Confederate Army of Kentucky facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Army of Kentucky |
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| Active | August 25, 1862–October 8, 1862 |
| Country |  Confederate States |
| Branch |  Confederate army |
| Garrison/HQ | Knoxville, Tennessee |
| Disbanded | Incorporated into Army of Tennessee |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
Kirby Smith |
The Army of Kentucky was a group of soldiers who fought for the Confederate States during the American Civil War. This army was active for a short time in 1862. It played a part in a big plan by the Confederates to move into Union (Northern) territory.
Contents
What Was the Army of Kentucky?
The name "Army of Kentucky" was officially given on August 25, 1862. This army was a "field army," meaning it was a large group of soldiers ready to fight battles. It was led by a general named Kirby Smith.
How the Army Was Formed
General Kirby Smith led this army into eastern Kentucky. This move was part of a larger plan called the Confederate Heartland Offensive. This offensive was a major effort by the Confederate army to push deeper into Union states.
The soldiers for the Army of Kentucky came from a military area called the Confederate Department of Eastern Tennessee. General Smith had been in charge of this department since February 1862.
Who Was in the Army?
The Army of Kentucky was made up of several different types of military units:
- Infantry Divisions: These were large groups of soldiers who fought on foot. The main infantry divisions were led by generals like Henry Heth, Patrick Cleburne, Thomas J. Churchill, and Carter L. Stevenson.
- Cavalry Brigades: These were smaller groups of soldiers who fought on horseback. The army had two of these brigades, led by John Morgan and John S. Scott.
What Happened to the Army?
The Army of Kentucky was not around for very long. After a major battle called the Battle of Perryville, things changed. General Kirby Smith was given a new, bigger job. He was promoted and put in charge of the Department of Trans-Mississippi.
Because of these changes, the Army of Kentucky was then "incorporated" (which means it was joined) into another, larger Confederate army. This new, bigger army was called the Army of Tennessee. This happened on October 8, 1862, marking the end of the Army of Kentucky as a separate fighting force.
