Description:

MORGAN'S RAIDERS WILL "LAY WASTE" TO KENTUCKY!
Excessively rare field-printed broadside, 6 3/4" x 9 3/4", Irvine, Ky., Sep. 22, 1863, a chilling order issued by Gen. John Hunt Morgan to Union supporters and guerillas in the region. In full: "PROCLAMATION! To the people of Estelle and adjoining counties. The Gen. commanding takes this means of informing the people that he has not come among them to disturb them in the enjoyment of their rights, either of person or property. The Home Guards are required to come in at once an deliver up their arms , those who fail to do so will be regarded as enemies of the [Confederate] Government and treated accordingly. Thos who comply will be treated as non combatants and private citizens. Private citizens who seek opportunity to ambush our soldiers commonly known as 'Bushwhackers' will be regarded as outlaws, and orders will be issued to shoot them wherever found If any of our men are fired on while passing through the country, I wiil [sic] lay waste the entire surrounding neighborhood. By order of Gen. J. H. MORGAN R. A. ALSTON A.A. Genr'l. Irvine Ky. Sept. 22, 1862.". Fine condition. In mid-September, 1862 Gen. E. Kirby Smith, facing troop buildups along his front and concerned about the threat of a full Union division of 8,000 at his rear, ordered Morgan to lead a force of 800 to 1,000 men, largely recruits, to intercept Gen. George W. Morgan. Morgan concentrated his forces at Richmond on Sept. 20 and marched to Irvine on Sept. 21 while the Union general advanced to Manchester and began moving toward Proctor on the Kentucky River. The Confederate colonel got there first and burned the large steam flourmill so that when the hungry Union soldiers reached the river the next day they found the much-needed source of food in ruins. Morgan's Confederate troops hit the Union forces on Sept. 26, with two dismounted companies scattering the federal rear guard and their cattle herd. Following the skirmish, Morgan, Maj. W.C.P. Breckinridge and their escort barely escaped death or capture when cornered by a Union regiment. True to his word, Morgan and his men burned some 40 homes along the road from Grayson to Olive Hill. Among those who lost their homes was State Sen. William C. Grier who later wrote about his encounter with Morgan and his men. According to Grier, Morgan ordered his home torched, declaring "You find your loyalty to your abolitionist pretty expensive, don't you?"

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May 13, 2009 10:00 AM EDT
Stamford, CT, US

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