KHS to Dedicate Historical Marker Honoring a ‘Mother of the Orphan Brigade’

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 14, 2012) — The Kentucky Historical Society (KHS) will dedicate a historical marker honoring Bettie Taylor Phillips at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29, at the entrance of Uniontown City Cemetery on State Route 360 in Union County.

Phillips was born in nearby Morganfield in 1830 and was one of several women known as a “Mother of the Orphan Brigade.” She married W.S. Phillips in 1847 and accompanied him in 1861 as he served in Gen. John C. Breckinridge’s 4th Kentucky Infantry, Company C. She stayed with him throughout the war, providing aid and comfort to wounded and dying men. While returning home to Kentucky after contracting an illness, she was captured in Nashville, Tenn., and tried as a spy. After acquittal, she found her way back to the brigade and was with Confederate President Jefferson Davis and his wife just before their capture. She returned to Uniontown after the war with the 4th Infantry battle flag. Phillips is buried in Uniontown City Cemetery.

This marker is sponsored by the Union County Fiscal Court.

The Kentucky Historical Marker Program, administered by KHS in cooperation with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, commemorates historical sites, events and personalities throughout the state. Through the program, the wealth of Kentucky history is made accessible to the public on markers along the state’s roadways. The markers are on-the-spot history lessons that add drama and interest to the countryside for Kentuckians as well as tourists. They are also available in an online database at www.history.ky.gov/markers.

For more information, contact Becky Riddle, Kentucky Historical Marker program coordinator, at 502-564-1792, ext. 4474 or becky.riddle@ky.gov.

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