USA > Kentucky > The Union regiments of Kentucky, Vol. 2 > Part 42
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689
Patterson's Company of Mechanics and Engineers.
effort to throw a pontoon bridge across Chickasaw Bayou, under a destructive fire from the enemy. Sergt. Welsh, in charge of the party, relinquished the effort only when the boats were so damaged as to be useless. On the 1st of January, 1863, embarked on transports for Arkansas Post, arriving on the 10th. After the battle and surrender, the demolition of the fort and siege guns was assigned to this company, with a large detail from the command. A note of compliment was received from the commanding general. Embarked for Young's Point on the 14th; ar- rived 22d of January, 1863. By Special Order No. 177, February 2, 1863, headquarters 13th Army Corps, two pioneer corps, one hundred and fifty men each, were ordered to report to Capt. Patterson for duty. From this date to 29th of March, built two miles of wooden road, half mile of levee, seven feet high, besides work done on the canal. On the 30th of March, marched to Richmond, La., with 69th Ind., the advance of the army, for the rear of Vicksburg. On April 1st built floating bridges 300 feet long across Bayou Roundaway (a rapid stream), in- side of twenty-four hours. On the 25th prepared a casemate for a 12-pound howitzer on board a flat-boat, with which Gen. Osterhaus advanced upon Carthage, on the Mississippi, driving the enemy five miles down the river. From the 6th to 19th worked two saw-mills and built twenty flat boats. On the 19th under orders, reported to Gen. Hovey with a barge to build a bridge 780 feet long across Bayou Vedell, twelve miles below Carthage, which was completed in fourteen hours. Marched two miles, built a bridge across Negro Bayou, 250 feet long, same day. By means of the flat-boats one hundred and fifty tons of ammunition were transported to the Mississippifrom Richmond, and they werethen used by Capt. Jackson of Gen. Hovey's division, to bridge Mound Bayou, 630 feet broad, which was completed April 26th. This was forty-five miles from Milliken's Bend, then flooded with water. For greater certainty a squad of this company was left in charge until the army passed. No accident or delay occurred on this work. Leaving this point, it marched four miles to Perkins' plantation on the Mississippi. On the 28th of April, embarked on trans- ports for Grand Gulf, debarking same day at Hard Times, two miles above Grand Gulf. On the 29th a fleet of seven gunboats fired upon the rebel works, retiring at 4 p. m. The rebels continuing their fire, the troops marched be- low, following the levee, and camped for the night. On the 30th crossed to east bank of Mississippi, and marched
4.4
690
Union Regiments of Kentucky.
with Gen. Carr's division in the advance. On May 1st, the battle of Port Gibson was fought. On May 2d, was ordered in front of Gen. Logan's division, 17th Army Corps, by Col. Wilson, engineer on Gen. Grant's staff, to build a bridge across Bayou Pierre over 100 feet long, which was done in less than three hours. Reached Big Bayou Pierre, 12 p. m .; repaired burnt bridge 300 feet long with new floor. The troops crossed at daylight. Reached Raymond on the 11th. The pontoon train ar- rived, crossing our bridges from Milliken's Bend. On the 16th the battle of Champion Hills was fought, and on the . 17th the battle of Big Black River. Constructed bridge across Big Black, 200 feet long-troops crossing at sun- rise on the 18th.
Reached rear of Vicksburg on the evening of the 18th, was employed up to the 22d planting artillery. During the charge on the 22d, Lieut. Steiner, of the 60th Ind., led two squads of the pioneers to dig down the earth-works on either side of the railroad, vacated for the time by the enemy. Corp. Hendryx, of the 42d Ohio, reached the face of the work on the left and continued excavations until ordered to desist, returning with the loss of one man, while the lieutenant threw up an earth-work across the road on a line with and near Fort Beaureguard. June 1st, this company was entrusted with running the saps in front of the 13th Army Corps; reached a point within 15 feet of the fort on the 3d of July. July 4th, Vicksburg fell. On the 5th this company marched to Jackson, Miss., under Lieut McIllvain, of the 120th Ohio, and returned August 1st. August 5th, pioneer corps was disbanded and this company was ordered with the 13th Army Corps to New Orleans, La., arriving on the 27th. From this date it engaged as mechanics, making water wagons and canvas boats, under command of Maj. Gen. E. O. C. Ord, up to the 5th of October, when it marched with the ad- vance of the 13th Army Corps to Vermillion Bayou, ar- riving on the 11th. On the 1st of November it returned to New Orleans with the 13th Army Corps. On the 15th it embarked on transports for Brazos Santiago, Texas, ar- riving on the 20th. On the 21st was ordered for Aransas Pass, debarking on St. Joseph Island. On November 22d, the army marched up the coast, Maj. Gen. Washburn commanding; reached Cedar Bayou, November 24th. On November 25th, constructed a flying bridge, 300 yards long, across Cedar Bayou, and the command crossed. On the 7th of December reached Pass Cavallo, Texas. Built hospitals, signal stations, warehouses, wharves, and did mechanical work generally up to April 19th, when we
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691
Patterson's Company of Mechanics and Engineers.
