mill spring battlefield

My sons and I visited the Mill Springs Visitor Center/Museum, National Cemetery, and then the Confederate Cemetery along the driving tour this past weekend. The employees were nice and informative. It was very educational and interesting.

The driving tour of the Battlefield was a fun way to spend a day and it was very educational. The countryside you get to see during the tour is beautiful.

The area is beautiful now, but you must use a little imagination to see what it would have been like on the morning of Jan 19, 1862. It was more meaningful to me because a distant relative gave his life there. I have ancestors that fought on both sides. It is always sad to think of all the lives and possibilities that were lost. The staff was friendly and very helpful!! You must take your time and let the atmosphere envelope you. Read the "Love Story" and the story of Dorotha Burton Hudson.

This is a great stop while out boating, directly off the Cumberland River. Visitors can see the world's largest overshot waterwheel historic grist mill, watch the corn being ground (2pm Saturday, Sunday or holidays), have a picnic in the woods @ Mill Springs Park, feel the ice cold water coming from the spring.Very picturesque and great spot to cool off and take break from the water and sun while sightseeing at the same time. There is also a newer museum at the site of the historic Mill Springs Cemetery and Battlefield accessible by vehicle if you have time for a longer visit. It is known as: The Mill Springs Battlefield Visitor Center & Museum, just a few miles outside of Somerset in Nancy, KY.

The cemetary was beautiful. The information center was very well organized, even with its own library on local historical books. The people there were very friendly and helpful. Great experience.

The tour contains several stops, some of which you really don't need to see to understand this little-appreciated battle. The primary stop is well-marked and well-interpreted and features a circa one-mile walking trail and some interpretation. The visitor's center is nice and much larger than I expected. The only problem is that all the stops on the battlefield tour are separated and require driving to get to. Make sure to get the driving trail guide if you go.

The Mill Spring Battle was more like a skirmish, but in the end one of the most significant losses the Confederacy incurred, opening central TN to Union invasion.The tour follows SR 235 south out of Nancy KY and ends at Lake Cumberland. Two Stops are highly recommended as they contain the essential points of the battle. First there is the Zollie Tree Memorial, where General Zollicoffer was killed, throwing the Confederates in confusion. The must see stop is the Beech Grove Confederate Camp near Lake Cumberland. There is one interpretive sign near the road. What you don't see from there is the extensive redoubt and many interpretive signs. Walk back a short distance and you will will be amazed at the extensive preparations of the confederates for this battle.I came away from the battlefield realizing that the Union forces won not because of a superior force, but of the ineptness of the Confederates. Note there are no public restrooms along this Tour.

We went to the Mill Springs Battlefield Visitor Center and were able to watch a video on the battle and tour a small museum. We paid $5 admission each. I have to admit being disappointed. We did learn some interesting facts and see a few unique items. I would not go again though. I think those who would be most interested would be veterans or those who had ancestors fight for the south.