Capt. Sanford H. Goins Defended
Frankfort Against Gen. Morgan
Sanford H. Goins, son of Micajah Goins, was born in Kentucky,
probably Franklin County, in 1815. “Sanford Goin”
was married to Mary A. Singleton March 27, 1837, according
to Franklin County marriage records. Mary A. Singleton
Goins was a native of Kentucky also. Sanford H. Goins appeared
as the head of a household in the 1840 census of
Franklin County, page 306, adjoining that of Micajah Goins.
The household of Sanford W. Goins appeared in the 1850 census
of Franklin County, Household No. 635-630:
“Goings, Sandford 35, born in KY, stoneman, $5,000 real estate, illiterate
Mary A. 35, born in KY, illiterate
Catherine S. 12, born in KY, attending school
Sandford W. 5, born in KY
Emma 3, born in KY
Phillip 6/12, born in KY
Macurday, Elisha 60, born in KY, registrar in land office”
Capt. Sanford W. Goins, Kentucky Union Militia, appeared in
“War Department Records” of the Civil War at Frankfort,
Kentucky. Sanford W. Goins would be 47 years old at that
time.
On July 25, 1862 Capt. Sanford W. Goins was shown to be in
command of a company of Home Guards responsible to Brig-
Gen. G. Clay Smith, U. S. Army of Operations headquarters at
Lebanon, Kentucky, according to “War Department Records,”
Series I, Volume 16, part 1.
Capt. Sanford W. Goins is mentioned in correspondence dated
August 22, 1862 from J. W. Finnell, Frankfort, Kentucky to
Maj-Gen. Lew Wallace at Lexington, Kentucky, according to
“War Department Records,” Series I, Volume 52, page 274. J.
W. Finnell advises that “Goins is here, but has no men. There
are two cannon here, but no one to handle them.” In another
correspondence, also dated August 22, 1862, Brig-Gen. J. T.
Boyle, Kentucky, advised Gen. Lew Wallace that the “Home
Guards are almost useless–an encumbrance.”
Two years later apparently the Home Guards had improved
their efficiency however, because Capt. Sanford W. Goins and
his men are cited for commendation. According to “War Department
Records” Series I, Volume 39, part 1, page 48, Inspector-
General Daniel W. Lindsey of the Kentucky State
Guard, wrote in a report from Frankfort, dated June 18, 1864,
“Capt. Sanford Goin of Frankfort, among others, was commended
for his bravery and handling the guns in the fort.”
The report stated that it appeared at that time that Gen. John
H. Morgan, CSA, and his raiders would overrun Frankfort and
capture the city. Since it was the state capitol, the Home
Guard and the residents of the city loaded all the public
records on a train and made preparations to move them to a
safer place.
“On the morning of the 9th, “Lindsey’s report continues” the
train containing the public records with a guard composed of
the clerks, various officers and volunteers from the militia, and
some strangers in the city, all under the command of Mr. J. B.
Tilford of the adjutant general’s office started for Louisville.
When nearing Pleasureville the train came under fire. As the
guerillas attacked, the engine was reversed. Despite the fact
that the rebels attempted to block the progress of the engine
with rails [logs] the train crew managed to extricate the train
and its cargo although a running fire was kept up for several
miles through the impedimentia.
The train and the guard, all uninjured, returned to the depot
about 7:15 p. m. The enrolled militia of this city, Peak’s Mill
Precinct, and others parts of the county, had been collecting
during the day. A squad under Captain Sanford Goin was sent
to man the guns in the fort. Their defense of it would have
been creditable to the militia had their number been sufficient
to have lined the parapet from one end to the other, but I am
satisfied that when the first assault was made there were not
over 40 men in the fort.”
Col. George W. Monroe, commander, Twenty-second Kentucky
Infantry Regiment reporting on the same engagement
stated, “To Capt. Sanford Going, Sgt. Johnston, Mr. Bayliss of
West Point and Mr. J. B. Gibson of Cincinnati, I am under
special obligation for their efficient services in handling the
artillery.”
Another mention of Capt. Sanford W. Goins is contained in
“War Department Records,” Series I, Volume 45, Part I page
893 in a directive from J. S. Butler, assistant adjutant-general,
Lexington, Kentucky, dated November 14, 1864. It states:
“To Capt. Sanford Going, State Troops
Versailles, Kentucky.
You will take such a number of horses from the citizens of
Versailles and surrounding country as will enable you to scout
the country around Versailles to protect the area from rebels.
These horses will be well used and returned to the owners
when done by your scouts. Mr. Ward will assist you in
procuring horses. Scout the country well and keep it clear of
guerillas.”
Children born to Sanford W. Goins and Mary A. Singleton
Goins include:
Catherine Goins born 1838
Sanford W. Goins, Jr. born in 1845
Emma Goins born in 1847
Phillip Goins born in 1850
Cynthia Goins born in 1862
Goyen Family Tree 