This week we will continue our study of the Civil War, focusing on the events of the war and individuals who participated from the state of Kentucky. Several significant battles were fought in the commonwealth, and soldiers from Kentucky fought on both sides of the war.
Although we typically say that Kentucky was a slave state that did not secede, in truth, there was an attempt (unsuccessful) at secession, that would have made Kentucky a member of the Conferedate States of America. Near Somerset the Battle of Mill Springs was important in securing Union control of the Ohio Valley, and the Battle of Perryville was one of the hardest-fought battles of the war. You already know that both Civil War presidents (Lincoln and Davis) were born in Kentucky, and some families had members to fight on opposite sides (such as the Breckinridges - dad and one son were Union generals, another son was a Confederate general).
General Grant first commanded in Kentucky, as did Gen. William T. Sherman (who had a nervous breakdown while overseeing Louisville, and was sent home to recuperate when he imagined that the Confederates were teaming with Native Americans (none of whom lived anywhere near Kentucky) for a massive attack. He was the laughing-stock of the country when he requested 20,000 soldiers to protect Louisville against Indians!
These are just a few of the amazing Civil War stories and individuals related to Kentucky that played a major role in the war. Your assignment this week is to research a Civil War person or event related to our state and post an essay revealing your findings. Unlike previous weeks I am not giving you a specific web site, so please cite your references. Did your family play a role in Kentucky Civil War history? That would be a great story to share. As before, your essay must be at least 200 words long and you must respond to at least two others (total of 150 words). Keep up the good work, and don't put this off to the last minute!
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ReplyDeletePatriots without politics- yes in fact there were such things-women. Of course as most people would already know, during the civil war time women obviously did not have a voice or do anything particularly helpful-or did they? I checked out a book from the library called The Kentucky’s Civil War 1861-1865, and found a section about the lives of two Kentucky women during the civil war.
ReplyDeleteThere was Elizabeth Pendle Hardin. This woman was both literate and knowledgeable who played higher roles in her society. Elizabeth was born in Harrodsburg and had a history in her family of men who were U.S congressmen and served in the Black Hawk army. Elizabeth kept a diary during the civil war and had strong opinions. She was very passionate about being a Southerner, and a support of the confederate army. She was not opposed to slavery as she felt it was wrong to turn them lose because then they had no place to go. She also writes how she shed tears when the evacuation of Richmond occurred. Before that she, her sister, and her mother were actually put on trial for disloyalty to the United States. They refused to sign the Oath of Loyalty they were given and were therefore confined in federal prison in Louisville and were sent south behind the confederate lines.
Then there was Frances Dallam. This young lady was born with epilepsy, but to amuse herself while she was kept at home during her short life by writing poetry and keeping a diary. Her diary was found to be very journalistic; as though it were her duty to report everything she saw and heard whether it be in the newspaper or heard about. For an 18 yr old, her opinions were very well established. Her journal entries lasted from the Battle of Mill Springs to April 4, 1464 just a few months before she died. Something that stuck out to me about what she said was that she didn’t say much about the men being the only ones in politics, and there was never really any hint of remorse or wistfulness found in her diary. Women such as these who lived during the civil war acknowleged that their duties during that time were to support the men, encourage them to fight with all they had, be bold for them while the wars were elsewhere by tending to the children which would be the future generation, and in the north participating by being nurses to the wounded. These things were all very important jobs and I admire those women for their attitudes and willingness to be of help even though they had no political rights though it was obvious that they were perfectly capable to.
I am doing my report on General William Tecumseh Sherman. Tecumseh is probably the most awsome middle name ever. He was born in Lancaster, Ohio on February 8, 1820.His father died when William T. Sherman ( from now on Will)was a young child and his widowed mother was unable to take care of her children so she sent Will to live with one of his fathers friends Thomas Ewing. He later married Mr. Ewing's daughter and made the family reunions a little more ackword for everyone.
ReplyDeleteWill was a graduate of the military academy at West Point. After he graduated in 1840 he was asigned to be in San Fransisco during the Mexican War. After thirteen years of servise he resigned to be a partener at a bank in San Fransisco.
When he quit work at the bank Will became superintendent at what is now LSU. Every man has his flaws. When talk of secceding broke out Will moved his family back to Lancaster, Ohio. He remained there for a short time and then he moved to St. Louis, Missouri. While in St. Louis he was elected to the office of President of the Fifth Street Railroad.
In May 1861 Will wrote a letter to the secretary of state offering his services for three years. The secretary of state took the offer and Will was given the rank of Colonel and command of a brigade of men under General McDowell. He commanded his brigade in the battle of Bull Run. In August of 1861 Will was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General and was then stationed at the Department of the Cumberland under the command of Brigadier General Robert Anderson.
In October of 1861 Will took command from Anderson. This made it his job to gather volenteers to fight. As you can imagine this was very hard to do in the state of Kentucky since it was torn between which side to join. Will also told the secretary of war that if he could get 60,000 troops then he could stamp out the war in that region. He also said that if he could get 200,000 troops he could end the entire war. Of corse the newspapers of the day went and took every thing out of context and even said that he was crazy.
Due to the harassment he gave command over to Major-General Halleck. He was then moved to St. Louis. While in St. Louis he went into a state of depression, but he never became incompotent. In February of 1862 Will asumed command of a post in Paducah, Kentucky from Gereral Grant. In March of 1862 Halleck went to mississippi and Grant took command of the Army of the Tennessee. Will took command of the fifth division of the army.
That ended General William T. Shermans part in the civil war in Kentucky. From there he went on to lead the Atlanta Campaign. For more information go to: http://ngeorgia.com/ang/William_Tecumseh_Sherman
The person I chose to do my report was General Felix K. Zollicoffer also known as Zollie. He was born May 19, 1812 in Maury County, Tennessee to John Jacob and Martha Zollicoffer. Before the Civil War he served as a newspaper editor in Nashville, Tennessee. He also served three terms in the United States Congress.
ReplyDeleteWhy General Zollicoffer is so important is because he played a major role in the Battle of Mill Springs. He was the general for the Confederate army at Mill Springs and he led the first Confederate invasion of Kentucky. Prior to the war he had little experience as a military leader. He was an officer in the United States Army and later a served as a lieutenant in the Second Seminole War in Florida. Leading up to the Battle of Mill Springs General Zollicoffer fought some very small battles at the Battle of Barbourville and the Battle of Wildcat Mountain. During the Battle of Mill Springs he was gunned down by musket fire while performing a reconnaissance mission of Confederate and Union troop positions. He died January 19, 1862.
Why I chose General Felix K. Zollicoffer is because he relates so much to the area of Wayne and Pulaski County. The West-Metcalfe house, which is located a half a mile from my old house, served as General Zollicoffer's first headquarters for this area and was later turned into a military hospital. It is now being restored for tourists that visit the Mill Springs area.
http://ehistory.osu.edu/world/PeopleView.Cfm?PID=319
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Felix_Zollicoffer
I chose to report on John J. Crittenden. John Jordon Crittenden was born Semptember 10, 1786 and lived until July 26, 1863. He was Born in woodford county, Kentucky. His career Began with the Kentucky House of Representatives, he represented Logan county from 1811-1817. In 1814 he was appointed to fill the U.S. Senate seat but wasn't there for long. A few years later the Kentucky General assembly chose Crittenden to be a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Judiciary. After he left Congress he moved to Frankfort Kentucky. He was once again back in the Senate in 1854. During this time he opposed the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854. Two years later he supported John Bell for president in 1860. Now onto the Civil War. Crittenden didn't support Lincoln that much but he did desire to keep the state's together. On May 27, 1861, Crittenden had a convention in Frankfort Kentucky to decide kentucky's course in the war. He sucessfully rebuffed the secessionist forces and was elected into the U.S. House of Representatives in the June of that year. Crittenden propsed a few compromises but one of them was the Crittenden-Johnson Resolution. This compromise was adopted be Congress and on July 22, 1861, right after the disastrous First Battle of Bull Run. Crittenden generally opposed the war but specifically stood against the Emancipation proclomation, the military campaign in Kentucky, and the use of slaves and soilders in the war. He was a cadidate for reelection into the House at the timeof his death on July 26, 1863 in Frankfort Kentucky. His last words were " Let all that ends thou aimest at be thy country's, thy God's and truth's." HE in interred at the the state cemetary in Frnakfort. The town of Crittenden, Kentucky and Crittenden county, Kentucky are named after him
ReplyDeleteSo a year ago my family and I moved to a small farm out in Nancy, or more commonly referred to as Caintown by the locals.=P My house has a lot of history in and around it. It was a saloon in the early 1900's (lol). But a really cool thing I learned about it is the old road that runs through my backyard. Behind my house, in the woods is a ravine. Well, that ravine used to be the main road before Highway 80. It was also the road that many Civil War soldiers marched down on their way to fight in the Battle of Mill Springs.
