Contested Borderland: The Civil War in Appalachian Kentucky and Virginia

325 Pages·2006·1.82 MB·English

by  Brian D. McKnight

CONTESTED BORDERLAND
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CONTESTED
BORDERLAND
The Civil War in
Appalachian Kentucky and Virginia
B D. M K
RIAN C NIGHT
T U P K
HE NIVERSITY RESS OF ENTUCKY
Publication of this volume was made possible in part by a grant
from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Copyright © 2006 by The University Press of Kentucky
Scholarly publisher for the Commonwealth,
serving Bellarmine University, Berea College, Centre College of Kentucky,
Eastern Kentucky University, The Filson Historical Society, Georgetown College,
Kentucky Historical Society, Kentucky State University, Morehead State University,
Murray State University, Northern Kentucky University, Transylvania University,
University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, and Western Kentucky University.
All rights reserved.
Editorial and Sales Offi ces: The University Press of Kentucky
663 South Limestone Street, Lexington, Kentucky 40508–4008
www.kentuckypress.com
10 09 08 07 06 5 4 3 2 1
Map by Dick Gilbreath and Alex Thor, University of Kentucky Cartography Lab.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
McKnight, Brian Dallas.
Contested borderland : the Civil War in Appalachian Kentucky and
Virginia / Brian D. McKnight.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN-13: 978-0-8131-2389-9 (hardcover : alk. paper)
ISBN-10: 0-8131-2389-5 (hardcover : alk. paper)
1. Kentucky—History—Civil War, 1861-1865—Campaigns. 2. Virginia—
History—Civil War, 1861-1865—Campaigns. 3. Guerrilla warfare—Appalachian
Region, Southern—History—19th century. 4. Appalachian Region, Southern—
History, Military—19th century. 5. United States—History—Civil War, 1861-1865
—Campaigns. 6. Kentucky—History—Civil War, 1861-1865—Social aspects.
7. Virginia—History—Civil War, 1861-1865—Social aspects. 8. Appalachian Region,
Southern—Social conditions—19th century. 9. United States—History—Civil War,
1861-1865—Social aspects. I. Title.
E470.45.M38 2005
973.7’309755--dc22 2005034194
This book is printed on acid-free recycled paper meeting the requirements of the
American National Standard for Permanence in Paper for Printed Library Materials.
Manufactured in the United States of America.
Member of the Association of
American University Presses
C
ONTENTS
Acknowledgments vii
Introduction 1
1. The Central Appalachian Divide in Unity and Secession 9
2. Recruitment, Training, and Baptism:
June–November 1861 29
3. Locking the Confederates into Virginia:
December 1861–June 1862 53
4. The Kentucky Campaign, Cumberland Gap:
July–October 1862 71
5. The Kentucky Campaign, Pound Gap:
July–October 1862 91
6. An Aggressive Union Army:
November 1862–February 1863 114
7. Return to Kentucky, Return to Virginia:
February–April 1863 138
8. Southwestern Virginia Besieged:
May–September 1863 151
9. East Tennessee Rescued, Southwestern Virginia Harassed:
October 1863–March 1864 170
10. Impending Defeat:
April–September 1864 188
11. Violent War, Violent Peace:
October 1864–April 1865 206
Conclusion 227
Notes 235
Bibliography 275
Index 297
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A
CKNOWLEDGMENTS
Over the years invested in researching and writing this book, I have in-
curred many debts of gratitude. From my undergraduate years at Clinch
Valley College of the University of Virginia (now the University of Vir-
ginia’s College at Wise), to the master’s program at East Tennessee State
University, to my doctoral studies at Mississippi State and, ultimately, my
return to my alma mater as teaching fellow of history, many people have
helped make this volume possible. I hope that my thanks will begin to
serve as a proper repayment.
My mentor and friend, Stanly Godbold, guided and encouraged this
study from its infancy. Small things like calling an in-progress dissertation
“your book” mean very much to someone who cannot yet see the light at
the end of the tunnel. More traditional thinkers would have suggested a
more concrete and focused topic for a dissertation, but Dr. Godbold al-
lowed me the freedom to pursue my broad interest in the topic I chose.
Also very important to the book’s refi nement and development were Bri-
an Wills, William Parrish, Ren Crowell, and Connie Lester, all of whom
read the text thoroughly and offered thoughtful suggestions; they remain
good mentors and friends.
My former professors, friends, and colleagues in the Department of
History and Philosophy at UVa-Wise also must be acknowledged. Filled
with people such as Mark Clark, David Rouse, Dana Sample, Cindy
Wilkey, and Preston Mitchell, whose scholarship and teaching are only
rivaled by their humanity, it is a department worth emulating. Addition-
ally, Brian Wills and Tom Costa deserve special mention. Both taught
me as an undergraduate, and since my return, their support, encourage-
ment, and friendship has sustained me. Although neither has ever re-
