W. S. Watson and B. H. Stovall to Beriah Magoffin

KYR-0001-019-0133.xml

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Accession Number

KYR-0001-019-0133

Document Genre

Correspondence

Repository

Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives

Collection

Office of the Governor, Beriah Magoffin: Governor's Official Correspondence File, Military Correspondence, 1859-1862

Item Location

MG5-217 to MG5-220

Place of Creation

Blandville, Ballard County, Kentucky

Date of Creation

26 August 1861

Dates Mentioned

1861-08-26

W. S. Watson and B. H. Stovall to Beriah Magoffin, 26 August 1861, Office of the Governor, Beriah Magoffin: Governor's Official Correspondence File, Military Correspondence, 1859-1862, MG5-217 to MG5-220, Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives, Frankfort, KY. Accessed via the Civil War Governors of Kentucky Digital Documentary Edition, discovery.civilwargovernors.org/document/KYR-0001-019-0133, (accessed April 25, 2024).

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Blandville Ky
Aug 256^th 61
His Excelency
Beriah Magoffin
Govenor of the Comth of Ky

Sir in Compliance with the request of Senator Johnson we send a Certificate of our arrest and detention at Cairo Ills (by the Federal troops)

Early in the morning of the 21^st inst. there was considerable excitement in our village from the Heavy Canonading and incesent fireing of Musketry in the direction of sairo Ills and Birds Point Mo, And to learn the Cause of it, we mounted our Horses and rode down to the River we had Scarcely reached the River, when met with Some of the Citizens of our town (Blandville) riding down the river in great haste they informed us that a company of Soldiers had Just landed off the Ferry Boat from Cairo and were coming down the river. we paid no attention to them but rode on in the direction of the Soldiers. as we had Some business in the neighbourhood. and intending to return Via James House
a short distance [over] there was a Horseman Riding very Swift, Came in Site of us. Halted and blew a very Shrill whistle, immediately returned, Still riding very fast and then there came about 100 or 150 Men armed with Muskets came running up on us they demanded of Stovall his pocket Book and papers J. Watson ^had^ none with me. he (Stovall) had a small memorandom book, a mustar Roll belonging to Jos Bishop^s Company of Home Gards and a letter from Some of the Boys at Camp Boon Tenn there was two negores in the Company ^(with provisions)^ and while the officers were consulting in regard to the disposition to be made with us. one of the Negroes Said By God if they turned all the Prisoner's loose we had as well close the war and go home. after the examination of the papers we were Marched up the river to the ferry ordered to dismount and Sent Cairo the Head Quarters of Col Ogelsby After our arrival, w the Men were asked what we were, they Said Prisoners of War this was about (Noon) Colonel Ogelsby requested us to remain until he returned as he had Some important business at Mound City. and would return Soon. and have a conversation with us we hoped he would Soon return as we both had Families. Would hear of our arrest and have some
Some uneasiness. Near dark the Company Crossed the River with our stores, it was Some time after dark when the Col returned to Head Quarters, he questioned us some time about Cavalry men being in our county and about Union Men being in danger of the Cecesionists, to which we told him it was all false, there was no Horse Company^s at this time in the County, and we knowed Union Men were perfectly safe.

We told him we were detained from our Businsess and wanted to be released one of us was Post Master and the other Constable and belonged to no Companies contrary to the laws of Ky or the U. S. that we were Citizens of Ky and wished to abide by the laws of the Same. that if the Neutrality of Ky Could be observed and Keep out of the dificulty we would be satisfied. The Cole did not Speak well of the Neutrality of Ky. that it was all a Humbug- of Course there was no dispute on that point as we believe it nothing but a ~~pith~~ mith, Col Ogelsby, told us if we would bring a man with whom he was acquainted to endorse for our honstey he would release us. that he did not want to punish Honest Men= that there had been men
Communicating with a Spie in his Camp and that he intended to have them at all Hazards, and this was why he had Sent his men to Ky-, we referd him to C, S, Marshall Judge of this County who is a Gintleman. well Known in this Countyry we Sent a telegram to Judge Marshall who went immediately to our relief The Colonel treated us like Gentlemen and Some of the officers were very polite to us= Some others treated us like felons Makde insulting remarks, So that we Could hear them, which was there intention (I suppose -- ) I (Stovall) asked the liberty of looking throug a Magnifying Glass at Some men Crossing the River which was very Vulgarly refused, we were Keped in the St Charles Hotel and had the Fare that the officers had only slept on a cot. we Eat two meals while oin Custody Suppose we were there about Forty four Hours.

our Horses were badly fed and one of them Badly abused his head is bady Bruised and one of his Eyes bady
His Eyes badly Hurt I cant tell whether it is out or not we went back to Head Quarters to see Col Ogelsby about the damage of the Horse he was gone but am satisfied he would have given Satisfaction ~~[...]~~for the damage done him. As I think the Col is a gentleman more than worthy the position he now fills. Although in a bad cause he will long ^be^ Known and respected after the close of this War let it Terminate As it May. but May the curses of an avenging God fall heavily upon Some of the other officers. (Stovall)

This we Humbly Submit to your Honor with our warmest respects and

regards
W. S. Watson
B, H. Stoval

P. S.
All the Company were Germans or Men of Some foreign tong, The was only one white man and that was the Horseman

W & S

Blandville Ky
Aug 26^th 61

B. H. Stovall p[...]
Free

Hon. Mr Johnson
Ky, Senator
Paducah
Kentucky

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