ReplyDeleteIt is said to be one of the most major Civil War battles to take place in Kentucky It started January 19, 1862 and resulted in a Union win with 612 combined casualties.
Confederate General Zollicoffer was given the responsibility of guarding the Cumberland Gap. In November of 1861, however, he advanced his troop into Somerset in hopes of fortifying the Confederate army located there. He stationed his troops in Mill Springs. A lack of judgement put him closer to Union armies. He was ordered by General George B. Crittenden and Gen. Albert Johnston to relocate south of the Cumberland river, but due to lack of boats was unable.
Meanwhile, Union General George H. Thomas was given orders to drive the Confederates back across the river. (Now here is where that old road behind my house comes in.) General Thomas marched his troops from Lebanon to Mill Springs. Which most likely (pretty much) means he crossed through what is now my backyard.
Now the Union is marching and Gen. Crittenden meets up with Gen. Zollicoffer. He knows that Thomas is on his way, so his best plan is to attack the Union with surprise. With the first attack, the plan worked, and the Union was damaged. But, a man by the name of General A. Schoepf had made his way into Somerset with more Union soldiers. This turned the tide and the Union was now winning.
Then in a devastating blow to the South, Gen. Zollicoffer, mistaking Union soldiers for his own, was shot and killed by Colonel Fry. The moment caused confusion among the Confederates. They scrambled in a panic. General Crittenden took control and some order returned, but (due to strength and strategy) the Union drove them back across the Cumberland River, where they ran into (what is now) Murfreesboro Tennessee.The Battle of Mill Springs lightened the Confederate strength in KY up until the Battle of Perryville.
It's obvious this battle was important to the Civil War. Today you can visit the Mill Springs battlefield; it's in Nancy, KY. I'm sure most of you know where that is...if you don't you're dumb. Anyway, it was interesting to research this battle. I got onto Google Maps and even mapped out "today's" route from my house to where the soldiers would have gone. It was pretty neat.=) The story of Gen. Zollicoffer and the Battle of Mill Springs are an important part of history not only to our state but also our county. It's amazing how much history you can find if you just go looking. I mean, I found it in my backyard.
and heres my sites i used Akers...
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nps.gov/nr/twhp/wwwlps/lessons/72mill/72images/72map2.pdf
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Mill_Springs#Battlefield_today
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&tab=wl
http://americancivilwar.com/civil_war_map/fishing_creek.jpg
This essay will focus on a man named Speed Smith Fry. And yes, that is his real name.
ReplyDeleteSpeed was born in Boyle County, in the city of Danville. He went to college in Crawfordsville, Indiana at Wabash University. He also attended and graduated law school at Wabash. After he returned home to Danville, he worked as a lawyer for his uncle.
When the Mexican-American War rolled around, Speed enlisted in the 2nd Kentucky Volunteer Regiment. He served as a captain. He and his regiment saw action in the Battle of Buena Vista. They were known for firing some of the last shots of this historic battle. This was a key part of Speed's life, because this is where he gained his military experience for the upcoming Civil War. But before the Civil War began, he would serve as the County Judge in Boyle County back home.
As soon as the Civil War broke out, Speed was immediately appointed as a Colonel. He was extremely influential in raising the 4th Kentucky Infantry at Camp Dick Robinson. On October 9th, 1861, he was appointed Colonel of the 4th Kentucky Infantry.
The high point of Colonel Speeds career was at the Battle of Mill Springs. Well, sort of anyway. In a state of confusion, a Confederate general rode up on horseback to Colonel Speed and his men, thinking they were Confederate soldiers! (Speed and his men didn't have the Blue uniforms worn by the North yet). The Confederate general ordered them to stop shooting, and to follow him. Speed had no idea what was going on at this time. Then one of the Confederate general's men walked out of the forest. This soldier realized these were Northern troops because of their weapons. He fired a warning shot, and that got the Confederate generals attention. But it was too late, Speed pulled out his Flintlock pistol and shot him on the spot. There has been some speculation of whether Speed shot him or if one of Speed's men shot him (several of Speed's aides were around him). But Speed is depicted in several paintings shooting the Confederate general.
After this battle, Speed and his men arrived at the Battle of Shiloh. They arrived on the second day, too late for the fighting. They also fought in the siege of Corinth, and the Battle of Perryville. After this battle, the Confederates were out of Kentucky. Speed left the Union Army on August 24, 1865. He left as the commander of the massive troop station south of Lexington.
Speed died near Louisville, on August 1, 1892.
Akers, I used http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed_S._Fry
ReplyDeleteOh Camden, really? Making the first post is that important to you? Ha.
ReplyDeleteAnyways, regarding your essay. As I read it, a thought struck me...its amazing what war can do to a person...how much sacrifice it requires. I mean, what, did he move 4 times in the years of the Civil War? But he did his country an incredible service. He was an incredible leader, and motivated his troops in many ways.
Nice essay Camden...but the first comment is a little 4th grade isn't it? Haha.
Madyson, that's really cool that there is so much history near where you live. When we look at Somerset today,(although it isn't much), we can't imagine there being no roads or no Mcdonald's or Walgreens or...dare I say it...USED CAR DEALERSHIP'S!!!. Especially no Highway 27. Haha. All we have to do is do a little reading, a little research, and you can learn something amazing about where you live.
ReplyDeleteNice essay Madyson, you clearly did some good research.
The state of Kentucky played a major role in the Civil War. There were numerous battles and people that either occurred or came from our wonderful state. The event that I have chosen to research and write about was the Battle of Perryville. This was a class A battle, and one of the most important battles of the war.
ReplyDeleteThe Battle of Perryville is sometimes called the “forgotten” battle of the war. While this battle was a victory for the confederates, it was a strategic victory for the Union. After the was, Gen. Braxton Bragg and the Confederates backed out of Kentucky and went to Tennessee. For this reason, even though the Confederates actually won the battle, the border state of Kentucky was in the Union’s hands for the remainder of the war.
This battle occurred on October 8, 1862 in the Chaplin Hills west of Perryville, KY. On October 7th the Union army, behind Gen. Buell, actually planned to overtake Bragg and his army by converging in three collumns in Perryville. The first skirmish occurred on Peters hill because both sides were looking for access to fresh water. The next day, at dawn, fighting began again around Peters Hill as a Union division advanced up the pike, halting just before the Confederate line. At this point fighting occurred, and it went back and forth, with the Union slowly fading back. At the end, the Union had suffered more casualties while The Confedrate army fled to Tennessee ending the battle.
This is taken from an autobiography of my great-great-great-great-grandfather Elijah Fisher Tucker. Please excuse my mistakes If I talk in first person on some parts,
ReplyDeleteElijah was born in Green County, Ky on June 10th, 1842 in the old Fisher neighborhood, four miles north of Campbellsville, Ky, which is now called Taylor County. He was born son of William and Malinda Tucker. He moved from Taylor county to Greensburg, KY in 1852 when he was ten years old. He had poor education only learning little in the common school of Greensburg.
His father was a poor man, but a very honest and true Christian and was a Jail of Green County from 1862 to 1866. Elijah worked for people around Greensburg as a boy for 25 to 50 cents a day to help support the family. In 1860 and 1861 he worked in a blacksmith shop with his brother-in-law, John A. Tresenriter.
In early 1861, at the age of 18 or 19 he made a profession of faith in Jesus Christ and joined the Greensburg Baptist Church and was baptized. He say in his autobiography “I have tried to live a consistent Christian life since that time, but many times have gotten far off the road.”
In 1861, when the Civil War came on, he enlisted in the United States Army Sept. 20 in Co. E, 13th Regiment of Kentucky Volunteer Infantry. On the organization of the regiment he was elected Second-Sergeant of his Company. His regiment camped, drilled and did scout duty at Greensburg, Campbellsvile and Green River Bridge until Feb 14, 1862, when he started South for battle. He passed though Bowling Green, Nashville and Franklin Tenn,, and arrived on the battlefield of Shiloh at 12 o'clock on the night of April 6, where early on the morning of the 7th we were ordered forward and entered into our first battle. He was continually engaged until about 3 o'clock pm., when the enemy retreated. He lost many men killed and wounded at Shiloh.
