Mill Springs battle

The January 1862 Battle of Mill Springs, which took place among the hills and ravines of southwestern Pulaski County, was the first decisive Union victory in the western theater of the Civil War, and the beginning of a long line of Confederate setbacks in the area.

Hosted by veteran television and newspaper journalist Byron Crawford, The Battle of Mill Springs examines this turning point in the war. It airs Wednesday, Oct. 1 at 10/9 p.m. CT on KET2.

The hour-long program was shot entirely on location on the original battlefield near Nancy, Ky., during a national reenactment. More than 2,000 re-enactors and 20,000 spectators were on hand for the event. Videographers on the battlefield dressed in authentic Civil War uniforms and joined the soldiers to capture the action up-close and personal.

Additional features of the program include interviews with Norrie Wake of the Mill Springs Battlefield Association about its the preservation efforts, including the museum and battlefield area properties, and with association president Bill Neikirk, who offers insight into the motivation of re-enactors to relive history through recreating the events and characters of the Civil War.

The Battle of Mill Springs also features the unique story of Ole Svensson, who came all the way from Denmark to participate in the reenactment. Soennicksen's genealogical research led him to Minnesota, where some family members had relocated, served in the Union Army and traveled to Kentucky to fight in the Battle of Mill Springs.

The Battle of Mill Springs is produced by Martin Media in conjunction with the Mill Springs Battlefield Association. Ernie Martin is producer and director.