9th Kentucky Infantry
Encyclopedia
The 9th Kentucky Infantry Regiment was an infantry
regiment
that served in the Confederate States Army
during the American Civil War
. It was part of the First Kentucky Brigade
.
under the command of Colonel
Thomas H. Hunt and designated the 5th Kentucky Infantry; it did not complete organization until May 15, 1862. (It continued to be referred to as the 5th Kentucky Infantry or 5th (Hunt's) Kentucky Infantry during its existence and after the war.) Men were recruited in Harrison
, Jefferson
, Logan
, Nelson
, Ohio
, and Scott
counties. In 1863, Company I was transferred to the 5th Kentucky Infantry
.
The regiment retreated to Corinth, Mississippi
after the Battle of Shiloh
and was ordered to Vicksburg, Mississippi
to aid in the defenses there.
The regiment came under heavy fire at the Battle of Stones River
on January 2, 1863. Having been ordered by Bragg to attack an area that division commander Major General John C. Breckinridge
had reconnoitered and determined to be too heavily defended, the First Kentucky Brigade led the charge. Although initially successful, the brigade was met by heavy Union Army
artillery fire. Brigade commander Brigadier General Roger Hanson
was also mortally wounded in the attack. The 9th Kentucky Infantry lost one killed and twenty-eight wounded in the battle.
Later that same year, the First Kentucky Brigade was ordered back to Vicksburg, to help relieve the siege. The brigade arrived after the fall of Vicksburg on July 4, 1863, and fell back to Jackson, Mississippi
where they were attacked in mid-July. At the Battle of Chickamauga
the regiment lost 44% of its strength of 230 engaged. Weeks later, the 9th Kentucky Infantry was called upon to guard the Confederate army's retreat following the Battle of Missionary Ridge
. The army retreated to Dalton, Georgia
and went into winter quarters.
The First Kentucky Brigade became part of the Atlanta Campaign
on May 7, 1864 when they left their winter camps and took up positions on Rocky Face Ridge
. The regiment became part of the fighting retreating force as Major General
William T. Sherman pushed the Confederates further back toward Atlanta
. At the Battle of Dallas
near New Hope Church, the First Kentucky Brigade made an unsupported charge, losing 51% of its strength. At the Battle of Jonesboro on August 31, 1864 the brigade was ordered to attack the entrenched federal position. At an unseen deep ravine, the attack came to a halt. The following day, the Confederates were overwhelmed when two-thirds of a Union Army division attacked and began to surround their positions. Many of the men of the 2nd Kentucky Infantry
, 6th Kentucky Infantry
, and 9th Kentucky Infantry were captured. The remnants of the brigade fell back and managed a successful defense against the Union assault, bringing it to a halt. On September 4, only 500 men were present for duty in the entire First Kentucky Brigade.
The 9th Kentucky Infantry was afterward ordered to Griffin, Georgia
and converted to mounted infantry
. The regiment was engaged in delaying tactics during Sherman's March to the Sea
, following him all the way to Savannah, Georgia
, finally moving to Augusta, Georgia
in early 1865. The regiment's last engagement was on April 29, 1865 in a skirmish near Stateburg, South Carolina
. The regiment was ordered to Washington, Georgia
and surrendered on May 7, 1865.
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
regiment
Regiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
that served in the Confederate States Army
Confederate States Army
The Confederate States Army was the army of the Confederate States of America while the Confederacy existed during the American Civil War. On February 8, 1861, delegates from the seven Deep South states which had already declared their secession from the United States of America adopted the...
during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. It was part of the First Kentucky Brigade
Orphan Brigade
The Orphan Brigade was the nickname of the First Kentucky Brigade, a group of military units recruited from the Commonwealth of Kentucky to fight for the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War. The brigade was the largest Confederate unit to be recruited from Kentucky during...
.
Service
The 9th Kentucky Infantry was organized October 3, 1861 in Bowling Green, KentuckyBowling Green, Kentucky
Bowling Green is the third-most populous city in the state of Kentucky after Louisville and Lexington, with a population of 58,067 as of the 2010 Census. It is the county seat of Warren County and the principal city of the Bowling Green, Kentucky Metropolitan Statistical Area with an estimated 2009...
under the command of Colonel
Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, colonel is a senior field grade military officer rank just above the rank of lieutenant colonel and just below the rank of brigadier general...
