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embodied and drilled into an invincible army, competent not only to oppose in vasion at every point of our frontier, but to conquer peace in the dominions of the enemy."

Bitter complaint also is made by Pollard, as to "the policy of monotonous defence," and the leaving the Union army to arrange and perfect its plans without hindrance. Added to all this, he notes various abuses and defects existing in the management of southern affairs; and altogether gives a discour aging view of the prospects of the socalled "Confederate States of America."

The result of our review, brief as it is, seems to be this much at least,—that the position of the government and

navy yard on the continent; "King Cotton" was little better than a sham, and did not, as it was confidently said it would, "bring Europe to its knees;" and the political measures of the South amounted to almost nothing. "They are justly described as weak and halting responses to the really vigorous acts of the northern government, in its heartless but strong and effective prosecution of the war. While the Washington government protected itself against disaffected persons and spies by a system of military police, extending over the whole North, the provisional Congress at Richmond was satisfied to pass a law for the deportation of 'alien enemies,' the execution of which afforded facilities to the egress of innumerable spies. The people was such as to lead to cheering Washington government had passed a hope and expectation that the war law for the confiscation of the property would speedily be brought to a close, of rebels. The Congress at Richmond especially as Gen. McClellan said, more replied, after a weak hesitation, by a than once, that when he did strike, he law sequestrating the property of alien meant to strike at "the heart," and enemies in the South. The Washington crush the rebellion entirely thereby. government was actually collecting an How it happened that these bright army of half a million of men. The forecastings of the future were doomed Richmond Congress replied to the to disappointment, and the rebellion threat of numbers, by increasing its was able to drag out a lengthened existarmy, on paper, to four hundred thou- ence, will be made plain to the reader sand men; and the Confederate govern- who watches the progress of events, as ment, in the midst of a revolution that detailed in subsequent pages of our his threatened its existence, continued to tory. rely on the wretched shift of twelve months' volunteers and raw militia, with a population that, by the opera tion of conscription, could have been

The financial condition of the government, it must

be noted, however, was not sa isfactory. More or less distrust prevailed as to pulic credit; and on the last day of the year 1861, the banks suspended specie

payments.

CH. IX.]

STATE OF AFFAIRS IN KENTUCKY.

109

CHAPTER IX.

1862.

OPERATIONS IN THE WEST: MILL SPRINGS, FORTS HENRY AND DONELSON, ETC.

Gen. Buell in Kentucky-Johnston, the rebel commander, and his plans-Affair at Munfordsville - Garfiel: pursues Marshall and routs his forces near Prestonburg - Zollicoffer and Crittenden at Mill Springs - Gen Thomas advances - Defeat of the rebels - Value of this victory - The iron-clad gun boats on the Mississipp -Mortar boats-Commodore Foote in command-President's general war order-Foote and Grant ad vance against Fort Henry - Bombardment and capture by the gun boats - Lieut. Phelps' expedition up the Tennessee - Union sentiments- Fort Donelson - Its strength and importance - Pillow in commandThe fort invested by Grant - Severity of the weather— Attack by the gun boats unsuccessful - Rebels at tempt to cut their way out- Length and severity of the battle - Floyd and Pillow' decamp-Buckner surrenders to Grant - Large number of prisoners - Chagrin of Davis and company - Bowling Green evacu ated - Commodore Foote ascends the Cumberland - Nashville taken possession of - Panic of the inhabitants - Andrew Johnson military governor - His course - Columbus abandoned by the rebels-Gen. Halleck's order- Alarm in the South, and extreme measures - Gen. Curtis in Missouri - Price retreats from Spring field Pursued into Arkansas-Poisoned food-Gen. Curtis's address to the people of the South-westPrice reinforced largely — Amount of force on each side - The enemy begin the attack - Three days' battle -Defeat of the rebels-Employment of Indians by the rebels-Southern view of the result of the battle of Pea Ridge, or Elk Horn.

1862.

