The Owensboro Museum of Science and History is proud to sponsor and host a special symposium, Civil War Guerrillas in Kentucky, on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at 2:00 PM. The program will take place at the Museum, located at 122 East Second Street, Owensboro, KY.
This public event brings together four distinguished historians and authors who have dedicated their research and writing to the complex and often violent world of guerrilla warfare in Kentucky during the Civil War.
The panel will feature Derrick Lindow, an award-winning history teacher from Owensboro. Lindow, author of We Shall Conquer or Die: Partisan Warfare in 1862 Western Kentucky, holds master’s degrees in both education and history. He is the co-administrator of the Western Theater in the Civil War website, which unites historians and authors to explore this critical region of the war. His combination of classroom experience and historical scholarship provides a unique perspective on Kentucky’s Civil War past.
Kentucky historian Gerald Fischer will contribute his extensive research on guerrilla activity. Fischer has written two volumes titled Guerrilla Warfare in Civil War Kentucky. He is also co-author of Meade County, Kentucky – History & Families, Fischer has written extensively for publications including The Kentucky Explorer and the Meade County Messenger, illuminating the human stories behind Kentucky’s Civil War battles and local history.
Also speaking will be Dr. Tom Sabetta, retired Communication faculty at the University of Kentucky and Chief Curator and Director of Collections and Research at the Owensboro Museum of Science and History. Dr. Sabetta, a published author and retired reenactor, serves on multiple Civil War boards, including The Battle of Sacramento and the Kentucky Civil War Round Table, and brings decades of expertise in both historical research and interpretation.
Rounding out the panel is Bryan Bush, a prolific author and historian with fourteen books to his name, including The Butcher Burbridge, Samuel “One-Armed” Berry: Shaker, Teacher, Ruthless Civil War Guerilla, Louisville During the Civil War: A History and Guide and Favorite Sons of Civil War Kentucky. Bush currently serves as Park Manager for the Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site and is recognized as the official Civil War guide for Cave Hill Cemetery in Louisville, offering first-hand insights into the Western Theater and Louisville’s role in the conflict.
Together, these experts will explore the tactics, personalities, and lasting impact of Civil War guerrilla activity in Kentucky, providing the public with a rich and engaging understanding of this dramatic chapter in American history.
This program is $5.00 which includes an all-day general admission to the Museum. Seating is limited; attendees are encouraged to arrive early.
For more information, please contact the Owensboro Museum of Science and History at (270) 687‑2732.
