The 10th Kentucky Volunteer Infantry in the Civil War:
A History and Roster
By Dennis W. Belcher
(January 2010 Civil War News)

Illustrated, index, maps, 235 pp., 2009. McFarland and Company, Box 611, Jefferson, NC 28640, $45 plus shipping. Or order through the author at http://tenthkentuckyinfantry.com

On July 12, 1863, Capt. Seth P. Bevill of the 10th Kentucky Infantry (U.S.) dejectedly wrote his father from Middle Tennessee, predicting that dull times were on the horizon: “Well it does seem that the ‘10th’ will never have any hard fighting to do.”

Bevill had every reason to doubt that the regiment would be involved in any major combat — although mustered into service in November 1861, the 10th had arrived too late to participate in both the battles of Mill Springs and Shiloh, had not played a significant role at Perryville, and had missed Stones River altogether.

Despite Bevill’s prediction, the 10th Kentucky’s time to shed blood was soon at hand. A little more than two months after he penned his letter, his regiment played a prominent role in the costly clash at Chickamauga, Ga., where Bevill himself was mortally wounded.

From that point until they were mustered out in December 1864, the Kentuckians were actively involved in the war’s Western Theater, from breaking the siege of Chattanooga to capturing the city of Atlanta.

Dennis Belcher’s eight-year effort to pay tribute to his ancestor’s regiment has resulted in an interesting chronological history of this band of “sons of the dark and bloody ground.”

Belcher has effectively mined manuscripts, newspapers, National Archives pension, court-martial and regimental records and the standard reference works for details of the unit’s service.

His diligence in uncovering personal details, particularly about the antebellum and postwar lives of the regiment’s officers, is clearly evident.

An appendix containing numerous wartime letters that Belcher found hidden in individual pension files is a nice bonus. A good assortment of photos and maps help round out this worthwhile study.

Sadly, there aren’t many regimental histories of Kentucky units, but thanks to the efforts of scholars such as Dennis Belcher and Joseph Reinhart, some Bluegrass regiments are finally being recognized.

Unfortunately, the hefty price of this softcover work may deter some who are interested in border state regiments from adding this study to their collection.

Reviewer:
Jeff Patrick

Jeff Patrick is an interpretive specialist with the National Park Service at Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield in Republic, Mo. He holds B.A. and M.A. degrees in American history from Purdue University.