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Memorial Service, Ashland, KY 1998


Civil War reenactors open
windows to past

Tribute in cemetery honors
regional regiment


14th Kentucky at Ashland
Members of four Civil War re-enactment groups fire a volley during ceremonies Sunday at Ashland Cemetery

Ashland - Living lessons in history were brought home to Eastern Kentucky Sunday afternoon by modern troops who recreate Civil War settings and ceremonies.

Troops from four reenactment groups returned to Ashland Cemetery to pay tribute to the 14th Kentucky Volunteer Mounted Infantry, a regiment made up of men who spent most of their lives in the Lawrence-Boyd-Johnson county area.

Will Steen,11, of Ashland, was one of the flagbearers Sunday afternoon
Especially honored were Col. Laban T. Moore, who started the 14th, and his brother-in-law Brig. Gen. George W. Gallup, who led the unit through bitter fighting in the South.

New grave markers were also dedicated in the cemetery for two other Union soldiers, Anton Schmauch and Andrew Elkins.

The Rev. Don Young, who offered the invocation, noted that Americans' interest remains strong in a conflict that ended 133 years ago. "I think that as people learn about the war and about their own families' participation, it becomes personal and they want to know," he said. Sometimes the major battles like Shiloh, Antietam, Gettysburg and Chickamauga and the legendary figures of Lee, Jackson, Grant and Sherman overshadow the local history of the war, said Jim Epling, a librarian and Civil War historian.

Tony Curtis of Ashland blows Taps
"Our 19th century ancestors would tell us war came in every sense of the word to Eastern Kentucky, with clashes between opposing armies, reputations made and lost and the horrors of war visited upon the region," he said. Epling talked about major clashes along the Big Sandy and Licking Rivers.

Marlitta Perkins of Columbus, Ohio, who is writing a history of the 14th, said Eastern Kentuckians were as patriotic as any Americans and quoted a letter from Gallup to his wife, written on the eve of the capture of Cumberland Gap. "If in tomorrow's struggle I should fall, tell my boys I fell as falls the patriot and lover of his country, for before my God I would sooner fall upon the field defending my country's honor than to live to say I took no part in this great struggle for the suppression of this rebellion."

Perkins said men like Moore and Gallup made it possible for Americans to enjoy today's freedoms. They have left us a tremendous inheritance that should be cherished and held in high honors…their legacy to be passed on to our children so their memory will live on and not be forgotten."

Rebecca Smith of Huntington holds her 4-year old son Zane Allen
Following the memorial, a squad of re-enactors fired volleys over each officer's grave, followed by a pair of cannon shots across the valley from the burial sites.

Special Note

I'd like to take the opportunity to thank the many people that gave their time and energy in helping to make the Memorial Service at Ashland Cemetery the wonderful event it was: Jimmie Epling and Marshall Steen for receiving the idea of honoring Colonel Moore and General Gallup so enthusiastically and supporting it all the way. The 91st OVI, the 1st KY Light Artillery and the 1st Ohio Light Artillery for helping the 14th KY Infantry honor their old commanders in style. It was a joy meeting you guys!! Heartfelt thanks go out to Camille Leist and her staff at Ashland Cemetery and Barbara Strosnider, Chairwoman of the Society of Friends of Ashland Cemetery, for making us feel right at home upon our arrival and throughout the event.

Thank you to George Wolfford and John Flavell from the Daily Independent for covering this event and giving it the attention it deserved. Last, but not least, I want to thank all the 14th KY descendants who made their way to Ashland on Sunday, said hello and shared some interesting stories with me. It felt like meeting family!! You all helped to make this memorial service at Ashland memorable indeed!!

Marlitta H. Perkins
14th KY Regimental Historian
and all the members of the 14th KY Infantry re-enactment unit



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