Compared to battles fought later in the war, Middle Creek produced very light casualties. Though more than 3,000 participated in the fight, only fifteen men were killed. Union losses at Middle Creek were three killed and eleven wounded. Private Nelson Boggs of the 14th Kentucky was killed during the battle, and Privates Frederick Coffin and William Gaudier of the 42nd Ohio died several days later. Confederate losses, according to Marshall’s official report, were ten killed and fourteen wounded. The casualties suffered by the 5th Kentucky Infantry were as follows: Asberry, John B.           Co. F        Fleming County      Killed Cox, George                  Co. C        Bath County           Killed Jones, Wm. W.             Co. H        Bath County           Killed Porter, Levi                  Co. D        Carter County        Killed Emmons, James            Co. C        Fleming County     Wounded Launders, Moses           Co. C        Fleming County     Wounded McFall, James               Co. C        Lawrence County   Wounded Stafford, James             Co. D        Morgan County      Wounded Winn, Robert                Co.  D       Morgan County      Wounded Six men of the 29th Virginia were killed, including John Pickett, Oscar Pickett, William Bowers, Leftwich Patton, Stanford L. Jessee, and George McReynolds. Private Nathaniel Cook of Company A, 1st Battalion, Kentucky Mounted Cavalry, was also killed.  A wounded Confederate soldier who survived the battle but died a day later is buried in the Gearheart Cemetery on the Joseph Gearheart Farm near Hueysville, where the Confederates camped during their retreat from Middle Creek. His name and regiment are not known. In other words, our records show that at least twelve Confederates died during or after the battle, notwithstanding Marshall's claim to the contrary.

A Desperate Fight, But Few Casualties

"Garfield Drives Humphrey Marshall Out Of Kentucky" --illustration in John Clark Ridpath's The Life and Works of James A. Garfield (Jones Brothers, 1881).

Middle Creek Battlefield Foundation

Samuel May House Archive Main Page

Middle Creek Main Page Why They Fought Here The Opposing Commanders The Confederate Waiting Game The Artillery That Failed The Union Command Post The Confederate Command Post The Union Assault Monroe's Bayonet Charge The Mount Sterling-Pound Gap Road The John M. Burns House The Samuel May Farm The Middle Creek Foundation

Colonel George W. Monroe Colonel Ezekiel F. Clay Colonel Lionel A. Sheldon Colonel Don A. Pardee Colonel Hiram Hawkins Colonel John S. Williams Colonel Alfred C. Moore Colonel George W. Gallup Dr. Stephen M. Ferguson

Eastern Kentucky Civil War Battles

The Skirmish at Abbott Shoal

Regimental Colors of the 42nd Ohio Infantry, courtesy of the Ohio Historical Society

Regimental Colors of the 5th Kentucky Infantry, C. S. A.