CIVIL WAR; FLOYD COUNTY, KY; Battle of Middle Creek & The Fitzpatricks - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Account written by: Cheryl Burton Bokisa CherBok@msn.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - On January 10, 1862 a minor Civil War battle occurred on 300 acres of land. Culminating in a significant union victory, the Battle of Middle Creek influenced the history of Floyd County, and the hearts of the Fitzpatrick family. The strategic value of Kentucky was important to President Lincoln's war effort. The early pattern of confederate victories needed to be reversed. While the route of travel from the Ohio River into Eastern Kentucky (through Pound Gap to Abingdon, VA) needed to be kept open. On December 14, 1861 the 42nd Ohio Regiment was created. These Union blues were placed under the command of Lieutenant Colonel James A. Garfield. His directives were to proceed to the mouth of Big Sandy and obstruct or remove the enemy. These rebel grays were commanded by Brigadier General Humphrey Marshall from Virginia. Garfield established post at Piketon. On December 26, 1861 troops arrived at the mouth of George's Creek. There they divided and traveled seperate routes before arriving at Abbott Creek on January 9, 1862. The battle began in thick mountain fog as troops reached Middle Creek. The confrontation raged to 5:00 p.m., leaving at least fifteen casualities (see below). It was then Garfield reported that the rebels had been driven from the slopes at every point, and forced to return to Virginia. Early on January 11, 1862 Garfield and his men crossed Levisa Fork of Big Sandy and occupied Prestonsburg. This Union victory secured a divided Kentucky in Union fold and brought hope to a disheartened Northern population. The Battle of Middle Creek has also been referred to as a "battle that built a presidency". The victory sped Garfield's rise to Major General, and gained him the attention and popularity that eventually led to the White House. Those precious 300 acres, that hosted this historic episode, belonged to the Fitzpatrick family since 1789. The land remained in the family till 1998. It was then, Frank Fitzpatrick, deeded it over to a private non-profit organization. The skirmish area was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991, and granted National Historic Landmark status in 1992. In October of 2002, the Battlefield was formally dedicated as such, and adds significantly to the rich history that is Floyd's. According to Frank Fitzpatrick's recollection no descendants participated in the war effort on either side. However, their indirect contribution will forever be fondly remembered in the hearts of two great presidents, and the Union blue. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Contributing Sources & Additional Information: The Plain Dealer (Cleveland, OH Newspaper) Sunday, October 27, 2002 issue page A11 Reporter: James Ewinger National Historic Landmarks (NHL) http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=2110&ResourceType=site Middle Creek National Battlefield Foundation http://www.geocities.com/heartland/9999/MiddleCreekFoundationPage.html Kentucky Historic & Environmental Preservation http://www.kytc.state.ky.us/Features/Middlecreek.html Kentucky Civil War Battle Middle Creek American Civil War http://www.americancivilwar.com/statepic/ky/ky005.html - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Union losses at Middle Creek= three killed and eleven wounded Private Nelson Boggs of the 14th Kentucky was killed during the battle Privates Frederick Coffin and William Gaudier of the 42nd Ohio died several days later. Confederate losses, according to Marshall’s official report= ten killed and fourteen wounded. The casualties suffered by the 5th Kentucky Infantry were as follows: Asberry, John B. Co. F Fleming County Killed Cox, George Co. C Bath County Killed Jones, Wm. W. Co. H Bath County Killed Porter, Levi Co. D Carter County Killed Emmons, James Co. C Fleming County Wounded Launders, Moses Co. C Fleming County Wounded McFall, James Co. C Lawrence County Wounded Stafford, James Co. D Morgan County Wounded Winn, Robert Co. D Morgan County Wounded Six men of the 29th Virginia were killed, including: John Pickett Oscar Pickett William Bowers Leftwich Patton Stanford L. Jessee George McReynolds Private Nathaniel Cook of Company A, 1st Battalion, Kentucky Mounted Cavalry, was also killed. A wounded Confederate soldier who survived the battle but died a day later is buried in the Gearheart Cemetery on the Joseph Gearheart Farm near Hueysville, where the Confederates camped during their retreat from Middle Creek. His name and regiment are not known. In other words, our records show that at least twelve Confederates died during or after the battle, not withstanding Marshall's claim to the contrary. Please note this information taken from the Middle Creek National Battlefield Foundation Website (URL listed above) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. 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