CAPT JOE DESHA RECRUITED THE FIRST KENTUCKY COMPANY FOR THE SOUTH Born on May 22, 1833, Capt Joseph Desha was a native of Harrison county, Kentucky. At the outbreak of hostilities, Capt Desha organized the first company for Confederate service from Kentucky. Capt Desha moved his men to Harper's Ferry, Va as part of Col Blanton Duncan's battalion. In July of '61, his company joined the Kentucky Battalion commanded by Col Thomas Claibourne. Following First Manassas, the Kentucky Battalion was merged with another Kentucky battalion to form the 1st Regimental Kentucky Volunteers. Capt Desha's company was designated as company "C". Col Thomas Hart Taylor assumed command and offered Capt Desha a staff position with the rank of Major. He declined the offer because of the loyalty he felt for his company. His men repaid that loyalty throughout their service. Capt Desha was the only commander his company ever had. -continued on next page-

GETTYSBURG SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Tuesday, June 30th 8 am - Regristration Opens Midnight - Registration Closed Wednesday, July 1st 8 am - Registration Opens 11 am - Custer vs Stuart Cavalry Battle 3 pm - Custer vs Stuart Cavalry Battle Midnight - Registration Closes Thursday, July 2nd 8 am - Regristration Opens Friday, July 3rd 10 am - Mortar Demonstration 1 pm - Mounted Artillery Demonstration 4 pm - First Contact: Heth's Advance, Buford's Stand, & Iron Brigade Saturday, July 4th 10 am - Hood's Advance 1 pm - Cavalry Battle 2 pm - The Valley of Death 4 pm - Action at Culp's Hill Sunday, July 5th 9:30 am - Stuart's Grand Review Noon - Cavalry Battle of Fairfield 1:30 pm - Pickett's Charge

Inside This Issue 1. Calender of Events 2. New Members 3. Boykin's Mill Report 4. The Kentucky Battle Song

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continued from page 1 On December 31, 1861, the 1st Kentucky and three other regiments, under command of Gen J.E.B. Stuart left Centerville, Va and marched to Dranesville, Va on a forgaging expedition. At Dranesville, a larger Federal force was encountered and the battle of Dranesville was fought. Company C was deployed as skirmishers. The battle lasted some two hours and finally the confederate force had to withdraw. Capt Dresha was severely wounded, which rendered his left arm almost useless the rest of his life. With Col Taylor, the regimental commander, trapped behind enemy lines, and although seriously wounded, Capt Desha took charge of the regiment and directed an orderly withdrawal. Company C's losses were set at 17 wounded. Capt Desha recovered from his wound and led his company through the winter of '61 and the fighting at Dam No. 1 and the Lower Redoubt. On May 14, 1862, Company C was mustered out of service at Winder Camp near Richmond. Capt Desha returned to the western theatre. During Bragg's expedition into Kentucky, it was Capt Desha who recruited a battalion for confederate service. Capt Desha became a company commander in the 5th Kentucky regiment. Endeared by his men, he became known simply as "Capt Jo". At Murfreesboro, Capt Desha won the dubious honor of being one of the few men to be wounded, in the head, by a cannon ball and live to tell about it. Realizing he wasn't seriously wounded, Capt Desha remained on the field, leading his company until the battle was over. At a chance meeting with Jefferson Davis, the president amzed at "Capt Jo's" survival of the cannon wound, presented him with a new pistol to replace the one he had lost. Capt Desha continued to serve with distinct honor through the end of the war. In civilian life, he returned to farming in Kentucky. He was a champion for confederate veterans the rest of his life. On May 8, 1902, Capt Joseph Desha, one of Kentucky's most gallant officers, died.

WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS The 1st Kentucky, Co. E would like to extend it's most sincerest welcome to three new members. Pvts william & Scott Jansen have cast their lot with the Alexander Guards. Both served previously with the 49th Virginia. Bill is a native of Lexington, Kentucky. We would also like to welcome Pvt Christopher Salas. He is the son and brother of Pvts Rudy Salas and Timothy Salas respectively. At the battle of Boykin's Mill, Pvt Salas behaved with the uptmost gallantry and displayed the coolness of a seasoned veteran. SACRED DIRT!!

'98 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS GETTYSBURG Gettysburg, PA July 3,4,5 WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS White Sulphur Springs, WVA August 22, 23 BATTLE of LYNCHBURG Lynchburg, VA September 18,19,20 J.E.B. STUART Arrat, VA October 4,5,6 BATTLE of BLUE SPRINGS Blue Springs, TN October 16, 17, 18

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The KENTUCKY BATTLE SONG In the year of '61, we left our native land, Cause we could not bend our spirits to the tyrrant's stern command. So we rallied 'round our Buckner, while our hearts were sad and sore, To offer our blood for freedom as our fathers did before.... CHORUS And we'll march! march! march! to the music of the drum, We were driven forth in exile, from our old Kentucky home.... When at first the southern flag unfurled its' folds upon the air, Its' stars had hardly gathered 'til Kentucky's sons were there. And we swore a solemn oath and sternly gathered round We would only live as freemen in the dark and bloody ground. With Buckner as our leader and Morgan in the van, We'll plant the flag of freedom in our fair and happy land, We'll drive the tyrrant's minions to the Ohio's rolling flood, and dye her waves with crimson with the coward yankee blood.. So cheer ye southern braves, you will soon see the day, When Kentucky's fairest daughters will cheer you on your way, Then their proud old mothers will welcome one and all, for united we stand, but divided we fall!

BOYKIN's MILL The Battle at Boykin's Mill proved to be a thoroughly enjoyable event. Company E arrived April 17 and had the pleasure of meeting the 5th Kentucky Regiment. Camp was established and the men settled in for the evening. On Saturday, a tactical was held on the original battlefield. The Alexander Guards were deployed on the left of the line. Co E managed to keep the 54th Mass pinned down on the bridge by raining down a galling fire. Eventually, the numbers of the 54th overwhelmed the Kentuckians, but they had taken a number of their foes with them. After the battle, a memorial was held at the monument. A square was formed, with the Boykin's Mill monument in the middle. A band played the 54th's regimental song. Then it was OLD KENTUCKY's turn and the combined 1st and 5th offered a volley in salute to the strands of "My Old Kentucky Home". Although a mild monsson had greeted us the previous morning, Sunday proved to be a good day for shooting Federals. The 1st placed an obstacle in the middle of the bridge and took up positions behind it. This slowed the 54th's advancefor some twenty minutes. Co E executed an orderly withdrawal and took position to the left of a well placed cannon. The firing remained hot for another 20 minutes until the 54th's numbers forced a second withdrawal t the road, about 20 yards to the rear. There Co E made a determined stand and held the federals long enough for the cannons and the remainder of the army to evacuate to Charleston. Once this was accomplished, the 54th sent a murderous volley into the ranks of the Kentuckians. Amoung the carnage, little life stirred, for a moment a few voices whispered that "one could almost smell the sweet oder of Kentucky." All took solace n this until a yank exclaimed, "them dead rebs are drinking bourbon!"

IN OUR NEXT ISSUE SANDY RIDGE COMMUNITY CENTER report Col ED CROSSLAND Company E's original commander GETTYSBURG PLANS

AUTHENTICITY and OTHER AFFAIRS OF THE HEART To keep our camp and impression as true ass possible; please comply with the following rules: - Once camp is established; no modern eye glasses (to include sunglasses) are to be worn - All modern items should be concealed inside the tents at all times PAGE 3