Henry Cay's son... and fame estate...

5fish

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Here is the estate of Henry Clay called Ashland... if you read the link you will see Henry's son had to flee the the state to Canada... the link has picture of other Clay family members and little bios too... a bunched died...


snip...

No event in its 200-plus-year history was more traumatic for Ashland than the Civil War. Not only was the largest engagement in Lexington fought on the grounds of the estate, but like so many other families, the Clay family was torn asunder by the war. The war would ultimately cause the Clay family to relinquish ownership of the property for the only time before its 1950 opening as a public museum: 1865 – 1882.

snip... skirmish...

On October 8, 1862 Confederate forces were routed at the Battle of Perryville and shortly thereafter began an exit of the state of Kentucky. Confederate raider John Hunt Morgan began conducting attacks in an effort to distract Union forces to the rear of the Confederate line. Late in the night of October 17, 1862, Morgan learned of an encampment of Union troops in the woods to the rear of the mansion at Ashland. Morgan decided to take the opportunity to create distraction by attacking this Union encampment. At dawn on October 18, 1862, Morgan attacked the 294 members of the 3rd and 4th Ohio Cavalry at Ashland with some 1800 of his 2nd, 3rd, and 9th Kentucky Cavalrymen and artillery section. Morgan divided his forces and they attacked the small camp of Ohioans from both sides. The engagement lasted only about 15 minutes due to the overwhelming Confederate force. Four Union troops were killed, 290 (including 24 wounded) were taken prisoner. The number of Confederate casualties is unknown but included John Hunt Morgan’s cousin George Washington “Wash” Morgan who was mortally wounded. Morgan paroled the Union prisoners on the steps of the Ashland mansion later that day.

snip... James join the southern cause...

Henry Clay’s son James was master of Ashland as the Civil War approached and his decisions would determine the fate of the estate throughout and after the war. In February 1861, James was selected to represent Kentucky at the Peace Conference in Washington D.C. The conference was sponsored by the state of Virginia and James viewed it as largely a futile effort to stave off the war, and his view proved correct.
 

5fish

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Here are some more detail about the engagement at Ashland...


snip... one detail need to read the link for the rest of the story...

At dawn, October 18, 1862, Breckinridge's dismounted troopers attacked the Ohioans from the Richmond Road at left, with Gano's regiment, mounted, forming behind. Corbett's artillery opened fire in this direction from Breckinridge's left. At the same time, Duke's Second Kentucky arrived here, dismounted to the right, and opened fire upon the Ohioans' rear. The Ohioans broke in confusion; those not killed were captured. The fact that four officers - a captain and three lieutenants - had slipped away to enjoy the hospitality of the Phoenix Hotel for the night probably added to the panic of the disorganized Ohioans. Although other Union officers' reports on the loss noted the four officers 'awol' status, Kent Brown finds no record of any disciplinary action.
 
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