Battle of Middle Creek Facts

January 10, 1862

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

Portrait of James A. Garfield

Combined with the Union victory at the Battle of Mill Spring a week later, Colonel James A. Garfield’s triumph at Middle Creek cracked the eastern end of the Confederate defensive line in Kentucky in 1862. [Wikimedia Commons]

Advertisement

Also known as:

  • Battle of Big Sandy River

Date:

  • January 10, 1862

Location:

  • Floyd County, Kentucky

Campaign:

  • Offensive in Eastern Kentucky

Principal Union commander(s):

  • Colonel James A. Garfield

Principal Confederate commander(s):

  • Brigadier General Humphrey Marshall

Union forces engaged:

  • Kentucky and Ohio infantry and cavalry

Confederate forces engaged:

  • Kentucky infantry and cavalry

Number of Union soldiers engaged:

  • Roughly 2,100

Number of Confederate soldiers engaged:

  • Roughly 2,500

Estimated Union casualties:

  • 27 (killed, wounded and missing/captured)

Estimated Confederate casualties:

  • 65 (killed, wounded and missing/captured)

Result:

  • Union victory

Significance:

  • Combined with the Union victory at the Battle of Mill Spring a week later, Garfield’s triumph at Middle Creek cracked the eastern end of the Confederate defensive line in Kentucky, opening the way for an offensive into middle Tennessee.