The first skirmish in eastern Kentucky occurred on Sept. 19, 1861, when Zollicoffer's CSA troops approached Barbourville. A home guard obstructed a bridge, and the CSA took another route but was repulsed twice before the guards retreated. Considerable property was destroyed in town. CSA Gen. Kirby Smith's headquarters was here from Aug. 18 to 25, 1862, while he prepared the invasion of central Kentucky.