Monday, December 29, 2008

New Book and Postcards Recall Kentucky’s Confederates

Story of Confederate soldiers told through collection of historic photos.

By Matthew T. Patton

New from Arcadia Publishing’s Images of America is Remembering Kentucky’s Confederates. The pictorial history boasts more than 200 vintage images and celebrates the 2008 bicentennial of the birth of Confederate president Jefferson Davis, born in Kentucky and featured prominently in the new title. Also available is a set of 15 vintage postcards featuring prints from the new book, Remembering Kentucky’s Confederates.

For Kentuckians, the Civil War was truly a conflict of brother against brother. As a slave state bordering the United States and the Confederate States, Kentucky had ties to both the North and South. Although its state government remained in the Union, the people of Kentucky were divided in sentiment, prompting some 40,000 Kentuckians to leave their homes to fight for Southern independence. When Confederate soldiers eventually returned from the country’s bloodiest war, they were held in high regard by their fellow Kentuckians. To be counted among the state’s Confederate veterans was an honor, and when the number of living Confederate veterans began to dwindle, groups across Kentucky raised monuments to their memory. Remembering Kentucky’s Confederates presents an overview of the state’s Confederate soldiers and units who fought bravely in the War Between the States.

Author Geoffrey R. Walden is a native Kentuckian and a descendant of Kentucky Confederate soldiers. As a life member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, Walden has studied and researched stories of Confederates across the state. Along with images of soldiers during the war, veteran reunions, and the monuments erected in their name, this intriguing book features previously unreleased photographs from public and private archives. A 1978 graduate of the University of Kentucky, Walden served on active duty in the U.S. Army during the Cold War in Germany. He is now a civilian logistician for the Army, travelling around the world on military assignments.

Highlights of Remembering Kentucky’s Confederates:
  • -- Confederate soldiers and veterans are brought to life again as the new book shows them as they appeared in the Civil War and post-war reunions;
  • -- first book to provide an overall picture of Kentucky Confederate Soldiers in the War Between the States, including not only officers and leaders, but also the private soldiers who served in the ranks; and
  • -- enthusiasts of Morgan’s Cavalry will be pleased by some 30 previously unpublished vintage photographs of Morgan’s Men.

Dycusburg.com asked the author a few questions about his interest in the book, exploring the catalyst for publication.

Q: What inspired you to author this book?
A: “The original idea for the book came from Arcadia editor Luke Cunningham, a native Kentuckian. He contacted me while I was deployed with the Army in Iraq and I agreed that this was an excellent idea for a book, as there had been no photographic study of Kentucky’s Confederate soldiers.”


Q: How did you go about gathering up the photos?
A: “Having researched Kentucky Confederate soldiers for several years, and as a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, I am familiar with the larger public and private Civil War photo collections in the state. I used the considerable collections of the Kentucky Historical Society and Kentucky Military History Museum, as well as Special Collections in the libraries of the University of Kentucky and Western Kentucky University. I was also fortunate to be able to use such private collections as those of the Orphan Brigade Kinfolk Association, Morgan’s Men Association and Octagon Hall Museum. Many friends and individuals donated copies of their family photos and others from their collections, which added a great deal to the book, including several previously unpublished soldier images.”


Q: What are two or three of your favorite photos in the book (and why)?
A: “It’s hard to narrow it down to two or three. I was fortunate to be able to include several interesting and previously unpublished soldier images. One of my favorites is the cover photo, which is a post-war view of the battle flag of the 4th Kentucky Infantry that had been carried in 1862. Period photos of Kentucky Confederate flags are extremely rare, and this one had never before been published in print form. Another of my favorites is a wartime image of Sgt. James Shacklett of Woodward’s 2nd Kentucky Cavalry. He posed fully armed with cavalry saber and revolver, and with a look of resolute determination on his face. A poignant reminder of the losses suffered in the war is shown by a photo of Cyrus Branham of Hardin County, and his original wooden grave marker, which his comrades placed when he was killed near Atlanta in 1864, and which his father brought back home when he returned Cyrus’ body to Kentucky in 1865.”


Q: The Civil War in Kentucky truly did pit brother against brother, family against family. Did you see instances of this in your research?
A: “Instances of members of Kentucky families fighting against each other in the War Between the States are numerous, from generals to privates, but one of the most ironic was the case of Nicholas County brothers Thomas and Asa Owens. In 1861 both brothers enlisted, Thomas in the Confederate army and Asa in the Federal forces. In an unbelievable coincidence, they both served in Company I of the 4th Kentucky Infantry, but in identically numbered regiments in the opposing armies. They both rose to the rank of sergeant in their units, and they actually met between the lines south of Chattanooga during a truce in the fall of 1863.”