embarked with the 13th Army Corps for Alexandria, La., arriving on the 28th of April. Assisted in the con- struction of the "Great Dam across Red river." On the 13th of May, left Alexandria for New Orleans, arriving on the 6th of June. July 3d, reported to. Engineer De- partment of the Gulf, and dividing the company, took charge of mechanical and steam saw-mill in Cypress Swamp up to November 17th, when the company was ordered to report to Louisville, Ky., its term of three years' service having expired. On November 23d em- barked on transports for Louisville, Ky., arriving Decem- ber 1, 1864. The company was finally mustered out Jan- uary 22, 1865, at Louisville, Ky. It had participated in the following named battles and affairs in which loss was sustained: Mill Springs, Ky .; Cumberland Gap; retreat from Cumberland Gap; Chickasaw Bayou; Arkansas Post; Port Gibson; Champion Hills; Black River Bridge; siege of Vicksburg; Vermillion Bayou; Aransas Pass; Pass Cavallo; Alexandria, La .; Morksburg, La .; Yellow Bayou, La.
Roster.
CAPTAIN-William F. Patterson. 2d LIEUT .- Andrew Patterson. SERGTS .- Charles H. Welsh, James H. McFall. COOKS -- Samuel Daniel, John Ebah.
PRIVATES -- William R. Barnes, Calvin L. Russell, John Freeman, James Floyd, James Hail, Ezekiel W. Hainey, George Owens, Elijah Owens, John O. Rexroate, Benjamin Roberts, John S. Sneed, George G. Spoonemore, Henry C. Wait, Willis Dunham, Jesse R. Fore, James Keith, John McFall; William Riggins, William Sneed, Jas. M. Wattenborger, Patrick Brennin, Loyd A. Babb, Samuel Daniel, John Ebah, Carter L. Kilday, James L. McCurdy, William S. Patterson, John W. Babb, Isaac Burress, Elias Harrison. John H. Hainey, John Poff, James M. Sneed, William Buller, George W. Loveall. Samuel B. Loveall, Benjamin Pen- nington, John Tucker, John Woolridge.
692
Union Regiments of Kentucky.
1
STATE TROOPS PROPER.
In addition to the organizations which have been shown in this work in detail, there were nearly four thou- sand men enrolled for duty by the State of Kentucky under the above head.
In the Adjutant General's report it is shown that these State Troops Proper were as follows:
First Regiment Capital Guards. COLONEL-Pierce B. Hawkins.
Lieut. Col. J. J. Craddock; Adjts. A. J. Carrington and Alonzo Wood; Quartermaster Foster J. Austin; Surgeons Hugh Mulholland, D. W. Sud- duth.
Frankfort Battalion.
COMPANY A-Capt. James H. Hudspeth; Lieuts. Thos. B. Boyd, Hugh W. Jones, 72 men.
COMPANY B-Capt. Jasper N. Long; Lieuts. Robert H. Pierson, Wm. R. Ferguson, 65 men.
COMPANY C-Capt. John W. Swinker; Lieuts. Isaac Bloodworth, Jas. B. Parrish, 78 men.
COMPANY D-Capts. Chas. W. Quiggins, Elliott B. Bolton; Lieuts. Green B. Thomas, Wm. A. Willson, 67 men.
COMPANY F-Capts. Joel C. Bussey, Wm. M. Searcey; Lieuts. J. J. Swetman, J. F. Denton, Edgar Baird, 89 men.
COMPANY H-Capt. Sanford Goin; Lieuts. B. Mattingly, B. C. Lock- wood, 87 men.
COMPANY I-Capt. J. T. Musselman; Lieuts. W. N. Mathews, Wilkins Warren, 89 men.
Paducah Battalion.
COMPANY A-Capt. Thos. J. Gregory; Lieuts. M. L. Smith, W. R. Smith, 86 men.
