History of Bardstown, (Nelson County) Kentucky United States of America

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Local History Notes:

Advance Guard, Army of the Ohio.

It had been Gen. Thomas' intention to camp on Cox's Creek, 4 Miles from Bardstown, but cavalry of his Command Under Maj. Foster were drawn into a fight with that portion of Gen. Polk's command known as Wharton's brigade of Wheeler's Cavalry.

It became necessary for Thomas to Send Foster reinforcements and upon their Arrival Wharton retired and yielded the Town, Thomas then established his temporary headquarters there.

SOURCE: The Union Army A History of Military Affairs in the Loyal States 1861-65 -- Records of the Regiments in the Union Army -- Cyclopedia of Battles -- Memoirs of Commanders and Soldiers. 8 vols. Madison: Federal Publishing, 1908.

Biographies:

Ignatius Aloysius Reynolds, R.C. bishop, was born at Bardstown, Ky., Aug. 22, 1798. His parents removed from Maryland to Nelson county, Ky., before his birth, and he was prepared for the priesthood in St. Thomas Theological seminary at Bardstown, and at St. Mary's seminary, Baltimore, Md.; was ordained priest at Baltimore, Md., Oct. 24, 1823, and was a professor in St. Joseph's college, Bardstown, Ky., 1823?27, and president of the institution, 1827?30. He was professor in St. Thomas Theological seminary and pastor of the Cathedral at Bardstown, Ky., 1830?34, and during the cholera epidemic of 1833, devoted himself to the care of the sick and dying. He was rector of the only Roman Catholic church in Louisville, Ky., 1834?40, where he organized parochial schools and an orphanage; was in Europe, 1840?41, and was vicar-general of the diocese of Bardstown, and then of Louisville, under Bishop Flaget, 1842?44. He was made successor to Bishop John England, in the see of Charleston, S.C., in May, 1843, and was consecrated in St. Peter's cathedral Cincinnati, Ohio, March 19, 1844, by Archbishop Purcell, assisted by Bishops Miles of Nashville, Tenn., and O'Connor of Pittsburg, Pa. He visited every part of his diocese annually. In 1845 he visited Europe to obtain pecuniary aid, and laid the foundation of the Cathedral of St. Finbar in Charleston in 1850, which he completed and consecrated in 1854. He wasa member of the sixth council of Baltimore in 1846, of the seventh in 1849, and of the first national plenary council in 1852. He edited the Works of Bishop England (5 vols., 1849). He died in Charleston, S.C., March 9, 1855.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

John Crepps Wickliffe Beckham, governor of Kentucky, was born at Wickland, Bardstown, Ky., Aug. 5, 1869, son of William N. and Julia (Wickliffe) Beckham, and grandson of Gov. Charles Wickliffe, postmaster general under President Tyler, 1841-'5, and a descendant of Elisha Wickliffe who emigrated from England to America in 1748. John was educated in the public schools, served as page in the Kentucky house of representatives, 1881-'2 and attended Central university at Richmond, Ky., 1884-'86 He was principal of the high school at Bardstown Ky., 1888-91; studied law, was admitted to the bar, and engaged in practice in 1893. He was a representative in the state legislature in 1893, 1896, and 1897 and speaker of the house in 1898. He was elected lieutenant-governor of the state on the ticket with Gov. William Goebel in 1899, and on Feb. 3, 1900, one hour after the death of Gov. Goebel he was sworn in as governor of the state. He was married Nov. 21, 1900, to Jean Raphael Fuqua of Owensboro. Ky. He was the Democratic candidate for governor in 1900, and was elected for the term 1901-'03.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

James Guthrie, cabinet officer, was born near Bardstown, Ky., Dec. 5, 1792. He was educated at Bardstown academy and engaged in business in 1812, transporting merchandise to New Orleans on flat-boats. He became a lawyer in 1817 and settled in Louisville, Ky. He was prosecuting attorney for his county, was a representative in the state legislature for nine years, and was in the state senate for six years. He presided over the state constitutional convention of 1851, engaged in the banking business, and organized and was the first president of the Nashville and Louisville railroad. He was secretary of the treasury in President Pierce's cabinet, 1853-57, a delegate to the Democratic national convention at Chicago in 1864, and was elected U.S. senator in 1865 to succeed Lazarus W. Powell. He resigned in February, 1868, on account of failing health and was succeeded by Thomas C. McCreary, who completed his term. He was a delegate to the Union national convention at Philadelphia in 1866. He died in Louisville, Ky., March 13, 1869.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Philip Norbourne Barbour, soldier, was born near Bardstown, Ky., in 1817. In 1834 he was graduated from the military academy at West Point with the brevet rank of 2d lieutenant, and was promoted to the full rank in 1836, serving on frontier duty in Iowa and Louisiana until 1840. In 1838 he was promoted 1st lieutenant and from 1840 to 1842 served in the Florida war. In April, 1842, he was brevetted captain for his services in the war against the Florida Indians, and until June, 1843, served as acting assistant adjutant-general of the department of Florida. He was promoted captain Nov. 26, 1845, and served in the military occupation of Texas in 1845 and 1846. He was actively engaged in the war with Mexico, and for his action in the battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma he received the brevet rank of major. He also served in the battle of Monterey, and while cheering his men to the charge, he was struck by a ball and died Sept. 21, 1846.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor