KENTUCKY AND THE CIVIL WAR

Slavery in Kentucky during the Civil War

When the Civil War began in 1861, Kentucky remained in the Union What is unique about Kentucky in regards to

other states in the Union? Kentucky slaveholders trusted Lincoln to

protect their property…better known as? They also believed that slavery could survive

the stresses and strains of war.

In 1862, large numbers of fugitive slaves flocked to Union army garrisons What happened to many of these runaway

slaves? Lincoln tried to persuade Kentuckians to

accept a plan a voluntary compensated emancipation

When this failed, Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation What did this do? What did this mean for slaves in Kentucky?

The Emancipation Proclamation linked the Civil War to a moral cause--- African American liberation

By 1863, many Union troops refused to return runaway slaves

Because of this, entire families of slaves ran for the safety of U.S. Army camps.

In the spring and summer of 1864, thousands of Kentucky slaves descended upon Camp Nelson and other recruiting posts What allowed African Americans to enlist in

the military? Why would they want to fight in the Civil War?

By the wars’ end in 1865, 23,703 Kentucky blacks had entered the army 57% of the state’s black men between the

ages of 18-45

Camp Nelson was the third largest recruitment and training center for U.S. Colored Troops in

America. Eight USCT Regiments were founded at Camp Nelson. In 1865, the federal government

and missionaries established the Home for Colored Refugees following the tragic expulsion of

African Americans living in shantytowns at the camp.

U.S. Colored Troops in formation at their barracks in Camp Nelson, 1865

Barracks, cottages, tents and huts at the Home for Colored Refugees at

Camp Nelson, 1865

The End of Slavery in Kentucky

By 1865, the war had greatly weakened the bonds of slavery in Kentucky

In March, Congress freed the wives and children of the state’s black troops

But because Kentucky, unlike Maryland and Missouri, refused to free its slaves by state action, the status of thousands of black Kentuckians remained unsettled The situation worsened when Kentucky

rejected the 13th Amendment. What did the 13th Amendment call for?

Many slaveholders hoped that they would receive compensation from the government for the loss of their slave property Did this happen?

It was not until December of 1865 (when the 13th Amendment was ratified) that all African Americans in Kentucky were freed. Slavery remained a legal institution longer in

Kentucky than in any other state except Delaware

Kentucky’s Role in Fighting the Civil War

"I hope to have God on my side, but I must have Kentucky." In a September 1861 letter to Orville Browning, Lincoln wrote "I think to lose Kentucky is nearly the same as to lose the whole game. ... We would as well consent to separation at once, including the surrender of the capital."

In May of 1861, Kentucky legislature declared the state would take “no part” in the Civil War This would lead you to believe that the state

declared itself to be _______________? However, many Kentuckians would travel

to neighboring states to enlist Some men would form armed bands, with

weapons smuggled into the state by both the North and South.

Divided families

One of the major negative impacts of the Civil War in Kentucky was divisions among family members. It was very common for one family to have

siblings fighting for both the North and the South

Churches and businesses would also be divided during the conflict, forcing Kentuckians to choose sides.

The divisions eventually led to a rift between state government. Confederates- Governor George W.

Johnson in Bowling GreenUnion- Governor James F. Robinson

in Frankfort Both administrators claimed to be the state’s rightful government

Battle’s in Kentucky Mill Springs- Jan. 1862, took place near

Somerset, Union victory

Battle of Shiloh Confederate commander in Kentucky,

Albert Sidney Johnston, ordered his troops to retreat into Tennessee

While he was stationed there, rebel forced attacked the Yankees at the Battle of Shiloh

KY Significance- General Johnston and Governor Johnson were both killed 1,400 Kentuckians died 18 Kentucky regiments (13 Union, 5

Confederate) fought in the battle Kentuckians fought each other at several point

in the battle line

After the Battle of Shiloh (April 1862), the rebels tried to regain Kentucky

Kentuckian John Hunt Morgan led cavalry raids across the state and encouraged southern sympathizers to join the effort

In the fall, two Confederate armies entered Kentucky Edmund Kirby Smith’s army captured

Richmond, Lexington and Frankfort Braxton Bragg’s army took Munfordville,

appointed Richard Hawes the new Confederate governor in Frankfort and fought Union commander Don Carlos Buell at the battle of Perryville

General Buell (Union) General Bragg (Conf.)

Battle of Perryville

October 8, 1862 Known for it’s blundering generals, short

duration and high rate of casualties Was last major battle fought in Kentucky

The house, tents, and yard were full of wounded Federal and Confederate soldiers. I can never forget he groans, wails, and mans of the hundreds of men as they lay side by side, some in the agony of death, some undergoing operations on the surgeons table in the corner of the yard. Near the table was a pile of legs and arms; some with shoes on, others with socks, four or five feet high…(T)he dead were… in a row three hundred feet long, every one with eyes wide open with a vacant stare. - William McChord, reflecting on what he saw at a Perryville field hospital

After Perryville, the Confederate army left Kentucky

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For the next two and a half years after Perryville, the war in Kentucky was one of harsh Union military rule, frequent raids by Confederate armies, and bitter political conflict

In 1863, martial law was placed on Kentucky What is martial law? What were the effects?

The Union army began to interfere with state and local elections How so?

Confederate cavalry led by Nathan Bedford Forrest led raids across the state

Guerrillas, such as Marcellus Jerome Clarke and William Clark Quantrill, caused Union officials to arrest and sometimes execute Kentuckians said to be pro-Confederate

The states biggest political crisis arose with the issue of freeing the slaves and the recruitment of African Americans in the army.

Results of the War

The Civil War caused Kentucky an enormous loss.

Property damage was extensive, but the cost of lives lost was worse Of the 100,000 Union soldiers and the 25,000-

40,000 Confederates from Kentucky: 1/3 (46,667) died from battle wounds, accidents, or disease

Most who died were young