Elijah received a gunshot wound across his forehead and was only saved by the enameled leather cap-brim which caused the ball to glance off but he was knocked to the ground in shock for a few moments. The bullet that glanced off him struck another soldier behind him under the eye, killing him instantly.
We pursued the enemy to Corinth, Miss., 20 miles away. About June, 1862, we marched to Battle Creek Tennessee and went into camp on the banks of the Tennessee River. In August we started on the march pursuing Gen. Bragg's army into Kentucky. When at Elizabethtown, Ky., Bragg continued his march to Bardstown, we proceeded to Louisville by way of West Point After a few weeks Bragg evacuated Bardstown and moved toward Perryville, Ky.,when we renewed the pursuit and followed him to near Perryville, where he made a stand, and a battle was fought Oct. 8, 1862, but while we lay all day in line of battle and in hearing of the shells and bullets yet we were never ordered into the fight. After the battle and Bragg retreated we pursued his army to Wild Cat Mountain, near Livingston Ky where we had our last engagement with him before he made his escape over the mountains into East Tennessee. We returned to Kentucky and remained guarding railroad bridge and scouting until August, 1863. In August, 1863, we crossed the Cumberland Mountains into East Tennessee passing through Knoxville and on to Lowden, Tenn where we remained about a month, when we fell back toward Knoxville, pursued by Gen. Longstreet's command. Our regiment had an engagement at Huff's Ferry, or Huff's Hilly on the 14th of November, in which many of the men were killed and wounded, though we were only engaged 10 or 15 minutes. We retreated toward Knoxville, had quite a little battle at Lenoir Station and Campbell's Station on our retreat. We had a hard battle at Knoxville, November 29th, 1862. The city was surrounded by Longstreet, and we were under a state of siege for over a month. We got very short of rations, and were almost at the point of surrender, when Gen. Granger came to our relief ; and the siege was raised. We lay at Knoxville, Strawberry Plains and Mossy Creek all winter ; were camping in small (dog) tents on cold New Year's day January 1st, 1864. In January I was detailed for recruiting service and came back to Greensburg Ky., and remained until the last of April 1864.
ReplyDeleteElijah Fisher Tucker died on February 11, 1928 at the age of 87 which is quite old for that time period considering the circumstances that he has been though in his life.
There was a lot more in his autobiography but this was all I had time to type and it wouldn't all fit in the homework anyway.
im going to talk about a really close battle, the Battle of Mill Springs. On a dark, rainy night during the civil war, the confederates marched onward through Logans Crossroads for a surprise attack led by Zollicoffer. Most of the confederates had the old flint-lock muskets that didnt exactly work the best in the wet weather they were having. nonetheless the confederates pressed onward and gave up the element of surprise, yet continued to battle on. Surprisingly they made a great success until Zollicoffer mistook the union for his own troops and was shot by Col. Fry. Zollicoffers men panicked until Crittenden rallied Zollies troops and regained control and continued the attack. Not many people were lost during this battle, the confeds. lost 125 and 404 were wounded or missing. the Union lost 39 and 207 were wounded or missing. Today you can go visit Mill Springs Battlefield in Nancy (not far from somerset) and see re-enactments, go on tours of the fields, and fill your head with all the knowledge you want from there. I have been there with my grandpa many times and each time I go I enjoy it even more. Your always learning something new.
ReplyDeleteSource: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Mill_Springs
Mad, i never knew your house was an old saloon. thats pretty dang cool i think. I like how you actually mapped out the route they wouldve taken during the war. i wish my farm was used for something like that. all i know about my farm was they used caves to get from one side of the farm to the other without other people knowing. i guess thats pretty cool...oh yea and the big haunted house that has nothing to do with the war lol. but i can tell you put some serious effort into your essay Mad. kudos to you.
ReplyDeleteColby, your essay blew me away how u used an actual autobiogrophy from ur great- great- great- great grandfather. if anything anyone puts on here is accurate, its definately the first hand expirience of him. The Lord must have really been looking out for him since that bullet grazed his head and killed the man right behind him. another similar instance, when they were almost forced to surrender, but Gen. Granger came to the relief. the Lord must have really been looking out for them boys.
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ReplyDeleteThe battle of Green River Bridge
ReplyDeleteCol. Orlando Moore of Michigan's 25th infantry(which was the district of Kentucky)-commanding officer
This battle was very interesting it started on the July 2nd and ended on July 26th The outcome was that they won with 6 deaths and 23 were wounded. Orlando Moore was a general from Kentucky he must have been good at what he did because comparing to the other side’s losses theirs were almost none. The enemy lost 50 men and 200 were wounded. At the beginning of the battle 2 of their men were shot and killed they were sent a message to surrender on July 4th they said that it was no day to quit and the men were ready for the challenge they retreated into the woods and most of the combat was very violent and turned into hand-to-hand. As the battle continued they started to win and came out with a victory and great rejoicing they were asked by the other side if they could bury their dead so they let them and this is how the battle ended. It was started at Tebb's Bend, Green River, on July 4th 1863. It was very interesting to learn about this battle because it was very small and I had never even heard of it before.
SITES:http://www.geocities.com/bourbonstreet/delta/3843/green.htm
Kentucky was a border state in the American Civil War. But that doesn’t mean that it was unimportant. Quite the contrary; Lincoln said, “ I hope to have God on my side, but I must have Kentucky.” Kentucky also was the site of fierce battle, such as Mill Springs and Perryville.
ReplyDeleteI know that everyone has heard of Mill Springs, at least around here. This battle occurred on January 19th ,1862. The Union commander for this battle was George H. Thomas and the Confederate commander was George Crittenden (I think George was a popular name). As you know the Union won this battle as we all know, but I bet you didn’t know that they were outnumbered by 1500 soldiers… In this day that would be that bad right? But imagine being one of the 4400 Union soldiers going up against 5900 Rebels that hated your guts for being anti-slavery. But the good thing was that you had black powder guns and the chances are that neither of your guns will work…
When I was researching I found that the Union called this battle the “Battle of Logan’s Cross Roads” and the Confederates called it the “Battle of Fishing Creek.” Which to me Battle of Mill Springs sounds so much better. I also found out that it was the second largest battle fought in Kentucky; only Perryville had more bloodshed, wounded and missing (775 vs. 7317). And it was also the first significant Union victory (according to my source) , But seriously who knew that???? At first the story was popular with the press but then lost it’s thunder next to Grant’s victories at Fort Henry and Fort Donelson.
This Battle along with another battle broke the Confederate line of defense that was anchored in eastern Kentucky.
Goodness, why do you all have to write a novel everytime you post! I mean there awesome but they are so long!!! ;)
ReplyDeleteMady, your story is pretty awesome... I mean the part of the Union army crossed through your backyard? All I have near me is the lake.
Wow... I guess i had never thought of any women but Clara Barton being involved in the Civil War. I guess they were ,more or less, the people that continued to push and inspire the soldiers to fight for what they believed in. And when you said that Frances Dallam "Women such as these who lived during the Civil War acknowleged that their duties during that time were to support the men, encourage them to fight with all they had, be bold for them while the wars were elsewhere by tending to the children which would be the future generation, and in the north participating by being nurses to the wounded."
ReplyDeleteWhich is amazing to me because back then they didn't have anesthesia and imagine the screams that the nurses heard... I can't imagine what they saw or even went through. AAAAhh!!
Braxton Bragg. He was born in Warrenton, North Carolina on March 22, 1817. He enjoyed many different things, such as writing, traveling, and he owned a plantation. He was involved in many different battles and was a confederate. The battle I am going to focus on is the Battle of Perryville. The battle took place on October 8, 1862. Bragg had made a successful movement through Tennessee and advanced into Kentucky. The plan to invade Kentucky consisted of two parts and was to move Union troops away from the railhead. The water supply was also depleted due to a drought. Men were dying from the heat and lack of hydration. Bragg had given the order to attack at Perryville not knowing how outnumbered the South was. The Battle of Perryville was the largest Civil War battle in Kentucky. The Battle was grueling. Over seven thousand soldiers were killed. Because the South had obtained Lexington and Frankfort, they wished to defeat the North at Perryville. They threatened to get the whole state. Braxton Bragg was the Confederate who led many men into this battle. Though through this bloody battle they had killed more Northerners, they were forced to retreat. The South was outnumbered, and the hope of a confederate Kentucky washed defeated.
