The Battle
of Somerset or Dutton’s Hill was fought in central Kentucky March 31st
1863.
Confederate
Brigadier General John Pegream led a force of cavalry in 1863 into the
Lexington, Kentucky area. Aware of the
movement Union Brigadier General Quincy A Gillmore, an engineer and artillerist
serving in the Department of Ohio, sought permission to lead a cavalry and
mounted infantry force against Pegream.
Before Gillmore could make his move the Confederates had rounded up a
few hundred cattle to be used for supplying hungry troops.
Gillmore
finally got his troops moving, catching up with Pegram’s force on March 31st
1863 just outside of Somerset, Kentucky.
Union troops pushed Pegram’s men up Dutton’s Hill, where they made a stand. Union artillery was brought up,
and the 45th Ohio Mounted Infantry successfully charge the Confederates on
the hill.
Pegram was
forced to retreat. They moved south of
the Cumberland River, leaving behind most of the captured cattle.
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