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Battle of Middle Creek, Jan 10, 1862

Introduction

Text-to-speech Audio

Events leading up to the Battle of Middle Creek demonstrated the divisions between Kentuckians at the start of the Civil War. During the preceding weeks, men of the 14th Kentucky Infantry (United States) skirmished with men from the 22nd Kentucky Infantry (Confederate States of America). On January 10, 1862, an Ohio regiment led by Colonel James Garfield swung the campaign towards the Union with a decisive victory in the Battle of Middle Creek. Garfield was a college professor at the time of his commision but his victory at Middle Creek spurred a career in politics that culminated with his election to the Presidency.

Images

This historic marker is located near the highway

This historic marker is located near the highway

The battlefield

The battlefield

Backstory and Context

Text-to-speech Audio

In December, 1861, a small Confederate force under Brigadier General Humphrey Marshall moved into Eastern Kentucky in hopes of recruiting men with Confederate sympathies. Marshall secured nearly two thousand recruits but had little time to train these men and even fewer resources to arm and equip them. 

Don Carlos Buell, the Union Commander of the Army of the Ohio, ordered Colonel Garfield and his 1500 men to disrupt Marshall's efforts and retake control of the region. With the aid of pro-Union Kentucky troops, the Ohio troops routed  the Confederate defenders. A week later, Union troops forced the remaining Confederates from Eastern Kentucky in the Battle of Mill Springs. 

Additional Information