History of the
Orphan Brigade,
by Ed Porter Thompson, Originally published
in 1898, and reprinted by Janaway Publishing, Inc., 2004, Beautiful
Hardbound, Symth Sewn, Faux-Leather, Gold Stamped Spine and Front Cover,
Illustrated, Index, 1,266 pages.
ISBN #
0-9741957-2-3
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Here, and now back in print, is the History of the Orphan
Brigade, one of the first Civil War histories originally
completed after the close of hostilities. The History of the
First Kentucky Brigade, written by Ed Porter Thompson, was a
massive undertaking, which began in November 1864, during
the final winter of the War, and concluded with the first
printing in 1868. In 1898, Thompson revised, updated, and
renamed the book History of the Orphan Brigade, resulting in
this enormous work of 1,266 pages.
Considered the definitive history of this famous brigade, it
provides a thorough background on the formation, staffing,
component units, battles, and leadership throughout the War.
It takes you from the Kentucky parade grounds in the summer
of 1861, to the recruitment and training camps on the
Tennessee border, and through the battles at Shiloh,
Vicksburg, Baton Rouge, Stones River, Chickamauga,
Missionary Ridge, Resaca, Kennesaw Mountain, and Atlanta.
Thompson develops a wonderful history of the 2nd, 4th, 5th,
6th and 9th Kentucky Infantry Regiments, as well as detailed
accounts of Artillery, Cavalry and other brigade units.
Thompson had been with the brigade from the beginning,
enlisting as a private, promoting to first-sergeant, and,
eventually, to Captain. He was a thoughtful man, well read,
knowledgeable and convinced of the special place in history
that would be bestowed on his Orphan Brigade. His
participation in most of the battles, in either a line or
staff position, and his access to the brigade records and
papers, led to one of the most accurate Civil War unit
histories written. William C. Davis, in his book, The Orphan
Brigade: The Kentucky Confederates Who Couldn’t Go Home, and
author or editor of more than 30 books on the Civil War and
southern history, writes, Thompson’s efforts were
“…monumental works, and in the main far more accurate than
most Civil War unit histories, thanks to a thorough
grounding in the brigade’s official papers.”
Ed
Porter Thompson believed that “…no history of the command
would be adequate that did not take cognizance of all the
individuals whose conduct helped to make the fame of the
organization,” and this belief was one of his guiding
principles in preparing his manuscript. To that end, more
than half of the 1,266 pages are devoted to this endeavor.
The personnel section of the book is organized into unit
“rosters,” with individuals listed under their assigned
units. There are numerous photographs and engravings of
many of the officers, as well as biographical information on
officers and men in the ranks, making this book an
exceptional memorial to the brigade’s individual members.
Some
examples of biographical entries for the enlisted men:
"JOHN
DUNN, Logan County, was one of the corporals of the company,
and took part in nearly all the battles. He was wounded at
Chickamauga and Peachtree Creek, and was killed at
Jonesboro.
"GEO. B.
DODD, Allen County, fought with Co. H, Third Arkansas
Infantry, during the first two years of the war; was
transferred to the Sixth Kentucky, Jan. 13, 1863, and fought
with it at Jackson, Chickamauga, Rocky Face Gap, Resaca, and
Dallas; was severely wounded at the latter place, and
disabled for further service during the war.
"PEYTON
B. BYRNE, Greenup County, was an old man, but took part in
most of the battles of his company."
These
1,266 pages include information on thousands of individual
Brigade members, as well as a thorough history of the Orphan
Brigade. This book is a wonderful resource for any Civil
War buff or genealogist researching Kentucky.
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