The Fight for Big Hill: The 1st Georgia Cavalry Opens the Kentucky Campaign

General Edmund Kirby Smith’s invasion of Kentucky began on August 13, 1862, and was spearheaded by the two regiments of his cavalry command, the 1st Louisiana and the 1st Georgia. Starting out for Kentucky, “joy seemed to pervade the very souls of the entire command,” one Georgian recalled. “They moved with cheerfulness and alacrity, anticipating a stirring time.”

Ten days later, the cavalrymen had a stirring time when they learned that a Federal wagon train bound for Cumberland Gap near Big Hill a few miles southeast of Richmond, Kentucky. Taking position atop the hill, the Georgians soon got into a fight with the rookie 7th Kentucky Cavalry (US) under Colonel Leonidas Metcalfe and a portion of the 3rd Tennessee (US) under Lieutenant Colonel John C. Chiles. 

After pushing the Kentuckians off Big Hill, the Confederate cavalry pursued the fleeing bluecoats before running into the 3rd Tennessee at the Merritt Jones tavern at the foot of the hill. “The Yankees had a very strong position on the side of a hill and under cover of heavy timbers and thick undergrowth," our correspondent noted. "The firing was regular and the contest was severe. After exhausting the supply of our artillery ammunition (which was small), a forward movement was ordered by Colonel Scott. The 1st Georgia Cavalry except Co. A had been dismounted and under the command of Colonel Morrison and Major Harper made a flank movement to the right and succeeded in turning the enemy’s left wing. Then the Louisiana cavalry, amid a heavy fire, mounted and rushed to the charge. Co. A of the 1st Georgia, Ector’s Dragoons, led in this charge. In a few moments, the Yankees were completely routed and the retreat became general.”

The Georgian’s account of the opening 10 days of the Kentucky campaign first saw publication in the September 16, 1862, edition of the Atlanta Southern Confederacy.

 

A Union supply train headed south to Cumberland Gap became the target of about 700 Confederate cavalrymen under the command of Colonel John Scott and resulted in the action at Big Hill on August 23, 1862. The 7th Kentucky Cavalry, scarcely in uniform for a week, fell back in confusion once Scott opened with his artillery. 

Headquarters, Camp Scott on Big Hill, Kentucky

August 26, 1862

          On the 13th instant at 5 p.m., we received orders to march into Kentucky. Joy seemed to pervade the very souls of the entire command and they moved with cheerfulness and alacrity, anticipating a stirring time.

          We left Kingston, Tennessee and passed through Montgomery in Morgan County and Jamestown in Prentiss County, Tennessee. At the latter place, a small party of our men dashed into town and arrested some suspicious characters. Here we rested a few hours during a great rainstorm. The next morning at 2 o’clock we were on the march to Monticello, Wayne Co., Kentucky which we reached in a few hours and had a lively time with the Home Guards who were soon dispersed and then camped for the night.

          At 2 o’clock the next morning, the merry voices of our whole command gave note of our departure and we were off for Somerset in Pulaski County. We crossed Fishing Creek and scaled the hills with almost magic speed. At Somerset, we found everything astir. A considerable quantity of clothing, commissary stores, and arms were burned. We were off again and soon reached London, having marched 170 miles in 70 hours, nearly all the way to the tune of Dixie and others so common to Southern boys.

          New scenes opened to us at London. We had one hour’s sharpshooting after which the town was ours with 205 prisoners, 170 wagons, and 290 mules and horses with a large lot of stores, arms, ammunition, etc., but our losses were few. At 11 a.m., a scouting party of 55 men under Captain James H. Strickland advanced eight miles towards Barbourville in the direction of Cumberland Gap, cautiously examining the country and making efforts to learn the strength of the enemy. This party was attacked by an infantry force of the enemy and a skirmish ensued. Our boys fell back with the loss on our side of three wounded; two of the enemy were known to be killed.

Captain James H. Strickland
Co. A, 1st Georgia Cavalry

          After cutting the telegraph wires and doing everything necessary and proper, we marched three miles out from London and soon we were all asleep and rested for two days. Colonel James J. Morrison and Major A.R. Harper with nine companies (six of the 1st Georgia Cavalry and three of Scott’s Louisiana cavalry, some 300 men) then marched in the direction of Mount Vernon in Rockcastle County with one piece of artillery. This proved to be a somewhat perilous trip as the country is quite broken and very difficult for cavalry to move through. The march will never be forgotten by any of the party. The vigilance, coolness, and valor of all the officers and men could not be surpassed. We soon passed the never-to-be-forgotten spot where the Wild Cat fight took place. It is a very strong position. A few miles further, we encamped for the night.

