In December 1864, Gen. Hylan B. Lyon invaded Kentucky with 800 men to enforce the CSA draft law and divert the USA from Nashville. In 23 days he burned seven courthouses used by Union forces. Lyon came to Cadiz on December 13. A U.S. force fled the courthouse, leaving a man with smallpox. Lyon burned the “contaminated” building and moved to Eddyville, while county records were saved.