ReplyDeleteThe Battle of Perryville is a reminder of the severity of the war. So many men died, but they all did this to make our country what it is today.
http://ngeorgia.com/ang/Braxton_Bragg
http://www.battleofperryville.com/
http://www.perryville.net/history.php
Blake, Zolliecoffer is someone we all need to know. I don't know about everyone else, but when I think of the wars, I almost can't grasp the reality of it. It's hard for me to believe that something so awful would happen, and even more, happen in our state. When we see these heroes that are so familiar to us it helps make the wars and battles so much more vivid. We can have an avenue to connect to those who were so great. We can read the history books and try to understand what happened those days, but until we can find away to connect to these men and women, it’s hard for us to understand.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteSam, wow. Has anyone ever thought of that? What if you were put in that position? Wouldn’t that be one mistake you wouldn’t want to make? Men during this war had to be smart. They had to be quick thinkers. I think we often stereotype those men as bloodthirsty, but though they might not have been well-educated, they had to have some intellect. We need to give those men all the credit they deserve. They fought and died for us.
ReplyDeleteThe Battle of Dutton('s) Hill
ReplyDeleteI have since moved, but only three years ago I lived in a stately home on a road named Splendor View in the welcoming subdivision of Twin Lakes. It was a nice home and I liked it quite well: a brick three-story, a lot like the other houses in the area, but one unique characteristic set apart from most the other houses on the street, set it apart from the other houses in the nation as-a-matter-of-fact, and that characteristic was that only a little over one-hundred years ago, a civil war battle was faught right beside the back yard.
On March 30, 1863, about one-and-one-half miles from Somerset, Kentucky, the Battle of Dutton Hill took place. The Battle was an attempt to delay the Union Army so that the Confederates could get their horses across the river at Burnside. The battle involved 1,100 Union troops commandeered by Brigadier General Q.A. Gilmore, including about 400 from the First Kentucky Calvary under Col. Frank Wolford, and 2,600 Confederate Calvary under General Pegram. The history books give varied accounts of the number of men lost by both sides, but all say that the battle lasted for three to five hours and that the Union chased the Confederates south to the Cumberland River, where the pursuit ended.
Sadly, today, very few people are aware of the existense of this historic location. If it wasn't that I lived right on top of it, I would as well be clueless of it. The only commemoration for the battle sight is a small obilisque that stands atop a grassy, overgrown knoll, out-of-sight unless you take a detour off the beaten path. It's a shame that major, history-altering events like this occur and then are erased from the minds of humanity less than a generation after happening. I suppose that's a generalization and an exaggeration, but it doesn't lack much from being completely factual.
www.lakecumberlandtourism.com/history.htm
evansfamilytreeclimb.blogspot.com/.../dutton-hill-battle.html
Sam, good essay. It's a highly interesting dynamic for me to think about: that there are countless people who have faught in wars and will never be remembered by anyone other than there immediate family. (If even that.) People like Speed need to be remembered. Even if you only chose him because he has an awesome name, I admire that. Instead of picking Ulysses Grant or Robert E. Lee, you chose Speed S. Fry. He deserves just as much recognition as they do.
ReplyDeleteAnd Emily, also liked yours. Highly educational yet kept my attention the whole while. Short, sweet, and to the point. It inspired me to shorten mine. (That's why I deleted my comment twice. I shortened it and made it more direct. Good job.
http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Simon_Bolivar_Buckner.aspx
ReplyDeletehttp://www.civilwarhome.com/bucknerbio.htm
this week i am writing my essay on simon bolivar buckner. i chose simon because he is my great great great unle. he is my great grandfather's greatgrandfather's brother, if that makes any sense. i think he is one of the most interesting people in kentucky's history and is definately worth remembering. i have many pictures of him and of his house and geneology. at the perryville museum his picture is one of the best in my opinion and is actually quite interesting because it really looks quite similar to my great grandfather. at the lincoln national museum and presidential library in springfield, illinois there is a historical timeline that goes through the number of men lost and battles and how the war went. the last battle and surrinder on this board is buckner in new orleans; throughout his career he seemed to be a leader from his beginnings to when he was elected as the governor of our fine state. overall i think simon bolivar buckner has a really cool story that is a part of our history in kentucky but also our nation.
emily i think thats really cool and needs remembering because of the hardships that both sides and all soldiers had at that time. ive read that some historians compare perryville to a scale of gettysburg if only it wasnt a draw, it would have had much more of an affect on the war if one side had been the undesputed winner; however, the blood shed that occured is terrible and is tragic in that brothers fought against each other and many men died. but its important to remember the leaders as well as the soldiers who led these brave men on both sides into battle. awesome essay.
ReplyDeletewow colby... ya ya ya im sure u typed it all, but that was rele cool. a chance to see from the soldiers perspective. u can see the fear and bravery and all the other emotions that flow through his autobiography. its interesting how well his writing was and is still makes a lot of sense to us today, definately a cool essay.
ReplyDeleteAmbrose Everett Burnside was an American Union Army General who fought in Kentucky during the Civil War.
ReplyDeleteBurnside was born in Liberty, Indiana, the forth of nine children in a family of Scottish origin. His father, a native of South Carolina, was a slave owner who freed his slaves when he relocated to Indiana.
His interest in military affairs and his father's political connections obtained an opening in the Untied States Military Academy in 1843. He graduated in 1847, ranking 18th in a class of 38 and was commissioned a brevet second lieutenant in the 2nd U.S. Artillery.
He was stationed in various parts of the United States as well as the country of Mexico. He resigned his commission in the United States army, although he maintained his position in the state militia. He devoted his time and energy to the manufacture of the Burnside carbine which is a gun that is named after him.
At the outbreak of the Civil War he was a brigadier general in the Rhode Island Militia. He gradually rose in the military ranks.
Burnside won and lost different rounds with the enemy. At one point several officers were openly insubordinate to General Burnside and he offered to resign. Lincoln was unwilling to lose Burnside from the Army and assigned him to command the Department of the Ohio and his old IX Corps. General Burnside stationed his troops in the area that is named Burnside Island. His distinctive style of facial hair is now known as sideburns, derived from his last name. He was the first president of the NRA. Personally, Burnside was always very popular - both in the army and in politics. He made friends easily and smiled a lot. His professional military reputation, however, was less positive, and he was known for being obstinate, unimaginative and unsuited both intellectually and emotionally for high command.
He twice refused command and only accepting when told that the command would go to Joseph Hooker. A firm patriot, he lacked the power of personality and will to direct recalcitrant generals.
Lol, yes Michael I actually did type it all out considering the autobiography was in a book, not on the internet. But, I agree with you, while reading the whole thing I noticed that I understood everything he was saying and he talked just like we do today. Now I am not sure if it has been revised or anything because I have a few copies and they look new like they have been printed recently, but I have one that is looks exactly the same, but looks to be very, very old. I did Googled his name and it came up a few results, mostly civil war sights acknowledging his existent. Although one had an account of gis autobiography, saying it was published in 1990. Not really sure, but an autobiography none-the-less.
ReplyDeleteconfederate army I did this essay on john hunt morgan
ReplyDeleteJohn hunt morgan, a confederate general born in Huntsville, Alabama on June 1, 1825 joined the under simon b. buckner. He was promoted to colonel in april 1862 and within the same year was promoted to Brigadier general. Morgan was a model soldier and was known as one of the greatest confederagte commanders, as well as for his infamous raids. Morgan has been likened to Jeb stuart because of his natural talent as a cavalry fighter. He was not well trained as a soldier, but his talents more than made up for that lack of military training. Morgan served under Major General Joseph Wheeler in the west, and became well known for his raids into Tennessee and Kentucky. The final raid made by John Hunt Morgan and his men was a 24 day run into Indiana and ohio. He was captured in the raid and sent to the ohio penetintiary . he later escaped from his prison cell only to be shot and killed in a surprise attack at Greenville Tennessee in 1864, in the month of September. General John Hunt Morgan is buried in the Lexington Cemetery in Kentucky
Works cited:
www.sonofthesouth.net/leefoundation/General_John_Hunt_Morgan.htm
Madyson, as I started to read your essay I began thinking of what you said about your house being a saloon and soldiers walking in your backyard and then I realized something. Many of us don't realize it now but if we went back and looked through old maps of Wayne and Pulaski County and other types of information from that time many of us would find out that our neighborhood or family had something to do with the Battle of Mill Springs. I know that my old neighborhood is named after General Zollicoffer because his first headquarters were located not far down the road. I now when I begin to think of my old house I think of the thousands of soldiers that marched by or stood at its very foundation and its kind of an amazing feeling.
