NANCY ELIZABETH BAGBY 5, (JOHN 4, JOHN 3, JOHN 2, JAMES 1) was born June 20, 1806 and died August 6, 1889 in Barren County, Kentucky. She married WILLIAM BYRD ROGERS, the son of BYRD ROGERS and MARY A. TRUMAN on January 30, 1834 in Barren County, Kentucky. He was born about 1804 and died about 1884 in Barren County, Kentucky.

Children of NANCY BAGBY and WILLIAM ROGERS are:

1. JOHN BYRD ROGERS, b. June 11, 1835; d. June 28, 1864.

Notes for JOHN BYRD ROGERS: Fate of Major John Byrd Rogers remains unknown.

According to Ed Porter Thompson, a prewar friend and former tutor of John Byrd Rogers, the early character of this young man showed nothing of the self-discipline and military bearing that his wartime career would reveal.

Born in Barren County in 1835 to a farmer whom hard work had made wealthy, young Rogers was educated locally until reaching his late teens. A few years spent as a teacher were unsatisfactory and in 1856 the young man went to Missouri where many of his relatives and acquaintances were living. He lived for two years in that place but followed no serious pursuits. Rather, he seemed to live solely to enjoy himself; his cheerful, often mischievous disposition endearing him to all who made his acquaintance.

In 1859, he decided to practice law and threw himself whole-heartedly into the study of that profession, showing great ability and skill.

He had not long settled himself into his new occupation when State Guards began to be formed and Rogers turned his attention to the military, immersing himself in a copy of Hardee's tactics until he felt confident to join a company at Hiseville. As an officer of that company, he continued to excel in his military duties as he had in any other field he had set his mind to.

In July of 1861, he joined with then Captain (later Colonel) Joseph Nuckols to cast his fortune with that of the South and was voted 1st Lt. of Co. A., 4th Kentucky Inf., CSA. Since Nuckols was often needed on a regimental level, Lt. Rogers frequently commanded the company. He led them in their first battle at Shiloh, where they were deployed as skirmishers for the right flank of the regiment. Their conduct and that of their gallent leader was noticed by their superiors and Co. A was often called upon to perform that hazardous duty in later battles.

Lt. Rogers saw his brother William killed early in the fight at Shiloh and later he himself was dangerously wounded. By the end of May he was able to return to duty with the rank of Captain, although his wounded arm was useless. He led his men at Vicksburg and at Baton Rouge and his ability as a soldier as well as his courage became well known. At Murfreesboro George Walter, another brother, fell mortally wounded on the field. He was taken to a hospital in the town and just before the Kentucky troops moved southward, Captain Rogers sought him out to say a last goodbye. Afterwards, the noble Captain was unable to speak of that interview without blinding tears.

During the Atlanta campaign, Captain Rogers was promoted to Major and less than a month after assuming that rank, he disappeared while preparing to retake come captured rifle pits near Kennesaw. A federal prisoner who was captured a few days later told of a Confederate officer who had stumbled into Yankee lines ordering them to "hold their pit to the last man," before realizing he was among the enemy. From that report, it was hoped that Major Rogers was a prisoner, but time passed with no further word and his comrades and family had to accept that he was likely dead.

Years later his friend Ed Porter Thompson would write that they who loved John Rogers suffered "...never-ending suspense, for we can not persuade ourselves of anything." The fate of Major John Byrd Rogers, like so many other soldiers of that tragic war, remains unknown.

Source: Glasgow, Kentucky, Daily Times, August 4, 1999

Research submitted by: Elaine Porter Bagby

More About JOHN BYRD ROGERS: Burial: Unknown, however a four sided monument is erected in his honor at Rogers Cemetery, Glasgow, Kentucky. Military service: Major, Company A, 4th Kentucky Infantry, C.S.A.

