Cannonading was kept up until dark, firing being in the direction of the ferry to defeat a crossing.During the night preparations were made for an assault on the intrenchments on the following morning.The Fourteenth Ohio, Colonel Steedman, and the Tenth Kentucky, Colonel Harlan, reported after the fight, where placed in the front of the advance, and were the first to enter the intrenchments.Schoepff's brigade joined the command during the evening, and was placed in position for the attack.
At midnight Crittenden abandoned everything, and between that hour and daylight escaped across the river by means of a steamer and some barges at the landing, which he burned, leaving behind him his badly wounded, all of his cannon--twelve pieces--with their caissons packed with ammunition, a large amount of small arms, with ammunition for the same, over one hundred and fifty wagons, and more than one thousand horses and mules, with a large amount of tools, stores, camp and garrison equipage.
As all the boats were destroyed, it was impossible for Thomas to cross his command in pursuit.General Thomas in his official report of the engagement says: "Their command was completely demoralized and retreated with great haste and in all directions, making their capture in any number quite doubtful if pursued.There is no doubt but that the moral effect produced by their complete dispersion will have a more decided effect in re-establishing Union sentiments than though they had been captured."The rebels suffered terribly by heavy marching through the rain, mud, and cold, with insufficient food; frequently with nothing but parched corn to sustain life.Crittenden finally took position at Chestnut Mound, within reach of relief from Nashville.
In the Life of Albert Sidney Johnston, speaking of Crittenden's retreat, the author says: "During his retreat his army became much demoralized, and two regiments, whose homes were in that neighborhood, almost entirely abandoned their organization and went every man to his own house.A multitude deserted, and the tide of fugitives filled the country with dismay."The battle fought at Logan's Cross Roads, called by the rebels the Battle of Fishing Creek, and by the Federals the Battle of Mill Springs, was most disastrous to the enemy, and inflicted the most severe blow they had up to that time experienced.The victory for the Federal forces was the first complete success of the war, and was hailed everywhere with joy and hope.An order was issued by the President congratulating the troops on their success, and the general in command conveyed his thanks to General Thomas and troops for their brilliant victory.
Thomas's command lost in the engagement 39 killed, and 207 wounded.
He reported the rebel loss at 122 killed, and the total loss at 349.The large proportion of killed to the wounded indicates heavy fighting at close quarters, and also a superiority of either the arms of the Federal troops or their firing.
The body of General Zollicoffer was treated with great respect.
General Thomas had it embalmed and carried around by Lebanon.It was then sent to General Buell through his lines under a flag of truce.Zollicoffer's death was a very depressing event to the Tennesseeans.He was their most popular leader, and his death was felt by the people of Tennessee as a personal bereavement.
Crittenden's attack and defeat were a great surprise to Johnston.
This force had been ordered to Mill Springs to maintain that point of the general military line as a corps of observation merely.With the attack and defeat Johnston found his line broken, his position at Bowling Green liable to be turned on that flank, and an army on which he counted demolished.This with his losses on his left in Western Kentucky and at Fort Henry compelled his main command at Bowling Green to abandon that place, and retire into Tennessee.
Thomas, after the battle of Mill Springs, concentrated his command at Somerset, awaiting orders.He was ordered to Mumfordsville, February 15th, to take part in the general advance against Bowling Green.These orders were countermanded by reason of the evacuation of that place, on the 14th; and on the 22d, Thomas was ordered with his division to proceed by forced marches to Louisville, and there embark for Nashville.The command arrived at Nashville on the 2d, 3d, and 4th days of March.
