West Liberty in Morgan County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

West Liberty - Civil War

Photographed by Mark Hilton, July 13, 2019

1. West Liberty~Civil War Marker

Inscription. The first important engagement in eastern Kentucky occurred here on Oct. 23, 1861. USA forces led by Brig. Gen. Wm. Nelson surprised enemy under Capt. Andrew J. May. Civilian secessionists were captured and jailed Unionists released. Confederate losses 21 dead, 40 wounded, 34 captured. One Union soldier wounded. On Nov. 4, 1861 Gen. Nelson captured Prestonsburg.

Erected 1962 by Kentucky Historical Society, Kentucky Department of Highways. (Marker Number 512.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Kentucky Historical Society series list. A significant historical date for this entry is October 23, 1861.

Location. 37° 55.013′ N, 83° 15.668′ W. Marker is in West Liberty, Kentucky, in Morgan County. It is on Main Street (U.S. 460) south of Gullett Street, on the right when traveling south. In front of Licking River Rural Electric Cooperative. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 271 Main Street, West Liberty KY 41472, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Kentucky and in the Cumberland Plateau.

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 territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 14 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: CSA Gens. Morgan USA (here, next to this marker); Founding of Morgan County / The Old Mill (approx. 0.4 miles away); Swango Springs Spa (approx. 11.4 miles away); USA Gens. Morgan CSA

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(approx. 11.8 miles away); Hazel Green Academy (approx. 11.8 miles away); Skirmish Here / Confederate Raids and Invasions and a Federal Retreat, in Kentucky. (approx. 11.8 miles away); A Masterful Retreat / Confederate Raids and Invasions and a Federal Retreat, in Kentucky. (approx. 13.9 miles away); County Named, 1869 (approx. 13.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in West Liberty.

Another marker is no longer nearby. County Named, 1822 (was approx. ¼ mile away but has been confirmed missing).

View south on Main Street. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, July 13, 2019

2. View south on Main Street.

William "Bull" Nelson (September 27, 1824 – September 29, 1862) image. Click for full size.

Public domain

3. William "Bull" Nelson (September 27, 1824 – September 29, 1862)

Credits. This page was last revised on November 10, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 14, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,173 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 14, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.