Chapter 2: 1861, Kentucky

Like the rest of Kentucky that year, Warren County was in turmoil. Sympathies were divided between North and South – sometimes even within a single family. And no one felt that turmoil more acutely than James William Reynolds.

2 His father, Jonathan, was an ardent supporter of the Southern states. His mother, Susan, was a member of the Harney family. Her grandfather, father and uncle had been good friends of Andrew Jackson; and they were consequently staunch supporters of the Union. Indeed, her uncle (General Harney) had been trying to keep Missouri in the Union.

3 “Governor Magoffin is trying to straddle the fence,” James explained to his wife and mother. “I’m afraid that Kentucky may join the secessionists,” he continued.

4 “What are we going to do?” Fannie fretted. “We’re going to have to move north to Indiana,” he answered without flinching. “I don’t want my family to be caught in the crossfire.”

5 “We’re having a baby!” Fannie protested. “Our home is here!” she pleaded. “I think James is right,” Susan finally offered. “We’re not safe here.”

6 “There’s a storm coming,” James predicted. “If we stay here, we’re going to be right in the middle of it. Kentucky’s not going to be able to sit on this fence, and neither are we. We need to make our choice right now and make sure that we’re on the right side of the Ohio River when things heat up!”

7 Fannie reluctantly agreed with James and Susan. They immediately began packing and loading their possessions into the wagon for the long trip north. “I hope I don’t lose this baby,” Fannie thought to herself.

8 Tears rolled down her cheeks as the wagon pulled away from their house. It seemed to her as if they were headed for a foreign country that was a million miles away. “Indiana may be safer than Kentucky, but it will never be home,” she sobbed.