In the US Civil War, there were people living in Boyd County KY who served in either the Union or the Confederacy (not served then moved to Boyd KY after the conflict). What percentage were Confederates, and what percentage were Yankees? Take your guess!
I have long had my personal suspicions on these percentage based on admittedly somewhat circumstantial observations of graveyard tombstones and my personal genealogical work on hundreds of residents in the Williams Creek Basin of that period. But what is your guess?
I have also duly noted the current preponderance of Confederate emblems in Boyd County, like rebels flags, license plates, etc. When I ask those that display these symbols why they are so keen on these emblems that are polarizing and repugnant to so many, the answer is almost always the same. They are celebrating their “personal heritage”.
So thanks to a scholarly work called “Civil War Soldiers of Boyd County, Kentucky” by John David Preston those percentages no longer need to be based on somewhat circumstantial observations, but can be fixed with good precision by documented research. There is full info on this book below.
There were 597 that served during the Civil War and were from Boyd County KY. Of this only 28 served with the Confederacy or a paltry 4.7%. A full 569 served with the Union or 95.3%. While I have always suspected the area was overwhelmingly supportive of the Union, I was definitely just a bit surprised by just how much, basically it is about 20 to 1.
So most of those displaying their Rebel flags and other Confederate memorabilia must be from some other place, or possibly they are just confused about their “personal heritage”.
“Civil War Soldiers of Boyd County, Kentucky” by John David Preston copyright 2015 by East Kentucky Press, Inc – Library of Congress Control Number 2015913569 – ISBN 978-1-941272-22-0
Enjoy! Lon
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Thanks to all who took the time for this research from all that I have gathered on my families from this area I come to the same conclusion.
Had no idea on the percentages. My great grandfather, Stephen Large Clark, joined in Tennessee and was in the Union Infantry.
Hi Sharon, Stephen Large Clark (1842 – 1972) joined the Union Army two times under two different names and lost a leg. I personally knew Stephen Large Clark’s son Fred Clark (1884 – 1972). I am vising my Brother, Hop Coleman, for Thanksgiving 2018 and Fred’s daughter Fredrica Clark Griffith lives across the street.
What offspring of Stephen Large Clark are you a descendant?
Enjoy! Lon
My family are Sextons who were in the area along Williams Creek (around Music) from about 1875 ish to 1910. Everyone are Sexton I have found Civil War service for were in the Union Army. The research you cite is an interesting confirmation of what I am seeing.