Near Nancy in Pulaski County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
A Fatal Mistake
Mill Springs Battlefield
National Historic Landmark
Photographed By Mark Hilton, July 12, 2019
1. A Fatal Mistake Marker
Mistaken Identity
About seven o'clock the morning of January 19, 1862, Confederate General Felix Zollicoffer rode across the road to your left. Near here, in the dim light and fog, he saw a mounted officer, Union Colonel Speed Fry. Both men mistakenly assumed the other was a fellow officer.
Fry later described the event: "So thoroughly was I convinced that he was one of our men I did not hesitate to ride up to his side so closely that our knees touched.... He said to me 'We must not shoot our own men,' to which I responded, 'Of course not; I would not do so intentionally...'and pointing he said 'Those are our men.'"
The Death of General Zollicoffer
As Fry moved away, Confederate Major Henry Fogg rode into view and shouted, "General they are the enemy" He then fired at Fry but the shot missed. Fry fired at Zollicoffer as several nearby Union soldiers also fired. Zollicoffer and Fogg died in the exchange.
The Zollicoffer Monument
Zollicoffer's men later placed his body under a large white oak that stood between here and the stone wall.After the battle, Union General George
this page online
Erected 2014 by Mill Springs Battlefield Association.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Landmarks • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the National Historic Landmarks series list. A significant historical date for this entry is January 19, 1862.
Location. 37° 3.341′ N, 84° 44.362′ W. Marker is near Nancy, Kentucky, in Pulaski County. Marker is on Kentucky Route 235 south of Route 761, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Nancy KY 42544, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Zollie Tree (here, next to this marker); Felix K. Zollicoffer / "Zollie Tree" (a few steps from this marker); Gen'l Felix K. Zollicoffer (a few steps from this marker); Mill Springs Battlefield (a few steps from this marker); Confederate Mass Grave Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Dawn of Battle (within shouting distance of this marker); Confederate Dead (within shouting distance of this marker); A Scene of Battle (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Nancy.
Also see . . . Battle of Mills Spring. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on October 30, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed By Mark Hilton, July 12, 2019
2. Zollicoffer Park (marker is to right of stone memorial).
Photographed By Mark Hilton, July 12, 2019
3. Marker (in foreground) in Zollicoffer Park.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, July 12, 2019
4. The nearby Zollicoffer Monument.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, July 12, 2019
5. Marker is at the Mill Springs Battlefield Tour Stop # 2.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 30, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 23, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 339 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 23, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
