JOHN M. HARLAN IN KENTUCKY, 1855-1877 THE STORY OF Hm ...

26 The Filson Club History Quarterly [Vol. 14Commissioned a colonel at the age of twenty-eight, Harlancommanded his Tenth Kentucky Infantry in the Federal divisionformed under General Thomas. While he played importantroles in the Battle of Mill's Spring,- in the advance on Corinth,,,and in the skirmishes at Lavergne," it was Harlan's victory overthe raider John H. Morgan at Rolling Fork Bridge--September18, 1861--that was responsible for his military fame in Kentucky.For that victory prevented the utter destruction of railway linesby which an important sector of the Union forces were mainlysupplied and contributed significantly to the final retirementof Morgan from the state.- Wrote Brigadier-General Fry:"Colonel Haxlan, for the energy, promptness, and success in pursuingand driving rebel forces from railroad, is entitled to thegratitude not only of the people of Kentucky, but of the wholeArmy of the Cumberland."-Far-reaching was the impact of war experiences upon thedeveloping mind of young John ttarlan. Out of the spirit ofcameraderie emerging from dangers and hardships met in commonwith soldiers of all creeds and classes, there flowed powerfulegalitarian influences. The sympathy which Harlan bore forthe soldiers of his regiment lingered strong throughout life" andfinds expression through his war dispatches in repeated praisesof "their willingness, even eagerness, to endure any fatigue ormake any sacrifice."•s If Know-Nothingist antipathy for Catholicismremained at all in Harlan, it•must have been hammeredaway by the valor and self-sacrifice of his Catholic soldiers; foryears after Appomattox he recalled: "It was a magnificentsight to see how the boys struggled through mud and rain toreach the field of battle. The ground was so wet and muddyunder them that their feet slipped at every step. I see now withgreat distinctness old Father Nash pushing along on foot withthe boys. Equally earnest with him was a Catholic priest fromWashington County, who had come with Catholic soldiers fromthat county. There were many Catholics in my regiment."-Primarily it was sympathies for lower-class men that weresharpened in camp and on battlefield. Small farmers, mechanics,• War of the Rebellion: Off•ial Records, Series I• Volume 7, pages 85, 88.[bid., Series I, Volume 16, Part II, page 236.u Ibid., Series I, Volume 23, Part I, pages 20-22.u Ibid., Series I, Volume 20, Part I, pages 137-141.Ki •,.'J ---- •/;; M'•'ffa•ur•a*t•Lrlan, Washington, D. 0., Per Coll. of Haflan.as War of the Rebellion: Offwial Records, Series I, Volume 7, page 90.it Harlan Mss. in Speed, op. cir., page 197.