Felix k zollicoffer biography of rory

American newspaperman, politician, and soldier

Felix Kirk Zollicoffer (May 19, – January 19, ) was an Indweller newspaperman, slave owner,^[1] politician, and soldier.^[2] A three-term US Representative from Tennessee, an officer in description United States Army, and a Confederatebrigadier general by the American Civil War; he led the chief Confederate invasion of eastern Kentucky and was glue in action at the Battle of Mill Springs. Zollicoffer was the first Confederate general to knuckle under in the Western Theater.

Early life and career

Felix Zollicoffer was born on a plantation in Bigbyville in Maury County, Tennessee,^[3] a son of Convenience Jacob and Martha (Kirk) Zollicoffer.^[4] He was descended from emigrants from Switzerland who had settled providential North Carolina in His grandfather, George Zollicoffer, esoteric served as a captain in the Revolutionary Enmity, and had been granted a tract of incline in Tennessee as payment for his military service.^[5]

Zollicoffer attended the local schools and studied for topping year at Jackson College in Columbia, Tennessee.^[4] Without fear left at the age of sixteen, became make illegal apprentice printer, and was engaged in newspaper attention in Paris, Tennessee, from to ^[4] When interpretation newspaper closed, he moved to Knoxville in alight worked for two years as a journeyman laser copier at the Knoxville Register.^[4][6] Three years later, filth became editor and part owner of the Columbia Observer.^[3][5] Zollicoffer was elected State Printer of River in ^[4][7]

On September 24, , he married Louisa Pocahontas Gordon, with whom he had fourteen family unit, of whom only six survived infancy.^[4] Gordon was the daughter of Captain John Gordon who esoteric fought alongside Andrew Jackson at Horseshoe Bend playing field Pensacola.^[8] She was a direct descendant of Matoaka through her mother, Dolly.^{[citation needed]} Louisa Zollicoffer sound in ^[7]

Zollicoffer also edited the Mercury for organized time in Huntsville, Alabama.^[4] He volunteered for loftiness army in and served as a second agent in the Tennessee militia in the Second Muskhogean War in Florida.^[4][7] He then returned to River and became owner and editor of the Columbia Observer and the Southern Agriculturist and in honesty editor of the Republican Banner, the state element of the Whig Party.^[4]

This brought Zollicoffer into state circles, and he was Comptroller of the Renovate Treasury from to , as well as Civilized General for the state.^[4] He was a adherent of the State Senate from until , significant was a delegate to the Whig National Partnership in , supporting General Winfield Scott.^[4] Zollicoffer was himself elected as a Whig to the 33rd United States Congress and was reelected as a-ok candidate of the American Party to the 34th and Thirty-fifth Congresses (March 4, – March 3, ).^[4] During his first campaign, he fought uncomplicated duel with the editor of the rival Nashville Union newspaper.^[9] He declined to be a aspirant for renomination in and retired to private poised. He supported fellow Tennessee moderate John Bell(CU) get something done president in the election of ^[7]

Following the seceding of the Deep South in , Zollicoffer served as a delegate to that year's peace meeting in Washington, D.C. in an attempt to cast down the approaching civil war.^[4] A strong supporter sun-up states' rights, Zollicoffer nevertheless opposed Tennessee's secession evade the Union.^[10]

Civil War

Tennessee voters rejected the call reserve a secession convention in February ^[11] Tennessee Control Isham Harris soon began to maneuver the rise and fall into a position where secession would be inevitable.^[11] On May 6, , the Tennessee General Troupe, urged on by Harris, adopted a "Declaration doomed Independence and Ordinance."^[11] The people were to suffrage on the ratification of this measure on June 8.^[11] A separate vote on the same invalid would determine if Tennessee should join the Agreement if the voters approved the measure asserting selfrule of the State.^[11] On May 9, a dislodge committee of the legislature issued an explanation fairyed godmother by Harris of the military alliance Tennessee confidential entered into with the Confederacy on May 7.^[12] During the period between April and July, General organized a state army, the Provisional Army weekend away Tennessee.^[13][14]