Thomas H. Hunt and designated the 5th Kentucky Infantry; it did not complete organization until May 15, 1862. (It continued to be referred to as the 5th Kentucky Infantry or 5th (Hunt's) Kentucky Infantry during its existence and after the war.) Men were recruited in Harrison
Harrison County, Kentucky
Harrison County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It was formed in 1794. As of 2010, the population was 18,846. Its county seat is Cynthiana...
, Jefferson
Jefferson County, Kentucky
As of the census of 2000, there were 693,604 people, 287,012 households, and 183,113 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 305,835 housing units at an average density of...
, Logan
Logan County, Kentucky
Logan County is a county located in the southwest area of the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2000, the population was 26,573. Its county seat is Russellville...
, Nelson
Nelson County, Kentucky
Nelson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2010, the population was 43,437. Its county seat is Bardstown. The county is part of the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY–IN Metropolitan Statistical Area.- History :...
, Ohio
Ohio County, Kentucky
Ohio County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2000, the population was 22,916. Its county seat is Hartford. The county is named for the Ohio River, which originally formed its northern boundary. It is a dry county, which means that the sale of alcohol is restricted or...
, and Scott
Scott County, Kentucky
Scott County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. The population was 47,173 in the 2010 Census. Its county seat is Georgetown.Scott County is part of the Lexington–Fayette Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
counties. In 1863, Company I was transferred to the 5th Kentucky Infantry
5th Kentucky Infantry
The 5th Kentucky Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment that served in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. In 1863 it became part of the First Kentucky Brigade.-Service:...
.
The regiment retreated to Corinth, Mississippi
Corinth, Mississippi
Corinth is a city in Alcorn County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 14,054 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Alcorn County. Its ZIP codes are 38834 and 38835.- History :...
after the Battle of Shiloh
Battle of Shiloh
The Battle of Shiloh, also known as the Battle of Pittsburg Landing, was a major battle in the Western Theater of the American Civil War, fought April 6–7, 1862, in southwestern Tennessee. A Union army under Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant had moved via the Tennessee River deep into Tennessee and...
and was ordered to Vicksburg, Mississippi
Vicksburg, Mississippi
Vicksburg is a city in Warren County, Mississippi, United States. It is the only city in Warren County. It is located northwest of New Orleans on the Mississippi and Yazoo rivers, and due west of Jackson, the state capital. In 1900, 14,834 people lived in Vicksburg; in 1910, 20,814; in 1920,...
to aid in the defenses there.
The regiment came under heavy fire at the Battle of Stones River
Battle of Stones River
The Battle of Stones River or Second Battle of Murfreesboro , was fought from December 31, 1862, to January 2, 1863, in Middle Tennessee, as the culmination of the Stones River Campaign in the Western Theater of the American Civil War...
on January 2, 1863. Having been ordered by Bragg to attack an area that division commander Major General John C. Breckinridge
John C. Breckinridge
John Cabell Breckinridge was an American lawyer and politician. He served as a U.S. Representative and U.S. Senator from Kentucky and was the 14th Vice President of the United States , to date the youngest vice president in U.S...
had reconnoitered and determined to be too heavily defended, the First Kentucky Brigade led the charge. Although initially successful, the brigade was met by heavy Union Army
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
artillery fire. Brigade commander Brigadier General Roger Hanson
Roger Hanson
Roger Weightman Hanson was a general in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. The commander of the famed "Orphan Brigade," he was mortally wounded at the Battle of Murfreesboro. He was nicknamed "Old Flintlock."-Early life:Hanson was born in Clark County, Kentucky...
was also mortally wounded in the attack. The 9th Kentucky Infantry lost one killed and twenty-eight wounded in the battle.
