Lost Forty Percent

Colonel Curran Pope

The 15^th Kentucky Infantry was mustered into Union service December 14^th 1861 under the command of Colonel Curran Pope.

The 15^th Kentucky Infantry was organized in New Haven, Kentucky for a three year enlistment. Most of the men came from the city of Louisville, Kentucky and the surrounding area.   They mustered into Union service December 14^th 1861 and were attached to the 16^th Brigade of the Union Army of the Ohio.  The Colonel of the 15^th was Curran Pope a West Pointer

The men started their duty at Bacon Creek, Kentucky, before moving with the army to Bowling Green, Kentucky, Nashville, and Murfreesboro, Tennessee. They saw their first fighting at the Battle of Perryville on October 8^th 1862, where their Colonel was killed, and the regiment lost about 40% of its strength.  The 15^th would also see action at the Battles of Chickamauga, Resaca, Kennesaw Mountain, Jonesboro, and other western theater battles.

The 15^th mustered out of Union service January 14^th 1865 at Louisville, Kentucky.  The regiment had 10 officers and 243 enlisted men die of wounds or disease during their service.