Near Munfordville in Hart County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

Fort Craig

Battle and Siege of Munfordville

— September 14 - 17, 1862 —

Fort Craig Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, August 9, 2015

1. Fort Craig Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

The mound on the hilltop before you is Fort Craig, a five-pointed earthen “star fort” that saw the fiercest fighting of the Civil War Battle and Siege of Munfordville, September 14-17, 1862. Forces of the 7th, 9th, and 29th Mississippi Infantry, Richards’ Battalion of Sharpshooters, and Garrity’s Section of Ketchum’s Battery assaulted the works from three sides, only to withdraw in confusion. The Union defenders—the 67th Indiana Infantry under command of Col. John T. Wilder—defended their position with two cannons. Their regimental leader, Major Augustus H. Abbett, was shot dead from the ramparts as he rallied his men. The 34-star Union flag that flew here was perforated 146 times by rebel bullets. In spite of their efforts, within two days, they surrendered their fortifications to Confederate General Braxton Bragg’s overwhelming army.

Erected by Battle for the Bridge Historic Preserve.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is September 14, 1862.

Location. 37° 15.555′

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N, 85° 53.322′ W. Marker is near Munfordville, Kentucky, in Hart County. Marker can be reached from Charlie Dowling Road, 0.3 miles north of S. Dixie Highway (U.S. 31W). Marker is Stop #5 on the Battlefield Loop (Walking) Trail at the Battle for the Bridge Historic Preserve; the above directions are to the trailhead. Parking is available at the Anthony Woodson Farm of the Battle for the Bridge Historic Preserve, which is directly east of the trailhead, but is accessed from S. Dixie Highway (US 31W) 0.3 miles north of its intersection with Charlie Dowling Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 370 Charlie Dowling Rd, Munfordville KY 42765, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Battle of Munfordville (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); L&N Railroad Bridge (about 700 feet away); Kentucky and the Western War (about 800 feet away); The Raider (about 800 feet away); Anthony Woodson Farm (approx. 0.2 miles away); Battle of Munfordville: Day 1 (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Woodson Farm (approx. 0.2 miles away); Battle of Munfordville: Siege (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Munfordville.

More about this marker. The marker includes a “Wood engraving from Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper, October 15, 1862, from a drawing by Henri Lovie”.

The marker notes, “Fort Craig has been preserved with the help of Green River Cemetery and Fort Craig, Inc.”

Also see . . . Battle for the Bridge Historic Preserve. Official website of the preserve. (Submitted on September 9, 2015.)

Battlefield Loop Trail to Stop 5 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, August 9, 2015

2. Battlefield Loop Trail to Stop 5

Fort Craig Marker is at top of trail

Battle of Munfordville Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, April 6, 2011

3. Battle of Munfordville Marker

Fort Craig site. Marker on the right.
Photo courtesy of Contributor Lee Hattabaugh from previous visit

Photographed By Duane Hall, August 9, 2015

4. Fort Craig Marker

Fort Craig is to right of marker at grove of trees

Fort Craig as viewed from Trailhead image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, August 9, 2015

5. Fort Craig as viewed from Trailhead

View to northwest
Fort Craig in left center background

Marker and Fort Craig image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, April 6, 2011

6. Marker and Fort Craig

Fort Craig marker is at center below the fort
Photo courtesy of Contributor Lee Hattabaugh from previous visit

Battlefield Loop Trail Headed Towards Trailhead image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, August 9, 2015

7. Battlefield Loop Trail Headed Towards Trailhead

View to southeast from marker location

Photographed By Duane Hall, August 9, 2015

8. Fort Craig

As viewed from the south

Walls of Fort Craig image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, August 9, 2015

9. Walls of Fort Craig

Photographed By Bradley Owen, October 13, 2019

10. Fort Craig

Credits. This page was last revised on January 8, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 9, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,121 times since then and 111 times this year. Last updated on January 4, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 9, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. 3. submitted on April 20, 2011, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. 4, 5. submitted on September 9, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. 6. submitted on April 20, 2011, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. 7, 8, 9. submitted on September 9, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. 10. submitted on July 8, 2020, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.