It was the states first clash during the Civil War, and now, nearly 150 years after the Battle of Barbourville, the city is honoring the fight with a new park created to remember the historical battle.
Civil War expert Ray Adkins says many people don't know Barbourville's civil war history.
"It's the first armed conflict in the state of Kentucky. It was the site where the first confederate officer was killed on Kentucky soil. It's also the place of the first union home guard," says Ray Adkins.
A new Battle of Barbourville Civil War Interpretive Park honors the battle and the men who died in the fight.
"More brother against brother, family against family, friend against friend in the state of Kentucky than any other time in the whole four years of the civil war," says Adkins.
This weekend more than 350 re-enactors from 14 states will portray the battle as accurately as possible, on the ground where it all began in 1861.
"This little skirmish in this little town is what got Kentucky involved in the civil war," says Adkins.
"Our history is very important to us, and we are trying to develop those pieces of history not only for our visitors to come and see but for our children as well to learn their heritage," says Betty Cole with Barbourville Tourism.
This weekend, the two Kentucky men killed in the Battle of Barbourville will be honored with a full military service.
Saturday Sept 13 th.: Reveille 7:00 a.m.
Registration re-opens at 8:00 a.m.
9:00a.m. Camp opens Public
9:30 a.m. Living History Begins
10:00 a.m. Parade, Dedication in downtown Barbourville
12:00 p.m. Meet the Famous Generals (Gen, Robert E. Lee , Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest, Gen.Jackson & Gen. Longstreet)
12:30 p.m. (Live Skit TBA) will announce over p.a.
1:00 P.m. Ladies Tea (at the ball tent) Special guest's Gen. Robert E. Lee and Gen. Stonewall Jackson
2:00 p.m. Troop formations for weapon Inspections
3:00 p.m. Battle of Barbourville
3:45 p.m. Troops Pass & Review
6:00 p.m. (Supper for the Troops) Note: (Re-enactors only, preregistered participants will be fed first)
8:00 p.m. Military Ball & Music
9:00 p.m. Camp closes to the Public
Sunday Sept. 14th.:
10:00 a.m. Camp opens to Public
11:00 a.m. Period Church Service
1:30 p.m. (Skit TBA)
2:00 p.m. Battle of Barbourville
2:45 p.m. Troops Pass & Review
4:00 p.m. Troops prepare to move out.