880 Headquarters Confederate States Army Commander

Category: Markers

Marker reads, Nathan Bedford Forrest, stationed in Hopkinsville during winter of 1861-1862, resided, with wife and daughter, in log house, the third residence south. As colonel, in command 6 companies Confederate States Army Cavalry, reconnoitered Union forces between here and the Ohio River, defeated gunboat, Conestoga, at Canton, also United States force at Sacramento. Withdrew when Confederate States Army left Bowling Green. Back of Marker- 101 Confederate States Army Unknown - Six companies Confederate States Army Cavalry under Colonel Forrest were camped a mile to the north at the old fairgrounds, while reconnoitering this area in winter, 1861-1862. A severe epidemic swept the camp and several hundred men died. When the city enlarged cemetery, 1887, John C. Latham, native of Hopkinsville, had bodies of 101 unknown reinterred and a large monument erected.