Finally found information.

[Ozarknative]

Over the years I have heard multiple times that an ancestor who fought for the Confederacy was executed under Order 59, but was having trouble finding the information. I have finally found confirmation thanks to Newspapers.com.

.John W. Sipple left his home and family to join the Confederate army as a private. While in the army he learned of his wife's serious illness, and without leave, left the ranks to return to her bedside. Being captured by the Home Guards, he was shot at Bardstown, Kentucky, leaving a family of five sons. These sons were: Joseph H., of Clermont County, Ohio; Sylvester. a farmer in Grant County, Kentucky; John D.; Newton J., deceased ; and James L., a farmer.

 

[13 IL Cav & 64 GA Inf]

Over the years I have heard multiple times that an ancestor who fought for the Confederacy was executed under Order 59, but was having trouble finding the information. I have finally found confirmation thanks to Newspapers.com.

.John W. Sipple left his home and family to join the Confederate army as a private. While in the army he learned of his wife's serious illness, and without leave, left the ranks to return to her bedside. Being captured by the Home Guards, he was shot at Bardstown, Kentucky, leaving a family of five sons. These sons were: Joseph H., of Clermont County, Ohio; Sylvester. a farmer in Grant County, Kentucky; John D.; Newton J., deceased ; and James L., a farmer.
View attachment 543322

I really like it that you solved a mystery in your family history. Having done genealogy/family history "funwork" sinced 1979, I love it when I solve such an issue.

 

[lupaglupa]

I guess your question now is, was he actually part of a local group of non-regular troops? Or was it a mistake that he was mixed in with the other men?

 

[Reconstructed Rebel]

What a tragic story. My relatives lived in that area during the war, and the guerrilla activity was brutal according to my elders. It was difficult to tell who was really on what side of the conflict and who was only out for themselves. Angry people shot first and asked questions later.

Sue Munday and his men were a particular curse. I recall my grandfather telling me how they ambushed a Union scouting party just outside of Bloomfield and after the Federals surrendered, Munday and his men killed and scalped them. They also stopped and boarded a train near Lebanon Junction and after robbing all the passengers, lined up all the men in Union uniforms - most of them on their way home after being wounded or with a disability - and killed them.

That had nothing to do with your ancestor of course, and I am sorry your family suffered that loss.

 

[Bruce Vail]

Sound like he was executed by the Yankees, no?

 

[Reconstructed Rebel]

As we all know, AI is not always a reliable source. The information it produces regarding my hometown is hilariously inaccurate. I googled "Order 59 Civil War" and the response is below. Is anyone familiar with General Grant doing any such thing?

During the Civil War, "Order 59" refers to a series of actions taken by General Ulysses S. Grant, including the infamous "Order 59" which ordered the execution of Confederate soldiers who were captured in battle,.

Here's a more detailed explanation:

• Background:
  During the Civil War, General Ulysses S. Grant, a Union general, was known for his aggressive tactics and determination to win the war.
• "Order 59":
  "Order 59" was a series of actions taken by General Grant, including the infamous "Order 59" which ordered the execution of Confederate soldiers who were captured in battle,.
• Context:
  The orders were issued in response to the Confederate army's brutal tactics and the high number of casualties suffered by Union soldiers.
• Significance:
  "Order 59" and similar actions by Grant were controversial at the time and have been the subject of much debate and discussion ever since.

 

[Sheltowee]

I smell Stephen Burbridge

 

[East Tennessee Roots]

Over the years I have heard multiple times that an ancestor who fought for the Confederacy was executed under Order 59, but was having trouble finding the information. I have finally found confirmation thanks to Newspapers.com.

.John W. Sipple left his home and family to join the Confederate army as a private. While in the army he learned of his wife's serious illness, and without leave, left the ranks to return to her bedside. Being captured by the Home Guards, he was shot at Bardstown, Kentucky, leaving a family of five sons. These sons were: Joseph H., of Clermont County, Ohio; Sylvester. a farmer in Grant County, Kentucky; John D.; Newton J., deceased ; and James L., a farmer.
View attachment 543322

My Wife's Civil War Ancestry In Hodgenville, Larue County, Kentucky | Researching Civil War Records & Ancestry

My wife's ancestry contains a rich Civil War history but she has never shared my interest in the "late unpleasantness" of the 1860s. Her mother was from southwest Virginia and her Civil War ancestors were Confederate for the most part. James Monroe Harris, Company D 37th Virginia lost a leg at...

civilwartalk.com

 

[Reconstructed Rebel]

I smell Stephen Burbridge

Yes - as confirmed in the source below
Union General Stephen G. Burbridge, the military commander of Kentucky, issued General Order 59. The order mandated that when any loyal Union citizen was killed, four guerrilla prisoners were to be executed.
Source:

A Civil War Reprisal

Historical Marker #504 in Frankfort notes the location where four Confederate men were executed in 1864, as an act of retaliation for the murder of a local Unionist by guerrillas. In the border…

explorekyhistory.ky.gov

Then for fun I googled "Order 59 Stephen Burbridge" and AI gave me the text below, proving that no one, under any circumstances, can take AI with more than a grain of salt. It is disturbing that such misinformation is being so freely distributed.

During the Civil War, General Order No. 59, issued by General Stephen Burbridge, authorized the removal of civilians from areas near military operations, particularly in Kentucky, to ensure the efficient conduct of the war.

