Civil War historical marker honoring Bettie Taylor Phillips dedicated | News

A historical marker honoring Bettie Taylor Phillips is now in place at Uniontown City Cemetery on State Route 360 in Union County.

A special ceremony was held to dedicate the marker last weekend.

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.