Sunday, September 18, 2011

150 Years Ago Today . . .

One hundred and fifty years ago on September the 18th, Confederate General Simon Bolivar Buckner and approximately 4000 troops occupied Bowling Green. Because of its location along the L&N Railroad and Barren River, Bowling Green was seen as very strategically important. Fortunately, for all loyal, non-traitorous-type people, the line held in Kentucky by the Confederates was very tenuous and was soon abandoned to the Federals who occupied Bowling Green for the duration of the war. So, to celebrate the sesquicentennial of the war coming to our region, there were a number of Civil War-related events around our community called 150 Years . . . Bowling Green, Remembering the Civil War. And, of course, Dudeboy and I were able attend a few of the events. In the morning we saw a lecture entitled "L&N and the Civil War" by WKU Geography professor, Dr. Trapasso. Followed by a tour of the new exhibit Civil War and the Railroad at the L&N Depot/Railpark.


Dudeboy then engaged in several activities at the Kentucky Museum on the WKU campus, where we also got to listen to a very interesting lecture by Robert Bell on "Kentucky's African American Soldiers During the Civil War."


Later that evening, our tour concluded with the Fountain Square Players portraying Spirits of the Civil War, which included a stop to a nearby cemetery. While nothing of significant import happened in Bowling Green during the Civil War (well, comparable to other places), there is still much to see and do. Hopefully, in the near future, Dudeboy and I will go on a more in-depth tour of the Civil War sites in our area. So, check back if you want to be bored outta your gourds.

1 comment:

Jay Blue said...

Hi - I'm a descendent of the Arterburns who had a farm just north of Flippin. A good portion of my family is buried in the Neal Cemetery just south of the Flippin crossroads.
In the Ward-Lewis cemetery are buried two ancestors (Thomas and Elijah) who fought in Company G of the 9th KY Infantry and are believed to have died at Missionary Ridge in the Chatanooga campaign.

I'm planning a historical tour of the the area, and the Arterburn farm, near Flippin in June. I'd really like to understand where Camp Anderson was, as it was the place where I'm sure these two ancestors organized and called home for some period.

It's unclear to me as to where the camp, or historical marker is that you reference in your blog. Can you please provide some detailed info?

Much appreciated! Jay Blue (aka Jame Arterburn) (jblue3224@gmail.com)