CHAPTER XIX.
Meetings at Shelbyville, Eminence, Bloomfield, Old Union.-Morgan's Raid.
-Meeting Closed.
-The Doctor Notified that the Order was out for His Arrest.
-Attempt to Escape.
-Union Friends.
-Refusal to Compromise Them.
-His Surrender to Major Brock, of Lexington.
-Parole.
-Arrest by Col. Warner.
-Louisville Prison.
-Preaching.
-Refusal to take the "Iron-clad Oath."
-Camp Morton.
-Johnson's Island.
-False Charges.
-My Endeavors to Secure his Release.
-Banished from the State.
The months of May and June were spent in evangelizing. The Doctor held meetings in Shelbyville, Eminence and Bloomfield. The 1st of July he was at Old Union, in one of those glorious meetings everybody loved to be at. Elder T. M. Allen was with him, and, of course, Bro. John A. Gano.
While it was rumored that John Morgan was marching into Kentucky, many believed it an idle report. It was difficult to get at the truth of any war news then.
The meeting was growing in interest. Many were coming to Christ, in spite of the excitement. The 18th of July was a lovely day; the house was crowded with people. Dr. Hopson was in the midst of his sermon, when twenty-five or thirty Morgan men rode up to the church. He at once dismissed the congregation. While he and Bro. Allen were looking upon the exciting scene some one handed the Doctor a note. It ran thus
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"Dear Doctor: -I promised to let you know if at any time you were in danger. The order is out for your arrest; get out of the way the best you can. Your Union Friend,
"Georgetown. J.L."
He handed the note to Bros. Allen and Gano; both were Union men at that time. They were both shocked and grieved.
There was short time for thought. The boys urged the Doctor to go with them at once. He told them he had some necessary arrangements to make, and would try to reach them when they left the State, so as to have their protection.
Before the sun went down the boys in gray had come and gone, but had taken with them some twenty of the young men of the neighborhood. It was a time for sad farewells and tears; brothers, sons, lovers, were leaving their homes and loved ones, and God alone knew if any of them would ever return.
The Doctor closed the meeting at once. We went home with Bro. Gano, Bro. Allen going with us. After supper we were sitting out in the yard, under the trees, all silent, and thinking of what the day had brought forth. Twilight had gathered about us, when the tramp of horses and rattling of sabers announced the advance of soldiers, but on which side we knew not.
They came down the long avenue leading to the house, and as they entered the last gate a few rods away, the leader spoke. Dear Uncle Billy Conn spoke first: "That is Dick's voice." Almost simultaneously Dr. Hopson said: "That is Gen. Gano." In a moment he was in his father's arms, and surrounded by the whole family. They had not seen him for two years. Bro. Gano stood for a moment looking at Dr. Hopson, and
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said: "They may send me to prison if they want to, but I will give Richard his supper." I shall never forget that hour. When we gathered about the family altar that night there were two sons less in the family group. Bro. Allen was the only one who could lift his voice in prayer.
The next morning early, Dr. H. left for D. B. Bryan's, whose house had been our home for three months, who was a Union man then, and is yet, I suppose. The Doctor made immediate preparations to leave. By the time he was ready, the country was filled with home-guards. He attempted to make his way out through Mt. Sterling, but found himself hemmed in so that escape was impossible. He went to the house of a Union friend and brother in the church, with whom he had been intimate ever since he moved to the State, and at whose house he had stayed for weeks.
He was warmly welcomed and the brother began at once to suggest ways and means of escape. He said he felt sure that Dr. H. had violated no law that would make him amenable to the charge of treason. He told the Doctor he could conceal him until he could make his escape, or he would take him in his carriage to the Ohio River and put him across, and furnish him money to go where he pleased.
The Doctor told him he could not accept his generous offer, but that he would remain with him until he could send to his uncle, Dr. Hopson, and do whatever he advised him.
His uncle came immediately, and advised him to return to Lexington at once, as it was impossible for him to leave the State; and he might be safer at headquarters than to run the risk of falling into the hands of the
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predatory bands of home-guards that were roaming the country.