COMPANY B-Capt. Henry E. Luter; Lieuts. J. T. Berkley, W. A. Bo- gard, 69 men.
COMPANY C-Capt. John A. Hamlett; Lieuts. W. N. Harris, J. C. Grif- fin, 78 men.
COMPANY D-Capt. Joseph T. Peck; Lieuts. Wm. M. Rhea, M. H. Love- lace, 59 men.
COMPANY E-Capt. W. H. Smith; Lieuts. F. W. Permost, T. W. Ward. 65 men.
Sandy Valley Battalion.
MAJOR -- Chas. W. Quiggins.
COMPANY E-Capt. Jacob Nelson; Lieuts. D. L. Evans, W. H. H. Cal- lahan, 73 men.
COMPANY G-Capt. John Welsh; Lieuts. W. G. . Porter, R. C. Under- wood, 59 men.
State Troops Proper. 693
COMPANY K-Capt. Alex W. Nickel; Lieuts. J. H. Jacobs, Fred Stum- 1 bugh, 49 men.
COMPANY L-Capt. I. B. Hutchinson; Lieut. Jno. B. Maynard, 47 men.
North Cumberland Battalion.
COMPANY A -- Capt. Basil Watson; Lieuts. Thos. Y. Watson, J. M. Mc- Kinney, 75 men.
COMPANY B-Capt. H. L. Kessel; Lieuts. Douglass Jones, John L. Lamb, 71 men.
COMPANY C-Capt. Sam Allen; Lieuts. Jas. Cooper, Jos. Powers, 74 men.
Three Forks Battalion.
MAJOR-Elisha B. Treadway.
COMPANY A-Capt. Joseph Blackwell, 65.men.
COMPANP B-Capt. Francis M. Vaughn; Lieuts. Caldwell Oaks, H. J. Arnold, 72 men.
COMPANY C-Capt. Wm. B. Eversole; Lieuts. John B. Campbell, Ste- phen Stamper, 84 men.
COMPANY D-Capt. Shadrach Combs; Lieuts. S. Stacy, Sam Begley, 85 men.
COMPANY E-Capt. Wm. Strong; Lieuts. Wm. F. Little, Alf. Little, Ed. Marcum, 85 men.
COMPANY F-Capt. Ben. F. Blankenship; Lieuts. Henry Day, Enoch Blair, 70 men.
COMPANY G-Capt. W. D. Cardwell; Lieuts. Andrew Short, Jesse John- son, 83 men. ɨ̀
COMPANY H-Capt. James Eversold; Lieuts. Levi Abner, M. M. Baker, 82 men.
Hall's Gap Battalion.
MAJOR-H. Bridgewater. SURGEON -- Milton A. Sivey.
COMPANY A -- Capts. Jas. H. Bridgewater, John Bridgewater; Lieuts. J. L. Bell, J. C. Cogle, C. C. Coyle, C7 men.
COMPANY B-Capt. Abraham Dawes; Lieuts. A. J. Nevis, S. D. Pollock, 73 men.
COMPANY C-Capts. John T. Aikin, J. M. Gooch; Lieuts. J. P. Aikin, Sam Butcher, T. P. Young, 66 men.
COMPANY D-Capt. W. P. Ingram; Lieuts. John Osborn, W. S. Shep- herd, 75 men.
Mercer County State Guards.
Capt. James Lawson; Lieuts. Ben F. Coldwell, Geo. W. Lambert, 84 men. (This company served with the Hall's Gap Battalion.)
Green River Battalion.
MAJOR-John W. Swinker. SURGEON-Chas. F. Ulrich.
COMPANY A-Capts. John P. Cummins, Wm. Ahl; Lieuts. Jas. H. Steele, 1 Ed P. Pate, SS men.
COMPANY B-Capt. Jas. B. Parrish, 53 men.
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694
Union Regiments of Kentucky.
COMPANY C-Lieuts. D. A. Moore, A. A. Albutton, 44 men.
COMPANY D-Capt. John A. Clark; Lieuts. Jas. L. Johnson, F. M. Jar- boe, 56 men.
Middle Green River Battalion.'
MAJOR-W. J. Long. SURGEON-Jas. M. Wilson.
COMPANY A-Capt. Jasper N. Long; Lieuts. Geo. Jackson, L. E. Will- iams, 58 men.
COMPANY B-Capt. Toliver James; Lieuts. D. Huntsman, H. C. At- wood, 72 men.
