Along with the Southern Historical Society Papers, it helped to mold the beginnings of the "Lost Cause" philosophical movement.
In order to make best use of the accumulated material, it was decided in August 1882 to found a magazine, the first issue of which was proposed for publication in September 1882.
In its first year of publication, 80% of the material was based on the Western Theater of the War, underlining its Kentucky heritage.
Reflecting its time, the magazine also argued that blacks had no self-respect, but would eventually produce their own poets and artists.
The publishers of Home and Farm, B. F. Avery and Sons, purchased it in May 1885 and gave operational control of the magazine to Basil W. Duke and Richard W. Knott.