Near Middlesboro in Bell County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

REMOVED

SEE LOCATION SECTION

Waiting for the Battle that Never Came

Photographed by Craig Swain, September 5, 2010

1. Waiting for the Battle that Never Came Marker

Inscription. A natural thoroughfare through the Appalachian Mountain barrier, Cumberland Gap assumed great strategic importance in the Civil War. Both sides sought to control the Gap. It changed hands three times, but no battles were fought. Troops garrisoned here, Union and Confederate alike, endured months of inaction and boredom.

Confederate soldier Seth Hannibal Hyatt from Cherokee County, North Carolina, wrote home on April 28, 1863 -
Dear Father and Mother -:
As I can get no letters from home to revive or divert the weary mind, I thought I would put in a few leisure moments in pening you a few lines. Notwithstanding I have nothing new to communicate....
We have some tolerably heavy scouting to do.... We have no war news, everything seems to be still. What can be the matter with the Feds? This time last year they were tickling us on every rib....
I would prefer being in a country where we could have access to the luxuries of country produce. But we cannot expect to live in clover all the time. Since writing the above we have drawed meal, bacon and rice. This is Robisons and Campbells day to cook, they have dinner and supper almost ready

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(for we take both together)....
Col. Heart sent a scout down to Barbersville on the 26th inst. They returned yesterday with five yanks. They took six in the town and one started to run when he instantly bit the dust...
Write soon hope to get some letters today. Your devoted son.
Seth H. Hyatt

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is April 28, 1863.

Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 36° 36.35′ N, 83° 39.96′ W. Marker was near Middlesboro, Kentucky, in Bell County. It could be reached from Pinnacle Road, on the right when traveling east. Located on a foot path from the Pinnacle Overlook parking area to the Fort Lyon site in Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Middlesboro KY 40965, United States of America.

We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.

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

Marker, Parrott Rifle, and Remains of Fort Lyon image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, September 5, 2010

2. Marker, Parrott Rifle, and Remains of Fort Lyon

It was also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

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

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found 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 walking distance of this location: "This American Gibraltar" (here, next to this marker); Top Guns (a few steps from this marker); Pinnacle Overlook (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Gateway to Kaintuck (about 300 feet away); Generations Have Enjoyed this View (about 400 feet away in Virginia); a different marker also named Gateway to Kaintuck (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Pinnacle Overlook (about 400 feet away); Boundaries Settled (about 600 feet away in Virginia). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Middlesboro.

Other markers no longer nearby. Powell's Valley (was about 400 feet away in Virginia but has been confirmed missing); Named for a British Lord (was about 400 feet

Marke and 20-pdr Parrott Rifle image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, September 5, 2010

3. Marke and 20-pdr Parrott Rifle

The 20-pdr Parrott Rifle is a navy model. Note the "loop" at the breech, as opposed to the typical knob seen on army models. The loop was used for a heavy rope which restrained the gun when fired in the confined space on board ships.

away in Virginia but has been confirmed missing); A Maze of Mountains (was about 400 feet away in Virginia but has been confirmed missing).

Also see . . . Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. (Submitted on September 15, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 15, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,341 times since then and 31 times this year. Last updated on October 12, 2022. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 15, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.