KY:Historical Society - Historical Marker Database

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Burnside
(Marker Number: 979)

County: Pulaski
Location: Burnside, US 27

Description: First named Point Isabel. Settled about 1800 by pioneers from the Carolinas and Virginia. During the Civil War the Union army, in 1863, set up a troop rendezvous and supply base here as a prelude to East Tennessee campaign of Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside. The area became known as Camp Burnside in official dispatches and the name Burnside was retained after war.

(Subjects: Civil War)

Burnside
(Marker Number: 980)

County: Pulaski
Location: Burnside Island State Park, US 27

Description: First named Point Isabel. Settled about 1800 by pioneers from the Carolinas and Virginia. During the Civil War the Union army, in 1863, set up a troop rendezvous and supply base here as a prelude to East Tennessee campaign of Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside. The area became known as Camp Burnside in official dispatches and the name Burnside retained after war.

(Subjects: Civil War)

Confederate Defense Line
(Marker Number: 863)

County: Pulaski
Location: Nancy, W. of Somerset, KY 80

Description: Late in 1861, Confederates sought to prevent Union forces from occupying strategic points in Kentucky and Tennessee, to maintain rail shipments of vital Confederate supplies from Virginia south and west, and to set up bases for future offensive thru Kentucky and Ohio to divide eastern and western Union states. With those aims the Confederate Defense Line was formed from the Big Sandy Valley in east Kentucky thru Cumberland Gap, Mill Springs on Cumberland River, Bowling Green on L & N Ry., to Columbus, Ky. on the Mississippi River. The Forces Move In Brig. Gen. Felix K. Zollicoffer in Nov. 1861 built CSA bases at Mill Springs and across Cumberland at Beech Grove, as part of plan. Maj. Gen. George B. Crittenden took command, Dec. 13, 1861. On Jan. 11, 1862, Union forces under Brig. Gen. George H. Thomas started from Lebanon, Ky. to join the Federals under Brig. Gen. Albin Schoepf at Somerset and to attack the Confederate base at Mill Springs. On Jan. 19 Gen. Crittenden moved out with his CSA troops to prevent the Union forces under Gen. Thomas from joining US army at Somerset.

(Reverse) Battle of Mill Springs In first hour, Gen. Zollicoffer was killed, which threw his CSA regiments into confusion. Rallied by Gen. Crittenden, battle continued three hours. USA reinforcements arrived, CSA retreated, fighting all day to reach river. They evacuated camp during night and withdrew into Tennessee. Casualties: CSA 125 killed, 309 wounded and 99 missing; USA 39 killed and 207 wounded. Large quantity of supplies abandoned by CSA, as well as 150 wagons and more than 1,000 horses and mules. Battle also called Logan's Cross Roads or Fishing Creek. Aftermath The way was opened for the Union to advance into Eastern Tennessee. Lack of provisions, bad roads and difficulty of crossing river made such advance impractical. Gen. Thomas' command joined Gen. Buell's Union force in move on Nashville. This Mill Springs victory with defeat of Brig. Gen. Humphrey Marshall by USA Col. James A. Garfield in the Big Sandy Valley broke the right section of the Confederate Defense Line. Thus began a series of events bringing Union control of Kentucky and upper Miss. River in first year of war.

(Subjects: Buell, Don Carlos | Civil War | Confederate Army | Garfield, James A. | Marshall, Humphrey | Mill Springs, Battle of)

Dutton's Hill Battle
(Marker Number: 712)

County: Pulaski
Location: 2 mi. N. of Somerset, KY 39

Description: March 30, 1863, USA force of 1,250 under General Q. A. Gillmore overtook 1,550 Confederate cavalry under Gen. John Pegram, here. Five-hour battle resulted. CSA driven from one position to another, withdrew during night across Cumberland. Killed, wounded, missing, CSA 200 and USA 30. On nine-day expedition into Ky., CSA had captured 750 cattle and took 537 across river.

(Subjects: Civil War)

Felix K. Zollicoffer
(Marker Number: 1920)

County: Pulaski
Location: 1 mi. S. of Nancy, KY 235

Description: Brig. Gen. Felix K. Zollicoffer, CSA, died here, Jan. 19, 1862, in Battle of Logan's Crossroads (Mill Springs). This Tenn. native was veteran of Seminole War, editor of Nashville Banner, and 3-term U.S. congressman. In heavy rain and smoke of battle, Zollicoffer was killed approaching USA lines, which he mistook for own troops. Over. Presented by Boy Scout Troop 79 of Somerset for the Kentucky Bicentennial.

