The Union Advance

At Mill Springs, violent and bloody fighting between largely inexperienced soldiers on both sides ended when the Confederate line finally collapsed, exposing the unseasoned nature of the Southern force and producing one of the most complete defeats suffered by a Confederate army during the Civil War. As the Confederates retreated in haste, roads were strewn with wagons, cannon, muskets, swords, blankets, knapsacks, and provisions, while Union troops pursued, captured large numbers of prisoners, gathered their wounded, and replenished their cartridge boxes. In the battle’s climax, the 12th Kentucky and the Tennessee brigade reached the field to the left of the Minnesota regiment and opened fire on the enemy’s right flank as the 2nd Minnesota kept up heavy fire in front and the 9th Ohio charged with fixed bayonets, turned the flank, and drove the Confederates from the field in disorder and confusion, after which Brigadier General George H. Thomas ordered the whole force to advance once the regiments could be formed and resupplied.

Kentucky · United States