Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-06-19
ZOLLICOFFER.
A Statement by the Man who Shot
Ery5S Horse,

Ery'S EsOfscs
From the st. Louis Democrat, June II.
We have always objected to making
public illusions to private expressions
during the war, but the writer of this has
grown weary of the many statements
scattered broadcast by the Northern press,
all to the effect that Gen. Z0llicoffer was
killed by Gen. Fry at the battle of Mill
Springs. Ky. The writer of this article
was upon The staff of that gallant
soldier and gentleman, Gen. ZolIi-
Golfer, in the battle in which he
lost his life, and the only one of his
staff who was Immediately with him
when he was ''done to death, p" the other
members being off on duty. We had
been sent forward to order regiment
which had moved too far ahead to align
itself with the remainder of Zollicoffer's
brigade on its rear and right. AT that
time heavy firing was going on on the
right of this regiment-the 10Th Tennes-
see-also firing irregularly ON the enemy,
who were advancing under cover of
skirmishers. Upon returning to Gen.
Zollicoffor, who was at that time in rear
of the line, he suggested that ''we
were firing upon our men," We
stated that the enemy were in front, which
the General doubling, started forward to
ascertain. We urged him to desist, as we
saw the Federal skirmishers. At that
time, both he and the writer were about
one hundred yards from the enemy. He
continued TO move fOrward-the 10Th
Tennessee meanwhile retiring, according
to the previous order. AS we rode for
ward, we urged Gen. Zolliconer to re-
turn, representing to him he would be
killed-all to no purpose. He still de-
clared, however, that our troops were firing
upon each other, and, being near-sighted,
continued to move on toward the ia
tai spot to ascertain. At the distance of
about twenty yards from the skirmish
line the writer halted, Gen, Zollicoffer
still passing on. Upon reaching the
skirmish line he was met by Col. Fry,
who had just ridden down in gallop, and
to whom, as we imperfectly heard, Gen.
Zollicoffer addressed the inquiry, angrily:
"Why do you fire upon our menu" Col.
Fry seemed puzzled. ct will be recOl-
lected that at that time Confederate gen.
eral officers wore the same colored
cap worn by the Federals, and,
to the best of our recollection,
Gen. Zollicoffer had on a rubber
cape.) Fry's answer was lost to us
in the roar of battle to our left, as was
also Gen. Zollicoffer's reply to him,
whereupon Col. Fry pointed out the Gen
eral to two of the skirmishers, who stood
to his right, within ten feet Of him. One |
or both of these Immediately leveled |
their guns at the General, who, having |
perceived his mistake, was about to return |
to his line, and by one of these slirmish- |
ers he was killed. His horse, having been |
directed to the rear, continued his course |
at gallop, during which time, and with |
in thirty yards from where we stood, Gen. |
Zollicoffer fell on the left of the road, |
looking toward the Confederates. The |
writer was the party who shot Gen. Fry's |
horse, as we were afterwards informed |
by Col. Harlan, commanding a Ken
lucky FederaD regiment. The fact of |
Col. Fry's galloping down to the front, a
portion of the language and the manner |
of both himself and Gen. Zollicoffer, the |
action of the skirmishers and Col. Fry's |
return after the shooting of Zollicoffer by |
these skirmishers is all as plain to our eye |
now as then. About that time Lieut.. |
Bale Peyton was yielding up his noble
spirit at the head of his company on the
right of the battle.
This statement is made with no desire
for publicity, but simplyto correct an
error which, in the absence of an author
itative denial, is being generally received
as true. Certain it is that Gen. Fry did
not shoot Gen. ZollicoffeF.