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This was a battle during the "Civil War" or "War for Southern Independence" as I prefer to call it. It occurred October 21, 1861 in the very northern part of Laurel County Kentucky. The Federal Troops had an encampment on the "Old Wilderness Road" to block entry of Confederate Troops to central Kentucky.
A batallion of about 600 Indiana Troops backed up by 1st Kentucky Cavalry (US) hurried to A steep hill called "Hoosier Knob" now and set up earthworks and Log fortifications. The Tennessee Confederate troops attempted to Attack up the steep hill but were repulsed due to Terrain and good fortifications.
It was about the same as the famous battle at Little Round Top but steeper. This hill is inaccessible on 2 sides due to a 20 ft cliff
and the Federal Army had managed to drag 2 Cannon to the top of the hill using 100 men and mules.
The Federals lost 5 KIA and the Confederates lost 11 KIA. Confederate General Felix Zollicoffer decided to withdraw back to Cumberland gap but a large trench system was Dug the next day in case the Confederates decided to return. The trenches are still clearly visible.
A rock shelter on the way to the top.
About 10 years after the battle the Confederate soldiers bodies were dug up ( from a mass grave) and moved to a Cemetary at Crab Orchard Ky about 25 miles away. There is a monument there and a ring of gravestones. I had photos of this but they were on Photobucket.
The next year, General Zollicoffer was killed at the Battle of Mill Springs as he tried to invade via Wayne county and Nancy Ky.
There is a Confederate cemetery and a monument at that location.
By the way, there was almost another battle "Here" as BLM was reported to be bringing 2 bus loads of "Protesters" to this site to overturn this monument. The Sheriff passed the word and about 400 Armed county Residents took up positions to keep this from happening. The Busses turned around and went back to Lexington.
This could have gone "off the rails" real quick.
A batallion of about 600 Indiana Troops backed up by 1st Kentucky Cavalry (US) hurried to A steep hill called "Hoosier Knob" now and set up earthworks and Log fortifications. The Tennessee Confederate troops attempted to Attack up the steep hill but were repulsed due to Terrain and good fortifications.
It was about the same as the famous battle at Little Round Top but steeper. This hill is inaccessible on 2 sides due to a 20 ft cliff
and the Federal Army had managed to drag 2 Cannon to the top of the hill using 100 men and mules.
The Federals lost 5 KIA and the Confederates lost 11 KIA. Confederate General Felix Zollicoffer decided to withdraw back to Cumberland gap but a large trench system was Dug the next day in case the Confederates decided to return. The trenches are still clearly visible.
A rock shelter on the way to the top.
About 10 years after the battle the Confederate soldiers bodies were dug up ( from a mass grave) and moved to a Cemetary at Crab Orchard Ky about 25 miles away. There is a monument there and a ring of gravestones. I had photos of this but they were on Photobucket.
The next year, General Zollicoffer was killed at the Battle of Mill Springs as he tried to invade via Wayne county and Nancy Ky.
There is a Confederate cemetery and a monument at that location.
By the way, there was almost another battle "Here" as BLM was reported to be bringing 2 bus loads of "Protesters" to this site to overturn this monument. The Sheriff passed the word and about 400 Armed county Residents took up positions to keep this from happening. The Busses turned around and went back to Lexington.
This could have gone "off the rails" real quick.