United States of America (Union) The Battle of Barbourville was one of the early engagements of the American Civil War.

During April 15, 1861, the day after the U.S. Army surrendered Fort Sumter to the Confederates, President Abraham Lincoln called upon the States remaining in the Union to provide volunteers to suppress the insurrection in the seven States[2] which had seceded from the Union by that date.

Gen. Felix Zollicoffer's Confederates had moved from Tennessee to push from the Cumberland Gap into central Kentucky in an effort to gain control of that important border state.

As Battle's men approached the Camp Johnson, they encountered a force of 300 pro-Union Home Guards under Capt.

Sharp skirmishing broke out, but Battle's superior numbers prevailed and Zollicoffer won a victory.

His men seized the camp, destroyed the buildings, and captured the arms and equipment left behind by the retreating recruits.

Gen. Thomas sent troops under Col. Theophilus T. Garrard to set up Camp Wildcat at Rockcastle Hills, near London, Kentucky, at Wildcat Mountain 30 miles (48 km) north of the salt works, to secure the ford on the Rockcastle River, and obstruct the Wilderness Road passing through the area.