Читать книгу One of Morgan's Men - John M. Porter - Страница 12

The election of Abraham Lincoln in November 1860 plunged Kentucky into turmoil. John M. Porter became caught up in the political furor His home county of Butler was divided, but most people in the county were staunchly pro-Union. Porter and most of his family members and friends in the southeastern Butler County village called Sugar Grove, though, were decidedly pro-Southern. In January 1861, during the height of the secession crisis, Kentucky's pro-Southern governor, Beriah Magoffin, called the state legislature into special session for it to consider Kentucky's joining her “sister” Southern states and seceding from the Union. After months of legislative stalemate, news arrived in Kentucky of the surrender of Fort Sumter and of Lincoln's call for 75,000 troops to “suppress the rebellion.” Tennessee seceded from the Union and began arming its border with Kentucky after Governor Magoffin declared Kentucky's neutrality on May 20. Magoffin had not been able to muster the votes for secession. Fort Henry on the Tennessee River, Fort Donelson on the Cumberland River, and the fort at Island Number 10 on the Mississippi River—all situated just below the Kentucky border—were constructed to defend Tennessee.

Simon Bolivar Buckner, a native of Hart County, Kentucky, commanded the pro-Southern Kentucky State Guard before the war. He and most of his officer corps, honoring Kentucky's neutrality, went to Clarksville, Tennessee, where they raised elements of at least four Kentucky infantry regiments and a battery of Kentucky artillery for Confederate service.

General Albert Sidney Johnston, a native of Mason County, Kentucky, and one of the most respected and senior military commanders in the nation on the eve of the Civil War, assumed command of Confederate Department No. 2, which included Kentucky, with headquarters at Nashville, Tennessee, in September 1861. Major General Leonidas Polk moved his Confederate force protecting west Tennessee to Columbus, Kentucky, on the Mississippi River, early that month; Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant countered by moving his Federal army from Cairo, Illinois, to the mouths of the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers at Paducah and Smithland, Kentucky, respectively. Johnston then ordered newly commissioned Brigadier General Buckner to move his division from Clarksville to Bowling Green, Kentucky, a key center on the Louisville and Nashville Railroad.

At Bowling Green Porter joined a company of couriers and scouts at General Buckner's headquarters known as “Buckner's Guides.” Buckner moved elements of his division along the L&N as far north as the southern bank of the Green River at Woodsonville, Kentucky. Buckner was soon joined at Bowling Green by another Confederate division under the command of newly commissioned Major General William J. Hardee. Bowling Green became General Johnston's headquarters. Kentucky was the front line of a civil war, and Kentuckians were playing dominant roles in the drama.

To enter into the details of the contest for the establishment of the Confederate States of America, to speak of the causes and consequences of that contest, or even to speak minutely of affairs in Kentucky during 1861 and the four following years, would seem to be a work of supererogation. No such general features will be given here for the reason that all those facts can be learned from the history of the times; only a few words will be said, enough only to afford a starting point. All else must needs be gathered from sources within the reach of all.

The first divisions among the states, which afterwards assumed greater proportions and grew wider, occurred during the Presidential canvass of the year 1860. Four candidates were then before the people for that position. Three of these, John Cabell Breckinridge, Stephen A. Douglas and John Bell, had each a respectable party both in numbers and influence in Kentucky. The other, Abraham Lincoln, had very few adherents. The friends of the first three were zealous and active for the success of their respective candidates, and all were equally hostile and unfriendly to the election of Lincoln. The result of the contest throughout the entire United States left the friends of the first three beaten, disappointed and chagrined. What course were the three defeated candidates to pursue? Would they favor the South? Or, would they still cling to the Union? The friends of Breckinridge, with great unanimity, chose to lend their aid and give their sympathies to the cause of the South. A very considerable number of Douglas and of Bell adherents also were in favor of the South and her principles; others were for the Union and the doctrine of neutrality. Thus Kentucky, in a short time, was in such a commotion as had never before been, and which I hope may never again be, witnessed.¹

To say that I was ardently attached to the South would be only indicative of my subsequent career. Even from the time of the election of Lincoln, and especially from the time of the fall of Fort Sumter, I had determined, in the event of war, to join the standard of the South. Surrounded in my native county of Butler by men who, by a very large majority, were opposed to the action of the Southern States, excitement was of course high and feelings were anything but amicable.²

Upon one occasion, I think it was in August 1861, the Unionists assembled in several companies at Morgantown for the purpose of drilling and receiving instructions in military tactics under the direction and leadership of Pierce B. Hawkins, afterwards a colonel in the Federal army. Notwithstanding our great minority, some forty or fifty Southern sympathizers determined to meet and drill as cavalry in the same town at the same time. Our presence upon the parade ground, within one hundred yards of those who could then be considered our enemies, was evidence that we were not being intimidated nor driven from our purpose.³

