Do not copy any of my artwork, poetry or photography without my permission.

Do not copy any of my artwork, poetry or photography without my permission.
....carpe diem. The Daylily. "Be like the flower, turn your face to the sun." Khalil Gibran. She gives her all for just one day then bows her head to God and fades away to nourish the next generation. God I pray I may give my all each day to honor you and bow my head at the end to nourish the next generation. Peggy Jones. NOTE............ Please folks do not copy any of my art or photos on my blog without my permission. Thank you for your good manners.

Blogs full of blessings

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Sepia Saturday #80

Sepia Saturday with Alan



Courtesy of Nelson Co. Genealogy Roundtable
of which we are members.

James Henry's story was featured in the Feb. issue of The Nelson County Genealogist.

James Henry Spalding was born Feb. 19, 1841 in a modest log house which still stands in the southernmost reaches of Nelson County, near the community known as Howardstown.
His family was amoung the earliest settlers of our vastly Catholic county.
Very well one of the pillars of families in our area.

He was once a valued officer in the Union's 37th Kentucky Volunteer Mounted Infantry soon becaming a confederate guerrilla, preying on citizens in his own county and surrounding counties.

Spalding's change from Unionist to Confederate guerrilla, to be sure, was a radical transformation but still not all that surprising.
By the end of the war many Unionists were wondering if they had not picked the wrong side. Being a border slave state, in 1861, those Kentuckians that supported the Union cause did so in order to preserve the "Union and Constitution as it was." Their opinion was diametrically opposed to views held by many northerners who went to war as a crusade against the institution of slavery. During Spalding's  subsequent court-martial, George Radcliff, who kept a hotel near the family home was asked, "Do you know that Spalding's family are Southern Sympathizers, except himself?" To which Radcliff replied, "I did not know that they were at the onset, but they got to be afterwards."


His court martial began on March 25th, 1865.

In an agreement to save his life Spalding pleaded guilty to robbery but there was not evidence of murder or treason of his country so he was sentenced to 5 years in Ky State Penitentiary.

James Henry Spalding, from what little is known, led a relatively quiet life after the war but he was never married and died September 24, 1877, at the age of 36.
Yes he is in my family tree and the trees of many, many folks in this area.

Go here for more Sepia Saturday stories.



13 comments:

Pondside said...

Fascinating stories - especially when they're true. Those were confusing times, and I'll bet there were many who moved back and forth with their consciences.

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Very interesting family history.

Love the party hats photos from 1965 and 2001. What a great comparison.

We are heading to Nepal for a 10-day adventure on Wednesday. Even the kids are looking forward to it.

Have a wonderful weekend. Tammy

Bob Scotney said...

This is an intriguing story Peggy with a military connection that many in the UK would not normally hear about even if we studied American history.

Tattered and Lost said...

Love the cowlick in the back of his hair that probably sums up this fellow. Wouldn't quite stay in place.

Unknown said...

So enjoy these pieces of history. Sharing is the only way to know ... fabulous pics.
Have a great week ~
TTFN ~
Marydon

Unknown said...

Peggy, if you have any of the Love Is... please come join me on Monday's. I'd love to have you ... I see the one on your sidebar.
TTFN ~ Marydon

Rudee said...

Nobody can say you don't have an interesting family tree. Treason, huh?

Did you ever read, The Gray Ghost? It's the story of Colonel John S Mosby, who disrupted Union supply lines for the Confederacy. It was a fascinating book. After the war, he befriended U.S. Grant, was demonized in Virginia and became the U.S. Consul to Hong Kong.

Brett Payne said...

Fascinating story behind the picture, thank you.

Postcardy said...

I didn't realize that some switched sides.

Ruth said...

Hello Peggy,
I hope you have a wonderful day.
How cool to know that someone in your family line is that famous and important.

Thank you for leading me to Sepia Saturday. I'm joining first time this week using my other blog.

Blessings!

Little Nell said...

Now that’s added to my knowledge of American History. I learn something new every Saturday. Thank you for sharing.

Bruno Laliberté said...

36 sounds like a very short life by today's standards... but he sounds like he had a full life. his change of mind in his allegiances must have torn him inside. this is such a radical switch.

thanx 4 sharing!!
:)~
HUGZ

Christmas-etc... said...

How interesting! What a difficult time that was to live... Only 36...poor man.
Ann