Pictorial history of the war for the Union, volume 1 (of 2) : $b A complete and reliable history of the war from its commencement to its close ... together with a complete chronological analysis of the warStephens, Ann S. (Ann Sophia)
History
Pictorial history of the war for the Union, volume 1 (of 2) : $b A complete and reliable history of the war from its commencement to its close ... together with a complete chronological analysis of the war
Stephens, Ann S. (Ann Sophia)
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865
The enemy now gave way tumultuously, and ran from their camp, leaving
guns, horses, camp equipage, powder, and a large quantity of new
clothing for men in Price’s army. It was a complete rout, as the
appearance of the camp fully attested. It was now nearly dark, with a
heavy fog, and fearing that the enemy had only retired as a ruse to
rally and come to the attack again, the order was given to destroy the
whole camp and equipage. The work of destruction was soon
complete—wagons, saddles, tents, blankets, clothing, etc., were gathered
up, flung on the fires, and soon became one heap of burning ruins. The
Federals now looked up their dead and wounded, and cared for them. The
enemy’s dead lay in all portions of the camp, and the groans of their
dying mingled with the exultant shouts of the victors. It was a fearful
struggle, as the soldiers all knew that they never could retreat, and it
was victory or death to them. The cool courage and gallant bearing of
the officers in command, were worthy of Americans.
The loss of the enemy was 12 killed, 22 wounded and 15 prisoners. That
of the Federals 3 killed and 10 wounded.
[Illustration: ]
BATTLE OF MILL SPRING, AT LOGAN’S CROSS-ROADS, KY.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 19, 1862.
This battle was the first of the series of splendid triumphs that
occurred early in the year 1862, which resulted in severe losses to the
rebel armies of the West, both in men and material. It was the first
breach in their well-planned line of defence, by which the right wing of
the Confederate army of the West was broken, and their great stronghold
at Bowling Green, the centre of their operations, laid open to the
advancing army of the Union.
After the discomfiture of Zollicoffer in his attack on the camp of
General Schoepf, at Camp Wildcat, on the 21st of October, he left two
regiments to defend the post at Cumberland Gap, and occupied a position
on the Cumberland river, opposite Mill Spring, at the mouth of White Oak
Creek. Here he was engaged in fortifying this most advantageous natural
position, and in recruiting and organizing an army, which was now
formidable in numbers, and whose frequent forays had rendered his name a
terror to the loyal inhabitants of that region.
The rebel stronghold was familiarly known among the inhabitants as
“Zollicoffer’s Den.” It was situated on the north bank of the
Cumberland, where it is intersected by White Oak Creek. The country for
two miles from the river is entirely clear, and broken into hills of
imposing altitude. Six of these hills, forming a picturesque range,
commanded each other and the entire approach to the camp for miles
around. On these hills Zollicoffer had raised breastworks and redoubts.
The south side of the river, commanding the entire camp, was also well
fortified.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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