KET’s Dave Shuffett…
Learning ancestor’s Civil War experience
required ‘walking mile in his shoes’

At the suggestion of producer Brandon Wickey, Dave Shuffett decided to walk a mile in the shoes of his great-great-grandfather, a Civil War veteran.

What resulted was a “Kentucky Life” feature on Kentucky Educational Television (KET) that was nominated for an award, plus an understanding by Shuffett of the impact the conflict must have had on the individual soldier. Read more

Veteran TV personality served
as host, producer for 25 years

Dave Shuffett has been a popular television host and producer on both the regional and national levels for 25 years.

From 1989-95, he served as host and producer of the long-running Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife television series, “Kentucky Afield.” Read more

Choosing sides wasn’t an easy task
for these prominent military officers

Whose side are you on – the North or the South?

It was a difficult choice for many during the Civil War, but, perhaps, particularly difficult for six prominent military leaders. George Thomas, John C. Breckinridge, Bushrod Johnson, Samuel Cooper, David Farragut and John Pemberton were among those who switched sides. Breckinridge was a native Kentuckian and Thomas and Johnson led troops at the Battles of Mill Springs and Perryville, respectively. Read more

Bowie Knife
Rezin designed special weapon
and Jim soon made it famous

Kentucky native Jim Bowie was given a special knife in the 1820s by his older brother, Rezin.

Rezin designed it, had it made by a blacksmith and gave it to young Jim as an all-purpose implement. But it was how Jim used it that made the knife an international icon and a popular weapon of choice during the Civil War. Read more

Bugle editorial
Spiritual leaders really had it difficult
with all believing God was on their side

Take the skin of a rhinoceros, delete all weapons, throw in the nine lives of a cat and what do you get?

A Civil War chaplain.

It has been reported that some 41 Confederate chaplains died in the War Between the States, either from exhaustion or disease. Initially, the South didn’t want any chaplains as the military leaders went by the notion of hating and killing the enemy. Turning the other cheek was not in vogue. Read more

Commemoration of assault on Frankfort
scheduled June 7 at Leslie Morris Park

On June 10, 1864, Confederate Gen. John Hunt Morgan led his men into a skirmish atop Frankfort’s Fort Hill where Kentucky Gov. Thomas Bramlette and approximately 40 volunteers opposed them.

The next morning, the Confederates resumed their action below the hill, but eventually gave up and left, leaving Frankfort relatively unscathed. Read more

Frank Martin was female soldier
whose true identity was never known

By DR. JUDY PIERCE
Bugle Staff Writer

Private Frank Martin was one of the most mysterious female soldiers during the Civil War because her true identity remains unknown.

Although she was discovered twice as being a female, she never once revealed her true name. Read more

Camp Nelson now U.S. historic landmark,
but national park status being sought

Camp Nelson kicked off 2014 by being designated as a National Historic Landmark, but that was just the beginning.

The Jessamine County camp and Civil War park now is seeking national park status. Read more

Ball State students create new app
for Perryville Battlefield visitors

A new app created by Ball State University students will enhance the experience of visitors to Perryville Battlefield.

The app, scheduled to be available April 19, provides firsthand accounts of the action, including troop movements and a look at life through a soldier's eyes. The battle unfolds with digital narratives and historical photographs as visitors travel the site.
Read more

Kentucky’s Civil War leaders…
Dashing, daring John Hunt Morgan
became legendary Civil War figure

(EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the 28th in a series about Kentucky’s officers and battle leaders during the Civil War.)

Although he was not a native Kentuckian, Confederate Brig. Gen. John Hunt Morgan is one of the most colorful, legendary and best-known cavalry commanders of the Civil War.

He also is one of the first War Between the States characters to be associated with the Bluegrass state. Read more

Second Battle of Frankfort avoided
thanks to strategic movement of books

Ever hear of the 2010 Battle of Frankfort?

Thanks to Joseph Burgess it was avoided by the strategic movement of hundreds of Civil War Books.

It’s an interesting story that’s best told in Joe’s own words.
Read more


Lincoln was great target at Fort Stevens,
but Union surgeon was one to suffer

Making a positive out of a negative isn’t easy.

But that’s something Confederate Lt. Gen. Jubal Early did following the July 11-12, 1864 Battle of Fort Stevens.

After failing to earn victory, Early turned to one of his officers and remarked, “Major, we didn’t take Washington, but we scared Abe Lincoln like hell.” Read more

Confederate Major Joel Mayo Womack
was key organizer of Kentucky Derby

By BRYAN BUSH
Bugle Staff Writer

Joel Mayo Womack is a name to remember where the Kentucky Derby is concerned. A major in the Confederate army, he was one of the organizers of the Louisville Jockey Club and was secretary when Churchill Downs was built in 1875.

Then, along with close friend Meriwether Lewis Clark, he assisted Clark in establishing the Kentucky Derby.

But this Louisiana native had a colorful Civil War career before he made his way to Louisville in 1870. Read more

More than 2,700 battlefield acres saved
in 2013 by Civil War Trust organization

In a year when Americans commemorated the 150th anniversary of some of the most momentous battles of the Civil War, the Civil War Trust reports it continued its crusade to preserve the nation’s most significant hallowed ground.

Trust officials noted that the generosity of its nearly 200,000 members and supporters, coupled with its strategic partnerships with government officials and nonprofit groups throughout the nation, resulted in protection of more than 2,700 acres of battlefield land in 2013. This brings the total acreage saved by the organization to 38,500 acres at 122 historic sites in 20 states.
Read more

Bugle Briefs...
How did Civil War deaths affect
population for 20th, 21st centuries?

Marilyn vos Savant – American magazine columnist, author, lecturer and playwright – recently was asked what the U.S. population may be if the Civil War had not occurred. The question was asked in view of the more than 600,000 deaths that resulted during the 1861-65 conflict.

Her answer is that the population would be about the same. She noted that most of those who died were men and that population numbers are determined by women. Read more