          Early next morning, we marched into Mount Vernon capturing a number of Home Guards and Federal soldiers, 76 wagons, 235 mules, and a large quantity of commissary stores. Early in the day, a small detachment was sent out towards Crab Orchard in Lincoln County. The enemy was found to be too strong for us, however. We remained near Mount Vernon all day and night and the next day fell back 17 miles. Here we were joined by Colonel John Scott with 250 men and two more pieces of artillery. That night, we moved back to Mount Vernon and the next morning occupied the town. Early in the day, skirmishing took place between the scouts. Soon our entire force was in line of battle north of town on Crab Orchard road. We advanced two miles and learned that a large force of the enemy had come up to Rockcastle Creek on the Richmond road.

The action at Big Hill occurred along what is today KY-421 and has both a Kentucky historical marker and the interpretive panel above explaining what occurred on August 23, 1862. A week later, Kirby Smith's army of about 7,000 men would clash with two brigades of newly raised Union infantry at the Battle of Richmond just a few miles northwest of Big Hill. The Confederate victory, one of the most lopsided of the war, opened the Kentucky Bluegrass to Confederate occupation and sent a wave of panic into Ohio and Indiana in the early days of September. 

          We then fell back, crossed the mountains, and the next day pushed on towards Richmond. Soon the enemy was reported to be in force near Big Hill on the Richmond road. They drove in our advance guard and the fight became general. The Yankees had a very strong position on the side of a hill and under cover of heavy timbers and thick undergrowth. The firing was regular and the contest was severe.

After exhausting the supply of our artillery ammunition (which was small), a forward movement was ordered by Colonel Scott (see "Riding with Scott's Louisiana Cavalry"). The 1st Georgia Cavalry except Co. A had been dismounted and under the command of Colonel Morrison and Major Harper made a flank movement to the right and succeeded in turning the enemy’s left wing. Then the Louisiana cavalry, amid a heavy fire, mounted and rushed to the charge. Co. A of the 1st Georgia, Ector’s Dragoons, led in this charge. In a few moments, the Yankees were completely routed and the retreat became general.

          After pursuing them a considerable distance down the mountains, which was quite difficult, it was discovered that they had succeeded in reaching a strong position and determined on making a stand. A creek ran across the road and over it a bridge on which had been placed some wagons, blocking up the passage. The creek flowed through a ditch three feet deep in front of which there was a fence. The mountain was within 60 yards of the bridge along the side of which was a trail in which a wagon had been placed to block it up.

          After some firing, the order was given to charge which was gallantly done with Ector’s Dragoons under Major Harper leading the charge. The enemy’s fire was severe, the ditch crossed, and the enemy driven from their strong position. After firing all their guns, the little band fell back across the ditch, halted, and reloaded. At this moment, Ector’s Dragoons were joined by Lieutenant Colonel Crabb and his command the charge was again made in gallant style. The charge now became general. It was led by Colonel Morrison and the gallant old hero Captain Haynie. The Louisiana cavalry and the Buckner Guards bore a conspicuous part in this grand charge. The enemy fled and was pursued for several miles. The victory was decisive resulting in the capture of a large number of prisoners.

          The Georgians then under Morrison and Harper marched 25 miles that night and took a position on the Lexington road. Early the next morning, learning that the strength of the enemy was too great to meet, we marched back to Big Hill where we are now encamped. Captain James Strickland of Co. A led his company in both charges and his subordinate officers and men displayed the highest courage. Lieutenants Taylor and Warthen went forward with the captain. It would be invidious to particularize the men of the command where all did so well, but Privates Goodman, Brown, Roane, Holland, Stevens, and Benton displayed unusual coolness and heroism such as seldom seen in anyone while Sergeant Strickland had three horses shot from under him.

