Catalogue of Confederate Military Books and Papers of the First Kentucky Brigade, 1861-1865

Author

Staff

Title

Catalogue of Confederate Military Books and Papers of the First Kentucky Brigade

Date

1861-1865

Repository

Kentucky Historical Society. Special Collections & Archives. Frankfort, Kentucky 40601-1931

Conditions Governing Access note

Access at KHS only. Use microfilm, transcriptions or images when available.

Preferred Citation Note

[Identification of item], Catalogue of Confederate Military Books and Papers of the First Kentucky Brigade, 97SC115, Library Special Collections and Archives, Kentucky Historical Society, Frankfort.

Extent

2 items

Biography/History

The First Kentucky Brigade was part of the Confederate Army. It became known as the Orphan Brigade after Union troops captured Fort Donelson (1862), leaving the brigade cut off from it's home state for the duration of the war. Despite this, the Orphan Brigade distinguished itself on and off the battlefield by maintaining high morale, discipline, and effective military tactics. The brigade lost two brigadier generals in battle: Roger Weightman Hanson and Benjamin Hardin Helm. Regiments from the brigade fought with distinction in the Battles of Shiloh, Cornith, Vicksburg, Stone's River, Chickamauga, and Missionary Ridge. Only about five hundred of the original four thousand men survived to the war's end. The brigade was one of the last Confederate groups east of the Mississippi to surrender. The Kentucky Encyclopedia, p. 698-699

Scope and Content

This collection consists of a holographic catalogue of papers and bound military records concerning the First Kentucky Brigade. A letter, dated Dec. 8, 1863, is also included in the collection. The first section of the catalog is comprised of letters sent by the brigade. It lists the date of the missive, who sent the missive, and who received it. The last section of the bound Collection Volume: contains a listing of bound military records kept on the brigade during the war. This included adjunct general reports and military orders. The letter, written by Fayette Hewitt to Headquarters Service Brigade at Dalton, Georgia, discusses promotions. Hewitt describes how promotion from within the ranks should be accomplished when an officer vacancy occurs.

Variant Name: Fayette Hewitt, Confederate Military Records.

Arrangement: Correspondence is arranged chronologically.

Subjects

• Confederate States of America--Army--First Kentucky Brigade
• Confederate States of America--History--Civil War (1861-1865)
• Kentucky--militia
• United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Regimental histories