COMPANY C-Capt. R. F. Taylor; Lieuts. W. D. Taylor, E. B. Alen, 77 men.
COMPANY D-Lieuts. R. J. Dobbs, J. B. Taggett, 38 men.
South Cumberland Battalion. MAJOR-James M. Bristow.
COMPANY A-Capt. Isaac S. Bow; Lieuts. Ed. Vincent, W. L. Hoots, 73 men.
COMPANY B-Capt. C. L. Holsapple; Lieuts. J. S. Anderson, G. W. Hop- kins, 73 men.
COMPANY C-Capt. Thos. Wood; Lieuts. Nathan Moore, Wm. H. Walker, 70 men.
COMPANY D-Capt. John R. Curry; Lieuts. J. A. B. Hudleston, G. Bur- ton, 70 men.
COMPANY E-Capt. Jas. F. Stephenson; Lieuts. John F. Yates, L. C. Story, 72 men.
First Kentucky State Cavalry. MAJOR-Silas Adams.
COMPANY A-Capt. John P. Logan; Lieuts. Green L. Brown, S. B. Hendricks, 76 men.
COMPANY B-Capt. John S. Cozine; Lieuts. J. W. McWhorter, Jas. Hayes, 72 men.
COMPANY C-Capt. D. A. Kelly; Lieuts. G. W. Graham, John C. Brown, 72 men.
COMPANY D-Capt. Jas. R. Clarke; Lieuts. T. J. Stillwell, J. G. Faris, 74 men.
Casey County State Guards.
Capt. Geo. W. Penn; Lieuts. Warren Lamme. Wm. Rains, 87 men. (This company performed duty with the 1st Ky. State Cavalry.)
Frankfort Battalion.
Capts. Chas. Junot, Thos. R. Boyd; Lieuts. Jas. M. Simmonds, John H. Spruill, 100 men.
The service of these state troops is thus mentioned in the adjutant-general's report:
The Capital Guard Regiment, Kentucky State Troops, was raised under sanction of the War Department, dated July 11. 1863, and consisted of three battalions-one stationed in the neighborhood of Frankfort,
695
State Troops Proper.
one at or near Paducah, and one in the Sandy valley. The remainder of the state forces, except the Mercer County State Guards and Casey County State Guards, were raised under an act of Kentucky Leg- islature, approved January 26, 1864, entitled "An Act empowering the government to raise a force for the defense of the state."
The two State Guard companies mentioned were raised under the militia law of the state, and being ordered on duty, were assigned for service to the battalions with which they appear. All of these troops did valuable and efficient service to the state and the general government, as the history of the time would fully show. The Sandy valley battalion rendered most important service during the Saltville raid. The Frankfort battalion protected the capital from the frequent incursions of guerrilla forces. The Paducah battalion protected the southwest- ern portion of the state. Shortly after the muster-out of this battalion the gallant Capt. Thos. J. Gregory, Com- pany A, was killed in action while leading a charge against a guerrilla force. The troops raised under act of January 26, 1864, were enlisted subsequent to the mus- ter-out of the Capital Guard regiment, and were located as follows: The Three Forks battalion in the extreme southeastern portion of the state, with headquarters at Booneville.
The Hall's Gap battalion in the locality between Stan- · ford and Hall's Gap; headquarters at Stanford.
The Green River battalion in the counties between the Ohio and Green rivers, with headquarters at Calhoun.
The Middle Green River battalion in the southern por- tion of the state, with headquarters at Rochester.
The South Cumberland battalion, also in the southern portion of the state, with headquarters at Burksville.
The 1st Ky. Cavalry in the central part of the state, with headquarters at Lebanon.
The Frankfort battalion was assigned to duty in guard- ing the Louisville and Lexington railroad, and the coun- try adjacent thereto.
All of these battalions performed the most valuable service against the rebels and guerrillas under Morgan, Johnson, South, Lyon, Mundy, Gentry, Jesse, etc., and for some time freed the state from the incursions of these troops.
September 3, 1862, Gov. Robinson appointed Col. Wm. H. Wadsworth, of Maysville, to command the state forces - in Mason county. Col. Wadsworth appointed on his staff Richard Apperson, Jr., Thos. M. Green and Sam W. Owens (Collins' Annals). In connection with the history of the 14th Ky. Cavalry this service of Col. Wadsworth is men- tioned.
696
Union Regiments of Kentucky.
STATE MILITIA PROPER.
