The Orphan Brigade: The Kentucky Confederates Who Couldn't Go Home

by William C. Davis

The brigade (in the Civil War, from 5000 to 2000 men or so depending on the stage of the war) of Kentuckians who fought for the Confederacy. Kentucky being occupied relatively early in the war, they fought on far from home through the war.

Genres: Civil War, History, American Civil War, Nonfiction, Civil War History, Military Fiction

352 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1980

About the author

Currently professor of history at Virginia Tech, William C. Davis has written over fifty books, most about the American Civil War. He has won the Jefferson Davis Prize for southern history three times, the Jules F. Landry Award for Southern history once, and has been twice nominated for the Pulitzer Prize.

For several years, he was the editor of the magazine Civil War Times Illustrated. He has also served as a consultant on the A&E television series Civil War Journal.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Sean Chick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Davis in the back of the book complains that there is not as many primary sources on the brigade. In my experience, the regiments are actually over-represented, which perhaps speaks more to the comparative lack of Confederate primary sources. At any rate, the book works well, but I do not think Davis' prose sings as much as he thinks it does. It makes for a good read but not a great one, which is odd given that Davis favors narrative over analysis.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of Confederate troops from the state of Kentucky. They played a major role in the campaigns and operations in the Western Theater of the Civil War. Since Kentucky remained in the Union, this brigade were outcasts from their state and orphans in the Confederate army.

[Don Kean · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful account filled with humor and tragedy as well as plenty of rich historical information.

[William Sariego · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bing a Kentuckian I guess you can accuse me of being biased; fair point. But this is easily the best unit history of the Civil War I've read. Davis paints a wonderful and readable narrative with in facts of his subject matter. This is how history should be written but rarely is.

[Tom Griffiths · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loving portrait of a unique unit from the Civil War. Good reading to understand the unique nature of Kentucky in the war..

[Eric Kiser · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really moving, thorough account of one of the South's most interesting and heroic units.

"Theirs was a story worth remembering, worth repeating. Their example must be preserved for their future Kentuckians. The saga of trials and drama of their service, their sacrifice, their triumph over physical adversity and emotional anguish, must not be forgotten."

[Sammy Duncan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a Son of the Bluegrass, I felt a special bond to the men of the 1st Kentucky Brigade. Mr. Davis weaves a wonderful narrative from the formation of the brigade through its trials at Shiloh, Stones River and Chickamagua to its surrender and return home.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

History of the First Kentucky in the Civil War - well written and little know history except to those hillbillies like me.

[Fran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very easy to read and follow; great history about this extraordinary group from Kentucky.