Daniel Allen Lonsway
The war in West Kentucky and West Tennessee
Sun Dec 3 13:32:35 2000


I am asking the assistance of anyone who might have any information on incidents and units that served in West KY and/or West TN during the War. In my spare time (I am a student who also works) I have been compiling information on events, people, and Units that served in and around this area. Of particuliar interest to me is any information pertaining to the Battle of Belmont, the forts at Columbus KY, the Battle of Paducah, and the Fort Henery and Donelson campaigns. Also of importance to me is whether anyone has any information that might be of use on a place called "Camp Beauregard" near what is now Water Valley, KY.
This spot is a little known training camp that served as a rear defense for the forts at Columbus, KY from September 1861 to March of 1862.
According to sources, at its peak 5,000 troops from Tennesse, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisanna, Arkansas, and Kentucky were stationed here. Well over 1,000 men parished from disease and insufficient shelter and medical care. There are several mass graves on private land located in the hills surrounding this spot.
So far, the only regiment from Alabama that I can be somewhat certain was here during this time was a regiment of cavalry refered to as the "first Confederate cavalry"
If any one has any information that might be of some help to me, I would greatly appreciate their assistance. Any thing at all- no matter how seemingly small- would be helpful.
Very Sincerely,
Daniel Allen Lonsway (Old Dan)