SEE PHOTO(s) - Two (2) COMPLETE ORIGINAL Civil War NEWSPAPERs, the Friend (Philadelphia, Pa) dated Jan 25 and February 1, 1862. These 2 original newspapers contain detailed coverage of the BATTLE OF MILL SPRINGS, Kentucky, fought in Wayne and Pulaksi Counties near present-day Nancy, KENTUCKY.

The decisive Union victory at the Battle of Mill Springs, Kentucky, on January 19, 1862, led to the total collapse of the eastern sector of the Confederate defensive line established to defend the Upper South and hopefully secure Kentucky's allegiance to the Southern cause.

The Battle of Mill Springs, also known as the Battle of Fishing Creek in Confederate terminology, and the Battle of Logan's Cross Roads in Union terminology, was fought in Wayne and Pulaski counties, near current Nancy, Kentucky, on January 19, 1862, as part of the American Civil War. The Union victory concluded an early Confederate offensive campaign in eastern Kentucky.

In late 1861, Confederate Brig. Gen. Felix Zollicoffer guarded Cumberland Gap, the eastern end of a defensive line extending from Columbus, Kentucky. In November he advanced west into Kentucky to strengthen control in the area around Somerset and made Mill Springs his winter quarters, taking advantage of a strong defensive position. Union Brig. Gen. George H. Thomas, ordered to break up the army of Maj. Gen. George B. Crittenden (Zollicoffer's superior), sought to drive the Confederates across the Cumberland River. His force arrived at Logan's Crossroads on January 17, 1862, where he waited for Brig. Gen. Albin Schoepf's troops from Somerset to join him. The Confederate force under Crittenden attacked Thomas at Logan's Crossroads at dawn on January 19. Unbeknownst to the Confederates, some of Schoepf's troops had arrived as reinforcements. The Confederates achieved early success, but Union resistance rallied and Zollicoffer was killed. A second Confederate attack was repulsed. Union counterattacks on the Confederate right and left were successful, forcing them from the field in a retreat that ended in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

Mill Springs was the first significant Union victory of the war, much celebrated in the popular press, but was soon eclipsed by Ulysses S. Grant's victories at Forts Henry and Donelson.

Early in the war, the Lincoln administration knew well the importance of keeping the border state of Kentucky in the Union. Any Rebel armies operating successfully there could encourage secessionist sympathies. In late 1861, a Confederate force of around 6,000 men under Brig. Gen. Felix Zollicoffer encamped for the winter near Mill Springs, on the Cumberland River in the southeast corner of the state just north of the Tennessee border and close to the strategic Cumberland Gap. A Union force under Brig. Gen. George H. Thomas concentrated in the area and had moved to Logan's Crossroads by January 17th, 1862.  Learning of the gathering Federal army, the Confederate area commander Maj. Gen. George B. Crittenden ordered Zollicoffer to give them battle.  Zollicoffer's men attacked on January 19th in the early morning mist and rain, and initially gained success against the Yankee regiments.  Zollicoffer was killed as he conducted a reconnaissance on a road in front of his men. The sudden death of their commander and heavy fire from the Federals caused the center of the Confederate line to fall back momentarily in confusion. The fighting raged at close quarters for over an hour until Thomas ordered the Union line to advance, overwhelming the Confederates who fled the field in disorder. The Federal victory at Mill Springs, the first significant Union victory of the Civil War, not only helped bolster sagging Northern morale but also helped to keep Kentucky more solidly in Union control.

Very Good Condition. This listing includes two complete entire original newspapers. VINTAGE BOOKS AND FINE ART stands behind all of the items that we sell with a no questions asked, money back guarantee. Every item we sell is original printed on the date indicated at the beginning of its description, unless clearly stated as a reproduction in the header AND text body. U.S. buyers pay calculated priority postage which includes waterproof plastic and a heavy cardboard flat to protect your purchase from damage in the mail. International postage is quoted when we are informed as to where the package is to be sent. We do combine postage (to reduce postage costs) for multiple purchases sent in the same package. We accept payment by PAYPAL. We ship packages daily. This is truly a piece OF HISTORY that YOU CAN OWN!