Source: National Cemetery Administration · cem.va.gov · scraped May 2026
History of Mill Springs National Cemetery
Mill Springs National Cemetery is situated on a high, sloping knob in Pulaski County near Logan's Cross Roads in Kentucky. Located 10 miles west of Somerset on Highway 80 at Nancy, KY, it was originally established as Logan's Cross Roads National Cemetery in the early 18th century. Kentucky contains one of the highest concentrations of NCA-managed national cemeteries and soldier's lots in a single state—seven in all.
Kentucky lay between the Union and Confederate forces and was a state divided in spite of its effort to avoid the Civil War. The Union armies gathered 90,000 Kentucky men under their flag; the Confederacy gathered more than 40,000 men from the southern part of the state.
One of the first Kentucky battles involving a sizable number of troops occurred in Pulaski County on William H. Logan's farm. This event has several names: Beech Grove, Fishing Creek, Logan's Cross Roads and the Battle of Mill Springs. Brig. Gen. Felix K. Zollicoffer of Nashville, TN, was in charge of the southeastern sector of the Confederate army. Having fortified the gaps in the Cumberland range, he moved southward and took position at Mill Springs on the south bank of the Cumberland River—five miles below the mouth of Fishing Creek. This stream crossed the roads leading from Somerset to the ferry at Mill Springs.
On December 9, 1861, Zollicoffer crossed the river and made camp on the north bank at a place called Beech Grove. The hill was protected on three sides by the river and left about 1,200 yards of fighting front to defend. Gen. George B. Crittenden arrived at Mill Springs and assumed command about January 1. Although he did not like Zollicoffer's position, "with an enemy in front and a river behind" he took no measures to recall him. Regardless of instructions to remain strictly defensive, Crittenden also moved to Beech Grove with a force of 6,444 soldiers. After the withdrawal of Confederate forces from neighboring Laurel County, Union Gen. Albin F. Schoepf was ordered to Somerset with about 5,000 infantry. In mid-January 1862, Brig. Gen. George H. Thomas departed Lebanon, KY, for Somerset with his army. The combined troops of 12,000 men were to assault the Confederate forces of Crittenden and Zollicoffer at Mill Springs.
A Confederate Council of War met and decided that Thomas' forces should be defeated before they could assemble and assault Crittenden. On January 19, 1862, the battle raged from morning until dark. Early in the fighting Zollicoffer was killed, which had a demoralizing effect on his troops. The Confederates were dispersed and retreated across the Cumberland River into Tennessee. Largely forgotten today, and overshadowed in its own time by battles at Shiloh and Fort Donelson, Mill Springs was the first significant Union victory of the Civil War. It proved crucial to Union control of Kentucky and the interior South and shaped later developments in the war. Mill Springs was important for another reason: it revealed the deep divisions that existed throughout the border states.
After the battle, Thomas laid out the burial grounds on a portion of the Mill Springs battlefield. The victors gathered their dead and buried them in neat rows a mile from where they fell. Within five years after the April 1865 surrender of Gen. Robert E. Lee at Appomattox, VA, a vast reburial program was completed with some 300,000 Civil War dead being reinterred in 73 national cemeteries. Locally, soldiers were disinterred from Monticello, Columbia and elsewhere in the state and reinterred at Mill Springs. According to early records, 408 of the 722 graves recorded in the burial ledger were unknowns who had been disinterred from other locations and whose names were lost or weathered away from their crude "headboards."
In 1867, William H. and Nancy S. Logan donated additional land to the government for the national cemetery. He died October 16, 1884, and she died March 24, 1896. Both are interred in the national cemetery with gravesites marked by private monuments.
Mill Springs National Cemetery was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1998.
Notable interments
Veterans, public figures, and citizens of note buried at Mill Springs National Cemetery, listed by section and site as recorded by the National Cemetery Administration.
Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor is the highest award for valor in action against an enemy force that can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the Armed Services of the United States.
Recipients receive the Medal of Honor from the President on behalf of Congress. It was first awarded during the Civil War and the eligibility criteria, medal design, and recognition on a recipients' grave marker have all evolved over time. There are 434 Medal of Honor recipients interred at VA national cemeteries including 6 double recipients.
» Medal of Honor recipients interred or memorialized here:
Sergeant Brent Woods (Indian Wars).
Kentucky-born Brent Woods enlisted in the U.S. Army in Louisville by 1878. He was a career soldier who served until 1902; he retired as a sergeant and returned to Kentucky. Woods saw action in the western territories, and on August 19, 1881, he saved the lives of his detachment there. In July 1894, that bravery was recognized with the Medal of Honor. Woods died August 20, 1906, and he is buried in Section A, Site 930.
Eligibility for burial at Mill Springs National Cemetery
Planning ahead for a Veteran's or loved-one's final resting place can eliminate unnecessary delays and reduce stress on a family at a difficult time.
