DEPARTMENT OF KENTUCKY
SONS OF UNION VETERANS OF THE CIVIL WAR
HEADQUARTERED IN LINCOLN COUNTY
Timothy H. Downey, PDC
174 Berry Lane
Hustonville, KY 40437
downeytimothy@hotmail.com
Camp Secretary
Tim Carman
174 Dallas Drive
Hustonville, KY 40437
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| MAJ JAMES H. BRIDGEWATER CAMP 7 DEPARTMENT OF KENTUCKY SONS OF UNION VETERANS OF THE CIVIL WAR HEADQUARTERED IN LINCOLN COUNTY |
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| BRIDGEWATER'S BIO | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| James H. Bridgewater was born in 1835 in VA. He moved to Lincoln County, KY in the early 1850's. He enlisted as a 2LT in F. Co., 3d KY INF 7/20/61 and resigned 1/17/62. Shortly after enlisting, he joined Lincoln Lodge No. 60, F&AM. On 11/10/62, he mustered a company of Secret Service Men in the KY State Guard named "Bridgewater Scouts" with rank of CPT. The scouts soon became renowned guerilla hunters and were also noted for encouraging slaves to flee their masters. On 6/1/64, Bridgewater became CPT of A Co., Hall's Gap BN, KY State Troops. Many of his former Scouts joined him in the Battalion. He served as CPT until 3/1/65, when promoted to MAJ and taking command of the Battalion. He held this position until 7/27/65. Bridgewater and his men are noted for having twice clashed with the notorious William Quantrill during the ill-fated raid of 1865 into KY. After the war, Bridgewater went to work for the Freedmen's Bureau. His success as a guerilla hunter and his new position did not hold him in good standing with many of local men of secessionist spirit. On 7/17/67, a group of these so-called men caught Bridgewater in a saloon in downtown Stanford, KY and murdered him. He was buried in Logan's Creek Cemetery, just south of Stanford. |
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| CAMP HISTORY | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The organizers of the Camp held the first meeting in September of 2006. Twelve Members transferred or joined that first night. Nineteen Brothers make up the Charter Members with the date of rank of April 28, 2007. A Sons of Veterans Reserve Company named "Bridgewater Scouts" was also formed at the first meeting. The Camp draws its membership from the counties of Lincoln, Laurel, Clay, Jessamine, Boyle, Casey and Garrard, as well as a descendent of the Major who lives in Michigan. The Camp welcomes new Members and transferred Brothers from across the Department. Contact the Camp Commander for specifics on joining our Order. Also visit our Department and National webpages. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MONUMENT DEDICATION | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Primarily through the efforts of Brother David Gambrel, MAJ Bridgewater's grave was marked and a dedication held June 16, 2007. The exact location of his grave is not known, so the marker was placed next to his nephew. The children of one of his Scouts also rest in the cemetery and a soldier of the US Colored Troops is nearby. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Members of Camp with Bridgewater's great-great grandson, Brother Wayne Bennett kneeling in front. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| OUR CHARTER MEMBERS | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| We value all of our Members, and at this time there are 25 Members of the Camp. However, it is important to recognize those Members who are listed on the Charter: Timothy Downey, Robert Baker, David Gambrel, Hiram Johnson, Jeff Sams, Tracy Lucas, Tony Todd, Tim Carman, Joe Martin, Darrin Padgett, Eddie Carter, Joseph Stanley, R. Wayne Bennett, Marvin Perry, Charles Hackley, Eric Livengood, Ryan Livengood, Michael Sams, John Gambrel. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CAMP CONTACTS | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Camp Commander Timothy H. Downey, PDC 174 Berry Lane Hustonville, KY 40437 downeytimothy@hotmail.com Camp Secretary Tim Carman 174 Dallas Drive Hustonville, KY 40437 |
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| LINKS | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NATIONAL SUVCW | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT OF KENTUCKY | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BRIDGEWATER SCOUTS, SVR COMPANY | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| THOMAS SPEED'S UNION REGIMENTS OF KENTUCKY | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||