Civil War Action at Scottsville
Scottsville, Allen County, Kentucky
Marker Inscription
Civil War Action. Confederate forces of 200 under Col. John M. Hughs attacked here, Dec. 8, 1863. Twelve days earlier he had attacked Monticello, Ky., captured then paroled garrison of 153 men; no supplies. Continuing to harass USA forces, seek stores, he came here, captured and paroled garrison of 86. Secured quantity of store, saddles, bridles, and 500 stand of small arms.
Erected by Kentucky Historical Society
The Story
In December 1863, Confederate Colonel John M. Hughs led about 200 men in a raid on Scottsville, capturing and paroling its Union garrison of 86 and carrying off arms, saddles, and supplies. It was one stop in a wider campaign of harassment; twelve days earlier he had struck Monticello, paroling a larger garrison there. Such raids kept scattered Union outposts in the Kentucky-Tennessee borderland under constant pressure.
Why it matters
These small but persistent Confederate raids reveal the guerrilla-style warfare that plagued the Union's hold on the divided border country throughout the Civil War.
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Related people
- · John M. Hughs
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