Divided Loyalties - Kentucky's Struggle for Armed Neutrality in the Civil War (Electronic book text)

OnaMay 16, 1861, theaKentuckyastate legislature passed an ordinance declaring its neutrality, which the stateOCOs governor, Beriah Magoffin, confirmed four days later.a KentuckyOCOs declaration and ultimate support for theaUnionastood at odds with the stateOCOs social and cultural heritage. After all, aKentuckyawas a slave state and enjoyed deep and meaningful connections to the new Confederacy. Much of what has been written to explain this curious choice concludesaKentucky harbored strong Unionist feelings. James FinckOCOs freshly written and deeply researchedaDivided Loyalties: KentuckyOCOs Struggle for Armed Neutrality in the Civil Warashatters this conclusion.An in-depth study of the twelve months that decided KentuckyOCOs fate (November 1860 - November 1861), Divided Loyalties persuasively argues that the Commonwealth did not support neutrality out of its deep UnionistOCOs sentiment. In fact, it was KentuckyOCOs equally divided loyalties that brought about its decision to remain neutral. Both Unionists and Secessionists would come to support neutrality at different times when they felt their side would lose.Along the way, Dr. Finck examines the roles of the state legislature, the governor, other leading Kentuckians, and average citizens to understand how Kentuckians felt about the prospects of war and secession, and how bloodshed could be avoided. The finely styled prose is built upon a foundation of primary sources including letters, journals, newspapers, government documents, and published reports. By focusing exclusively on one state, one issue, and one year, Divided Loyalties provides a level of detail that will deeply interest both Kentuckians and Civil War enthusiasts alike.KentuckyOCOs final decision was the result of intrigue and betrayal within the Commonwealth while armies gathered around its borders waiting for any opportunity to invade. And it was within this heated environment that Kentuckians made the most important decision in their history