On this date 150 years ago, General Grant's forces moved into Paducah, Kentucky, in order to prevent Confederates from seizing the city. The action, which provoked no fighting or bloodshed, proved to be strategically critical as it allowed Federals an important foothold in an area that would be central to the western river campaign in the upcoming year. General Charles F. Smith was given command of the forces in western Kentucky as General Grant left fo his headquarters at Cairo, Illinois.