Kentucky Ancestors, Volume 39, Number 2 - Kentucky Historical ...

Abstracts from the
Lexington Observer & Reporter,
January 13, 1864
By Dr. Melba Porter Hay
The Lexington Observer & Reporter was published weekly on Wednesdays by D. C. Wickliffe. Cost of a subscription
in advance was $2 or $2.50 at the end of six months.
The paper reported that “Mr. [Lazarus] Powell, of
Kentucky, introduced into the Senate of the United
States on Monday last, a bill to prevent officers of the
army and navy, or other persons engaged in military
service, from interfering with elections in the States;
and moved its reference to the committee on the
Judiciary.” However, “the radical Senators opposed the
reference, and instituted in lieu of the Judiciary, the
committee on Military Affairs. Messrs. Powell and
[Garrett] Davis, of Kentucky, fought valiantly for the
bill and its proper reference but were overpowered by
those who are willing to see every vestige of Republican
freedom swept away by despotic power.”
The paper reported that newspapers in Cincinnati
have announced “that the headquarters of the Department
of the Ohio are to be removed at once to this city;
and that Assistant Adjutant General, (Col. Anderson)
had all the books and papers ready for removal from that
city several weeks ago.” Also, “Gen. [Ambrose] Burnside
has withdrawn his resignation, at the earnest solicitation
of the President, and, it is stated, will be again assigned to
the command of the department Ohio, in place of Gen.
Foster who asks to be relieved in consequence of illhealth.”
In addition, it was reported that Gen. Rosecrans
is “to take command of the Department of Missouri, in
place of Gen. Schofield. If this report should turn out to
be true, it would seem that Mr. Lincoln was unable to
resist the radical pressure made upon him by the Loyal
League representatives.”
The paper stated: “John Morgan is advertising for
men to make up another guerrilla force, and expects
ere long to be in the saddle.”
It was reported that W. T. Samuels had assumed
the duties of auditor of Kentucky. His qualifications
2003 Kentucky Ancestors V39-2 104
were “of the highest order,” and he has been “regarded
as one of the best officers the State has ever
had.” His predecessor, Grant Green, was also “watchful
of the public interest, and successful in the
discharge of all his duties.” Likewise, Grant’s assistant,
Cornelius Bailey, “has shown himself to be a
faithful and competent officer.”
“Despatches have been received here, announcing
the death of Col. Roy Cluke, of Clarke, and Capt.
Wm. R. Lewis, of Fayette, both of the rebel army, at
Johnson’s Island, on the 1 st inst.”
It was reported that Col. Sanders D. Bruce of the
20 th Kentucky “has been appointed Military Commander
of the Post at Louisville, in place of Col. A.
W. Holman, of the 11 th Kentucky Cavalry.” Col.
Bruce’s staff included: Maj. H. A. Mitchell, Invalid
Corps; Capt. H. C. Brennan, 20 th Kentucky Volunteer
Infantry; Capt. C. J. Wilson, 33 rd Kentucky
Volunteer Infantry; Capt. James A. Crawley, 87 th
Indiana Volunteer Infantry; and Lt. James A.
McCampbell, 20 th Kentucky Volunteer Infantry.
It was reported that “Mr. Fred Fitch has become a
partner with his brother in the conduct of ‘Fitch’s
Drug Store,’” which is “one of the largest establishments
in the country.”
It was announced that Dr. D. T. Morton performed
the wedding of Mr. C. C. Stivers to Miss
Minerva Christopher in Lexington on December 29,
1864 [sic; 1863].
It was announced that the Rev. George W. Varden
performed the wedding of Miss Josie M. Stone to
Mr. George Lancaster of Lexington on January 5,