Kingsport in Sullivan County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Battle of Kingsport

Photographed by Mark Hilton, September 10, 2017

1. Battle of Kingsport Monument

Inscription.
On December 13, 1864 approx. 300 Confederate cavalrymen from 2nd Ky. Cav. under Col. R. Morgan delayed the advancing 5,500 Union cavalry under Gen. Stoneman enroute to Saltville, Va.. This monument is dedicated to those brave Confederates and those from East Tennessee who served in defense of their Southern homeland.

Erected 1986 by John Singleton Mosby Camp No. 1409 Sons of Confederate Veterans.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Sons of Confederate Veterans/United Confederate Veterans series list. A significant historical date for this entry is December 13, 1864.

Location. 36° 32.934′ N, 82° 36.732′ W. Marker is in Kingsport, Tennessee, in Sullivan County. It can be reached from the intersection of Netherland Inn Road and Riverwoods Place, on the left when traveling west. Located at the Kingsport Greenbelt park at the confluence of the North & South Forks of the Holston River. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Kingsport TN 37660, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East Tennessee

and

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in the Tri-Cities Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

the State of Franklin,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named Battle of Kingsport (within shouting distance of this marker); The Great Indian Warpath (approx. 0.3 miles away); Colonel Gilbert Christian (approx. one mile away); Flatboat (approx. one mile away); The Boat Yard (approx. one mile away); Netherland Inn / King's Boat Yard (approx. one mile away); The Old Schoolhouse (approx. one mile away); Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kingsport.

Regarding Battle of Kingsport. Colonel R.(Richard) Morgan is the brother of General John Hunt Morgan.

General

Battle of Kingsport Monument (reverse side) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, September 10, 2017

2. Battle of Kingsport Monument (reverse side)

The North Fork of the Holston River is in the background.

Stoneman had left Knoxville, Tennessee, to raid Confederate targets in Virginia: the salt works at Saltville, the lead works at Wytheville and the iron works in Marion. While Col. Morgan's small band held off a main Union force under Major General Alvan Cullem Gillem on the opposite side the Holston River, Col. Samuel Patton took a force of cavalry to a ford in the river 2.5 miles north and came down behind the Confederates. Out-numbered, out-flanked and demoralized by the bitter winter weather, Col. Morgan surrendered. The Confederates suffered 18 dead, and 84 prisoners of war were sent to a Union prison in Knoxville.

View of monument south towards the Holston Rivers. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, September 10, 2017

3. View of monument south towards the Holston Rivers.

View of monument looking north, uphill towards parking lot, along Netherland Inn Road. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, September 10, 2017

4. View of monument looking north, uphill towards parking lot, along Netherland Inn Road.

Walking trails here are along the North & South Forks of the Holston River.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 11, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,679 times since then and 99 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 11, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.