Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site (KY)
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Headquarters, Army of the Mississippi, General Buckner Commanding
"In 1860, a forty-three year-old farmer named John Dye lived here with his wife, Elizabeth, their four children, and six slaves. The 120-acre farm produced hay, corn, and wheat, and the family also had a few cows, horses, and mules. Two years later, the Battle of Perryville struck. Confederate General Simon Bolivar Buckner commandeered the house as his headquarters and most of the Confederate army passed by the house as they deployed to attack the Union right flank, which was located about a mile in front of you. After the battle the house was a hospital. Stains that appear to be bloodstains still remain on the upstairs floor. Union troops remained at the house for several weeks after the battle. One day, the seventeen-year-old Martha Dye went upstairs to get some flour to bake bread. As she descended the stairs, a Union soldier refused to step aside to let her pass. Martha promptly dumped the flour over the soldier’s heads. Another soldier allegedly proposed marriage to the fifteen-year-old Ruth Dye, but she refused his proposal." - Battlefield Interpretive Marker
Headquarters, Union Army First Corps, Major General McCook Commanding
"A two-story white Federal style home and farm structures (barn, smokehouse) stood here. The home was built around 1835 and burned to the ground in 1962. The farm was owned by John Calvin Russell during the Battle of Perryville. The Russell family owned approximately 140 acres consisting of 20 acres in corn, 15 in wheat, and 5 or 6 in meadow, and some land in oats. On the morning of October 8 1862, General Alexander McDowell McCook took possession of the house as Federal headquarters for the I Corps of the Army of the Ohio. The location of the house on the high knoll offered an excellent opportunity to view the battle taking place to the South, East, and West. Just before the battle, John was feeding his hogs when a man approached warning him to take his family to safety to avoid the conflict. John took his wife Frances, his children Isophenia, Amanda, Susan, John, Waller, George, Emily, Sarah, and Lucretia, and his mother-in-law, Susannah Bailey Laws to a school house, about a mile to the southwest. The family returned 2 days after the battle to find their land being used as a hospital for wounded Union and Confederate troops. Fine mahogany furniture was used as feed troughs for army animals and all the home-spun linens were used as bandages for the wounded. Fence rails were used as firewood and most of the food and animals were taken by the troops. During the battle, the house was shelled by confederate cannon that tore off the top of the east chimney. The battle claimed one family member as Susannah Bailey Laws a few weeks after returning home. She died at the age of 83 from complications of exposure after being forced to flee from the Battle of Perryville." - Battlefield Interpretive Marker
Bottom's Barn -- 09:00 to Dusk
"Since about 10:00 in the morning, William H. Lytle's brigade had taken up position on the right flank of Union 1st Corps commanded by General Alexander M. McCook. The 3rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry, supported by the 15th Kentucky Infantry, were positioned in Henry P. Bottom's barn yard overlooking Henry Bottom's House. They were on the extreme right flank of 1st Corps. Although arrayed in battle formation, they didn't expect to do battle that day. They believed that, as had been the case for the last week, the Confederates were retreating to the northeast, towards Harrodsburg. Suddenly, the calm was broken by a fusillade of Confederate artillery shot and shell landing all around. There were just over 1,000 Union soldiers in the barnyard, being attacked on three sides by almost 3,500 veteran Confederates. As the 3rd Ohio was desperately trying to hold the line, Confederate artillery fire caught Henry Bottom's barn on fire. The strong southerly wind blew the smoke right up the Union battle line. Many wounded from the 3rd Ohio were too weak to pull themselves out of the barn and perished in the flames. Not only was the barn on fire, but the drought-starved vegetation on the whole hillside was also in flames. The battle lines were only 60-yards apart. The Confederates were protected by a stone wall, but the 3rd Ohio was protected only by a post and rail fence. The 3rd Ohio held the line. All the time, messengers from the 15th Kentucky were offering to advance from their reserve position and relive the 3rd Ohio on the firing line. After about 30-minutes