The 1st Kentucky Volunteer Infantry Regiment, under Colonel John B. Castleman, was primarily from the Louisville area and known as the Louisville Legion. The regiment was mustered into Federal service from June 1 to 10, 1898 at Lexington. Attached to First Corp of US Army, at Camp Thomas, Chickamauga, where the regiment was issued uniforms and arms. Transferred on July 27, 1898 to Newport News for assignment to Puerto Rico expedition. On August 4th, first half of 1st Regiment embarked, followed six days later by the remaining portion (including Colonel Castleman). The regiment remained in Puerto Rico until December 4, 1898 and returned to Louisville on December 12, 1898. The regiment was mustered out on February 24, 1899, at Louisville.[i]
The 2nd Kentucky Volunteer Infantry Regiment, under Colonel E. H. Gather, was from the Bluegrass Region and known as the Lexington or Bluegrass Regiment. The regiment was mustered into Federal service from May 14 to 24, 1898, at Lexington. Attached to First Corp of US Army, at Camp Thomas, Chickamauga, Georgia, where the regiment was issued uniforms and arms. The 2nd Regiment remained at Chickamauga, where typhoid fever decimated the soldiers. The regiment was mustered out on October 31, 1898, at Lexington.
The 3rd Kentucky Volunteer Infantry Regiment, under Colonel T. J. Smith, was from Western Kentucky. The regiment was mustered into Federal service from May 21 to 31, 1898. Attached to First Corp of US Army, at Camp Thomas, Chickamauga, Georgia, where the regiment was issued uniforms and arms. Transferred on July 27, 1898 to Newport News, for assignment to Puerto Rico expedition. The 3rd Regiment was left behind due to an epidemic of measles and mumps. The regiment was mustered out on May 16, 1899, at Savannah, Georgia.
The 4th Kentucky Volunteer Infantry Regiment, under Colonel David G. Colson, was recruited from the mountains in Eastern Kentucky and known as the Mountain Men. The regiment was mustered into Federal service from July 4 to 27, 1898. The regiment was full of raw recruits. The regiment was mustered out on February 12, 1899, at Anniston, Alabama.
Troop A and B, 1st Kentucky Volunteer Cavalry, under Captain U. S. G. Perkins, of Middleboro. Mustered into Federal service on May 28, 1898 and mustered out on October 14, 1898, both at Lexington.
[i] Military History of Kentucky, Frankfort, 1939, pages 281-293.
