburg up the Big Sandy River in February/March 1862.


Clarke
Operated in 1865.


Effort
Type: Steamboat, built in 1855.
Owner/operator: Hiram Tyler
Transported Government freight up the Big Sandy, Dec. 23 - Dec. 26, 1861


Fawn
Type: Steamboat
Transported government freight up the Big Sandy. Captured on Nov. 5, 1864 at Buffalo Shoals in Johnson Co. KY, by the 34th Battalion Virginia Cavalry under command of Lt. Col. Vincent A. Witcher. Burned.


Henry M. Chiles/Childs
Transported Garfield to Piketon in 1862.
H. M. Childs was wharfmaster in Catlettsburg 1864/1865.


Leslie
Carried Colonel Garfield in January 1862 up the Big Sandy from Catlettsburg with supplies for his brigade.


Little Eva
Type: A large flat-boat with a steam engine and a shrill whistle.
Carried supplies for Garfield's troops up the Big Sandy to Piketon until April 1862 [possibly later]


Mason
Operated in 1865.


Morning Star
Type: Sidewheel steamboat, built 1856.


Mountain Ranger
Type: Steamboat
Owner/operator: W. D. Cummings
Transported Government freight up the Big Sandy, Dec. 18 - Dec. 29, 1861.


Oil Hunter


Piketon
Owned by Milton Kennedy.
Contracted to transport troops and Government freight up the Big Sandy between Catlettsburg and Piketon from January to May 1862.


Red Brick
Type: A scow with a locomotive on board


Red Buck
Type: Side wheeler
It operated during the Civil War. Captured by CS troops in early 1862 near the mouth of Johns Creek while transporting weapons to Garfield at Piketon. The Confederates were discovered wading the river at Wireman Shoals, some distance above where the boat was tied up. Crew and passengers quickly opened the crates and took guns from
them, firing at the approaching soldiers as they attacked but the boat was soon taken over. Captain James Welch was in command of the boat. It was tied up because the crew was visiting nearby family.


Rocket
Utilized during Gen. Nelson's Eastern Kentucky Campaign in November 1861.


Sandy Valley
Type: "Batwing" boat [side wheeler]
Built by Captain Archibald Borders of Louisa ca. 1860.
Considered one of the finest boat on the Big Sandy.
Chief pilot: Hiram Davis 1. Engineer: John W. Dillon
Commandeered by Garfield in early 1862 to carry Goverment stores up the Big Sandy to Paintsville.


Selid
Type: Steamboat
Owner/operator: John C. Moore.
Transported government freight up the Big Sandy, Dec. 15-20, 1861


Swan
Type: Steamboat
Transported government freight up the Big Sandy.
Piloted by Jordan Otey, 14th KY Infantry, in the spring of 1863.
Captured by Rebel Bill Smith, July 1864.


Transfer
Burned by CS raiders


Viola


Victress
Operated in 1865.


Wild Goose
Type: River packet
Pilot: Doliver Elkins
The boat was captured and scuttled in the Big Sandy river by the Sandy Rangers under the leadership of "Rebel Bill" Smith. The packet, when captured, was carrying supplies to the Fourteenth Kentucky Union forces at Louisa, Ky.

Sherman's Boys ~ The 14th KY in the Civil War

I find it more than appropriate to post this article in honor of Major General William Tecumseh Sherman's birthday today, February 8.

Few generals have gained as much popularity and respect with their men as Sherman did. As his self-confidence grew so did the confidence of the soldiers in their commander and themselves. By the time Sherman embarked on his March to the Sea, his army appeared to be nearly invincible. One of the regiments that served under Sherman was the 14th Kentucky Infantry.

Organization of the regiment began early October 1861, at Louisa, Lawrence County, Kentucky. Only weeks prior, Kentucky had given up its status or neutrality and, by elections, decided to adhere to the Union. Almost immediately Confederate forces under Johnston, Buckner and Zollicoffer crossed into Kentucky and advanced toward Bowling Green, Somerset and Louisville. Excitement ran high across the state and rumors of all sorts were the order of the day.

