Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument ⓘ

The major Federal victory at the Battle of Mill Springs, Kentucky, on January 19, 1862, led to the total collapse of the eastern sector of the Confederate defensive line. The line had been established to defend the South from Federal invasion and to sway Kentucky’s allegiance to the Southern cause. Considered the first major Federal victory in the western theater of the Civil War, Mill Springs was soon followed by Federal victories at both Forts Henry and Donelson, in northwestern Tennessee. This series of victories, permitted Federal forces to carry the war deeper into Tennessee, leading to the capture of Nashville Tennessee, and setting in motion the sequence of movements resulting in the titanic battle at Shiloh, on April 6th and 7th of 1862. Although overshadowed by ever increasingly bloodier battles, the initial defeat suffered by the Confederacy at Mill Springs, materially aided United States forces to seize the initiative in the West and retain control of Kentucky throughout the war.

Find more information about Civil War history and sites across the nation on the NPS Civil War website .

Check out the different places to go and things to see related to the Battle of Mill Springs located between the towns of Nancy and Mill Springs, Kentucky. Set aside a full day of exploring to see all the sites. Check the Directions and Maps pages to help plan your activities.

Mill Springs Battlefield Association Mill Springs Battlefield Visitor Center and Museum The National Park Service operates a Visitor Center and Museum in Nancy, KY. A free 20-minute film about the Battle of Mill Springs is available for viewing in the Visitor Center. There are restrooms and a research library. The museum features the Combat on the Cumberland exhibit with Civil War artifacts and replicas.

Park grounds are open daylight to dusk daily. Mill Springs National Cemetery lies next door to the visitor center.

Look for Battle Tour signs along the route NPS Driving Tour Much of the battlefield can be seen from public roadways. The Mill Springs Battlefield Association developed a 10-stop Driving Tour, designed to start at the visitor center. All stops on the tour are marked with large signs. There are also informative signs to help you understand a site's significance. Parking is limited at certain stops. Note that the Cumberland River flows through the area, meaning drivers will have to retrace their steps.

Following the battle, Confederate dead were placed in a hasty mass grave. Headstones now commemorate the casualties. Mill Springs Battlefield Association Zollicoffer Park Pulaski County donated this park to the National Park Service, making up part of the new national monument. It is situated amid rolling fields and forest land that make up the core battlefield area. Zollicoffer Park is named for the Confederate general that died there. The 1/2 mile (0.8 km) Ravine Trail takes hikers down into a ravine, crossing historic battlelines. Signs along the way explain key battle events. Good shoes are recommended.

The Brown-Lanier House decorated with patriotic bunting. Mill Springs Battlefield Association Brown-Lanier House Built before the Civil War, the Brown-Lanier House was traditionally home to families that operated the nearby grist mill. The historic farmhouse became headquarters for generals on both sides of the fighting, before and after the Battle of Mill Springs.

Mill Springs Park on Lake Cumberland Army Corps of Engineers Mill Springs Mill Sitting on the shores of Lake Cumberland and fed by springs, the historic grist mill was restored complete with working water wheel. The Army Corps of Engineers operates the mill, which is open for tours seasonally, on weekends and holidays. You can check out their Mill Video Tour any time of year.

The National Park Service operates a Visitor Center and Museum in Nancy, KY. A free 20-minute film about the Battle of Mill Springs is available for viewing in the Visitor Center. There are restrooms and a research library. The museum features the Combat on the Cumberland exhibit with Civil War artifacts and replicas. The Visitor Center and Museum is open to the public from 10:00 AM ET to 4:00 PM ET, Wednesday through Sunday. Summer hours are 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM ET. The Visitor Center and Museum is closed Monday and Tuesday. Park grounds are open daylight to dusk daily.

Pulaski County donated this park to the National Park Service, making up part of the new national monument. It is situated amid rolling fields and forest land that make up the core battlefield area. Zollicoffer Park is named for the Confederate general that died there. The 1/2 mile (0.8 km) Ravine Trail takes hikers down into a ravine, crossing historic battlelines. Signs along the way explain key battle events. Good shoes are recommended. Open daylight to dusk daily.

Built before the Civil War, the Brown-Lanier House was traditionally home to families that operated the nearby grist mill. The historic farmhouse became headquarters for generals on both sides of the fighting, before and after the Battle of Mill Springs. While the house is currently closed for visitation, the grounds are open from sunrise to sunset daily.