1861

AUG 17 George H. Thomas is commissioned Brigadier General of the Army of the Cumberland.

SEPT 4 Polk occupies Columbus, KY and Kentucky's neutrality agreement is broken.

SEPT 7 Commonwealth of Kentucky declares allegiance to the Union.

SEPT 15 Brig. Gen. Thomas is assigned to take command of Camp Dick Robinson near Lancaster, KY.

SEPT 19 Barbourville - the first encounter of the war in Kentucky. Confederates attempt to take over a Union training camp at Barbourville, KY.

OCT 21 Battle of Wildcat Mountain - Brig. Gen. Albin Schoepf's Union forces defended victoriously against the advancement of Brig. Gen. Zollicoffer's Confederate troops in the Bluegrass.

NOV 20 Thomas and his Army are ordered west to Lebanon, KY.  Meanwhile, Zollicoffer's troops occupy Mill Springs, KY and make plans to fortify the north bank of the Cumberland River at Beech Grove.

DEC 8 Schoepf's troops (US) are Stationed in Somerset.  They use the Fox House as their headquarters.  Meanwhile, Zollicoffer's troops have successfully set up winter camp at Beech Grove.

DEC 29 Thomas is ordered to march towards Zollicoffer's position and prevent further movement into the Bluegrass.

1862