Besides the state troops proper, just mentioned, there were one hundred and sixty-two companies of Home Guards, State Guards and militia called into service, their organization being authorized by act of the legislature. These troops are enumerated in the adjutant-general's . report. They can not be shown in detail in this work, but the following is a summary statement:
The Home Guard companies called out by the city of Louisville and Generals Anderson and Sherman, and being under command of Generals Lovell H. Rousseau, James Speed, Colonels Wm. P. Boone, Curran Pope, Hamilton Pope, Maj. John W. Barr, numbered 1,534.
Police Guard Kentucky Central railroad under Col. B. W. Foley, and Maj. John Marshall, Adjt. J. P. Hunt, 1,470.
Oldham County State Guard, Capt. R. J. Shanks, 63.
Shelby County State Guard, Capt. R. H. George, 35.
Spencer County State Guard, Capt. Robert Cochran, 56.
Nelson County State Guards, John W. Glove, 49.
Flower Creek Home Guard, Capt. M. W. Thomasson, 33. Capt. Martin's Company Home Guard, 57.
Ohio County Home Guard, Capt. W. H. Porter, 155.
Capt. Leonard's Company Home Guard, 60.
Forty-first Regiment Ky. Enrolled Militia, Col. Amos Shinkle, Lieut. Col. Jas. G. Baldwin, Maj. Jno. Marshall, 1,096.
Forty-second Regiment Ky. Enrolled Militia, Col. G. Artsman, Lieut. Col. Sidney D. Jones, Maj. A. B. Balbeck, 1,393.
Rockcastle and Lincoln Home Guards, Maj. Jas. S. Fish, 129.
Frankfort Union Guards, 57.
Harlan County Battalion, Maj. B. F. Blankenship, 494.
Bath County Rangers, Capt. J. C. Bussy, 88.
Twenty-second Regiment Ky. Enrolled Militia, Col. Thos. J. Ewing, Maj. J. F. Lewman, 112.
Sixty-eighth Regiment Ky. Enrolled Militia, Col. Thos. McKinster, Lieut. Col. Martin H. Johns, Maj. W. M. Jones, 615.
Sixty-fifth Regiment Ky. Enrolled Militia, Col. Burgis Preston, Lieut. Col. Geo. W. Brown, Maj. P. Daniel, 347. .
Thirty-sixth Regiment Ky. Enrolled Militia, Col. Edgar Keenon, Maj. T. F. Hutchinson, F. J. Settle, 280.
Peaks Mill Rangers, Capt. J. C. Jackson, 51. -
Fleming Company State Guards, Capt. Geo. R. Barber, 102.
Hardin County State Guard, Capt. Jno. R. Aubry, 42.
Capt. R. B. Bacon's Company State Guard, 26.
Capt. Greenberry Reed's Company Ky. National Legion, 84.
Capt. H. H. Johnson's Company Ky. National Legion, ST.
Lieut. Geo. W. Burchett's Company Ky. National Legion, 14. Total number on active duty, 8,764.
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697
State Militia Proper.
These State Troops Proper, State Guards, and Militia, sometimes called Home Guards, were called into the serv- ice by authority. They acted under the direction of the military board of the state. They were often found doing duty in connection with the regular military organiza- tions, and were always responsible to the constituted au- thorities.
It is concerning these men that such historians as Shaler and Smith made the gratuitous and unjust charges of perpetrating outrages.
Many facts on this subject can be learned by a careful scrutiny of the "Annals of Kentucky," found in the first volume of Collin's history. That author gathered in these annals a great number of facts concerning the war period in Kentucky. In stating them his temper is shown by the derisive epithets and sneers he uses about the conduct of the Federal authorities generally, and his complete sympathy with the Southern cause is apparent on every page. Yet, when these annals are scrutinized, it is plain the facts they disclose speak far stronger against the enemies of the Union than the supporters of the Union. They show that the "guerrillas" were on the side of the Confederacy, and against everything that was Union. They show not less than fifty instances of "outrage" per- petrated by guerrillas, while only two are set down as the work of "Home Guards." They show that "guerrillas" and "rebels" burned twelve court houses, while only one was burned by the Federals, and that one from "careless- ness." They show scores of wanton killings by "guer- rillas," but none by "Home Guards."
They show that the military executions charged against Burbridge and others were on the ground of "re- taliation" for murders perpetrated by guerrillas. If the facts of the case had been such as to justify the general reflections on the Home Guards, found in the general his- tories of Kentucky, it may be regarded as a certainty that. Collins would have gleaned them and noted them in his annals. That they do not appear there, is strong proof that the general charges are unfounded.
