THE DEAD HORSE CAMP
~ What is it? ~
The "Dead Horse Camp" was a place designated, where forage and food was plentiful, where worn out horses and men could go to convalesce.
Though one was convalescing in the Dead Horse Camp, this did not necessarily mean that one was on "vacation" & the war continued without you.
Case in point:
On February 4th [1863], [John Hunt] Morgan sent Col. Leroy S. Cluke's regiment into "dead horse camp" in central Kentucky. While "convalescing", and using the tactics of deception, ambush, and hit-and-run, Cluke drove in the pickets in Lexington and occupied Mount Sterling three times, being driven out each time by superior Federal forces.
During this period, while Cluke remained on convalescent duty at the "dead horse camp" for six weeks, he captured 200 supply wagons and furnished his regiment with badly needed provisions.
It seemed only natural when we were reenacting with the 2nd Kentucky Cavalry as (primarily) a dismounted unit to name our camp after the original "Dead Horse Camp". It seemed a good fit.
Our camp sign with Spurs skull mounted on top (see picture at top of page) was the most photographed object in either the Confederate or Federal camps when we were present.
With Ferguson's Independent Company we will once again resurrect this tradition
and name our military camp for the infamous "Dead Horse Camp"!
~ Source ~
"Rebel Raider; The Life of General John Hunt Morgan"
by James R. Ramage
To return to the Photo Index
click Morgan's Pistols above