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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
[book page] 105
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 homeguards. 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
[book page] 106
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 govern
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ment 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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