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Burial in a VA national cemetery is open to all members of the armed forces who have met a minimum active duty service requirement and were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.
Directions
From Interstate 75, London/Somerset exit, proceed west on Highway 80 (Cumberland Parkway) to Somerset. From Somerset, take Highway 80 to Nancy (about 10 miles). The cemetery is located on your right as you enter Nancy.
Floral and grounds policy
Mill Springs National Cemetery is not responsible for any items left at gravesites.
Floral arrangements (up to 6 arrangements only) accompanying the casket or urn at the time of burial will be placed on the completed gravesite by cemetery staff. Natural cut flowers may be placed on graves at any time. They will be removed when they become unsightly or when it becomes necessary to facilitate cemetery operations such as mowing.
Weapons policy
VA regulations 38 CFR 1.218 prohibit the carrying of firearms (either openly or concealed), explosives or other dangerous or deadly weapons while on VA property, except for official purposes, such as military funeral honors.
Possession of firearms on any property under the charge and control of VA is prohibited. Offenders may be subject to a fine, removal from the premises, or arrest.
Education and visiting programs
More than half of VA's national cemeteries originated with the Civil War and many are closed to some burials. Other sites were established to serve World War veterans and they continue to expand. Historic themes related with NCA's cemeteries and soldiers' lots vary, but visitors should understand "Why is it here?" NCA began by installing interpretive signs, or waysides, at more than 100 properties to observe the Civil War Sesquicentennial (2011–2015). Please follow the links below to see the interpretive signs for Mill Springs National Cemetery.
A National Cemetery System Mill Springs National Cemetery Visit the Veterans Legacy Program and NCA History Program for additional information. Thank you for your interest.
Nearest cemeteries
The three closest veteran cemeteries to Mill Springs National Cemetery (by straight-line distance):
- Danville National Cemetery — Danville, KY (40 mi · closed)
- Lebanon National Cemetery — Lebanon, KY (44 mi · open)
- Camp Nelson National Cemetery — Nicholasville, KY (50 mi · open)
Nearby veteran-friendly funeral homes
The following funeral homes within a 50-mile radius of Mill Springs National Cemetery have demonstrated a commitment to serving veterans through specialized services, VA benefits coordination, or dedicated honors details.
Morris & Hislope Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 5900 North Highway 27 in Science Hill, KY. With deep roots in the community, they provide a peaceful and accommodating environment to honor the memory of loved ones. Direct cremation services are provided starting at $855. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Christian (various denominations).
Unified, Inc., DBA Somerset Wilbert Vault & Crematory is a premier funeral home located at 2696 Highway 2227 in Somerset, KY. The property features well-appointed spaces including on-site crematory, private viewing room for cremations, and office. Professional offerings include burial services, cremation services, and burial vaults, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $875. Direct cremation services are provided starting at $885. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Baptist.
Pulaski Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 165 Highway 2227 in Somerset, KY. The property features well-appointed spaces including main chapel, full service funeral facility, and accessible facility. Professional offerings include immediate need, traditional services, and cremation services, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,395. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $4,795, while direct cremation is available from $1,395. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Baptist, Nazarene, and Christian Fellowship.
Bernard Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 367 Main Street in Russell Springs, KY. The property features well-appointed spaces including facility, chapel, and viewing rooms. Professional offerings include funeral services, cremation, and burial, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $5,635. Direct cremation services are provided starting at $1,845. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Baptist, Separate Baptist, Methodist, Church of Christ, Pentecostal, and Christian Church.
McCreary County Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 48 State Hwy. 700 in Whitley City, KY. The property features well-appointed spaces including on-site chapel and reception hall. Professional offerings include traditional funeral service, memorial service, and committal service, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $2,300. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $4,800, while direct cremation is available from $2,300. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically United Baptist and Church of God.
Hickman-Strunk Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 156 South Main Street in Whitley City, KY. With deep roots in the community, they provide a peaceful and accommodating environment to honor the memory of loved ones. Direct cremation services are provided starting at $2,295. The firm's dedication to service is reflected in their 4.4-star Google rating across 17 reviews.
McKnight Funeral Home & Monument Company is a premier funeral home located at 147 Main Street in Crab Orchard, KY. The property features well-appointed spaces including chapel for services, visitation rooms, and cremation services. Professional offerings include pre-planning, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. Direct cremation services are provided starting at $2,920. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically All faiths and Interfaith.
W.L. Pruitt Funeral Home, Inc. is a premier funeral home located at 5590 Hwy. 2141 in Hustonville, KY. The property features well-appointed spaces including modern facilities, on-site crematorium, and handicapped accessible. Professional offerings include pre-planning, at-need planning, and funeral services, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $5,895. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $4,465, while direct cremation is available from $1,615. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Baptist and Methodist.