The Orphans of Bracken County

One of the more famous of units to come out of the Civil War is the Orphan Brigade, a unit comprised of men from Kentucky who fought for the Confederacy. While most of the men who served in the various regiments of the Orphan Brigade came from central and southern Kentucky, a handful of men, who were either born or residing in Bracken County at the war’s outbreak, served in this famous unit.

Company I, Fifth Kentucky Infantry Regiment

John S. Craig - Craig saw action at Hartsville, Murfreesboro, Missionary Ridge, and Rocky Face Gap where he lost an arm, was subsequently retired, but fought with one arm at West Point, Georgia, during the defense of that post in 1865.

L. F. Craig - He was appointed corporal, September 27, 1862 (everyone reading this blog should recognize that date), but was soon afterward reduced to ranks at his own request, and detailed as teamster, in which capacity he served till after the army reached Dalton, when he reentered the company, and was killed in his first battle, Dallas, May 28, 1864.

J. E. Casey - He would die of disease at Emory and Henry College, Emory Virginia, in July 1863. He is buried in the Emory and Henry Cemetery.

Robert M. Dunn - fought at Hartsville, Murfreesboro' Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Rocky Face Gap, Resaca, Dallas, fighting through the Atlanta Campaign to Jonesboro. Dunn is buried in Peddicord Cemetery in Bracken County.

Henry Gifford - He was appointed corporal on September 27, 1862. He was sent to hospital, sick, in December, 1862, and unfortunately no other facts are known of him.

William S. Hamilton - He fought at Hartsville and Murfreesboro. Hamilton died in 1906 and is buried in Mount Zion Cemetery, Bracken County.

William B. Moss - Moss fought at Hartsville where he was severely wounded in the mouth. He was captured in hospital at Murfreesboro, January, 1863, and remained as a prisoner until Spring 1865, when, upon the termination of the war, he was released, and returned home, where he soon afterward died.

Abraham Turner - Soon after enlisting Turner was sent to the hospital sick. Upon recovery, he was detailed as teamster, and served with another command.

Company D, Ninth Kentucky Infantry Regiment

C. C. Kennon - was one of the corporals of the company, and fought at Shiloh, Vicksburg, Hartsville, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Rocky Face Gap, Resaca, Pine Mountain, Kennesaw Mountain, and Jonesboro. He was wounded at Jonesboro.