In 1861 the Confederate States Army regiment under the command of Colonel John S. Williams took control of the gap. On March 16, 1862, 800 Union soldiers from the 42nd Ohio Infantry, under the command of Brigadier General James A. Garfield came from Piketon (present day Pikeville)in the Battle of Pound Gap, forcing the 500 Confederate soldiers (under command of Major John Thompson) after the deadly battle to retreat. General Garfield was the youngest (Union) general of the war, and gained fame from the Battle of Pound Gap.