Historical Marker

Lincoln Guns

Historical marker location:

Lancaster, Kentucky

( Camp Dick Robinson, Lancaster)

In spring of 1861, Union officer & Kentuckian William Nelson was alarmed at the lack of weapons available to arm the state’s loyal citizen soldiers. In response, President Lincoln authorized 5,000 guns be sent. In order to avoid violating Kentucky’s neutrality the weapons were transported and distributed covertly across the state by noted Unionists.

(Reverse) East Tennessee Unionists- After neighboring Tennessee seceded on June 8, 1861, thousands of Union sympathizing men and their families made the arduous trek through the mountains to Kentucky’s Camp Dick Robinson to enlist and seek the Union army’s protection. By March 1862, enough E TN men had enlisted to fill four regiments, depriving Confederates of much needed manpower.