Here's a more detailed explanation:

• Context:
  As the Civil War progressed, General Stephen Burbridge, a Union general, issued General Order No. 59, which aimed to address the growing civil unrest and ensure the smooth functioning of military operations.
• Content:
  The order, in part, stated that civilians in areas near military operations would be removed, effectively creating a "no-go zone" for civilians.
• Justification:
  Burbridge justified the order by citing the need to protect the military from civilian interference and to ensure the safety of Union troops.
• Impact:
  The order had a significant impact on the civilian population, leading to displacement and hardship.

 

[Reconstructed Rebel]

I guess your question now is, was he actually part of a local group of non-regular troops? Or was it a mistake that he was mixed in with the other men?

Oddly, there is a
John W. Sipple, PVT, Co. H, 4th Kentucky Cavalry, CSA and a
John Sipple, PVT, Co. E, 4th Kentucky Cavalry, USA

Cousins or the same man?

The 4th Kentucky CSA was formed in Saylerville, Kentucky, in eastern KY, quite a distance from Bardstown
The 4th Kentucky USA was formed in Louisville, Kentucky and moved a short distance to Bardstown in 1862 and then to Tennessee.

If his wife was in Bardstown that makes me wonder what 4th Kentucky he belonged to. But none of that makes sense, and I think I am probably just muddying the waters….

 

[Ozarknative]

I guess your question now is, was he actually part of a local group of non-regular troops? Or was it a mistake that he was mixed in with the other men?

He was not in a local group. He served in the 4th Ky Calvary Co. H, and was captured in Grant Co. Ky trying to get home because his wife was gravely ill. He was captured by the Home Guards.

 

[Reconstructed Rebel]

Per the source below, here is the history of the CSA 4th Kentucky:

4th Regiment, Kentucky Cavalry
OVERVIEW:4th Cavalry Regiment was formed at Salyersville, Kentucky, in October, 1862. The unit served in the Department of East Tennessee and later in the Department of Western Virginia and East Tennessee. It was involved in numerous conflicts in Tennessee and Kentucky, then during October, 1864, skirmished in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. During the spring of 1865 it disbanded. The field officers were Colonel Henry L. Giltner, Lieutenant Colonel Moses T. Pryor, and Major Nathan Parker.

Source:

Battle Unit Details - The Civil War (U.S. National Park Service)

www.nps.gov

 

[Reconstructed Rebel]

For anyone interested, this is the best account of the full details of General Burbridge's order 59 that I have found, printed in the NYT in July 1864.

Source:

The Guerrillas in Kentucky.; AN ORDER BY GEN. BURBRIDGE. (Published 1864)

Kentucky, Gen. Burbridge's Orders for

www.nytimes.com

 

[Ozarknative]

Oddly, there is a
John W. Sipple, PVT, Co. H, 4th Kentucky Cavalry, CSA and a
John Sipple, PVT, Co. E, 4th Kentucky Cavalry, USA

Cousins or the same man?

The 4th Kentucky CSA was formed in Saylerville, Kentucky, in eastern KY, quite a distance from Bardstown
The 4th Kentucky USA was formed in Louisville, Kentucky and moved a short distance to Bardstown in 1862 and then to Tennessee.

If his wife was in Bardstown that makes me wonder what 4th Kentucky he belonged to. But none of that makes sense, and I think I am probably just muddying the waters….

He was in the 4th Kentucky Cavalry Co. H. CSA

 

[Ozarknative]

Oddly, there is a
John W. Sipple, PVT, Co. H, 4th Kentucky Cavalry, CSA and a
John Sipple, PVT, Co. E, 4th Kentucky Cavalry, USA

Cousins or the same man?

The 4th Kentucky CSA was formed in Saylerville, Kentucky, in eastern KY, quite a distance from Bardstown
The 4th Kentucky USA was formed in Louisville, Kentucky and moved a short distance to Bardstown in 1862 and then to Tennessee.

If his wife was in Bardstown that makes me wonder what 4th Kentucky he belonged to. But none of that makes sense, and I think I am probably just muddying the waters….

4th Kentucky Cavalry Co H CSA

 

[Ozarknative]

I smell Stephen Burbridge

Definitely.

 

[Reconstructed Rebel]

He was in the 4th Kentucky Cavalry Co. H. CSA

Most of the other Sipple soldiers that showed up in my search were enlisted for the Union. I had the same experience when researching my family tree, but in Kentucky that was more the norm than the exception - lots of folks had relatives on either side. The link below may be helpful to you in gathering more information. Good luck!

Better Soldiers & Sailors - brought to you by Gopher Records

bettersoldiersandsailors.com

 

[Ozarknative]

Sound like he was executed by the Yankees, no?

Yes

 

[Ozarknative]

Most of the other Sipple soldiers that showed up in my search were enlisted for the Union. I had the same experience when researching my family tree, but in Kentucky that was more the norm than the exception - lots of folks had relatives on either side. The link below may be helpful to you in gathering more information. Good luck!

Better Soldiers & Sailors - brought to you by Gopher Records

bettersoldiersandsailors.com

Thank you so much. This site is terrific

 

[Ozarknative]

Per the source below, here is the history of the CSA 4th Kentucky:

4th Regiment, Kentucky Cavalry
OVERVIEW:4th Cavalry Regiment was formed at Salyersville, Kentucky, in October, 1862. The unit served in the Department of East Tennessee and later in the Department of Western Virginia and East Tennessee. It was involved in numerous conflicts in Tennessee and Kentucky, then during October, 1864, skirmished in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. During the spring of 1865 it disbanded. The field officers were Colonel Henry L. Giltner, Lieutenant Colonel Moses T. Pryor, and Major Nathan Parker.

Source:

Battle Unit Details - The Civil War (U.S. National Park Service)

www.nps.gov

Thank you.