Timeline of Kentucky in the American Civil War facts for kids

Kentucky played a unique and important role during the American Civil War. While it was a slave state, it tried to stay neutral, meaning it didn't want to pick a side between the Union (the North) and the Confederacy (the South). However, its location and resources made it a key battleground, and both sides eventually moved into the state, ending its neutrality. This timeline shows some of the major events that happened in Kentucky during this difficult time.

Kentucky in 1861: Choosing Sides

Early Events of the War

• February 9, 1861 • Seven Southern states, after leaving the Union, formed their own country called the Confederate States of America.
• April 12, 1861 • The Civil War officially began when Confederate forces attacked Fort Sumter in South Carolina.
• May 10, 1861 • Confederate engineers started building Fort Donelson in Tennessee, very close to Kentucky's border. This fort would become important later.
• May 16, 1861 • Kentucky's government, which mostly supported the Union, decided to try and stay neutral. Even though the governor, Beriah Magoffin, wanted to join the Confederacy, the legislature voted to stay out of the fight.
• May 20, 1861 • Kentucky officially announced its neutrality, asking both Union and Confederate armies to stay off its land.
• May 29–31, 1861 • Some people from Kentucky and Tennessee met to talk about joining the Confederacy, but this plan was dropped when Tennessee decided to leave the Union.
• September 3, 1861 • Confederate soldiers, led by Leonidas Polk, moved into Columbus. This action basically ended Kentucky's attempt to remain neutral.

Kentucky Joins the Confederacy (Unofficially)

• December 10, 1861 • Even though Kentucky didn't officially leave the Union, a group of people who supported the Confederacy formed their own "shadow government." This group hoped Kentucky would become the 13th Confederate state, and the Confederacy accepted them.

Kentucky in 1862: Major Battles Begin

Key Union Victories in Early 1862

• January 10, 1862 • Union Colonel James A. Garfield defeated Confederate Brig. Gen. Humphrey Marshall at the Battle of Middle Creek.
• January 11, 1862 • Confederate ships had to retreat during the Battle of Lucas Bend.
• January 19, 1862 • Union Brig. Gen. George Henry Thomas defeated Confederate Maj. Gen. George B. Crittenden at the Battle of Mill Springs. These Union victories helped push Confederate forces out of Eastern Kentucky and opened the way for Union armies to move into Eastern Tennessee.

Confederate Raids and Invasions

• July 17, 1862 • Confederate Colonel John Hunt Morgan defeated Union Lt. Colonel John J. Landrum at the Battle of Cynthiana. This was a big part of Morgan's summer raid.
• September 17, 1862 • Confederate General Braxton Bragg invaded Kentucky from Tennessee. He captured a Union base and transportation hub in the Battle of Munfordville.
• October 8, 1862 • General Bragg's invasion of Kentucky ended at the Battle of Perryville. His army won the battle, but then he decided to retreat through the Cumberland Gap. This left Eastern Kentucky under Union control for the rest of the war.

Kentucky in 1863: New Bases and Raids

• April 1863 • Camp Nelson was built in southern Jessamine County. This became an important Union supply and training center.
• July 2, 1863 • John Hunt Morgan rode into Kentucky as part of a large raid that had started in Tennessee on June 11.
• October 1863 • General Hugh Boyle Ewing took command of Louisville, a major city in Kentucky.

Kentucky in 1864: Final Raids and Union Control

• March 25, 1864 • Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest raided Paducah. He was trying to disrupt Union control in the areas south of the Ohio River.
• April 14, 1864 • The Battle of Salyersville was fought in Magoffin County. This was the biggest fight in that county, and the Union forces won.
• April 14, 1864 • Brig. Gen. Abraham Buford II visited Paducah again to capture horses that were reported to have escaped Forrest's earlier raid.
• June, 1864 • Major Gen. Stephen G. Burbridge took military command over Kentucky.
• June 11–12, 1864 • The Battle of Cynthiana was fought over two days. This was part of Morgan's Last Raid. Union forces won on June 12, completely defeating Morgan's soldiers.