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

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This is the story of 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.

Davis does well at covering the breadth of experience of soldiers: the life of the private in the ranks, as well as of the senior officer, is well researched. He captures the unique cultural distinctions of Kentucky quite nicely: masters at obtaining bourbon, an informal approach, raw courage, and love of horses. The bungling of generals is not soft-pedaled, which is just as well considering how much the Orphans suffered from it.

Worth adding to any Civil War library, but of particular interest to Kentuckian history buffs.

Davis tells the story of the how the Orphan Brigade came about which also covers daily camp life, individual stories and how the regiments formed. It is very clear just how the regiments were grouped and organized through descriptive writing. Many stories of soldiers hard fighting in their history at places such as Shiloh, Chickamauga, Murfreesboro and their dreaded marches in Mississippi around Vicksburg is covered. This book answers questions I had like: Just how did they fight? Who was in command? Who died? What became of the regiments after their numbers dwindled? Davis easily answers all of these and tells the story of the Orphan Brigade from beginning to end. This book is great for anyone looking to gain information on Western Campaigns and gain further knowledge on Kentuckians who had the odds stacked against them. It is perfect to gain an understanding about Kentucky in the Civil War and those who chose to fight for the south that lived there.

Hard steel is a product of a hot furnace and repeated blows. Davis' "The Orphan Brigade" accurately portrays the trial of war, from lenghty deployments, separation from family, the toll of disease, sorrow of loss, the fear and excitement of battle, the unmatched joy of "coming out of a fight alive". I recommend this book to all who would desire to have a more complete understanding of the War Between the States. For fellow Kentuckians; Davis' work adds to the rich heritage of our State. A must addition to your home library.

This is a very good history of the Brigade from origins to battle experiences. I had heard of them through a brother-in-law whose great-grandfather was a member. I did not know at the time he was telling me about them that I had several relatives who joined with them prior to the great battle at Chickamauga to the end of the conflict in 1865. Recently I learned of the more personal connections and purchased this book. The easy flowing style, pictures as well as the maps inside front and back bindings make it well worth my time and purchase price. Other detail for Chickamauga can be found in Peter Cozzens well-documented "This Terrible Sound" and David Powell's "The Maps of Chickamauga."

If you only read one book on the Orphan Brigade, make it this one. The Kentucky Confederates Who Couldn't Go Home. Davis is best known as a Civil War historian, with many fine books to his credit