Moments in Kentucky
Legislative History

Presented by the Kentucky Historical Society

Postwar Outlaws

As the Civil War progressed, Kentucky became the battleground for various gangs of criminals. This prompted the legislature to pass Resolution No. 55, approved January 14, 1865, appointing a committee made up of three members of the House and two members of the Senate to “visit in person the President of the United States, and lay before him the condition and grievances of Kentucky, resulting from guerrillas and predatory bands of outlaws, who are murdering and robbing, and will, unless driven out, destroy millions of property and depopulate portions of the State.”

Morgan's Highwaymen sacking a peaceful village in the West

Harper's Weekly depicted [John Hunt] “Morgan's Highwaymen sacking a peaceful village in the West” in the August 30, 1862, issue. KHS Collections.

Kentucky Unbridled Spirit

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