of horrendous fire, the 3rd Ohio acquiesced to the wishes of the Kentuckians and withdrew. The 15th Kentucky then held the line behind the post and rail fence, the smoke from the burning barn still choked and blinded them. After about another 30-minutes, the 15th Kentucky was forced back when some of Daniel Adam's men, using the creek for cover, positioned themselves behind the Yankees. Bushrod Johnson's supporting brigade, commanded by Patrick Cleburne, atabout the same time, broke the Union positions more towards the north, forcing the entire Union line in that area to crumble and fall back. The Confederates forced the Union soldiers back another third of a mile west to the Dixville Crossroads, where darkness ended the battle. The two Union regiments suffered almost 400 casualties (40%)." - Battlefield Interpretive Sign
"As the battle began, Union Colonel John C. Starkweather's brigade took this small farm road to get into position on the Union left flank. Starkweather's men had made a rapid march from Mackville, ten miles from here, and they were hot, tired, and thirsty. There was no time for rest. As the rumble of cannon fire announced the start of the battle, Starkweather turned his entire brigade onto this road and, without orders, marched them to the fighting. Starkweather's brigade consisted of 12 cannon, 24 limbers, 12 caissons, 144 horses, and 2,200 soldiers. They moved off toward your left, heading for the Union left flank. The road they took goes to the Wilkerson House site. Starkweather's officers were pleased he had taken the initiative. His division commander, Brigadier General Lovell H. Rousseau, later wrote that Starkweather "had the good sense when he heard the fighting in front to abandon [this] road...and, by going through the field, to fall in on our left, and I found his brigade on the very spot where it was most needed." Starkweather's presence and his quick actions saved the Union left flank and prevented the Union supply wagon from falling into Confederate hands." - Battlefield Interpretive Sign
Mackville-Perryville Road -- 10:00am
"During the 19th century, the road from Mackville to Perryville crossed Wilson's Creek here (Wilson's Creek is located behind you). The entire Union First Corps, numbering nearly 15,000 men, approached the battle from this road. After the battle, hundreds of wounded Union soldiers streamed along this road in search of medical attention. Before the road reached Mackville, ten miles north of here, it bisected the small crossroads of Stewart, Kentucky. The Antioch Methodist Church at Stewart became a major field hospital. One wounded Union soldier said that the church was "perfectly filled" with wounded troops, who also lay scattered under shade trees in the churchyard." - Battlefield Interpretive Sign
Carnes' Battery (CSA) -- 12:00pm
"Captain William Watts Carnes had just turned 22 years old when the Battle of Perrysville was fought. A student at the U.S. Naval Academy when the Civill War began, he resigned and joined Jackson's Tennessee Battery as a lieutenant. He was soon promoted to captain and the battery bore his name until, late int he war, he transferred to the Confederate States Navy with the rank of lieutenant. Carnes' Battery was assigned to Daniel Donelson's 1st Brigade, Benjamin F. Cheatham's 1st Division, of Leonidas Polk's Right Wing of Braxton Bragg's Army of the Mississippi. When the brigade was moving towards its assigned position down the dry bed of the Chaplin River, one of his horse teams became entangled in a fence post. The resulting delay caused the rest of the brigade to move on. Just at that time, an artillery battery was needed to counter the Union batteries assembling in the distance. Carnes was ordered to the front. Arriving at this point, supported by the 8th and 51st Tennessee Infantry Regiments, Carnes opened fire against, first Loomis' Michigan Battery, then Simonson's Indiana Battery. THese shots fired from here were the first fired in the main part of the Battle of Perryville. Carnes' shells could barely reach the Yankees, since the distance of a mile was technically beyond the range of his guns. The Yankee cannon opposing him were rifled. Exploding shells were soon landing in and around the Tennesseans. Carnes was soon relieved by Stanford's Mississippi Battery since the Mississippi battery was armed with rifled cannons. After a short rest and some minor repairs, Carnes then advanced forward in an attempt to join up with the rest of his brigade which, by that time was heavily engaged. Carnes' Battery, as well as the 8th and 51st Infantry Regiments were then lead over a mile and a half from here around the northern flank of the Union Army. From that point Carnes was able to lay down a devastating fire down the Yankee lines. One of Carnes' shells struck and killed Union General W.R. Terrill." - Battlefield Interpretive Sign
