Mill Springs Battlefield

— National Historic Landmark —

Union General George H. Thomas placed cavalry here, at Timmy's Branch, on the road between his army and the Confederates. These men acted as an early warning system in case of a surprise attack. It was here that the first shots of the Battle of Mill Springs were fired.

The Confederates Advance
In the first hours of January 19, 1862, the Confederate army began the eight-mile trek from Beech Grove to present-day Nancy. It was very dark and cold. Clouds and heavy rain obscured the light of the moon. Men and horses floundered in the mud and progress was painfully slow.

The Battle Begins
Sergeant George C. Thrasher, 1st Kentucky Cavalry (US), commanded the twenty men posted here. Around six o'clock, well before daylight, Confederate cavalry approached. The Union challenge, "Halt! Who goes there?" was answered with a pistol shot. The Federal soldiers opened fire. The Battle of Mill Springs had begun.

Thrasher's men dashed to their horses and galloped north. They stopped at a small log house on a low rise west of the road, where Thrasher sent word that the Confederate infantry was moving in force.

Inset drawing:
The Old Mill Springs Road
In front of you is the original Mill Springs road. Feel free to walk it to the creek, where the old crossing is visible. As you return



to this point, you will see the old roadbed stretching to the south.

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Timmy's Branch
"Poor Charlie"
"Poor Charlie"
Confederate Field Hospital
Turpin/Simpson Properties
Rutledge's Battery
The Last Stand
Confederate Artillery
Confederate Retreat
The Union Advance

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