Editor's Note: We continue our series of interviews taken from Dr. John J. Dickey's famous diary. Dr. Dickey of Fleming County, founder of several schools and churches, traveled throughout Eastern and Central Kentucky some lOO years ago, interviewing older residents. In most cases, he wrote down their very words while compiling a diary of several thousand pages. Each month we include a few lines from this remarkable man's diary, which he kept faithfully for over 50 years.
 

I made my first race for the Lower House of the Kentucky Legislature in 1841 against Dough White and was defeated, also in 1842. In 1843, I was elected over General Elijah Combs, and in 1844 was elected without opposition. In 1857 1 was elected to the Senate and in 1859 1 resigned and ran for Congress and was defeated by Greene Adams, uncle of Little Matt, who was the son of Richard. Again in 1861 1 was elected to the Senate over Carol Brittaim I am not certain whether Brittain was in 1857 or in 1861. I was enrolled as colonel July 27, 1861. I had my appointment as colonel of the 3rd Kentucky from President Lincoln under the State authority. I was made colonel of the 7th. Colonel Bramlette was colonel of the 1st Kentucky, General Fry of the 2nd, and I of the 3rd. Adjutant general John W. Finnell made the change to the 7th. I raised the first troops in the state. I got my appointment from the President. As soon as it was made, General Wolford was the 1st Kentucky Cavalry. The letter from Simon Cameron, Secretary of War, is dated September 16, 1861. It states that I was appointed colonel July 27, 1861, of the 3rd Kentucky Volunteers. (I read the letter today. J.D.D.) I received of my appointment as soon as it was made and began at once to enlist men. I raised two companies in Clay, two in Laurel, two in Knox and two in Whitely. I was elected to the senate August 4, 1861. I was colonel about two years before I was appointed brigadier general. I was with General Osterhouse in Mississippi.

I was in half dozen engagements around Vicksburg in one day. I lost some of my men in these fights. Daniel Garrard, son of my brother James Garrard, was killed around Vicksburg in the 22nd Kentucky. Colonel Dan Lind-say became adjutant general of Kentucky during the war. John Lucas was first captain, also Elisha B. Treadway of Co. A, of troops from Owsley and Lee. He was the father of Captain Joseph B. Treadway with the 4th Kentucky. My regiment was the only regiment at Wildcat until the morning of the fight. I had cut down timber, falling it toward the enemy and had made pits. I wrote to General George M. Thomas that if he did not send me reinforcements, I would retreat. Three hundred of my men were sick at Mt. Vernon. After the battle had been raging two hours with mine and 32nd Infantry, Colonel-- commanding, a splendid Officer Schaoff came to me before or during the battle with one or two men. He ran during the fight. During the battle, Colonel Cornwell with 8 companies came up to the 17th Ohio; the other two were behind the wagons. Sleadman brought one battery of artillery, and as soon as that was put in action, the rebels began retreating. The rebels had a battery of artillery and 7,000 men. Thirteen rebels were killed and fewer of ours, only 6 or 7, I think. There was an old cabin on top of the hill and... (Interview made August 10,1898.)
 

I left Manchester on April 5, 1847, a soldier in the Mexican War though I was in no engagement. Four companies of our regiment, the 16th U.S. Infantry Kentucky Volunteers, (I was captain of Co. E.) were stationed at Ceralvo, Mexico, on the Rio Grande to hold the subjugated territory. Part of the regiment was there and part, 6 companies, at Monterey. I think the 8 months I stayed there were the most pleasant part of my life. The Mexicans were fond of us. We had no trouble with them. The climate was pleasant, and everything went well. Old Richard Lucas was the drummer. He was drummer in the War of 1812, also.
 

In 1838, the state of South Carolina proposed to the state of Kentucky that she would build a railroad from Charleston to Cincinnati via Cumberland Gap. Thomas F. Marshall was a member of the legislature when the proposition came up and threw the force of his great personality against it. It was defeated by one vote. Colonel William McKee who fell at Buena Vista was a member of the surveying party when they passed here. I saw him in 1824 when he and I and one of my brothers were students at Centre College. He graduated that year then went to West Point and graduated. But for Thomas F. Marshall we might have had a railroad here fifty years ago. I had not seen Colonel McKee from the day of his graduation in 1824 till 1838 when he passed here with the Corps of Engineers.
 

I was in command of 400 soldiers from the command of General George W. Morgan carrying dispatches from him to General Nelson at Lexington. At the mouth of Bear Creek we met some rebels and had an engagement for half an hour. One of our men was killed and three or four died from their wounds. He was a nice young man. I talked to him. Our command was coming down Goose Creek and heard that the rebels were in our route. We crossed over to Red Bird going down Double Creek. We were on the opposite or east side of Red Bird. The rebels on this side. Captain Clark crossed over with his company. Colonel Mundey had 200 cavalry. I was in the legislature when my regiment was mustered in. and I was ordered by General George M. Thomas to meet it at Camp Wild Cat. Reinforcements were to follow at once but did not reach me until the day of battle or the day before. My regiment was the 3rd Kentucky at the start but was changed to the 7th Kentucky by General Finnell, adjutant general of Kentucky. Some regiments recruited in Ohio were named 1st, 2nd, etc.~ putting us 5th, 6th, and 7th. This was unjust and grew out of favoritism. And my men were on artillery and wagon horses. One of our captains climbed a mountain, a very high one, with his company. When the rebels saw that we were regular soldiers, they retreated going up Laurel Branch and over on to Goose Creek. We kept down to Red Bird to Clark's Salt Works and through McKee to within 12 miles of Richmond. Then I left my command there under Major (I.N.) Cardwell, while Colonel Mundey commanded the cavalry. The Battle of Big Hill or Richmond occurred a few days afterwards.

The rebels had come in through Prews' Gap and Williamsburg, and part of them came by Goose Creek, perhaps to get supplies. General George Morgan, with several regiments, came down Goose Creek from Cumberland Gap, camped at the salt works and at Dr. Burchell's. They went through Boonesville to the Ohio River.
 

My son, James Garrard, was the auditor's agent when Bal. Howard failed as sheriff. As such, he sold Howard's property, and the state bid it in. It was the timber off this land that Tom Baker and the Howards fell out over. I understand James Howard has threatened to kill my son, James, since this feud has come up because of his official work.