Gov. Charles S. Morehead
Hopkinsville, Christian County, Kentucky
Marker Inscription
Charles S. Morehead, 1802-1868. This Ky. governor and congressman was born near Bardstown. A graduate of Transylvania, he began law practice in Hopkinsville. Morehead served in state legislature, as attorney general, in U.S. House of Rep., and as governor of Ky., 1855-59. During his administration, geological survey completed, state prison enlarged, and funds allotted for annual state fair. See over. (Reverse) Charles Slaughter Morehead - Hoping to avert civil war, Morehead attended Washington Peace Conf., 1861. Although neutral, he sympathized with Confederacy and criticized Lincoln's policies. Arrested by federal leaders and imprisoned for several months. Warned of another arrest, he fled to Canada, Europe, and Mexico. Died at his Mississippi plantation, 1868. Buried in Frankfort Cem.
Erected by Kentucky Historical Society
The Story
Born near Bardstown and trained at Transylvania University, Charles S. Morehead built a long public career—state legislator, attorney general, U.S. congressman, and governor of Kentucky from 1855 to 1859. As the nation fractured, he joined the 1861 Washington Peace Conference in a last effort to avert war; though he stayed officially neutral, his sympathy for the Confederacy and criticism of Lincoln led to his arrest and months of imprisonment. Warned of a second arrest, he fled abroad and died at his Mississippi plantation in 1868.
Why it matters
Morehead's arc from Unionist peace-seeker to imprisoned Confederate sympathizer captures the wrenching choices forced on border-state leaders as Kentucky was pulled between North and South.
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Related people
- · Charles S. Morehead
- · Abraham Lincoln
Themes & tags
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