In April 1861, war swept across the land, and John answered the call to serve his native soil once again; but this time, as an officer for the Confederate cause. We have the good fortune of having a first hand account of Capt. John Shawhan's company from the time of its inception in September, 1861, until his death on October 2, 1861. The account was written by one of John Shawhan's sergeants, John Aker Lafferty, a Cynthianian who served under Captain Shawhan. Lafferty writes: "In April, Fort Sumpter was fired upon and fell into the hands of the Southern forces, which was the signal for definite action. The sympathizers of each side began holding their separate meetings in little neighborhood groups to discuss the situation and to watch the trend of affairs. The meetings continued until it was seen that war could not be averted. "The summer season being well on, we began our preparations for making up a company to join the Confederate Army. Our first call was for a meeting at the depot grounds in Cynthiana. There being no armed forces in our county, such meetings could be held, at that time, without interruption. Companies were formed in different places for service on both sides. "At our first meeting, John Shawhan, who lived in our immediate neighborhood, and who had been a soldier in the Mexican War, acted as our leader, but we effected no regular organization. We held weekly meetings at that place and were drilled as a company. After a short time we moved our meeting place to what was known as Beech Bottom, now Poindexter Station, which was a more convenient place. There we increased our activities and kept our camp until September 15, 1861, when we started south to be mustered into regular service. At that time, Federal soldiers had come into the State and daylight meetings were not advisable. We planned a night meeting, to be held immediately, at the residence of Ben Desha, on the Falmouth Road, about two miles south of Cynthiana. After collecting there to about the number of one hundred and twenty-five, all mounted on horseback, we proceeded that night to Dud Van Hook's, fourteen miles northeast of Cynthiana, and thence to Al Byram's place in Bath County, and from there we continued our journey to Esquire Boyd's farm on Slate Creek, in the same county, where we stopped during the day. The second night we went to McCormick's place, now Frenchburg, at the foot of the mountains, and went into camp. "While there, we learned that Federal soldiers were in the neighborhood, and for the protection of our camp, we were given our first experience in standing picket. Being raw recruits, the prospect of having the enemy appear at any time, and having pickets at their posts with guns loaded to kill, made the situation rather exciting; but no trouble came to us while there. The next night we left that place and went out by Hazel Green to a farm owned by a widow by the name of Gardiner, near Sawyersville. After remaining there a short time we proceeded to Prestonsburg and went into regular camp on a farm called Garfield's Bottom. We received some recruits on our journey, and while there, recruits came to us in great numbers. We organized our company and several other companies were organized and all mustered into service about October 1, 1861. Our company was made up chiefly of Harrison County men." While his troops were preparing for war, John and other Confederate officers petition the newly elected President of the Confederate States of America for help: Prestonburg, Floyd Co., KY., October 2, 1861 His Excellency Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederate States of America: Sir: Our Legislature has betrayed us. We have marched to this point on account of its strategic importance with 1,000 men. Hundreds are gathering around our standard daily. We can have 5,000 men here in two weeks. We would most respectfully petition Your Excellency to send us immediately some experienced military man to command us, and place us upon a footing to make ourselves available in furthering the cause of civil freedom, in which we have enlisted, and to which we pledge our lives and our sacred honor. Other information respecting our wants and our statistics will be furnished by the commissioners who are the bearers of this petition. BEN DESHA, Captain of Light Infantry Company (armed). E. F. CLAY, Captain of Cavalry Company (armed). JAMES M. THOMAS, Captain Mounted Rifles (forty minies, with equipment). T. R. WORSHAM, Infantry (unarmed). H. C. SWANGO, Infantry (unarmed). A. J. MAY, Captain, Morgan (unarmed). JESSE MEEK, Infantry (unarmed). G. W. CONNER, Captain, Infantry (unarmed). G. M. EWING, Captain, Infantry (unarmed). Guards, Infantry JOHN W. SPARKS, Captain Infantry (unarmed), JOHN SHAWHAN.(5) -- Bob Francis 1920A Butner St. Ft. Eustis, VA 23604 My Homepage is: http://www.shawhan.com Ruddell's Fort Page: http://www.shawhan.com/ruddlesfort.html Early Bourbon County Families Page: http://www.shawhan.com/bourbonfamilies.html