Bighill, Kentucky


Bighill is an unincorporated community located in Madison County, Kentucky, United States. It lies east of Berea on Kentucky Route 21. The community is part of the Richmond-Berea Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Bighill, Kentucky was involved in the Civil War.

Skirmish

It is the site of an August 23, 1862 skirmish between Confederate cavalry of Col. John Scott's Brigade and a mixed Union force under the command of Col. Leonidas Metcalfe. Scott's Brigade was sent to secure the crossing of Big Hill in the van of Kirby Smith's advancing army. At the same time, Metcalfe was sent south from Richmond with his 7th Kentucky Cavalry, a raw regiment. Scott and Metcalfe met at the northern crest of Big Hill along the Richmond Road. At the first exchange of fire, all but 100 of the 7th Kentucky fled precipitously down Big Hill along the Richmond Road, with several being trampled to death in the rush. Metcalfe withdrew with his remaining men where they met the 3rd Tennessee Infantry which was accompanying a wagon train for the relief of the Cumberland Gap. The 3rd Tennessee and 7th Kentucky ambushed the pursuing Confederates near the Merrill Jones Tavern. Metcalfe's forces then retreated north along the Richmond Road to Lick Creek, approximately 100 yards to the rear of this photo, where approximately 120 wagons were located.