First Battle of Cynthiana.—On July 17, 1862, the Confederate general, John H. Morgan, with a force 816 strong when he started, nine days before, upon this first Kentucky raid, attacked the Federal forces at Cynthiana, nearly 500 strong (mainly home guards), under Col. John J. Landram—who after a brave resistance were overpowered and defeated, and the town captured. The Federal pickets were surprised, and captured or driven in ; and before the commander had time to dispose his force, the Confederates commenced shelling the town, producing a wild consternation among the inhabitants. Capt. William H. Glass, of the Federal artillery, occupied the public square, from which point he could command most of the roads. Another force took position on the Magee Hill road, south of the town, along which the Confederates were approaching. A third detachment was instructed to hold the bridge on the west side of the town, towards which Morgan’s main force was pouring. Capt. Glass opened on Morgan’s battery, which was planted on an eminence a quarter of a mile distant, between the Leesburg and Fair Ground turnpikes. The Confederates were now approaching by every road and street, and deployed as skirmishers through every field, completely encircling the Federals. Their battery on the hill having ceased its fire, Capt Glass with grape and canister swept Pike street from one end to the other. By this time the contestants were engaged at every point. The fighting was terrific. The Federals commenced giving way. The force at the bridge, after a sharp fight, was driven back, and a Confederate cavalry charge made through the streets. A portion of the Federals made a stand at the railroad depot. A charge upon the Confederate battery at the Licking bridge, was repulsed, and the Confederates, in turn, charged upon the force at the depot, while another detachment was pouring deadly fire from the rear, about 125 yards distant. It was here that Col. Landram was wounded, and Thomas Ware, one of the oldest citizens, Jesse Currant, Thos Rankin, Capt. Lafe Wilson, and others were killed, besides a number wounded. Unable to stand the concentrated fire, the handful of Federals that were left commenced a precipitate retreat. The 7th Ky. cavalry, posted north of town to hold the Oddville road, were soon overpowered, and compelled to surrender. Three-fourths of the Federal force had now been killed, wounded, or captured, and the Confederates held undisputed possession. The prisoners were marched into town, and lodged in the upper room of the court house, and their paroles made out and signed that night.” Reference Data: Collins' Historical Sketches of Kentucky: History of Kentucky, Vol. 2, by Lewis Collins and Richard H. Collins, 1878, pages 323-4