William Paskel Hendrick (1832 - 1896)

Born 9 Mar 1832 in Warren County, Kentucky, United States

Ancestors

Descendants

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Russ Gunther [send private message]

Biography

Father Gustavus Hendrick (1801-1873) married 1820
Mother Jane (Copeland) Hendrick (1799-1871)

Occupation: brick mason

1st wife Elizabeth A. Hudspeth (1834-1860) married March 1852 or April 25, 1855 in Simpson County, Kentucky

Children

• Elizabeth Hendrick ( - bef1860) infant or child
• William Hendrick (1856-1856) infant
• James Robert "Robert" Hendrick (1857-1913)
• Stirling Gustavus Hendrick (1860-1892)

2nd wife Sarah Jane Green (1841-1924) married on 22 March 1861 (8 children, 4 living as of 1900 US Census)

Children

• William P. Hendrick (1864-1934) married Mamie ___ (-), 1 son, /divorced before 1920
• Jane "Affie" or "Alfie" Hendrick (Oct 1868- )
• George Thomas Hendrick (1870-1901)
• Martha Alice Hendrick (1873-1876) 3 years old
• Virgil Paskel Hendrick (1877-1946) married ___ (-bef1920), at least 1 child

Civil War Service

William Hendrick served in the United States Civil War.
Enlisted: unknown, Mustered in: 22 Dec 1863,
Mustered out: 10 Jan 1865,
Rank: Private
Side: USA
Regiment(s): 13th Kentucky Volunteer Cavalry (Company G)

Private
Company G
13th Regiment, Kentucky Volunteer Calvary
US Civil War, Union Soldier veteran
22 December 1863 - 10 January 1865
(served with younger brothers McKinday & John)

13th Regiment, Kentucky Volunteer Calvary

• The 13th Kentucky Cavalry was organized at Columbia, Kentucky, and mustered in for one year on December 22, 1863, under the command of Colonel James W. Weatherford. The regiment consisted of 1,711 soldiers.

The regiment was attached to District of South Central Kentucky, 1st Division, XXIII Corps, Department of the Ohio, to January 1864. District of Southwest Kentucky, Department of the Ohio, to April 1864. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, District of Kentucky, Department of the Ohio, to July 1864. 1st Brigade, 1st Division, District of Kentucky, to January 1865.

The 13th Kentucky Cavalry mustered out of service at Camp Nelson on January 10, 1865.

• Service:

Duty at Lebanon and protecting country south of Lebanon until June 1864.

Cumberland River, Ky., November 26, 1863.

Creelsborough and Celina December 7.

Cumberland River March 19, 1864.

Obey's River March 28 (detachment).

Expedition to Obey's River April 18–20.

Wolf River May 18.

Operations against Morgan May 31-June 30.

Cynthiana June 12. Liberty June 17.

Canton and Roaring Springs August 22.

At Camp Burnside August 26-September 16.

Ordered to Mt. Sterling September 16.

General Burbridge's Expedition into southwest Virginia September 20-October 17: Union cavalry and infantry forces led by Brig. Gen. Stephen Burbridge were granted permission to capture and destroy the saltworks near Saltville, Virginia, the last and most prominent source of salt for the eastern Confederate states. (Salt not only preserved food in the days before refrigeration, but was also vital in curing leather.)

On September 20, 1864, Union General Stephen G. Burbridge, commander of the Military District of Kentucky's force, comprised of three white brigades of Kentucky cavalry and mounted infantry, left Mount Sterling, Kentucky and headed towards Saltville. Four days later, the six hundred men of the new 5th United States Colored Cavalry (along with a small number of troops eventually enlisted in the 6th USCC) joined Burbridge at Prestonburg, Kentucky. Upon their arrival, the detachment was assigned to a brigade commanded by Colonel Robert W. Ratliff of the 12th Ohio Cavalry. In total, Burbridge’s army now topped 5,000 and, except for a regiment each from Ohio and Michigan, all were Kentuckians, black and white.

After they joined General Burbridge’s forces, Col. Brisbin wrote in a correspondence to Adjutant General Thomas that the men of the 5th "were made the subject of much ridicule and many insulting remarks by the white troops, and in some instances petty outrages, such as pulling off the caps of the colored soldiers, stealing their horses etc." Brisbin also wrote "these insults, as well as the jeers and taunts that they would not fight, were borne by the colored solders patiently.... In no instance did I hear colored soldiers make any reply to insulting language used toward [them] by white troops."

