Kaskel’s refusal, plea before Lincoln
enabled Paducah Jews to return

Cesar Kaskel left Paducah with the other Jews, but he refused to accept the Civil War decision to expel his people from the Western Kentucky city. Read more

Thanks to Sharon Graves…
BORA may hold state attendance mark
for its two-day living history program

The Battle of Richmond Association (BORA) may hold the Kentucky record for two-day attendance at a living history event for students.

A crowd of 1,255 attended BORA’s Living History program May 3-4 at Battlefield Park, breaking the attendance record set last year.
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Passport program seeks to enhance
knowledge of Civil War in Kentucky

Travelers have the opportunity to further enhance their knowledge of the Civil War, travel Kentucky’s by-ways and have fun by participating in the Kentucky Civil War Sites Association (KCWSA) Passport Program.
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Polk facilities stabilized, now restoration
begins for Main Street Perryville group

Sometimes, everything seems to be right with the world and pieces start falling into place.

Vicki Goode had one of those days recently.

After two years of struggling to raise money to stabilize the historical office and home of Perryville Civil War physician Jefferson J. Polk, a donor wrote a check for $1,500 in late June to put the $3,500 fund-raising effort over the top. Read more

A professor’s Civil War view…
War was political, religious choice
that caused nation to disintegrate

We are marking the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War. So what?

Most Americans beyond the South are indifferent to the event. Even in the former Confederacy the sesquicentennial has captured only sporadic attention.

That’s a pity. The Civil War can tell us a great deal about ourselves, then and now. We have an unfortunate history of plunging into wars for God and democracy that have often made a mockery of both. If we can use this anniversary to learn more about why we rush to war, it will be an exercise worth undertaking.
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Shiloh’s ‘Angel Glow’ was lifesaver,
study won youngsters national award

Ask 17-year-old Bill Martin about a mysterious light called “Angel’s Glow” and he’ll explain how it won a national award for him and an inquisitive friend.

Bill, in 2001, visited the Shiloh battlefield with his family. While there, he learned about soldiers “glowing wounds.” He found that some of the Shiloh soldiers wounded during the April 1862 battle sat in the mud for two rainy days and nights waiting for medics to get around to them. As dusk fell the first night, some of them noticed their wounds were glowing, casting a faint light into the darkness of the battlefield.
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Hoffmann’s blogs, lectures provide
more details about sketch artists
If you attend a Civil War living history or re-enactment in Kentucky, chances are you’ll see Jim Hoffmann.

He’ll be the one with a sketchbook in his hand developing drawings of the event while portraying a period sketch artist for a national newspaper.Read more

Kentucky’s Civil War leaders…
Rousseau remembered for Alaska role,
confrontation with Iowa congressman

Union Major Gen. Lovell Harrison Rousseau had an impressive career as an officer, politician and lawyer, but always will be best known for playing a key role in the transfer of Alaska from Russia to the United States. Read more

Madison Civil War roundtable
observes its 35th anniversary

The Madison County Civil War Roundtable (MCCWRT) observed its 35th anniversary May 11 at the Dinner Bell Restaurant in Berea.

A presentation on Confederate Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest was preceded with the cutting of a commemorative cake.
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Never a lady, Lizzie Compton became
one of Union’s best fighting soldiers

During the Civil War, women played many different roles. Some remained on the home front to care for children and elderly parents while others chose to become nurses, laundresses or “ladies of the night.” Still other women were looking for adventure or trying to escape from some domestic or life crisis.

One such woman was  Lizzie Compton. Read more

Second edition of Richmond book
now available through gift shop

The first definitive work on the Civil War Battle of Richmond has been reprinted by the Battle of Richmond Association in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the battle.

Written by Dr. Dean Warren Lambert and first published in 1995, When the Ripe Pears Fell chronicles many of the aspects – both military and civilian – of the Battle of Richmond, fought Aug. 29-30, 1862. The hardbound, laminated-cover book is 260 pages with photos and maps and is priced at $30. Read more

News in Brief...
Tennessee history teacher specialist
on battlefields, their preservation

Author Randy Bishop, an avid scholar of the War Between the States and an advocate for preservation and restoration of historic battlefields, has written a distinctive book about Kentucky’s Civil War battlefields, a review of which is included in this issue. Bishop has authored similar books on Civil War battlefields in Tennessee and Mississippi and has contributed articles for publications such as the Civil War Courier and Country Discoveries. Read more

Book review…
Bishop details action, preservation
at 13 Kentucky Civil War battlefields

“Kentucky's Civil War Battlefields: A Guide to Their History and Preservation,” by Randy Bishop; 340 pages with 30 pages of notes and an 18-page bibliography and index; $20, Pelican Publishing Company, Gretna, La., 2012.

In early June, we were asked twice at Richmond’s Battlefield Park about a good source to read on Civil War battlefields in Kentucky. In both cases, “Kentucky’s Civil War Battlefields” was highly recommended. Read more

‘Civil War for Kids’
This book will inspire youngsters
to discover, learn about the war

“Civil War Kids 150: Fifty Fun Things to Do, See, Make and find for the 150th Anniversary,” Nicole L. Osier and Sheralyn Morehouse, editors; Lyons Press; 87 pages, paperback; $12.95.

One of the continuing goals of the Civil War Trust is to interest more young people about the history and significance of the Civil War. Its publication of this book certainly meets that criteria.

In four categories – Create, Perform, Find, Read/Watch – there is enough information and things to do to interest just about any youngster in the Civil War. Read more

Perryville preservation group disbands,
noting its mission has been completed

A group dedicated to preserving Perryville’s significance as a Civil War site has announced it is disbanding.

Bruce Richardson, a businessman and former Perryville mayor, stated in a May 7 letter delivered to the Perryville City Council that the Perryville Battlefield Preservation Association (PBPA) has decided to call it quits after 20 years. Read more

Smithsonian needs help as it deciphers
diary of Civil War artist Henry Mosler

If you’ve ever heard of or about Civil War artist Henry Mosler, the Smithsonian institution would like to hear from you.

Kelly Quinn, a project manager for the Smithsonian’s Archives of American Art, is working with the diary of Mosler, who recorded his impressions and illustration in the book. Specifically, it’s the artist’s diary for October 1862 that’s being studied and included in a transcript designed to make the volume more legible.
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