Kentucky’s Civil War leaders…
Orphan Brigade commander also served
as lawyer, state’s attorney, legislator

(EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the 14th in a series about Kentucky’s officers and battle leaders during the Civil War.)

Confederate Brig. Gen. Benjamin Hardin Helm – the son of a Kentucky governor and a brother-in-law of Abraham Lincoln - served as commander of the 1st Kentucky “Orphan” Brigade from May 1862 until his death in 1863.

Born in Bardstown, he was graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1851, ranking ninth in his class of 42 cadets. His father was John L. Helm who served two abbreviated terms as Kentucky governor in 1850-51 and 1867.

Helm initially was appointed a brevet second lieutenant in the 2nd U.S. Dragoons, but resigned his commission the following year after serving at a cavalry school at Carlisle, Pa., and at Fort Lincoln, Texas.

Following the resignation of his commission, Helm studied law, was elected a Kentucky state legislator for one term, and became the state's attorney for the 3rd district of Kentucky.

In 1856, he married Emily Todd, the half-sister of Mary Todd Lincoln. He also was a cousin-in-law of U.S. General and Congressman John Blair Smith Todd.

As Kentucky's status in the Civil War remained neutral in 1861, Helm was offered the job of Union Army paymaster by President Lincoln. He declined the job, instead returning to Kentucky to raise the 1st Kentucky Cavalry for the Confederacy. Helm was commissioned a colonel on October 19, 1861 and served under Brig. Gen. Simon B. Buckner in Bowling Green.

Helm's group then was ordered south and he was promoted to brigadier general on March 14, 1862 and given command of the 1st Kentucky "Orphan" Brigade several months later.

The General maintained command of the Orphan Brigade through the Battle of Baton Rouge and, with the brigade, joined the Army of Tennessee where he was with Maj. Gen. John C. Breckinridge throughout the Tullahoma and Chickamauga Campaigns in 1863.

He was mortally wounded at the Battle of Chickamauga on Sept. 20, 1863 and died the following day, with his last word being "Victory." Helm died at age 32.