Bell in demand for his portrayals
of Simpsonville Slaughter survivor

Newton Bush heard about the Emancipation Proclamation when it was issued in 1863, but learned it didn’t free him from slavery as it didn’t apply to those in border states such as Kentucky.

The proclamation also allowed African Americans to enlist in the Union Army, but, again, it didn’t apply to the Commonwealth.

Finally, in 1864, Kentucky became the last state to allow enlistment of slaves who had earned their freedom.

Bush, owned by a Franklin County farmer, wasn’t free. But that wouldn’t stop him.  The eighteen-year-old escaped and made his way to Jessamine County where he enlisted in the Federal army at Camp Nelson. He served until 1966, sustaining a wound at the “Simpsonville Slaughter” in 1865 when members of Company E of the 5th U.S. Colored Cavalry were killed or wounded when attacked by Confederate guerillas while driving a herd of cattle to Louisville.

After the war, Bush became a minister and the father of 13 children while living in Frankfort.

 Louisville’s Robert Bell has determined that the story of the trials and tribulations of the Rev. Newton Bush would become more than just a footnote in Kentucky’s Civil War history. Since October 2011, Bell has portrayed Bush in some 30 presentations so far as a performer with the Kentucky Chautauqua series.

“My portrayal is an outgrowth of my work to honor the men of the 5th U.S. Colored Cavalry that died at Simpsonville,” Bell explained. “I’ve traveled across Kentucky and given performances in a number of different locations. Juanita White, who was part of the group honoring the Simpsonville troops, had heard me speak and urged me to audition for the Chautauqua series.”

Bell, a retired DuPont employee, already has made presentations at such locations as Princeton, Bellevue, Leatherwood, Maysville, Cadiz, Prestonsburg, Lexington and Louisville. And, he’ll continue the portrayals for at least another year and has an option for a third year.

One of the original members of the 12th U.S. Colored Heavy Artillery unit at Camp Nelson, Bell began his association with the artillery group in 2001. Since then, he has been a part of the 12th’s presentations at living history and re-enactments all across Kentucky.

“I’d had an interest in African-American participation in the U.S. military for a number of years with a primary focus on the Buffalo Soldiers (Black U.S. cavalry formed in 1866).” Bell noted. “In 2000, I visited the Spirit of Freedom monument in Washington and when I returned I saw where Camp Nelson was dedicating a plaque to the men of the 5th and 6th U.S. Colored Cavalry.

“I was amazed at the lack of African-Americans present and Jim Hunn, who was portraying an African-American Union soldier, asked if I’d like to join a unit they were trying to start. I said ‘yes’ and I’ve been involved (in the 12th) since.”