As they made their trek to Saltville, Burbridge’s column was delayed by bad weather, rough terrain, and a small but pesky Confederate brigade led by Colonel Henry L. Giltner. Giltner's 300-man brigade engaged the Union forces at Clinch Mountain and Laurel Gap long enough to allow Confederate Brigadier General Alfred E. "Mudwall" Jackson to concentrate additional troops near Saltville. Despite the delay, Burbridge got closer to the town than any previous Union commander. However, as they arrived two miles outside of Saltville on the evening of October 1, Federal provisions were running low. At this point, the town was defended by just a single brigade and a ragtag local militia comprised largely of boys and old men, yet Burbridge elected not to exploit his advantage and instead allowed his weary men to camp for the night.

Saltville, Va., October 2 - First Battle of Saltville:

As the Federal forces began preparing for battle on the morning of October 2, expecting little resistance, the Confederates were reinforcing Saltville and had assembled 2,800 troops, now under the command of Gen. John S. Williams, to defend the saltworks.

Thomas Mays writes, "A cold and foggy morning greeted both sides as they prepared for the impending struggle," in his 1995 book, "The Saltville Massacre." The Confederate forces were strategically placed along the high river bluff back of the town (to the north), and northeast on the high ground. These positions were the key to the defense of Saltville. As the morning progressed, the Federal troops were able to push the Confederate line back over Sander's Hill and towards Saltville. At about 10:00 a.m. the Union troops began a series of dismounted charges upon Chestnut Ridge. Just beyond the Cedar Ridge lay the town of Saltville and the saltworks. Two small cavalry brigades commanded by Brigadier General Felix H. Robertson and Colonel George G. Dibrell defended the ridge. The Union assaults were made on foot because of the unexpected strength of the Confederate position.

After two unsuccessful attempts, Lt. Col. Robert Ratliff’s Brigade, comprised of approximately 400 members of the 5th USCC, the 12th Ohio Cavalry, and the 11th Michigan Cavalry, made a final dismounted attack up the hill in an attempt to take Chestnut Ridge. This charge proved to be Burbridge’s last hope for victory.

When the Confederates observed that black soldiers were among the advancing brigade, the defenders became enraged. The sight of "their homeland being threatened by armed Negroes" was their greatest nightmare being realized. The fury they displayed upon seeing the black soldiers enabled the defenders to stall the advance of Ratliff’s brigade. Eventually however, by force of numbers and the unexpected fighting prowess of the 5th USCC, the advancing Union force breached the Confederate line and was able to press the rebels to the top of the ridge. However, after six hours of fierce fighting, Ratliff’s Brigade was running perilously low on ammunition and was cut off from the rest of Burbridge’s forces and their supply line.

Confederate reinforcements continued to arrive throughout the day and the Southern lines around Saltville successfully repelled all Federal assaults. Ratliff’s cavalry continued to hold the Confederate works until nightfall, at which point, exhausted and out of ammunition, they pulled back from their advanced position.

At about 5:00 p.m., despite having made little headway after day long fighting, Burbridge retreated without accomplishing his objective. His retreat was hastened by news that Gen. John C. Breckinridge had arrived with additional CSA cavalry, though Burbridge still held a numerical troop advantage. Burbridge's retreating forces built bonfires to deceive the Confederates into thinking that they would remain, but in their haste to retreat they left most of their dead and wounded on the field.

Mays writes, "The Southerners had saved the saltworks. They had put up a stout defense with men emptying their cartridge boxes as many as three times. Some had fired over one hundred rounds each. With the timely arrival of reinforcements and the unexpected gallantry of reserves, the Confederates had won the battle of Saltville."

Despite the outcome of the battle, their fellow soldiers lauded the performance of the 5th USCC during the assault of Chestnut Ridge. An officer of the 13th Kentucky Cavalry admitted that he "never thought they would fight until he saw them there." He added that he "never saw troops fight like they did. The rebels were firing on them with grape and canister and were mowing them down by the scores but others kept straight on." Col. Brisbin wrote, "I have seen white troops fight in twenty-seven battles and never saw any fight any better."

Afterwards, Confederate soldiers were said to have murdered between a dozen to fifty captured and wounded black soldiers, as well as some wounded white soldiers.

Forces Engaged: Divisions (11,000 total)

Estimated Casualties: 458 total

Result(s): Confederate victory

At Mt. Sterling, Lexington and Crab Orchard, Ky., until December 17.

At Camp Nelson, Ky., until January 10, 1865.