Source:

Letter from unnamed officer, 1st Georgia Cavalry, Southern Confederacy (Georgia), September 16, 1862, pg. 2

Comments

Post a Comment

Most Popular Posts

Arming the Buckeyes: Longarms of the Ohio Infantry Regiments

Image
     A common question that comes up in conversation about Civil War Buckeye regiments is "What were they armed with?" We are fortunate in that the state of Ohio kept good records of how the regiments were armed when they went into service, this being especially true for those regiments which went into service in 1861 and 1862. The state adjutant general's reports for 1861 and 1862 have been heavily drawn upon to construct this article, as well as consultation with Phil Spaugy who has done extensive research on how Ohio's troops were armed during the war.      Buckeyes carried a fairly wide variety of weapons into the field, and the below article breaks this down into weapons of both domestic manufacture and imported arms. The early days of the war found the state of Ohio practically bereft of longarms; as an example, when the 1st and 2nd Ohio Volunteer Militia left the state in late April 1861, they left unarmed, being armed at Lancaster, Pennsylvania on their way to
Read more

Dressing the Rebels: How to Dye Butternut Jeans Cloth

Image
     In the early days of the Civil War,  the Southern states found themselves with an abundance of cotton but a shortage of cloth with which to make army uniforms. The trade in cloth prior to the war had largely been to send raw cotton or wool north to New England (or Great Britain) where it was converted into usable cloth; but now that trade was broken and the Southern states were thrown upon their own resources in their efforts to properly clothe the Confederate army.  This collection of Confederate enlisted men's frock coats and shell jackets gives some indication of the variety of shades of butternut worn during the war. All of them are shades of yellow brown, some heavier on the yellow and some heavier on the brown. The blue used around the collar or as rank insignia indicates that the soldier was in the infantry. Surviving Confederate uniforms are considered rather rare and command quite a healthy price in the collecting market. For an in-depth study of how Confederate jacke
Read more

Bullets for the Union: Manufacturing Small Arms Ammunition During the Civil War

Image
       Civil War bullets are perhaps the most common item collected from the era; the two armies expended bullets by the millions during the four years’ conflict and spent or deformed bullets of all shapes and sizes have made fascinating and affordable collectibles since the guns went silent in 1865.       I recently acquired a display piece featuring 35 different types of small arms ammunition used during the Civil War, including everything from a small .28 caliber ball up to a .69 caliber three-ring Minie and it triggered some questions: how did the Federal army obtain its small arms ammunition during the war? Where did the lead come from to make the bullets, and where and how was the ammunition manufactured? This post seeks to answer those questions. A typical .58 caliber 3-ring Minie bullet   “Whenever the blasts of war blow in the ears of men who trade in the implements of destruction, they are apt to experience more joy than the true warrior, for then comes the harvest of gain.
Read more

The Vaunted Enfield Rifle Musket

Image
     The English-made Model 1853 .577 caliber Enfield Rifle Musket was widely regarded as the best infantry arm in the world at the outbreak of the Civil War in April 1861. Favorable international press describing its efficiency in the Crimean War and in suppressing the Indian rebellion led to the widespread desire of American infantrymen (both Federal and Confederate) to be armed with these accurate and well-made arms. The lock plate of this well-worn P1853 Enfield rifle musket produced in 1862 shows the typical markings of a British-made weapon that made it through the Federal blockade.  ( Army of Tennessee Relics ) Enfield-pattern weapons were imported into the states by the tens and hundreds of thousands during the war years; one estimate stated that the Federal government purchased 500,000 while the Confederates purchased another 400,000. The Confederate government dispatched Captain Caleb Huse to Europe in April 1861 to purchase weapons and Huse focused on securing all the Enfi
Read more

In front of Atlanta with the 68th Ohio

Image
  The arrow corps badge of the 17th Army Corps was worn by many members of the 68th Ohio in the latter days of the war.       Private Edward A. Bigelow of Co. F of the 68th Ohio Volunteer Infantry wrote this brief account of the Battle of Atlanta just two days afterwards to his father back home in Henry County, Ohio. The regiment formed a part of Colonel Robert K. Scott's three regiment all-Ohio brigade consisting of the 20th, 68th, and 78th regiments, being designated the Second Brigade of the Third Division of Frank Blair's 17th Army Corps. Bigelow's letter originally appeared in the Napoleon Press newspaper and was copied in the Toledo Daily Commercial which was providential as no known copies exist today of the wartime Napoleon Press.  
Read more