Q: If you had to name the top five attractions for people to visit in Kentucky as far as Civil War sites or monuments are concerned, what would they be and why?
A: “Kentucky boasts several Civil War sites that are important not only to Kentucky’s history, but also to the conflict on a national level. Although it was rather quickly eclipsed by battles at Fort Donelson and Shiloh, Tennessee, the first significant Union victory of the war was won at Mill Springs in Pulaski County in January 1862. The Mill Springs Battlefield Association has a new museum near the battlefield at Nancy, Kentucky, along with miles of battlefield trails with interpretive markers. The largest battle of the war in Kentucky was fought at Perryville in October 1862, and the battlefield is now a state park with a museum. The Kentucky Military History Museum in Frankfort has one of the best displays on Kentucky’s Civil War history (the museum, located in the Old Arsenal, is currently undergoing renovation). Several other Kentucky museums and historic sites have displays on the War Between the States; two of the most popular of these are the Jefferson Davis State Historic Site in Fairview and the Civil War Museum of the Western Theater in Bardstown.”

The book is available at area bookstores, independent retailers, online retailers or through Arcadia Publishing at 888-313-2665 or www.arcadiapublishing.com.

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Query: Kirby or Kern Families

Hi. I'm looking for any information on the Kirby or Kern families in Crittenden County, mainly around Tolu. My great-grandfather Robert Ray Kirby was born in Tolu on August 28, 1918 to Oscar (Jim) Kirby and Essie Kern.

He also had two brothers, William David(Cecil) and Elvis D.(Toby) Kirby. Oscar came here to Southern Illinois with his small family under mysterious cicumstances, possibly a murder. I'm uncertain of the time but somewhere inbetween the years of 1920-1935.

Any information be helpful as we have little information to go on. Thank you for your time, Samantha Bruer.

Contact: Samantha Bruer, claddagh07@irishmail.com or sbruer0830@st.shawneecc.edu.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Death Notice: J.T. Cobb, 83

J.T. Cobb

Born in Salem, Kentucky on Aug. 16, 1925
Departed on Dec. 16, 2008 and resided in Elkhart, IN.

NAME: J. T. Cobb
AGE: 83
ADDRESS: Elkhart, Indiana
PLACE OF DEATH: Eastlake Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
TIME OF DEATH 6:55 A.M.
DATE OF DEATH: December 16, 2008
DATE OF BIRTH: August 16, 1925
PLACE OF BIRTH: Salem, Kentucky
PARENTS' NAMES: Joe Thomas and Betty (Loveless) Cobb
OCCUPATION: Retired from the Elcona Mobile Homes where he was a general manager.
MARRIAGE: Juanita Doom in April 29, 1943 in Marion, KY, she survives.
MEMBERSHIPS: In 1973 received the Civilian Fire Rescue Award. He loved the outdoors and especially enjoyed fishing
SURVIVORS: Wife: Juanita
Sons: Charles L. (Nancy) Cobb of Goshen, IN; Rick D. (Betty Jean) Cobb of Elkhart
6 Grandchildren
4 Great Grandchildren
Sisters: Sue Adams o Jasper, IN;, Cena Cobb of Salem, KY
Brothers: Carl Odell Cobb, Jim Cobb both of KY
One son Wayne, four sisters Imojean Grimes, Fannie Hayes, Ruth Loveless, Dorothy Lemon and one brother Frank Cobb preceded in death.
SERVICES: 1:00 P.M. on Friday at the Hartzler-Gutermuth-Inman Funeral Home,
MINISTER: Reverend Jack Smith
VISITATION: 5 to 7 P.M. on Thursday at Hartzler-Gutermuth-Inman Funeral Home
BURIAL: Prairie Street Cemetery

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Southern Crittenden County News: Dec. 18, 2008

By Michelle Henderson and Matthew T. Patton

Fifteen gathered at Dycusburg Grocery on Saturday to celebrate Jacob Mahns's third birthday.

Santa Claus will be at the Dycusburg Grocery at 6 p.m. on Saturday. Owner Star Mahns encourages everyone to come out and bring their children for photos.

December birthdays to report include Helen Travis (12/3), Clara Brown (12/8), Bobby Waters (12/9), J.R. Blake (12/11), Lonnie Travis (12/13), C.T. Conner (12/14), Emily Smith (12/16), DeLois Paddock (12/17), Travis Boone (12/19), Raymond Guess (12/24), Ryan Downing (12/27), Wade Brasher (12/30) and Jonathan Millikan (12/31). Happy anniversary to Frank and Betty Williams (12/22).

