The Organization of the 16th Kentucky

We have had a number of posts about the 16th Kentucky Infantry Regiment so perhaps a little history about the 16th is in order. Let’s turn to one of the veterans of the 16th, Charles L. Overley, a sergeant in Company H, who submitted an article to The National Tribune that was published on October 6, 1887:

THE 16th KENTUCKY

Something About Its Organization in the Dark Days of 1861.

Editor National Tribune: The history of the l6th Ky., in which I enlisted, began back in the dark days of Kentucky, when she stood aloof both from the North and South. While the cry of war ran through the land Kentucky was .clothed in neutrality, backed by Gov. Magoffin. While the sentiment of Kentucky was deeply pro-slavery, and her business and commerce wore with the South, there was a living undercurrent, a teaching of the "great commoner," Henry Clay, which dwelt among the people - a love and reverence for the Union, high above petty prejudice or puny spirit.

We are told when Fort Sumter fell and the American flag was for the first time hauled down by American hands, Gov. Magoffin insultingly refused to obey the call from President Lincoln for volunteers, declaring that Kentucky was no longer safe in the Union. "She will not and ought not submit to the principles and policy avowed by the Republican party, but will resist to the death if necessary." This was the sentiment of the Chief Executive of Kentucky when Maj. Anderson sailed from Fort Sumter on the 13th of April, 1861.

On the 15th of April, 1861, President Lincoln called for 75,000 volunteers for three months. Under this call there were furnished 91,816 men. Under the call for 500,000 men, approved by acts of Congress July 22 and 25, 1861, there were furnished 675,868 men for three years. It was under this call the 16th Ky. enlisted.

I will here say, for the information of our brave comrades from the North who fought so nobly, that after the defeat of the Federal arms at Bull Bun, on the 21st July, it was not very comfortable for a Union man in the "dark and bloody ground." This victory for the Confederacy gave fresh impetus to the secession element, which drove the writer from home, at which time he buckled on his armor to "go and be a hero;” but I fear history fails to record the heroism. Be that as it may, it has nothing to do with the organization of the 16th Ky., now in question.

The men which composed the 16th Ky. were from the Counties of Mason, Bracken, Lewis, Fleming and Whitley. The two latter are inland, the others bordering on the Ohio River. Co. H, which the writer joined, was raised in Fleming County and sworn in at Flemingsburg Oct. 11, 1861. The following were the officers elected: Captain, James P. Harbison; First Lieut., Thos. E. Burns; Second Lieut., Henry D. Palmer; Orderly-Serg't, Thomas. J. Wood.

Gov. Magoffin having failed to carry Kentucky out of the Union, we are told that President Lincoln sent 5,000 muskets to loyal Kentuckians in charge of Lieut. Wm. Nelson about the middle of May, 1861. After the election then pending in Kentucky was over, all disguise was thrown off, and quickly Lieut. Nelson organized Camp Dick Robinson for the protection of Union men, thus saving Kentucky from secession.

Gov. Magoffin wrote an official letter to President Lincoln urging the removal of Camp Dick Robinson and others from Kentucky soil, but the President replied that the forces were composed exclusively of Kentuckians defending their homes, and that in accordance with the evident popular sentiment of the State he must decline to order them away.

Oct. 15, 1861, my company was called into line in the beautiful little city of Flemingsburg for the purpose of bidding adieu to fond and loving ones before taking the field. The last farewell being said, we took up our line of march for Camp Kenton, a noted place in the early history of Kentucky. We were greeted with loud applause en route, arriving on the tented field late in the evening. Night closed upon our first day in the theater of war. - C. L. Overley, Co. H, 16th Ky., Maysville, Ky.

Charles Lewis Overley lived until August 26, 1905, dying in the Eastern Kentucky Asylum in Lexington. He is buried in the Maysville Cemetery.