In this highly charged atmosphere Sherman took over military affairs in Kentucky on October 8, 1861. The very same day he wired General "Bull" Nelson, a fervent Union supporter from Kentucky and a personal friend of Lincoln, to attack the Confederates in Eastern Kentucky. Knowing that the Kentucky troops were utterly unprepared, Sherman did not formally order the attack but left the matter to Nelson's judgment. Sherman was anxious about sufficient supplies for his troops, concerned about military strength of his command and questioned the loyalty of the young Kentuckians.

It is unfortunate that Sherman was not aware of how deep Union sentiment ran with his Kentucky troops. Despite the lack of weapons and uniforms and proper training in even the most basic military operations, federal troops from Kentucky willingly stood to defend and protect their homes, farnilies and the Union - even if it meant death. One officer from Ohio remarked, "To my agreeable surprise I find the Kentucky Union men even more determined to put down this rebellion than our Union men in Ohio. A few evenings since, two Union men belonging to the 14th KY, who were at home sick, on furlough, were dragged from their beds at the hour of midnight and brutally murdered, for no other offense, than having a love for the Union".

Almost exactly one month prior to their muster the 14th KY, together with other troops under command of General Nelson, confronted the Confederates at Ivy Mountain on November 8, 1861 and drove them out of Eastern Kentucky - at least temporarily. From December 1861 until March 1862, the 14th KY participated in the Eastern Kentucky Campaign under James A. Garfield, future president of the United States. About the 14th Ky he noted that it was composed of excellent material but because of its lack of training was hardly more than "a Union loving mob."

In April 1862, the Cumberland Gap Campaign began and the regiment was assigned to the 7th Division, Army of the Ohio, under command or General George W. Morgan. On June 18, the Gap was occupied by Morgans troops and the next two months were spent fortifying this strategic stronghold. In mid-August, the Confederate invasion into Kentucky began and the Gap was completely sunrounded. Cut off from the outside world, Morgans division was facing starvation and capture. After a council of war, Morgan decided on a daring plan to lead his troops from the Gap to the Ohio River on an almost forgotten "Indian Warrior Path", which led through the barren Kentucky mountainside.

Under cover of night, the 7th Division left the Gap and Lt. Colonel Gallup of the 14th KY., with a small party of men, fired the storage buildings, set off mines and exploded the arsenals. The Gap turned into a flaming inferno. After a 16-day march, Morgan's troops reached the Ohio River, half-naked and starved, but in good spirits and free. By now the "mob" of the 14th KY had turned into seasoned veterans, not in small part due to the able leadership of their new Colonel John Cochran, a former officer of the "Lexington Chasseurs".

From 1683 to April 1864, the 14th KY was assigned to duty at home in Eastern Kentucky. By mid-May 1864, the regiment received the call to participate in the Atlanta Campaign under their old commander General Sherman. The 14th KY was assigned to the 2nd Division, XXIII Army Corps. It was a fiery reunion. The day after their arrival in Georgia, one of the supply trains of the XXIII Army Corps, the 14th Ky had been assigned to guard, was attacked by Wheelers cavalry.

Things did not get better - the men had to face the hell at New Hope Church, endure endless rainfalls and knee-deep mud and the constantly whizzing bullets of Confederate sharpshooters which claimed the lives of men every day. The Battle at Foster's Farm on June 2, 1864 was yet another engagement in which the 14th KY performed heroically but sustained tragic losses.

Then came the Battle at Kolb's Farm on June 22, 1864, place of the famous Sherman-Hooker confrontation, which eventually led to Hookers resignation. The XXIII Army Corps was moving toward Marietta on the Powder Springs road - the 14th Ky thrown out as skirmishers - when they encountered a large body of Confederate troops massing in front of them. It was General Wood's Corps. The l4th KY was ordered to proceed forward cautiously and to hold the ground as long as possible in order to give the Union troops enough time to prepare for an attack.