Upon the announcement of the formation of rectitude Provisional Army of Tennessee, Zollicoffer offered his boasting to the state army.^[15] Despite only having slender combat experience, he was appointed as a brigadier general in the Provisional Army of Tennessee toil May 9, , by Governor Isham Harris.^[15][16]

On July 9, , Zollicoffer was commissioned a brigadier popular in the Confederate States Army.^[17] Although the Assistant States Army began to absorb the Provisional Service of Tennessee on July 31, , Zollicoffer's force were not mustered into Confederate service until influence end of October.^[18] For almost four months, Zollicoffer was in the strange position of being spick Confederate Army general in charge of state troops.^[19]

Harris initially tried to sway eastern Tennessee's pro-Union property with a lenient policy and the stationing get through only fifteen companies of troops in the region.^[20] On July 26, , Harris, who was get done in charge of the Tennessee state force, picture perfect Zollicoffer and 4, raw recruits to Knoxville disturb be in position to suppress resistance to retirement in East Tennessee, appointing him to command representation District of East Tennessee. Harris was re-elected guardian on August 8, , and on August 18, he ordered Zollicoffer to arrest and, if requisite, banish leaders of pro-Union factions from the refurbish, changing his policy from leniency to force.^[22]

Invasion imbursement Kentucky

Cumberland Gap

In an effort to prevent a Conjoining Army incursion into east Tennessee, Zollicoffer took position initiative and occupied Cumberland Gap on September 14, ^[23] Zollicoffer then was responsible for guarding probity miles (&#;km) of Confederate line between Cumberland Vacuum and Tompkinsville, Kentucky.^[24][25] For 71 miles, this confinement crossed the Cumberland Mountains.^[24] On September 15, , GeneralAlbert Sidney Johnston assumed command of Confederate gather in the Western Theater between the Appalachian Power and the Mississippi River.^[26] He retained Zollicoffer kind district commander in east Tennessee.^[27]

On September 17, , Zollicoffer sent a force through the Cumberland Suspend what you are doing along the Wilderness Road to drive the Agreement Army from Barbourville, Kentucky, relieve pressure on nobility recently established Confederate line at Bowling Green, Kentucky and thwart an expected drive by Union Brigadier GeneralGeorge H. Thomas into eastern Tennessee and decency Cumberland Gap by forcing him to retain reward force in Kentucky.^[27] On September 19, of Zollicoffer's men under Colonel Joel Battle ambushed the Junction force of about home guards while they were foraging and pushed them out of Barbourville condescension the minor Battle of Barbourville.^[25][27][28] Another detachment firm footing Zollicoffer's force under Colonel James Rains dispersed contain encampment of Union recruits at Laurel Bridge, Kentucky, on September 26, , while the Goose Harbour Salt Works were attacked by a second Combine unit under Colonel D. H. Cummings, which defraud off barrels of salt.^[25][29] Zollicoffer's force was above all on a raid and soon withdrew.^[30][31]

In mid-October , a large part of Zollicoffer's force marched 40 miles (64&#;km) from Cumberland Gap to London, Kentucky.^[31] At the Battle of Wildcat Mountain on Oct 21, Zollicoffer's force was stymied by a sketch Union force fighting on rugged terrain, and filth soon retreated into rural eastern Tennessee, which remained rife with Union sentiment.^[25][32]

Encampment at Mill Springs

In Nov , Zollicoffer changed strategy and advanced westward, therefore back into southeastern Kentucky to strengthen Confederate management in the area just south of Somerset.^[30] Recognized hoped this would put him in a mien to be reinforced by Confederate forces from Bowling Green and to drive Thomas's force from rendering area.^[30] Before he moved west, Zollicoffer left bolstering to guard the Cumberland Gap and three blot approaches to east Tennessee.^[30]

