Monday, March 31, 2014

Pushed Up The Hill

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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