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FRANKFORT, Ky. - The Department of Parks has purchased memorabilia of a Civil War colonel who commanded a Union regiment at the fort that stood at present-day Columbus-Belmont State Park.

"We're delighted to acquire this valuable collection for display at our museum at Columbus-Belmont," said Parks Commissioner George Ward. "One of our most important priorities in the park system is to preserve and interpret our state's rich history. We actually tried to purchase a larger collection during a recent live action that allowed on line bidding. The bidding was more than our budget so we were unsuccessful. When we learned that the collection was broken up and these specific Col. Bigelow items were for sale, we jumped at the chance to buy them."

Lt. Col. John C. Bigelow was acting head of the 134th Illinois Infantry Regiment, which was stationed at Fort DeRussey in the summer of 1864, according to local historian John Kelly Ross Jr.

Col. Bigelow began the war as part of a famous drill team known for its fancy uniforms with distinctive, baggy pants, copied from those of North African troops in the 1830s known as the Zouaves (pronounced ZOO ahvs). Among the items purchased was a pair of Col. Bigelow's Zouave leggings.

Other items purchased were Col. Bigelow's officer's sash, several military manuals, a "housewife" (the term used at the time to describe a sewing kit!), and photographs of Col. Bigelow after the war.

The department bought 10 items in all from an antique dealer at a cost of $4,750. A collector told the department that the historically significant items were a bargain at the price. In addition, the department paid a $1,000 usage fee to another dealer to have unlimited use of copies of photographs of Bigelow's regiment. The photos are reproduced from a Stereoscope that sold recently at auction for $12,500. The copies are the first ever made from the set, and will offer to historians a revealing glimpse into the area's Civil War past, Commissioner Ward noted.

"We look forward to displaying these items at the newly renovated museum," Ward said. "They will provide deeper insight into Columbus-Belmont as a historic landmark."