ReplyDeleteSam, I read your essay and saw that you were talking about a Confederate general that was shot by Colonel Speed Smith Fry. I started to think and that Confederate general that Speed shot was General Felix K. Zollicoffer. He was the general for the Confederates at the Battle of Mill Springs, but he didn't stay general for long because as you said he was killed by Speed all because he didn't recognize that the party he was leading was later found out to be Union soldiers.
ReplyDeleteYou're right Blake. I mean I don't care if you like history or not it's pretty darn neat to think that Civil War soldiers could have walked right across your yard. But ya..it's cool, like we have a well in our front yard. And when we had wood floors put in, they had to rip off the floor and we got to see the foundation. There's no concrete haha. It's like these giant old rough cut wooden beams set on big rocks. I love it. But I mean there's so much to be discovered around here.
ReplyDeleteSam..
ReplyDeleteI always love reading your essays because it's obvious you put a lot of effort and research into writing them. It's much more enjoyable reading an essay that is interesting and well though out than one that the writer doesn't care about lol. But I was reading yours and it hit me. (Ya im kinda slow) I was like this Fry guy killed Gen. Zollicoffer, and I wrote about it in my essay. I have to say though Zollicoffer dying because he mistook Union soldiers for his own is kind of sad. Who really knows what might have happened had he lived??
The Battle Of Perryville
ReplyDeleteThe Battle of Perryville took place on October 8, 1862 in Chapel Hills West of Perryville, Kentucky.
The battle was won by General Braxton Bragg's Army of Mississippi as they took a tactical victory over Major General Don Carlos Buell’s Union Army of the Ohio.
The battle was considered a strategic victory for the Union. Due to Bragg retreating to Tennessee soon after the battle began leaving the critical border state of Kentucky in the hands of the Union army.
The Battle of Perryville is sometimes referred to as The Battle of Kentucky, since the winner took the critical state of Kentucky
In my opinion the Battle Of Perryville was a very important battle to which ever side took control of Kentucky(the Union won of course) but Kentucky would be the a valuable part to control during the cival war.
The Battle of Mill Springs
ReplyDeleteThe Battle of Mill Springs was a Civil War battle fought near what is now Nancy Kentucky, fought on January 19, 1862. It was the first decisive victory for the Union in the western theatre.
After a defeat just north of London, General Felix Zollicoffer went back to Tennessee and tried a new route into Kentucky through Monticello and into Mill Springs on the south bank of the Cumberland River. He later moved to the north bank at Beech Grove and set up camp with entrenchments. Meanwhile, the Federals under General Schoepf were in Somerset.
The Confederates marched through the night for six hours in the rain and mud and arrived at Logan’s crossroads. Here they launched an attack led by Zollicoffer against the Kentucky fourth infantry under Colonel Speed S. Fry, as well as the second Minnesota and tenth Indiana. The Confederates achieved some initial success and pushed them back. In the low visibility with all the smoke General Zollicoffer walked right up to the Union troops because he thought they were his own men, and was consequently shot and killed. Exactly who shot him is not known for sure, but many believe it was by colonel Fry. His death and the heavy fire from Fry’s men caused the Confederates to retreat for a moment in confusion, but Crittenden soon rallied his men and ordered them to advance. At the time General George H. Thomas of the Union showed up and ordered his men to advance also. The 9th Ohio then turned the confederate left flank, and the Confederate forces retreated back towards Mill Springs and all the way to Tennessee into Chestnut Mound, abandoning much artillery pieces, wagons, horses and all their dead and wounded.
The casualties of the battle were not that many compared to bigger battles; the Union had 39 killed and 207 wounded, while the Confederates had 125 killed and 404 wounded.
First I would like to share about my great great grandfather. All I know about him is that he fought in Virginia, his last name was Singleton, and was related to my Nanny Dorithy. My Mom says that Jordan did a report about him when he was in the 4th grade, but I don’t remember this. But anyways we supposedly have papers of attack plans he had, and also his papers for registration into the army. I wish I knew more about him but I don't.
ReplyDeleteSecond I thought it would be kool to learn more about a battle that happened close to me. So I chose The Battle of Mill Springs or The Battle of Fishing Creek. I have actually been to a reenactment a couple years back to this and it was really kool. Throughout the day they had little "battles" and after that they had this thing where they showed us about cannons and it was Loudd! lol and that night there was this tent and there where people sitting around on blankets and some in chairs watching these people who wore the actual authentic clothing dance. I guess they were doing like the line dance or something more intense than that. It looked like sooo much fun. But you have got to think this war wasn’t fun, on January 19, 1862, the Union lost 39 and 207 wounded. The confederates lost 125 and had 404 wounded or missing. This battle was the second largest battle in Kentucky, with the Battle of Perryville coming in first. It was the first Union victory.
Civil War in Kentucky. As you know the Civil war was a war, and so there was a lot of fighting and killing and battles. So I am typing my essay on the Battle of Fort Henry.
ReplyDeleteThis battle occurred not very long after the Battle of Mill Springs. After General Ulysses S. Grant won the battle of Belmont for the Union, Grant began traveling up the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers towards the site of Fort Henry. Grant was planning to advance upon the fort at the same time as some navy gunboats were attacking it. Confederate General Polk was expecting for Grant to attack Columbus in an attempt to control the Mississippi river, so he sent most of his forces there, and left only about three thousand men to defend Fort Henry under the command of Loyd Tilghman.
Grant landed two divisions of troops north of Fort Henry on February 4th. He began attacking the fort the next day. Since Fort Henry wasn’t placed very well, and the Union army had about five times as many soldiers as the Confederacy plus seven gunboats, Loyd Tighman surrendered on February 6th, 1862.
Although this battle wasn’t very big, long or grand, and the casualty totals were less than one hundred twenty soldiers, this was an important victory for the Union in the Civil War.
I’m doing my report on General Robert Anderson’s life and role in the Civil War.
ReplyDeleteRobert Anderson was actually born at “Solder’s Retreat” in Louisville, Kentucky on June 14, 1805. His mother was Sarah Marshall (First cousin to the Famous Supreme court Justice John Marshall). He also had a brother that grew up and fought against the Union during the war. Little more is known about his early life aside from his birthplace. He graduated from West Point in 1825. His residence was still Kentucky, but he immediately went into service for the US army after graduation. While unknown by most people, Anderson was a slave owner and avidly pro-slave. However, he remained unwavering loyal to the Union during the war.
Anderson fought along side with Lincoln in the Black Hawk war. Apparently, he did not approve of Lincoln’s actions during combat. He was also known for fighting in the Mexican-American War alongside with General Winfield Scott. He received a bad wound at the battle of Monlino del Rey, and was promoted to major brevetly (temporally) for his valor in combat. He was officially promoted on October 5, 1857.
Many people call Robert Anderson a fool for his loss at Fort Sumter. This is a very ignorant and mislead stipulation. Anderson served for the army from 1825 through 1863. He had attended West Point college with many of the famous and highly revered generals. He was known as a hero in over a half-dozen battles and was actually looked to for his military genius during one of those (Mexican-American War). His loss at Sumter had to do with the lack of supplies. Anderson saw the possibility for an attack coming, and pleaded for supplies and reinforcements six months before the fort was attacked, Lincoln hesitated to respond to his pleas for help. Anderson took the resources he had and defended his position as long as possible.
When Lincoln came into office, Anderson was positioned at Fort Sumter at Charleston Harbor, South Carolina. On November 23, 1860, Anderson requested reinforcements and stated the harbor’s status as “threatened.” On December 1, 1860, Anderson made his third request for help. On December 11, 1860, the Secretary of War John Floyd sent word that Anderson and his men could occupy and fort that he believed was threatened, but sent no supplies or reinforcements. On December 26, 1860, he transferred his troops from Fort Moultrie to Fort Sumter. He said that when the South attacked, Moultrie would not be possible to hold with his lack of supplies. On January 10, 1861, Anderson received orders to keep a defensive position but to hold the fort at all costs. Basically, the Union told him “We aren’t going to help you, but do your best! Have a good war.” The next day, the 11th, the South sent a messenger telling him to surrender the fort or downfall would be inevitable. Anderson refused, as he was ordered. Finally in April of 1861, Lincoln got off his butt and attempted to send supplies to Fort Sumter. At 4:30am on April 12th, the South attacked the Union ships carrying supplies. and began firing upon Fort Sumter under the orders of P.G.T. Beauregard, who Anderson knew from West Point. After being bombarded all night, Anderson was forced to surrender on April 13, 1861. This was a very preventable victory for the Southern army.