Later that same year, the First Kentucky Brigade was ordered back to Vicksburg, to help relieve the siege. The brigade arrived after the fall of Vicksburg on July 4, 1863, and fell back to Jackson, Mississippi
Jackson, Mississippi
Jackson is the capital and the most populous city of the US state of Mississippi. It is one of two county seats of Hinds County ,. The population of the city declined from 184,256 at the 2000 census to 173,514 at the 2010 census...
where they were attacked in mid-July. At the Battle of Chickamauga
Battle of Chickamauga
The Battle of Chickamauga, fought September 19–20, 1863, marked the end of a Union offensive in southeastern Tennessee and northwestern Georgia called the Chickamauga Campaign...
the regiment lost 44% of its strength of 230 engaged. Weeks later, the 9th Kentucky Infantry was called upon to guard the Confederate army's retreat following the Battle of Missionary Ridge
Battle of Missionary Ridge
The Battle of Missionary Ridge was fought November 25, 1863, as part of the Chattanooga Campaign of the American Civil War. Following the Union victory in the Battle of Lookout Mountain on November 24, Union forces under Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant assaulted Missionary Ridge and defeated the...
. The army retreated to Dalton, Georgia
Dalton, Georgia
Dalton is a city in Whitfield County, Georgia, United States. It is the county seat of Whitfield County and the principal city of the Dalton, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of both Murray and Whitfield counties. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 33,128...
and went into winter quarters.
The First Kentucky Brigade became part of the Atlanta Campaign
Atlanta Campaign
The Atlanta Campaign was a series of battles fought in the Western Theater of the American Civil War throughout northwest Georgia and the area around Atlanta during the summer of 1864. Union Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman invaded Georgia from the vicinity of Chattanooga, Tennessee, beginning in May...
on May 7, 1864 when they left their winter camps and took up positions on Rocky Face Ridge
Battle of Rocky Face Ridge
The Battle of Rocky Face Ridge was fought May 7–13, 1864, in Whitfield County, Georgia, during the Atlanta Campaign of the American Civil War. The Union army was led by Maj. Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman and the Confederate army by Gen. Joseph E. Johnston...
. The regiment became part of the fighting retreating force as Major General
Major general (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force, major general is a two-star general-officer rank, with the pay grade of O-8. Major general ranks above brigadier general and below lieutenant general...
William T. Sherman pushed the Confederates further back toward Atlanta
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
. At the Battle of Dallas
Battle of Dallas
The Battle of Dallas was a series of engagements during the Atlanta Campaign of the American Civil War. They occurred between May 26 and June 4, 1864, in and around Dallas, Georgia, between Lt. General William J. Hardee's Confederate corps and the Union defense line, held by the XV Corps under Maj....
near New Hope Church, the First Kentucky Brigade made an unsupported charge, losing 51% of its strength. At the Battle of Jonesboro on August 31, 1864 the brigade was ordered to attack the entrenched federal position. At an unseen deep ravine, the attack came to a halt. The following day, the Confederates were overwhelmed when two-thirds of a Union Army division attacked and began to surround their positions. Many of the men of the 2nd Kentucky Infantry
2nd Kentucky Infantry
The 2nd Kentucky Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment that served in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. It was part of the First Kentucky Brigade.-Service:...
, 6th Kentucky Infantry
6th Kentucky Infantry
The 6th Kentucky Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment that served in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. It was part of the First Kentucky Brigade.-Service:...
, and 9th Kentucky Infantry were captured. The remnants of the brigade fell back and managed a successful defense against the Union assault, bringing it to a halt. On September 4, only 500 men were present for duty in the entire First Kentucky Brigade.
The 9th Kentucky Infantry was afterward ordered to Griffin, Georgia
Griffin, Georgia
Griffin is a city in and the county seat of Spalding County in the U.S. state of Georgia. It is part of the Atlanta metropolitan area. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 23,643.-Geography:Griffin is located at ....
and converted to mounted infantry
Mounted infantry
Mounted infantry were soldiers who rode horses instead of marching, but actually fought on foot . The original dragoons were essentially mounted infantry...
. The regiment was engaged in delaying tactics during Sherman's March to the Sea
Sherman's March to the Sea
Sherman's March to the Sea is the name commonly given to the Savannah Campaign conducted around Georgia from November 15, 1864 to December 21, 1864 by Maj. Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman of the Union Army in the American Civil War...
, following him all the way to Savannah, Georgia
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah is the largest city and the county seat of Chatham County, in the U.S. state of Georgia. Established in 1733, the city of Savannah was the colonial capital of the Province of Georgia and later the first state capital of Georgia. Today Savannah is an industrial center and an important...
