Columbia in Adair County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

Confederate Raids

Photographed by Richard Hawkins, June 22, 2025

1. Confederate Raids Marker - Replaced Marker

Inscription.
General John Hunt Morgan's cavalry, returning from second Kentucky raid, passed here on way back to Tennessee, Jan. 1, 1863. On raid, Union's rail supply line wrecked and $2,000,000 property destroyed. July 3, 1863, Morgan here again drove out small USA force. On July 8, at Brandenburg, crossed river into Indiana. Captured in NE Ohio, July 26. See map over.

Reverse Map
Confederate Raids and Invasions
and a Federal Retreat, in Kentucky.

Erected 1964 by Kentucky Historical Society and Kentucky Department of Highways. (Marker Number 707.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • War, US Civil • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Kentucky Historical Society series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 3, 1966.

Location. 37° 6.164′ N, 85° 18.37′ W. Marker is in Columbia, Kentucky, in Adair County. It is at the intersection of Public Square and Burkesville Street (Kentucky Route 80), on the right when traveling south on Public Square. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 424 Public Sq, Columbia KY 42728, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Kentucky’s Pennyroyal Region.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

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: Adair County Revolutionary War Memorial (here, next to this marker);

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Adair County Courthouse (a few steps from this marker); Col. Frank L. Wolford (a few steps from this marker); Home of Sergeant Dakota Meyer (within shouting distance of this marker); Adair County World War I Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Jane Lampton Home (within shouting distance of this marker); Adair County Veterans (within shouting distance of this marker); Frank Lane Wolford (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbia.

Another marker is no longer nearby. County Named, 1801 (was here, next to this marker but has been confirmed missing).

Also see . . . The Raid Begins: Morgan’s Raiders in Kentucky. (Submitted on May 18, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Additional commentary.
1. Marker restored and repainted.
Adair County Historical Association member, Ed Vincent, restored and repainted this marker for its re-unveiling on May 2nd, 2018 in Columbia. Mr. Vincent has restored other markers in the county as well and is in demand by other counties.

Photographed by Richard Hawkins, June 22, 2025

2. Confederate Raids Marker - Replaced Reverse Marker
— Submitted May 3, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.

Confederate Raids Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, May 8, 2015

3. Confederate Raids Marker

Area photo of courthouse and marker. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, May 8, 2015

4. Area photo of courthouse and marker.

Next to the marker is a stone celebrating the Revolutionary Soldiers who settled the county.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, May 8, 2015

5. Confederate Raids Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 23, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 18, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,271 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 22, 2025, by Richard Hawkins of Phelan, California. 3, 4. submitted on May 18, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 5. submitted on June 23, 2025, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.