CIVIL WAR; FLOYD COUNTY, KY: BATTLE OF IVY MOUNTAIN 
& Brig. Gen. William Nelson
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
Account written by: Cheryl Burton Bokisa
                    Cherbok@msn.com
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Battel of Ivy Mountain   
Other Names: Battle of Ivy Creek, Battle of Ivy Narrows 

Location: Floyd County 

Campaign: Kentucky Confederate Offensive (1861) 

Date(s): November 8-9, 1861 

Principal Commanders: Brig. Gen. William Nelson and Col. 
Joshua W. Sill [US]; Col. John S. Williams [CS] 

Forces Engaged: Combination of detachments from twelve Union 
Ohio and Kentucky units [US]; nine companies of infantry and 
two of mounted men (1,010 men) [CS] 

Estimated Casualties: 293 total (US 30; CS 263) 

Description: During recruitment in southeast Kentucky, Rebels under 
Col. John S. Williams ran short of ammunition at Prestonsburg and 
fell back to Pikeville to replenish their supply. Brig. Gen. William 
Nelson sent out a detachment from near Louisa under Col. Joshua Sill 
while he started out from Prestonsburg with a larger force in an attempt
to disable the Rebels. Williams prepared for evacuation, hoping 
for time to reach Virginia, and sent out a cavalry force to meet Nelson 
about eight miles from Pikeville. The Rebel cavalry escaped, and Nelson 
continued on his way. Williams then met Nelson at a point northeast of 
Pikeville between Ivy Mountain and Ivy Creek. Waiting by a narrow bend 
in the road, the Rebels surprised the Yankees by firing upon their 
constricted ranks. A battle ensued, but neither side advanced. 
As the shooting continued, Williams’s men placed trees across the road and 
burned bridges to slow Nelson’s pursuing force. Night approached and rain 
began which, along with the obstructions, convinced Nelson’s men to go into 
camp. In the meantime, Williams retreated into Virginia, stopping in Abingdon 
on the 9th. Sill’s force arrived too late to be of use, but he did skirmish 
with the remnants of Williams’s retreating force before he occupied Pikeville 
on the 9th. This bedraggled Confederate force retreated back into Virginia 
for succor. The Union forces consolidated their power in eastern Kentucky 
mountains. 

Result(s): Union victory (Indecisive, but Confederates withdrew.) 

Name NELSON, William "Bull" 
Born September 27 1824, Maysville, Mason County,KY 
Died September 29 1862, Louisville, Jefferson County, KY 
Pre-War Profession Midshipman, Naval Service, Mexican War. 
War Service 1861 organized Union troops in Kentucky, September 1861 
appointed Brig. Gen. of Volunteers, commanded 4th Division at Shiloh 
also, advance on Corinth, July 1862 promoted Maj. Gen. of Volunteers, 
Richmond KY, organized defense of Louisville, killed by Gen. J C Davis. 
Notes Davis shot Nelson after being relieved from command. 

The Ivy Mountain Battlefield Monument: 
 
The Ivy Mountain Battlefield Monument is located on U.S. Route 23 between 
Prestonsburg and Pikeville. It stands on Kentucky Highway Department 
property a few hundred yards north of the Ivel Post Office and the mouth 
of Ivy Creek. It was here, on November 8th, 1861, that the Battle of Ivy 
Mountain was fought. Plans are in the works to landscape the land around 
the monument and create a small picnic area on the riverbank below it. 
The two fiberglass panels which flank the monument will contain pictures, 
maps, and texts giving further information about the battle and the people 
who fought it.   
 
*************************************************************************
USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE:  These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in 
any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons.  
Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the 
written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the 
submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this 
consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to 
store the file permanently for free access.http://www.usgwarchives.net
************************************************************************