Stephen Gano Burbridge letters, 1862-1865
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- Stephen Gano Burbridge letters, 1862-1865
- Creator
- Burbridge, Stephen G. (Stephen Gano), 1831-1894.
- Extent
- 1 reel of microfilm (5 ft.)
- Subjects
- Breckinridge, Robert J. (Robert Jefferson), 1800-1871.
- Burbridge, O. H, 1821-
- Clay, Brutus J. (Brutus Junius), 1808-1878.
- Kentucky.--Governor (1863-1867: Bramlette)
- Afro-Americans--Kentucky--History--1863-1877.
- Governors--Kentucky.
- United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
- Repository
- University of Kentucky
Collection Overview
- Biography / History
- 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.
- Scope and Content
- 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.
Special Collections Research Center - Closed
The Breckinridge Research Room will be closed starting May 11, 2026, and anticipates re-opening Fall semester 2026 in an alternate location for the duration of the King Library renovation.
Reproduction requests will still be available during the closure.
Contact SCRC with questions.
Table of Contents
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Special Collections Research Center - Closed
The Breckinridge Research Room will be closed starting May 11, 2026, and anticipates re-opening Fall semester 2026 in an alternate location for the duration of the King Library renovation.
Reproduction requests will still be available during the closure.
Contact SCRC with questions.
Requests
No items have been requested.
You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.
If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.
