Zollicoffer's death and the resulting demoralization of his troops turned the battle in favor of the Union. After several hours of hard fighting, the Confederates were swept from the field. Crittenden managed to get the remnant of his force across the swollen Cumberland and retreated all the way to Nashville, abandoning all his artillery and trains. The body of Zollicoffer naturally became an item of great curiosity for the victorious Union soldiers. Souvenir-seekers clipped buttons from the general's coat and locks of his hair.
Legend has it the scavenging continued until the body was clad only in underwear.
Gen. Thomas posted a guard to prevent further looting and eventually returned Zollicoffer's body to the family in Nashville. The Confederates left some 125 dead on the field and the Union soldiers interred them in a mass grave a few yards from the place where their general had fallen. Thus ended the mercurial military career of Felix Zollicoffer, a man known today as much for his unusual name as for his exploits. And then there was the tree. The large white oak under which Zollicoffer fell was at least 100 years old at the time of the battle.