Southgate in Campbell County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

William H. Horsfall

Photographed by J. J. Prats, July 19, 2025

1. William H. Horsfall Marker

Inscription. One of youngest Kentuckians to receive the Medal of Honor for service during the Civil War is buried in Evergreen Cemetery. Horsfall, born in Newport, 1847, was a drummer in Company G, First Ky. Infantry (USA). Medal was awarded for saving the life of a wounded officer lying between the lines during combat at Corinth, Mississippi, May 21, 1862. This war hero died in 1922.

Erected 1990 by Kentucky Historical Society, Kentucky Department of Highways. (Marker Number 1867.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Kentucky Historical Society, and the Medal of Honor Recipients series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is May 21, 1847.

Location. 39° 4.113′ N, 84° 28.083′ W. Marker is in Southgate, Kentucky, in Campbell County. It is at the intersection of Alexandria Pike (U.S. 27) and the Evergreen Cemetery entrance, on the right when traveling south on Alexandria Pike. Marker is located in Evergreen Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 25 Alexandria Pike, Newport KY 41071, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Kentucky’s Outer Bluegrass. It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Ohio River Valley.

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 walking distance of this marker: William Horsfall (here, next to this marker); In Memory of the Civil War Veterans Buried in Soldiers Lot (a few steps

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from this marker); James Taylor Jr. (within shouting distance of this marker); Brigadier General George Baird Hodge (within shouting distance of this marker); Brent Spence (within shouting distance of this marker); Major David Leitch (within shouting distance of this marker); Major David Leitch Monument (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Samuel Bigstaff (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Southgate.

More about this marker. William H. Horsfall is buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Section 15-GAR, Grave 72

Regarding William H. Horsfall. Medal of Honor Citation: HORSFALL, WILLIAM H. Rank and organization. Drummer, Company G, 1st Kentucky Infantry. Place and date: At Corinth, Miss., 21 May 1862. Entered service at : ------. Birth: Campbell County, Ky. Date of issue: 17 August 1895. Citation: Saved the life of a wounded officer lying between the lines.

Additional commentary.
1. A Youngster’s Heroism
Personal reminiscence in the 1901

View of the Civil War Soldier’s Section of Evergreen Cemetery, Southgate, Kentucky image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, July 19, 2025

2. View of the Civil War Soldier’s Section of Evergreen Cemetery, Southgate, Kentucky

Both of William Horsfall historical markers are shown.

book Deeds of Valor: How America’s heroes won the Medal of Honor compiled by Walter F. Beyer and Oscar F. Keydel, from William H. Horsfall, Drummer, Company G, First Kentucky Volunteers Infantry. He was born in Campbell County, Kentudky, March 3, 1848.

“I left home without money or a warning to my parents,” writes William Horsfall, “and in company with three other boys, stealthily boarded the steamer Annie Laurie, moored at the Cincinnati wharf at Newport and billed for the Kanawha River that evening, about the 20th of December, 1861. When the bell rang for the departure of the boat, my boy companions, having a change of heart, ran ashore before the plank was hauled aboard, and wanted me to do the same. I kept in hiding until the boat was well under way and then made bold enough to venture on deck. I was accosted by the captain of the boat as to my destination, etc., and telling him the old orphan-boy story, I was treated very kindly, given something to eat, and allowed very liberal privileges.

“I arrived at Cincinnati without further incident, and enlisted as a drummer-boy.

“In the fighting before Corinth, Miss., May 21, 1862 — Nelson’s Brigade engaged — my position was to the right of the First Kentucky, as an independent sharpshooter. The regiment had just made a desperate charge across the ravine. Captain Williamson was wounded in
Photographed by Don Morfe, September 14, 2000

3. William H. Horsfall Gravestone
Medal of Honor
Drummer
Company G, First Kentucky Infantry
Mar 3 1847 – Oct 22 1922
the charge, and, in subsequent reversing of positions, was left between the lines. Lieutenant Hocke, approaching me, said `Horsfall, Captain Williamson is in a serious predicament; rescue him if possible.’ So I placed my gun against a tree, and, in a stooping run, gained his side and dragged him to the stretcher bearers, who took him to the rear.”

Drummer Horsfall was on all the subsequent marches of his regiment. During the famous charge at Stone River he presently found himself hemmed in by rebel horsemen and hostile infantry. Even the rebels took pity on his youth and one of them shouted: “Don’t shoot the damned little Yank! I want him for a cage.” The plucky little drummer made a run for his life and safely got back to his regiment.

During the Siege of Corinth a Union force 30,000 strong under General John Pope occupied Hamburg Landing five miles above Pittsburg, Mississippi, where General Henry Halleck was in full command. The movement against Corinth was made on the 30th of April. There was little or no active engagement. Confederate General P.G.T. Beauregard evacuated the town on the 26th of May, 1862, and the Union Army took possession on the 30th.

— Submitted August 2, 2025, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.

A Youngster’s Heroism image. Click for full size.

Pages 34-35 in Deeds of Valor (Public Domain)

4. A Youngster’s Heroism

Pages 34 and 35 from Deeds of Valor: How America’s heroes won the Medal of Honor compiled by Walter F. Beyer and Oscar F. Keydel, published in 1901 in Detroit by the Perrien-Keydel Company. The text of this article has been transcribed elsewhere on this page.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 4, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 20, 2012, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,328 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 2, 2025, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 3. submitted on December 20, 2012, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 4. submitted on August 2, 2025, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.