East Bernstadt in Laurel County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

Kentucky - September 1861

Trust No One

Photographed by Mike McKeown, May 24, 2026

1. Kentucky - September 1861 Marker

Inscription. The Civil War erupted at Fort Sumpter South Carolina on April 12, 1861. Despite promises from both sides to respect Kentucky’s neutrality, by September Union and Confederate troops had marched across her borders. Rumors flew of coming attacks and secret plots.

Confederates Attack While the Union Plans
On September 19th, Confederate forces destroyed a Union recruiting camp near Barbourville, Kentucky.

Meanwhile, at the urging of President Lincoln, Union troops began gathering at Camp Dick Robinson to launch an expedition into east Tennessee.

"...the Confederate States of America neither intends nor desires to disturb the neutrality of Kentucky.” Jefferson Davis, August 28, 1861

“I most cordially sympathize with...the wish to preserve the peace of my own native state, Kentucky...” Abraham Lincoln, August 24, 1861

Troop Positions in Kentucky Mid September, 1861

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is September 19, 1861.

Location. 37° 15.883′ N, 84° 12.007′ W. Marker is in East Bernstadt, Kentucky, in Laurel County. It can be reached from

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Old Wilderness Road 3.2 miles north of North Laurel Road (U.S. 25), on the right when traveling north. The marker is housed within the visitor pavilion just 0.1 miles south of the Sheltowee Trace intersection at Camp Wildcat Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2400 Wildcat Happy Holw Rd, East Bernstadt KY 40729, 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, 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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Battle of Camp Wildcat (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Battle of Camp Wildcat (here, next to this marker); Nerve Center for the Union Army (within shouting distance of this marker); The Battle of Wildcat

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(about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Camp Wildcat (about 500 feet away); Camp Wildcat and the Wilderness Road (approx. 0.3 miles away); Skaggs Trace (approx. 1.9 miles away); a different marker also named Camp Wildcat (approx. 2.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in East Bernstadt.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 25, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 25, 2026, by Mike McKeown of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 13 times since then. Photo 1. submitted on May 25, 2026, by Mike McKeown of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.