AFTER ACTION REPORT: The American Revolution on the Kentucky Frontier (July 18, 2026).

Saturday, July 18, 2026. Intermittent showers as we boarded the coach for Bryan Station; clear weather by the time of arrival. We experienced thunder showers here and there, but the weather never interfered with visiting our planned stops.

After sharing stories at Bryan Station, it was off to Daniel Boone’s Cabin in Carlisle, Kentucky, just below Blue Licks. Here was his last Kentucky home. From the bridge crossing The Licking River at Blue Licks Springs, we studied the approach to Blue Licks Battlefield, drove to the battlefield, walked down the preserved portion of the Buffalo Trace found there, and visited the Battlefield Burying Ground and Monument. Then we traveled portions of Colonel Henry Bird’s War Road, to study how he, his British regiment, and their Indian allies came down from Detroit to attack Ruddell’s Station, Martin’s Station, and Grant’s Station. While eating lunch at Biancke’s, a downpour visited us, miraculously clearing just in time for the hayrides across the fields to Ruddell’s Station.

Guide Lew Nicholls, author of “1780 British Raid into Kentucky,” was able to provide us with an extensive PowerPoint documenting Martin’s Station.

Over 500 souls were captured, wounded, or killed at Ruddell’s Station and Martin’s Station, including about 30 slaves. Remarkable stories of those who survived the death march back up to Detroit and Montreal, and then were released when the Treaty of Paris was signed, were related during this portion of the tour.

Our final event was at The Bourbon County Whiskey House, Paris, Kentucky, catered by Trackside at the Depot, the wonderful Paris restaurant.

UPCOMING Witnessing History TOURS and EVENTS:

Mark your calendars! Witnessing History Education Foundation, Inc., Dinner and Special Event! November 7, 2026.

Emcee: Doug High, WTVQ, Lexington, KY

Guest: David Wright, author of Historian with a Brush.