Ficklin's Battalion, Kentucky Infantry

Historical Notes:
John Ficklin was from Bath County. Ficklin's Battalion was raised in eastern Kentucky.

John Ficklin, Private, Capt. Geo. W. Conner's Company, Kentucky Infantry,* enlisted October 21, 1861 at Camp near Pound Gap, Va. for 12 months, appointed Public Agent February 15, 1862 at Gladesville, Va., acting as Major of Recruits, September 2, 1862, receipted for one four horse wagon and four horses at Mt. Sterling, Ky., signing as Major, Commanding Ky. Inf., Requested authority to raise Battalion - see personal papers of Orville G. Camron

* This company subsequently became (1st) Company H, 5th Kentucky Infantry (Mounted).

Orville G. Camron, Captain Mounted Rifles,
Card #44,
"Richmond, Va., Dec. 12, 1864
Hon. J. M. Seddon
Secy. War C. S. A.
Dear Sir,

Col. John Ficklin, a Citizen of Bath County Kentucky, the Commander of the Kentuckians who assembled at Prestonsburg, for the purpose of volunteering in the Conf'd service - He had been a Col. of Militia before the war - His modesty has kept him out of command in the line, although Genls Williams & Marshall have employed him in various capacities in their service - He is now serving as a Private in Capt. Conner's Company of Cavalry in Col. Thos. Johnson's Regiment under Genl. Breckenridge - I know him intimately, and he is highly fitted to command a Regiment, & I know of no one in his Region of the State, who could effect more energy & influence to that end. Will you refer this matter to Genl. Breckenridge, who also knows him, with authority to go into Ky. to raise a Battalion or Regiment.

Very Respy.
R. Hawes
Provl. Gov. of Ky."

Citations for John Ficklin during the 1862 Kentucky

campaign found in "The Headquarters Diary of Edward O. Guerrant, Bluegrass Confederate," William C. Davis & Meredith L. Swentor, eds., LSU Press, 1999

John Ficklin attempted to raise troops during the Kentucky Campaign, p. 143n Oct. 2, 1862 - Col. Ficklin's regt (new one) in camp [Mt. Sterling], p. 152 Oct. 21, 1862 - Valley of Johnson Creek. Our road today was awful. Several wagons smashed up. Col. Ficklin's Regiment "growing

small by degrees & beautifully (shamefully) less". p. 164

Oct. 25 - Giltner's regiment of cavalry, & the remains of the 5th, Ky. & Mynheir's & Ficklin's corps accompanied us. We passed the burning Spring & followed Licking almost to its source & crossed over onto Middle Creek retracing the very road we came, now apparently twice as long as before. We passed the Battlefield about night & turned up the other fork of Middle Creek & camped in the night!!! Awful! p. 167 Officers:

Captain John Ficklin

Roster:
The roster of this unit contains the names of 113 men.

Levi Jones, Private, Company D, Ficklin's Battalion, captured November 24, 1862 at Mt. Sterling, Kentucky, sent from Louisville, Ky. to Vicksburg, Miss. via Cairo, Ill., for exchange on Steamboat Mary Crane, November 29, 1862, description: age 24, 5' 4", blue eyes, light hair, light complexion, no further records

Also in Co. D was Pvt. Joshua Jones, 18,

Bibliography for Research:
U. S. Government Printing Office. Official Records of the American Civil War Davenport, IA. Eastern Digital Resources.

U. S. Government Printing Office. Official Records of the American Civil War - Naval Subset Davenport, IA Eastern Digital Resources.

Rigdon, John C. - Editor Civil War Soldiers Service Records - Kentucky. 2012. Davenport, IA Eastern Digital Resources.

Rigdon, John C. - Editor Kentucky Civil War Soldiers Index. 1996. Davenport, IA Eastern Digital Resources.