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The two critical states of Western Theater, during the American Civil War, were Missouri and Kentucky. The state of Kentucky had a pro-Confederate governor and a pro-Union legislature and was declared neutral. ALthough it's neutrality was violated on September 3, 1861 when Confederate Maj. Gen. Polk occupied Columbus, considered key to controlling the Lower Mississippi. Two days' later Union Gen. Grant seized Paducah. Neither side ever respected Kentucky's decision of neutrality. Even though political support from secessionists in central and western counties of Kentucky had a new capital at Bowling Green and Kentucky was recognized by the Confederate government and admitted Kentucky into the Confederacy in December 1861 and because of the rail system resources, Polk equip and fortified Columbus as Confederate base. However future Union's victories is due partly of the fact that Kentucky never formally sided with the Confederacy, otherwise later successful campaigns in Tennessee would have been more difficult.

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17y ago

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