THE year 1862 opened with various Missouri. Polk also received additions encouraging evidences of activity and to his force, which was already large; energy, in the West especially. The forces under McClellan were maintaining their position undisturbed, and continued to do so for some time after the year began; but, in Kentucky, our army was more actively employed. Gen. Buell, an able and energetic officer, was in command in this department, having succeeded Gen. W. T. Sherman, in Nov., 1861. The rebels were commanded by Gen. A. S. John ston, formerly an officer in the United States army. He, having got together bodies of troops from various quarters, strengthened Bowling Green-a point of great importance in Kentucky-by Hardee's division, from South-eastern the slaves at liberty, and to put arms in

while Zollicoffer (see p. 39), having secured the pass at Cumberland Gap, was taking up an important position in the midst of the rich mineral and agricultural district on the upper waters of the Cumberland. Johnston, in the latter part of December, issued a procla mation to the people of South-eastern Kentucky, in which, with considerable flourish of rhetoric, he declared that he was come to repel "those armed northern hordes who were attempting the subjugation of a sister southern state." He asserted, also, though he himself knew that it was a slander, that the avowed object of the North was to set

their hands to be used against their Middle Creek Forks, three miles be masters.

The day following this proclamation, there was a spirited engagement on the south side of Green River, opposite Munfordsville, at Rowlett's Station, where the troops were restoring the railroad bridge which had been destroyed by the rebels. Our force was largely outnumbered, but bravely repelled the enemy. Falling back towards Bowling Green, the Gibraltar of Kentucky, as it was called, the rebels concentrated a large force there, under Johnston, while McCook's, Nelson's and Mitchell's divisions of Buell's army threatened the position in front.

At this time, early in January, Humphrey Marshall had gathered a force of some 3,000 rebels in the extreme eastern part of the state, on the Big Sandy River, and had entrenched himself in the neighborhood of Paintville. From hence he expected to sweep Eastern Kentucky, take possession of Frankfort, and set up the secession "Provisional" Governor, G. W. Johnson. Gen. Buell, however, sent Col. Garfield after him with a brigade of infantry and some 300 cavalry. The march was one of great difficulty and toil, owing to the deep mud in the roads and the wet, inclement winter season. Marshall hastily retreated, on the 7th of January, closely pursued by Garfield's troops. On the 9th, at noon, a reinforcement having arrived, the enemy were further pursued toward Prestonburg. Night coming on, when near the town, they slept on their arms on the field, and early the next morning, moved on Marshall's main body at

1862.

yond Prestonburg. Marshall's force was about 2,500 men, with three cannon, planted on a hill. Garfield had less than 2,000; but the fight was con ducted with so much ability and brav ery on his part, that the enemy was driven from all his positions. Our loss was only two killed and twenty-five wounded.

1862.

By this decisive battle, Kentucky was freed from Marshall and his force; and Gens. Thomas and Schoepf were left at liberty to look after Zollicoffer. On the borders of Wayne and Pulaski County, Zollicoffer held an advantage. ous position on both sides of the Cumberland, which he fortified with great skill. The spot which he had selected was at Mill Springs, a bend of the Cumberland, where, at its junction with the White Oak Creek, was 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 had built his works, and he had encamped there some 12,000 men, with about 800 cavalry and fifteen pieces of artillery. Zollicoffer was joined, early in January, by Gen. G. B. Crittenden, son of the venerable senator from Kentucky, who took command, and issued a proclamation after the usual style. In front of the rebel position was Gen. Schoepf, with about 8,000 men, while Gen. Thomas was stationed with his division some distance to the north, at Lebanon In this position of affairs, Gen. Thomas was charged with the important duty of dislodging and defeating the enemy. On the 17th of January,

CH. IX.]

BATTLE AT MILL SPRINGS.

Thomas reached Webb's or Logan's Cross Roads, about ten miles north of Zollicoffer's position, and, on conference with Schoepf, made arrangements for the attack. The roads were almost impassable, and the movement was consequently somewhat less rapid; on the 19th, however, the battle took place, Crittenden having found himself in such a position of affairs that he must either be stormed out and run away, or make an advance. He chose the latter, and probably thinking that the Union force was less than it proved, he expected to gain a victory without difficulty. This was on Sunday morning, and after a severe contest of four or five hours, the rebels were driven back to their entrenchments. During the night, they abandoned everything and retired, burning the ferry boats, and being in a very demoralized condition. Twelve pieces of artillery and a large amount of ammunition and stores, together with 1,000 horses and mules, fell into our hands. Zollicoffer was killed, and the ebel loss was very heavy; our loss, in all, was 232.

