Letter from Samuel Hurst to his son William

Mt. Sterling, Kentucky February 11, 1864

Dear William,

     I once more seat myself at Capt. Adams' quarters, to inform you of my present condition. I am in a bad condition at this time by reason of a fall I got from a horse about 12 days ago, when on a scout, in Morgan County. My mare fell across a log heap, on fire, and broke two of my ribs and bruised my body badly. Although I stuck to the Company till I arrived at home on Stillwater, then I stopped two days with ten bodyguards and they then fetched me around by way of Irvine to Mt. Sterling. I am somewhat on the mend now; but very sore. My body is badly hurt; bit I hope not serious.
     We killed old James Stamper and a ring leader of the Guerrillas by the name of Hamilton and took 19 prisoners besides; but one of them got away. I suppose the boys have given you the particulars in their letters heretofore.
     You wish to know if Jackson is burnt. I say it is, in part. Your houses are in ashes and several more. You want to know if I am going to move my family from the mountains. I am sir, I am this day going to rent a farm near this place. I have the offer of two. I don't know which I will take; but I will have my family here shortly. I can't but recollect how my family and myself met and also how we parted and the respect the neighbors showed to me. Old Bill Trimble solicited me strong, to come back and live at home and he said he would get from 50 to 100 signers and send it to the Southern Headquarters and have it confirmed so that I should be protected for he said he also wanted me back to protect him. I told him that did not suit me, the hardest might fence off. I was going to take my family off and he might shift for himself. I made no compromises. Then he and Berry Trimble's wife asked me to spare Berry and let him come in and talk with me a little while. Berry was then laying out. I told them to fetch Berry in and I would not hurt him. Then they asked Daniel if he would, Daniel said he wouldn't; but Henry would not promise favorably, so Berry did not appear. Then Lieutenant Hendrickson told the Trimbles, that he was going back to Salyersville and he was going to send me home with 10 bodyguards with me and he wanted them to understand that if any on interrupted me or hurt me in any way whatever, on his return that he would kill 50 cecesses and if he could not find men enough he would make his number out in women and children and he would begin in Old Bill Trimble's house first. Old Trimble said good God Sam, stay with me till the Company returns for if any thing happens to you he will kill us every one. I went home and stayed two days and nights unhurt.
     You wanted to know where Jim (a slave) was. I hired him the 1st of January to the Government to drive the wagon, at on dollar per day. At the end of the first month the wagons were given to the soldiers and they became teamsters and Jim was taken to wait upon the Colonel. When I get a little better I will fetch him home and keep him with me. At to Jack Frazier, he was not killed. The rest were killed as I stated to you; but Hiram Miller was the man killed in the place of Jack Frazier. As I am in so much misery I will come to a close. Write soon and I will do the same.

Your father,

Samuel H. Hurst

Note:  The "Berry" Trimble referred to in the above letter was Asberry Trimble. He was killed at Hazel Green, October 15, 1864, by Ed Hensley. He was the father of South Trimble who was a member of Congress from the Ashland District of Kentucky and who served for many years as Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington, D.C.

Return To Letters Section Of Archives

Return To Gose Archives

Return To Main Table Of Contents