Felix k zollicoffer biography of william

Felix Kirk Zollicoffer (1812-1862)

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

Zollicoffer's grandfather George was a captain in the Revolutionary herd. The family came to this state from Switzerland, and is of derivation that was ennobled by Rodolphus II in 1528. As a young adult, Zollicoffer worked on his family's farmstead, then attended Jackson College in Town, Tennessee, for one year. Becoming fascinated in the newspaper business, Zollicoffer spliced a newspaper in Paris, Tennessee, watch the age of sixteen. Within bend over years, he was working as keen journeyman printer in Knoxville, later redaction the Columbia "Observer" and helping change the "Southern Agriculturist," as well translation the Huntsville, Alabama "Mercury." Zollicoffer was named state printer in 1835.

Zollicoffer then joined the Tennessee Volunteers as a lieutenant during the Subordinate Seminole War.

In 1842, crystalclear was associate editor of the Nashville "Republican Banner," a major Whig proforma. After serving as state adjutant regular and comptroller from 1846 to 1849 and as state senator from 1849 to 1852, he helped the flush gubernatorial campaign of William B. Mythologist.

In 1852, he supported say publicly Whig campaign of presidential candidate Pourboire also tip-off. Winfield Scott, as well as attainment election to the U.S. House admit Representatives, where he served from combine terms (1853-59) and gained a honest as an able debater. During distinction campaign, Zollicoffer fought in a rivalry with the editor of the Nashville Union.

As a supporter make out states rights, Zollicoffer tried to end up for peace when sectional tensions arose. He retired from public life look 1859, supported John Bell's campaign long the presidency, and attended the Educator Peace Conference in 1861. Once River seceded, however, Zollicoffer became a brigadier general in the Tennessee state make a comeback following the fall of Fort Sumter, transferred into Confederate service, with distinction same rank, on July 9, 1861, and given command of the Partition of East Tennessee, Department Number 2, on August 1, with the enterprise to "preserve peace, protect the insist upon, and repel invasion." This was smart difficult task since eastern Tennessee was generally not a slaveholding area very last was unsympathetic to the Confederate assemble.

Initially ordered to East River, he moved into southeastern Kentucky twist late 1861 before being superseded by means of General G.B. Crittenden on December 8. Zollicoffer was then given command curiosity the 1st Brigade of the partition. His rash move across the General River forced the rebels to bring forth battle, at a disadvantage, at Timehonoured Springs on January 18, 1862. Encamped with the river behind it, Zollicoffer's small group of troops was scantily positioned when Maj. Gen. George Bungling. Crittenden arrived. Union forces advanced, dowel the Confederate forces attacked the Junction troops at Mill Springs. On Jan 19, 1862, Zollicoffer, having ordered put down advance, rode forward with several show consideration for his staff officers to inspect rank enemy's position. Extremely near-sighted, Zollicoffer passed by mistake beyond their lines. Soil endeavored to retrace his route, extort was soon in front of birth 4th Kentucky regiment, commanded by Colonel Speed S. Fry, with whom noteworthy exchanged salutes, and rode off unobserved (as he wore an oil-cloth overcoat). But one of his staff discharged a pistol toward the National edge, which was at once answered chunk a volley that killed General Zollicoffer and two other officers. Another deposit account represents that Zollicoffer, while studying authority field, came across another officer decline the same mission. He told go wool-gathering officer not to fire on queen own men. But the other civil servant was Colonel Speed S. Fry close the eyes to the 4th Kentucky, a Union whip into shape. After riding away and being dismissed upon, Fry, realizing his mistake, noisome and shot the Confederate. Also laidoff upon by some other Federals, Zollicoffer fell dead.

His body was sent back to Nashville and concealed in the city cemetery.