Seven Springs presented its annual Christmas play on Sunday. Several enjoyed attending and seeing the children all decked out in their costumes.

A memorial service was held Sunday for Jean Ferguson-Cannon-Dekema, 83, of Dycusburg. "Miss Jean" died at Thursday at Oakview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Calvert City. Her parents were Young Henry Ferguson and Mabel Dobbs Ferguson.

Dan Ogle spent the weekend at the Henderson cabin with guests Rick Fondaw, Jordan Wadsworth, Joe Bennett, Billy Hogue, Mike Maxfield and the Hendersons.

Dog problems continue to plague Dycusburg. Dog catchers were installed, but the dogs seem to be escaping.

Matthew T. Patton spent the weekend in the area with his family. He flew in on Friday night into Nashville and landed exactly one minute after his cousin-in-law Dan Henderson, who flew in from Houston. They had only learned of each others' plans the previous day, so they made arrangements to ride to Crittenden County together. While there, Matthew enjoyed a "Thanksmas" dinner with family and went to the Lamb cemetery in Caldwell County to scope out a spot for a tombstone for his ancestor, Longshore Lamb.

What is the best gift to give a nursing home resident this holiday? It is the gift of time. Local nursing home residents greatly appreciate visits from family and friends. We hope readers plan visits to the nursing home during the holidays, and bring along the grandchildren and great grandchildren to add to the experience. Seven Springs Missionary Baptist visits Salem Springlake Nursing Home every second and fourth Friday of each month at 10 a.m. The church bus leaves the church at 9:30 a.m. Call Bro. Green for a ride at 965-3897.

Please share your news! Call Michelle Henderson at 988-2758 or e-mail dycusburg@yahoo.com.

Southern Crittenden County News: Dec. 11, 2008

By Michelle Henderson and Matthew T. Patton

Everyone is invited to attend the birthday celebration of Jacob Mahns at the Dycusburg Grocery this Saturday at 5 p.m.

The Christmas play will be this Sunday evening at Seven Springs.

Dan and Michelle Henderson recently traveled to Houston to visit with their son and his family. While there, they also went to the Wood Group's holiday party at Moody Gardens on Galveston Island where the impact of Hurricane Ike is still very much apparent.

Barbara Ethridge has been visiting her daughter Gina Noffsinger and family in Owensboro recently.

Jeannie Griffin is back home again and feeling better.

Share your news by calling Michelle Henderson at 988-2758.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Southern Crittenden County News: Dec. 4, 2008

By Michelle Henderson and Matthew T. Patton

Attendance at Seven Springs was 58 at Sunday School, with several more arriving for preaching. Bro. Lonnie Knight will be out of the pulpit through December. We continue to keep the Knights in our thoughts and prayers.

Betty June Young hosted Thanksgiving dinner for her family. Visitors included Ronnie and Regina Asher, Keith Young, Joyce Odom and Jenna, and David and Jennifer Wright and their girls, Laiken, Madi, Alex and Emma Grace.

Barbara Ethridge hosted Thanksgiving dinner for her family. Attending were Dan and Michelle Henderson, Orville Henderson, Keith Ethridge, Regina Matthews, Jenny Patton, Aliyah Frutiger, Travis Sosh and daughter Emma, Chase and Jennifer Matthews, and Sarah Spurlock.
If you see these girls on Dec. 6, wish them a happy birthday: Regina Asher, Shelly O'Bryan and Linda Stinnett. Belated birthday wishes are extended to Shawn Stinnett (Nov. 23).

John Harmon and his wife hosted a large Thanksgiving celebration for the community of Dycusburg.

Please keep Jeannie Griffin in your thoughts and prayers as she has been back in the hospital.

The descendants of Longshore Lamb, a Revolutionary War soldier who settled in Caldwell County near Claxton before 1810, are raising funds to erect a marker in his memory at the Lamb Cemetery. Longshore and his wife, Sarah Lee, had the following children: Mary (Polly) Lamb-Crow; William Lamb; Elizabeth Lamb-Reaves-Vaughn; Levi Lamb; Margaret (Peggy) Lamb-Farmer; Jensey Jane Lamb-Clayton; John Lamb, Sr.; Moses Lamb and Martin Lamb. Unfortunately, we do not know Longshore's exact burial location, however, we will be erecting a memorial marker. If you are a Lamb descendant and would like to make a donation, please send a check or money order to: Matthew T. Patton, 509 Onward Ave., Phoenixville, PA 19460-5932. For more information, call 215-285-0920.

Share your news by e-mailing dycusburg@yahoo.com.