For "gallant and meritorious conduct at the battle of Prestonburg," Colonel Garfield was in February promoted to be a Brigadier-General of Volunteers.

sue their designs against Zollicoffer. Col- works, a series of well constructed fortionel Garfield took possession of Preston-fications, from which he could be disburg, and issued a proclamation, in which | lodged only by a close and severe conhe offered to all in arms" only the alter- test. The position was still further senative of battle or of unconditional sur- cured by additional works on the south render" but to those who had taken no side of the Cumberland. On this well part in the war, "even though they held defended height and its vicinity were ensentiments adverse to the Union," the camped some twelve thousand men, with full protection of the Government in life about eight hundred cavalry and fifteen and property. pieces of artillery. In the beginning of January, General Zollicoffer was joined by Major-General George B. Crittenden, who, as the superior officer, assumed the command. General Crittenden was the son of the venerable Senator from Kentucky. He had received a military education at West Point, and served in the army of the United States, from which he had been discharged, it is said, on account of intemperance. In front of the rebel position, guarding the approaches of the enemy, General Schoepf was encamped with his brigade at Somerset, while General Thomas was stationed with his division a considerable distance to the north, at Lebanon.

Following hard upon Colonel Garfield's engagement with Marshall at Prestonburg came the decisive victory over the forces of the enemy at Mill Springs, up to that time the most important battle gained by the Union forces, and, in fact, as it proved, the commencement of a series of successful military operations of the utmost value in the progress of the war in the West. To the faithful few, the valiant bands of Ohio, Indiana, Minnesota, and Kentucky, and the exiles of Tennessee, who fought on the banks of the Cumberland, men looked back with gratitude when fort after fort fell, and post after post was evacuated, carrying the headquarters of the Union army to the proud city of Nashville, which not long before had been proposed as the capital of the Confederate States.

We have seen General Zollicoffer establishing himself on the Cumberland on the borders of Wayne and Pulaski county, where he held an advantageous position on both sides of the river, which he fortified with great skill. The spot which he had selected was about twenty-five miles due north of the state line of Tennessee and about fifteen by the road south-west from Somerset, where, at Mill Springs, a bend of the Cumberland and its junction with the White Oak Creek afforded water protection on three sides. In this area, on a range of hills several hundred feet above the river, and supporting one another, Zollicoffer built his

Such was the state of affairs in the region early in January, when an expedition was set on foot, in pursuance of instructions from General Buell, against the threatening position of the enemy. Its details, with an account of the action which ensued, commonly called the battle of Mill Springs, are thus given in the official report of Brigadier-General Geo. H. Thomas, to whom the movement was entrusted. I have the honor," says that officer in his report to General Buell of the 31st of January, "to report that in carrying out the instructions of the General commanding the department, contained in his communications of the 29th of December, I reached Logan's Cross Roads, about ten miles north of the intrenched camp of the enemy, on the Cumberland river, on the 17th inst., with a portion of the 2d and 3d Brigades, Kenney's Battery of Artillery, and a battalion of Wolford's Cavalry. The 4th and 10th Kentucky, 14th Ohio, and the 18th United

THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY

ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.

BATTLE OF MILL SPRINGS.

205

diana) and took a position on the road to await the attack, ordering the 4th Kentucky (Colonel S. S. Fry) to support him, and then informed me in person that the enemy were advancing in force, and what disposition he had made to resist them. I directed him to join his brigade immediately, and hold the enemy in check until I could order up the other troops, which were ordered to form immediately, and were marching to the field in ten minutes afterwards. The battalion of Michigan Engineers, and Company A, 38th Ohio, (Captain Greenwood,) were ordered to remain as guard to the camp. Upon my arrival in the field soon afterward, I found the 10th Indiana formed in front of their encampment, apparently awaiting orders, and ordered them forward to the support of the 4th Kentucky, which was the only whole regiment then engaged. I then rode forward myself to see the enemy's

