Bugle Briefs ...

KCWSA receives $35,000 grant to study
economic impact of Civil War sites

The Kentucky Civil War Sites Association (KCWSA) has received a $35,000 grant to conduct a statewide study of the economic impact Civil War sites have on the Commonwealth.

The grant is one of 20 for projects approved by the National Park Service and $1.19 million provided to support them. The projects will research, document or interpret dozens of battlefields representing more than 300 years of history.

The Civil War Awards were given to projects in 14 states entailing archeology, mapping, cultural resource survey work, documentation, planning, education and interpretation. The grants are administered by the National Park Service's American Battlefield Protection Program.

The KCWSA will gather data at 15 battlefield locations. Two to four regional public meetings will be held to help build community consensus. A summary of the study will be printed and presented to government officials at all levels and other stakeholders in the state. The objective is to generate more support and funding for battlefield preservation statewide.

Period weddings to be featured at Camp Nelson

Period weddings will be one of the featured programs at Camp Nelson’s Civil War Days, Sept. 9-11.

The weddings will replicate the formalization of weddings between African-Americans following the end of slavery, as slave marriages were not routinely recognized. The wedding portrayals are open to anyone who wishes to participate. However, period attire is required for participants, as the weddings will be judged based on attire.

Those interested should complete applications available on the Camp Nelson website, www.campnelson.org. Robert Bell should be contacted at RobertLB502@aol.com or called at 502-245-0732 for more information.

This year’s event, themed “The Portal to Freedom,” will commemorate the closing of the Camp. The Park is located at 6614 Danville Road, six miles south of Nicholasville off US 27. More information on Civil War Days can be found at www.campnelson.org.

Morgan crossing set July 9-10 at Brandenburg

Meade County Civil War Days will observe the 153rd anniversary of the crossing of the Ohio River by Gen. John Hunt Morgan, July 9-10.

The Brandenburg Riverfront will be the site of battles on both days, including a raid on downtown. Other events include a re-enactor’s dinner, a camp dance and a ladies’ tea.

The event is sponsored by the Meade County Civil War Heritage Association. For more information, go to www.brandenburgreenactment.com.

Middle Creek Re-enactment slated for Sept. 9-11

The Battle of Middle Creek Re-enactment is scheduled Sept. 9-11 at the Prestonsburg battlefield.

Battles are scheduled Friday and Saturday, while other events include a ladies’ tea, two re-enactor breakfasts and a dance and dinner on Saturday, Sept. 10.

More information is available at www.friendsofmiddlecreek.org.

Fort Duffield dinner-auction scheduled Aug. 13

The Third Annual Fort Duffield Benefit Auction is scheduled Aug. 13 at the West Point Independent School Gym.

A barbeque dinner is set for 5 p.m. with an auction to benefit the Fort Duffield Civil War site beginning at 6 p.m.

Those attending will have the opportunity to bid on donated items, homemade desserts and coupons for regional attractions and services. All proceeds will be used to maintain the park and historic site and to interpret the facility.

The 175-acre park, open from daylight to dark, is maintained by an all-volunteer staff.

More information is available by contacting Connie Morris at 502-922-4574 or 502-727-7584.

Some Civil War trivia …

• Union Gen. U.S. Grant’s favorite whiskey was Kentucky’s Old Crow brand.

• North Carolina’s Sarah Blalock is featured in this issue. She was one of an estimated 300 women who disguised themselves as men and fought in the ranks.

• There were more than 2,000 boys who were 14 years old or younger in the Union ranks. Three hundred were 13 years or less, while there were 200,000 no older than 16 years.

• The tune for “The Bonnie Blue Flag” was borrowed from the old song, “The Irish Jaunting Car.” The tune still is used as the fight song for Georgia Tech.

• The most common weapon used in the Civil War was the .69-caliber Springfield.