The George M. Bedinger Papers in the Draper Manuscript Collection

"a valuable collection of first-hand accounts - rich in detail and anecdotes of the life of a wilderness soldier and woodsman. With accounts of service on several major campaigns, as well as of detailed narratives of several frontier actions, this collection of George M. Bedinger's papers provides both interesting reading and a useful resource."  

-The Brigade Dispatch Vol. 32 No. 3

This book will be of use particularly to persons interested in early Kentucky history and genealogy, and sheds light on events in the Revolutionary War as well. Researchers will welcome the new index, which allows easy navigation through these fascinating historical records.

Bedinger's military career began in 1775 in Virginia where he enlisted in Col. Hugh Stevenson's company of sharpshooters. He participated in the siege of Boston and the battle of Germantown, and brought supplies to the army at Valley Forge. He took part in Bowman's Campaign of 1779, an abortive attack on a Shawnee Indian village. Later that year he joined a company setting forth for Kentucky, where they reinforced the Indian-harassed pioneers at Boonesborough. He was present at the siege of Yorktown, and eventually explored the Green River country in Kentucky and made his permanent home at Lower Blue Licks.

All of these exciting events and many more are described in these papers, which consist of personal recollections written by Bedinger or taken by Draper from his verbal dictation, affidavits of services, land warrants, and letters from his descendants. Included is a map of the Blue Lick battleground. The distinguished Draper Manuscripts, owned by the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, are a prized source of information for students of American history.