Grandfather Arthur Hopson's Application for Social Security which list his birthdate and names of both parents. Down
Individual Civil War Soldier Information
First Name: Lewis
Last Name:  Hopson
Side:       U
Unit:       8 U.S. Col'd H. Art'y.
Rank In:    Private
Rank Out:   Private
Company:    H
AKA Name:
NARA Film#: M589 roll 42

First Name: Ned
Last Name:  Hopson
Side:       U
Unit:       8 U.S. Col'd H. Art'y.
Rank In:    Private
Rank Out:   Private
Company:    D
AKA Name:
NARA Film#: M589 roll 42
USCT
UNITED STATES COLORED TROOPS

8th REGIMENT HEAVY ARTILLERY.
 

Organized at Paducah, Ky., April 26, 1864. Attached to Paducah, Ky., District of Columbus, Ky., 16th Corps, Dept. of
the Tennessee, to August, 1864. Paducah, Ky., District of Columbus, Ky., Dept. of the Ohio, to February, 1865, and Dept.
of Kentucky to February, 1866.
SERVICE.-Garrison duty at Paducah, Ky., till February, 1866. Operations against Forest in Kentucky March 16 to April
14, 1864. Action at Fort Anderson, Paducah, Ky., March 25, 1864. Expedition from Paducah, Ky., to Haddix Ferry July
26-27, 1864. Skirmish near Haddix Ferry August 27, 1864. Mustered out February 10, 1866.

Other Names: None

Location: McCracken County

Campaign: Forrest’s Expedition into West Tennessee and Kentucky (1864)

Date(s): March 25, 1864

Principal Commanders: Col. Stephen G. Hicks and Lt. Cdr. James W. Shirk [US]; Maj. Gen. Nathan B. Forrest [CS]

Forces Engaged: Union Garrison (approx. 650 men) [US]; Forrest’s Cavalry Department [CS]

Estimated Casualties: 140 total (US 90; CS 50)

Description: In March 1864, Forrest set out from Columbus, Mississippi, with a force of less than 3,000 men on a
multipurpose expedition (recruit, reoutfit, disperse Yankees, etc.) into West Tennessee and Kentucky. Forrest arrived in
Paducah on March 25 and quickly occupied the town. The Union garrison of 650 men under the command of Col.
Stephen G. Hicks retired to Fort Anderson, in the town’s west end. Hicks had support from two gunboats on the Ohio
River and refused to surrender, while shelling the area with his artillery. Most of Forrest’s command destroyed unwanted
supplies, loaded what they wanted, and rounded up horses and mules. A small segment of Forrest’s command assaulted
Fort Anderson and was repulsed, suffering heavy casualties. Soon afterwards, Forrest’s men withdrew. In reporting the
raid on the town, many newspapers stated that Forrest had not found more than a hundred fine horses hidden during the
raid. As a result, one of Forrest’s subordinate officers led a force back into Paducah in mid-April and seized the infamous
horses. Although this was a Confederate victory, other than the destruction of supplies and capture of animals, no lasting
results occurred. It did, however, warn the Federals that Forrest, or someone like him, could strike anywhere at any time.

Result(s): Confederate victory

CWSAC Reference #: KY010
Preservation Priority: IV.2 (Class C)

More Information: Kentucky Heritage Council Last Modified:
June 05, 1998
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