Paintsville in Johnson County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

War on the Big Sandy

Photographed by Frank Profitt, March 26, 2021

1. War on the Big Sandy Marker

Inscription. On mission to dislodge CSA from Area, Col. James A. Garfield’s troops reached Paintsville on Jan. 6, 1862. Under threat of USA flank movement on left and rear Gen. Humphrey Marshall abandoned his strong breastworks here at Hager Hill. Moving to Middle Creek he was overtaken on Jan. 10 by large USA force. After engagement Marshall retreated to Virginia.

Erected 1963 by Kentucky Historical Society and Kentucky Department of Highways. (Marker Number 608.)

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 January 6, 1862.

Location. 37° 48.881′ N, 82° 48.415′ W. Marker is in Paintsville, Kentucky, in Johnson County. It is at the intersection of Court Street and 2nd Street on Court Street. It is at the courthouse. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 230 Court St, Paintsville KY 41240, 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,

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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 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: County Named, 1843 (within shouting distance of this marker); Paintsville (approx. ¼ mile away); The Walker Expedition (approx. 0.8 miles away); Morgan’s Last Raid (approx. one mile away); Samuel May / Samuel May House (approx. 9.2 miles away); The May Farm (approx. 9.2 miles away); a different marker also named Morgan’s Last Raid (approx. 10.1 miles away); The Burns House / A Brief History of the Garfield Place (approx. 10.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Paintsville.

Other markers no longer nearby. John C.C. Mayo — “Doer” / John C.C. Mayo — “Dreamer” (was about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been confirmed missing); Jenny (Jennie) Wiley (was approx. 5 miles away

War on the Big Sandy Marker at the Magoffin County Courthouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, October 19, 2019

2. War on the Big Sandy Marker at the Magoffin County Courthouse

but has been confirmed missing); Harman Station (was approx. 5.1 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

More about this marker. This marker was originally erected in Hagerhill, a place south of Paintsville. It appears to have been recast using the same text as the original, which discusses Hager Hill. It was moved here at the courthouse after 2014.

General Humphrey Marshall, CSA image. Click for full size.

Unknown photographer, via Wikipedia Commons, circa 1860

3. General Humphrey Marshall, CSA

James A. Garfield, USA image. Click for full size.

By Mathew Brady, via Wikipedia Commons, circa 1960

4. James A. Garfield, USA

He went on to become the 20th President of the United States.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 29, 2021. It was originally submitted on February 23, 2020, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 607 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 28, 2021, by Frank Profitt of Georgetown, Kentucky. 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 23, 2020, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.