From NKAA, Notable Kentucky African Americans Database (PIONEERS & PATRIOTS: Anderson County Military Servicemen, Revolutionary War - WWI)
White, George
(born: c. 1845-1846 - died: 1865) George White was born about 1845-1846 in Anderson County. He was no doubt a slave, owned by Mr. Aaron Mershon, who filed a claim for compensation of lost property.In 1864, the Union commander in Kentucky authorized the formation of Colored regiments. When this announcement was spread across the state, slaves left behind their bondage and flocked to Camp Nelson to join up. Among these former slaves was a young man named George White. He enlisted for service on September 10, 1864 at Camp Nelson and was mustered into Federal service on September 12 as a private in Company E of the 5th U.S. Colored Cavalry Regiment. According to the records of the unit, George White was a 19-year old farmer from Anderson County, 5'4" tall, with dark complexion, hair and eyes.
Although the regiment had not yet attained its full complement of men, those enrolled by the end of September were assigned to General Stephen Burbridge's Campaign into Southwest Virginia, and saw action at the 1st Battle of Saltville on October 2, 1864. After a fierce engagement, the Federals were driven back, leaving a good number of dead and wounded behind who were all killed. George may have been Wounded In Action during this campaign; upon the regiment's return to Camp Nelson, he was listed as "absent" from the duty roster and was in the camp hospital from October 15 through the end of December 1864.
As a result of his injury, he was not able to accompany his regiment on a 2nd Battle of Saltville, a more successful campaign that led to the capture of Saltville.
In January 1865, George returned to active duty, joining his company when it was detailed to escort a herd of cattle from Camp Nelson to Louisville. As this 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 25 Company E troopers, and the action resulted in a complete massacre as nearly all were killed or left for dead.
Following this engagement, George White was officially listed as MIA, surely among those killed and buried in a mass grave trench by local citizens. In 2009, efforts were finally made to honor these forgotten men who fell in bloody conflict, and each one, including George White, received a government-provided headstone at the Simpsonville Massacre Mass Grave site.