We Are Betrayed! or The Death of ‘Snollegoster’!
From the Editor: ‘Stonewall’ Jackson is reunited with his wife at Winchester, Virginia, and most of his troops settle into comfortable winter quarters in that vicinity. However, William Loring's Army of the Northwest, left behind in frozen, desolate Romney, is not so fortunate. A letter detailing his grievances is sent to Secretary of War Judah Benjamin and the consequences explode like a time-bomb in Richmond. In Kentucky, Felix Zollicoffer and George Crittenden's folly ends in a disastrous defeat at Mill Springs and their broken army disperses after the battle. Rumors fly: “We Are Betrayed!” However, if they were betrayed, it was by poor leadership and ancient weaponry. The end result is that Albert Sidney Johnston's long defensive line in Tennessee is broken. To add insult to injury, the body of General Zollicoffer, who was killed in the battle, is stripped by souvenir hunters. His raincoat, buttons, clothes, and even his hair, which is cut off to the skin, become colorful mementos of the Union victory. Eventually, Zollicoffer’s body is wrapped in a blanket and placed in a tent under guard. Several days later, the body is embalmed, placed into a metallic coffin, and returned to Confederate lines under a flag of truce.
January 19, 1862 (Sunday)
Near Mill Springs, Kentucky, Felix Zollicoffer and his brigade spend the night and early morning hours struggling over muddy roads through a driving rainstorm. The mud saps their strength, but more importantly the rain seeps into their ancient (some dating back to the War of 1812) flintlocks and dampens their already moist gunpowder. William H. Carroll, Second Brigade, reports: “The night was dark and gloomy; a cold rain was constantly descending, rendering the march extremely difficult and unpleasant. This, together with the almost impassable condition of the roads, rendered so by recent heavy rains, so much retarded our progress, that at daylight we had not advanced more than 10 miles from Camp Beech Grove, thus consuming nearly six hours in marching this short distance.”
Report of Brig. Gen. William H. Carroll, C.S. Army, commanding Second Brigade.
GENERAL: Just at dawn on the morning of the 19th, and while the troops were toiling slowly along through mud and water, sometimes more than a foot in depth, I heard the report of several guns, fired in quick succession, apparently about half a mile in advance of me. This firing I supposed [to be] from the enemy's pickets, who had discovered the approach of General Zollicoffer's brigade.... The rapid and continuous fire in front convinced me that General Zollicoffer had encountered the enemy in strong force and a determined and sanguinary conflict had commenced. I immediately moved my command forward at double-quick.... Advancing very near the enemy, we kept up a constant and most destructive fire until we were forced to quit the field and fall back before superior numbers. Returning a short distance we rallied and renewed the contest, but were again assailed by an unequal force and again driven slowly back, stubbornly contesting every inch of ground over which the enemy were advancing. The action had now become general all along my entire line--the Federals fighting with unusual vigor and courage. Reenforcements of the enemy continuing to pour in upon us in every direction, the ground was soon covered with the dead and wounded, and the discharge of small-arms and the roar of cannon were incessant. I am, general, very respectfully,
W.H. CARROLL, Brigadier-General.
As the battle lines swirl, Felix Zollicoffer, wearing a white rubber raincoat, becomes disoriented and rides towards the Union line and begins to shout orders. As he approaches Colonel Speed Fry, Fourth Kentucky (U.S.), he declares, "We must not fire on our own men." (1) Fry, who mistakes Zollicoffer for a comrade, replies, "Of course not." Just then a Confederate soldier fires at Fry, wounding his horse. Fry, realizing his mistake, responds by leveling his revolver and putting a bullet into Zollicoffer's breast. With the general down, there is no one to rally the men as Union commander George H. Thomas quickly brings up reinforcements.
Report of Col. Mahlon D. Manson, Tenth Indiana Infantry, commanding Second Brigade.
SIR: A portion of the enemy halted at a fence, with the evident intention of making a stand, when [Colonel Robert L.McCook] commanded a "charge bayonet," which command was instantly repeated by [Lieutenant-Colonel William C. Kise], of the Tenth Indiana, and was splendidly executed by both regiments. The enemy now gave way and fled in every direction in the utmost confusion, being hotly pursued by all your forces in the field.