After the first assault, the second regiment of skirmishers, the 123rd NY, fell back and the 14th KY, alone stood the brunt of the next attacks, refusing their left flank and stubbornly holding their ground even after being ordered twice to retire and join the main line. The general Union assault began when the regiment finally retreated.

The following morning Sherman and Hooker were inspecting the grounds where the battle had taken place and viewing the dead, mostly of the 14th KY. Colonel Gallup 14th KY, wrote,"... I lost out of 700 men, 77 killed and wounded, a large loss. The boys are brave. General Hooker, Thomas Mcpherson and Sherman complimented this regiment and says it is the best in the 23 A.C." The same day, a special order was issued by General Hascall, their division commander, complimenting the 14th KY.

It seems that from that day on the regiment was never far from Sherman. On July 18, the 14th KY was seven miles from Rossville on the Cross Keys road where it camped near Sherman's headquarters. Gallup wrote, "I have as yet seen but 2 good houses in Georgia that is in this country, one just beyond at Buck Head. Gen. Sherman has just taken possession of it for headquarters, the people having run away and left their property". Sheman moved toward Atlanta with the XXIII Army Corps and on July 20, Gallup recorded, "Yesterday was a day of much excitement. We were fighting for 3 miles back for every foot of territory that we have got. General Sherman was with our brigade and often exposed himself to fire. One of his staff had his horse killed near the General".

On the day of the Battle of Atlanta, July 22, the 14th KY was positioned directly in front of Sherman's headquarters, occupying the front line, 600-800 yards distant from the enemy's works and 1200 yards from the center of Atlanta. Again, Sherman paid the men a visit. Gallup observed that "General Sherman is along and views with calmness the scene and what we believe to be the doomed city". When General McPherson's body was brought to Sherman's headquarters after being killed in battle, the 14th KY was detailed to guard his body.

On August 26, when Sherman's grand-wheel movement was underway, Gallup noted," General Sherman and his train is now passing where we are constructing our new line of works".

After the end of the Atlanta Campaign the XXIII Army Corps camped at Decatur and then participated in the pursuit of Hood. In November 1864, the 14th KY, was ordered to Johnsonville, Tennessee, where it almost encountered Shermans nemesis "that devil Forrest", missing him only by one day, after his attack on the gunboats and federal depots at Johnsonville.

Only days before the Battle of Franklin, the 14th KY was recalled by the governor of Kentucky. It arrived at Louisa ca. November 21, where it was mustered out on January 31, 1865. The recruits and veterans of the 14th KY were organized as the 14th KY Battalion which was mustered out on September 15, 1865 at Louisville.

There is no doubt the the men were proud of their Uncle Billy. The Atlanta Campaign and their commander made an impact on their lives - it was something they never forgot and also told their children and grandchildren about, some of whom bore Sherman's name.

This article was written by Marlitta H. Perkins and first published in "Cump and Co." in 1998 and re-published in 2001 in the 14th KY Newsletter.

A Masterful Retreat

During the Civil War, several armies passed through Owsley County, among them the Union command of Gen. George W. Morgan as it retreated from Cumberland Gap to Greenup, Kentucky in 1862. Kentucky Historical Marker # 645, located on the courthouse lawn in Booneville, titled "A Masterful Retreat", reminds passers-by in a few simple words of one of the most extraordinary events of the Civil War.

During Bragg's massive invasion of Kentucky in late summer of 1862, General George W. Morgan and his 7th Division, Army of the Ohio, ran the gauntlet of 200+ miles from Cumberland Gap by way of Manchester, Booneville, and West Liberty, following in part the "Old Warrior Path", an old forgotten trail used by the Indians, to Greenup on the Ohio River. Morgan marched his men through the barren Eastern Kentucky Mountains with barely any food and water while being harassed in his front, rear and flanks by Confederate Cavalry under John Hunt Morgan and his famed Raiders. Obstructions were overcome and the enemy bravely met whenever he offered battle.