Upon the countenances of all could be seen evidence of great dissatisfaction, but their prudence bade them to beware, and no hostile demonstrations were made toward us. We were commanded by Thomas E. Puckett, an old Virginia militia officer, and at present living in Butler County. This organization was maintained for some time, but was finally disorganized by reason of the loss of those of its members who gradually seemed disposed to remain at home to enjoy the society and smile of their friends rather than undergo the dangerous consequences of entering the contest which all felt would be terrible in its nature.⁴

I have no word of complaint to utter against those who did not enter the army, and I have no animadversions to put down. It was simply a question which each had to decide for himself, and each did of his own volition decide the issue. I have no regrets at my course, and were the same circumstances to again arise, the same course would be pursued, conscious of its justice and rectitude, and with a feeling of pride such as then moved me.

The seventeenth day of September 1861 will long be remembered by the people of southern Kentucky. On that day, Brigadier General Simon Bolivar Buckner advanced by the Louisville and Nashville Railroad with a Confederate force from Camps Boone and Trousdale in Tennessee to Bowling Green, occupying that place, and sending a portion of his army farther up on the railroad to Green River bridge at Munfordville. Great indeed was the rejoicing of the Southern sympathizers, and greater was the dismay of the Union-neutrality element. Many of the latter party hastily left their homes and sought places beyond Confederate control, while daily were seen the other class winding their way from all parts of the country to see the Southern soldiers, give them of their plentiful stores, and speak words of commendation. Every neighborhood was in confusion. It was not infrequently the case that persons on their way to join the Federal army were met by others on their way to enlist in the cause of the South.⁵

Brigadier General Simon Bolivar Buckner of Hart County, Kentucky, John M. Porter's first commander. Buckner surrendered the Confederate forces at Fort Donelson on February 16, 1862. (Library of Congress.)

A few days after Bowling Green had been occupied by the Confederates under General Buckner, he started a portion of his army westward to Rochester, in Butler County, for the purpose of engaging in battle or frightening away a small camp of Federals at that place under command of Colonel P. B. Hawkins. That camp had been formed a few weeks previously, and the men there were actively engaged in recruiting and drilling. General Buckner advanced from Bowling Green with a brigade infantry, about three hundred cavalry and a few pieces of artillery. He headed toward the Green River and, at “Frank Jackson's,” moved on with his command by “Lewis's” and “Captain Ben Davis's” places. He halted at Berry's Lick where the men rested a day or so. By the time he reached Berry's Lick he had learned that there was no probability of having an engagement at Rochester, for the gallant defenders and protectors of the “Old Flag,” having deemed the north side of the Green River safer than the south side, had crossed over, and were on their way, “a la Gilpin,” towards a more advantageous position.6

After remaining at Berry's Lick for a short time enjoying the hospitality of some of the good citizens, General Buckner moved on to Rochester, crossed the Mud River, and, after partially destroying the lock and dam on the Green River at that place, proceeded with his army by way of Greenville to Hopkinsville. From there, in a week or two, he moved back to Bowling Green. Although no opportunity was offered to measure Buckner's strength with the enemy, the expedition was by no means unproductive of good. It dispelled the idea, which until then prevailed in the minds of many persons, that Southern soldiers were a set of murderers and cut throats. Furthermore, it was an opportune time for those who were desirous of joining the army to do so, and many did. It is proper to say that no evil demonstrations were made; no persons were arrested for trivial causes and thrown into prison, but protection was given to all so far as could be done. Forage and commissary stores were bought at a fair price and paid for punctually. Anything which citizens had to sell commanded a good price. Horses, cattle, hogs, wheat, corn and other goods were collected, and, in many cases, farmers received in exchange purses of gold. Such an army as this was not likely to make enemies even in an unfriendly country, but rather friends. A great contrast surely compared with some Federal commanders who ruled in Kentucky at a time subsequent to this.⁷

Federal troops of the Army of the Ohio on the north bank of the Green River in the fall of 1861. (From a woodcut in Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, January 18, 1862, Martin F. Schmidt Collection of Kentucky Views, 2004.41, Kentucky Historical Society, Frankfort, Kentucky.)

