The Battles of Lawrenceburg and Dog Walk, Kentucky



The Battles of Lawrenceburg and Dog Walk, Kentucky

By James K. Bowen and Robert Warren Myles

Any mention of the Civil War in Kentucky immediately brings to mind images of the gallant John Hunt Morgan and his flamboyant cavalry; of John C. Breckinridge and the Orphan Brigade, and perhaps even the villain of Civil War in Kentucky, Stephen Gano Burbridge. We recall the glorious deeds of both Confederate and Union soldiers on fields of battle in places like “Perryville,” “Munfordville,” “Mill Springs,” “Richmond” and “Dog Walk.” It is possible however, that you may have never heard of “Dog Walk.” Do not be too surprised, it appears that most folks have not.

The skirmishes at Lawrenceburg and Battle of Dog Walk, located in Anderson County, Kentucky, are probably the most significant Civil War engagements fought in Kentucky of which no one has ever heard. Alpheus S. Bloomfield, 1st Ohio Light Artillery, wrote of his experience at Dog Walk in a letter home to his “Respected Father.” “This was a great deal harder fight than Shiloh was according to the number engaged.” Despite the sacrifices of the combatants and the overall ramifications of these actions, not even many long time residents of Anderson County, have ever heard of these battles. Nonetheless, the multiple skirmishes at Lawrenceburg and the Battle of Dog Walk are important parts of the study of the Confederate campaign in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. As with all of our history, they must not be forgotten.

Given that the readers of the Courier are no doubt familiar with the details of the Kentucky Campaign of 1862, there is scant need or space to repeat a blow by blow history of the campaign. Our story will begin with the Confederate occupation of Frankfort and the instillation of Richard Hawes, on October 4th, 1862, as Kentucky's second Confederate Governor. Hawes was elected Governor following the death of George W. Johnston at the Battle of Shiloh. Despite the Confederate occupation of Frankfort, the Kentucky State Capital, Gov. Hawes had little time to relish his new post. Federal artillery gave their own brand of salutation to Gov. Hawes when they interrupted his inauguration with cannon fire as part of their drive to retake the capital of the Bluegrass.

Realizing that the possibility of holding the Kentucky Capitol was small, the Confederates, and their newly installed governor, evacuated the city and headed into Woodford County. Cavalry units under Colonels Benjamin Allston and John S. Scott moved through Woodford County crossing the Salt River into Anderson County at McCoun's Ferry, just Southeast of Lawrenceburg. The Confederate Infantry proceeded south into Anderson County.

The withdrawal of Confederate forces left Frankfort in the hands of the Federals for the duration of the war. Union forces under the command of Gen. Joshua Sill remained in Frankfort during the 6th and 7th of October, before moving toward the town of Rough and Ready (the present day community of Alton) which lies just Northwest of Lawrenceburg. Sill's forces continued to make their way South along what is now US 127/Hwy 151, a route which bought the Federals to the small farming community of Lawrenceburg, Kentucky.

The actions in Anderson County took place in two phases and will be addressed here separately. The first phase was the Battle of Lawrenceburg which occurred on October 8, 1862 (the same day as the Battle of Perryville). At this time of course, the Confederate forces were by no means in retreat mode. Their dreams of liberating Kentucky had not yet been dashed. A large portion of the Confederate army was in and around the area of McCall's springs, Southeast of Lawrenceburg which was a major source of drinking water during the drought ridden summer of 1862. Legend has it that Confederates drank the spring dry during their encampment.

Another local story has it that while the Confederates were at McCall's springs, a local pro-Union lady named Miss Daffren (whose family was very much pro-Confederate) was said to be entertaining a Confederate officer at her Father's home. No doubt charmed by the young Miss Daffren, the officer apparently spoke in some detail about the deployment of Confederate troops in the area. Later that evening, Miss Daffren politely and discreetly excused herself, mounted a horse and rode to the advancing Union Cavalry. She informed an officer of the 9th Kentucky Cavalry (US) what she had learned. The grateful officer in turn passed the information up the chain of command; information which proved to be a major factor in the Union victory at Lawrenceburg. For her part, Miss Daffren not only informed but apparently charmed the Union officer as well. She and the Union officer were married one year later.

