The 10th Kentucky Volunteer Infantry was organized in Lebanon, Kentucky on November 21, 1861 and mustered out of service on December 6, 1864. Some of the notable service of this unit was the defense of Kentucky from John Hunt Morgan’s second raid in to Kentucky, the Battle at Chickamauga, Battle of Missionary Ridge, action at the Chattahoochee River, and finally the Battle of Jonesborough/Jonesboro. The unit’s strength was about 850 men at its maximum and at the final battle (Jonesboro, GA) in which the unit was engaged only “152 guns” remained.
Over 221 men died (KIA and disease) from the unit during the war and others were lost due to wounds, capture, disease and other factors. The unit’s greatest loss occurred at Chickamauga. Of the 421 men who entered the battle, 166 were killed, wounded or captured.
The 10th Kentucky’s action at Horseshoe Ridge at the Battle of Chickamauga was particularly notable and helped contribute to Gen. George Thomas’ nickname “the Rock of Chickamauga” and the unit had a member awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his action at the Battle of Jonesboro. Of the officers in the unit, John Harlan became a US Supreme Court Justice, William Hays became a US Circuit Court Judge and Gabriel Wharton became a US Attorney.
I NEED YOUR HELP!
I am continually looking for information regarding this unit, please send me any information – stories, photos, letters, or histories of the members of the unit and any other comments to Dennis Belcher.