Residence

1860 Simpson Co., Kentucky (US Census)

1870: Lake Spring, Simpson Co., Kentucky (US Census)

1880 Franklin, Simpson Co., Kentucky (US Census)

Memorial

Burial:

Greenlawn Cemetery,

Franklin, Simpson County, Kentucky, USA

Plot: Section 2 (Hendrick family area)

Find A Grave: Memorial #6128169 with photo

Sources

• "Kentucky Marriages, 1785-1979," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F4H4-DPT : 4 December 2014), William P. Hendrix and Hudgepeth, 25 Apr 1855; citing Simpson,Kentucky, reference ; FHL microfilm 0216840 IT 3.

• "United States Census, 1860", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MZBT-LHS : 12 April 2016), William P Hendricks, 1860.

• "United States Census, 1870," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MX43-XDC : 17 October 2014), William P Hendrick, Kentucky, United States; citing p. 13, family 97, NARA microfilm publication M593 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 545,998.

• "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MCZT-K14 : 15 August 2017), William Hendricks, Franklin, Simpson, Kentucky, United States; citing enumeration district ED 214, sheet 358B, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 0442; FHL microfilm 1,254,442.

• William P Hendrick, Union, Private, Company G, 13th Regiment, Kentucky Calvary https://www.nps.gov/civilwar/search-soldiers-detail.htm?soldierId=F01970A7-DC7A-DF11-BF36-B8AC6F5D926A

• "Kentucky Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers, 1861-1865," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F8FB-1XD : 4 December 2014), William P Hendrick, 1863; from "Compiled Service Records of Volunteer Union Soldiers Who Served in Organizations from the State of Kentucky," Fold3.com; citing military unit Thirteenth Cavalry, He-Mo, NARA microfilm publication M397, roll 125, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.

• "United States Civil War and Later Pension Index, 1861-1917", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NHV8-K2H : 24 March 2016), William P. Hendrick, 1886.

• "United States General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJDG-8Z94 : 3 April 2015), William P Hendrick, 1886.

See also:

• Find A Grave memorial Find A Grave: Memorial #6128169 "Find A Grave Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVVQ-48LC : 13 December 2015), William Paskell Hendrick, 1896; Burial, Franklin, Simpson, Kentucky, United States of America, Greenlawn Cemetery; citing record ID 6128169, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com.

Reference

• 13th Regiment, Kentucky Volunteer Cavalry, Wikipedia, accessed 8 March 2017, containing text from: Dyer, Frederick H. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion (Des Moines, IA: Dyer Pub. Co.), 1908. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/13th_Regiment_Kentucky_Volunteer_Cavalry

• Civil War Archive, Union Regimental Histories, Kentucky, 13th Regiment Cavalry, accessed 8 March 2017, Source - "A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion" by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3), compiled by a Civil War Veteran from The Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and a variety of other sources, Dyer's Compendium offers the most complete list of organizations mustered by the State and Federal Governments for service in the Union Army. However, discrepancies may exist due to a variety of factors, including the sheer volume of records researched and the accuracy of the records used. Although few in number, discrepancies have been found by modern historians. http://www.civilwararchive.com/Unreghst/unkycav.htm#13thcav

• National Park Service Battle Summary: First Battle of Saltville, Virginia, American Battlefield Protection Program (ABPP) https://www.nps.gov/abpp/battles/va076.htm

• First Battle of Saltville, Wikipedia https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Battle_of_Saltville

• Saltville Battlefields Historic District, Wikipedia https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saltville_Battlefields_Historic_District

• Saltville Battlefield: Battle at Cedar Branch, https://www.google.com/search?q=saltville+battlefield&prmd=nsiv&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiNht3S_sjSAhUI3mMKHcWaAQEQ_AUICSgD&biw=800&bih=1280#imgrc=WYoG4MpbcmrmWM:

• Saltville Battlefield 1684 photograph https://www.google.com/search?q=saltville+battlefield&prmd=nsiv&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiNht3S_sjSAhUI3mMKHcWaAQEQ_AUICSgD&biw=800&bih=1280#imgrc=YXxVERt3737BZM:

• The Saltville Massacre by David E. Brown http://www.5thuscc.net/massacr.htm

• Units Involved in the Battle of Saltville October 2, 1864, excerpted in part from "The Battle of Saltville: Massacre or Myth?" by William Marvel, Blue and Gray Magazine, August 1991 (Volume VIII, Number 6) http://www.5thuscc.net/forces.htm#topofpage

• Saltville Defences: Saltville and Salt Manufacturing https://www.google.com/search?q=saltville+battlefield&prmd=nsiv&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiNht3S_sjSAhUI3mMKHcWaAQEQ_AUICSgD&biw=800&bih=1280#imgrc=e-Qg2S9nw1q2Ahtm