Douglas,

That section of Kentucky was quite loyal to the Union, moreso than almost any other section of the state. While some Confederate units may have recruited from the area, I cannot think of any which could claim any large number of Pulaski or McCreary Counties men (though this may be due mostly to my lack of knowledge and research into Confederate regiments from the area). If there can be an example drawn from nearby Clay County, according to some pension records and records found in the post-war Claims Commissions, there were Confederate sympathizers in the area, but few, if any, actual units or groups of guerrillas claiming connection to the Confederate cause. Wayne and Clinton Counties have some connections to the infamous Champ Ferguson, but many of the residents of those counties were rabidly Unionist in their politics.

I have some rosters in my collection from the 30th and 49th Kentucky Infantries, both of whom drew recruits from the area. You may want to look into the rosters of the 47th, 49th, 24th, 7th, and 12th Kentucky Infantries (all Union) as those units did recruit in the area. There may be others on this list more knowledgeable than myself on which Confederate units recruited in the area.

Your request notes that you were wondering how to trace back to see how your ancestors may have fought. It is best to begin tracing your genealogy back from yourself to your oldest verifiable ancestor. You will probably have to do this yourself, unless you are independently wealthy and can employ a professional researcher to do it for you. The effort is well-worth the time expended if you choose to do it for yourself. Just be skeptical and be certain that you can find corroborating evidence to ensure that you are looking at the right ancestors. Some completed genealogies are manufactured or incorrect. After enough people accept these incorrect versions, it, unfortunately, tends to become accepted as "Gospel." Once you can identify your ancestor who was born before, say, 1846 in Kentucky, and can find him in the 1850 and/or 1860 census, contact me and I'll be happy to see if he can be found in any of the following references:

The Kentucky Adjutant General's Report (Union and Confederate)
Steve Lynn's indexes of Confederate Pensioners in Kentucky and men who served in Kentucky Confederate regiments
Charles Wells' listing of the 1890 Special Veterans Census for East Kentucky
Ancestry.com's listing of Union pensioners

I take great pride in being able to locate the names of Kentuckians who served during the Civil War. On occasion I am stumped, but not often.

Please be aware that the only names I am able to search for you will be those of Kentucky Civil War soldiers/veterans. I cannot do searches for names in any generation afterward (or before). You must do the research yourself to make the connection between yourself and your Civil War ancestor.

I am, sir, yours in Faith, Charity, and Loyalty,

Robert M. Baker,

Historian for the 39th Kentucky Mounted Infantry,
Member, McKee Lodge #144 (London, KY), F. and A. M.,
Signals Officer, Dept. of Ky., SUVCW,
Dispatcher, Post 11 (London), Kentucky State Police