After evacuating the Gap during the night of September 17, 1862, George W. pressed his division on to Manchester, via Cumberland Ford and Flat Lick. On September 21, after allowing his men adequate rest, Morgan left camp at the Goose Creek Salt Works near Manchester and proceeded on his way to Proctor on the Kentucky River, at which point the road to Greenup and Maysville diverged. Reaching Morris' Farm, Morgan divided his troops into two columns - Spears' and DeCourcy's Brigades took the hill road directly to Proctor while Carter's and Baird's Brigades marched via Booneville to Proctor.
By 9 p.m., the last of Morgan's column had left Manchester.

The following morning, September 22, DeCourcy's and Spears' brigades were slowly marching toward Proctor until 10 a.m. and rested until 5 p.m., when their column was set in motion again. Sometime during the march, Confederate cavalry suddenly made its appearance in the rear, capturing 9 men from the 3rd TN Infantry who had straggled off in search of something to eat. When the Confederate cavalry came on again, they were successfully repulsed by the 42nd OVI, which was guarding the rear. The column marched until 10 p.m. when the men were finally allowed to camp for the night, about 19 miles from Manchester.

Meanwhile, Baird's Brigade, with Carter's lagging behind, had proceeded from Clark's before daylight. After marching all day, the troops finally went into camp on the Red Bird Fork of the Kentucky River, in an open field and orchard, near a farm house, which was occupied by Baird and his staff. Col. Coburn of the 33rd IND Infantry took a fence-corner as his bedchamber, which the 14th KY Infantry in less than an hour "turned out to graze" by simply relieving that corner, and many others, of its fence rails. Coburn told the Kentuckians not to take away the ground and went back to sleep...but he did not get to enjoy it for long. The old farmer had a lot of geese which soon were heard squalling and flying over the camp and making more noise than would have waked Rome. Alarmed by the noise, General Baird became nervous about a string of about 30 bee-hives which flanked the path from the house to the gate-way. He sent word to Coburn to have them guarded and a sentinel was posted but no rest was to be had that night.

Only minutes later, Coburn was ordered to take the 33rd Indiana to Booneville to prevent the local mill from being destroyed by the Confederates. Word had been received that none other than John Hunt Morgan had burned the steam mill at Proctor and destroyed all the provisions in town. During the day, Morgan had arrived at Irvine, 18 miles from Proctor, with orders from Kirby Smith to assume command of all the cavalry in that section and to destroy all mills and grain in the Manchester area. Realizing that he was too late to accomplish this particular objective, he set out for Proctor instead, laying waste to mill and forage that Federal Morgan and his men so desperately needed. The possibility that he would attempt to do the same at Booneville were better than great. No time was to be lost - the honey guard was taken off immediately and the men moved out. After a forced night march, the 33rd Indiana arrived in town during the early morning hours of September 23 - the old wheels of the mill were still rattling, making "merry music to the ears of the hungry".

Coburn's march undoubtedly saved the mill at Booneville. John Hunt Morgan appeared to be near town when the Federals arrived, as his dispatch to Kirby Smith reveals, informing his commander that "the forces from Cumberland Gap passed through Booneville." Morgan also reported that he had captured several prisoners of the command who informed their captors that George W. Morgan's column was attempting to reach Maysville.

Little did Confederate Morgan realize that he had been fooled by a well-conceived plan by Federal Morgan. Before leaving Manchester, Morgan had directed Captain George M. Adams, his Division Commissary, to send an officer with an escort of 2 or 3 of Mundy's Cavalry, toward Mount Sterling, with written authority to buy whatever supplies could be found, deceiving the Confederates about his true intentions. Fully aware that they might be captured, the men set out - and the plan worked.

Upon receiving John Hunt Morgan's dispatch, Kirby Smith ordered all his available troops to concentrate at Mt. Sterling, expecting Federal Morgan's troops to pass through town on their way to Maysville. He would use Morgan's Cavalry force to slow the Federal advance long enough to collect all his forces at Mt. Sterling in a timely manner to mount an attack on Morgan.

