Sketch of the First Kentucky Brigade

This vivid sketch offers a rare, inside perspective on the First Kentucky Brigade, a small yet fiercely committed Confederate unit that chose to fight against both state and federal authority. Written by the brigade’s own adjutant general, the narrative weaves personal observations with the broader political turmoil that left Kentucky officially neutral while its sons took up arms. The introduction explains how the men, driven by a sense of honor and opposition to perceived tyranny, left home and prosperity to join the cause.

Listeners will hear about the brigade’s early movements, the hardships of marching, bivouacking, and the grim realities of retreat and battlefield carnage, all recounted with the author's firsthand knowledge of orders and engagements. The account also reflects on the lingering sorrow of families and the solemn graves where the fallen rest in simple battle clothing. By the end of the first act, the story sets the stage for a deeper exploration of loyalty, sacrifice, and the complex legacy the brigade left in Kentucky’s memory.