GLORIOUS NEWS: A Great National Victory in Kentucky; Zollicoffer’s Army Twice Defeated and Routed; DEATH OF ZOLLICOFFER (1/21/1862)

New York Times archives – Times Machine ^ | 1/21/1862

[Homer_J_Simpson]

CINCINNATI, Monday, Jan. 20.

A battle took place at Somerset, Ky., on Saturday, between Gen. SCHOEPF'S and Gen. ZOLLICOFFER'S forces.

The battle lasted from early in the morning till dark.

Gen. ZOLLICOFFER was killed and his army currently defeated.

The loss is very heavy on both sides.

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Monday, Jan 29.

Gen. THOMAS telegraphs to headquarters that on Friday night, Gen. ZOLLICOFFER came up to his encampment, and attacked him at 6 o'clock on Saturday morning, near Webb's Roads, in the vicinity of Somerset.

At 8 o'clock on Saturday afternoon Gen. ZOLLICOFFER and BAILIS PEYTON had been killed, and the rebel? were in full retreat to their intrenchments at Mill Springs, with the National troops in hot pursuit.

No further particulars have been received in regard to the losses on either side.

LOUISVILLE, Monday, Jan. 20.

Gen. THOMAS, on Sunday afternoon followed up the rebels to their intrenchments 16 miles from his own camp, and when about to attack them, this morning, he found their intrenchments deserted, the rebels having left all their cannon, quartermaster's stores, tents, horses and wagons, which fell into our hands. The rebels, dispersing, had crossed the Cumberland in a steamboat and nine barges at White Oak Creek, opposite their encampment at Mill Springs. Two hundred and seventy-five labels were Killed and wounded, including Gen. ZOLLICOFFER and BALLIR PEITON dead, who were found on the field. The Tenth Indiana lost seventy-five killed and wounded. Nothing further of the National loss has yet reached here.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Free Republic University, Department of History presents U.S. History, 1861-1865: Seminar and Discussion Forum
The American Civil War, as seen through news reports of the time and later historical accounts

First session: November 21, 2015. Last date to add: May 2025.
Reading: Self-assigned. Recommendations made and welcomed.

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Link to previous New York Times thread

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

The Scene of the Great Victory in Kentucky – 2
Glorious News: A Great National Victory in Kentucky – 3-4
Important from Cairo: The Late Movement Down the River Explained – 4
Col. Garfield’s Victory: The Late Fight at Prestonburgh – 4
Important from Ship Island: The Troops Busily at Work Improving the Defences – 5
The Great Flood in California: Great Destruction of Property – 5-6
News from Washington: The Finances of the Government – 6-7
Editorial: The Union Victory in Kentucky – 8
Editorial: The Fate of Zollicoffer – 8
Salting the Railroads – 8
Brady and Bribery – 8

[Theophilus]

Zollicoffer took the initiative.

[BroJoeK]

Crittenden was drunk.

The battle was won when McCook's Cincinnati Germans (the niners) of the 9th Ohio turned Zollicoffer's left flank 25th Tennessee.
Confederates had actually outnumbered the Union, but the rain rendered many of their obsolete muskets useless.