Back in Booneville, the remainder of Baird's brigade as well as Carter's, with the wagon train and the heavy artillery, had filed into town by four o'clock in the afternoon, "a small place, though it is the Co. seat of Owsley Co.", as one member of the 49th Indiana Infantry remarked.

Accompanying Baird's and Carter's troops were about 120 men of the 4th East TN Cavalry who, upon their arrival at Booneville, paid a visit to Huram Evans and his family. Evans owned a fine horse which was promptly requisitioned. A voucher for the animal, worth $100, was issued to Evans by Maj. Luther M. Blackman, quartermaster of the unit.

While in town, the men rested up, collected supplies, and ate supper. By 9 p.m. the column resumed its march to Proctor. Soon the waning daylight made it too difficult and dangerous to proceed any further over the rough road and steep hills and orders were given to halt, with Carter's Brigade bivouacking within three miles of Proctor.

While Carter and Baird had reached Booneville, DeCourcy's Brigade had passed Burning Spring in the morning and after a march of 9 miles halted at Big Spring. Here the last rations were issued, consisting of a pound or two each of flour, sugar, and coffee for each mess. The soldiers baked some bread and cooked up some coffee before they started again at 1 o'clock in the afternoon. The column slowly wound its way to Proctor on the Kentucky River, a distance of 16 miles, having yet another encounter with Morgan's Cavalry which successfully managed to capture a small herd of beef cattle that had been driven in the rear of the column. Morgan then by-passed the Federal column and proceeded to Proctor, coolly awaiting the Federals' arrival. Finally, DeCourcy filed into town at 8 o'clock at night, nearly famished for water. John Hunt Morgan fell back to Irvine.

The following day, September 24, Morgan's two columns finally united at Proctor. Finding the mill burned by J. H. Morgan and all supplies destroyed, the command remained in town only for a few hours. Fully expecting to be attacked at this point, General Morgan threw a brigade and a battery across the KY River and carefully pondered his next move.

A decision was made quickly. Instead of turning toward Mt. Sterling, he chose to proceed on the more difficult path - through the mountains and on to Hazel Green. Once again, the Division was divided. DeCourcy and Spears were to move on the Ridge Road, which was then completely destitute of water. Carter and Baird, as well as Capt. Patterson with his sappers and miners from the Engineers Corps, plus the wagon trains and heaviest artillery, were to march on the North Fork Road, which had water but which had been greatly damaged and in parts destroyed from the torrents of the previous year. The two columns were to meet at Hazel Green, a distance of 25 miles from Proctor.

At 10 a.m., DeCourcy's brigade was the first to leave Proctor and by 3 p.m. the last of Morgan's troops filed out of town. After marching 1 1/2 miles, Carter's men came up with the train of Baird's Brigade and found the narrow road so blocked by it that he was compelled to camp there for the night.

Soon after George W. Morgan's departure for Hazel Green, John Hunt Morgan once again returned to Proctor with his cavalry to renew his pursuit of the Federal column.



Passing through Compton in the early afternoon on September 25, DeCourcy's and Spears' brigades reached Hazel Green late in the evening and camped in a meadow above the town, near the future Hazel Green Academy and set about to collect and obtain forage for the hungry soldiers.

Meanwhile, Carter's and Baird's brigades struggled on their way down the North Fork Road. Water could be found, but only in stagnant pools or climbing down 100 foot cliffs.
Due to the broken country and rough road which was considered impassable by the inhabitants of the area, the trains caused much delay. Finally, after a 10 mile march, Carter and Baird had reached the North Fork of the KY River in the late afternoon and went into camp.

The following morning, September 26, Carter and Baird were faced with more problems. Part of the road had been washed away and a new one needed to be constructed to allow safe passage. Successfully accomplishing this task, the brigades began ascending a mountain with the trains and batteries. Regiments were required to stack arms and lift wagons and guns over the more difficult parts of the ascent.