On May 15, 1861, Robert Anderson was promoted to Brigadier General and recognized as a hero for his actions early that April morning. On May 28, 1861, he assumed command of the Department of Kentucky. Anderson officially retired from the army on October 27, 1863. He went on to Hoist the Flag over the broken Fort Sumter after the war had ended. Also, in 1869 at Braintree, Massachusetts, he met with the founder of West Point to give his ideas for the future of the US military. He died on October 26, 1871 at Nice, France and was buried at West Point.
Anderson was a military hero that had a tattered reputation for ignored historians who didn’t understand the full extent of his situations. His advice was sought by many, and his heroics were held to the highest degree of reverence. And, he was my great-great-great-great grandpa. (That’s approximate by the way ;) haha _)
ReplyDeleteReferences:
http://www.civilwarhome.com/Andersonbio.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Anderson_(Civil_War)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Anderson_(Civil_War)
*** I apologize for having to break up the post, it was too long to post all at once.
Kentucky was a border state during the civil war, politically and geographically. Kentuckians had trade with both the South and the North. Flour, Whiskey, Snuff etc were sold to the south and to Europe by boat, while the same products were sold to the North by railroads. Giving up either of these markets would be very bad for the economy of the state of Kentucky. Kentucky was a slave state by law, and was a big source of slaves for the southern countries cotton fields, which, being wrong, was still a very prosperous business for the people of Kentucky. But for being a slave state, not many Kentuckians owned slaves themselves. Only very rich plantation owners would own slaves, which meant big trouble when the abolishment of slavery came around. president Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation in January of 1863, every Confederate slave was legally set free. But because the state of Kentucky was a part of the Union, slavery remained legal. In the year of 1864 President Abraham Lincoln declared that every slave that was currently fighting in the civil war was free from the war, and from his family. A massive wave of Kentucky slaves then rushed to Camp Nelson to enlist, and be free. The site i used was http://www.ket.org/civilwar/kyrole.html
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteGood stuff, guys!
ReplyDeleteWe have all heard about the Battle of Mill Springs and have probably been to the cemetery at some point. “The Battle of Fishing Creek” is the name given to it by the Confederates while the Union called it “The Battle of Logan’s Cross.” One of the largest battles fought in Kentucky, the Battle of Mill Springs was fought near Nancy, Kentucky on January 19, 1862. The Confederates were led by General Felix Zollicoffer on a slow march through the rain to fight the Union. They had planned to surprise the Union, but because of the difficult weather they lost that advantage. Between all the smoke, rain and the fact that he was nearsighted, Zollicoffer mistook a Union soldier as one of his own, a mistake that cost him his life. The death of their commander left the Confederates confused dismayed. They soon retreated back over the Cumberland River and didn’t stop until they got to Nashville, Tennessee.
ReplyDeleteReference:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Mill_Springs
John Hunt Morgan
ReplyDeleteMorgan was born in Alabama on July first, 1826. He then moved to Kentucky and participates in the Mexican-American war. Between the civil war and the Mexican-American war, he made and sold jeans in the south. At the dawn of the civil war he was quickly made a general. Actually he volunteered. His method of attack was basically to ransack and destroy town by town. He used cunning tactics. He carried around a portable battery and hacked the telegraph wires going between Louisville and Nashville: he would then intercept the very orders to intercept him and send his own message. He was like the first computer hacker. He would just cause havoc in the north by destroying what he could. He would even take out railroad bridges. He was captured, but he escaped prison by means of digging a tunnel. He went back to the confederates and resumed generaling. Once he captured two steam boats and used them against the confederates. John Morgan was sadly killed on September fourth, 1864, when he was surrounded by the enemy. While he was trying to escape, he was shot, and the Confederates lost a good general.
Lincoln once wrote "I think to lose Kentucky is nearly the same as to lose the whole game. ... We would as well consent to separation at once, including the surrender of the capital." And he said "I hope to have God on my side, but I must have Kentucky." This shows just how important border states were. Mr.Akers already pointed out the brother against brother problems and that the presidents of the Union and Confederacy were both born in kentucky. I wanted to talk about someone a little more obscure and not being from Kentucky I have no family history here, but I did find one person I thought was interesting, Thomas Hines(born in Butler county, Kentucky). He was a friendly, harmeless looking man, who quickly joined the confederate army a few months after the war began. At the begining of the war he led many raids in Union outposts, but as the war progressed he switched to undercover and espionage missions. He escaped from the Ohio Penitentiary by digging a tunnel out of the prison; he even, out of spite I would asume, left a note for the Warden of the prison in his cell. He was captured a few more times but each time escaped in outlandish ways. (like telling stories until the right time came to slip away, and hiding in matresses) Thomas Hines also set up the Northwest Conspiracy, a (failed) plan to release Southern prisoners in the North and commit arson to cause panic in the Union. This plan had been approved by President Davis, Sec. of State Judah Benjamin, and the Sec. of War James Seddon. A bit later on April 16, 1865 (two days after Lincoln was killed by Booth) Thomas Hines was mistaken for Booth. To escape He went to the wharf and forced the captain of a ferry to take him to Canada, when he got there he said sorry and gave the captain 5 dollars.(seriously) This also led to the rumor of the time that Booth was in Canada. So as you can see Kentucky has given us this awesome and strange man. I recommend you research more on him and his strange stories.
ReplyDeleteOk, so as I searched through different roles that people from and battles of Kentucky played in the Civil War, I ran across something I found interesting. It's not a person and it's not exactly what you think of when someone says battle either but it was a battle of sorts and it played a massive role in the Civil War.
ReplyDeleteCamp Nelson.
It was really a battle for the freedom of black slaves who wished to enlist. Kentucky was the last state in the nation to allow blacks to enlist. Even then, they either had to be free black men, or have written permission from their owner. This wasn't a problem until an excessive amount of slaves started showing up at Camp Nelson wanting to enlist. At first, the army wouldn't allow it at all. However, due to the increasing number of slaves that continued to show up, the army decided it was in their best interest to remove the prior restrictions. So basically, slaves could enlist at Camp Nelson and as a result of signing up to fight for their country, they were granted emancipation.
This created a new problem. What about their wives and children? Who's going to take care of them? Well, they started showing up at Camp Nelson hoping for freedom and refuge. The army at first allowed them to stay but eventually kicked them out, only to see them return again...and again... and again. This happened about seven times before the Camp Nelson started letting them stay to wash and cook. This continued for a while. Unfortunately, politics and legalities got in the way and the army loaded all 400 of the refugee women and children up and kicked them out. The result was tragic. 102 of the 400 died of disease and exposure. There was a serious uprising after that and the army was practically force let them stay. So they built a section within Camp Nelson called "Home for Colored Refugees" and they were granted their emancipation as well.
This camp played a major role in ridding Kentucky of slavery and I thought it was worth mentioning on here. There's more to say about it but it's almost midnight so I'm going to go ahead and post lol. For real though, if you'd like to read more about it, here's my source: http://www.civilwar.com/recent-postings/camp-nelson-emancipation-center-for-kentucky.html
The Battle of Perryville was an important Civil War battle of Kentucky. It was also known as the battle of Chaplin Hills because it was fought in the Chaplin Hills west of Perryville, Kentucky, on October 8, 1862. The battle was important because Kentucky was a critical border state during the war.
ReplyDeleteThe head of the union forces was Maj. Gen. Don Carlos Buell. The Confederate general was Braxton Bragg. On October 7, Buell was in pursuit of Bragg. They ended up meeting at the small town of Perryville (obviously). At the time, both armies desired strongly to gain access to fresh water. The real fighting began the next day at Peter’s Hill when the confederates got organized. The confederates actually had control at first when they attacked the union left flank and forced it to fall back. Some more confederate divisions got involved after that. The union was outnumbered, but still made a stubborn stand. Eventually, they were forced to retreat.
Buell was actually behind the action and didn’t know there was a battle until late in the afternoon when he finally sent a large number of reserves. The union then stabilized their line, and the confederates were greatly weakened. All remaining confederate assaults failed, and they fled to Perryville. Because of the shortage of supplies and men, Bragg led his army away during the night towards East Tennessee. Perryville was the largest battle in Kentucky and one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War.
