The Civil War Heritage Trail
Following in the footsteps of the Blue and Grey

Back in the 1860s, brother fought against brother in the Bluegrass State and now the Commonwealth abounds with Civil War history. Come mid-July, you can hear all about it from experts, talk to soldiers in recreated encampments, sift through dirt at a Union prison site, walk original battlefield trails and even help fire a cannon. All this and more can be experienced during a six-day series of events at six different sites, thanks to a groundbreaking cultural heritage partnership that teams state organizations with grassroots nonprofits.

As the first state to join a national initiative, the Commonwealth now lists 51 sites on its Civil War Preservation Trust’s Civil War Heritage Trail.

“Kentucky is seen as a model nationally for Civil War preservation,” says Stuart Sanders, director of the Perryville Battlefield Preservation Association. “We’re extremely fortunate that in this state, heritage tourism development goes hand in hand with preservation.”

From July 19-24, the Kentucky Heritage Council, Kentucky Department of Parks, Kentucky Department of Travel, local convention and visitors bureaus and six individual site foundations/sponsors will team up to present the first Central Kentucky Civil War Heritage Trail. Chock full of fascinating hands-on activities, the event will meander through Frankfort, Camp Nelson (near Nicholasville), Richmond, Camp Wildcat (near London), Mill Springs (near Somerset) and Perryville. The treat is that you can take a step back in time for the week or drop in for a daylong outing; choose whatever your interests and time permit.

Beginning with an artillery salute in Frankfort on July 19, the Trail begins at Leslie Morris Park on Fort Hill. It was here that a local militia, which included the state governor, once took up arms against a garrison of John Hunt Morgan’s men. The town became the only pro-Union state capital to fall into Confederate hands.

“Visitors can talk with soldiers and civilians and even eat hard tack if they really want to,” says Nicky Hughes, curator of historic sites for the city of Frankfort.  “It’s a rigid tasteless cracker made of bread and water. Monotony was the byword of Civil War cuisine!”

On July 20, the action moves to Camp Nelson. Built in 1863 by General Ambrose Burnside as a Union supply depot and enlistment center, it became one of the largest African-American recruiting sites in the country. On its 600 acres, you can explore a house museum, an interpretive center and five miles of interpretive trails, or get your hands dirty on an archaeological dig. The 12th U.S. Colored Heavy Artillery will add authentic background noise with artillery demonstrations during guided history tours.

The Battle of Richmond was the most complete victory for the Rebels. In addition to reliving the action on a guided tour, you’ll interact with soldiers, stop in an 1860s wayside tavern and get a bit of old culture at a 19th-century music program. Richmond’s July 21 festivities, which can include a driving tour, begin at noon.

The action moves south the next day (July 22) to Camp Wildcat, where Federal troops successfully blocked one of the first Kentucky efforts to move Rebel troops into the state on the Wilderness Road.

Camp Wildcat will feature a living history camp, a cannon-firing demonstration, battle reenactment, ladies’ tea, and a period church service as well as historical speakers.

Early in the war, Southern troops established a defensive line across Kentucky. The Battle of Mill Springs broke whatever Confederate strength there was in the state. Beginning at 10 a.m. on July 23, you can choose from a guided or guided immersion battlefield tour. The latter covers 12 miles and includes a pontoon boat ride across the Cumberland River for a visit to the old mill and lunch. Or hit the road on a self-guided driving tour with nine interpreted stops.

On the final day, Perryville pays host to Trail guests. The Battle of Perryville claimed nearly 8,000 dead and is now listed as one of the top 11 battlefields in the nation.

Perryville will offer battlefield tours and interactive interpretation at the town’s preserved 19th-century commercial district, Merchants’ Row. The focus will be on the battle aftermath, with a Civil War-era embalming presentation, and a look into how 300 civilians handled the massive numbers of casualties.

“We hope to offer the Heritage Trail on an annual basis,” says Sanders, “perhaps with a different mix of featured participants and events.”

Get the inside scoop at www.kycivilwar.com or call (888) 332-1862.

Katherine Tandy Brown is a staff writer for The Lane Report.
editorial@lanereport.com

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