Pushed Up The Hill

The Battle of Somerset or Dutton’s Hill was fought in central Kentucky March 31^st 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 31^st 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 45^th 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.

Make a Demonstration On The Flank

Joseph Wheeler

A diversionary tactic, the Action at Maryville was fought in Tennessee in November 13^th 1863.

Confederate General James Longstreet crossed the Tennessee River with his infantry.  The goal was to seize the heights on the southern bank of the Holston River overlooking Knoxville, Tennessee.  His cavalry, commanded by Confederate Major General Joseph Wheeler was sent to make a demonstration on the Union flank.  The cavalry moved to capture a Union force located at Maryville, Tennessee.

Wheeler’s trooper crossed the Tennessee River at Motley’s Ford on November 13^th 1863, and with a night march got between the Union soldiers posted at Maryville and their line of retreat.  The Union 11^th Kentucky Cavalry was stationed at Maryville, and were outnumbered by the Confederates.  Wheeler surprised the Union troopers when he attacked.  The Union cavalry were quickly routed and the Confederates captured 151 men.  From a nearby camp Union Brigadier General William Sanders sent in 1^st Kentucky Cavalry and the 45^th Ohio Mounted Infantry, but they too were outnumbered by Wheeler’s men, and retreated to Little River.

The next morning Wheeler found the river crossing undefended.  Union soldiers had pulled back toward Knoxville.  Wheeler put out skirmishers, continuing to push back the Union cavalry.  After crossing the Stock Creek, the Confederates attacked sending the Union troops into retreat, and placing another 140 prisoners in Confederate hands.