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

Joseph Hanks was born a slave in Anderson County about 1839. He remained a slave into adulthood; President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation freed only slaves in states that were openly hostile toward the Union. Since Kentucky refrained from secession, the slaves within its 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. In great numbers, slaves threw down the tools of forced labor and walked away from the fields to enlist.

Joseph Hanks therefore made his way to Camp Nelson to enlist, and on September 9, 1864 was enrolled as a corporal in Company E of the 5th U.S. Colored Cavalry Regiment. At that time he testified he was born in Anderson County about 1839.

Although not at the full complement of men, those enrolled in the regiment at the end of September were assigned to take part in Burbridge's Campaign into southwest Virginia; they were also 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 were again part of Stoneman's Raid. On December  17-18, 1864, the Battle of Marion was fought and the Confederate lead mines were captured, and on the December 20-21 the Federals captured and destroyed the salt works after the 2nd Battle of Saltville.

In January 1865, Company E of the 5th Regiment 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, a band of Confederate Guerrillas under Captain Isaiah  "Zay" Coalter caught the colored troopers completely off guard and, after a fifteen minute action, all 35 men of the rear guard were down, either dead or left for dead, resulting in a complete massacre.

Local citizens gathered up the dead troopers and buried them in a mass grave while the wounded were taken to Louisville. Corporal  Hanks was severely wounded in this action and left for dead, as verified by his pension.

Hanks was reported "Absent" from duty during the January and February rolls for the regiment,, but as of February 2, he was llisted at the General Hospital at New Albany, Indiana, suffering from wounds received in action at Simpsonville, Kentucky on January 25, 1865.

Joseph survived his wounds and, after months of recovery, returned to duty in September 1865, serving with his regiment until discharge. After the war, he returned to Anderson County: his name can be found on the 1870 Anderson County Census as the 27 year old husband of Mary and father of three young children.

In Septempber 1877, Joseph Hanks was included on a list of Anderson County residents receiving benefits of a military pension, receiving a payment of $8.00/month for a disability sustained because of a gunshot wound to his head and face. IN 1880 he was again found on the Anderson County Census as a 40 year old widower, living with his mother and stepfather, Daniel Elliston,  who was also a former slave soldier.