Captain Given Campbell (s/o James Campbell and Mary Given) attended
school in Salem Kentucky and was educated at the University of Virginia
Law School. Prior to the war, Given moved to St. Louis, Missouri where
he continued his law studies under Charles Drake in order to be admitted
to the Missouri Bar Association. When Federal coercive action threatened
the State, Campbell enlisted in the 2nd Regiment, Missouri Volunteer Militia
under Col. John S. Bowen. He then was elected Captain by
Company "G". On May 10, 1861 when the Missouri Volunteer Militia was peacefully
gathered for their yearly drill and muster at Camp Jackson (at the time,
just outside of city limits of St. Louis, Mo). Here the entire camp of
approximately 700 militia men were illegally captured and taken prisoner
by the Capt. Nathaniel Lyon and his 10,000 man combined U.S. Army
and German "home-guard".
After receiving his parole, Campbell returned to his native land of
Kentucky where he received a commission of Captain in Co B, 15th
regiment of Kentucky Cavalry. He also served in
the 2nd KY Cavalry as well. Following Lee's surrender at Appomattox, Campbell
was selected to command President Jefferson Davis' final twenty man escort
composed primarily of members of Morgan's Cavalry (Duke's Brigade). Capt.
Campbell along with the rest of the escort and President Davis were captured
at Irwinsville, Georgia on May 10th 1865. This was exactly four years to
the day, after Campbell's capture at Camp Jackson (10 May 1861).
After the war, Campbell came back to St. Louis, and in 1865 married
Miss Susan Woods. Due to extremists anti-Democratic politics in Missouri, Campbell
took his family to New Orleans. After 1873, when the radicals in Missouri were
voted out of office, the Campbell's returned to St. Louis where Given
practiced law. Capt. Campbell in 1878 was elected to the City Council,
and by 1880 he served as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention.
After raising a family with three children, and living a successful civilian
life Capt. Given Campbell died in 20 Nov, 1906
and was buried at Bellefontaine cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri (block 112, lot
56).
Lyrics to the "Kentucky Battle
Song"
Verse One:
In the year of sixty one we left our native land for we could not bend our spirits to a tyrants stern command And we rallied to our Buckner while our hearts were sad and sore To offer our blood for freedom as our fathers did before
And we'll march march march to the music of the drum we were driven forth in exile from our old kentucky home.
When first the Southern flag whirled its folds upon the air, Its stars had hardly gathered till Kentucky's sons were there, And they swore a solemn oath as they sternly gathered round They would only live as freeman in the dark and bloody ground.
And we'll march march march to the music of the drum we were driven forth in exile from our old kentucky home.
With Buckner as our leader and Morgan in the Van, We Will plant the flag of freedom in our fair and happy land We will drive the tyrants minions to the Ohio's rolling flood, And will dye her waves in crimson with coward Yankee blood.
And we'll march march march to the music of the drum we were driven forth in exile from our old kentucky home.
Then cheer ye Southern braves, ye soon shall see the day, When Kentucky's fairest daughters will cheer you on your way, And then her proud old mothers will welcome one and all For "United we must stand, but divided we must fall".
Background midi, "Kentucky Battle Song", Copyright 1998, Scott Williams,
from the "Borderland Collection", All Rights Reserved.
Source information on Capt. Given Campbell taken from, "A Self-guided
tour of Confederate Graves at Bellefontaine Cemetery", by Gene Dressel
of Sterling Price Camp, No. 145 St. Louis, MO.
