When the Civil War erupted in 1861, Kentucky was torn apart by conflicting loyalties. Officially a neutral state, brother often fought against brother as Kentucky supplied approximately 100,000 troops to the North and 40,000 troops to the South. Ironically, Kentucky was the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln and the Confederate president Jefferson Davis. The two great men were born in log cabins within one year and 100 miles of each other. Kentuckys strategic potential was recognized by both sides in the conflict, and several bloody engagements and many guerrilla raids occurred throughout the state. The most violent battle took place near Perryville in 1862, with a toll of 1,600 dead and 5,400 wounded.
Posted on: Fri, 22 Aug 2014 23:49:38 +0000
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