About the second day of November 1861, I enlisted as a soldier of the Confederate States of America by taking an oath to bear true and faithful allegiance to the name. I was sworn into service by Captain James W. Johnson of First Kentucky Cavalry (C.S.A.), which was at the time camped in “Underwood Grove.”⁸

Captain Alonzo Ridley, afterwards colonel, having come from California to Richmond, Virginia, in company with General Albert Sidney Johnston, and who had followed the general to Bowling Green, was at this time recruiting a company whose duty it should be to act as guides and scouts for the army. He brought to his position much experience obtained from his mode of life in the far west. Added to this was a mind that was naturally strong, though self-educated; it fitted him well for the station. He was of fine form and handsome appearance, though rough in manners and in conversation. At the time he first recruited his company and for some time afterwards I had no particular regard for him. But afterwards, when I met him in 1863 in prison at Johnson's Island, Ohio, I learned his nature more perfectly than I had before known, and came to think well of him. He was a brave and gallant man, and of a strong, native mind.⁹

To the military discipline of such a man I submitted myself about November 2, 1861. His company, known as “Buckner's Guides,” was officered as follows: Alonzo Ridley, Captain; Thomas H. Hines, First Lieutenant; J. H. Burnam, Second Lieutenant; John A. Warfield, Third Lieutenant; John H. Hines, Orderly Sergeant; and, as Forage Master, W. P. Roberts, whose duty it was to provide forage for our horses. As the object of the organization was to furnish guides and scouts for the army, it received the name as above given, which it retained till it was disbanded. To attain as far as possible the object desired, one or more men from various counties were received into its ranks.

For the sake of preserving the company register as nearly accurate as may be, I insert here the names of all whom I now remember and also their respective counties. Warren County: Thomas Buckner, Thomas Robinson, R. N. Heard, W. Curtis May, William Adams, Richard Sublett, Thomas Biggs, Ward McDonald, George W. Logan, John Starks, Edward L. Hines, J. W. Rasdell and Henry C. Hines, Hiram V. Dulaney, and Tubal S. McDaniel; Butler County: Andy Kuykendall, Hezekiah I. Kuykendall, Reuben M. Johnson, Dempsey Burton Bailey and John M. Porter; Hardin County: Joseph S. Gray; Nelson County: George W. Gregg and James M. Cook; Bullitt County: Henry C. Magruder; Meade County: John Morrow; Lincoln County: Porter Crow and Thomas Shanks; Boyle County: Samuel McBride; and Ohio County: William Hines, and William Skinner from New Mexico or California, a Confederate who journeyed with Captain Ridley. There were a number of others whose names have passed from my memory. Many of the above names attained an enviable reputation for gallantry on more than a score of bloody fields throughout the South.¹⁰

General Albert Sidney Johnston, the first Confederate commander in the trans-Appalachian west, who died at Shiloh, April 6, 1862. (Library of Congress.)

Five persons from the above list were from Butler County and were privates in this company. Of course, when any important scout was necessary to be made westward from Bowling Green some or all of that number were required to go. That was a very important flank of the army and was watched very closely by the generals commanding the Confederate forces. Many and many a night was I roused from sleep in my tent with orders to repair at once to headquarters for instructions about the mission I should undertake. And, after having received the necessary orders with an injunction of caution, the countersign would be whispered in my ear, and the next moment the sentinel at the door would receive orders to pass me out. Then three or four of us, mounted upon fleet and spirited horses, would dash out into the darkness toward the Morgantown Road. A stern command of “Halt” would greet our ears a few miles out of town. After approaching and giving the pickets the countersign, we would ride on and be alone in the darkness and our own thoughts. How can I, or any one, describe the thoughts which would rush through the minds of such as are on duty at once so dangerous and so important? One moment our spirits were in keeping with the cause we were serving, but then a presentiment passed before our minds that perhaps it was our last ride over that road. We would, for a time, remain silent, each busy with his own reflections, but intent upon serving his country in any way in which he might perchance be ordered.

Our destination was often Morgantown, Woodbury and Rochester, and though it was attended with no very great open danger, it was by no means devoid of peril. Anyone familiar with the sentiment of that portion of the country at that time, must and will confess that there was enough danger in those expeditions to give a relish to those of an adventurous mind and daring spirit. Man is buoyed up and carried to the cannon's mouth by pride and excitement. In the heat of the action he may, perhaps, rather like the fray, or it may be that he does not care to think of his danger, but rather of his duty. Now and then, when out on these trips, we would call and see our friends at home, eat at a table and use a knife and fork, a towel, take off our hats and act like we had previously done.

The assistance rendered to the army and to the commanders by means of these scouts was very great. In every direction, from Bowling Green towards the enemy, these parties were continually away on the outposts and very frequently entirely within the lines of the enemy. Many sharp skirmishes, among the first fighting in the State, were brought on by assistance given the cavalry in piloting detachments to the enemy's positions. At times our company was called on to escort General Albert Sidney Johnston, or Major General William J. Hardee, or General Buckner to different positions in and around the Confederate lines. Several points on the Barren River were visited with a view of fortifying them against the enemy.¹¹