2. MARY MATILDA "MOLLIE" ROGERS, b. June 20, 1836, Barren County, Kentucky; d. August 18, 1914, Barren County, Kentucky.
3. WILLIAM LOUIS ROGERS, b. January 12, 1838; d. April 06, 1862. More About WILLIAM LOUIS ROGERS: Burial: Unknown, however a four sided monument is erected in his honor at Rogers Cemetery, Glasgow, Kentucky. Individual Note: Killed at the battle of Shiloh. Military service: Company A, 4th Regiment, C.S.A.
4. CHARLES BAGBY "CHARLIE" ROGERS, b. May 20, 1840, Barren County, Kentucky; d. February 22, 1919, Barren County, Kentucky.
5. GEORGE "WALTER" ROGERS, b. August 1, 1842; d. January 5, 1863. More About GEORGE "WALTER" ROGERS: Burial: Unknown, however a four sided monument is erected in his honor at Rogers Cemetery, Glasgow, Kentucky. Individual Note: Wounded in the battle at Murfreesboro on January 2, 1863. Military service: C.S.A. Occupation: Before the War he was a merchant in Glasgow, Kentucky.

The following are letters written by GEORGE "WALTER" ROGERS during the war to his family. All three letters appear to have been handwritten by three different people. The first two are a beautiful script with all punctuation and correct spelling. The third letter is not as beautiful as the other letters. It also lacks punctuation; including periods at the end of sentences and capitalization of words at the beginning of the next sentence. There are also mispelled words throughout. After noticing the third letter is written on the same type of paper; folded in the same manner as letters written in later years by another family member, I think it's likely that at some point in time, the letters were rewritten to preserve them.

Handwritten letters from the University of Kentucky, transcribed by Sherri Schaefer Bagby © 2015

 

— Saturday Morning —

— May 31st, 1862. —

Last night was one of anxiety and excitement. When the distant firing of our foot pickets warned us that the evening was near, the tired soldier would rouse from his broken slumber, grasp his gun, and wait their approach, until overpowered by sleep and fatigue he would elapse into his dreamy rest. As I became unconscious I heard the voice of an absent friend pronounce my name in tones of former times. I started from my sleep to behold the speaker, but found no one nigh but the prostrate forms of weary men, with myself in the midst of a dreary swamp. Disappointed, I again fell to sleep, and again the bright vision appeared before me – her sweet, cheery countenance beaming with friendship, and her merry voice speaking kind and confident words. Behind her I saw the faces of other kin friends, but none so bright as hers. I slept sweetly, and arose refreshed by my short nap.

Geo. W. Rogers.

Tuscumbia Swamps, –

 

Camp Corinth,

May 26th, 1862

Friend,

If it should be my lot to fall in the coming battle — a sacrifice for the liberty of my country, the freedom of my friends — let God decide, and I will willingly submit my life for such a purpose. I ask only that what you may find with this may be sent according to the directions you will find on the back of the package.

Geo. W. Rogers.

 

Murfreesburough, Tenn. Nov. 8th, 1862

My Dear Pa

I heard from you all yesterday and was glad to know that you were all well and allowed to live in peace in this distressed country. I have written to you often but am told that you never received them. We are all well at present. I have not seen Charley R for he left us at Corinth last spring but I heard from him the other day he was at Knoxville and well but I suppose you have seen him frequently since then. I have never received a line from any one since we left Bowling Green and have heard only a word now and then that you well you must all write as often as there is any on passing and let me know how you are doing in the contested state I have but little news that I can send you we are living fine and looking forward to the time when we may return to our homes with our freedom achieved and the banner of the south floating over the green hills of Kentucky each wave reminding us of dear bought independence that time may be near or it may be distant but we all feel as we know that it will come and we believe the easiest way to live till then is the best I hope that you all at home will make your minds easy and live as well until then as the times will permit. Think of us missionaries sent to do a great work whose only trouble is the trouble they give their friends at home. Keep Toby with you as long as you can to wait on you and Mother now that you need some one. The last letter I wrote you I expected by this time to have once more seen the land of my nativity but our Generals thought from some cause to evacuate before we had reached the state. If we had reached there first I expect that Breckenridge would have tried hard to hold it at least until the new organized companies would have had time to get out when Kirby Smith entered Kentucky we were at that in La. we came from there started to his assistance but the difficulty of moving so large an army caused to arrive us late but I recon it is all for the best. I understand that you there is a good school going on at the Mount Mary I am glad to hear that the old place is inhabited by merry scolars I hope there may be a school there when I get back composed of some of the same that went there when I did. Liz Wetherford left here to day for Ga. though I did not get to see her as she left on this mornings train. tell mother that since I came here I got acquainted with an old Lady and her daughter and they have knit me some nice socks and a nice pair of gloves and I have plenty of clothes such as they are but I would like to have some home made flanel like she made us last fall but tell her I am willing to do without them untill I can come to see her and I heard Mrs. Calahan didnot know how to make Will’s clothes because she heard he was so large and fat. tell ma that I don’t know that I am any larger than I was when I left Ky I may be a little taller but that I am not yet a Colossus but can wear clothes of all sizes from knee breeches to heel smashers tell Toby that I guess he is nearly large enough to wait on the Ladies and that he must make him self useful in that capacity as I make him my agent in all Lady affairs and that he must act in all caces as he thinks best and when I return I will hold myself liable. I hope him and Patrick will do their duty untill the “Wars are all over” and we are all permited to return home again and speak speak for us all untill we can speak for our selves.