I used en. wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Perryville.
I am doing my report on the Battle of Mill Springs. The Battle of Mill Springs began on January 19, 1862, and it was in south-central Kentucky. This battle had different nicknames some of which were Fishing Creek, by the Confederates, and Logan's Cross Roads, by the Union.
ReplyDeleteDuring this battle General Felix Zollicoffer unknowingly crosses the Union line and ends up speaking to Col S.S. Fry. Then his aide however realized what had happended and opened fire. This causes Gen Zollicoffer to be shot and killed. Inspite of his death he had accomplished many things for the confederates. He led the first attack and drove back Thomas's forces and was a good leader in general.
Also during this time Albert Johnston was put in command of the western theatre.
And these are some of things that occured during the Battle of Mill Spring. The Battle of Mill Springs was in Kentucky. In fact we are very close to the location where the battle was fought.
If you would like to learn more you can go to the following website. This is where I found my information: blueandgraytrail.com/event/Battle_of_Mill_Springs
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWas just looking over a lot of these posts and I must say, I saw a lot of Wikipedia references. Is it true that Robert Akers is allowing such a thing to happen?! Wikipedia is not a reliable source. For shame, students.
ReplyDeleteSad...
-Nathaniel-
As I was reading Sam’s essay something he said at the beginning stood out to me. The fact that there were brother to brother problems because some people in Kentucky were for the union army and some were for the confederate. There were reasons for some of this simply because of a soldier’s loyalty to their state more so than their belief against slavery, or not wanting to kill people from a state that was with the opposite side, etc. The presidents from both the confederate and union armies were both from Kentucky; that’s interesting. I’ve read a historical fiction series about two familes from Kentucky during the civil war and even though part of it was fiction it put a vivid picture in my mind of how it really must have been to have your close friends joining the opposite side or a brother killed or wounded, or actually experiencing the Battle of Bull Run and some of the others.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteBgruk
ReplyDeleteIt was very intersting learning about ther battle at camp Wild Cat seeing as the confederates would have won if they had gotten there just a little bit earlier. The battle must have been pretty interesting seeing as i wouldn't think the Union would be ready but it almost seems like they knew they were going to be attacked makes me wonder if there might be a little more to this battle.
J Byrd
ReplyDeleteThe battle at Fort Henry was very interesting seeing as the Union was very ready for this battle and were ready to fight for the fort. It must have been a fairly quick ending battle seeing as they were basically surrounded.
What does it take to be a hero? Leadership? an Injury? simply fighting for the cause? This is disputable. After researching, I have found a man worthy of this calling: Phillip Kearney. He was a hero not because of these thing above. He was a hero because of his bravery.
ReplyDeleteMr. Kearney was born in New York City on June 1, 1815. Tragedy struck him before his ninth before his ninth birthday would arrive. At a young age his mother would die. One thing that stood out about Phillip was that he was an exceptional horse back rider. Would this foreshadow his later life? I think so.
His motto became "Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori." This phrase means it is sweet and fitting to die for ones country. And this, he would most certainly accomplish. This is how he did it.
He was fighting in the battle of bull run. Picture this: It's dark. The rain is blinding you with sheets of moisture (tee hee). Your name is phillip and you've been advised to stay put at camp, but you are not a sitting duck. Therefore you ride your horse straight in to enemy lines. Upon you arrival the enemy is on you. They order you to surrender but you refuse and run away on horse back!
Now, I'm not sure that the running away part added to his valor, but riding to the enemy alone certainly did. As he was running, he was shot straight in the spine and died instantly. Phillip Kearney R.I.P.
btw, info was from
ReplyDeletehttp://www.geocities.com/Athens/Aegean/6732/files/kearny1.html
Jessica, i did not in-fact know that the battle of mill springs had different names like Fishing Creek, by the Confederates, and Logan's Cross Roads, by the Union. Although it makes sense, that never crossed my mind. I do, by the way, have a piece of the tree where Zollicoffer died.
ReplyDeleteMr. Akers,
ReplyDeleteI think it's hilarious that you removed Camden's dream from this post.
-Ryan
Colby, your post was interesting, even though it took me like ten or twelve minutes to read the whole thing. I thought it was really cool to use stuff from a past relative's autobiography. Elijah Fisher Tucker sounds like a pretty cool person from your essay. I thought the whole thing from someone back from the time of the Civil War was Awesome, and I enjoyed from the background of him to when he volunteered to serve in the Civil War to throughout the his whole service in the war and the different battles and events that he was in. It is really cool to have like an autobiography from a relative from the Civil War era.
ReplyDeleteJosh, I liked your essay. The battle of Perryville was a pretty big battle, and is a pretty interesting topic for an essay on events in Kentucky during the Civil War. Good job on the post.
ReplyDeleteMadyson, i liked your essay. it is pretty cool how your house used to be a saloon. There is so much history in your house, its amazing. Even your backyard was a major part of the civil war, where many of the soldiers in the civil war marched on there way to The Battle of Mill Springs. Just think, were you sat and typed your essay, could have been the same spot an important figure in our civil war sat.
ReplyDeleteI Really like your essay Jake Anderson. General Robert Anderson was an amazing war hero. He fought in eleven different wars, and only suffered one wound at the battle of Monlino del Rey, and was promoted to major. He was a great war hero, and even fought beside his future President Abraham Lincoln. It was a shame that he lost at Fort Sumter, because Abraham Lincoln wouldn't send reinforcements or supply's. He is a great Kentuckian and will be remembered.
ReplyDeleteTyler, you had a lot of good info. about John Hunt Morgan. Did you know that he also served in the Mexican-American War? He was a First Lieutenant in the First Kentucky.
ReplyDeleteDsams I really liked your essay. I never really knew little old Kentucky (or the other 'border states' for that matter) played such a vital role in the union's success. I think that Mr. Akers' exceptionally-thorough history class has exposed some of Lincoln's strategic short commings. However, anyone can look back and critique another's actions. I think for the time and circumstances he was in Lincoln performed above what any other human being could. With that being said, if he thought Kentucky was important as a state, I'm confident that it was.
ReplyDeleteI also liked Alex's essay. It is interesting how Kentucky was a 'fence rider' so to speak, during the war. I never knew that they trader with the North and South. I also find it interesting that it was a pro-slavery state but did not initially succeed from the Union. And, I did not know that they had invented snuff during the Civil War, haha. But Kudos, you obviously put some effort into the essay.
ReplyDeleteSorry Akers,
ReplyDeleteI forgot to tell you where i got my stuff at.
Reference:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Mill_Springs
Sam, thanks for what you said about my essay. I agree war can be hard on people. I also liked the fact that you chose a guy with the first name speed thats just awsome. The name of the colege he went to is also really cool Wabash. Did you just pick this guy for all the cool names.
ReplyDeleteJake what you where saying to Alex,
ReplyDeleteIt really sounds like Kentucky was trying to (my opinion) be people pleasing so to say. They wanted to be both of the Union and the Confederacy. They traded with both and couldnt make up there minds. Sorry if im bashing Kentucky a bit. I Loveee Ketucky to death, Born and raised right here. But i would love to look more into Kentuckys part in the Civil war. Its pritty intreging.
RyanTheAdams, I do not think that it was hilaryous that Mr. Akers removed my post I think a little part of me died when I saw that. lol
ReplyDeleteBgruk,
ReplyDeleteYou did really good, I didnt even know there was a battle called The Battle Of Wildcat lol thats pritty much true Kentuckian right there. haa (:
Joshua, Kudos.
ReplyDeleteYour essay was really good.
I lovedd it.
Wow Ryan you are right. Kearney had to have a lot of bravery, or he could have just been really impatent. Ether way he rode into the middle of the enemy and did not surrender. That takes some real guts.
ReplyDeleteBlake, I think that it is awsome that you used to live near a major historical site. i think your essay was good but it could have used a little more information about the mission that he was on. Other than that the essay was really good as most of yours are.
ReplyDeleteRyan, your essay was alright, but you did not have much information on the topic. And i do not consider disobeying orders twice and then running away and getting killed heroic because he didnt really accomplish anything and it would have been better if he had just obeyed his orders. They have a saying "bravery and stupidity are one in the same. only the outcome determines which." Although it is not entirely true, i would consider this stupidity rather than bravery.
