Battle of Salyersville


The Battle of Salyersville, also called Battle of Ivy Point Hill, was the largest of the many skirmishes in Magoffin County, Kentucky, during the American Civil War.
In April 1864, Confederate Colonel Ezekiel F. Clay led his regiment of mounted infantry on a raid to Kentucky. He was opposed by the forces of the Sub-District of Eastern Kentucky under Union Colonel George W. Gallup, consisting of the 14th Kentucky Infantry and 39th Kentucky Infantry, and reinforcements under Colonel C. J. True consisting of the 40th Kentucky Infantry and the 11th Michigan Cavalry. On April 13, 1864, the Confederates attacked the Union position at Paintsville, but Colonel Gallup's 750 men held their position. On April 14, combat was renewed, and the Confederates were driven to Salyersville with heavy losses. Colonel Clay was wounded and captured along with a significant part of his command, 100 horses and 200 stand of arms.