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Interview with Col. Speed S.
Fry, 4th Kentucky Infantry
To the Editors of the Louisville Journal:
DANVILLE, KY., Feb. 23, 1862
Yesterday I had an interview, of two hours, with Colonel S. S. Fry, the hero of Mill
Spring, henceforth to be forever associated in American history with the misguided
Zollicoffer. He gave us a description of the battle of January 19th, in which he figured
so conspicuously. 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. Zollicofer 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, shooting 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 [see below]. When he [Zollicoffer] fell a rebel threw down his gun, crept up to
Zollicoffer, and was just in the act of taking him up to bear 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
rebel regiments for more than an hour. One ball passed so near to 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
Tennesseean 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 guerrilla fashion, "you sneaking, cowardly, infernal scoundrels, why
do you not come up and fight us like men?" And to, forsooth, his secession neighbors,
not being able to find other fault, accuse him of swearing. Harpers 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 [pot?] 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 many 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, 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
has not gotten over his great disappointment in not being in time for the battle of Mill
Spring.
In haste, F[rederick?]. C. B.
A COPY OF THE NOTE FOUND. [ON ZOLLICOFFER'S BODY]
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
(from the Louisville Daily Courier, 1 March 1862, contributed
by Mark Jaeger)
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