Henry Cornelius Burnett, a former member of the United States House of Representatives, helped organize the regiment and was commissioned its colonel, but he never took active command.
Burnett had joined the regiment prior to the battle, again not commanding, but escaped capture by leaving on a river boat with Brig.
The regiment fought under Generals Earl Van Dorn and John C. Pemberton during the Vicksburg Campaign.
Prior to the surrender of Vicksburg on July 4, 1863, Colonel Hylan Benton Lyon and 250 men of the 8th Kentucky managed to fight their way out.
In Spring 1864, the 8th Kentucky was converted to mounted infantry and fought the remainder of the war as dragoons.