Collins' "annals" mention several instances in which the Home Guards fought with credit. One of their bat- tles was at Augusta, Ky., on the Ohio river, about twenty miles below Maysville. About three hundred and fifty of Morgan's cavalry fought one hundred and twenty-five Home Guards under Dr. Bradford. The latter fought from the houses, and the Confederates resorted to the torch, which compelled the Home Guards to surrender, but their assailants lost twenty-one killed and eighteen wounded, and the object of the raid was frustrated. (See
698
Union Regiments of Kentucky.
Collins' Annals.) The official records show the additional facts that Col. Wilson, of the 44th Ohio, being at Mays- ville, hurried down to the relief of Dr. Bradford at Au- gusta. He was accompanied by IIon. W. H. Wadsworth, Col. Charles A. Marshall and Judge Bush, of Maysville, who led Home Guard companies. "More than half of my command," says Col. Wilson, in his report, "were citi- zens, but all marched and behaved like veteran troops." This force reached Augusta and drove off the Confederates while they were in the act of paroling the prisoners they had captured.
The services of the Home Guards, in co-operation with other troops, are favorably mentioned in the official re- ports of numerous generals-Nelson, Anderson, Boyle, - Hobson, H. G. Wright, Green Clay Smith, George W. Mor- gan, D. W. Lindsey and many others. Among the Home Guard officers whose conduct was specially noted, were Col. Wm. H. Wadsworth, Col. Worthington, Maj. Bridge- water, Captains Mcclintock, Penn, Wilson, Arthur, Wright, Cochran, Pepper. Among the organizations which receive complimentary mention in the reports are the Louisville Dragoons and the Capital Guards.
Instead of unjust reflections being cast upon these va- rious companies which materially aided in the protection of their state, they should receive in the histories of the war the mention they merited and received in the official reports, which show that they were reliable, trustworthy, courageous and useful soldiers in the cause of their state and country.
699
Conclusion.
CONCLUSION.
This history of the Union Regimentsof Kentucky isnow completed. The accounts given present the main events in the career of each organization; without elaboration, however, and omitting many details which would have been interesting. If the services of a regiment were pre- sented in full, with incidents of camp and march and battlefield, they would fill a volume. Therefore as such complete narratives would require a number of volumes, the purpose intended by this one volume would not be ac- complished. Indeed if such extended accounts were pub- lished, there would be a natural desire to have the salient points digested and expressed more briefly. This is prac- tically speaking what has now been done. Mention is made in the preface of the great publication known as the records of the war. The accounts given in this book have been gathered from these official records and are there- fore based upon authority and are not exaggerated state- ments.
The roster of each regiment is copied from the adju- tant-general's report, and is official.
The proportion of the Union voters in Kentucky, which entered the military service is noticeable. At the presidential election in 1860, 93,000 votes were cast for the three tickets which stood for the Union-Bell, Doug- lass and Lincoln, while 52,000 voted for Breckinridge, the Southern rights candidate. Again in May, 1861, 110,000 voted for the Union delegates to the Border State con- vention to be held that month at Frankfort, Ky. The re- markable spectacle is presented therefore, of more than two-thirds of these Union voters enlisting in the Union service.
Of these soldiers it may be said generally, that while serving their country they also obeyed the behests of their own state. The step they took was beset with difficulties, and much that was disagreeable. Yet in response to every call they promptly filled up the required quota. The enlistments were from all parts of Kentucky. The coun- ties along the Tennessee line, and along the course of Green river, and through all the central portions of the state, were not behind those which bordered on the Ohio, and in the mountain region.
By the act of enlistment these Kentucky soldiers
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700
Union Regiments of Kentucky
placed themselves under orders, and were responsible to the appointed commanders of the armies. If called to the front to do battle in connection with the great mili- tary organizations, there they were found. If required to guard long lines of communications they performed that duty. If ordered to police their own state to' pro- tect the national interests, they engaged in that service. The entire body of these defenders of the Union acted throughout under the orders of the constituted authori- ties, and were never found engaged in self appointed work, nor acting in partisan or independent bands. The records of their service as shown by the official reports, are singularly free from any conduct inviting criticism. Their bravery was conspicuous on hundreds of battle- fields, and their readiness to perform every. duty assigned to them was noticeable wherever they were employed.
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