Most of the members of May's Co A of the Original 5th Kentucky did not reinlist. They went home in time for the fall harvest.
Neither Green Gevedon nor his brother William relinlisted. Perhaps they were dissuaded by the death of their younger brother Joseph's death in a prison camp in Louisville.
Likewise, neither my G-grandfather Henry M. Barker, nor his brothers John C. or William L rejoined. The may have lost enthusiasm because their father William had been killed nearly a year earlier at Ivy Mt. Only George W. Barker rejoined. All of the Barkers and Gevedons who mustered out at Hazel Green lived to ripe old ages well into the 20th Century.

What I don’t know is anything about the personal homecoming of my ancestors, whether they were welcomed as heroes, harassed by pro-union Home Guards or perhaps both or neither. No wartime letters are known to me.

The Confederates would never be a significant factor again in Kentucky. They did return from time-to-time beginning in April 1863 on recruiting and supply-gathering missions. Kentucky became a progressively less hospitable place for the rebels as they commandeered grain supplies, livestock and horses for the cause. They were increasingly plagued by Home Guard “bushwhackers” who picked off rebels one at a time as they marched through the countryside. Any caught would be summarily shot and their homes burned.
As the war dragged on the locals simply wanted the killing and looting to stop.

No doubt the Barker's, Gevedon's and other ex-soldiers saw or were at least aware of their former comrades as they passed through Grassy Creek, Hazel Green, West Liberty and Campton on return incursions. Whether our ancestors offered provisions and/or shelter to them or were afraid or disinclined to do so we will probably never know.

If you are not aware of Edward Guerrant's diary published in a book called A Bluegrass Confederate, you should read excerpts at http://books.google.com/books?id=3Y19peQBQfYC&pg=PA149&lpg=PA149&dq=Harvey+Childress+home+guards&source=bl&ots=Je3qrBgGf2&sig=IDovYxQwxnmEUEts9r0gyNyndd4&hl=en&sa=X&ei=XCvuTp2ICM6EsgL99YnWCQ&sqi=2&ved=0CCYQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=Harvey%20Childress%20home%20guards&f=false

While he didn't join the Confederate Army until Feb. 1862 as a memeber of the 1st Kentucky Rifles, he had a unique perspective as a common soldier and the secretary to Gen Humphrey Marshall and recieved and wrote dispatches form the high command. He certainly mentions seeing May's 5th KY at parade and in battle.

GB