Battle of Mill Springs Facts

January 19, 1862

Key facts about the Battle of Mill Springs, also known as the Battle of Fishing Creek and the Battle of Logan's Crossroads.

Photograph of George Henry Thomas.

Brigadier General George H. Thomas’ victory at Battle of Mill Springs helped to break the Confederate line of defense in eastern Kentucky early in the Civil War. [Wikimedia Commons]

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Also known as:

  • Battle of Fishing Creek
  • Battle of Logan’s Cross Roads

Date:

  • January 19, 1862

Location:

  • Pulaski and Wayne counties, near Nancy, Kentucky

Campaign:

  • Offensive in Eastern Kentucky

Principal Union commander(s):

  • Brigadier General George H. Thomas

Principal Confederate commander(s):

  • Major General George B. Crittenden

Union forces engaged:

  • 1st Division, Army of the Ohio
  • Brigadier General. A. Schoepf’s Brigade

Confederate forces engaged:

  • Zollicoffer’s Brigade (District of East Tennessee)
  • Carroll’s Brigade (District of East Tennessee)

Number of Union soldiers engaged:

  • Roughly 4,400

Number of Confederate soldiers engaged:

  • Roughly 5,900

Estimated Union casualties:

  • 250 (killed, wounded and missing/captured)

Estimated Confederate casualties:

  • 525 (killed, wounded and missing/captured)

Result:

  • Union victory

Significance:

  • 39 Union soldiers were killed during the Battle of Mill Springs.
  • 125 Confederate soldiers were killed during the Battle of Mill Springs.
  • The Union victory at Battle of Mill Springs was instrumental in breaking the Confederate line of defense in eastern Kentucky early in the Civil War.
  • The Union victory at Battle of Mill Springs enabled the Union to force the war into Middle Tennessee in February 1862.
  • The Battle of Mill Springs was the second largest Civil War Battle fought in Kentucky.
  • The Battle of Mill Springs was the first significant Union victory of the American Civil War.
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Citation Information

The following information is provided for citations.

  • Article Title Battle of Mill Springs Facts
  • Date January 19, 1862
  • Author
  • Keywords battle of mill springs
  • Website Name American History Central
  • Access Date March 31, 2023
  • Publisher R.Squared Communications, LLC
  • Original Published Date
  • Date of Last Update May 25, 2022

Battle of Mill Springs Facts is Part of the Following on AHC

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