Near Prestonsburg in Floyd County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
A Desperate Fight, but Few Casualties
Union losses at Middle Creek were three killed and eighteen wounded. Private Nelson Boggs of the 14th Kentucky was killed during the battle, and Privates Frederick Coffin and William Gaudier of the 42nd Ohio died several days later.
Six men of the 29th Virginia were killed including John Pickett, Oscar Pickett, William Bowers, Leftwich Patton, Stanford L. Jessee, and George McReynolds. Private Nathaniel Cook of Company A, 1st Battalion, Kentucky Mounted Rifles, 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, notwithstanding Marshall’s claim to the contrary.
Confederate losses, according to Marshall’s official report, were ten killed and fourteen wounded. The casualties suffered from 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
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is January 10, 1862.
Location. 37° 39.012′ N, 82° 48.784′ W. Marker is near Prestonsburg, Kentucky, in Floyd County. Marker can be reached from State Highway 114, 0.1 miles east of State Highway 404. Marker is located on the Union Trail at the Middle Creek National Battlefield; the above directions are to the battlefield parking area. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Prestonsburg KY 41653, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Battle of Middle Creek / The Fitzpatrick Farm (within shouting distance of this marker); Eastern Kentucky's Civil War Battles and Skirmishes, 1863-1864 (within shouting distance of this marker); Eastern Kentucky's Civil War Battles and Skirmishes, 1861-1862 (within shouting distance of this marker); Kentuckian versus Kentuckian (II) (within shouting distance of this marker); The Battle of Middle Creek (within shouting distance of this marker); Kentuckian versus Kentuckian (I) (within shouting distance of this marker); Why They Fought Here (within shouting distance of this marker); Kentucky Blue Blood versus Ohio Self-Made Man (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Prestonsburg.
More about this marker. The marker includes an illustration by Douglas Powers and an illustration titled “Garfield Drives Humphrey Marshall Out of Kentucky,” from John Clark Ridpath’s The Life and Work of James A. Garfield (Jones Brothers, 1881).
Also see . . . Middle Creek National Battlefield. Official website of the Middle Creek National Battlefield Foundation. (Submitted on September 7, 2016.)
Credits. This page was last revised on September 7, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 7, 2016, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 427 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 7, 2016, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.