"Contested Borderland is the first Civil War study exclusively devoted to the border separating eastern Kentucky and southwestern Virginia. McKnight's unprecedented geographical analysis of military tactics and civilian involvement provides a new and valuable dimension to the story of a region facing the turmoil of war."--BOOK JACKET.

The central Appalachian divide in unity and secession -- Recruitment, training, and baptism : June-November 1861 -- Locking the Confederates into Virginia : December 1861-June 1862 -- The Kentucky campaign, Cumberland Gap : July-October 1862 -- The Kentucky campaign, Pound Gap : July-October 1862 -- An aggressive Union Army : November 1862-February 1863 -- Return to Kentucky, return to Virginia : February-April 1863 -- Southwestern Virginia besieged : May-September 1863 -- East Tennessee rescued, southwestern Virginia harassed : October 1863-March 1864 -- Impending defeat : April-September 1864 -- Violent war, violent peace : October 1864-April 1865.