Civil War - Battles - Kentucky

The Confederate Heartland Campaign, also known as Bragg’s Invasion of Kentucky, was a Confederate invasion of the border state of Kentucky in 1862. Although Confederate forces were largely successful on the battlefield, General Braxton Bragg abandoned the campaign and retreated to Tennessee, leaving Kentucky under Union control.

Visit Middle Creek National Battlefield, where the Battle of Middle Creek took place on January 10, 1862, during the Civil War, and ended in a Union Victory.

Key facts about the Battle of Middle Creek, also known as the Battle of Big Sandy River.

The Battle of Middle Creek took place on January 10, 1862. Union forces led by future President, James A. Garfield, won the battle. The victory helped open the way for a Union offensive into Middle Tennessee.

Educational videos that explain the events and importance of the Battle of Middle Creek, which took place on January 10, 1862, during the Civil War, and ended in a Union Victory.

Key facts about the Battle of Mill Springs, also known as the Battle of Fishing Creek and the Battle of Logan's Crossroads.

The Battle of Mill Springs took place on January 19, 1862, the Battle of Mill Springs. It was the first major Union victory of the American Civil War and helped open the way for a Union offensive into Middle Tennessee.

The Battle of Munfordville was fought from September 14–17, 1862, during the Confederate Heartland Campaign. After Confederate forces surrounded the Union garrison protecting the Green River railroad bridge, Colonel John T. Wilder surrendered approximately 4,000 soldiers to General Braxton Bragg. The Confederate victory secured the bridge, but Bragg abandoned Munfordville three days later as his supplies declined and the Union Army of the Ohio approached.

The Battle of Perryville was fought on October 8, 1862, during the Confederate Heartland Campaign. Confederate forces pushed parts of the Union Army backward, but Union reinforcements threatened the Confederate left flank. General Braxton Bragg withdrew after realizing that he faced nearly all of General Don Carlos Buell’s army, giving the Union a strategic victory and ending the Confederate invasion of Kentucky.

The Battle of Richmond was fought from August 29–30, 1862, during the Confederate Heartland Campaign. General Edmund Kirby Smith’s Confederate forces defeated General William “Bull” Nelson’s Union Army of Kentucky after Confederate reinforcements stopped a Union advance. The victory removed Union resistance to the Confederate invasion of Central Kentucky and is considered one of the most complete victories of the Civil War.