To the Editors of the Louisville Journal - Speed S. Fry Discusses the Death of Zollicoffer

To the Editors of the Louisville Journal:

DANVILLE, Ky., Feb. 23, 1862.

Colonel Speed Smith Fry of the 4th Kentucky Infantry

Public domain.

Yesterday I had an interview, of two hours, with Colonel S.S. Fry, the hero of Mill Springs, henceforth forever to be associated in American history with the misguided Zollicoffer. He gave us a description of the battle of January 19^th, in which he figured so conspiculously. It differs somewhat from the accounts given by the press. It was not Bailie Peyton who fired at Fry, but Lieutenant Fogg, aid to Zollicoffer. Fogg was mortally wounded by Captain Vaughn, of Fry’s regiment, and has since died. Zollicoffer wore a light drab overcoat, buttoned to the chin, thus concealing his military rank. He doubtless intended to deceive Colonel Fry, and succeeded. Fry was in undress uniform and of course was at once recognized as a Federal officer. They rode side by side several paces, so near that their knees touched, Fry all the time supposing Zollicoffer to be a Federal officer – hence his reply, “I do not intend to fire upon our men.” The mistake was not discovered until Fogg fired upon Fry, killing his horse. At once, Fry drew his revolver upon Zollicoffer, shooing him through the breast. Instantly he threw up his arms, fell from his horse, and expired. Zollicoffer’s horse was secured by the rebels. His sword is in possession of Col. Fry. He has no other trophies save a note, taken from the pocket of Zollicoffer, by which he recognized the rebel General. I send you a copy of the original. When he fell a rebel three down his gun, crept up to Zollicoffer, and was just in the act of taking him up to hear him from the field when he was shot by Capt. Vaughn and instantly killed.

Col. Fry narrowly escaped death. With only three hundred and ninety men, he kept at bay two rebel regiments for more than an hour. One ball passed so near his left temple as to touch his hair. Another pierced his clothes, grazing the skin. After the battle, one of the prisoners said to him, “So many of us pointed our guns directly at you, I congratulate you that you are alive, but you must be mighty hard to shoot.” A Tennessean from one of the rebel regiments managed to escape to our ranks. He took his stand among Fry’s men, seized the gun of one who had fallen by his side, fired forty rounds, killing the very man he most hated, one who had pressed him into the rebel service.

Col. Fry does not drink or swear, but he did bawl most lustily to the rebels who were fighting his men guerilla fashion, “you sneaking cowardly, infernal scoundrels, why do you not come up and fight us like men?” And so, forsooth, his secession neighbors, not being able to find other fault, accuse him of swearing. Harper’s monthly makes him a giant, whereas he is but five feet nine inches. He is not at all egotistical, does not seem disposed to boast of his achievements. He is a brave, fearless man, a true patriot. A Southerner by birth, living in the heart of a rebellious region, he was one of the first in Kentucky to raise his voice in behalf of our national government; striving to preserve his State loyal in spite of all the promises, protestations, and threatenings of the leaders of this fearful conspiracy to persuade, invoke, and force her out of the Union; using his time, influence, and purse for the overthrow and extinction of this great American rebellion. We may thank him for Camp Dick Robinson. He ought to be made a Brigadier General. We all know his experience and bravery as a military man. The part he took in the battle of Buena Vista has not been forgotten. Col. Fry is a resident of Danville; an Elder in the First Presbyterian Church; Superintendent of the Sabbath School, and Treasurer of the Caldwell Institute.

En passant, allow me to say that the Caldwell Institute is the pet and pride of Danville and the surrounding counties, and would be of the entire State if the people of Kentucky were aware of the moral, intellectual, and social advantages it offers. Real attainments constitute the basis of classification. I have visited any of our principal female seminaries at the West and South, and I know of no institution that will compare with it – combining such perfect discipline, thorough intellectual training, with all the attractions and safeguards of a luxurious and happy home.

I had the pleasure of meeting Gen. Schoepff [sic], the hero of Wildcat, a few days ago. His whole soul is given to the work of putting down this odious usurpation. He spoke enthusiastically of Holt. He admires him exceedingly, and appreciates his friendship. He had not gotten over his great disappointment in not being in time for the battle of Mill Spring.

In haste,
F. C. B.

A Copy of the Note Found.

Gen. F.K. Zollicoffer: Dear sir – We desire to pass over the river to-day. We have business with Dr. Woolsey, of Bledsoe’s cavalry, and the quartermaster of Col. Stanton’s regiment, and others. We are from Kentucky, and are Southern men.

Yours,
Pleasant Miller.
Alvin C. Huff.
Ely F. Johns.