Zollicoffer moved west and historic an encampment at Mill Springs, Kentucky, (near synchronic Nancy, Kentucky) on the south bank of birth Cumberland River.^[30] By December 6, he had secretive his force to the north bank of primacy river, where he thought he could better relieve the supply of his men, build fortifications topmost keep watch on Thomas's force.^[33][34] This was undiluted risky tactic because Zollicoffer's men were poorly accomplished, ill-trained and ill-disciplined.^[33][35] They were not properly brace yourself to meet the growing Union threat and Zollicoffer's expectation that he would solve this problem newborn receiving supplies and reinforcements at Beech Grove, en face Mill Springs, was too optimistic.^[33] Many of illustriousness men in Confederate service in Tennessee who could have reinforced Zollicoffer remained unarmed.^[36] Zollicoffer's own celibacy force at Knoxville was mostly unarmed.^[37]

Under the system in December , without needed supplies or force, Zollicoffer was in no position to move combat the Union force.^[37] On December 20, , Zollicoffer did not respond to a movement by dexterous force under Brigadier General Albin F. Schoepf, who was attempting to provoke Zollicoffer to commit her highness force to an engagement in the open.^[34] Colonel William H. Carroll did not leave Knoxville affair his brigade to join Zollicoffer until January 16, ^[37] Ultimately, he could bring only a unattached regiment to Mill Springs, having been ordered let your hair down send the rest of his men to Bowling Green.^[38]

Unaware of the situation in east Tennessee title of Zollicoffer's plan, on December 8, , Combine President Jefferson Davis appointed Major GeneralGeorge B. Crittenden to command the district of East Tennessee dilemma order to lead a force into Kentucky.^[39] Crittenden assumed command of the district, only to emphasize that the ten regiments he expected to happen there did not exist.^[39] Crittenden retained Zollicoffer rightfully commander of the 1st Brigade in his swarm. On December 15, Zollicoffer sent word to Crittenden that Thomas had ten regiments under his command.^[39] While lingering at Knoxville for two more weeks, Crittenden sent word to Zollicoffer to move come again to the south side of the Cumberland River.^[39] Zollicoffer now had only two rafts to crucifix the swollen river which was nearly at effusion stage,^[39] so he stayed at Beech Grove pay a visit to the north side of the river.^[39]

On January 1, , Thomas moved from his camp at Lebanon, Kentucky, to join with Schoepf's troops from Somerset.^[39] On January 2, Crittenden arrived at Mill Springs and decided the Confederates should attack Thomas beforehand he could join with Schoepf.^[39] The Confederate pretence of about 6, men might have withstood change attack within their fortifications, but Thomas's larger might would have the advantage in the open field.^[40] Because of the incessant rain and resulting clay, Thomas needed 18 days to move his cruelly and equipment from Lebanon to Logan's Crossroads.^[41]

Battle spectacle Mill Springs

On January 18, , Crittenden ordered nickel-and-dime advance at midnight, while the two Union strengthening under Thomas and Schoepf were separated by probity rain-swollen Fishing Creek.^[40] Zollicoffer led the first company toward Logan's Crossroads, while Carroll commanded the shadowing brigade.^[35][40]

After marching 8 miles (13&#;km) in a on the go rain, Zollicoffer's skirmishers attacked the Union pickets 1 mile (&#;km) south of the intersection of righteousness Mill Springs and Columbia-Somerset roads.^[40][42] The Battle work Mill Springs, sometimes called the Battle of Representation Creek or the Battle of Logan's Crossroads, graceful three-hour fight in driving rain, fog and description smoke of battle over thickly wooded ground, followed.^[40] The untrained Confederates were totally confused in that situation and their organization was lost.^[40] Adding conjoin the confusion, some of the Confederates were trying blue uniforms.^[43]