(Reverse) "Zollie Tree" - This large, white oak has been decorated annually in honor of Gen. Zollicoffer since 1902, when Dorotha Burton began tradition. Over 100 CSA soldiers are in mass grave at rear of park. Zollicoffer is buried in Nashville. Boy Scout Troop 79 Trail follows Confederate retreat to Cumberland River. Over. Erected during 130th anniv. of the battle and the Ky. Bicentennial.

(Subjects: Civil War | Mill Springs, Battle of | Newspapers | Rivers)

First Boy Scout Troop
(Marker Number: 1007)

County: Pulaski
Location: Burnside, US 27

Description: Before Boy Scouts of America was organized, 1910, a troop of 15 had been formed here, spring of 1908, by Mrs. Myra Greeno Bass. Using the official handbook of English scouting, she guided them hiking and camping, like scouting today. Known as Eagle Troop, Horace Smith was troop leader. Insignia was a red bandanna around neck. Reputed the first American Boy Scout Troop.

Harriette Simpson Arnow (1908-1986)
(Marker Number: 1807)

County: Pulaski
Location: Burnside, US 27

Description: The author of such celebrated Appalachian novels as The Dollmaker and Hunter's Horn; social histories include Seedtime on the Cumberland and Flowering of the Cumberland. Born in Wayne County, Arnow spent most of her childhood in Burnside. Moved to Michigan during World War II, but continued to chronicle Appalachian life and people.

(Subjects: Authors | Books)

Home of Governor Morrow
(Marker Number: 1684)

County: Pulaski
Location: 208 East Oak St., Somerset

Description: Edwin P. Morrow (1877-1935), a native of Somerset, built this house soon after marrying in 1903; he began his Somerset law practice same year. Morrow served in Spanish-American War; appointed U.S. District Attorney for eastern Kentucky by Pres. Taft and elected governor in 1919. A popular orator, he was nephew of Governor Wm. O. Bradley. Buried in Frankfort Cem.

(Subjects: Spanish-American War)

Morgan's First Raid
(Marker Number: 677)

County: Pulaski
Location: Somerset, Library lawn

Description: CSA General John H. Morgan's first Kentucky raid covered 1,000 miles, July 4 to July 28, 1862-24 days. Left Tenn. with 900 men, returned with 1200, captured 17 towns, 300 horses, destroyed Union supplies. Here, July 21, Morgan took over telegraph line and countermanded USA orders to pursue. Destroyed commissary stores, wagons, arms. Moved on to Monticello. See map.

(Subjects: Civil War | Morgan, John Hunt)

Pulaski County, 1799
(Marker Number: 1212)

County: Pulaski
Location: Somerset Community College, US 27

Description: Kentucky's 27th formed, its territory taken from Lincoln and Green Counties, was named for Count Casimir Pulaski, Polish patriot and soldier of liberty. He came to US when he learned of the Colonies' fight for freedom. A brigadier general in Revolution, he gave his life to the cause of America, Oct. 11, 1779. Counties in 7 states named for him. Over.

(Reverse) Somerset - Established as county seat, 1801, on 40 acres given by William Dodson. This site picked because of nearby spring; the path to it became the town's most traveled street. The first courthouse built of logs in 1801. Three have since been built, present one in 1871. Kentucky's first raw silk produced here, 1842, by Cyrenius Wait. City incorporated in 1888. See over.

(Subjects: Courthouses | Revolutionary War)

Town Spring
(Marker Number: 1607)

County: Pulaski
Location: South Vine St., Somerset

Description: Near the site of this spring Somerset was established as the county seat in 1801 on forty acres given by William Dodson. The path to it became the town's most traveled street in order to drink from the Old Town Spring. Thus a saying became popular, "Whoever drinks from the Old Town Spring will have wisdom and will always return to Somerset." Over.

(Reverse) Pulaski County, 1799 As Kentucky's 27th county, its territory was taken from Lincoln and Green counties and named for Count Casimir Pulaski, a Polish patriot and soldier, who came to America when he learned of the Colonies' fight for freedom. A brigadier general in Revolution, he gave his life to the cause of America, Oct. 11, 1779. Counties in seven states are named for him.

(Subjects: Revolutionary War)