Civil War Events by State

June 8, 1861

The Kentucky government keeps its military forces neutral in the ongoing - and growing - conflict between the north and south.

September 3, 1861

Confederate forces move into Western Kentucky and take Columbus along the all-important Mississippi River.

September 4, 1861

General Grant and his forces move into Paducah, Kentucky.

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September 11, 1861

The state government of Kentucky calls for the removal of Confederate troops from its soil. The demand falls on deaf ears.

November 18, 1861

At Russellville, Kentucky, some authorities gather to vote for independence. George Johnson is named its new governor.

December 10, 1861

Union General Albin Shoepf's forces are run out of Somerset (Kentucky) by a Confederate force led by General Felix Zollicoffer,

December 28, 1861

The Battle of Sacramento is fought in Sacramento, Kentucky. 500 Confederates square off against 200 to 300 Union troops. The battle ends as a Confederate victory.

January 19, 1862

Union forces are victorious over the Confederates at Logan Cross Roads (Mill Springs) in Kentucky.

February 20, 1862

Confederate forces retreat from their positions in Columbus, Kentucky.

July 4, 1862

Colonel John Morgan begins his raids against Union-held Kentucky lands.

July 5, 1862

The Battle of Lebanon takes place in Lebanon Kentucky. As many as 400 Union troops face off against 2,460 Confederates. The battle goes down as a Confederate victory.

July 11, 1862

Confederate cavalry forces, under the command of Colonel John Morgan, take Lebanon, Kentucky.

July 17, 1862

The First Battle of Cynthiana is had in Cynthiana, Kentucky. Confederate General John Morgan and his raiders are victorious in taking the town as well as its defending Union garrison.

July 28, 1862

Confederate Colonel john Morgan completes his raids against Kentucky.

August 13, 1862

Confederate cavalry claim London, Kentucky.

September 5, 1862

Confederate forces under the command of General Braxton Bragg enter the state of Kentucky.

September 16, 1862

Confederate General Bragg claims Munfordville, Kentucky. Those Union defenders still alive are taken prisoner.

October 4, 1862

The Confederates place Richard Hawes as the unofficial governor of the state of Kentucky. The inauguration takes place in Frankfort.

October 8, 1862

The Battle of Perryville is had in Boyle Country, Kentucky. It pits 22,000 Union against 16,000 Confederates and results in a Union strategic victory. Losses are 4,241 and 3,396 respectively.

October 8, 1862

Confederate General Bragg's troops retreat out of Kentucky.

December 17, 1862

General Grant forces out all merchant Jews under his district control due to Treasury violations (black market dealings involving cotton). This is known as General order No.11 and includes Jews in Tennessee, Mississippi and Kentucky.

December 25, 1862

The Confederate "Christmas Raid" cavalry raid into Kentucky begin under the leadership of General John Morgan.

December 28, 1862

Confederate General John Morgan completes his cavalry "Christmas Raid" venture into Kentucky.

March 22, 1863

Confederate General John Hunt Morgan begins a series of raids against Kentucky.

March 30, 1863

Confederate forces are beaten by the Union Army in Kentucky. Confederate General Pegram's forces are pushed back across the Cumberland River. The Union charge is led by General Quincy Gillmore.

April 1, 1863

General Morgan completes his raids against the state of Kentucky.

July 2, 1863

Confederate General John Morgan leads his cavalry forces on the first of several raids throughout Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio. The raiding actions will run nearly a month.

July 5, 1863

A besieged Union cavalry force at Bardstown, Kentucky surrenders to Confederate attackers.

September 2, 1863

Lexington, Kentucky is taken by confederate forces under the command of General Edmund Kirby.

October 19, 1863

General Grant writes from Louisville, Kentucky "Hold Chattanooga at all hazards, I will be there as soon as possible." He would arrive in southeast Tennessee four days later.

March 25, 1864

Paducah, Kentucky, at the Kentucky-Tennessee border, is raided by Confederate elements of General Nathan Forrest.

June 9, 1864

General John Morgan undertakes his last raid on Kentucky soil, this at Mt. Sterling. The results are disastrous as they face Union military opposition.

June 11, 1864

The Second Battle of Cynthiana is had in Kentucky. The Union victory emerges from a two-day contest in which 3,450 Union face-off against 1,200 Confederates. Losses equal 1,092 and 1,000 respectively.

June 12, 1864

Confederate General John Morgan retreats with his cavalry force away from Cynthiana, Kentucky.

May 10, 1865

En route to kill President Lincoln, Confederate Captain William Quantrill is mortally wounded by elements of the Union Army.

Civil War Events by State - Kentucky

Listing of all day-by-day events of the American Civil War related to the state of Kentucky.