The Restless Solider
Here at Kentucky Tennessee Living, we strive to keep this site nonpolitical in nature. All historic events posted that changed the lives of future generations in Letcher County. And have helped to give miners a voice in their working and living conditions. As well as we remember those who fought on both sides of the Civil War. These events are for the benefit of remembering who we are as the Appalachian people. This is a light summary of the events surrounding the Battle for Pound Gap. Future videos and articles will be in more detail.
The Civil War
Between the years of April 12, 1861, and May 9, 1865, the War Between the States raged. The peace of the Appalachian Mountains shattered. A brother took up arms against his brother. There are many ghost stories to this part of our history. It is no surprise that there are two in Letcher County. This will be covering the one on Pine Mountain. Our next story will cover the troop of soldier riders in Whitesburg, Kentucky.
The Battles for Pound Gap
Pound Gap’s location is on the state line between Kentucky and Virginia. During the Civil War, the North and the South realized the importance of the road to the State of Virginia. They used this road to move troops into battle areas in Kentucky. It was also used as a thoroughfare. So that moving troops between Central and Eastern Kentucky became an easier task.
The Capture
In 1861, the Confederate States Army, under the command of Colonel John S. Williams, took control of Pound Gap. Confederate State troops maintained large camps on both sides of the Pound Gap on March 16, 1862.
General Humphrey Marshall and His Troops
Before the Battle of Middle Creek, General Humphrey Marshall had his troops vacate their trenches at Hager Hill. Then he marched his four regiments up the Prestonsburg Road. This was at the mouth of Abbot Creek which intersected with the Pound Gap Road at that point. Marshall used this point to station his troops. Because Garfield was pursuing him from Paintsville. Marshall had received intelligence about Garfield. That Cranor’s 40th Ohio was moving east from Licking Station to reinforce Garfield. He was in a perfect position to intercept either of these forces. Before they had the chance to combine against him.
This area also afforded Marshall a route out of the area if he won or lost the battle and had to do a hasty retreat. As it turned out, it was a retreat. The retreat went to Hueysville. He then established a new camp at the Joseph Gearheart Farm for a week. According to tradition, one unnamed Confederate Soldier died. And buried at the Gearheart Cemetery. While other soldiers burned fence posts to keep warm. Marshall then moved his troops to the Johnny Martin farm for rest and a warm welcome.
Garfield’s Victory
Approximately eight hundred Union Troops marched through deep snow. They were under the command of Brigadier General James A. Garfield. They used “squirrel trails” to make their way. Going from Pikeville (then Piketon), Kentucky. The plan was to outflank and surprise the five hundred or more Confederate State troops. They were under the command of Major John B. Thompson.
The fight lasted less than 20 minutes and the rebels fled leaving everything behind them. General Garfield then burned several buildings. This was to prevent the Confederates from taking back their camp.
There was once a Southern Army Camp consisting of seventy-one log buildings to hold the area. President Garfield (then a General) camped out for two weeks. His location is where the Jenkins Post Office now stands. General Garfield captured and burned seventy-one buildings. Garfield then left a small regiment to guard the area. This is one of the few mistakes he made during this war. General James Hunt Morgan (of the Morgan’s Raiders) later came through this area. Morgan met no resistance as they overtook the area once more.
Morgan’s Raiders
On June 1, 1864, John Hunt Morgan would lead his men against a small Union detachment from Pound Gap. They became known as the Morgan’s Raiders. They would use the Pound Gap as a way to gain access to Central Kentucky and then again as an escape route.
Garfield’s Fame
At the time, Brigadier General James A. Garfield was the youngest Union General of the War. Garfield gained fame from his battles. He later became President of the United States.
Several times throughout the Civil War, the Pound Gap would exchange hands. The area served as a transit supply route by both Generals Burbridge (Union) and Morgan (Confederate). As well as many others during the War.
The Eternal Sentry
There have been many witnesses that have claimed to see a swaying lantern in the dark around Raven Rock. Raven Rock is a large rock that juts out from the Pine Mountain overlooking Jenkins, Kentucky. The cause of the disturbance. A ghost thought to be to a lonely soldier on the watch for any Union Scouts from General Garfield’s Troops.
Which battle this comes from is unclear. As there were many times that there would be conflict on the mountain. And General Garfield would be in the area hunting down Confederate Troops. The way the legend goes, the Sentry had fallen to sleep in some brush. From here we have two stories.
The First Legend
One story says that it was Union Scouts that had surprised the Sentry and he ran to warn his troops. Forever blaming himself for falling asleep and the loss of ground and men. The Sentry would stand guard for all Eternity so that it would not happen again.
The Second Legend
The second story says that the Sentry fell asleep, and his own fellow troops caught him. They were terribly upset with him for falling to sleep when Garfield and his men were so close to them. They took the man and executed him for dereliction of duty while in a time of war. The Sentry would stand guard in this story for all eternity to make up for going to sleep on his watch.
Will-o-the-Wisps
In folklore, the Will-o-the-wisps are in swamps and wooded wet areas. They are sometimes called “ghost lights”. Many cultures all over the world have different explanations for them. Even science has tried to explain them. While many of the Will-o-the-wisps are weather-related. Others are a little harder to explain.
Long ago many people figured out that the “Ghost Lights” were not a good sign and learned to never trust them. They lead the person who sees them to their deaths. Many see them as floating lanterns, flames, lights, and orbs. They have many names. Such as corpse candles, ghost orbs, pucks, hinkypunk, and Jack-o-the-lanterns. They are well known to be mischievous.
Most of the tales surrounding the lights have to do with a man who walks with a lantern because of his misdeeds. His name is usually Will or Jack. Granted a lump of fire coal or fire flame from hell to light the path on his journey throughout time. Denied entry into heaven or hell because of his deeds. Forever doomed to walk the earth for eternity.
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Other explanations for the lights are goblins, miscarried or died too young children. Others are fairies and leprechauns. Science has tried to explain these lights. Some explanations are weather, gas pockets, electrical charges from dying matter. Whatever the explanation, Will-o-wisps do exist.
We thank you for continuing to support Kentucky Tennessee Living. As we bring to you the history of the Appalachian Mountains.
Be Sure to Check Out
Appalachian Haunted History Walking Tours Agency by clicking here
For more information on the Restless Soldier
Now’s your chance to meet the ghosts of Letcher County
October 19, 2016, Mountain Eagle
Ghost Lights: A Weather Folklore
https://www.farmersalmanac.com/weather-ology-special-ghost-lights-14442
Pound Gap Civil War Memorial
http://kytnliving.com/poundgapcivilwarmemorial/?fbclid=IwAR1EHsr753e0dh809l1ETrqkj57x10HS8rV1SwulSFkf3OSyHsGrZV_cwMY
The Battle of Pound Gap
March 16, 1862
Facebook Post March 16, 2016, Kentucky Tennessee Living
Pound Gap ~~ there is more than meets the eye.
February 10, 2021
Facebook Post Kentucky Tennessee Living
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When we forget our past and who we are as a people, then we become who “they” say we are. ~~ David Sergent
I have attended the University of Kentucky. I have an Associates Degree from Hazard Community College and Technical School. I have also attended the University of Pikeville. I have taken several classes in Journalism as well as in the Appalachian History, Literature, and Sociology during my time at those schools.
I was born in Florida and grew up in Burdine, Kentucky. I have been married to David W. Sergent since May 4, 2013. I have two children and four grandchildren from a previous marriage. I currently live in Tennessee but my hope is to one day come back home to live in the beautiful mountains once more.
