09/02/2026
"THE DEVIL AND HIS IMPS"
August 31, 1862...President Lincoln received three messages from Brigadier General Jeremiah T. Boyle, Military Commander of Kentucky, in response to his inquiry about the Battle of Richmond (see prior post.)
He also sent two messages to General-in-Chief Major General Henry W. Halleck (with a detailed report on the Battle of Richmond - see below) and one to Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton (who reportedly said of Lincoln right after his death, "Now he belongs to the ages" - quote attribution by Presidential secretary John Hay.)
Highlights from his messages to the President: "We must have help of drilled troops unless you intend to turn us over to the devil and his imps" and "Matters very bad at Lexington."
These messages were sent from Boyle's headquarters in Louisville, and each is addressed to President Lincoln:
(These are presented in the order as listed on page 465 of the Official Records, Series 1, Volume 16, Part II):
First Dispatch:
I am not accurately informed of the force General Nelson had in the engagement, but believe that he had 7,000 or 8,000 men, all of them new levies except Eighteenth Kentucky. His force may have been greater. Enemy's force estimated at 15,000 to 20,000. Morgan has moved from Glasgow in direction of Lebanon. Colonel Bruce, at Bowling Green, says Buckner, with force of Forrest, Starnes and Co. is moving from Tompkinsville toward Columbia and Lebanon. We need drilled troops and drilled artillery.
Second Dispatch:
News grow worse from vicinity of Lexington. Many of our troops captured. Rebels on the Lexington side of the Kentucky River. Lexington will be in their possession to-morrow. We must have help of drilled troops unless you intend to turn us over to the devil and his imps.
Third Dispatch:
Colonel Bruce telegraphs from Bowling Green that a large force, reported to be under Buckner, is at Tompkinsville; that his advance guard were at Glasgow to-day. This place he held with the small force. Over 3,000 men enlisted waiting to be mustered in are without arms, and they are forbid being furnished arms. The rebels will soon have the men and the arms. Matters very bad at Lexington.
All signed:
J.T. Boyle, Brigadier-General, Commanding.
Boyle's second message to Halleck includes this report:
"We were badly defeated at Richmond. Generals Nelson and Cruft wounded; heavy loss. Buckner is advancing in direction of this city (Louisville) from Tompkinsville. The new troops will not stand before drilled rebels. Can we not have troops from General Grant's army? The whole State will be in possession of rebels if some efficient aid is not rendered immediately."
The bad news for Federal forces in Central Kentucky would continue for several weeks...
Dispatch by:
George Nelson Ridings
BORA President
