Ivel in Floyd County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

The Battle of Ivy Mountain

November 8, 1861

Photographed by Duane Hall, August 7, 2015

1. The Battle of Ivy Mountain Marker

Inscription. In the Fall of 1861, General William “Bull” Nelson, Union commander in Northeastern Kentucky, was ordered to break up a large Confederate recruiting camp at Prestonsburg. The camp was located in the big meadow below the Samuel May House, the Confederate recruiting station and birthplace of Captain Andrew Jackson May. With the approach of Nelson’s forces, Colonel John S. Williams, whose Confederate recruits were ill-equipped and low on ammunition, abandoned Prestonsburg and fell back to Pikeville. Planning to turn or cut the rebels off, Nelson divided his forces at Prestonsburg and sent one detachment under Colonel Joshua Sill up John’s Creek while he led the main column up the Big Sandy River. As the Union columns converged on his new position at Pikeville, Colonel Williams ordered a large detachment under Captain May to delay Nelson’s advance. May’s men took up position at this point. Waiting in ambush above what was then a narrow bend in the road, May’s Confederates surprised the Federals with a heavy volley but were driven from the heights by superior numbers. May retired toward Pikeville, felling trees and burning bridges

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to further delay Nelson’s pursuit. After fighting a rear guard action against Sill’s column at Pikeville on November 9th, Williams withdrew back to the Virginia line. The first major clash in Eastern Kentucky, the Battle of Ivy Mountain, ended the first phase of the struggle for the Big Sandy Valley.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is November 8, 1861.

Location. 37° 35.593′ N, 82° 39.826′ W. Marker is in Ivel, Kentucky, in Floyd County. It is at the intersection of U.S. 23 and County Road 1032, on the right when traveling east on U.S. 23. Marker is at a pullout on the southwest side of US 23 across from its intersection with CR 1032. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Ivel KY 41642, 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,

Battle of Ivy Mountain Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane Hall, August 7, 2015

2. Battle of Ivy Mountain Markers

The Battle of Ivy Mountain marker is on right (west) side of obelisk

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 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: A different marker also named The Battle of Ivy Mountain (here, next to this marker); Struggle for the Big Sandy Valley (here, next to this marker); Little Floyd (approx. 2 miles away); In Memory of the Lives We Lost on Friday February 28, 1958 (approx. 6.3 miles away); Leslie / Lesley Settlement (approx. 6.4 miles away); Snivley Chapel (approx. 6½ miles away); Ferguson Town Branch Ferry and Dock (approx. 7.8 miles away); Floyd County Veterans Memorial (approx. 7.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ivel.

More about this marker. Marker is in poor condition at its far right end, and some parts of the last paragraph are not legible. Transcription of the last paragraph was derived from a photo of this marker at https://www.flickr.com/photos/kaintuckeean/6036730949 which was taken when the marker was in slightly better condition.

At the bottom, the marker includes portraits of Colonel John S. Williams

View to South from Parking Lot image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane Hall, August 7, 2015

3. View to South from Parking Lot

Marker is on right side of obelisk

of Mount Sterling, first commander of the 5th Kentucky Infantry, C.S.A.; Colonel Joshua Sill (1831-1862); William “Bull” Nelson (1824-1862); and Andrew Jackson May (1829-1903).

Also see . . . Big Sandy Expedition - Wikipedia entry. (Submitted on August 29, 2015.)

View Towards Pullout and US 23 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane Hall, August 7, 2015

4. View Towards Pullout and US 23

Marker is on left side

Credits. This page was last revised on October 26, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 29, 2015. This page has been viewed 1,714 times since then and 102 times this year. Last updated on October 25, 2023. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 29, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.