Archaeologists have found two possible mass graves. They think these graves contain the remains of Black Union soldiers who fought and died in an ambush during the Civil War. An unfortunate incident led to this important finding. Reality Though little noticed at the time, on January 25, 1865, Company E of the United States Colored Cavalry (USCC) suffered the most deadliest attack Company E had ever faced from Confederate guerrillas in Simpsonville, Kentucky.
The USCC, stationed at Camp Nelson—a Union Army depot where many enslaved men enlisted for their freedom—was tasked with transporting 900 head of cattle to Louisville as part of the Union supply chain. During this mission, the soldiers were unexpectedly ambushed, leading to a brutal confrontation where they were outgunned by their attackers.
Nearly all of the 22 men of Company E were shot in the back while fleeing for their lives. They had stood, erect and proud, in the brown-shaded U.S. Army uniform. Philip Mink, a historian involved in the recent archaeological efforts, described the incident:
“What followed wasn’t a battle — it was a slaughter.” – Philip Mink
There was little attention paid by local newspapers, even at the time of the ambush. This failure to remember reflects a national oversight of the service and sacrifice Black soldiers made during the Civil War. According to eyewitness accounts, local civilians interred the bodies in a shallow grave just a few days after the massacre.
“Guerrillas definitely targeted them because they were Black.” – Philip Mink
In response to this tragic historic event, they installed a state historical marker to commemorate this massacre. The Shelby County Historical Society in Kentucky created the engraved headstones to pay homage to soldiers who lost their lives. Even with these attempts, the real burial site still proved to be a mystery for years.
In 2008, archaeologists studied a local African American cemetery. Their investigations found zero evidence of a mass grave. In 2023, local historian Jerry Miller hit upon an exciting find. He uncovered a 1936 map that identified one such Civil War burial mound buried underneath an active soybean field. This exciting discovery spurred a resurgence of archaeological interest in the valley.
This past December 2023, a multi-institutional research team jumped into action, using cutting-edge technology to assist their search. To find evidence of the mass grave, they employed a drone-mounted magnetometer and ground-penetrating radar. Their diligence was rewarded when their search uncovered two anomalies. One of these anomalies that archaeologists uncovered fits the dimensions of a mass grave, roughly five feet deep, 13 feet wide, and 65.6 feet long.
Mink emphasized the importance of this discovery for acknowledging the often-overlooked history of African American soldiers:
Holly K. Norton, another member of the archaeological team, expressed her admiration for how modern technology is being used to honor these long-forgotten soldiers:
“As soon as we see that, we stop, we cover it back up, and then we decide what our next steps forward are.” – Philip Mink
The continuing research attempts to reveal the physical remains of these courageous men. It aims to shed light on their remarkable contributions during an extraordinarily tumultuous period in American history. The book shines light on an important aspect of Civil War history that’s been overlooked or purposely obscured.
“I’m so impressed with the use of modern technology to give dignity to these long-ignored and forgotten African American soldiers.” – Holly K. Norton
The ongoing research not only aims to uncover the physical remains of these brave men but also seeks to shed light on their contributions during a tumultuous period in American history. The work highlights a crucial aspect of Civil War history that has often been neglected or misrepresented.
