Morgan's Men Association

Make your own free website on Tripod.com

Gen. John Hunt Morgan
Morgan's Men Association, Inc.
Founded Lexington, Kentucky, April 17, 1868

Association of the Descendants of the men who rode with Gen. John Hunt Morgan, C.S.A.

Table of Contents

History	Membership	Officers
Articles	Resources	News
Contact	Webrings	Links
Memorabilia		Credits

Features

Dickson-Williams Home, where Gen. Morgan last slept.

John Paul Strain's Morgan's Raid on the L & N

Background tune, "How are You Telegraph?". See Lyrics Page for more information.
If tune does not play, try reload/refresh buttom om browser. Or else download free
midi player at: Cresendo Download Website.

Morgan's Men Association History

The Morgan's Men Association was formed originally at Lexington, Kentucky, at the reinternment of Gen. John Hunt Morgan, on April 17, 1868. After serving as the funeral escort for their leader, the surviving members of Morgan's command met at the Phoenix Hotel and created the association.

"The men pledged fidelity and affection for each other for as long as they lived and resolved that the memory of our illustrious and beloved leader shall ever be as indelibly stamped upon the tablets of our hearts as his name is written on the undying page of history."

Morgan's Men met annually at least through 1883 when the reunion was held in Woodland Park in Lexington before a crowd of over 1,200 veterans and friends. Prominent Morgan's Men who led the reunion included Kentucky Governor James McCreary and Brig. Gen. Basil W. Duke. The guest of honor was Gen. Morgan's only surviving child, Johnnie Hunt Morgan Caldwell. In 1898, the Association met in Cincinnati, Ohio, as guests of their old foe, the 7th Ohio Cavalry. Such was the pride associated with riding with Morgan and fighting against him.

Crowd of ten thousand at Gen. Morgan statue
dedication in Lexington, KY 1910

In 1903, at Parks Hill, in Nicholas County, Kentucky, the group was reorganized with a membership of 260 veterans. However, after that date the number of members slowly diminished as death took its toll. At the 1916 reunion it was noted that only 167 of the veterans who met in 1903 were still alive. In 1932, the Confederate Veteran magazine reported that just nine of the members were able to attend that year's meeting in Lexington and one of that number died just three days afterward. Although no formal records remain, it is assumed that the 1932 meeting was one of the last. Incredibly, it was not until 1953 that the last surviving member died.


The officers of the Morgan's Men Association included some of the South's most prominent men. Gen. Basil W. Duke served as president from its formation until his death in 1916. Others who served as leaders were Kentucky Governor James B. McCreary, Kentucky Lt. Governor James E. Cantrill, Dr. John A. Lewis of Georgetown College, Col. D. Howard Smith, and Kentucky State Auditor, M. C. Saufley. Saufley noted that "I have never seen a man who belonged to Morgan's command who was not proud of his service." Gen. Basil Duke proudly proclaimed at the same reunion that "nothing but death can remove the pride I feel in Morgan's Men". Col. W. C. P. Breckinridge, responding to a standing ovation, asked the audience to remember him "simply as one of Morgan's Men".	"Black Bess" and Gen. Morgan


If one singled out the common bond that cemented these men together, it was the overwhelming pride they felt as Confederate soldiers who rode with the best, with Gen. John Hunt Morgan. However, as these men died the pride was left to be perpetuated in the dry pages of history books and on the cold lifeless marble of the Confederate monuments.	Morgan's Men as POWs

Memories have faded and today many of the descendants of those "Rebel Raiders" hardly know their grandfathers and great-grandfathers even served at all. The re-establishment of the Morgan's Men Association is an attempt to change that, to re-establish the pride, to again celebrate our heritage as "Morgan's Men". The Modern reorganization of the Morgan's Men Association is an association of members of the Morgan family and the descendants, both direct and collateral, of the Confederate soldiers who served with Gen. Morgan, and other interested persons whose common goal is to preserve a positive and accurate image of Morgan and his men, and to insure that the exploits of these brave men shall always be revered by the people of Kentucky and the rest of the nation.

"Morgan's Men Association, Inc., shall be strictly historical and benevolent, non-political and non-sectarian."

Back to top

Officers
Commander-in-Chief: Ralph Widowski
1st Lt. Commander: John McGee
2nd Lt. Commander: Martin Sherrod
Treasurer: Jinny Widowski
Secretary: Sam Flora
Historian: Judy Rawlings
Chaplain: Morgan D. Silvers, DPM
Judge Advocate: R. Burl McCoy
Board Member: Ben Sewell
Board Member: Lucille Haney
Board Member: Jim Murphy
Board Member: Tim Massey
Board Member: Beverly Ramnes

Back to top

Membership Information

There are two types of memberships available. Regular Membership is open to all members of the family of Luther Morgan, the grandfather of Gen. John Hunt Morgan, and to all descendants, both direct and collateral, of those who served honorably in the Confederate States Army in the command of Gen. Morgan. Associate Membership is extended to all other persons who are interested in maintaining Gen. Morgan's honored place in our nation's history. A special invitation is made to the descendants of the Union soldiers who fought against Morgan's Men. Just as the Union opponents were proud of their adversary role, so will be their descendants. Membership is available to all applicants, regardless of age. Only the associate and regular members aged 16 years or older have the right to vote on Association matters.

