From NKAA, Notable Kentucky African Americans Database (PIONEERS & PATRIOTS: Anderson County Military Servicemen, Revolutionary War - WWI)

George, Isaac

(born: c. 1843)

George was born about 1843 in Anderson County. He was certainly a slave, owned by Mr. Dudley George of Lawrenceburg, who filed a claim for lost property when Isaac ran away to join the Union army during the Civil War.

In 1864, the federal government initiated a new policy to enroll regiments of colored soldiers for service in the war. As a result, thousands of slaves and former slaves flocked to recruiting stations to volunteer. Among these was Isaac George, who made his way from Lawrenceburg to Camp Nelson to enlist.

He was mustered into federal service on September 9, 1864 as a private in Company E of the 5th U.S. Colored Cavalry Regiment. His enlistment record describes him as a 21-year old farmer from Anderson County, KY, 5'4", and of dark complexion with dark hair and eyes.

Although the 5th Colored Cavalry had not reached its full complement of men, those enrolled by the end of September were assigned to General Stephen Burbridge on his campaign into Southwest Virginia.

On this expedition, the 5th regiment was active at the 1st Battle of Saltville on October 2, 1864, where after a fierce engagement the federals were driven back with heavy losses. In December another attempt was made to destroy the salt works, and the 5th Cavalry was again part of Stoneman's Raid. On December 17 & 18, 1864 the federals attacked and captured Confederate lead mines near Marion, Virginia, and on the 20 & 21 captured and destroyed the salt works at Saltville.

In January 1865 Company E of the 5th Regiment was detailed to escort a herd of cattle from Camp Nelson to Louisville. As the column passed through Mercer and Anderson Counties, its progress was closely monitored by Confederate partisans operating in the area. On January 25, 1865, just outside Simpsonville in Shelby County, the rebels attacked the Federal rear guard of about 30 Company E troopers, resulting in a complete massacre as nearly all were killed or left for dead. Local citizens gathered up the dead and buried them in a mass grave, while the wounded were taken to Louisville.

In the roll call for February 1865, Isaac George is listed as "absent" and is reported since February 2 in the General Hospital at New Albany, Indiana, suffering from wounds received on January 25 in the action near Simpsonville.

Private George remained absent from the 5th regiment's duty roster throughout the spring and early summer of 1865, but he is mentioned on August 12, 1865 as being discharged on a surgeon's report of "disability due to wounds." The surgeon's report further states that Private George received a wound in his right arm which shattered the radius bone. He was deprived of use of his arm and was therefore unfit for transfer to the Veteran Reserve Corps.