Pa I have seen a good portion of the south since I left home I have seen farms of thousands of acres as level almost as level as a floor and as rich as rich could be wanted but have never yet found a place that I rather live in than Kentucky down here where it is rich it is generally unhealthy and only fit for negros to make cotton while we were at holly springs Miss. I found out that Henry Faris was in the neighborhood with his Pa’s Negroes that he sent to make a crop down on the Miss. bottom I went over to see him. seven of his negros had died and two them sick and He died the night after we had found him Isaac's Brother had been sick but was getting well when we left that place. Charley Bagby is here with now the first one that I have seen that knew any thing particular about you and the neighbors only I heard awhile back that Mr R. Wood said that there was no difference between the soldiers of the two armies that they would both steal of beg his brandy from him. I expect that he is about right for I never want to see the army nearer home than it is now only when we go there to drive the ivaders from the state I am opposed to all cavalry raids into the border States unless they intend to hold the state. I am sorry to see that our Kentucky recruits all love to go horseback so well the confederacy is full of stragling "Partisan Ranger" companies that never do any thing more than fly around in the way of some infantry corpse but we have some that are worthy of the name; but I can write but little more to day I tell Mollie and Annie B. That they must write ameadiately and you must all write as soon as you can for I would be glad to hear from home in any way but I have heard that there is another boy in the family be nursed and I expect my letter will go unanswered for a while. Tell John Wood if he won't write he must at least send me the latest news. Tell Mr. Barlow's family that John is well west. Forbis is also in good health the boys are all in pretty good health. give my kind wishes to all friends. I am respectfully your son

Geo W. Rogers

P.S.
Direct your letters 4th Reg Ky Voters. Breckenridge’s Division and they will find us if you put them inside the confederate lines.

G.W.R.

 

6. MARGARET ANN ROGERS, b. October 27, 1844, Barren County, Kentucky; d. March 2, 1875, Barren County, Kentucky; m. WILLIAM "SIDNEY" PARRISH; b. March 27, 1839, Barren County, Kentucky; d. November 2, 1905, Barren County, Kentucky.
7. HENRY LANDON ROGERS, b. October 7, 1847, Barren County, Kentucky; d. July 16, 1923, Barren County, Kentucky.

 

CHARLES DAVIS BAGBY 5, (JOHN 4, JOHN 3, JOHN 2, JAMES 1) was born November 18, 1813 and died July 9, 1867 in Buchanan County, Missouri. He married MARY J. COX on July 2, 1855 in Barren County, Kentucky. She was born July of 1831 in Kentucky and died About 1905 in Buchanan County, Missouri.

More About MARY J. COX: After the death of CHARLES DAVIS BAGBY, she married EPHRAIM JORDAN on December 5, 1869 in Buchanan County, Missouri.

Children of CHARLES BAGBY and MARY COX are:

1. RICHARD W. BAGBY, b. April 11, 1856, Buchanan County, Missouri; d. February 1, 1929, Buchanan County, Missouri.
2. JOSEPH A. BAGBY, b. January 15, 1858, Buchanan County, Missouri; d. May 21, 1911, Buchanan County, Missouri.

 

 

 

 

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