Processed by: Archives Staff ; machine-readable finding aid created by:Eric Weig
Stephen Gano Burbridge letters
1862-1865
University of Kentucky Special CollectionsLexington, Kentucky 40506
Collection is open for research.
[Identification of item], Stephen Gano Burbridge letters, 1862-1865, 1F50M-6, Special Collections, University of Kentucky.
1 reel of microfilm (5 ft.)
Union Soldier. Burbridge was born in Scott County, Ky. and attended Georgetown College and Kentucky Military Institute. He served in the 26th Kentucky Infantry and was appointed Brigadier-General of the Army of Ohio in 1862. In February of 1864 he was assigned temporarily to the command of the District of Kentucky, with extensive civil as well as military powers. He defeated and dispersed General John Hunt Morgan's forces in June 1864. His use of civil powers were, however, less than successful. He sought to control the election of 1864 by the free use of the military, making numerous arrests (it was charged) of persons whose only offense was that they had opposed Lincoln. Governor of Kentucky Thomas E. Bramlette and others protested Burbridge's measures. He was relieved of command in January, 1865 and resigned from the Army in December of that year.
The letters represent a portion of Burbridge's correspondence during his controversial service in the Union Army during the Civil War. Three letters are by Burbridge and the rest are written to him by such people as Brutus J. Clay, J.R. Bailey, Thomas E. Bramlette, J. S. Bell, Robert J. Breckinridge, O. H. Burbridge, and W. Randolph. Many of them deal with the General's treatment of Kentucky citizens during military occupation. The treatment of former slaves represents a large portion of the discussion.
Ray Troutman, Columbia University.