January 18, 1862 (Friday): A Superior Force to the Front, A River to the Rear

General George B. Crittenden

Reports of Maj. Gen. George B. Crittenden, C. S. Army, commanding division.

                                                            HEADQUARTERS,

Beech Grove, Ky., January 18, 1862.

   SIR: I am threatened by a superior force of the enemy in front, and finding it impossible to cross the river, I will have to make the fight on the ground I now occupy.

    If you can do so, I would ask that a diversion be made in my favor.

          I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

                                                                           G. B. CRITTENDEN,

                                                               Major-General, Commanding.

To the ASSISTANT ADJUSTANT-GENERAL,

                           Headquarters Department of the West.

Official Records, Series I., Vol. 7, Part 1, Page 103.

Felix Zollicoffer was charged with covering Cumberland Gap.  After securing the gap in November he moved forward to Mill Spring on the Cumberland River (70 miles northwest), digging in at Beech Grove.  With Thomas’ Union force advancing, Crittenden arrived to take personal command, finding his previous order to move Zollicoffer’s force back across the river had not been complied with.  Complicating matters, the river now was flooded. Crittenden would soon decide an advance to contact with Union forces near Logan’s Crossroads, 10 miles away, was preferable to defending a position with a river to its rear.