To add to the difficulties, John Hunt Morgan's Cavalry had swung around the Federals and commenced blockading every suitable point of the road in their front with felled trees and rocks. But Morgan's Raiders were no match to Patterson's Pioneers. A number of wagons were loaded with axes and shovels which were distributed among the regiments and in just a short time the obstructions were removed. Slowly, but steadily, Carter's and Baird's Brigades wound their way through the mountains and on to Hazel Green which was reached at midnight. Exhausted, the men went into bivouac.

Morgan's march to the Ohio River continued for another seven days. Passing through West Liberty and Sandy Hook, his division finally reached Grayson on October 1, despite blockaded roads and attacks by John Hunt Morgan's cavalry, as well as shortness of food stuffs - even the paw-paws had been exhausted. When the famished soldiers discovered some oak trees, the bitter acorns were picked up and devoured like delicacies.

At Grayson, a disappointed John Hunt Morgan finally gave up his pursuit, remarking, "Tis no use trying to stop that damned Yankee Morgan, for he can march over fallen trees faster than I can in good roads, and can take artillery where the devil can't go".



Finally, on October 3, Greenup and the Ohio River began looming up in the distance. The 42nd OVI unfurled their two beautiful banners and Morgan's column, the "lost Division", marched with firm and steady step into town, welcomed by hearty cheers, families lining the street, women offering food and drink to the footsore, faint and hungry men.

Thus ended one of the most daring and spectacular military actions of the Civil War to take place in Kentucky. 28 pieces of artillery were brought through the mountains, including a siege battery, plus 120 army wagons. The fact that General Morgan had accomplished this task with only a loss of 80 men, 4 wagons and none of his artillery pieces, is a credit to his abilities as a General but even more so a high tribute to the perseverance of the 10,000 men who served under his command and the ten women who participated on this march.

© 2003 by Marlitta H. Perkins
us14thky@hotmail.com

Originally published in 2003 in the South Fork Country News, newsletter of the Owsley County Historical Society, Kentucky.

14th KY Infantry Veterans Buried in the New Albany, Indiana National Cemetery

Throughout the years I have received numerous inquiries regarding the burial sites of the 14th KY veterans who died during their service in Eastern Kentucky. The approximate total number of the men in question is 43 but time has obscured the burial location of the majority of these men. Contrary to popular [or logical] assumption the bodies of these 43 men are not resting at home in Kentucky soil but in Indiana in the New Albany National Cemetery? Why?

When the Civil War ended in 1865, the Quartermaster Department began the enormous task of locating the burial places of the dead, exhuming bodies from distant or isolated graves and concentrating them into national cemeteries, in realization of the intent expressed by the Act of July 17, 1862, that those who gave their lives in defense of the Republic should rest forever within the guarded confines of a national cemetery.

Thousands of scattered burial places marking the sites of great battles and innumerable actions of lesser consequence appeared to impose an all but insuperable obstacle. The difficulties encountered were enormous, especially in making identifications. The military of the day apparently failed to realize not only the importance of some type of permanent identification for combat soldiers, but also the obvious need for specially trained units and personnel who could properly care for the war dead. Thus only 58% of the disinterred and reburied soldiers were identified.

The Civil War saw the QM Corps clearly established as the responsible agent for caring for the Army's dead. A joint resolution, approved April 13, 1866, authorized and required the Secretary of War to take immediate measures to preserve from desecration the graves of the soldiers of the United States who fell during the Civil War.

Despite the difficulties encountered the work went forward so rapidly between 1866 and 1870, that the Cemeterial Division had disinterred the remains of nearly 300,000 war dead and laid them to rest in 73 newly created national cemeteries. By 1873, seventy-five national cemeteries had been established, containing the graves of 170,162 known and 147,800 unknown Union soldiers.

