Historical Background
After the Battle of Perryville October 8, 1862, Gen. Braxton Bragg's Army of the Mississippi withdrew to Tennessee, following the Wilderness Road across Wildcat Mountain near Livingston, Kentucky. Union Maj. Gen. Don Carlos Buell's Army of the Ohio pursued. Confederate cavlary under Col. Joseph Wheeler skillfully covered the rear of the army, slowing the federal advance.
The federal advance, devoid of cavalry, was marked by frequent pauses to clear obstructions placed in the road, and deployments from marching column into line of battle and back as Confederates held ground and then rapidly withdrew when pressed. Several sharp skirmishes took place along the road from Livingston to the top of the mountain. The 9th Indiana and 41st Ohio of Col. William B. Hazen's 19th Brigade, 4th Division, 2nd Corps Army of the Ohio led Buell's advance, and skirmished with Wheeler on October 17.
Later, Gen. Charles Cruft's 22nd Brigade was in front, and again clashed with the Confederate rear guard. Cruft's brigade consisted of the 31st Indiana, 1st, 2nd, and 20th Kentucky, and 90th Ohio Infantry.
On October 19, two companies of the 28th Alabama Infantry, along with Captain David Waters' Alabama Battery, turned back from Col. A. M. Manigault's brigade to assist Wheeler in stopping the advancing federal tide. The infantry was deployed as skirmishers to the front. Union troops were under the impression that Confederate cavalry had again withdrawn, when the combined Southern force opened on them. After driving the Northern troops back, the 28th Alabama held its position, providing Bragg's army with a day's marching advantage. The regiment caught up with the army at Barbourville.
Wheeler reported that this was the only occasion on the entire march from Perryville where Bragg's infantry was engaged. Two privates were killed and a second lieutenant was wounded in the action. Federal casualties were not officially reported, but musket fire and cannister at close range as the column turned a corner had grim results.
This event will recreate events during the march, and clashes that took place at Little Rockcastle Creek, Pittman's Crossroads, and Wild Cat Gap, with emphasis on the action on October 19.
The Field of Operations
(Hazle Patch on the map is the camp location)
Portrayals
Confederate infantry will portray Capt. William Butler's Company A, 28th Alabama Infantry. First person portrayals will be assigned from the original company roster.
Federal infantry will portray Capt. John Becker's Company K, 1st Kentucky Infantry. The regiment was mustered at Camp Pendleton, Ohio in April 1861 for 3 months, and was made up entirely of Ohio men upon organization. It was reorganized in June and mustered for 3 years. The unit saw action several times on the march near and on Wild Cat Mountain.
Any cavalry participants will be Confederate, since no federal cavalry was present.