The 1895 Fort Duffield Reunion
In September of 1895, more than three decades after the winter of 1861–62, the surviving soldiers of Fort Duffield were invited to return to West Point for a grand reunion. The men who once guarded the mouth of the Salt River, built the earthworks on Muldraugh’s Hill, and endured the hardships of early-war service were asked to gather again on the hillside where they had stood as young volunteers.
The reunion was more than a social event — it was a moment of remembrance, reconciliation, and pride. The veterans came to honor their fallen comrades, revisit the fort they had helped construct, and reconnect with the community that had supported them during the war.
The surviving invitation and reunion letter reveal the tone of the gathering: formal, dignified, and deeply rooted in the shared memory of service. These documents form the foundation of this exhibit.
The 1895 Reunion Invitation
The printed invitation distributed to veterans and townspeople announced a day of celebration, reflection, and ceremony. Its language reflects the customs of late‑19th‑century veterans’ culture — respectful, earnest, and steeped in patriotic sentiment.
The invitation listed the regiments expected to attend, including Kentucky, Illinois, and Ohio units. It encouraged veterans to bring their families and promised a full program of speeches, music, and a fireworks display arranged by the Pains Firework Company.
The Reunion Letter — A Call to Remember
The reunion letter, preserved in its original form, invited the men to return to the hill where they had served during the fort’s earliest days. Its tone is solemn yet celebratory, reminding the veterans that their sacrifices had not been forgotten.
The letter speaks of “renewing old friendships,” “recalling the hardships of the winter campaign,” and “honoring the memory of those who did not return.” It is one of the most important surviving documents related to Fort Duffield’s postwar history.
The Indiana Incident
One detail in the reunion correspondence stands out: an Indiana company that served at Fort Duffield during the winter of 1861–62 was deliberately not invited to the 1895 gathering. Their absence was intentional, and the reason lay in a long‑remembered wartime incident.
Local accounts describe an episode involving several soldiers from that Indiana unit and a woman living near West Point. The soldiers reportedly entered the home without permission and behaved improperly, causing distress to the woman and her family. Although the matter was reported, the community felt the response at the time was inadequate.
The incident lingered in West Point’s memory long after the war. When the reunion committee prepared its invitation list, they quietly chose not to include that Indiana company. The decision was not publicly announced, but it was understood among older residents and veterans familiar with the wartime episode.
This omission illustrates how Civil War memory was shaped not only by battlefield service but also by the relationships between soldiers and the communities they occupied. The reunion celebrated camaraderie and sacrifice — yet it also reflected the community’s long‑held recollections of conduct, justice, and respect.
Artifacts from the 1895 Reunion
1895 Fireworks Invitation: A printed notice announcing the evening fireworks display arranged for the reunion, reflecting the celebratory spirit planned for the gathering.
Original 1895 Reunion Letter: The formal letter inviting veterans to return to Fort Duffield, notable for its dignified language and the omission of one Indiana company.
GAR Parade Newspaper Article (1895): A contemporary account describing the Grand Army of the Republic procession held during the reunion and the excitement it generated in West Point.
John H. Lozier (Jargo Nethlitz) Portrait: A preserved image of a veteran associated with Fort Duffield’s early history, kept as part of the effort to document the men who served on Muldraugh’s Hill.
Pains Firework Company, 1895: Promotional material from the firm contracted to provide the reunion’s pyrotechnic display, underscoring the scale and ambition of the event.
Legacy of the Reunion
The 1895 reunion helped spark renewed interest in preserving Fort Duffield. Veterans emphasized the importance of protecting the earthworks, honoring the cemetery, and educating future generations about the sacrifices made on the hill.
Their efforts laid the foundation for the modern preservation movement that continues today. Thanks to their dedication, Fort Duffield remains one of Kentucky’s most significant Civil War landmarks — a place where memory, history, and community converge.