President Abraham Lincoln passed away April 14, 1865.  During the mourning period on April 16, 1865 cannon volleys were fired at Camp Nelson, Kentucky each hour from sunrise to sunset. On April 19, 1865, the day of the funeral, beginning at 12:00 noon a total of 21 volleys, 1 every half hour, were fired.

On April 16 and 19, 2008 members of the reactivated 12th United States Colored Heavy Artillery will commemorate and honor President Lincoln by re-enacting the events of 1865.