111

At the same time that these move. ments, just detailed, were going on, Gen. Halleck was busily engaged in making preparations for operating against the left of the enemy's line on the Mississippi and the northern boundary of Tennessee. The navy department, during the autumn and winter, had pushed forward, at St. Louis and Cincinnati, the getting ready the gun boats and mortar fleet; these had gathered at Cairo for an onward movement down the Mississippi. The iron covered gun boats were specially constructed for the service. They were broad in proportion to their length, so as to sit firmly on the water and sup port with steadiness the heavy batteries for which they were intended. The largest were of the proportion of about 175 feet to 50, drawing five feet when loaded. They were firmly built of oak with extra strength at the bows and bulwarks, and were sheathed with wrought iron plates two and a half inches in thickness. To ward off the shots of the enemy, the sides of the boats, both above and below the knee, The news of this battle at Mill were made to incline at an angle of 45°, Springs, or Logan's Cross Roads, was so that they could be struck at right received with enthusiasm at the North. angles only by a plunging fire. These It furnished complete evidence of the boats were so built that, in action, and perseverance of our troops, they could be kept "bow on," and use and their ability to meet the their bow battery and broadsides with rebels, who, it had been as-tremendous effect. Seven out of the sumed, were superior in a hand to hand twelve gun boats were iron-clad, and contest. This decisive victory broke carried armament of the heaviest up the enemy's line in Kentucky, open- character. The mortar boats (some ed the path into East Tennessee, and proved the commencement of a series of successful military operations in the progress of the war in the West.

courage

1962.

thirty or more in number) were about 60 feet long and 25 wide, and were surrounded on all sides by iron-plate bulwarks six or seven feet high. The

huge mortar which they carried, bored to admit a 13-inch shell, with 17 inches of thickness from the edge of the bore to the outer rim, weighed over 17,000 pounds; while the bed or carriage on which it was placed weighed 4,500 pounds. From this formidable engine shells might be thrown a distance of two and a half to three and a half miles. Each boat was manned by a captain, lieutenant and twelve men, most of the men being western boatmen and volunteers, familiar with navigation and the peculiar service in which they were to be engaged.* Commodore Foote, a veteran but energetic officer, was placed in command of the flotilla.

Towards the close of the month, January 27th, President Lincoln issued his "General War Order, No. 1," as follows:

gent forces.

That especially 1862. the army at and about Fortress Monroe, the Army of the Potomac, the army of Western Virginia, the army near Munfordsville, Kentucky, the army and flotilla at Cairo, and a naval force in the Gulf of Mexico, be ready to move on that day. That all other forces, both land and naval, with their respective commanders, obey existing orders for the time, and be ready to obey additional orders when duly given.

That the heads of departments, and especially the secretaries of war and of the navy, with all their subordin ates, and the general-in-chief, with all other commanders and subordinates of land and naval forces, will severally be held to their strict and full responsi bilities for prompt execution of this order."

Eager to anticipate, if possible, the wishes of the president, Commodore Foote and Gen. Grant, with the approval of Gen. Halleck, determined to make an attack upon Fort Henry, at the beginning of February. The Tennessee River, in consequence of an unusual rise in the water at this time, offered a very favorable opportunity for navigation and transport of troops; and the expedition consisting of four iron-clad gun boats, and a fleet of transports with the land forces, set sail from Paducah, on the 4th of February, at daylight. Fort Henry was distant some 65 miles by the river, and in the

"Ordered, That the 22d day of February, 1862, be the day for a general movement of the land and naval forces of the United States against the insur-afternoon, the flotilla reached a point about four miles below the fort,. where a body of troops, under Gen. McClernand, was landed. The object was, to make a detour and take the work in the rear, while the gun boats made the attack from the water. Gen. Grant having brought up additional troops the next day, the land and naval force advanced to the attack on Thursday, Feb. 6th. Some 15,000 of the troops, under Gen. C. F. Smith, proceeded by the left bank on the Kent icky shore, to take and occupy the heights commanding the fort. About an equal number moved across the country to the rear of the fort, on the road to Fort

*For a full discussion of the subject of the con

struction of new vessels for the navy, the iron-clad navy, the monitors, etc., together with valuable statistics, see Dr. Boynton's "History of the Navy during

the Rebellion," vol. ., pp. 117-243.

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