From NKAA, Notable Kentucky African Americans Database (PIONEERS & PATRIOTS: Anderson County Military Servicemen, Revolutionary War - WWI)
Bush, Henry
(born: c. 1843) Bush was born a slave in Anderson County about 1843. He remained a slave into adulthood: President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation only freed slaves in states openly hostile toward the Union. Since Kentucky refrained from secession, the slaves within her borders remained in bondage. Late in the war, however, the government called for the enlistment of colored regiments, and all who answered the call were granted immediate freedom.Henry Bush therefore made his way to Camp Nelson to enlist and on September 21, 1864 was enrolled as a private in Company K of the 5th U.S. Colored Cavalry Regiment, then later transferred to Company H to serve with his brother Alex.
Although not at the full complement of men, those enrolled in Comapny H at the end of September were assigned to take part in Burbridge's Campaign into southwest Virginia and were active at the 1st Battle of Saltville on October 2, 1864. In December, another attempt was made to destroy the salt works, and the 5th was part of Stoneman's Raid: on December 17-18, 1864, the Battle of Marion was fought, and the Confederate lead mines were captured. On December 20-21, the Federals captured and destroyed the salt works after the 2nd Battle of Saltville.
Throughout the spring and early summer of 1865 the regiment saw duty at various posts in central Kentucky until August 1865, when it was transferred to the Deptarment of Arkansas. The regiment was engaged in that state against renegade groups until March 1866. It was then mustered out of the service at Helena, Arkansas on March 20, 1866.