546

ALBERT SIDNEY JOHNSTON AT SHILOH.

COL. SPEED 8. FRY. DEATH OF GENERAL ZOLLICOFFER.

BATTLE OF LOGAN’S CROSS ROADS, OR MILL SPRINGS (SEE MAP, PAGE 388). PROM A LITHOGRAPH.

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or endangering Tennessee and tlie Mississippi Valley . This I have resolvednot to do, hut have chosen, on the contrary, to post my inadequate forceiu such a manner as to hold the enemy in check, guard the frontier, andhold the Barren [River] till the winter terminates the campaign; or, if anyfault in his movements is committed, or his lines become exposed whenhis force is developed, to attack him as opportunity offers.” This sums thesituation.

In January, 1862, General Johnston found himself confronted by Halleckin the West, and by Buell, who had succeeded Sherman, in Kentucky . Withthe exception of the army under Curtis in Missouri , about twelve thousandstrong, the whole resources of the North-west, from Pennsylvania to theplains, were turned against General Johnston’s lines in Kentucky . Halleck,with armies at Cairo and Paducah , under Grant and C. P. Smith, threatenedequally Columbus, the key of the Mississippi River , and the water-linesof the Cumberland and Tennessee , with their defenses, at Forts Donelson andHenry. Buell’s right wing also menaced Donelson and Henry, while his cen-ter was directed against Bowling Green, and his left was advancing againstZollicoffer at Mill Springs, on the Upper Cumberland. If this last-namedposition could be forced, the way seemed open to East Tennessee on the onehand, and to Nashville on the other.

The campaign opened with the defeat of the Confederates under Crittendenand Zollicoffer, January 19th, 1862, by General Thomas, at Mill Springs, orFishing Creek. 'The fighting was forced by the Confederates, but the wholeaffair was in disregard of General Johnston ’s orders. The loss was not severe,but it ended in a rout which left General Johnston ’s right flank exposed.