[List of Morgan's Confederate units ] [List of some Union Adversaries]

[Membership Application Form]

The Morgan's Men Association, Inc. hosts an annual meeting or "reunion" of the membership. This reunion is held in late August or early Setember. These reunions are held in different historical locations associated with Morgan's Command.

As a member of Morgan's Men, you will receive a beautiful 11" X 14" membership certificate, hand lettered with your name and the name, rank, and regimental affiliation of your ancestor. Associate members also receive a certificate proclaiming membership in the association.

Join Us!
Become one of Morgan's Men and rekindle the spirit of those young men who rode off to war with the pride and excitement of riding with MORGAN!

back to top

Contact Information:

Questions or more membership information can be obtained by U.S. Mail by writing:

Morgan's Men Association c/o Sam Flora
1691 Kilkenny Dr.
Lexington, KY 40505
or by email contact sam.flora@insightbb.com

back to top

"I want to be a cavalryman
And with John Hunt Morgan ride,
A colt revolver in my belt
A saber by my side.
I want a pair of epaulets
to match my suit of gray,
The uniform my mother made
And lettered 'CSA'. "

Other Resources

Books By Morgan's Men of Yesterday and Today:

"The Bride and the Bandit", a biography of Martha Ready Morgan, wartime bride of General John Hunt Morgan. By MMA members, Dr. Robert O. Neff and Edith Elizabeth Politz. Hard bound, 408 pages., including photographs and extensive notes. Strictly limited to 500 copies. Price $35.00 per copy plus $3.00 shipping. Check or money order only. Please include correct mailing address information with your order. Edith Elizabeth politz, 3703 Anthony Dr., Tallhassee, FL, 32308.

"Confederate Pensioners of Kentucky" A compilation of Pension Applications of the Veterans & Widows 1912 - 1946 by MMA member, Steve D. Lynn, can now be ordered. Visit Steve's website for details and order form.

"The Longest Raid of the Civil War" by MMA member, Lester V. Horwitz, can now be purchased in hard cover or paper back. Call toll-free 1-513-295-0464 to order a copy. Contains over 500 pages, 180 photos, and 39 county maps tracing Morgan's 1,000 mile raid. Visit "The Longest Raid" Website for more information.

A History of Morgan's Cavalry, by Basil W. Duke and Reminiscenes of General
W. Duke have now been reprinted. No MMA member should be without a copy of these first person accounts. The books are retailing for $39.95 each. In Lexington, contact Michael Courtney at Black Swan Books, 505 East Maxwell St. at (606) 252-7255. MMA members will receive a discount. Outside Lexington, check your local bookstore. (Also available from "The General's Book's" Blue and Gray Magazine)

Confederate Wizards of the Saddle, (1914) by Bennett H. Young
is now back in print. Bennett Young was one of Morgan's best officers, who later led the raid from Canada on St. Albans, Vermont. Available from Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble (bn.com)

The Partisan Rangers of the Confederate States Army : Memoirs of General Adam R. Johnson, by Adam Rankin Johnson, reprint of the original. (available from Amazon Books)

Morgan's Daring Raid: The Battle of Hartsville, by MMA member, John Timothy Heath, is the most complete account ever of the raid which was one of the most successful raids of the war. The book is available in softcover for $25.00 or $37.50 hardcover. To order, write Battle of Hartsville Preservation, 121 McMurry Rd., Hartsville, TN 37074. Include $4.00 for shipping.

Other Good Books On General Morgan or Morgan's men:

Morgan's Raiders, by Dee Alexander Brown, copy right 1959 (available from Amazon Books)

The Last Night and Last Day of John Hunt Morgan's Raid: Eyewitness Accounts of Morgan's Ohio Raid of 1863, Edited by Jere. H. Simms (originally published 1913) Reprinted by Genesis Publishing Co., 1997. (Available from "The General's Books", Blue and Gray Magazine)

Back to top

Association News

The Vidette
Official Newsletter of the Morgans Men Association Published Semi-Occasionally May, 2013
The 2013 Reunion Will Tour the Corydon, Indiana Area

Our annual reunion will be held in Corydon, Indiana, on August 23-24, 2013 with our headquarters at the Comfort Inn located at 115 Skypark Drive Corydon, Indiana 47112.
Comfort Inn has set aside a block of rooms for our members at the rate of $79.00, plus tax each night. To get this rate you must make your reservation before August 5, 2013. Be sure to tell them you are with the Morgan’s Men Association. To make your reservations please call the Comfort Inn at 812-736-3302.

