 On October 1, 1864, a skirmish took place at Carter's Depot, with Union forces under General Alvan C. Gillem pushing Confederates led by John C. Vaughn across the river.Watauga is located at (36.367305, -82.291296) along the Watauga River, at the headwaters of Boone Lake, approximately river miles above the river's confluence with the South Fork Holston River.The city's downtown area is located in Carter County, though its municipal boundaries extend into adjacent Washington County.