Organized early on in the war under the act which created the “Reserves” to counteract the “State Guards,” what eventually became Company I was organized in Bath County, in July of 1861. Other companies were later organized and armed with “Lincoln Guns”: Company K from Montgomery County (Captain Halley Smith), Company C from Powell, Company E from Bath, and Company D from Fleming County. One of the regiment’s first important assignments was as a security detachment for Tennessee Senator Andrew Johnson as he passed from Mt. Sterling to Owingsville. In September, the organization was established at Olympian Springs, and to that place volunteers came from Rowan, Lewis, Carter, and Morgan Counties.

In October, the future 24th was with General Nelson on his expedition into Eastern Kentucky, driving the Rebels from Prestonsburg to Pikeville and beyond. In December, the majority of the regiment was sent to Lexington, where it was joined by Captain Smith’s company, Captain Hall’s company out of Bath County, Captain Schoville’s company from Laurel, and Captain Jones’ company from Rockcastle. Being ten companies, the regiment was mustered into the service of the U.S. Army.

After moving around Kentucky a bit, the 24th was sent to Tennessee where it took part in the Battle of Shiloh. From there it went to Corinth, marching afterward through Iuka, Tuscumbia, Decatur, Huntsville, and to the railroad leading to Chattanooga. When Bragg marched into Kentucky, the 24th was shipped back to Nashville and marched to Louisville. From there the regiment made it to Perryville to be only slightly engaged in the fighting. The 24th was involved in the pursuit of Bragg out of the state, being involved in heavy skirmishing at Stanford. In February of 1863, the 24th was thrown into the unsuccessful pursuit of cavalry under the Rebel Colonel Cluke of Morgan’s command.

In February, 1863, Colonel Grigsby resigned and John S. Hurt assumed command of the regiment and retained it until it mustered out the service. Through May, the 24th was on outpost duty at Mt. Vernon and Wildcat. In June, John Hunt Morgan threatened the state with his ride to the Ohio and beyond and the 24th was held at Lancaster in readiness again for the purpose of his pursuit. In November, Colonel Hurt’s veterans were engaged in actions against Wheeler’s cavalry near Knoxville, and heavy fighting and the seige at that place all through late 1863.

The 24th was involved in the hard fighting for Atlanta in the summer of 1864. Twelve men were killed and seventy-seven wounded in that campaign. After the fighting for Atlanta was over, the 24th was held at Decatur. In October it went to Lexington, Kentucky, and was held in readiness while Hood made his move on Nashville. The regiment mustered out of the service on January 31st, 1865.

Source: Captain Thomas L. Speed’s Union Regiments of Kentucky, pp. 525-535.