ReplyDeleteJessica, I did my report on Mill Springs also and I never found anywhere that he actually spoke to col. Fry. I don’t know if this is incorrect or I just missed that in my research but I do find that interesting. And you have a good point, Zollicoffer did accomplish a lot of good things for the Confederates.
ReplyDeleteJosh, I had never heard of the Battle of Perryville and I got a lot of good information about it from your essay. What I’m trying to say is that you covered the topic thoroughly and made it informative and complete to someone who hasn’t heard about the topic before. Good essay.
ReplyDeleteCamden I enjoyed your report on General" Will" Sherman. To me Tecumseh sounds more like an Indian name than anything else. Life was so different and hard when your father died and your mother ships you off to friends. Being raised away from your biological family must have been difficult. Having the opportunity to go to West Point and graduating was a break for him. I think its interesting watching the different experiences that General Sherman had that prepared him to be the successful General for President Lincoln
ReplyDeleteMadyson i think its cool to have a major part of history in your back yard. You can see old headstones on graves of soldiers and their families in the middle of a pasture by our house. It has to stink that General Zollicoffer got shot by his own men. Even though Kentucky didn't take a major role in the Civil war they used our road ways and pastures to have access to the South.
ReplyDelete, fighting for a cause, etc.). What you said about Phillip Kearney being brave is definitely true. However, like you said, I don’t see a big difference between running away and surrendering. But riding your horse towards enemy lines because you don’t get to fight is brave. It stinks that he was shot, though. Ryan, I liked your essay. What you said at first is true. A person can be viewed as a hero for several reasons (leadership
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ReplyDeleteThe last 3 sentences go first on my comment
ReplyDeleteI like what David Sams said, border states were important. Controlling a border state made it easier to transport troops and supplies to enemy lines. Since most border states waited till it was too late to succeed, this advantage was given to the North. The border states drew a line between the North and the South. A disadvantage to being a border state was that this meant there was a lot of fighting in your state. I live next to a battlefield. One good thing about having a battle in your state is it is good tourism potential.
ReplyDeleteColby, I really liked your essay about your great-great-great-great-grandfather. I wish I had someone in my family who fought in the civil war and wrote about it, especially in such great detail, for me to read later. Out of the whole thing I like best what he says about his crhistian walk, that he has tried to maintain a consistent walk with Christ but has fallen short sometime, like every other christian. The whole story is great.
ReplyDeleteJon Byrd, your essay was quite good. You gave plenty of information about the battle. The battle of Fort Henry is a good example of the union’s advantage of having the navy at their side. The Confederates probably didn’t like being attacked on land and by sea at the same time. Like you pointed out, Grant attacked the fort while navy boats were all over it. That fort didn’t have much of a chance in the first place.
ReplyDeleteWow, Biggen, I did know any of that, other than the few bits of information Mr. Akers told us. A bite is one-eighth of a byte. Your essay was greatly well written and I enjoyed reading it. Before the only thing I knew about Burnside Island is that it was named for a general, now I know a lot more. Actually General Burnside Island is no longer an island on account of the dropped level of the lake.
ReplyDeleteRyan, I also enjoyed your essay. The account of this man’s life is interesting. What does hero meqan is a good question that is frequently asked. But this man truly was a hero. It takes a lot of courage to just ride into enemy line, especially by yourself. I praise God that we have had people like Phillip to protect our great country, and keep our freedom from harm. I like the foreshadowing too.
ReplyDeleteI got my information from: “http://www.geocities.com/BourbonStreet/Delta/3843/morgan.htm”
ReplyDeleteSorry about the delay.
Jarred, it is so neat that u lived on top of a former battle field. If I recall correctly, I believe we went to your house with metal detectors for a field trip to try and recover some of that history; it is so sad that it’s being forgotten.
ReplyDeleteDavid, All that stuff about Thomas Hines is pretty comical. I know this is supposed to be a very serious topic but escaping from jail so many times and in such strange ways is funny. He seems like he was a pretty smart guy though. I enjoyed reading your essay.
ReplyDeleteMadyson, wow that is so cool. It's like they went through your backyard and then to mine. Well actually I live across the lake where the battle was, but part of the battle was fought was here in my yard also. The house right beside is know as the Brown-Lanier B&B. It is said that a cannon ball went through the front door of that house. When we moved hear they told us that they had done architectural digs in the field on the other side of my house. I just think that is so neat that they went through your yard across the lake and then to my yard =)
ReplyDeleteMaxwell, I think it is so neat so many of us live or used to live where soilders probably marched by to get to the area (around my house) where the Battle of Mill Springs was fought.
ReplyDeleteMadyson, I found what you had to say about where you live and all the history around you really interesting. That is so neat to know that right in your backyard many soldiers marched. And that your house was a saloon is pretty neat as well.
ReplyDeleteColby, your essay was very good and I enjoyed reading it. That is so cool that you can read exactly what he was going through and what he was in. As Stotts said the Lord must have had his hand on him. He was definately protecting him for the bullet to graze his head and kill the man behind him. I find that to be so amazing.
ReplyDeleteAnna i like how you wnet beyond the internet to do your reserch, and found two women that no one has heard of and went into good detail on how they became a part of and influenced the cival war.
ReplyDeleteHey Stotts,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading what you had to day about Mill Springs. I'm really not a history buff at all. I realize that everybody else has probably already heard a lot of things that we talk about in class or write about on here, but for me it's pretty much the first time. I love Mill Springs and really liked the account you retold about General Zollicoffer getting confused about which army was his. Not really. It was understandable. I probably wouldn't recognize my own people either in conditions like that.
This part is kind of off topic but I would really just like to add that I really do love Mill Springs. Not too long ago, Nathaniel took me to the Mill Springs Military Cemetery to see his father's grave and we spent a long amount of time just walking around the entire cemetery looking at the different graves. Some from the Civil War all the way up to veterans who recently died. It really was a very serene and peaceful experience. It made me really appreciate the sacrifices made and I know it may seem cliche, but the sky really did seem bluer and the trees greener at that spot.
DSams,
I really enjoyed your essay. I particularly liked the quotes from Abraham Lincoln you gave about how he "must have Kentucky." It truly does show the importance that our little border state had in the Civil War.
Ryan i love how you start your essay with the characteristics of a leader and i love how much detail you went into on Phillip and proved all your points.
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ReplyDeleteEmily, I liked how at the very end of your essay you pointed out that these men died to make our country what it is today. Every fight has had an effect today, and that's something I know I, personally, forget quite often.
ReplyDeleteJacob, while I'm talking about forgetting things I guess I'll talk about your essay on the "forgotten" battle of Perryville.(wonderful transition) I think its interesting that even though the South had won they still backed out and because of it probably lost an important state in the war.
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ReplyDeleteFor this assignment i chose a battle not to far from home, the Battle of Mill springs. Located in Nancy, Kentucky for those who don't know that. It was a skirmish between Union George H. Thomas and Col. Speed S. Fry verses Confederate General George B. Crittenden and Brig. General Felix Zollicoffer. Althought thought to be small battle in the Civil War it was however the first significant victory for the North in the war. And it was the second largest battle in Kentucky.
ReplyDeleteWell the battle stated when Confederate force in a campaign thought central and western Kentucky met against Unions 4th Kentucky Infantry, 2nd Minnesota, and 10th Indiana Calvary at Logan's Crossroads. The union force set up first and split into two groups. The Confederates had lost the element of surprise from the heavy rainfall and mud which slowed down their movement. But the attacked anyway, early in the battle Zollicoffer which was wearing a white raincoat went to the 4th Kentucky Infantryin the confusion of the battle thinking it was his own men, and was shot and killed. On the other side of the battle the 2nd Minnesota and the enemy were said to be so close at one point the were poking their guns thought the same fence. Now as a battle strategy the 4th Kentucky and the 10th Indiana moved on the left and right while the 2nd Minnesota laid down heavy fire of the center of the Confederate line. This slowed down the middle of the line which allows the corners to expand. This caused confusion on the Confederates. This decided the battle, the Confederate retreated into Tenn. and the Union won a significant battle.
Emily, I like how you illustrated how the South was outnumbered in this battle. Normally it was vice-versa and the North was outnumber in the early battles of the Civil War. Like in the battle of Mill Springs the South had about eight-hundred more soldiers than the Union Army had. I thought that was pretty important.
ReplyDeleteI liked What Maxwell said about Zollicoffer and how prior the the Civil War had almost no military no how or experience. Even known we look at the South having far better over all military experience.
ReplyDeleteoh I forgot http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Mill_Springs.
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