The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1915-11-19
Reininiscences--Major Henson, IN
RifIeman of the Tennessee

only be a recital of the common hor
rors of war, but it would also be
revelation of the degrading depth
to which men will fall through an,
by the cruel passions engendered b.
civil strife. Let the following mar
ration of the hate and cruelty at
tendant upon be a solemn warning
to American youth to cultivate thos,
ideas of human love and peace tina
will always deter them from cultivat
ing a warlike spirit, and cause then
to oppose militarism in the United
States.
In the year 1859 there lived IL
Murray. Galloway county, Kentucky
a man known as Major Henson.
This man had two stout sons who
early in the war between the States,
had enlisted in the Confederate ar
my, under Gen Albert Sydney John
son. After the battle of Shiloh.
these two young men got a furlough.
and embraced the opportunity to
visit their home.
The people of Galloway county.
during the Civil War were intense
ly Southern in their feelings. Over
500 young men of that county Joined
the army of the Confederate States.
The county was the scene OF many
encounters between small parties OF
the opposing forces-Union and Reb-
ell Bands of guerrillas, who, in the
name and uniform of either army.
plundered hundreds OF citizens of
their horses, money, and property.
and murdered 80 or 40 people, over
ran the county.
II was during raid of so-calied
Union guerrilias that Major Henson's
two sons were captured. at or near
home. by some of these guerrillas.
Contrary to all the rules OF war.
these young men were shot (mur-
dered) by these very guerrillas. This |
foul and bloody deed of men claim |
ing to serve under the Stars and /
Stripes embittered Major Henson
against the Union.
In 1863 a regiment Of FederaIs !
occupied Murray. and the Colonel of
his regiment established his head
quarters in Henson's house. II so
happened that at the time Major Hen
sons family had the measles.
Disregarding all the laws of COM
non humanity, this Yankee" colo
lei put Henson's sick family into an
where they all died of the
measles. Il
3eIore the Yankees left Murray.
his now desperate man. Henson, put
N red shirt. Going. one morning.
o the Federal camp, and displaying
is red shirt, lie said: Yankees do
or see this red shirt?" Laughing,
he Yankees said, YES" Henson l
hen said to them. Yankees, you'll I
&c this red shirt often"
Soon after the Fsderals left Mur- {
ny, Major Henson armed himself I
18th heavy old fashioned rifle, OF |
rye calibre. o
Ever bent on vengeance; ever fill {
| with hate for Yankees" this s.
azed man watched all the roaGs. Il
Id every line of march which his C
iemy took. a
AS time passed, it soon happened p
at he saw the Federals on the
arch. with the identical colonel, T
no had put Hensou's sick family o
It of their home. riding at the head c
his regiment. Major Henson soon g
t himself i'm ambush. and waited III
tiently for the approach of his in
envy. ttr
When the Federal colonel came W
thin range of Henson's unerring RI
lie, he fired, killed tile colonel, and
lde his escape. although the Fed
lis fired a vOlley at him.
After killing the colonel, Henson an
tched the Tennessee river, for gun m.
ats. in,
One evening Federal gunboat "a
Ided on tis side of the river. At Dc
landing. some of the officers of ma
; boat came ashore to san them m,
yes. Major Henson, being well an
Icealed from the Yankees" took or
iberate aim at a captain, and shot Is
killed him. no
When the Confederates, in Nevem- yo
, 1864, were building boats ON DO
Tennessee river to ferry over en-,
1. Lyons little army, old Henson
d them visit. One of the Con-
crates, noticing notches on the
ck of Henson's rife asked him -,
1t those notches were for. Hen '"'
said: "Sir, those notches repre- ,'e'
dead Yankees" There were II '"-
ches! e"'
We never saw Henson after this. '"'