On a mission to dislodge Confederate States forces from the area, Colonel James A. Garfield’s troops reached Paintsville on January 6, 1862. Threatened by a United States Army flank movement on his left and rear, General Humphrey Marshall abandoned his strong breastworks at Hager Hill. Moving to Middle Creek, he was overtaken on January 10 by a large United States Army force. After the engagement, Marshall retreated to Virginia.