1st Battle of Cynthiana

First Battle of Cynthiana.On July 17, 1862, the Confederate general,
John H. Morgan, with a force 816 strong when he started, nine days before, upon
this first Kentucky raid, attacked the Federal forces at Cynthiana, nearly 500 strong
(mainly home guards), under Col. John J. Landramwho after a brave resistance
were overpowered and defeated and the town captured.

The Federal pickets were surprised, and captured or driven in; and before
the commander had time to dispose his force, the Confederates commenced
shelling the town, producing a wild consternation among the inhabitants.
Capt. William H. Glass, of the Federal artillery, occupied the public square,
from which point he could command most of the roads. Another force took
position on the Magee Hill road, south of the town, along which the
Confederates were approaching. A third detachment was instructed to hold
the bridge on the west side of the town, towards which Morgans main force
was pouring. Capt. Glass opened on Morgans battery,which was planted on an
eminence a quarter of a mile distant, between the Leesburg and Fair Ground turnpikes.

The Confederates were now approaching by every road and street, and
deployed as skirmishers through every field, completely encircling the Federals.
Their battery on the hill having ceased its fire, Capt. Glass with grape and canister
swept Pike Street (Millersburg Road) from one end to the other. By this time the
contestants were engaged at every point. The fighting was terrific. The Federals
commenced giving way. The force at the bridge, after a sharp fight, was driven back,
and a Confederate cavalry charge made through the streets. A portion of the Federals
made a stand at the railroad depot. A charge upon the Confederate battery at
the Licking River bridge, was repulsed, and the Confederates, in turn, charged
upon the force at the depot, while another detachment was pouring deadly fire from
the rear, about 125 yards distant.

It was here that Col. Landram was wounded, and Thomas Ware, one of the
oldest citizens, Jesse Currant, Thomas. Rankin, Capt. Lafe Wilson,and others
were killed, besides a number wounded. Unable to stand the concentrated
fire, the handful of Federals that were left commenced a precipitate retreat.

The 7th Kentucky cavalry, posted north of town to hold the Oddville road,
were soon overpowered, and compelled to surrender. Three-fourths of the
Federal force had now been killed, wounded, or captured, and the Confederates
held undisputed possession. The prisoners were marched into town,
and lodged in the upper room of the courthouse, and their
paroles made out and signed that night.

Source: Collins, Lewis, History of Kentucky, Covington, Kentucky:
Collins & Co., 1874, pp. 323-324