Munfordville in Hart County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
Munfordville in the Civil War
Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, January 25, 2011
1. Munfordville in the Civil War Marker
Inscription.
Munfordville in the Civil War. . The small, unassuming county-seat village of Munfordville, founded on an old buffalo crossing and home to a well-known tavern, could claim pride of place in 1860 as the spot where the L&N Railroad crossed the Green River, over what whas then the longest iron bridge in the world. But one year later that asset became a liability - a prize contested by both armies in the Civil War. Within the space of five years, the town saw three separate battles, one of them perhaps the most strategically important in the struggle for Kentucky; a war-long occupation by Union forces that at its height numbered 40,000; the rise of notorious Confederate raider John Hunt Morgan; a town-sized garrison of African-American soldiers and havens on the Underground Railroad; a two home-grown generals, one for each side in the conflict., The remnants of that time are still visible on the landscape - the railroad bridge still spans Green River on it original pilings. Antebellum architecture still stands in the form of the George Wood House, the Robert and Richard Munford Homes, the F.A. Smith House, the Munfordville Presbyterian Church, the old Village School, and the Old Munford Inn. Across the river, the Battle for the Bridge Historic Preserve protects the battlefields, which a soldier of that conflict would still recognize., But the most enduring echo of Munfordville's war years is the faces of it people, many of whom are descended from those who endured the struggle that shaped America. Their eyes reflect a community one strengthened by adversity, and now looking toward the future., Battle of Rowlett's Station, December 17, 1861 , Battle and Siege of Munfordville, September 14-17, 1862 , Skirmish of Woodsonville, September 20-21, 1862
The small, unassuming county-seat village of Munfordville, founded on an old buffalo crossing and home to a well-known tavern, could claim pride of place in 1860 as the spot where the L&N Railroad crossed the Green River, over what whas then the longest iron bridge in the world. But one year later that asset became a liability - a prize contested by both armies in the Civil War. Within the space of five years, the town saw three separate battles, one of them perhaps the most strategically important in the struggle for Kentucky; a war-long occupation by Union forces that at its height numbered 40,000; the rise of notorious Confederate raider John Hunt Morgan; a town-sized garrison of African-American soldiers and havens on the Underground Railroad; a two home-grown generals, one for each side in the conflict.
The remnants of that time are still visible on the landscape - the railroad bridge still spans Green River on it original pilings. Antebellum architecture still stands in the form of the George Wood House, the Robert and Richard Munford Homes, the F.A. Smith House, the Munfordville Presbyterian Church, the old Village School, and the Old Munford Inn. Across the river, the Battle for the Bridge Historic Preserve protects the battlefields, which a soldier of that conflict would still recognize.
But the most enduring echo
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of Munfordville's war years is the faces of it people, many of whom are descended from those who endured the struggle that shaped America. Their eyes reflect a community one strengthened by adversity, and now looking toward the future.
Battle of Rowlett's Station, December 17, 1861 Battle and Siege of Munfordville, September 14-17, 1862 Skirmish of Woodsonville, September 20-21, 1862
Erected by City of Munfordville in cooperation with Battle fo the Bridge Historic Preserve.
Location. 37° 16.293′ N, 85° 53.395′ W. Marker is in Munfordville, Kentucky, in Hart County. Marker is at the intersection of Dixie Highway / Main Street (U.S. 31W) and South Street, on the left when traveling south on Dixie Highway / Main Street. Located at the southwest corner of the Hart County courthouse lawn. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Munfordville KY 42765, United States of America. Touch for directions.
This monument is dedicated to those how lived, loved, worked, and fought here during the American Civil War, and especially to those who died here, far from home. May they find peace.
Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, January 25, 2011
5. Robert Munford House
Also described as the J.T.S. and Elizabeth Brown House. Circa 1828.
Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, January 25, 2011
6. The Village School
Circa 1833
Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, January 25, 2011
7. F.A. (Francis Asberry) Smith House
Circa 1835
Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, January 25, 2011
8. Thomas Munford House
Circa 1823
Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, January 25, 2011
9. Munfordville Presbyterian Church
circa 1829.
Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, January 25, 2011
10. Old Munford Inn
Circa 1810
Photographed By Bradley Owen, October 12, 2019
11. George Wood House
Circa 1834
Photographed By Bradley Owen, October 12, 2019
12. F.A. (Francis Asberry) Smith House
Circa 1835
Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, January 25, 2011
13. Elijah & Ermine Embry Creel House
Not listed on the marker, but another antebellum structure, circa 1810.
Photographed By Bradley Owen, October 12, 2019
14. Richard Munford House
Circa 1830, 101 South West Street. Occupied by Brigadier General R.W. Johnson during the Civil War.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 28, 2021. It was originally submitted on January 31, 2011, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,448 times since then and 70 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. submitted on January 31, 2011, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. 11, 12. submitted on January 20, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. 13. submitted on January 31, 2011, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. 14. submitted on January 27, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.