Railroad Defenses Of The Bluegrass

The Defenses of the Kentucky Central Railroad Lexington and Frankfort Railroad and Kentucky River during the Civil War (1861-1865). During the Civil War railroads for the first time played a vital strategic logistical and communications role in military operations. Both the Federal and Confederate forces used the railroad network to transport troops and supplies. In addition the railroad telegraphs provided instant communications from the battlefield to the home front. The Kentucky Central Railroad connected Covington with Paris Lexington and Nicholasville. Supplies and materials were shipped across the Ohio River from Cincinnati to Covington by ferry to the railhead in Covington. The Kentucky Central served the rich agricultural region of Central Kentucky which supplied a large number of hogs and cattle for the Federal Army. The Louisville Frankfort & Lexington Railroad connected Louisville with Lexington by way of Frankfort.