BOMBARDMENT OF HAWESVILLE, KY – 25 JUL 1864
Capt. Edmond Morgan, was the son of Captain Edmond Morgan, Sr, an Englishman of the Buckinghamshire Guards.
Capt. Edmond Jr. sympathies being with the North, was commissioned to the United States Navy. He became a blockade runner, commanding a flotilla of twelve steamboats that captured the batteries of Island Number ten on the Mississippi River, allowing the Federal fleet to steam towards Vicksburg. Following this, he headed up the Cumberland River to seize southern iron foundries, an exploit of constant fighting and prodigious labor, such as the burning of twelve bridges. For these feats he received high tribute from the War Department and special recognition from Congress.
1864 – With the continued treats from invading Confederate guerillas plundering Breckinridge and Hancock Counties in Kentucky, the troops of the Perry County, IN ‘s 5th Legion had more than once gone to their defense. This knowledge intensified the guerillas, who several times slipped in and out of Hawesville, their bitterest animosity was directed towards Cannelton, as the county seat and center of Perry County troops, non-with-standing her chief industrial plants. Their favorite threat was “We’ll come across and burn your cotton mill for you,” a taunt repeated with increasing vehemence. Since the geographical position of Cannelton exposed the town as a possible point of attack, the government detached Captain Edmond Morgan’s vessel, the Springfield, to guard the port during the summer of 1864.
This duty was almost a furlough for Captain Morgan. Contrasted with such thrilling service the Cannelton appointment seemed mere pastime. Well-nigh forgotten had been the strife of war until one Monday morning, about 10 o’clock ( July 25, 1864) was made memorable by the bombardment of Hawesville. Captain Morgan had received information of guerillas entering Hawesville, and with great caution sent into the town a few shells which did no damage to person and none of consequence to property. After about twenty shells were discharged it was over.
With the approach of autumn and the fear of guerilla annoyance was over. The Springfield was ordered to join her fleet at New Orleans. Among the attractive young girls of Cannelton was a Miss Isabelle Beacon, with whom Capt. Morgan left his heart. After Richmond had fallen, Lee had surrendered at Appomattox, Lincoln had been assassinated, Captain Morgan came to claim his promised bride. A gay wedding party from both Indiana and Kentucky assembled at the old Beacon homestead where on 27 Apr 1865 Capt. Morgan and Miss Isabella H. Beacon were married.
Information from: Perry County A History, by Thomas de la Hunt, 1916
Capt. Edmond Morgan, was the son of Captain Edmond Morgan, Sr, an Englishman of the Buckinghamshire Guards.
Capt. Edmond Jr. sympathies being with the North, was commissioned to the United States Navy. He became a blockade runner, commanding a flotilla of twelve steamboats that captured the batteries of Island Number ten on the Mississippi River, allowing the Federal fleet to steam towards Vicksburg. Following this, he headed up the Cumberland River to seize southern iron foundries, an exploit of constant fighting and prodigious labor, such as the burning of twelve bridges. For these feats he received high tribute from the War Department and special recognition from Congress.
1864 – With the continued treats from invading Confederate guerillas plundering Breckinridge and Hancock Counties in Kentucky, the troops of the Perry County, IN ‘s 5th Legion had more than once gone to their defense. This knowledge intensified the guerillas, who several times slipped in and out of Hawesville, their bitterest animosity was directed towards Cannelton, as the county seat and center of Perry County troops, non-with-standing her chief industrial plants. Their favorite threat was “We’ll come across and burn your cotton mill for you,” a taunt repeated with increasing vehemence. Since the geographical position of Cannelton exposed the town as a possible point of attack, the government detached Captain Edmond Morgan’s vessel, the Springfield, to guard the port during the summer of 1864.
This duty was almost a furlough for Captain Morgan. Contrasted with such thrilling service the Cannelton appointment seemed mere pastime. Well-nigh forgotten had been the strife of war until one Monday morning, about 10 o’clock ( July 25, 1864) was made memorable by the bombardment of Hawesville. Captain Morgan had received information of guerillas entering Hawesville, and with great caution sent into the town a few shells which did no damage to person and none of consequence to property. After about twenty shells were discharged it was over.
With the approach of autumn and the fear of guerilla annoyance was over. The Springfield was ordered to join her fleet at New Orleans. Among the attractive young girls of Cannelton was a Miss Isabelle Beacon, with whom Capt. Morgan left his heart. After Richmond had fallen, Lee had surrendered at Appomattox, Lincoln had been assassinated, Captain Morgan came to claim his promised bride. A gay wedding party from both Indiana and Kentucky assembled at the old Beacon homestead where on 27 Apr 1865 Capt. Morgan and Miss Isabella H. Beacon were married.
Information from: Perry County A History, by Thomas de la Hunt, 1916