1862 battle fought in Wayne and Pulaski counties during the American Civil War
The first significant Union victory of the American Civil War, ending Confederate control of south central Kentucky.
Key Facts
- Date
- January 19, 1862
- Location
- Wayne and Pulaski counties, Kentucky
- Confederate general killed
- Brig. Gen. Felix Zollicoffer
- Union commander
- Brig. Gen. George H. Thomas
- Confederate retreat ended at
- Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
In late 1861, Confederate Brig. Gen. Felix Zollicoffer advanced west into Kentucky to strengthen Confederate control around Somerset, establishing winter quarters at Mill Springs. Union Brig. Gen. George H. Thomas was ordered to drive out the Confederate force under Maj. Gen. George B. Crittenden, and his troops assembled at Logan's Crossroads by January 17, 1862, awaiting reinforcements from Brig. Gen. Albin Schoepf.
On January 19, 1862, Crittenden's Confederate force launched a dawn attack on Thomas at Logan's Crossroads. Though the Confederates gained early ground, Union resistance stiffened, Zollicoffer was killed, and a second Confederate assault was repulsed. Successful Union counterattacks on both Confederate flanks broke the Confederate line and forced a full retreat.
The Union victory ended the Confederate offensive campaign in south central Kentucky and forced Confederate survivors to retreat all the way to Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Celebrated widely in the Northern press as the first significant Union battlefield success, the victory was soon overshadowed by Ulysses S. Grant's captures of Forts Henry and Donelson.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Brig. Gen. George H. Thomas, Brig. Gen. Albin Schoepf.
Side B
1 belligerent
Maj. Gen. George B. Crittenden, Brig. Gen. Felix Zollicoffer.