Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument

George Thomas

This article in the Buffalo (NY) Weekly Express' February 4, 1862, edition has an excerpt from a letter written by Corporal Elias Green Gore, 15th Mississippi describing the military situation to his parents. Gore was killed during the Battle of Mill Springs on January 19, 1862.

Felix Kirk Zollicoffer was a Tennessee newspaperman, U.S. politician, and Confederate general. Zollicoffer was responsible for crossing the Cumberland River and establishing winter quarters for his Confederate force at Beech Grove. After George B. Crittenden took command, Zollicoffer commanded a brigade of Tennesseans on an attack of US forces during the Battle of Mill Springs. Zollicoffer was killed during the battle and his body was returned for burial in Nashville.

George Bibb Crittenden was the son of U.S. Representative and former Attorney General John J. Crittenden. George Crittenden commanded the Confederate forces during the Battle of Mill Springs. Crittenden allowed command on the field to Felix Zollicoffer during the battle. After Zollicoffer's death, Crittenden attempted to take control, but ultimately his force was routed. After crossing the Cumberland River, Crittenden was arrested for allegedly being drunk on duty.

George Henry Thomas was a southerner who remained loyal to the United States during the Civil War. Commanding the US forces during the Battle of Mill Springs, Thomas demonstrated his capacity for high command and military strategy. Thomas' victory at Mill Springs was a direct catalyst to successful Federal movements into Middle Tennessee and the end of Confederate occupation of Kentucky during the Civil War.

This article in the Louisville Daily Journal's December 6, 1861 edition discusses the movements of Confederate general Felix K. Zollicoffer, US Army general Albin Schopef, and local interests in Pulaski and Wayne County, Kentucky.

This article in the Southbridge (Mass) Journal's February 7, 1862 edition printed a letter from Captain Samuel Jennison to his parents describing the experiences of the 2nd Minnesota Infantry during the Battle of Mill Springs on January 19, 1862.

This article in the Louisville Daily Journal's March 1, 1862 edition discusses an interview with Colonel Speed Smith Fry of the 4th Kentucky Infantry and his fatal shooting of Confederate general Felix K. Zollicoffer during the Battle of Mill Springs.