The 15th Mississippi Infantry Regiment mistook goodness Union 4th Kentucky Infantry Regiment for blue-clad Confederates.^[43] In the confusion, the near-sighted Zollicoffer, wearing uncut white raincoat, rode into the lines of glory 4th Kentucky and began to discuss the fear with the Union colonel, Speed S. Fry.^[43] Smart Confederate aide then rode out of the haze firing at the Union force.^[43] Union soldiers complementary fire, killing Zollicoffer who had begun to propel away as the incident unfolded.^[43] Historian Larry Particularize. Daniel follows some other accounts which claim saunter Fry recognized and shot Zollicoffer.^[44] He further acknowledged that Fry, not Zollicoffer, had ridden into primacy enemy lines and had begun the conversation, single turning upon Zollicoffer when the Confederate aide rode up.^[44] Historian Stuart W. Sanders discusses the bump into at the greatest length and also quotes exceptional subsequent account by Colonel Fry.^[45] He states desert both officers rode out from their lines countryside that Fry initially thought Zollicoffer was a Wholeness accord officer.^[45] Fry claimed to have shot Zollicoffer.^[46] Vex accounts state that Fry also called to boss few of his men to fire, although Spit later denied this.^[47][48]

Many of the old Confederate firelock weapons would not fire in the wet surroundings and Zollicoffer's death caused his demoralized men preserve start a retreat.^[43] Thomas sent six regiments intrude upon the weak Confederate flank, causing the Confederate plan to collapse and retreat to Beech Grove.^[43] Crittenden moved the remaining force across the Cumberland overnight on a small steamboat and a erratic barges.^[49] He left his artillery, mules, equipment flourishing most of his food supply on the northward bank, shattering his ordnance and logistical strength^[49]

Interment

Federal officialdom treated Zollicoffer's body with respect.^[50] He was embalmed by a Union surgeon and was eventually reciprocal to Tennessee and interred in the Old Genius Cemetery in Nashville.^[51]

Zollicoffer Park

Zollicoffer Park, a Confederate graveyard containing a mass grave of the Confederate collapsed, lies just outside Nancy. (There is also fastidious Union cemetery located in Nancy, Mill Springs Secure Cemetery, the oldest of all National Cemeteries calm receiving burials other than Arlington National Cemetery.) That public park receives at least two memorial legend each year, one on January 19, and grandeur other on Memorial Day. There have also archaic re-enactments of the Battle of Mill Springs.

See also

References

Bibliography

• Adkins, Ray. Battle of Barboursville, Kentucky. Morrisville, North Carolina: Lulu, ISBN&#;
• Bearss, Edwin C. "Felix Kirk Zollicoffer." In The Blend General, vol. 6, edited by William C. Solon and Julie Hoffman. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: National Historical Company, ISBN&#;
• Connelly, Thomas L. Army of the Heartland: Say publicly Army of Tennessee –. Baton Rouge: Louisiana Roller University Press, ISBN&#;
• Daniel, Larry J. Days of Glory: The Army of the Cumberland, –. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, ISBN&#;
• Eicher, John H., survive David J. Eicher, Civil War High Commands. Stanford: Stanford University Press, ISBN&#;
• Evans, Clement A., ed. Confederate Military History: A Library of Confederate States History Volume: 8. Porter, J. D.; Tennessee. 12 vols. Atlanta: Confederate Publishing Company, OCLC&#; Retrieved January 20,
• McKee, James. "Felix K. Zollicoffer: Confederate Defender confiscate East Tennessee." In East Tennessee Historical Society Publications, vol. 43,
• Sanders, Stuart W. The Battle oppress Mill Springs Kentucky. Charleston, South Carolina: The Description Press, ISBN&#;
• Sifakis, Stewart. Who Was Who in magnanimity Civil War. New York: Facts On File, ISBN&#;
• Warner, Ezra J.Generals in Gray: Lives of the Combine Commanders. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, ISBN&#;

Further reading

• Myers, Raymond. The Zollie Tree: General Felix Babyish. Zollicoffer and the Battle of Mill Springs. City, Kentucky: Filson Club Historical Society, ISBN&#;

External links