The General Commanding

Mill Springs Battlefield

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National Historic Landmark

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Photographed by Mark Hilton, July 12, 2019

1. The General Commanding Marker

George Henry Thomas graduated from West Point in 1840 at the age of twenty-four and served in the U.S. Army until his death in 1870. When the Civil War began, he made the fateful decision to remain loyal to the Union. Thomas later said, ". . . turn it every way [I] could, the one thing that was uppermost, [was] duty to the government of the United States." His sisters never spoke to him again.

Turn it every way I could, the one thing that was uppermost, was Duty to the government of the United States.

The Battle of Mill Springs
Brigadier General George Thomas and his Union army arrived here after a sixty-five mile, sixteen-day march through rains that turned the roads into a muddy morass. Thomas' army finally arrived on January 17. At dawn on January 19, the battle began. When Colonel Mahlon Manson rushed to Thomas with the news, he spat back, "Go back to your troops and fight!"

From here, not more than twenty paces from the rear of the 2nd Minnesota Infantry's line, Thomas directed the battle.

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After the battle, Thomas received a promotion to major general and in 1863, command of the Army of the Cumberland. He led Union forces at every major battle in the Western Theater. In 1865, he became one of thirteen officers to receive the thanks of Congress.

Photo caption: General George Henry Thomas earned many informal titles including "Rock of Chickamauga" and "Sledge of Nashville."
 
Erected 2014 by Mill Springs Battlefield Association.
 
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the National Historic Landmarks series list. A significant historical date for this entry is January 17, 1840.
 
Location. 37° 3.374′ N, 84° 44.385′ W. Marker is in Nancy, Kentucky, in Pulaski County. It can be reached from Kentucky Route 235 south of Route 761, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Nancy KY 42544, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Kentucky’s Lake Cumberland Region. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Fix Bayonets, Charge! (a few steps from this marker); A Scene of Battle (within shouting distance of this marker); Melee at the Fence (within shouting distance of this marker);

Photographed by Mark Hilton, July 12, 2019

2. View from Marker looking back at main part of Zollicoffer Park.

Photographed by Mark Hilton

3. Union General George Henry Thomas (July 31, 1816 – March 28, 1870)

Photographed by Mark Hilton, July 12, 2019

4. Marker is at the Mill Springs Battlefield Tour Stop # 2.