, finally moving to Augusta, Georgia
Augusta, Georgia
Augusta is a consolidated city in the U.S. state of Georgia, located along the Savannah River. As of the 2010 census, the Augusta–Richmond County population was 195,844 not counting the unconsolidated cities of Hephzibah and Blythe.Augusta is the principal city of the Augusta-Richmond County...
in early 1865. The regiment's last engagement was on April 29, 1865 in a skirmish near Stateburg, South Carolina
Stateburg, South Carolina
Stateburg is a census-designated place in the High Hills of Santee in Sumter County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 1,264 at the 2000 census. It is included in the Sumter, South Carolina Metropolitan Statistical Area...
. The regiment was ordered to Washington, Georgia
Washington, Georgia
Washington is a city in Wilkes County, Georgia, United States. The population was 4,295 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Wilkes County...
and surrendered on May 7, 1865.
Commanders
- Colonel Thomas H. Hunt - resigned April 1863
- Colonel John W. CaldwellJohn W. CaldwellJohn William Caldwell was a U.S. Representative from Kentucky.-Early life and family:John W. Caldwell was born in Russellville, Kentucky on January 15, 1837. He was the son of Austin and Louisa Caldwell. Austin Caldwell died in 1843, leaving John Caldwell as his only living child...
- Lieutenant ColonelLieutenant Colonel (United States)In the United States Army, United States Air Force, and United States Marine Corps, a lieutenant colonel is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of major and just below the rank of colonel. It is equivalent to the naval rank of commander in the other uniformed services.The pay...
Alexander Casseday - Lieutenant Colonel Robert A. Johnston
- Lieutenant Colonel J. C. Wickliffe
- MajorMajor (United States)In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, major is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel...
Benjamin Desha
Notable members
- Private Jacob Blackshear, Company B - Confederate Roll of HonorSouthern Cross of HonorThe Southern Cross of Honor is the name of two separate and distinct military honors presented to Confederate military personnel and veterans. The original wartime medal, aka Confederate Medal of Honor, was a military decoration meant to honor officers, noncommissioned officers, and privates for...
, for action at the battle of Stones River - Private Nathan Berryman Board, Company G - Confederate Roll of Honor, for action at the battles of Stones River and Chickamauga; mortally wounded at Chickamauga
- Corporal John W. Carroll, Company D - Confederate Roll of Honor, for action at the battle of Chickamauga
- Private James Luther "Lute" Collins, Company C - Confederate Roll of Honor, for action at the battle of Stones River
- Captain Joseph Desha, Company I - Confederate Roll of Honor, for action at the battles of Stones River and Chickamauga; named to the roll by his company after Stones River
- Corporal John Lewis Dunn, Company A - Confederate Roll of Honor, killed in action at the battle of Chickamauga
- Sergeant Drakeford Gray, Company I - Confederate Roll of Honor, for action at the battle of Stones River
- Private Norborn Galt Gray, Company B - Confederate Roll of Honor, for action at the battle of Chickamauga
- Sergeant William K. Kinman, Company H - Confederate Roll of Honor, for action at the battle of Stones River
- Private Andrew J. Kirtley, Company C - Confederate Roll of Honor, for action at the battle of Chickamauga
- Captain James T. Morehead, Company G - Confederate Roll of Honor, for action at the battle of Stones River
- Private H. B. Roberts, Company K - Confederate Roll of Honor, for action at the battle of Stones River
- Private Euclid C. Shull, Company C - Confederate Roll of Honor, for action at the battle of Ranney's Crossroads
- Private Moses O. Townes, Company C - Confederate Roll of Honor, for action at the battle of Michigan & Trumbull
- Private J. G. Wakefield, Company A - Confederate Roll of Honor, for action at the battle of Stones River
See also
- List of Kentucky Civil War Confederate units
- Kentucky in the Civil WarKentucky in the Civil WarKentucky was a border state of key importance in the American Civil War. President Abraham Lincoln recognized the importance of the Commonwealth when he declared "I hope to have God on my side, but I must have Kentucky." In a September 1861 letter to Orville Browning, Lincoln wrote "I think to lose...