Near Simpsonville in Shelby County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

"Horrible Massacre"
⎯⎯⎯
African American Cemetery

"Horrible Massacre" Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, July 15, 2019

1. "Horrible Massacre" Marker

Inscription. "Horrible Massacre" On January 25, 1865, Co. E. 5th United States Colored Calvary (USCC) attacked by Confederate guerillas while driving herd of 900 cattle to Louisville. About 22 men killed and at least eight severely wounded. Based at Camp Nelson, nearly all of the recruits were former slaves. The 5th also fought in 1864 Saltville battles.
Given by Camp Nelson Restoration & Preservation
Foundation and the 12th USCHA, Reactivated
African American Cemetery The 5th USCC troopers killed 1865 Simpsonville slaughter were buried in a mass grave by local residents. Area used as African American cemetery. Members of the Trim #2 United Brothers of Friendship Lodge operated the cemetery until the last member died in 1965. Lodge hall located in Simpsonville.
Given by Shelby County Historical Society

Erected 2008 by Kentucky Historical Society, Kentucky Department of Highways. (Marker Number 2283.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Kentucky Historical Society series

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list. A significant historical date for this entry is January 25, 1865.

Location. 38° 13.427′ N, 85° 22.294′ W. Marker is near Simpsonville, Kentucky, in Shelby County. It is at the intersection of Shelbyville Road (U.S. 60) and Webb Road, on the right when traveling east on Shelbyville Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Shelbyville Road, Simpsonville KY 40067, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Louisville Area.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Whitney M. Young, Jr. (1921-1971) (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lincoln Institute Campus (approx. 0.2 miles away); Simpsonville Methodist Church (approx. ¾ mile away); Whitney M. Young Jr. (approx. 0.9 miles away); Fred Wiche (approx. 0.9 miles away); Old Stone Inn (approx.

African American Cemetery Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, July 15, 2019

2. African American Cemetery Marker

1.3 miles away); Capt. John Simpson (approx. 1.4 miles away); Thelma L. Stovall (approx. 2.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Simpsonville.

Also see . . . Simpsonville Civil War Massacre - The Armchair General. (Submitted on July 17, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

"Horrible Massacre" marker and memorial grave markers. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, July 15, 2019

3. "Horrible Massacre" marker and memorial grave markers.

In Memory of the 22 men massacred. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, July 15, 2019

4. In Memory of the 22 men massacred.

Nearby info about the massacre. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, July 15, 2019

5. Nearby info about the massacre.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 6, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 17, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 2,256 times since then and 97 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 17, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.

"Horrible Massacre"⎯⎯⎯African American Cemetery

"Horrible Massacre"
⎯⎯⎯
African American Cemetery