The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1883-11-08
GENERAL FRY'S STORY
OF Mill Springs. and How Zollicofer
Fell by His Hand.
fgy Major- General Speed S. Ffy.1

so with no desire to magnify my own part in
the engagement. 1t is however, but simple
truth to say that the regiment that had the
honor to organize and command in its first bat
tie, bore itself equally bravely throughout the
war. Always at the 'front.' it proved itself
ready for any duty, however perilous
The battle of Mill Springs was fought on the
10th day of January 1862 under the command
of that brave and true soldier Gen. George H.
Thomas, than whom no man, living or dead,
has stronger hold upon the love and admira-
tion of the people of this country With the
knowledge possess of his character, both as
man and soldier, and without wishing to dis
parage the claims of other officers who bore
conspicuous part III the memorable war of the
rebellion, or to tarnish one laurel they so nobIy
won in that gigantic struggle, do not hesi-
tate to say that none commanded larger de-
gree of the warm attachment of the private
soldier than Gen. Geo. H. Thomas. He was
soldier in the true sense of the word. He loved
and respected the officers and men in his COM
nand. In welding the power he possessed by
reason of his official position he never lost sight
of the fact that it was always the better policy
to act the part of the gentleman. The humblest
soldier In the ranks, when coming in respectful
manner, could approach him without theslight-
est fear Of being repealed by harsh language or
naughty manner. He was the very soul of
honor, the very embodiment of genuine Ameri-
can nobility. There was nothing that ever
ruffled his generally smooth temper so much
as to know that one Of his officers or men
had committed a low, debasing act, or had
played the coward in time Of trial. His con-
duct toward all was of that gentle character
which never failed to inspire respect, confidence
and love. In the camp, on the march, in the
frightful havoc of bloody battle he every
where maintained a calmness, backed by a
firmness which marked him as man of most
wonderful capacity. For mere military dis
play he had most supreme contempt.
For those designations in which SO many Of
the officers Of the army were won't to indulge
he had no fondness. When in camp or on the
march he could always be found where duty
called him, with his men, caring for them in
their trials and hardships | could tell of
many incidents which came under my personal
knowledge clearly establishing the truth of
every word | have said of him.
1t is to be regretted that the spirit which
animated the life OF that noble man could not
be infused into the life of every officer in our
army. He fought not because he loved to fight,
not because he loved TO see the terrible havoc
of war, but because he felt it patriotic duty.
BE viii live in the affection and memories of
the American people when those who have at
tempted, ever since his death, to cast shadow
on his name shall die and be forgotten.
But whilst ! love to talk of the grand and
my military life took me by the hand, even as
father would take his beloved son, and
cheered me with kind words--I must leave him
and enter upon the task you have imposed
upon me.
THE MARCH FROM COLUMBIA.
On the morning of the 18th day of January
my regiment tthe Fourth Kentucky Infantry
was detailed as guard for the baggage train
Of that portion of our army that was moving
from Lebanon, KY, toward the rebel itrench-
ments at Aill Springs, by the way of Camp
bellsYille, Taylor county, and Columbia, Adair
county. Ky. The weather, though not cold,
was exceedingly damp, with frequent heavy
showers OF rain, making the roads, after leaving
the pixies. in many places almost impossible
for teams. Our march from Columbia was
necessarily rendered very slow and difficult.
We camped for day or two some fifteen or
twenty miles north of the point where the
battle was fought, Logan's Field" my regi-
ment having been detailed to bring up the
train Of wagons at place called Webb's Cross
roads. Very soon after we started on our
march, on the morning of the 18th, the rain
commenced pouring down upon US IN torrents,
which continued until We had nearly reached
the advance of the army, which was near sun
! down. The men were not only drenehing wet
! but very much fatigued by the hard marching
over the deep, muddy roads and lifting wagons
from the mire.
| Just as we came In sight Of where some Of
| the troops were enea.nped and where General
| Thomas had also established his headquarters,
| the General rode out and met me in the road,
| giving me orders as we had marched all
| day through the mud and heavy rain, not to
send any Of my men out ON picket but simply
/ to place eamp-guards, and directing me also
| where 70 20 into camp. About the time met
! General Thomas, Colonel Steedman, of the
| Fourteenth Ohio, and Colonel Harlan, of. the
Tenth Kentucky regiment, rode up and in
| formed the General that they had received re-
/ liable information that a body of rebels were
! below US, on the Cumberland River, foraging
upon the people, and that if it met with his
appreciation they would ike to be permitted
/ to 60 down with their regiments and gobbie
| them up"
! readily discovered, from the Generals man
ner and look, that he did not fully approve of
| such move, bat, seeing the anxiety of the
! two officers, he finally yielded assent to their
request, and in a very short time they were off.
| hoping, no doubt, to return early the next
morning with quite a number OF captiyes and
their brows wreathed with unfading laurels.
/ AN EARLY MORNING ALARM.
I Immediately moved on with my command
| to the point designated by the General as my
camping ground for the night. Fatigued and
| almost exhausted by the labors of the day, we
soon had our suppers prepared, and after filing
| our empty stonlachs we quietly folded our
weary bodies with our robes and blankets and
sought refreshing Sleep The last that some of
US were ever to enjoy. The night passed away
without the slightest noise to disturb our sweet
| slumbers, but just as daylight had fairly
/ dawned and all had awakened, the sound of q
horses hoofs were heard coming down the road
| at rapid speed, and in a few moments I heard
a voice calling my name in very sharp, quick
tones. / Immediately sprang to my feet,
| looked out Of my tent and saw Colonel NJ d.
Manson, of the Tenth Indiana, my brigade
/ commander, standing near my tent-door, who
Informed me that the enemy was approaching
and was very near at hand, and ordered me to
| call out my regiment In five minutes time
/ the men were out with their guns and formed
| in line ready to move forward
/ The command forward march being given,
we proceeded down the road that led toward
/ the rebel encampment, some few hundred
| yards, when found it necessary to call halt
| until some of my men, who were little de-
layed, should come up. While standing at this
point awaiting their arrival, Colonel Manson
came riding back, when / inquired of him
| where should 90 into position. He replied
Go out and take position in the woods" and
| then passed on. BY this time l heard some
/ picket firing about quarter of a mile ahead of
| me, and my regiment, in connection with an
| Ohio battery of six guns, commanded by Cap
tain Kinney, which we had overtaken, moved
off as rapidly as possible IN the direction of the
firing. We passed Immediately through an
| open space Of ground, and then some distance