The Fort Hill Monument
IN MEMORY OF THE OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE
"KENTUCKY SCOUTS" FRANKFORT BATTALION
FIRST REGIMENT CAPITAL GUARDS
WHO HELPED DEFEND THE CITY OF FRANKFORT
FROM AN ATTACK BY CONFEDERATE FORCES
JUNE 10-11, 1864
KY SONS OF VETERANS RESERVE DEDICATED 2005
Company A, 1st Regiment, Capital Guards History
This SVR Company is named after a company which was in the 1st Capital Guards Regiment of Kentucky State Troops. According to Speed's The Union Regiments of Kentucky, the Capital Guards Regiment was raised July 11, 1863. It consisted of three battalions - one stationed in the neighborhood of Frankfort, one at or near Paducah, and one in the Sandy Valley. The Frankfort Battalion protected the capital from the frequent incursions of guerilla forces, most notably during the June 1864 attack.
Company A's S.V.R. History
A Company was formed in January of 2000. At that time. it drew its membership from across the Department of Kentucky. The company participated in numerous monument dedications, memorial services, Memorial Day activities, parades and educational activities during its first years of existence. Members of the Company served as the flag detail during the 2003 National SUVCW Encampment, which was held in Northern KY. The Company purchased and dedicated a monument for the Frankfort Battalion which was placed at Ft. Hill in Frankfort in 2005. The founding Company Commander, Timothy Downey, was twice awarded the SVR Meritorious Service Medal for forming the Company and recruiting new Members, then for carrying out the Ft. Hill monument project. After the monument dedication, the new Commander changed the unit designation of the Company. A period of inactivty followed, prompting Keith Karcher, a Member of the Company from the beginning, to form a new SVR Company in Kentucky. This new Company began in 2008, with the original designation. It is now carrying on the proud history and tradition of service of A Company. Membership is currently being drawn from KY Camps 1 and 5.
Members from across the Department are encouraged to join the SVR.
Members of First Regiment Capital Guards SVR prepare to march with their friends from the 9th Michigan Infantry reenacting unit at the 2011 St. Patricks Day Parade in Louisville, KY. (Photo by Brother Bruce Fortin)
