“I hope to have God on my side, but I must have Kentucky,” Abraham Lincoln
General Lloyd Tilghman
Kentucky was officially neutral at the beginning of the war, but after a failed attempt by Confederates to take Kentucky, the state legislature petitioned the Union for assistance, and thereafter became solidly under union control.
Because the river was key to travel and commerce, Federal troops moved into Paducah on Sept 6, 1861.
Battle of Paducah lasted 6 hours on March 25, 1864. Federal Commander Stephen Hicks held Paducah’s Fort Anderson*, but Nathan Bedford Forrest managed a successful raid on the fort for supplies.
Later, Forrest read a Federal newspaper account of the battle as given by Stephen Hicks. Because of information included in the article, Nathan Bedford Forrest sent Brigadier General Abram Buford back to Paducah to get some overlooked horses and mules.
The capture of the animals was accomplished with little fanfare. This was known as ‘The Skirmish of Paducah.’
Lloyd Tilghman House & Civil War Museum
Museum exhibits in the 1852 home of General Lloyd Tilghman, highlight Western Kentucky’s role during the War Between the States. Open April thru November.
Lloyd Tilghman House & Civil War Museum
631 Kentucky Ave. phone: 575.5477
Friday 12:30 – 4:00 PM Saturday 10 AM – 4:00 PM $1.50 adults, children under 12 free.
The Tilghman Civil War Museum is located at the corner of 7th Street and Kentucky Avenue in downtown Paducah.
Restored home of Gen. Lloyd Tilghman, the museum includes Civil War Exhibits.See the quilt dating back to the Civil War. The quilt belonged to Franklin Moss of Mayfield. It was given to him when he joined the Union army by his mother, who was a slave during the time. Moss carried the quilt with him through the battles and used it to keep warm as he slept on the ground. It survived the war years as well as everyday wear and tear.
Market House Museum
Monday – Saturday, 12pm to 4pm, Closed Sundays and major holidays
Admission $4 – Adults, Children 6-11 $1., Children under 6 – free
121 South Second Street, Market House Square, 270.443.7759, email: [email protected]
See Paducah’s civil war history, daily at the Market House Museum. Also, see the chairs used by the Lincolns in the White House and a velvet parlour set used by Generals U S Grant and Lew Wallace while in Paducah. The museum also has a quilt made by Mrs Robert E Lee.
Market House Museum, has a large selection of Confederate reunion ribbon insignia, photographs and information about the Kentucky Orphan Brigade, infantry and cavalry sabers and, a rare cavalry valise.
Getting Around –
Park you car free downtown. You will be right across the street from the Visitors Bureau where you can get advice, maps and information about where to stay and where to eat. The visitors center has maps for walking tours, driving tour and Trolly routes.
Trolley rides are free through downtown and the Lowertown Arts District, with stops at the Quilt Museum, downtown shops, restaurants, museums, and attractions. Visitors and residents can ride the complimentary biodisel trolley thanks to donations from the city of Paducah, Mainstreet and the CVB.
Trolley.
Getting There –
Paducah-McCracken County, Kentucky Convention and Visitor Bureau, 128 Broadway, Paducah, KY 42001, Phone: 270-443-8783, 800-PADUCAH, Paducah, Kentucky official visitor bureau website
Paducah is at the confluence of the Tennessee and Ohio rivers, halfway between St. Louis, Missouri and Nashville, Tennesse on Interstate 24.
Read More Civil War 150th Anniversary by Striped Pot Writers.
