By Todd Hatton
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkms/local-wkms-970538.mp3
Murray, KY – Throughout this sesquicentennial year of the American Civil War, we've been following events of the time in the Commonwealth on the Kentucky Civil War Dispatch. Today, the Bluegrass votes to steer a middle course through the conflict...or at least try to.
On this date in 1861, Gov. Beriah Magoffin proclaimed Kentucky's neutrality and warned both sides to keep their armies out of the Bluegrass State.
" I solemnly forbid any movement upon the soil of Kentucky, or the occupation of any port, post, or place whatever within the lawful boundary and jurisdiction of this state, by any of the forces under the orders of the [Union or Confederacy] for any purpose whatever -- until authorized by invitation or permission of the legislative and executive authorities of this state previously granted."
On May 24, the Kentucky Senate passed a pair of neutrality resolutions. The first declared "that Kentucky will not sever her connection with the National Government, nor will she take up arms for either of the belligerent parties, but will arm herself for the one purpose of preserving tranquility and peace within her own borders." The second resolution promised that Kentucky would "stand ready as a mediator between the two sections and would do all in her power to bring about a just and honorable peace."
Thus, Kentucky would remain neutral, for the time being at any rate, but within the Union. Lincoln could live with that. So could the great majority of Kentuckians.
Even so, the well-armed and well-trained Kentucky State Guard worried the Unionists. As governor, Magoffin was the militia's commander-in-chief.
And though he proclaimed Kentucky neutrality, Magoffin was a Southern sympathizer. The Guard's commander, Inspector Gen. Simon Bolivar Bucker, also leaned toward the Confederates. So did almost all of his officers and men.
Unionists feared Magoffin and Buckner might use the Guard to force Kentucky into the Confederacy. So the legislature moved to check the power of the governor and the Guard.
On May 21, the Senate passed a measure creating a five-member Military Board to oversee the state's armed forces. Magoffin was to be on the board, but the other four members were Unionists. The bill also provided for the organization of pro-Union Home Guard companies across the state.
Moreover, the bill stipulated that the State Guard and the Home Guard were for the defense of Kentucky, not offensive operations against either the Union or the Confederacy.
Additionally, the measure said state weapons would be shared between the two groups.
But Unionists suspected the State Guard would not be inclined to divvy up its firepower with the Home Guard.
Consequently, Lt. William O. Nelson, a pro-Union Kentuckian serving in the U.S. Navy, went to Lincoln and convinced the president to send 5,000 muskets and ammunition to Kentucky for the Home Guards.
Unionist leader Garrett Davis made no bones about who would get the portion of the "Lincoln Guns" sent to him for distribution: "true, faithful and reliable Union men."
The creation of the Military Board and the Home Guard were two more victories for the Union cause in Kentucky. Prospects for a Confederate Kentucky, none-too-bright to begin with, were growing dimmer.
WKMS produces Kentucky Civil War Dispatches from West Kentucky Community and Technical College history professor Berry Craig. The Murray State alumnus is the author of Hidden History of Kentucky in the Civil War, Hidden History of Kentucky Soldiers and True Tales of Old-Time Kentucky Politics: Bombast, Bourbon, and Burgoo.