quired anything more than a thank-you, both have gone out of their way
to ensure my success. Tom served as a member of my thesis committee at
ETSU, and four years later, Brian came to Mississippi for my dissertation
defense. The newest member of our department also requires mention.
Jim Humphreys started his doctorate at MSU the same day I did; we took
viii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
comprehensive exams the same month; and, a year after I left Starkville,
he did the same and joined me as one of the history faculty at UVa-Wise.
Jim is a steady friend and the consummate scholar.
In the researching of the topic, I have met many fi ne people. Without
exception, the staffs at the repositories I have visited have been exempla-
ry—from those at the largest and best-staffed institutions, such as the Na-
tional Archives and Records Administration, the Library of Virginia, and
the Filson Club, to the attendants at small libraries, such as Robert Vejnar
at Emory and Henry College; John Cotham, Rick Lawson, and Martha
Rhoton at Mountain Empire Community College; and Bill Statzer at
UVa-Wise’s John Cooke Wyllie Library. Through them, I have met some
of the profession’s most skilled researchers. To all of these librarians and
archivists, I say “thank you.” A special acknowledgment is necessary for
Kim Marshall. As the interlibrary representative of the John Cooke Wyl-
lie Library at UVa-Wise, Kim has procured hundreds of books and docu-
ments for me through the years without complaint. Today I thank her;
tomorrow I will request more materials.
Additional help came from many people across the nation who pri-
vately hold source documents. Dr. Wallace Guerrant of Winchester, Ken-
tucky, invited my brother and me into his home to research his private
collections. George Salaita of Church Hill, Tennessee, provided copies
of a fi ne old reminiscence. Finally, an excellent collection of the Steele
Family Papers were provided in copies and transcripts from Samuel Steele
of Green Bay, Wisconsin, and Mrs. James Wilkerson of Houston, Texas.
Without the help of these individuals, this project would have been much
more diffi cult.
One of the great advantages of researching and writing is the time I
get to spend with friends and family. I can’t count the nights I spent at the
home of old friends Steve and Mary Drotos in Warrenton, Virginia. On
days when the research facilities were closed, Steve and I visited dozens of
battlefi elds and historical sites and recalled stories from our air force days.
Likewise, Ken and Priscilla Beaver of Powhatan, Virginia, opened their
home and cupboard to me on my trips to Richmond. David Curry and I
spent many long hours on the road together back and forth to Atlanta, and
my old friend Fred Smith has peppered me with questions, volunteered
ideas, and retained a strong interest in my work. Of great importance in
the construction and refi nement of my work was Bill Carter of Kingsport,
Tennessee. Bill followed my academic career tirelessly, along with those
of several others, and sought to make my manuscript as technically and
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ix
intellectually sound as possible. As an editor and friend, he was invalu-
able.
Like my colleagues at UVa-Wise, I derive great inspiration from
teaching. Although many students attempt to glide through their classes
without effort or interest, the majority are earnest and dedicated young
scholars. Throughout the years, I have tried to include my research in my
teaching and have seen good results in doing so. Former students such as
Joe Babb, Chris Bell, Bob Lowry, and Fred Doss have been waiting for
this book for years. More recent ones such as Jessica Johnson, Alison Ray,
Sara Roop, Josh Jackson, Ciera Hunter, and Clint Carter have sustained
me with interesting questions and inspiring class work.
Although it is almost cliché to say it, my family laid the foundation for
my work. Pop’s interest in history and Mom’s support have been invalu-
able throughout my long education, extended research, and immersion
in writing. My brother Greg traveled with me a great deal on my research
trips, sitting for hours in reading rooms, and hopefully I returned the favor
with interesting side trips to museums and historic sites.
Above all others, I have to thank Pam, my wife. When she and I met,
we were both different people. Throughout the years, we gave up careers,
got our educations, moved several times, and have grown up consider-
ably. Fortunately, our growth has been complementary and we remain
the same best friends that we were when we fi rst met. In addition to her
considerable sacrifi ces during my years in college and graduate school,
she has always been willing to jump in the car and take off with me to
whatever repository I intend to visit. As a reward, she has seen Alvin York’s
grave, Champ Ferguson’s ball and chain, and the earthworks at Wildcat
Mountain . . . and yet she manages to conceal her excitement. To her, I
owe my greatest thanks.