Contested Borderland: The Civil War in Appalachian Kentucky and Virginia
Contested Borderland: The Civil War in Appalachian Kentucky and Virginia
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Abstract
During the four years of the Civil War, the border between eastern Kentucky and southwestern Virginia was highly contested territory, alternately occupied by both the Confederacy and the Union. Though this territory was sparsely populated, the geography of the region made it a desirable stronghold for future tactical maneuvers. As the war progressed, the Cumberland Gap quickly became the target of invasion and occupation efforts of both armies, creating a chaos that would strain not only the soldiers but all those who called the area their home. This book examines the features of the region's geography and the influence of the attacks on borderlands caught in the crossfire of the Union and Confederate forces. The land surrounding the Kentucky–Virginia border contained valuable natural resources and geographic features considered essential to each army's advancement and proliferation. While the Appalachian Mountains barred travel through large parts of the region, the gaps allowed quick passages through otherwise difficult terrain and thus became hotly contested areas. The book explores the tensions between the accomplishment of military goals and the maintenance of civilian life in the region. With Kentucky remaining loyal to the Union and Virginia seceding to the Confederacy, populations residing between the two states faced pressure to declare loyalty to one side. Roadside towns found themselves the frequent hosts of soldiers from both sides, while more remote communities became shelters for those wishing to remain uninvolved in the conflict. Instead of committing themselves to either cause, many individuals claimed a neutral stance or feigned dedication to whichever side happened to occupy their land. The dual occupation of the Union and Confederate armies consequentially divided the borderland population, creating hostilities within the region that would persist long after the war's conclusion.
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Front Matter
- Introduction
- 1 The Central Appalachian Divide in Unity and Secession
- 2 Recruitment, Training, and Baptism: June–November 1861
- 3 Locking the Confederates into Virginia: December 1861–June 1862
- 4 The Kentucky Campaign, Cumberland Gap: July–October 1862
- 5 The Kentucky Campaign, Pound Gap: July–October 1862
- 6 An Aggressive Union Army: November 1862–February 1863
- 7 Return to Kentucky, Return to Virginia: February–April 1863
- 8 Southwestern Virginia Besieged: May–September 1863
- 9 East Tennessee Rescued, Southwestern Virginia Harassed: October 1863–March 1864
- 10 Impending Defeat: April—September 1864
- 11 Violent War, Violent Peace: October 1864—April 1865
- Conclusion
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End Matter
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