Nancy in Pulaski County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

The General Commanding

Mill Springs Battleﬁeld

— National Historic Landmark —

The General Commanding Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, July 12, 2019

1. The General Commanding Marker

Inscription.
George Henry Thomas
Virginian George H. Thomas commanded the Union army at the Battle of Mill Springs. Because he was from a prominent slave-holding family many, including President Abraham Lincoln, initially questioned his loyalty. His meritorious service here dispelled those doubts.

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 a morning of hard fighting, his small, largely untried army had won the Union's first major victory and lifted the morale of a despairing nation.

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. Marker 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.

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

View from Marker looking back at main part of Zollicoffer Park. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, July 12, 2019

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

marker); Battle on a Sabbath Morn (within shouting distance of this marker); The Zollie Tree (within shouting distance of this marker); Felix K. Zollicoffer / "Zollie Tree" (within shouting distance of this marker); A Fatal Mistake (within shouting distance of this marker); Mill Springs Battlefield (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Nancy.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker replaces the linked marker.

Also see . . . Wikipedia article on General George Thomas. (Submitted on July 24, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Union General George Henry Thomas (July 31, 1816 – March 28, 1870) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton

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

Marker is at the Mill Springs Battlefield Tour Stop # 2. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, July 12, 2019

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

Credits. This page was last revised on November 20, 2019. It was originally submitted on July 24, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 165 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 24, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.