Story Highlights
- historical event: Both the president of the North – Abraham Lincoln – and the President of the South – Jefferson Davis – were born in Kentucky. Kentucky was located right on the border between North and South, so it was not apparent which side it would join during the war.
The status of the state of Kentucky during the American Civil War was particularly interesting. Namely, that federal state was located right on the border between North and South, so it was a question with which side it will go along in the war. President Abraham Lincoln wrote: “I think to lose Kentucky is nearly the same as to lose the whole game”. In fact, Lincoln once declared: “I hope to have God on my side, but I must have Kentucky”.
Kentucky was a state in which slavery existed, so it was logical for it to side with the South (Confederacy). However, Kentucky never officially seceded from the United States. Thus if formally remained on the side of the North, but in reality remained neutral in the conflict. This development did not agree with the South supporters who lived in Kentucky, so they formed a “shadow government” that voted for accession to the Confederation.
On this day Kentucky was admitted to the Confederacy. It was, of course, a decision without coverage, because the pro-South “shadow cabinet” was not a legitimate Kentucky government.
A very interesting fact is that both the president of the North – Abraham Lincoln – and the President of the South – Jefferson Davis – were born in Kentucky. Kentucky was located right on the border between North and South, so it was not apparent which side it would join during the war.
