In 1861, Kentucky declared a fragile neutrality that divided the American Civil War
Stuck between North and South in 1861, Kentucky attempted to remain a neutral oasis, a desperate political gamble that briefly stalled the inevitable conflict of the American Civil War.
On May 20, 1861, Governor Beriah Magoffin officially declared Kentucky neutral in the American Civil War. This 'armed neutrality' was a bold attempt to keep the state from becoming a primary battlefield, as its location made it a vital buffer between the Union and the Confederacy.
There's more to this story — open the app to keep reading.
Continue Reading in App
1 more paragraphs · plus a 3-question quiz