Glasgow in Barren County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
Attack on Fort Williams
October 6, 1863
On October 6, 1863 Confederate Col. John M. Hughes, commanding 129 men of the 25th Tennessee Infantry, attacked Fort Wiliams. The 37th Kentucky Mounted Infantry, some 420 men under the command of Maj. Samuel Martin, garrisoned the fort. At the time of the attack 50 men were camped in the court house square and 30 men were out on patrol. At dawn Col. Hughes attacked the men on the square. He then moved onto the fort. He later reported, "We killed 9, wounded 26 and captured 226, together with quartermaster's stores in the amount of $250,000.00. My loss was 1 killed and 4 wounded." The Union prisoners were marched to the Tennessee line where they were paroled.
Maj. Martin's report was somewhat different. He stated that the Confederates had captured 142 men, confiscated 200 horses, 100 carbines, saddles and clothing and had robbed the local bank of $9,000. He reported 13 Confederates wounded, 4 of whom later died. More Union troops arrived in Glasgow the day following the attack and Fort Williams remained in Union control for the rest of the war.
Just four days before the attack on the fort Maj. Martin reported to Gen. Jeremiah T. Boyle "I can keep all of the Rebels now at the Cumberland River out of this place and can whip them anywhere I find them." Perhaps Martin's over confidence, coupled with new recruits and a lack of discipline, allowed a much smaller Confederate force to rout the Union defenders.
This is just one of the many sites along the John Hunt Morgan Trail. Brochures highlighting the entire trail are available at visitor information centers along the route.
Erected by Civil War Discovery Trail.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the John Hunt Morgan Heritage Trail in Kentucky series list. A significant historical date for this entry is October 6, 1863.
Location. 36° 59.876′ N, 85° 55.52′ W. Marker is in Glasgow, Kentucky, in Barren County. Marker is on Fort Williams Way south of Cross Street, in the median. Marker is at the east end of Fort Williams near several other wayside-style markers. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Glasgow KY 42141, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Defending Glasgow (here, next to this marker); General Joseph H. Lewis (here, next to this marker); Fort Williams (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Fort Williams (approx. 0.2 miles away); Glasgow Municipal Cemetery (approx. 0.3 miles away); Billy Vaughn (approx. 0.7 miles away); Barren County World War I Monument (approx. 0.7 miles away); Luska Joseph Twyman (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Glasgow.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 22, 2019. It was originally submitted on March 29, 2014, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. This page has been viewed 778 times since then and 37 times this year. Last updated on February 16, 2019, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on March 29, 2014, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.