The 17th Kentucky Infantry was organized in December, 1861, at Calhoon Kentucky, under Colonel Jno. H. McHenry, jr., and was mustered into the United States service on the 4th day of January, 1862, at Calhoon, Kentucky, by Captain Jno. E. Edwards, 3d United States Artillery, Mustering Officer.

Immediately after organization it was placed upon active duty, and proceeded to the front. In April, 1862, this regiment and the 25th Kentucky, having been so much reduced by disease and the ordinary exigencies of the service, an order was issued for their consolidation, the regiment to retain the name of the 17th. The 25th Kentucky, under Colonel J. M. Shakleford, was thus consolidated and lost its designation, but during its existence won great distinction for the unflinching valor displayed by both officers and men in the battles of Fort Donelson and Shiloh, Tennessee.

The new organization, under command of Colonel McHenry, numbering over a thousand men, was one of the most gallant regiments from Kentucky, and won the admiration of all for the prompt and efficient manner in which it performed the duties assigned it. In December, 1862, Lieutenant Colonel A. M. Stout was commissioned Colonel, and commanded the regiment until its final muster-out.

It has participated in the following named engagements in which loss was sustained, viz: Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Chickamauga, Kenesaw Mountain, Corinth, Atlanta, Marietta, Kingston, Georgia; Dallas, Georgia; Cassville, Georgia; New Hope Church, Georgia, and Altoona Mountain, Georgia.

It was mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky, on the 23d January, 1865, the recruits and veterans being transferred to the 21st Kentucky Veteran Infantry.