[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 15 (Tuesday, January 31, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S203]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 RECOGNIZING THE BATTLE OF MILL SPRINGS

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I rise to submit to my colleagues a 
resolution that is very important to the history of the Commonwealth of 
Kentucky and the history of our Nation. This resolution, S. Res. 357, 
sponsored by myself and my friend Senator Paul, commemorates the 150th 
anniversary of the Battle of Mill Springs and recognizes the 
significance of the great clash of the Civil War that took place there.
  On January 19, 1862, the Battle of Mill Springs spilled across 
Pulaski and Wayne Counties in southeastern Kentucky. It was the second-
largest battle to take place in the State, and involved over 10,000 
soldiers. More importantly, it was the first significant Union victory 
to happen in what was then considered the western theater of the Civil 
War. The Union's victory meant that the main Confederate defense line 
that had been anchored in eastern Kentucky was broken, freeing Union 
soldiers to move through Kentucky and into Tennessee.
  One hundred fifty years later, this battle is still a vital story in 
our Nation's history. That is why our resolution also salutes the Mill 
Springs Battlefield Association, which has worked hard to preserve the 
historic site and educate the public about what went on there. The Mill 
Springs Battlefield Association has a visitors' center, provides tours, 
displays Civil War artifacts and maintains a Civil War library. More 
than 50,000 visitors have traveled to see the preserved battlefield.
  So Mr. President, I am proud to submit this resolution to the United 
States Senate, and proud of the history we have preserved for posterity 
in Kentucky.

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