January 19, 1862 (Saturday): The Battle of Logan's Cross Roads

Mill Springs Battlefield (NPS)

                                                DIVISION HEADQUARTERS.

                                         Gainesborough, Tenn. January 29, 1862.

   SIR: I would most respectfully state that on the morning of the 19^th of this month, at 12 oclock, I moved from our intrenchments, on the north side of Cumberland River, and attacked the enemy in position about 10 miles from camp.  The battle commenced about 7 a.m. and lasted until 10.30 a.m. the same day.  The enemy had a superior force to my own, although the information in my possession previous to the battle was that their strength was a little less, or about equal.  Re-enforcements were added to them during the engagement.  After three and a half hours of hard fighting my forces yielded to the overpowering numbers of the enemy, and, retiring, occupied our intrenchements the same afternoon.  The enemy pursued me in force and established their batteries in front of my position.  The range of their guns being superior to ours, together with the scarcity of provisions, and none to be had in the country, I deemed it advisable the same evening to cross the river, and took up my line of march for this place.  From all the information in my possession the enemy’s loss in killed and wounded was greater than ours.  We lost in killed and wounded not exceeding 300.

   The enemy sought evidently to combine their forces stationed at Somerset and Columbia, and, when such junction was made, to invest my intrenchments.  I deemed it proper, therefore, to make an attack before the junction could be effected, feeling confident, from the reports of the cavalry pickets, made at a late hour, that the waters of Fishing Creek were so high as to prevent them from uniting.  My information in that respect was correct.

   A heavy rain occurred during the progress of the engagement, and in consequence a great many of the flint-lock muskets in the hands of my men became almost unserviceable.

   I am pained to make report of the death of Brig. Gen. F. K. Zollicoffer, who fell while gallantly leading his brigade against the foe.  In his fall the country has sustained a great loss.  In counsel he has always shown wisdom, and in battle braved dangers, while coolly directing the movements of his troops.

   I will soon as possible reorganize my command.  Supplies, camp and garrison equipage, &c., are coming to me daily from Nashville by steamboat.

   In a few days I will make a report in more detail.

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

                                                                        G. B. CRITTENDEN,

                                                                                    Major-General.

To the ADJUTANT AND INSPECTOR GENERAL,

                                                            Richmond, Va.

Official Records, Series I., Vol. 7, Part 1, Page 104.

With Zollicoffer having established position with a swollen river to his rear, Crittenden decided the best course was to move forward and engage Thomas’ Union force.  After meeting some initial success, the Confederate attack faltered when Zollicoffer was killed after mistakenly riding into Union lines.  Crittenden rallied the Confederates for about 30 minutes, but a Federal counterattack turned the rebel left and broke the entire line.  Crittenden managed to get his force off on a small sternwheeler and two old flatboats, but abandoned most of his heavy equipment (including 12 guns, small arms, 150 wagons, over 1,000 horses and mules, and a large amount of commissary stores.  One sign of the extent of the route is the amount of time it took Crittenden to make his report (10 days).