We will meet for our annual fellowship on Friday, August 23, 2013 from 6:30 P.M. - 9:00 P.M. at the Comfort Inn. If you wish to have a table for display or sales you must contact Ralph Widowski at 330-388-0899 or at rjw@ohio.net before August 5, 2013. Space is limited and displays must be approved by the Board of Directors. An application and fee are required for all tables.

On Saturday, the highlight of our reunion will be touring the Corydon, Indiana area, including the crossing of the Ohio River. Our tour bus will depart the Comfort Inn at 9:00 A.M. and return at 5:00 P.M. A buffet style lunch will be at the Kintner House where Gen. Morgan spent the night when he was in Corydon, Indiana.

On Saturday night, we will enjoy our annual banquet at the Comfort Inn beginning at 6:30 P.M. Following our buffet dinner, we will have a guest speaker before a short business session.
There will be a special door prize drawing at that time.
Be sure to fill out the registration form enclosed and mail in before August 5, 2013. The deadline for registration for the bus tour (space is limited on the bus) and the Saturday night banquet will be August 5, 2013.
See you in August!

[Reunion Registration Form]

MMA College Scholarship

Congratulation to Douglas McKay Prater, the 2013 recipient of the MMA College Scholarship.
The MMA Board of Directors has approved an annual college scholarship of $500.00 to be given annually. Applications for the 2014 award are now being accepted. Guidelines and applications may be obtained from our Commander Ralph Widowski, 3505 Grafton Road, Brunswick, OH 44212, rjw@ohio.net.

Ancestor Spotlight

If anyone would like to spotlight their ancestor who rode with General Morgan please submit an e-mail no more than one page in length, summarizing their history to Ralph Widowski rjw@ohio.net, who will try to put all or part of your article (at the discretion of the MMA Board of Directors) it in the Vidette and on our web-site. All articles become property of MMA and cannot be reproduced without written permission

100th. Year Morgan Monument Pins

The 100th. Year Morgan Monument pins are still available at a cost of $25.00 including shipping. Please contact Ralph Widowski if you are interested at 330-388-0899

Membership Dues

Renewal dues are $20.00 annually. Renewal dues for 2013 became past due on September 1, 2013. Members who joined last year after Sept. 1, 2012 do not owe 2013 renewal dues. If you are unsure of your dues status, contact the treasurer, Jinny Widowski. Life Memberships are available for $200.00 and you will receive a Lifetime Membership lapel pin. Please make all checks payable to Morgan’s Men Association and send them to: Jinny Widowski, Treasurer, 3505 Grafton Road, Brunswick, OH 44212-4601. Please include your present address and membership number (located on your membership certificate).

The 2013-2014 Board of Directors

Commander: Ralph Widowski
1st Lt. Commander: John McGee
2nd Lt. Commander: Martin Sherrod
Treasurer: Jinny Widowski
Secretary: Sam Flora
Historian: Judi Rawlings
Chaplain: Morgan D. Silvers, DPM
Judge Advocate: R. Burl McCoy
Board Member: Ben Sewell
Board Member: Lucille Haney
Board Member: Jim Murphy
Board Member: Tim Massey
Board Member: Bev Ramnes

150th Anniversary of Morgan's Raid into Ohio

There are many events planned to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of Morgan's Raid into Ohio. Many of them will be in the Cincinnati, Ohio area. The MMA has been invited to all of the events. Please see the attached invitations.

150th Memorial Ceremony for Battle of Tebbs Bend-Green River Bridge

When: June 8, 2013, 2:00 P.M. EDT
Where: Confederate Cemetery on Tebbs Bend Road which is off Hwy 55 between Campbellsville and Columbia in Taylor County.
Speaker: Kent Masterson Brown
Special Event: Unveiling of new stone of Pvt Frank Voss, 7th Kentucky, newly discovered casualty at Tebbs Bend-Green River Bridge
Of course, we will be honoring all the men, North and South, who died at Tebbs Bend on July 4, 1863 Morgan's Raids Tour through Taylor County.

Morgan's Raids Tour through Taylor County

When: June 29, 2013, 9:00 P.M.-4:30 P.M.
Meet: at the Hiestand House-Taylor County Museum at 9:00 A.M. EDT to start tour on air-conditioned bus with Mike
Guide: Betty Gorin, author of "Morgan Is Coming!" Confederate Raiders in the Heartland of Kentucky
Tour will cover Morgan's Pleasant Hill Raid, 1st Ky Raid, Christmas Raid, and Great Raid.
Reservations and payment: $30 Due by May 15; payment includes maps and box lunch.
Payment should be sent to Taylor Co. Tourist Commission, Box 4021, Campbellsville, KY 42719.
For questions concerning the tour, call 270.465.8726 or 270.465.1548 cell

Website Updated 5-8-2013

Back to top

Page Credits

Thanks to the following individuals for help with this page:

Chris Tramel for his graphical expertice and assistance.
Richard Davis for his photograph of Gen. Morgan's grave.
Dean Fowlerfor his excellant work on the Midi sound files and
unique service at ReWEP Associates.

Web Master

Read Our Guestbook!
Sign Our Guestbook!