Volunteers!! Join the 9th Inf. Reg. Ky. Vol.

This weekend, the Old Mulkey Meetinghouse State Historic Site and the 9th U.S. Kentucky Volunteer Infantry reenacting unit marked the sesquicentennial of the formation of the 9th Kentucky Regiment (U.S.) with a host of events and activities. Of course, this is dear to Dudeboy and me as our ancestor Joel "Top" Simmons was a member of that organization . . . more specifically, he fought with Company K. It was nice to be among people who had a shared interest in this organization. We were able to converse and share info with other descendants, enthusiasts, members of the re-enactment group, and Abraham Lincoln.

Dudeboy wielding an Enfield rifle . . . one of the most widely used weapons of the Civil War.

The medical officer offered Dudeboy a number of opportunities to experience the tools of his trade, but Dudeboy just preferred the photo op.

In camp with the 9th . . .

Draw Sabers!

Dudeboy enjoying some of the 9th Kentucky birthday cake . . .

This is the land where Camp Anderson was situated, at least where the historical marker locates it (or used to, for the marker keeps getting stolen). Just up the road a bit is another site where it was probably actually located. Camp Anderson is where the 9th Kentucky originated. Later they were formally mustered in at Columbia, Ky.

This is the gravesite of John Fraim. Camp Anderson was established on the Indian Creek farm owned by John Fraim. He also helped pass out some of the famous "Lincoln guns" to Companies E and K. Apparently Fraim stated in a letter that in order to join you had to "pay one dollar each gun, and take an oath." Dudeboy and I are directly related to John Fraim's brother William.

From an old newspaper clipping comes this story pertaining to the character of John Fraim . . .

About the middle of summer '64, Frame (sic) was sitting on a fence enclosing an immense field of corn on his farm when seven guerillas surprised him, shot him and pursued him into the field whither he ran. Finally a well-directed shot brought him down and he simulated death while they searched him for money and valuables. They left him lying on the ground and went to the fence about forty yards off and held a consultation. Each of the band was personally known to, and was a personal enemy of Frame, and their councils were dived (divided?). Some wanted to return and make sure of their work, but the leader decided that the man was dead, and that the best thing that could be done was to cross over into Tennessee, which they did.

In relating the circumstances afterwards, something that he rarely did, Frame always closed with a significant glitter in his eye and the words 'There is not a single one of them fellows living to-day.' He had slain every one with his own hand and without assistance.