MAHLON D. MANSON, Colonel, Comdg. Second Brigade, First Division, Dept. Ohio.
After Zollicoffer falls, the battle is over quickly. For the first time, a Confederate army has been routed. The disorganized and beaten soldiers stumble back over the muddy roads whence they had come. Many feel betrayed; how could they fight with weapons that would not shoot. When they reach their Beech Grove camp, they do not stop. After ferrying themselves over the Cumberland River, they quietly disperse back into the Tennessee countryside.
Reports of Brig. Gen. George H. Thomas, U.S. Army, commanding division.
SIR: On reaching the intrenchments we found the enemy had abandoned everything and retired during the night. Twelve pieces of artillery, with their caissons packed with ammunition; one battery wagon and two forges; a large amount of ammunition; a large number of small-arms, mostly the old; 150 or 160 wagons, and upwards of 1,000 horses and mules; a large amount of commissary stores, intrenching tools, and camp and garrison equipage, fell into our hands. The steam and ferry boats having been burned by the enemy in their retreat, it was found impossible to cross the river and pursue them; besides, their command was completely demoralized, and retreated with great haste and in all directions, making their capture in any numbers quite doubtful if pursued. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
GEO. H. THOMAS, Brigadier-General, U.S. Volunteers, Commanding.
Lacking any kind of legislative guidelines from the War Department in Washington, D.C., Union commanders are left to their own devices when dealing with captured and freed slaves. In the interest of military security, Henry Halleck, commanding the Department of the Missouri, decrees that slaves not be allowed in Union camps and that they should be returned to their respective masters. As his subordinate, Ulysses S. Grant, commanding the District of Cairo, follows Halleck’s lead.
HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF CAIRO, Cairo, January 19, 1862.
General [Eleazer A.] PAINE, Commanding Second Brigade, Fort Jefferson, Ky.: You will proceed to Bird's Point as soon as practicable with a portion of your command--as much as can be taken--with their baggage, with the transportation supplied. On your arrival all...negroes who have flocked into camp will be permitted to return to their masters. I learn from [Colonel Nicholas Perczel, 10th Iowa,] that there are many of this class now in camp who have flocked there through fear. Some discretion will have to be used in forcing these people out of camp now that they are in. I would require all, however, who have masters in camp to take their negroes with them.
U.S. GRANT, Brigadier-General, Commanding.
General Officer Fatalities on January 19, 1862.
Zollicoffer, Felix Kirk, 1812-1862. A journeyman printer and newspaper editor, Zollicoffer served in the Seminole War and became a prominent Whig in his native state of Tennessee. He was elected to Congress and fought a duel before attending the Washington Peace Conference in the winter of 1861. He turned down an offer to command all the Tennessee state troops, but accepted an appointment as brigadier-general in the Confederate Army in July 1861. His brigade occupied and fortified the Cumberland Gap in October 1861 and two months later he advanced his force across the Cumberland River at Beech Grove, Kentucky. In doing so, Zollicoffer inadvertently set the stage for the ensuing Confederate defeat at Mill Springs. During the battle, Zollicoffer was killed when he mistakenly rode into the lines of the Union Fourth Kentucky.
Casualties at Mill Springs, Kentucky:
U.S.: 246 (39 killed, 207 wounded)
C.S.: 533 (125 killed, 309 wounded, and 99 missing.)
Other Union activity reported on this date:
1. Colonel R.L. McCook is wounded during the initial stages of the Mill Springs (KY) battle, but remains with his unit. He reports: “I was shot through the right leg below the knee. Three other balls passed through my horse.”
2. The expeditions to Benton, Bloomfield and Dallas (MO), sent by Colonel L.F. Ross, 17th Illinois, return to Cape Girardeau with 57 prisoners, including 10 officers captured while “attending a ball in Bloomfield.”
3. Horatio Perry, U.S. Chargé d'Affaires in Madrid, Spain, telegraphs Secretary Seward that “the privateer Sumter left Cadiz.” He reports, “It seems that this steamer destroyed two more vessels in the Straits of Gibraltar yesterday.”
4. The U.S.S. Itasca captures the schooner Lizzie Weston off the coast of Florida en route for Jamaica with a cargo of cotton.
Other Confederate activity reported on this date:
1. A.S. Johnston, Dept. No. 2, writes to Secretary Benjamin requesting “a strong force” be sent to Nashville and another to Memphis (TN). He reports “their preparations... seem to be of immense magnitude.”