They returned to Lexington together, and at once reported at Major Brook's office, who assured the Doctor he would not be detained, but to go where he pleased, and report to him at 2 P.M. He at once came up to Dr. D. Morton's, where I was staying. Just as the dinner-bell rang there was a loud knock at the front door. When Dr. Morton opened it, two Federal soldiers were standing on the step. They asked if Dr. Hopson was there. Dr. Morton said to them, "There is the gentleman." The spokesman said, "We want him to come with us." Dr. Morton begged them to let Dr. H. get his dinner. No; their orders were peremptory - Bring him at once. Dr. Hopson told them he was under arrest, and on parole. Remonstrance was vain-go he most. He left. I expected fully he would be back in in an hour or two, and had his dinner put away-and it was over four years before he came after it.
Instead of taking him to the Provost's office, he was taken to the jail, and turned into the yard with all sorts of people. He felt the truth of the adage, " Misfortune makes acquainted with strange" companions.
When three o'clock came, I began to feel very uneasy at his absence. A little while after, Bro. McGarvey called. I asked him if he saw the Doctor down town. He said yes; and after a moment's hesitation, he continued; "He sent a message to you by me. I heard he was to be sent away on the cars, and went to the depot to see him, but was not allowed to approach him." He delivered the message, and I shall never forget the mingled tones of sadness and sympathy with which he announced to me the sad news. Were I
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writing my own history, instead of Dr. Hopson's, it would be impossible to describe my feelings. He was taken away from me so suddenly, without a farewell, and oblivious of his destination. He told Bro. McGarvey to tell me he would write to me at once, so I would know where he was. He was arrested at noon, July 25, 1862 (Friday). I waited until Tuesday; could hear no tidings. One paper said he had been sent North, and another South.
As soon as Bro. McGarvey left, I sent for Mr. John Carty; a warm Union friend of the Doctor's, to ascertain, if possible, why he had been sent away, instead of being tried in Lexington, where everybody knew him and his record. Mr. Carty came at once, and told me that Dr. Hopson's friends among the Union men advised the step; that it would probably save bloodshed, as threats were made to tear the jail down to procure his release, if necessary, and that men were ready to rouse and rally the Doctor's friends from all parts of the county. He said it was a most unfortunate arrest, and he regretted it exceedingly, as did other Union men, as well as Southern. He was very kind, and advised with me as to the best course to pursue to obtain his release.
I waited until Tuesday for news from him, and, not receiving any, I telegraphed to Wm. Terry, who responded that Dr. Hopson was in the military prison in Louisville, but that I would not be able to see him before Thursday. I immediately packed his clothes, and boarded the cars and went down to the city. Wednesday morning, Sister Huffman and I went to the prison, and succeeded in gaining admittance at once. It was a sad meeting. When I asked him what I could do to obtain his liberty, he said he could see no hope of release.
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A lawyer had already visited him with a proposition that if he would take the "iron-clad oath," as it was called, and, in addition, give a bond of $10,000 to behave in the future, he could be set at liberty. The first he could not, and the second he would not do. He was required by the "iron-clad oath" to swear that he had no sympathy for the South. He said to me: "Ella, if I were to take that oath, every Southern friend and every Union friend I have would know I had perjured myself. I was born and reared in the South, and loyalty to race and loyalty to principle would forbid my taking that oath. I am willing to take the oath of allegiance to the United States and go to Canada or Dixie, if I am obnoxious, but I will lie in prison and rot before I will perjure myself. Since the war began I have occupied the position taken by the State of Kentucky, and have never violated the solemn compact entered into with the brethren in Lexington. I have never by advice, counsel or money violated that pledge. I have nothing to say against the government; I do not believe it responsible for my arrest. I have not been informed of the charges against me, nor can I find out. I have no hard, words for those who caused my arrest, but I will be consistent and honest."
I tried for a week to obtain a copy of the charges, against him, but in vain. I knew it would be useless for me to attempt to stir in the matter until I knew what I had to contend against. Again and again I visited the Provost Marshal's office, but in vain. Col. Harney would give me no satisfaction. Why, I could not learn.
Mr. Carty advised me to ascertain the charges against him, and then get the certificates of Union men to prove
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their falsity, and take the vindication to Washington and obtain his release. I found it impossible.
I shall always feel indebted to some of the Union men of Louisville for their kindness in that trying time. Wm. Kaye was mayor of the city then, and I am indebted to him for courtesies and advice.
