into their hands. It would be agreeable to each division of CHAP. VII. the army to know its own precise destination; but the Government cannot immediately, nor inflexibly at any time, determine as to all; nor, if determined, can it tell its friends without, at the same time, telling its enemies. Lincoln to We know you do all as wisely and well as you can; and you will not be deceived if you conclude the same is true of us. Please give my respects and thanks to all. Belmont having been a mere episode, it drew after it no further movement in that direction. Grant and his command resumed their routine work of neighborhood police and observation. Buell and Halleck, both coming to their departments as new commanders shortly afterwards, were absorbed with difficulties at other points. Secession was not yet quieted in Kentucky. The Union troops at Cairo, Paducah, Smithland, and other river towns yet stood on the defensive, fearing rebel attack, rather than preparing to attack rebels. Columbus and Bowling Green were the principal Confederate camps, and attracted and received the main attention of the Union commanders. The first noteworthy occurrence following Belmont, as well as the beginning of the succession of brilliant Union victories which distinguished the early months of the year 1862, was the battle of Mill Springs in Eastern Kentucky. The earnest desire of President Lincoln and General McClellan that a Union column should be sent to seize and hold East Tennessee, and the reluctance and neglect of General Buell to carry out their wishes, have been described. General Thomas remained posted in Eastern Kentucky, hoping that he might be called upon to form his column and lead it through the Cumberland Gap to Knoxville; but the weeks McClernand, Nov. 10, 1861. MS. CHAP. VII. passed by, and the orders which he received only tended to scatter his few regiments for local defense and observation. With the hesitation of the Union army at this point the Confederates became bolder. Brigadier-General F. K. Zollicoffer established himself in a fortified camp on the north bank of the Cumberland River, where he could, at the same time, defend Cumberland Gap and incite Eastern Kentucky to rebellion. Here he became so troublesome that Buell found it necessary to dislodge him, and late in December sent General Thomas orders to that effect. Thomas was weak in numbers, but strong in vigilance and courage. He made a difficult march during the early weeks of January, 1862, and halted at Logan's Cross Roads, within ten miles of the rebel camp, to await the junction of his few regiments. The enemy, under Zollicoffer and his district commander, George B. Crittenden, resolved to advance and crush him before he could bring his force together. Thomas prepared, and accepted battle. The enemy had made a fatiguing night march of nine miles through a cold rain and over muddy roads. On the morning of January 19 the battle was begun with spirit, and soon had a dramatic incident. The rebel commander, Zollicoffer, mistaking a Union regiment, rode forward and told its commanding-officer, Colonel Speed S. Fry, that he was firing upon friends. Fry, not aware that Zollicoffer was an enemy, turned away to order his men to stop firing. At this moment one of Zollicoffer's aides rode up, and, seeing the true state of affairs, drew his revolver and began firing at Fry, wounding his horse; Fry, wheeling in turn, drew his revolver and returned 1862. Cist, Henry M. "Army of the Cumberland," pp. 17, 18. Thomas B. Van Horne, the fire, shooting Zollicoffer through the heart. CHAP. VII. The fall of the rebel commander served to hasten and complete the defeat of the Confederates. They retreated in disorder to their fortified camp at Mill Springs. Thomas ordered immediate pursuit, and the same night invested their camp and made preparations to storm their intrenchments the following morning. When day came, however, it was found that the rebels had crossed the Cumberland River during the night, abandoning their wounded, twelve pieces of artillery, many small arms, and extensive supplies, and had fled in utter dispersion to the mountains. It was one of the most remarkable Union victories of the war. General Thomas's forces consisted of a little over six regiments, those of Crittenden and Zollicoffer of over ten regiments. It was more than a defeat for the Confederates. Their army was annihilated, and Cumberland Gap once more stood exposed, so that Buell might have sent a Union column and taken possession of Eastern Tennessee with but feeble opposition. It is possible that the brilliant opportunity would at last have tempted him to comply with the urgent wishes of the President and the express orders of the General-in-Chief, had not unexpected events in another quarter diverted his attention and interest. There was everywhere, about the months of December, 1861, and January, 1862, a perceptible increase of the Union armies by fresh regiments from the Northern States, a better supply of arms through recent importations, an increase of funds from new loans, and the delivery for use of various war materials, the product of the summer's manu "History of the Army of berland." the Cum Vol. I., p. 57. 1 CHAP. VII. facture. Of prime importance to the military operations which centered at Cairo was the completion and equipment of the new gunboats. A word of retrospect concerning this arm of the military service is here necessary. Commander John Rodgers was sent West in the month of May, 1861, to begin the construction of war vessels for Western rivers. Without definite plans, he had purchased, and hastily converted and armed as best he could, three river steamers. These were put into service in September; they were provided with cannon, but had no iron plating. They were the Tyler, of seven guns, the Lexington, of six guns, and the Conestoga, of three guns. Making Cairo their central station, they served admirably in the lighter duties of river police, in guarding transports, and in making hasty trips of reconnaissance. For the great expedition down the Mississippi, projected during the summer and fall of 1861, a more powerful class of vessels was provided.' The distinguished civil engineer, James B. Eads, designed, and was authorized to build, seven new gunboats, to carry thirteen guns each, and to be protected about the bows with iron plating capable of resisting the fire of heavy artillery. They were named the Cairo, Carondelet, Cincinnati, Louisville, Mound City, Pittsburg, and St. Louis. Two additional gunboats of the same type of construction, but of 1 To show the unremitting interest of the President in these preparations, and how his encouragement and prompting followed even their minor details, we quote from his autograph manuscript a note to the Secretary of War dated Jan. 24, 1862: "On reflection, I think you better make a peremptory order on the ordnance officer at Pittsburgh to ship the ten mortars and two beds to Cairo instantly, and all others as fast as finished till ordered to stop, reporting each shipment to the department here." - Foote to larger size, the Benton, of sixteen guns, and the CHAP. VII. Essex, of five guns,—were converted from other vessels about the same time. At the time Commodore Foote finally accepted the first seven (January 15, 1862), it was found impossible to supply them with crews of Eastern seamen. Resort was had to Western steamboatmen, and also to volunteers from infantry recruits. 1862. W. R. pp. 504, 505. Vol. VIII., Smith to Asst. Adj.Gen., Jan. 22, Vol. VII., p. 561. The joint reconnaissance of Grant and Foote to Fort Henry on the Tennessee River, January 14, has been related. A second examination was made by General C. F. Smith, who on January 22 reported that he had been within two miles and a half of the fort; that the river had risen fourteen feet since the last visit, giving a better opportunity to reconnoiter; more important, that the high water had drowned out a troublesome advance battery, and that, in his opinion, two iron-clad gunboats could make short work 1862 W. R. of it. It is evident that, possessed of this additional information, Grant and Foote immediately resolved upon vigorous measures. Grant had already asked permission to visit Halleck at St. Louis. This was given; but Halleck refused to entertain his project of an attack. So firmly convinced was Grant, however, that his plan was good, that, though unsuccessful at first, he quickly re- "Memoirs." newed the request. "Commanding-General Grant and myself," telegraphed Foote to Halleck (January 28, 1862), “are of opinion that Fort Henry, on the Tennessee River, can be carried with four iron-clad gunboats and troops to permanently occupy. Have we your authority to move for that purpose when 1862, W. R. ready?" To this Grant on the same day added Grant, Vol. I., p. 287. Foote to Vol. VII., p. 120. |