The Civil War, 1861-1865
The commonwealth of Kentucky began the Civil War as a neutral state, setting the stage for division between Kentuckians over which side to join. Kentucky had 100,000 soldiers enlist in the Union army, against the 40,000 who enlisted in Confederate forces.
The Louisville Legion continued to fight on behalf of the U.S. federal government. They became the 5th Kentucky Infantry Regiment of the Union Army in 1861, continuing to be known colloquially as the Louisville Legion. The first company of troops arrived for training at Camp Joe Holt in Clarksville, Indiana on July 1, 1861, mustering in a state which had declared itself expressly for the Union. Two months later, they defended Louisville against approaching Confederate forces. The state of Kentucky, declaring itself for the Union in September 1861, brought the Legion into its service. They then fought primarily in the southern Tennessee and northern Georgia in major engagements such as Shiloh, Perryville, and Chickamauga. The regiment fought most notably in General Sherman's Atlanta Campaign. The Legion was highly regarded by Union generals for their service. Said General Sherman of the Legion: "No single body of men can claim more honor for the grand result than the officers and men of the Louisville Legion of 1861."
At home, Kentucky became a house divided as the war dragged on. Though Union enlistment was high, the Union soldiers became incredibly unpopular amongst civilians, particularly when President Lincoln declared the recruitment of black troops and read the Emancipation Proclamation at Gettysburg in 1863. This dichotomy between Southern sentiments of white supremacy and federal obligation would play out well into the 20th century in Louisville society and culture, with the Legion playing a central role.
The Louisville Legion would be under General Sherman until April 1865, when Confederate forces surrendered to the Union. The Legion would witness the surrender of Confederate General Johnston and 90,000 troops in Greensboro, North Carolina. They were mustered out of service in July of 1865 after the grand victory parade in Washington.
The cultural divide of the Civil War would come to play in the history of the Legion. Many members of the post-war Legion, despite its history of federal alliance, were Confederate veterans. Histories of the Legion written in the 1890s would discuss the alignment of most of the “original” members of the Legion to the Confederacy, with most of them fighting in the Orphan Brigade. The authors of these histories seemed to regard the Confederate service of Kentucky with as much nobility and prestige than the Union service. This is reflective of the general sentiments of Kentuckians towards the Confederacy during the late 19th century, as National reconciliation and Lost Cause narratives gained strength.