Capt. Zach. Sherley assisted me all he could, and visited Dr. Hopson in prison to see if he could aid him in any way. When Dr. Hopson told him that he intended to preach in the prison the following Sunday, Capt. Sherley begged him not to do it, as an order was out that if any one attempted to preach they should be put in irons. Dr. Hopson told him that he received his authority to preach from a higher power than any human government, and he would like to wear chains for Christ's sake. He made his appointment for Sunday morning, and promptly the seats were filled, and just as he commenced preaching a soldier entered the room. The Doctor thought he was going to take him from the stand, in all probability, but instead, he slipped a note on the end of his bayonet, and, reaching forward, gave it to the Doctor. It read:
"Dr. Hopson will be allowed to preach, provided he does not preach treason. GEN. JERRY BOYLE."
The Doctor read the note and went on with the services. Capt. Sherley had procured that concession for him on the part of those in authority.
Bro. Wm. Giltner came down from Eminence to see if he could be of any assistance to him. These assurances of esteem and confidence were very precious to him in this hour of trial. There were many others equally kind. After eighteen days' confinement in the
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Louisville prison, the authorities determined to remove the prisoners to Camp Morton, Ind. I was notified that I must visit the Doctor the day before the one set for removal, as I would not be permitted to see him on that day. Still I felt I must see him leave, and Sister Huffman and I went down in the carriage to the prison. Capt. Dillard took pity on me, and said I might go up and see the Doctor if I would only stay ten minutes, as they were nearly ready to be marched out to leave. We were still ignorant of the charge against him, but he remarked to me, "They have a new Provost Marshal, Col. Dent. I think he is a gentleman. You go and see him, and maybe he will give you the desired information." It was a sad, sad hour when I saw my dear husband marched off between rows of bristling bayonets, while he was not allowed even to wave a farewell to hundreds of his friends who were looking from windows and lining the sidewalks. I never saw him walk so proudly or look so grandly as he did then, while it seemed to me my heart would break; yet I felt that I would rather never see him again than that he should swear falsely for the sake of securing his liberty.
Mrs. Huffman and I went immediately to the Provost's office, and found Col. Dent in. He was very kind, and listened to my story. He sent for Capt. Dillard, who was to take the prisoners away, and asked for the paper containing the charges against Dr. Hopson. Capt. Dillard readily produced it, and handed it to Col. Dent. He opened it, and handed it to me. It said
"Dr. Hopson has thrown all his abilities, energies and heart into this wicked rebellion, which is a disgrace, not merely to Christianity, but to civilization. He has devoted his days and nights for upwards of a year to the destruction of the best government that ever existed. His example, coming from one of the first Christian preachers in the State, would have been mischievous and criminal enough, but he devoted his rare intellectual abilities to the furtherance of his pernicious example. He made preaching tours, and wherever he went the secesh gathered to hear the gospel of rebellion, treason, murder, pillage and piracy, and wherever he went a crop of secession thistles and brambles sprung up in his path. He joined Morgan, and raided through the country with him, and is his chaplain. His church desire him summarily dealt with."
There were no names signed to this precious document. Why? Simply because there was no man living who would have dared to put his name to such infamous falsehoods. Those who made these charges knew they were false, and were afraid to father them.
Col. Dent gave me the same advice Mr. Carty had. I returned to Lexington the following day, and made arrangements to write to Union preachers with whom the Doctor had held meetings during the year, to procure certificates disproving the charges.
I was in the city only two days, when a friend who had been visiting in the country came home. I was staying at her daughter's. She said she was glad and sorry to see me; that the lady's husband where she had been visiting said they were going to arrest me on my return from Louisville. I told her I did not like to leave, as it would defeat my effort to release the Doctor. She said that was what they wanted to do. That evening I got a letter from Uncle Henry Hopson, of Paris, telling me there was a strong feeling in favor of having me arrested, and to be very careful and prudent.
I determined to return to Louisville at once, and await answers to my letters there. I arrived late in the evening, and was driven to Bro. Huffman's. I did not
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know that any one in Louisville knew I was in the city. The second morning after my arrival I received a note warning me that I would be arrested on sight. I sent for Capt. Sherley, and he said that, while he would not ordinarily notice anonymous, notes and letters, it was a matter in which it was best to run no risks, and perhaps I had better leave the State. He sent for his son, who soon had a carriage at the door, and went with me to Jeffersonville, to take the train for Chicago, where I had friends living.
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