Download 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 [email protected] or James K. Bowen at
[email protected].