Berea in Madison County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
The Battle of Richmond Knocked at Berea's Door
Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, May 6, 2010
1. The Battle of Richmond Knocked at Berea's Door Marker
Civil War troop movements through Berea were common prior to the Aug. 29-30, 1862, Battle of Richmond. Military traffic in and near Berea caused villagers to hear the Civil War "knocking at their east door." At Big Hill on the Old State Road (U.S. 421), the Merritt Jones Tavern/Grant House, later owned by Berea College, served as a hospital for Confederate wounded who were returning to Tennessee. Thirteen soldiers who died there are buried in the woods behind the area where the building was located. Over
(reverse):
On Aug. 27, prior to the Battle of Richmond, Matilda Fee, wife of Berea College founder John G. Fee, was stopped, along with her two older children, while driving her carriage from Richmond to Berea. She assured Union pickets she was not a Confederate spy; a Union flag painted on the carriage helped to convince them and she was allowed to pass. On the battle's first day, Fee and son Howard rode from Richmond to Berea, but were forced to turn back after meeting retreating Union troops at Kingston.
Erected by Sponsored by Madison County Historical Society, People's Bank, City of Berea, Berea Rotary Club, Berea Lion's Club.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education
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Location. 37° 34.079′ N, 84° 17.834′ W. Marker is in Berea, Kentucky, in Madison County. Marker is at the intersection of Chestnut Street (U.S. 25) and Boone Street, on the left when traveling west on Chestnut Street. Marker is located in a small park at the corner of Chestnut and Boone adjacent to the People's Bank of Madison County. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 419 Chestnut Street, Berea KY 40403, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Church of Christ, Union (approx. half a mile away); Kentucky's Earliest Artforms (approx. 2.1 miles away); Berea – A Birthplace of the Handicraft Revival (approx. 2.1 miles away); Site of Starns' Defeat (approx. 4.9 miles away); Civil War Action (approx. 5 miles away); Merritt Jones / Wayside Tavern / Jones Tavern / CSA Cemetery (approx. 5 miles away); Encampment at Bobtown / Engagment at Bobtown / Advance to Kingston (approx. 5 miles away); Confederate Cemetery (approx. 5.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Berea.
Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, May 6, 2010
2. The Battle of Richmond Knocked at Berea's Door Marker
Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, May 6, 2010
3. The Battle of Richmond Knocked at Berea's Door Marker
Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, May 6, 2010
4. Battle of Richmond Confederate Cemetery
This is the cemetery described in the marker. See separate listing in the database for additional information.
Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, May 6, 2010
5. Buildings on Chestnut Street
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on May 7, 2010, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. This page has been viewed 2,044 times since then and 72 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 7, 2010, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
