Tara knew her photo was ‘money shot’;
so did her mom who made prize possible

Sometimes, mothers do know best.

Such was the case of a photo Nicholasville’s Tara Baldwin took at Camp Nelson.

“I knew it was a ‘money shot’ when I took it,” Tara said, “but I didn’t do anything with it. However, Mom, my biggest fan, submitted it to the 2012 Civil War Trust Photography Contest.”

As a result, the photo – “One Nation Under God” – was judged the winner in the People on Battlefields Category. Read more

Skirmish re-enactment boosts attendance
at Camp Nelson’s Civil War Days event

Some 200 visitors were on hand for Camp Nelson’s Civil War Days Sept. 22-23, enhanced by a skirmish depicting a June 1864 raid on the Union supply depot by Confederate Gen. John Hunt Morgan.

A skirmish re-enactment was conducted both days at 2 p.m. and was featured along with living history activities, drills, demonstrations, camp scenarios and period music. Read more

Dixie Rose’ debuts as commemoration
to those who died at Richmond battle

Madison County’s one-and-only winery is commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Civil War Battle of Richmond in a unique manner.

Acres of Land’s newest wine – Dixie Rose’ – has been introduced to honor those who fought and died in the 1862 War-Between-the-States conflict. Profits from the sale of the beverage will be donated to support the Battle of Richmond Association (BORA) in its efforts to preserve the history and heritage of Kentucky’s second-largest Civil War encounter. Read more

Civil War’s longest pontoon bridge
was constructed at Paducah in 1861

Union Major Gen. John C. Fremont telegraphed Federal commander U.S. Grant as the barges began to arrive at Cairo, Ill., on Sept. 20, 1861.

“The pontoon bridge will reach Paducah tomorrow or Sunday from Cincinnati,” Fremont transmitted. “It can be put in in a few hours. Infantry and artillery will be needed for its protection.”
Read more

Old State Capitol has history, heritage
well worth its preservation activity

Preservation construction on Kentucky’s Old State Capitol is expected to continue through the fall.

All windows in the building will be repaired, restoring the sashes and installing new interior storm windows with ultraviolet filters. The Kentucky Division of Historic Properties is performing the task for the purpose of preserving the National Historic Landmark facility.
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A Confederate love story. . .
Amy went to war with her husband,
lived to fight as Richard Anderson

Dr. Judy Pierce and Dr. Pamela Jukes

Among the prisoners brought to the Union prison in Cairo, Ill., was a young person wearing the uniform of a private in the Confederate army. The soldier was of medium height, rather slight in build, features effeminate, but eyes full of resolution and spirit.  The descriptive roll called him Pvt. Richard Anderson.

A note to Gen. James Tuttle, however, from the Provost Marshal, at another point, explained that, for once, Richard was not himself, but another personage altogether. In fact, that Richard Anderson was no less a personage than Mrs. Amy Clark, wife of the late Walter Clarke.
Read more

600-plus attend Holt Community Day;
nearly $34,000 raised for renovation

More than 600 people attended the 4th Annual Holt House Community Day in Hardinsburg Sept. 22 and final totals show that nearly $34,000 has been raised to renovate the mansion of the nation’s first judge advocate general. The funds, raised the past seven months, will be used to match an additional federal grant for renovation of the estate.

An earlier grant has enabled the county and Friends of the Holt House to hire an architect who will begin restoration planning. Breckinridge County Judge Executive Maurice Lucas said an architectural study may begin as early as this fall.

The Community Days for the Holt House have been instrumental in making the public aware of the multi-story mansion, built in circa 1850 by Breckinridge native Joseph Holt, spokeswoman Susan Dyer said. Read more

God could offer his ‘two cents worth’
about U.S. money beginning in 1864

It wasn’t until 1864 that God could truly offer his “two cents worth” about U.S. money.

That was the year that Civil War-era Treasury Secretary Salmon P. Chase moved to put the religious motto “In God We Trust” on coins. Congress okayed the proposal, President Abraham Lincoln signed it into law and the U.S. Mint rolled out the first 2-cent coins bearing the motto.

