The Three Forks Battalion (also called the "Last Chance Battalion") was raised by Major Elisha Bowman Treadway under the act of January 26, 1864, and organized during the winter of 1864/1865. It operated in the extreme southeastern portion of the state, with headquarters at Booneville.

The Three Forks Battalion Company Commanders were as follows:

Co. A - Joseph Blackwell
Co. B - Francis M. Vaughn
Co. C - William B. Eversole
Co. D - Shadrach Combs
Co. E - William Strong
Co. F - Benjamin F. Blankenship
Co. G - William D. Caldwell
Co. H - James Eversole

The Three Forks Battalion saw active duty until July 17, 1865, operating mainly against roving bands of guerrillas in Harlan, Perry, Breathitt, Letcher, etc., when it was mustered out of service, with the exception of Captain Blankenship's Co. F.

The Kentucky Adjutant General's Report added a notation to the roster for this company: "The captain of this company, with a detachment of his command, being in charge of certain prisoners of war, with orders to deliver them at Department Headquarters at Lexington, whilst en route from Irvine, murdered them; for which crime he was ordered to be arrested for trial.

In order to evade the law and penalties for disobedience of orders, the captain marched his company to the extreme border of the state, preventing it from being present at Irvine at the time designated for rendezvous; it was therefore disbanded by order dated 17 July 1865."