I. General Thomas's First Victory-The Battle of Mill Springs. By Brevet Lieu- tenant-Colonel LEWIS JOHNSON, U.S.A. II. Scouting on the "Staked Plains" (Llano Estacado) with Mackenzie. By ONE III. Indian Wars in Texas. III. By JAMES T. DESHIELDS IV. The Army of Russia. By. L. DAVIDSON, Capt. R.H.A. (Reprinted from the VI. Progress in Modern Artillery and Fortification. I. The "Boomerang Spanker." 448 VII. A Clerk's View of Civil Service Reform. By GAILLARD HUNT, Clerk Class 1, VIII. Patrick Foley, Landsman. By Assistant Engineer F. M. BENNETT, U.S.N. IX. "Alas! for the Love that Lives Alway" (concluded). By MARGARET FOSTER X. One of the Duanes (concluded). By ALICE KING HAMILTON XI. Jack Haultaut, Midshipman United States Navy; or, Life at the Naval Academy (concluded). By Commander ALLAN D. BROWN, U.S.N.. XII. EDITORIAL NOTES.-Reform in the Navy Department-Rotation of Duty in the Naval Service-The Staff of the Lieutenant-General-The Crisis in the East -The Removal of Hell Gate Obstructions XIII. BOOK REVIEWS.-" One of the Duanes ;""The Life and Letters of Emory Upton, Colonel of the Fourth Regiment, and Brevet Major-General U. S. Army;" NOV 2 1885 THE UNITED SERVICE. OCTOBER 1885. GENERAL THOMAS'S FIRST VICTORY-THE BATTLE OF MILL SPRINGS. THE battle of Logan's Cross-Roads, Kentucky, or Mill Springs, as it is popularly called, was fought on the 19th of January, 1862, between a United States force, commanded by Brigadier-General George H. Thomas, and the Confederates, under Major-General G. B. Crittenden. Its result, a brilliant and decisive victory for the Union arms, was the first success of real importance on either side since the disastrous defeat of the Federal army at Bull Run. That unfortunate engagement had clearly demonstrated the necessity of a more thorough preparation and organization of the troops, before. subjecting them to the severe test of the battle-field, and this prerequisite to success in the future was more particularly recognized by the vanquished party. Both sides, in consequence, were making diligent efforts to be fully prepared for the next great trial of strength; but, beyond a few minor collisions, the opposing armies did not come into hostile contact, and displayed comparatively little activity in their operations, until the beginning of 1862. When the news of Mill Springs reached the North, and the people realized how bravely our troops had fought and won on that bloody field, the utmost enthusiasm prevailed. The dark forebodings of many ardent Unionists, whose spirits had been greatly depressed by the preceding summer's sad experiences, were dispelled; despondency gave place to joy, nor were doubts any longer entertained as to the eventual issue; while the most sanguine went so far as to predict a favorable termination of the war at an early day. Under these circumstances, the victorious general was loudly praised, and his capacity, as well as the valor VOL. XIII.-No. 4. 25 |