Battle of Mill Springs
Mill Springs, near Nancy, Kentucky, USA
What happened
Union troops under George H. Thomas fought Confederates under George B. Crittenden and Felix Zollicoffer. Confederate troops attacked the Union camp at Logan's Crossroads at dawn and did well at first. In the confusion Zollicoffer was killed, and the Confederate line fell back. A Union counterattack, including the 9th Ohio, forced the Confederates to retreat across the Cumberland River.
Why it matters
It has been called the first significant Union victory of the war. Together with the Battle of Middle Creek, it broke the main Confederate defensive line in eastern Kentucky.
What came next
Crittenden's army broke up, and in February 1862 the Union carried the war into Middle Tennessee.
Did you know?
The town was called Logan's Crossing at the time of the battle; today it is Nancy, Kentucky.
Timeline
- 19 Jan 1862Battle of Mill Springs.
- Feb 1862Union forces push into Middle Tennessee.
- 1995Lightning destroys the 'Zollie tree' on the battlefield.
- 1997A sapling from the tree is planted.