Federal Attack at Red Hill

Federal Attack at Red Hill. . , On January 15, 1865 an early morning clash occurred here on the Thomas Noble farm between Federal forces led by col. William J. Palmer’s 15th Pennsylvania Cavalry of 180 men and Confederate Gen. Hylon B. Lyon’s 250 men from two Kentucky cavalry brigades of the 3rd, 7th, 12th, 16th , and Sypert’s regiments., Over 100 Confederates were taken prisoners, including Gen. Lyon, who managed to escape by shooting Federal Sgt. Arthur Peace Lyon (no relation) and escaping out a back window., In retaliation for the death of Sgt. Lyon, a popular Federal soldier, the Yankees burned most of the plantations and other farms as they marched north along Brown’s Valley to the Tennessee River. Later that day Federal gunboats Grant, Sherman, and Burnside put marines ashore and burned most of the buildings in the Fort Deposit area, including several stores and the Methodist church. The Fennell house was spared because the Fennell family was preparing meals for the Yankee soldiers. At noon the same boats were dispatched to burn the town of Guntersville where all but seven buildings were laid to ashes., The captured Confederates were taken to the Federal prison at Camp Chase Ohio. Many died of illness, starvation and exposure due to the harsh winter weather, Col. Palmer received the Medal of Honor for his actions in the attack at Red Hill.