The Eighth Kentucky Volunteers are launched,
Sid Barnes has made it known to one and all.
All summer long, the Home Guards have been drilling
with guns they own or “borrow” from the rebs –
the local secesh arms are greatly prized,
the traitors being famously high-handed.

The sun shines bright this day at Uncle Eb’s,
as tables span the beautiful old pasture.
A giant silken flag by Estill ladies,
whips gloriously against the azure sky.
The local folks have made a mammoth picnic.
They’ve brought good things to eat from near and far,
and there’s good music, too, with fife and drums.
They’re singing “Sally is the Gal for Me.”

Some heard that Colonel Barnes had hired a baker.
Some came to see the storied old estate.
The ballroom is the best in all Kentucky,
inspiring dreams of dance among young bucks.
The weather is sublime unto perfection,
the sunny, cloudless sky near fantasy.
The gathering warmth and beauty of the day
might almost seem like so much teasing torment,
so deceptively, nay – cruelly – divine,
for all can surely guess what lies ahead.
Colonel Barnes and other officers agree
the men should all enjoy themselves today,
for even a short war brings tragedy.

The soldiers stand about in groups conferring
or hurry in and out among their quarters,
the cottages once used by Estill guests.
Recruiting stands like sentinels await
men lining up to be sworn into service.
The Estill ladies’ Stars and Stripes unfurls
and snaps – like shots – against the cloudless sky,
as gay activity takes place below.

From his side yard, at Estill Springs this morning,
the Colonel pauses by his favorite oak,
observing the activity before him.
He knows that he will oft think back in future,
with irony to this strangely perfect day.
He thinks of who among his fine young friends
and neighbors are to be forever lost –
such beauty, love, and warmth bewildering
to contemplate against the coming trauma –
so strangely sure to spring from life’s perfection.
No one can truly know what’s yet to come, but
we’re sure that there will be a mighty price.
Yet patriots young and old can all concur
that all that truly matters is the Union.

Next morning – early – after the rendezvous,
first orders come straight down from General Thomas.
The rebs are shipping weapons to their friends,
direct from Winchester through Estill County.
The Eighth Kentucky Volunteers are charged
with fortifying Pound Gap, via the South,
to intercept the secesh contraband
and those who would escape to rebel lines.
For Estill Springs, the War is now commenced.

Eighth Kentucky Volunteers’ Battles and Casualties, Union and Confederate
Battle of Bridgeport, April 1862: casualties unknown
Battle of Murfreesboro, July 1862: 3,000
Battle of Perryville, October 1862: 7,621
Battle of Stone’s River, December 1862: 23,515
Tullahoma Campaign, June/July 1863: casualties unknown
Battle of Chickamauga, September 1863: 34,624
Battle of Lookout Mountain, November 24, 1863: 871
Battle of Chattanooga, November 25, 1863: 1,114