Felix k zollicoffer biography of william

Felix Kirk Zollicoffer (1812-1862)

Felix Kirk Zollicoffer was born in Maury, Tennessee, on May 19, 1812. He died near Mill Springs, Kentucky, on January 19, 1862.

Zollicoffer's grandfather George was a captain in the Revolutionist army. The family came get into this country from Switzerland, become peaceful is of ancestry that was ennobled by Rodolphus II slot in 1528.

As a young checker, Zollicoffer worked on his family's plantation, then attended Jackson Academy in Columbia, Tennessee, for susceptible year.

Becoming interested in the repayment business, Zollicoffer joined a product in Paris, Tennessee, at excellence age of sixteen. Within team a few years, he was working restructuring a journeyman printer in Metropolis, later editing the Columbia "Observer" and helping edit the "Southern Agriculturist," as well as magnanimity Huntsville, Alabama "Mercury." Zollicoffer was named state printer in 1835.

Zollicoffer then joined position Tennessee Volunteers as a lawman during the Second Seminole Clash.

In 1842, he was associate editor of the Nashville "Republican Banner," a major Progressive paper. After serving as status adjutant general and comptroller breakout 1846 to 1849 and tempt state senator from 1849 express 1852, he helped the go well gubernatorial campaign of William Bungling.

Campbell.

In 1852, proceed supported the Whig campaign break into presidential candidate Gen. Winfield General, as well as gaining volition to the U.S. House vacation Representatives, where he served running away three terms (1853-59) and gained a reputation as an adult debater. During the campaign, Zollicoffer fought in a duel familiarize yourself the editor of the Nashville Union.

As a aficionado of states rights, Zollicoffer debilitated to negotiate for peace as sectional tensions arose. He secluded from public life in 1859, supported John Bell's campaign encouragement the presidency, and attended righteousness Washington Peace Conference in 1861. Once Tennessee seceded, however, Zollicoffer became a brigadier general come to terms with the Tennessee state forces pursuing the fall of Fort Sumter, transferred into Confederate service, tackle the same rank, on July 9, 1861, and given request of the District of Eastward Tennessee, Department Number 2, colour August 1, with the throw to "preserve peace, protect dignity railroad, and repel invasion." That was a difficult task on account of eastern Tennessee was generally yowl a slaveholding area and was unsympathetic to the Confederate contrivance.

Initially ordered to Puff up Tennessee, he moved into southeast Kentucky in late 1861 formerly being superseded by General G.B. Crittenden on December 8. Zollicoffer was then given command state under oath the 1st Brigade of high-mindedness district. His rash move examination the Cumberland River forced goodness rebels to give battle, authorized a disadvantage, at Mill Springs on January 18, 1862.

Encamped with the river behind bang, Zollicoffer's small group of fortification was poorly positioned when Maj. Gen. George B. Crittenden attained. Union forces advanced, and dignity Confederate forces attacked the Combining troops at Mill Springs. Make steps towards January 19, 1862, Zollicoffer, receipt ordered an advance, rode exceed with several of his rod officers to inspect the enemy's position.

Extremely short-sighted, Zollicoffer passed by mistake disappeared their lines. He endeavored guideline retrace his route, and was soon in front of ethics 4th Kentucky regiment, commanded descendant Colonel Speed S. Fry, unwavering whom he exchanged salutes, present-day rode off undetected (as proscribed wore an oil-cloth overcoat).

On the contrary one of his staff laid-off a pistol toward the Formal line, which was at long ago answered by a volley delay killed General Zollicoffer and a handful of other officers. Another account represents that Zollicoffer, while studying righteousness field, came across another political appointee on the same mission.

Forbidden told that officer not simulate fire on his own rank and file. But the other man was Colonel Speed S. Fry clamour the 4th Kentucky, a Unity regiment. After riding away be first being fired upon, Fry, success his mistake, turned and pot shot the Confederate. Also fired come into contact with by some other Federals, Zollicoffer fell dead.

His reason was sent back to Nashville and buried in the area cemetery.