April-June 2010
Vol. 4, No. 2
Richmond, Ky.
News Briefs

CWPT rescues 2,777 Civil War acreage in 2009

The Civil War Preservation Trust (CWPT) recently announced it helped to permanently protect 2,777 acres of hallowed ground at 20 different Civil War battlefields in five states during the last calendar year.

Overall, CWPT has protected more than 29,000 acres of battlefield land at 109 sites in 20 states.

In addition to land purchases, the year was also notable for the organization’s donation of 176 acres of the total 1,862-acre battlefield to Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. The land was purchased by CWPT several years ago with the express intention of being transferred to the National Park Service once it was able to incorporate the gift. Incorporating newly protected land into existing parks is a perpetual goal for CWPT.

In 2009, the organization participated in the preservation of land at two sites – Davis Bridge, Tenn., and Cedar Creek, Va. – where the acreage was transferred to a state or national park.

In the case of Davis Bridge, the state of Tennessee contributed $864,000 toward acquisition of this key battlefield site.

The CWPT is the nation’s largest nonprofit battlefield preservation group.

Cadiz re-enactment returns after seven years

It had been seven years since Cadiz had hosted a Civil War battle re-enactment, but the Trigg County seat made up for it with two re-enactment conflicts at its March 19-21 weekend.

A downtown battle through Main Street was staged on Saturday (March 20) and a re-creation of the Battle of Dover Road was conducted on Sunday. The two activities were scenarios of skirmishes between Union and Confederate troops in 1864.

The courthouse in Cadiz was burned down twice during the Civil War.

A ladies tea, a ball, a candlelight tour of camps and artillery night firing were among the scheduled events.

Lancaster expects re-enactment to double

The organizer of the Civil War Battle of Lancaster, dressed as Confederate Gen. Patrick Cleburne, appeared before the Garrard County Fiscal Court recently and predicted the second annual re-enactment weekend would double in size.

Byron Teater, in a request for $1,000 in funding, said the Oct. 8-10 event should attract more than 200 participants. Some 80 individuals participated in the initial re-enactment last year, held at the Garrard County Fairgrounds.

On the morning of Oct. 14, 1862, Confederate forces under the command of Gen. John Hunt Morgan were fired upon by Union artillery. One Confederate soldier was injured and later died at his home in Mississippi.

Living history scheduled at Morehead

A Civil War Living History Celebration is scheduled at Morehead June 4-6 featuring Larry and Mary Elliott and Gregory Baize.

The Elliotts will portray President Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln and Baize will make presentations as Lt. Gen. Simon Bolivar Buckner. Activities will take place at the Old Rowan County Courthouse and the Rowan County Art Center.

Military camps will be open to the public, sutlers will be on hand and period music will be provided by the Morehead Mountain Strings Dulcimer Club.

Wildcat to observe its 149th anniversary

The 21st annual re-enactment of the Battle of Camp Wildcat, sponsored by the Laurel Home Guard, is scheduled Oct. 15-17. The event will be the 149th anniversary of the 1861 conflict, one of the early engagements of the Civil War.

Wildcat represents one of the war’s initial Union victories and the second engagement of troops in Kentucky.

The three-day event begins with a living history school day on Friday with 800-1,400 young people expected to attend. A dinner and hayride will be provided re-enactors who assist with the Friday program.

Battle re-enactments are scheduled Saturday and Sunday in addition to historical speakers, a memorial service, demonstrations, a civilian social, period church service and dance.

Re-enactors and sutlers are asked to contact Juanita Westerfield at nita@wildcatreenactment.org or visit the web site at www.wildcatreenactment.org.  The battlefield is located approximately nine miles northwest of modern day London.

Wedding, baptism, turkey shoot on tap at Sacramento

A wedding, baptism and turkey shoot are among the new events scheduled for the Battle of Sacramento weekend May 21-23.

A sick call scenario conducted by the Sixth Kentucky Regimental Field Hospital organization also is back by popular demand.

Living history and artillery night firing are set for opening day on Friday with “Forrest’s First” – the Battle of Sacramento scheduled for Saturday and Sunday. Saturday’s program also includes a cavalry race and competition demonstrations and a ladies tea and fashion show. Community worship services are set for Sunday.

The turkey shoot is a muzzleloader shotgun event and is a fundraiser for the Sacramento Lions Club.

Contact Debby Spencer at 270-792-5300 for additional information.

Commonwealth one of South’s best in education

Kentucky, along with North Carolina, boasted the best educational systems in the South during the Civil War.

Transylvania University had long been one of the most respected institutions of higher learning in the nation, and while its reputation had begun to fade by 1860, other Kentucky schools like Centre College and Georgetown College were gaining prominence.
Articles and photos appearing on www.thekentuckycivilwarbugle.com may be used with permission. For permission, contact Bugle editor Ed Ford at fordpr@mis.net.

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