10 02 1862 [Thursday]

[David McKendree] Key [Lt. Col., 43rd Tenn.] writing to his wife noted: “Georgetown is Twelve Miles form Lexington and Seventeen Miles from Frankfort the capital of the state is distinguished for having been the place of residence of R. M. Johnson who was for eitht years Vice President of the U. S. and had the honor of Killing old Tecumseh. Here too lives Gov Robinson, who now fills the Gubernatorial chair of Kentucky, but who has had to flee his country and his capital. [Key papers UNC]

10 04 1862 [Saturday]

We marched to Frankfort, the Capitol, and witnessed the inauguration of Gov. Haws, a Southern Governor of Kentucky. The pickets fought today within ten miles of the Capitol. We camped one mile from town about two oclock. At three we received orders to march to Verailles and in a few minutes we were on road. We traveled till dark then stopped and cooked supper. Then we took up the line of march to our destination which we reached at daylight. (Stamper, 43rd Tenn.)

At 1 p.m., the boom of Union guns lobbing shells into the outskirts of Frankfort disrupted the inaugural ceremonies and ended in midsentence the adddess being delivered by Confnure of office thus was brief. (172, p. 166) [his tenure in office thus was brief?]

Installation of Governor Hawes.

The following programme of ceremonies at the installation of Hon.Richard Hawes as Provisional Governor of Kentucky, at Frankfort, on the 4th instant, comes to us in handbill form. Major General Smith is charged with the arrangements for the military escort guard and salute. The Governor will be escorted from his quarters by a squadron of cavalry and will be accompanied by the Commander in Chief of the Confederate States Forces, Major General Buckner, Brigadier General Preston, and their respective staffs. The Commanding General will present the Governor to the people and transfer to him in behalf of the Confederate State, the civic power of the State, the public records and property.
By command of Braxton Bragg, General C. S. A.
(Knoxville Register 10/14/62)

Frankfort, Ky.

Gen. Steveson’s division is now encamped in the suburbs of the capital of the great State of Kentucky, except four Regiments of Col. Tom Taylorls Brigade, which under his command was left in the neighborhood of Danville and Camp Dick Robinson. I suppose they will soon join us. The 3d Tenn. Regiment and Croft’s Battery being detached and placed under Col. Vaughn to bring up the rear of all the trains in this place.
A considerable army is now near this city with Gen. Bragg, Smith, Buckner, and others. A new Governor will be Inaugurated to day. The supposition is that General Haws [sic] will be the man. Thousands of Kentucky troops are flocking to our standard. Col. Gillespie’s [43rd Tenn.] Regiment is in the neighborhood . . . You may expect to hear of stirring times from this section of Ky. The camp rumor is that the enemy have a force of 20,000 men at and around Louisville. They have an advance guard out in this direction some fifteen of twenty miles.

Headquarters 3d Tenn. Reg.
Frankfort, Oct. 4th, 2 P. M.

Provisional Governor Hawes was installed to-day at 12 M, the parade was a grand affair. Gen. Bragg made a short and well delivered address, and introduced the Governor to the ladies and citizens within the Captiol Not one out of ten could gain entrance of those who desired to witness the ceremony. Gen. Reynold’ Brigade which was on parade in the city on the occassion made a fine appearance. In his Brigade I noticed the 43d Tenn. Regiment, commanded by the gallant Col. J. W. Gillespie, this regiment looked well after they had marched from Virginia to this point. . . .
East Tennessee
(Knoxville Register, 10/15/62)

Richard Howes [sic] was inaugurated rebel Governor of that State. Gens. Bragg and Humphrey Marshall were present at the ceremonies, and made à vituperative and bitter secession speeches. In the afternoon the railroad bridge leading out of the city was destroyed, and all the rebel infantry departed for the South, leaving Scott’s rebel cavalry in occupation. (Rebellion Record, V5, p. D91)