Among the unknown dead at New Albany National Cemetery, 209 men were disinterred throughout the Big Sandy Valley who had served in Kentucky units. Potentially, 43 men may have belonged to the 14th KY Infantry:


96 soldiers buried near Ashland, KY
[no date of death, unknown unit and name]

Location in New Albany National Cemetery
Sec. A, graves # 5/ 10/ 13/ 15/ 20/ 24/ 26/ 29/ 31/ 32/ 38/ 40/ 42/ 48/ 51-53/ 54/ 56-59/ 45/ 61/ 62/ 64-72/ 74/ 75/ 78/ 77/ 79/ 80/ 83/ 84/ 86/ 87/ 91-95/ 97-100/ 103/ 104/ 106/ 107/ 109 - 110/ 112 - 122/ 124-127/ 129/ 131/ 133- 135/ 137-143/ 145/
Sec. C, graves # 875/ 880/ 882/ 883-887

14th KY soldiers who died at Ashland
Charleston Howell, Co. A
William Beverly, Co. C
James Robison, Co. C
Philip Trammel, Co. C
Marens Lemastus, Co. D
Elisha Sparks, Co. D
David Bouling, Co. E
William P. Martin, Co. F
James Lakin, Co. F
Archibald Cole, Co. F
Lewis Lawhorn, Co. F
John Totten, Co. F
Henry Tacket, Co. F
Harvey M. Adams, Co. I
George Blanton, Co. I
William R. Whitaker, Co. I
[16 total]
The majority of the men listed above died at the US General Hospital which had been established in the Aldine Hotel in Ashland in 1862.

Considering that this was a US General Hospital and that a number of forms had to be filled out upon the death of an individual it is inexplicable why no better records of interments were kept by Quartermaster officers that would have aided in identifying the dead disinterred in Ashland.


46 soldiers buried in City Cemetery, Louisa, KY
[no date of death, unknown unit and name]

Location in New Albany National Cemetery
Sec. A, graves # 170/ 172
Sec. B, graves # 961/ 968/ 994/ 995/ 997/ 998/ 999/ 1338-1341/ 1295-1302/ 1304-1306/ 1308-1311/ 1313-1315/ 1316 [a lieutenant]/ 1317/ 1319-1323/ 1325-1331/ 1333

7 soldier buried near Louisa, KY
[no date of death, unknown unit and name]

Location in New Albany National Cemetery
Sec. A, graves # 1/ 9/ 14
Sec. B, graves # 973/ 996/ 1337
Sec. C, grave # 931

14th KY soldiers who died at Louisa
Meredith Woods, Co. B
Elisha Jordan, Co. B
Hiram Jude, Co. C [identified]
James Young, Co. C
Riley Adams, Co. F
Hezekiah Wiley, Co. H
Madison Keeton, Co. I
George Austin, Co. I
Samuel H. Brown, Co. I
Daniel Gullett, Co. I [identified]
Fleming Power, Co. I
Hiram Collins, Co. K
[13 total]
Louisa was the location of yet another military hospital in the Big Sandy Valley, which was, according to tradition, supposedly housed in the First United Methodist Church in town. Although it appears that most of the dead were buried in the Louisa City Cemetery, additional burials may still be located near the church that have not been removed.
A local historian indicated to me that years ago human remains of a Union soldier were discovered during a water-line construction project in Louisa. The location suggests a possible connection to the Cain House, a brick house at the end of East Main Street [now razed], which also supposedly served as a hospital at one time during the Civil War.

21 soldiers buried at Paintsville, KY
[no date of death, unknown unit and name]

Location in New Albany National Cemetery
Sec. A, graves # 161/ 169/ 171/ 173
Sec. B, graves # 965/ 966/ 970-972/ 974-980/ 982/ 983/ 985/ 986/ 987

14th KY soldiers who died at Paintsville
Isaac Johnson, Co. B
James W. Rose Co. B
James B. Arthur, Co. C
Henry Adkins, Co. C
Ambrose Jones, Co. C
Lindsey Lambert, Co. C
Emanuel J. Hickem, Co. F
George Bruner, Co. F
John Keen, Co. F
Thomas Marshall, Co. F
Henry C. Pamer, Co. F
John Taylor, Co. H
Samuel Vermillion, Co. H
Robert P. Elam, Co. I
Jeremiah Fitch, Co. I
Solomon Quillan, Co. K
[16 total]
It is suspected that the original burial location at Paintsville may have been the Old City Cemetery, located on top of a fairly steep hill behind the Mayo Mansion property in town.