Chase made the move after hearing from many devout Americans, including a minister who said the phrase would “relieve us from the ignominy of heathenism” and that “no possible citizen could object.” Read more

Confederate sergeant didn’t make it,
but his compassion for others survived

Even in a conflict as bloody as the Civil War, sometimes compassion is the dominating influence.

That was the situation on Dec. 14, 1862 following the Battle of Fredericksburg, Va.

Confederate Gen. J.B. Kershaw and his brigade occupied the road at the foot of Marye’s Hill where Southern forces had won the day. Beyond the sunken road and a stonewall lay more than 12,000 Union soldiers who were either dead or severely wounded. Throughout the day, groans and cries for water filled the air as Gen. Kershaw surveyed the scene from an upstairs room in the house he was using for headquarters.
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Even Henry Clay couldn’t have guessed
Civil War would invade his backyard

The Civil War was a conflict filled with ironies and one that did not escape the legacy of Henry Clay, the Great Compromiser who fought so long to prevent secession and keep the union together.

The long-time Kentucky U.S. senator and representative, who died in 1852, was not around to see the war erupt and one of its battles fought in the backyard of his Lexington residence. Read more

Civil War resonates with Americans
because of familial interest, Shaara says

Why do stories of the Civil War have an enduring appeal?

Because they’re unique and personal, according to a celebrated Civil War author.

Jeff Shaara says the Civil War resonates with Americans because of that uniqueness and because today’s citizens have ancestors who fought in it, so there’s a familial interest in the war. Read more

200 attend Michigan marker placement,
dedication at Battle of Richmond

Approximately 200 Civil War enthusiasts from Michigan and Madison County, Ky., turned out for dedication ceremonies for a Michigan historical marker installed July 21 at the Battle of Richmond’s Battlefield Park.

The ceremony and marker are in honor of the men of Batteries F and G of Michigan’s First Light Artillery who fought at the 1862 Battle of Richmond, Ky. The artillery unit successfully drove back Confederate troops Aug. 29, but were overcome the following day as veteran Southern troops overran inexperienced Union forces to win a battle that became known as most overwhelming Confederate victory of the entire Civil War. Read more

CSS Alabama gets nod for destroying
greatest number of Civil War vessels

Some Civil War records are almost impossible to find. Such as, which ship destroyed the most vessels during the war?

Until someone finds a better record, the CSS Alabama has to rank at the top.

This 1,050-ton sloop of war burned/destroyed either 65 or 69 Union vessels of various types – depending on differing accounts – after being placed in commission in August 1862. Read more

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.
Read more

Elizabethtown unveils marker detailing
1862 battle in bitter December cold

The Battle of Elizabethtown will not be forgotten thanks to a commemorative marker erected in the Elizabethtown town square.

An Oct. 13 dedication program included the unveiling of the marker that details the Dec. 27, 1862 battle. The confrontation was between 652 Federal troops from the 91st Illinois Volunteer Infantry and 3,900 Confederates from the Army of Tennessee commanded by Brig. Gen. John Hunt Morgan. The Union troops were garrisoned in the town under the command of Lt. Col. Harry S. Smith. Read more

Kentucky’s Civil War leaders…
Hard-charging Gen. Eli Long often
was wounded, cited for gallantry

Gen. Eli Long was wounded five times and cited for gallantry on five occasions while serving as a Union cavalry officer during the Civil War.

The Woodford County native was graduated from Kentucky Military Institute in 1855 and a year later was appointed a second lieutenant in the 1st U.S. Cavalry Regiment. He served in a variety of frontier posts, often battling hostile Indians. He was promoted to first lieutenant in March 1861 and was named captain of the first cavalry with the outbreak of the Civil War in May. Read more

News in Brief...
Camp Nelson genealogical research library opens Sept. 21 with ribbon cutting

Camp Nelson opened its genealogical research library Sept. 21 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and reception at its recently constructed barracks. Read more