2. L. Tilghman, commanding Forts Henry and Donelson, fortifies the hills surrounding Fort Henry and reports: “Await anxiously to know about re-enforcements.”
3. Colonel H. Carter, 52nd Virginia Militia, writes to J.B. Magruder, Army of the Peninsula, about the “importance of the defenses at Jamestown Island (VA).”
4. Captain R.P. Blount, commanding a battalion at Camp Newbern (AL), reports a “company of Union men are secretly organizing” in Winston County.
January 20, 1862 (Monday)
George B. Crittenden, commanding the District of Cumberland Gap, reports his defeat at Mill Springs to Albert Sidney Johnston. His version is slightly different from the rain swept, panicky stampede across the Cumberland River that actually took place. To make matters worse, rumors are swirling around that that Crittenden was drunk during the battle and some of his men, remembering that his brother Thomas is a Union general, are even questioning his loyalty.
HEADQUARTERS, Monticello, Ky., January 20, 1862.
To the ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL, Headquarters Department of the West, Bowling Green, Ky.: On the night of the 18th (at 12 midnight) I moved my force from Beech Grove and attacked the enemy at 7 o'clock the next morning. After a very severe fight of three hours I was compelled to retire, and reoccupied my intrenchments. The enemy advanced the same evening and opened their batteries upon us. Finding it was impossible to remain where I was, I crossed my command to the south side of the river by a steamboat on the night of the 19th. I am now on my march to Celina or some other point on the Cumberland River where I can communicate with Nashville. The country is entirely destitute of provisions. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
G.B. CRITTENDEN, Major-General.
In Goldsborough, North Carolina, Ambrose Burnside's naval expedition has been detected. Richard C. Gatlin, commanding the Confederate Department of North Carolina, reports: “The Burnside expedition has at length made its appearance in our waters. I have forwarded the information by telegraph to Richmond, Raleigh, and Norfolk.” Gatlin tries desperately to get arms for the 34th and 37th North Carolina regiments, which are being held in reserve. He writes to Samuel Cooper, Adjutant and Inspector General, in Richmond, Virginia: “It is highly important that these regiments be armed at once. Be pleased to draw the attention of the Secretary of War to the subject. I desire to draw your attention to the neglect of the railroad companies in failing to forward military supplies with dispatch.... Unless something is done to correct the criminal neglect of these railroad people a sad misfortune may befall us.”
HEADQUARTERS, Washington, N.C., January 20, 1862.
General [Lawrence O’Bryan] BRANCH [District of the Pamlico]: Captain Wallace, who has just returned from the sound, reports that 125 sail of the enemy are at Hatteras; 100 of them inside the sound at 4 o'clock yesterday evening. The twenty-five outside, large-class steamers. They had pressed into their service all the pilots. Three of the pilots had made their escape and gave the information. The pilots report that the fleet is for Roanoke, Washington, Hyde, and New Berne, and that a portion of them would move this morning. Your obedient servant,
[Colonel Robert] McMILLAN [24th Georgia].
After being out sick with the measles for the past four days, Henry Halleck returns to his office in Saint Louis, Missouri. When he reads the report of Don Carlos Buell's success at Mill Springs he is shocked. The roads to Nashville and into East Tennessee are now open and Buell, commanding the Department of the Ohio, is in the driver's seat. Halleck now needs a victory of his own or all his hopes for command in the West will be in vain. He quickly maps out a possible plan for General-in-Chief George McClellan: “So far it seems to me the war has been conducted upon what may be called pepper-box strategy— scattering our troops so as to render them inferior in numbers in any place where they can meet the enemy.... A much more feasible plan is to move up the Cumberland and Tennessee, making Nashville the first objective point. This would turn Columbus and force the abandonment of Bowling Green.” However, Halleck is quick to absolve McClellan from any blame. He writes: “I am aware that you, general, are in no way responsible for this, these movements having been governed by political expediency and in many cases directed by politicians in order to subserve particular interests; but is it not possible with the new Secretary of War to introduce a different policy and to make our future movements in accordance with military principles?”
LOUISVILLE, January 20, 1862.