Unknown KY soldiers removed to New Albany National Cemetery from various other locations in the Big Sandy Valley:

3 soldier buried near Prestonsburg
[no date of death, unknown unit and name]

Location in New Albany National cemetery
Sec. B, graves # 958/959
Sec. C, graves # 843

11 soldiers died Dec. 18, 1864 and buried six miles from Paintsville
[unknown unit or names]

Location in New Albany National cemetery
Sec. C, graves # 844-854

20 soldiers near Piketon [Pikeville], KY
[no date of death, unknown unit and name]

Location in New Albany National cemetery
Sec. B, graves # 1335/ 924-929/ 931/ 936/ 938/ 940-945/ 947-950

5 soldiers buried on Mrs. Davidson's Farm, 16 miles from Piketon, KY on State Road
[no date of death, unknown unit and name]

Location in New Albany National cemetery
Sec. B, graves # 952-956

Only five 14th KY soldiers who were removed to New Albany National Cemetery were positively identified:
William Caven, Pvt. Co. C; died ? (*); originally buried 20 miles from Louisa, on river.
Now: New Albany National Cemetery, Sec. B, grave # 990
(*) Date of death can not be established in AGR or CSR.
He is listed in AGR as mustered out with his company Jan. 31, 1865 at Louisa, KY.

Daniel Gullet, Pvt. Co. I; d. Feb. 24, 1863; originally buried City Cemetery, Louisa, KY.
Roll of Honor Record: New Albany National Cemetery, Sec. B, grave # 1332

Hiram Jude, Pvt. Co. C; d. June 24, 1865; originally buried City Cemetery, Louisa, KY;
Now: New Albany National Cemetery, Sec. B grave # 964
U.S. Department of Veteran's Affairs Database: Jude, Heram, d. 06/24/1865, PVT C 14 HY INF, Plot: 1217

Lewis Swekett (*), Pvt. Co. E; d. Oct. 18, 1864; originally buried in the Soldiers' Cemetery, Jeffersonville, Ind.

Roll of Honor Record: New Albany National Cemetery, Sec. B, grave # 91
(*) Possibly Lewis Tackett, recruit, enrolled May 26, 1863 and mustered in Oct. 29, 1863, later transf. to 14th KY VVI. Not to be confused with Lewis Tackett, enr. Oct. 15, 1861 - Jan. 31, 1865, same Co.

One additional man, Richard Williams, listed in the above named database and on the Roll of Honor, was identified as Pvt. Co. C, 14th KY Infantry. He was originally buried in the Soldiers' Cemetery, Jeffersonville, Ind.
This is most likely Richard C. Williamson, Pvt. Co. C, 14th KY, who died of disease [phthisis pulmonalis], on Nov. 20/24, 1864, at Hospital # 6, New Albany, IND;
Roll of Honor Record: New Albany National Cemetery, Sec. B, grave # 1148
U.S. Department of Veteran's Affairs Database: Williams, Richard, PVT C 14 KY INF, Plot: 1401

It may be noted that of these five 14th KY soldiers, only Hiram Jude [listed as Heram Jude] and Richard C. Williamson [Richard Williams] appear in the current U.S. Department of Veteran's Affairs Database.

The New Albany National Cemetery, established in 1862, is located about one and one-half miles north-east of the town.

New Albany National Cemetery
1943 Ekin Avenue
New Albany, Indiana 47150



Information for this article obtained from:

Adjutant General's Report of the State of Kentucky [AGR]

Roll of Honor

14th KY Compiled Service Records [CSR]

New Albany National Cemetery website [incl. map] with records of burials provided by U.S. Department of Veteran's Affairs Database [searchable]

Article researched and written by:
Marlitta H. Perkins us14thky@hotmail.com