States Infantry, being still in the rear, detained by the almost impassable condition of the roads, I determined to halt at this point to await their arrival, and to communicate with General Schoepf. The 10th Indiana, Wolford's Cavalry, and Kenney's Battery took position on the road leading to the enemy's camp. The 9th Ohio and 2d Minnesota, (part of Colonel McCook's brigade,) encamped three-fourths of a mile to the right, on the Robertsport road. Strong pickets were thrown out in the direction of the enemy, beyond where the Somerset and Mill Springs road comes into the main road from my camp to Mill Springs, and a picket of cavalry some distance in advance of the infantry. General Schoepf visited me on the day of my arrival, and after consultation I directed him to send to my camp Standart's Battery, the 12th Kentucky and the 1st and 2d Tennessee regiments, to remain until the arrival of the regiments in the rear. Having re-position, so that I could determine what ceived information on the evening of the disposition to make of my troops as they 17th that a large train of wagons, with arrived. On reaching the position held its escort, were encamped on the Rob- by the 4th Kentucky, 10th Indiana, and ertsport and Danville Road, about six Wolford's Cavalry, at a point where the miles from Colonel Stedman's camp, I roads fork leading to Somerset, I found sent an order to him to send his wagons the enemy advancing through a cornforward, under a strong guard, and to field, and evidently endeavoring to gain march with his regiment, (the 14th Ohio,) the left of the 4th Kentucky regiment, and the 10th Kentucky, (Colonel Har- which was maintaining its position in a lan,) with one day's rations in their hav- most determined manner. I directed ersacks, to the point where the enemy one of my aids to ride back and order were said to be encamped, and either up a section of artillery and the Tennescapture or disperse them. see Brigade to advance on the enemy's right, and sent orders for Colonel McCook to advance with his two regiments (the 9th Ohio and 2d Minnesota) to the support of the 4th Kentucky and 10th Indiana. A section of Kenney's Battery took a position on the edge of the field to the left of the 4th Kentucky, and opened an efficient fire on a regiment of Alabamians, which was advancing on the 4th Kentucky. Soon afterward the 2d Minnesota, (H. P. Van Cleve,) the Colonel reporting to me for instructions, I directed him to take the position of the

Nothing of importance occurred, from the time of my arrival until the morning of the 19th, except a picket skirmish on the 17th. The 4th Kentucky, the battalion of Michigan Engineers, and Wetmore's Battery, joined on the 18th. About 5 o'clock on the morning of the 19th, the pickets from Wolford's Cavalry encountered the enemy advancing on our camp; retired slowly, and reported their advance to Colonel M. D. Manson, commanding the 2d Brigade. He immediately formed his regiment (the 10th In

4th Kentucky and 10th Indiana, which position on the left, near Kenney's Batregiments were nearly out of ammunition. The 9th Ohio, under the immediate command of Major Kæmmerling, came into position on the right of the road at the same time.

tery, and every preparation was made to assault their intrenchments on the following morning. The 14th Ohio, Colonel Stedman, and the 10th Kentucky, Colonel Harlan, having joined from deImmediately after the regiments had tached service, soon after the repulse of gained their position, the enemy opened the evening, continued with their briga most determined and galling fire, which ade in the pursuit, although they could was returned by our troops in the same not get up in time to join in the fight. spirit, and for nearly half an hour the General Schoepf also joined me on the contest was maintained on both sides in evening of the 19th, with the 17th, 31st, the most obstinate manner. At this time and 38th Ohio. At this time and 38th Ohio. His entire brigade enthe 12th Kentucky (Colonel W. A. Ios-tered with the other troops. On reaching kins) and the Tennessee brigade reached the intrenchments we found the enemy the field to the left of the Minnesota regi-had abandoned everything and retired ment, and opened fire on the right flank during the night. Twelve pieces of artilof the enemy, who then began to fall lery, with their caissons packed with amback. The 2d Minnesota kept up a most munition, one battery wagon, and two forggalling fire in front, and the 9th Ohio es, a large amount of ammunition, a large charged the enemy on the right, with number of small arms, (mostly the old flintbayonets fixed, turned their flank and lock musket,) one hundred and fifty or drove them from the field, the whole line sixty wagons, and upward of one thougiving way and retreating in the utmost sand horses and mules, a large amount disorder and confusion. As soon as the of commissary stores, intrenching tools, regiments could be formed and refill their and camp and garrison equipage, fell cartridge boxes, I ordered the whole force into our hands. A correct list of all to advance. A few miles in the rear of the captured property will be forwarded the battle-field a small force of cavalry as soon as it can be made up and the was drawn up near the road, but a few property secured. The steam and ferry shots from our artillery (a section of boats having been burned by the enemy Standart's Battery) dispersed them, and in their retreat, it was found impossible none of the enemy were seen again until to cross the river and pursue them; bewe arrived in front of their intrench-side, their command was completely dements; as we approached their intrench-moralized, and retreated with great haste ments the division was deployed in line and in all directions, making their capof battle, and steadily advanced to the ture in any numbers quite doubtful, if summit of the hill at Moulden's. From pursued. There is no doubt but what this point I directed their intrenchments the moral effect produced by their comto be cannonaded, which was done until plete dispersion will have a more dedark by Standart's and Wetmore's Bat-sired effect in reëstablishing Union senteries. Kenney's Battery was placed in timent than though they had been capposition on the extreme left at Russell's tured. house, from which point he was directed to fire on their ferry to deter them from attempting to cross. On the following morning Captain Wetmore's Battery was ordered to Russell's house and assisted with his Parrot guns in firing upon the ferry. Colonel Manson's Brigade took

"It affords me much pleasure to be able to testify to the uniform steadiness and good conduct of both officers and men during the battle. I regret to have to report that Colonel R. L. McCook, commanding the 3d Brigade, and his Aid, Lieutenant A. S. Burt, 18th United States