The actions at Lawrenceburg took place just South of town at the what was then the “Old Cemetery” and what is now the site of the Lawrenceburg City Cemetery. Union artillery and Infantry were deployed along a ridge facing South on the Stringtown Road, (now US 127). The Confederate Cavalry under the command of Col. Allston approached heading North. After a small back and forth exchange the Confederate troopers retired South down Stringtown Road. Being in a fixed position, the Union forces did not pursue.

While the Battle of Lawrenceburg was being contested, Gen. Sill's supply wagons were making their way from Frankfort towards Perryville. Upon reaching Lawrenceburg on the 8th, Sill's column discovered the ongoing skirmish. Wishing not to be delayed or engaged, they changed course and head West on Chesser's Store Rd. (present day US 62 or Broadway). Believing themselves to be safe, they had no idea what lay ahead.

As mentioned earlier, the Confederate Cavalry did not dislodge the Federal position at the Cemetery South of Lawrenceburg and retired South down Stringtown Rd. The troopers proceeded West on what is now Hwy 513, which intersects Chesser's Store Road (US 62) in the small community of Fox Creek (Dog Walk). It was here that the Confederate Cavalry, now under the command of Col. Ashby was waiting for Gen. Sill's supply wagons. This is the second phase of the action, the Battle of Dog Walk (aka the Battle of Chesser's Store, the Battle of Dry Ridge or the Battle of Salt River). By the end of the day, fifty eight of Gen. Sill's wagons were captured and burned and some 600 Federal prisoners were taken. The Battle of Dog Walk, October 9th, 1862, fought the day after Perryville, was a Confederate victory. However, like so many battles in the Civil War where men fought, and bled, and died, it was overshadowed by other events and proved decisive only for those who were lost. By October 9th, Perryville had been lost and Lincoln’s realization that he “must have Kentucky” was fulfilled.

The following units were engaged at the battles of Lawrenceburg/Dog Walk. The lists below come from Mr. John Trowbridge, Historian for the Kentucky National Guard.

US Army

• 15th US Infantry Regt.

• 19th US Infantry Regt.

• 89th Illinois Inf.

• 32nd Indiana Inf.

• 39th Indiana Inf.

• 1st Ohio Inf.

• 15th Ohio Inf. (Held in Reserve)

• 49th Ohio Inf.

• 77th Pennsylvania Inf. (trains for the 5th Brigade)

• Battery H, 5th US Artillery (Guenther's and Goodspeed's)

• Batteries A and E 1st Ohio Light Artillery

CS Army

• MG Jones M. Wither's Division

o BG Frank Gardner's Brigade (3 Infantry Regiments)

▪ Col. Benjamin Allston's Cavalry Brigade

• 1st Tenn. Cavalry

• 3rd Tenn. Cavalry

The Battles of Lawrenceburg and Dog Walk are now being interpreted for a new generation. In 2008, Mayor Edwinna Baker and the City of Lawrenceburg, in conjunction with the Anderson County Burgoo Festival, sponsored a Civil War living history. The success of the living history in 2008 led to a full scale reenactment of the Battles on the weekend of September 25-27, 2009.

The Lawrenceburg-Dog Walk Battlefield Association, Inc. (LDWBA) was founded in the summer of 2009. The Association, along with various community members, merchants and the City of Lawrenceburg, sponsored the 2009 reenactment.

The goal of the LDWBA to preserve the remaining portions these battlefields in honor of those who fought and for the benefit of all future generations. If you would like to help the Association in its efforts or would like to be a part the 2010 reenactment, please feel free to contact Robert Warren Myles at rwm316@ or James K. Bowen at goodolerebel1862@.

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