Straw Already Threshed: Sherman on Shiloh

Image
  W illiam Tecumseh Sherman was enjoying retired life in New York City when just before Christmas in 1889 he was presented with an article written by John Cockerill, a former drummer boy in the 24 th Ohio who was visiting his father Colonel Joseph Cockerill of the 70 th Ohio of Sherman’s division when the Battle of Shiloh began. Cockerill’s article, originally published in the New York Journalist and later featured in the January 1893 issue of Blue & Gray Magazine, Sherman later pronounced as “the best war story ever written” and the truest account of Shiloh.           On New Year’s Day 1890, General Sherman composed the following letter to his friend Marshall P. Wilder thanking him for sending along Cockerill’s article and giving his own explanation of Shiloh. “This to me is straw already threshed for we have fought this battle on paper several times, a much more agreeable task than to fight with bullets,” he concluded. “When in England some years ago I was gratified to liste
Read more

Globules of Adipose Pomposity: Top 11 Worst Buckeye Colonels of the Civil War

Image
Ohio Colonels in the Civil War "They weren't all heroes."      It stands to reason that somewhere in the over 200 regimental-sized organizations that Ohio fielded during the war, a bad apple or two would end up in command. Today's article tackles this admittedly sensitive subject with a top 11 list of Buckeye colonels  who exited the service under less than honorable circumstances during the Civil War. It's a list of cowards, drunks, incompetents, and outright scoundrels whose record adds color (or rather off color) to Ohio's history in the Civil War and is "history that deserves to be remembered."       They are presented in the rough chronological order of their exit from the service. 
Read more

Charging Battery Robinett: An Alabama Soldier Recalls the Vicious Fighting at Corinth

Image
W riting 30 years after the Battle of Corinth, James A. McKinstry of the 42 nd Alabama recalled his experiences storming Battery Robinett with Colonel William P. Rogers of the 2 nd Texas and expressed guilt that it was perhaps his action that brought about the colonel’s demise. “On seeing a line of Federals approaching, and before giving the situation a thought, I immediately raised my gun and fired full into the breast of a Federal sergeant, who was in front of the column, and only a short distance from us.  'Twas then that Captain George Foster shouted, "Cease firing, men! cease firing!" and waved his handkerchief, then I realized the true situation. 'Twas too late! That fatal volley had been turned on our little band from the muzzles of 1,500 muskets. I was still standing just as I was when I fired my last shot, and within a few feet of Colonel Rogers, when a Minie ball went crashing through my left hip and turned me half round; another went tearing through my
Read more

Federal Arms in the Stones River Campaign

Image
  T he following list, constructed after many years of research, lists unit by unit which type of weapons were carried by the Army of the Cumberland during the Stones River campaign. A number of sources were consulted including state ordnance reports, Federal quarterly ordnance reports (thank you Research Arsenal ), Ken Baumann’s Arming the Suckers, regimental histories and memoirs, captured ordnance reports, and consultation with knowledgeable experts in the field of firearms. Some of this information has been shared on the blog before in “ Rosy’s Heavy Metal: Artillery of the Army of the Cumberland ” or “ Shoulder Arms: How Sheridan’s and Davis’s Divisions Were Armed at Stones River ” but this is the first time the army as a whole has been presented. The overall conclusion I drew from looking at this data is that the Army of the Cumberland in December 1862 was an organization in the midst of transformation as far as arms. Many of the regiments still retained their original issue
Read more

I Don't Thirst for More Fight: An Iron Brigade Sergeant Remembers Gainesville and Second Bull Run

Image
The men of General John Gibbon's brigade became known as the Black Hat Brigade since they wore the regulation black Hardee hats like the one shown above that belonged to a soldier in Co. C of the 2nd Wisconsin. Comprised entirely of western regiments (19th Indiana, 2nd, 6th, and 7th Wisconsin, later to be joined by the 24th Michigan), the brigade became well known as "one of the most colorful and distinguished brigades that fought for the Union," stated historian Alan Nolan. After proving their mettle at Gainesville, Second Bull Run, South Mountain, and Antietam, they became known as the Iron Brigade of the Army of the Potomac. The red circle on the hat dates from 1863 and represents the corps badge for the First Brigade of the First Division of the I Army Corps.  The fight at Gainesville, Virginia on August 28, 1862, marked the first time Sergeant Willie Hutchins of Co. B of the 6 th Wisconsin of the Iron Brigade had seen action. The former native of Vermont struggled w
Read more