Major-General [George] MCCLELLAN: I have information that General Thomas was attacked by Zollicoffer's forces at 6 o'clock yesterday morning, some 8 miles west of Somerset. He repulsed the enemy handsomely and drove him into his intrenchments at Mill Springs, capturing one piece of artillery and four caissons. The enemy left 200 killed and wounded on the field. Among the killed are Zollicoffer and [Lieutenant] *Bailie Peyton. The difficulty of supplying even General Thomas' force in the present condition of the roads, and with our limited amount of transportation, is almost insurmountable. He has been on half rations for some days.
D.C. BUELL, Brigadier-General.
*Editor’s Note: Bailie Peyton, 20th Tennessee, was a member of Zollicoffer’s staff.
Captain Irving W. Fuller, First Missouri Cavalry, is ordered to “report to Deputy United States Marshal Hook” in Atchison, Kansas, to “carry out the provisions of Special Orders, No. 57.” These orders require Fuller to “confer and co-operate in all measures necessary to maintain the peace of Atchison City and County” and to arrest “any irregular bands or bodies of armed men who may be depredating on the public.”
Report of Capt. Irving W. Fuller, First Missouri Cavalry.
SIR: At 4 o'clock am, Lieutenant Sprague joined my command with 20 men and reported for duty. At 8 am…. I sent out Lieutenant Sprague with 25 men in search of horse-thieves and depredators and stolen property, who succeeded in capturing 5 of the stolen horses and 2 jayhawkers, and returned at 2 pm of the same day. I then proceeded with the balance of my command to the farm of Sueter Dixon, a noted jayhawker, and took from his farm 20 horses and 2 shot-guns, the property of citizens of Kansas and Missouri, to whom I restored their property upon their bringing satisfactory proof of ownership.
I W. FULLER, Captain, First Missouri Cavalry.
Other Union activity reported on this date:
1. From Mill Springs (KY), G.H. Thomas reports he “pursued the enemy into his intrenchments, and this morning advanced to assault him, but found he had abandoned everything and crossed the river during the night.”
2. From Port Royal (SC), T.W. Sherman, Expeditionary Corps, reports Savannah (GA) could be captured “by a combined operation of the Army and Navy.”
3. Lt. Col. D.R. Anthony, 7th Kansas Cavalry, is reprimanded for burning the towns of Dayton and Columbus (MO), by D. Hunter, Dept. of Kansas, who finds no evidence “sufficient to warrant these extreme measures.”
4. The Gulf Blockading Squadron is divided into two squadrons. The Eastern Gulf Blockading Squadron, to be commanded by Flag-Officer W.W. McKean and the Western Gulf Blockading Squadron, to be commanded by Flag-Officer D.G. Farragut.
5. The U.S.S. R.R. Cuyler and Huntsville capture the blockade running schooner J.W. Wilder, fifteen miles east of Mobile (AL).
Other Confederate activity reported on this date:
1. W.J. Hardee, 1st Div., Central Army of Kentucky, is instructed to detach 8,000 men, “consisting of General [J.B. Floyd's] brigade and so much of [S.B. Buckner's] division as will bring the number up to 8,000.” Floyd is to take the command to Russellville (KY), “to protect our line from this point by rail to Clarksville.”
2. From Romney (VA), T.J. Jackson, Valley District, reports “not a single brigade [is] in a condition for active operations” in W.W. Loring’s Army of the Northwest. He writes, “I expect they will be much improved...if placed in winter quarters.”
3. H. Marshall, 1st Brigade, Army of Eastern Kentucky, reports he has fallen back to Martin’s Mill, in Floyd County (KY). “I [have] come to this place for food.”
4. From Chihuahua, Mexico, Colonel J. Reily, 4th Texas Mtd. Vols., reports he has “obtained the first official recognition of the Government of the Confederate States by any foreign power.” He reports, “[I] was recognized, received, [and] entertained” by Gov. Don Luis Terrazas.
5. Martha Douglas, the wife of Senator Stephen Douglas, is permitted to make a “single visit” to suspected spy Rose O’Neal Greenhow, “a prisoner confined at the Old Capitol Prison.”
6. The first ships of the ‘second stone fleet’ are sunk in Charleston harbor strengthening the Union blockade of that port. R.E. Lee, Dept. of S.C., calls the action "an abortive expression of the malice and revenge."
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