Elizabethtown in Hardin County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

The Cannonball

Christmas Raid, December 27, 1862

Photographed By Robert H. Moore, II, August 14, 2009

1. The Cannonball Marker

Inscription. Gen. John Hunt Morgan's Raiders arrived in Elizabethtown on December 27, 1862, appearing on the brow of the hill that is now the City Cemetery. The main objective of the Christmas Raid was to burn two huge Louisville and Nashville Railroad trestles at Muldraugh Hill north of the town. By destroying the trestles, Morgan hoped to relive pressure on Confederate Gen. Braxton Bragg's Army in Tennessee by cutting the flow of supplies to Union Gen. William S. Rosecrans' army. Before moving on Muldraugh Hill, Morgan wanted to neutralize the Union force in Elizabethtown. The Confederates placed artillery on the hill and demanded the surrender of the Union garrison. They refused and Morgan's artillery opened fire. The bombardment lasted twenty minutes; 107 rounds were fired upon the buildings in the town killing and wounding several of the soldiers who had taken refuge there.

In a 1932 paper Miss Annie Nourse explained the story of the cannonball:

She wrote:
"...Many years after (1887) a fire destroyed that entire block and the cannonball fell with the wall, I... asked... the owners of the building to give me the ball and they both kindly consented. I told the boys about it, that I would give 25 cents to the one who would find it and bring it to me. A lively scramble instantly ensued in the pile of hot bricks. I left them

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digging and went on home. In the afternoon a man brought it out to me and demanded $5.00 for it. I told him it was already mine. After some hesitation he decided to leave it for 50 cents which I gave him."

"Many years after... I restored it to the bank and they had it placed in the same spot, as near as possible (in the new building), where it is seen today..."

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the John Hunt Morgan Heritage Trail in Kentucky series list. A significant historical month for this entry is December 1862.

Location. 37° 41.605′ N, 85° 51.499′ W. Marker is in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, in Hardin County. Marker is on Dixie Highway West (U.S. 31W), on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Elizabethtown KY 42701, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Battle of Elizabethtown (a few steps from this marker); Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks Lincoln (within shouting distance of this marker); Hardin County (within shouting distance of this marker); 'Ordinary' Hospitality Here (within shouting distance of this marker); 23 Public Square (within shouting distance of this marker); General Custer Here (within shouting distance of this marker);

The Cannonball Marker (foreground) with the Hardin County Courthouse in the background image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Robert H. Moore, II, August 14, 2009

2. The Cannonball Marker (foreground) with the Hardin County Courthouse in the background

16 Public Square (within shouting distance of this marker); Bell from the Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Elizabethtown.

More about this marker. This is one of 15 markers in the "John Hunt Morgan Heritage Trail in Kentucky" series that focuses on the Christmas Raid of 1862.

Caption for photo to the upper left: When Morgan's troops first appeared at Elizabethtown, the Union commander, Lt. Col. Harry S. Smith of the 91st Illinois Infantry Regiment, requested the Confederates surrender. Forty-five minutes later, Smith was compelled to give up the town.
Clark. When Morgan attacked Elizabethtown, Col. Roy S. Clark and Col. Col. Robert C. Stoner led the troops into the city.

Caption for the photo in the lower right: The Depp Building. The Depp Building, constructed ca. 1805

Caption for photo in the lower left: 12-Pounder Howitzer. Morgan had seven artillery pieces with him on the Christmas Road. At least one was a 12-pound Howitzer. On the upper right is a portrait of Col. Roy S. Clark.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. To better understand

Metalic arrow on the "new" building, pointing to the cannonball image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Robert H. Moore, II, August 14, 2009

3. Metalic arrow on the "new" building, pointing to the cannonball

the relationship, study each marker in the order shown.

Metal sign on the building in which the cannonball was "relocated" in later years image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Robert H. Moore, II, August 14, 2009

4. Metal sign on the building in which the cannonball was "relocated" in later years

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on December 5, 2009, by Robert H. Moore, II of Winchester, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,193 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 5, 2009, by Robert H. Moore, II of Winchester, Virginia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.