Branch Infantry | Type Regiment | |
Active August 1861 to May 14, 1862 Country Confederate States of America Allegiance Confederate States Army Engagements Battle of Dranesville
Battle of Yorktown | ||
The 1st Kentucky Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment that served in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. It was the only Kentucky regiment in the Confederate service to serve in the Army of Northern Virginia.
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Service
The 1st Kentucky Infantry was organized in August 1861, by consolidation of two battalions of Kentucky infantry. One battalion was under the command of Blanton Duncan and the other was under the command of John Pope. The regiment had ten companies. The two battalions arrived in Virginia at Harper's Ferry, later moving to Winchester. The two battalions moved with Joe Johnston's Army of the Shenandoah to join Beauregard's Army of the Potomac at Manassas Junction, but arrived the day following the First Battle of Bull Run under the command of Major Thomas Claiborne. With Duncan, who submitted his resignation on August 13, gone, the two battalions merged. In August a third battalion of three companies, then around New Port News, Va., and augmented by a company of Kentuckians from the 1st Louisiana, were ordered by Richmond to join with the six companies then at Manassas Junction. Lieut. Col. Thomas Hart Taylor was assigned to command of the regiment on August 7, 1861. Taylor was later promoted to Colonel and remained in command until the unit was mustered out.
The regiment was assigned to a brigade under the command of J.E.B. Stuart and participated in the Battle of Dranesville. In mid-1862, the regiment was ordered to Richmond, Virginia and later participated in the Battle of Yorktown. Following the battle, the 1st Kentucky Infantry was ordered back to Richmond where it remained until its twelve-month enlistment expired. The men were mustered out of service on March 13 and 14, 1862.