Fishing Creek, Somerset, Ky. The weather man delivered a perfect day, so we headed out to see some local history. The Battle of Mill Springs was small compared to the larger more popular civil war battles, but none the less important. The Union defeated the Confederates here and this was a much needed Union victory because it kept Kentucky from falling into Confederate hands, it allowed the Union to control the river, and it ended a long string of Confederate victories.
When we arrived at the museum, we were the only visitors and had the place to ourselves. We started out with a 20 minutes video which explained how the battle started and ended. While we were waiting for the video to start another couple came into the small theater. We started talking to them and found out that she was the Great, Great Great Granddaughter of Brigadier General Felix K. Zollicoffer. They came from Nashville to find our more about their long lost relative who was killed in the Battle of Mill Springs.
But, the manner in which General Zollicoffer was killed was so bazaar, you won't believe it. But, believe it, it's true. So, let me set the stage.
It's 6:30 AM on January 19, 1862. The Confederates had marched six hours through a cold rain that turned the road into mud. The Confederates had not yet issued uniforms, so General Zollicoffer was wearing his blue Union uniform for an earlier war several years ago. The Confederates encountered the Union and the battle began. Now it's getting foggy and the smoke from the battle combined with the fog made visibility only a few yards. General Zollicoffer was unaware that the Union reinforcements just arrived and Zollicoffer thought his men were firing on their own troops. So he rode over to investigate and encountered Colonel Fry (Union), who had ridden down the road to get a better look at the Confederate position. In the smoke and confusion neither man recognized the other. Zollicoffer (wearing his blue uniform) looked like a Union officer, and Zollicoffer ordered Colonel Fry to cease fire, telling Fry he was firing on friendly troops. Thinking Zollicoffer was a superior Federal Officer, Fry began to ride back to his regiment and give the order, but at that moment, a Confederate staff officer rode up and yelled to Zollicoffer "General, it's the enemy!" and began firing his pistol at Fry. He missed Fry, and Fry drew his gun along with several other Union solders began firing at Zollicoffer and his staff officer, killing them both.
Shortly, the Confederates gathered up Zollicoffer's body and leaned him up against a tree. That tree became know as the Zollicoffer Tree. The tree stood until the spring of 1995 when it was struck by lightning. The battle caused 246 Union casualties, of which 55 died. The Confederates had 533 casualties, of which 150 died.
Here's what the Confederate hospital looked like with over 500 casualties in a small house converted to a hospital. Bodies everywhere!
Here's what's left of the hospital today.
This is in front of the museum. You can see the head stones in the National Cemetery to the right side of the picture.
Our next stop was at a local orchard where we picked up some fresh peaches. Across the street was a barn with a quilt painted the front.
Then we stopped at Lee's Ford Marina and took this shot.
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Then we headed south to Burnside, Ky. We stopped at Burnside Island State Park and checked out the campground. It was pretty and had only a few level spots. Everything is either going up hill or down hill. I guess that's what happens in hill country. Ha.
Here's a shot of Burnside Marina.
And that was the end of a very nice day. Monday is cleaning day; clean the car, clean Kallie, clean our clothes, and clean anything that doesn't move! Not very exciting, but stuff that has to be done.
Tuesday morning, we head to North Carolina and the Smokey Mountains and the Blue Ridge Parkway!
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