Stanford's Battery (CSA) -- 12:30pm
"Captain Thomas J. Stanford's Mississippi Battery initially unlimbered about 300 yards north of this location, relieving the out-gunned Tennessee Battery commanded by Captain William W. Carnes. Stanford's Battery was armed with four, 3-inch rifled cannon and could more easily match the range of the Union guns. Union batteries already had the range zeroed in for that location and the shells were falling thick. Private J.C. Roycraft was killed instantly. Privates Calvin McCall and John W. Wakefield died of their wounds shortly thereafter. Stanford then moved his position to throw off the aim of the opposing artillery and continue the fight. The artillery duel went on for some time until the infantry went forward. Loomis' Michigan Battery was forced to withdraw about this time because of an ammunition shortage. Stanford and his men believed this retreat was directly caused by the effectiveness of their fire. Soon after Stanford's Battery moved forward, to the west 1,225 yards and supported the Confederate infantry that was driving back the center on Union 1st Corps. In this later action they were, for the first time in the battle, directly supporting A.P. Stewart's Brigade, to which the battery was attached." - Battlefield Interpretive Sign
"Confederate Brigadier General Daniel Donelson had been given a great responsibility. His brigade was to open the Confederate attack by assaulting the northern end of the Union defensive line. Once Donelson's brigade moved forward, other Southern troops would enter the battle. It was imperative for Donelson's men to strike quickly and forcefully. Before Donelson's infantry deployed, Confederate cavalry rode through these fields, scouting out the Federal position and driving off a Union advance guard. The cavalry failed to see Union troops forming on the ridges to the northwest. Their inability to establish the northern end of the Union line would have disasterous results for Donelson's men. Two of Donelson's five regiments as well as his artillery support had been detached earlier, leaving him to make this most important attack with only three regiments, less than a thousand men. Climbing up the cliffs from the Chaplin River behind you, the 16th Tennessee ran into a storm of shot and shell. The 16th Tennessee was soon joined by the 15th and 38th Tennessee regiments, and together, they continued the attack. Because the Federal troops were still deploying on the ridges to your front, Donelson's soldiers, instead of striking the northern end of the Union line, moved more toward the Union center. This faulty deployment from a lack of reconnaissance nearly destroyed the opening Confederate attack." - Battlefield Interpretive Sign
Harris' Battery (USA) -- 14:20pm
"Before the entire Union First Corps (numbering nearly 15,000 men) arrived on the field, this location marked the extreme left, or northern end, of the Union battle line. Six cannon commanded by Union Captain Samuel J. Harris were placed at this crucial position. When the Confederate attack commenced, Confederate Brigadier General Daniel Donelson's briagade moved from the modern park entrance, located a half-mile in front of you, toward this position. Donelson thought that he was advancing against the Union left flank. Then end of the Union battle line, however, had been extended with the arrival of more troops. Donelson's men instead attacked toward the center of the Union line. Because of this reconnaissance error, Donelson's troops became caught in a horrible crossfire and suffered severe casualties. Confederates led by Brigadier General S.A.M. Wood eventually overran the battery. During the fight Harris' cannons fired 954 artillery rounds. The Confederates captured four of Harris' six guns because many of Harris' artillery horses were killed. This was a prominent position on the battlefield. Harris' Battery had a clear line of fire against most of the advancing Confederate troops." - Battlefield Interpretive Marker
The Valley of Death -- 14:30pm
"When Donelson’s brigade moved into this valley, they were met with a deadly surprise. The rolling terrain had prevented the Confederates from seeing all of the Union troop positions. When the Confederates reached this valley, they became trapped in a deadly crossfire as Union artillery fired at them from both the west and the north. Shells exploded overhead and cannonballs crashed into the Southern lines, but the brigade surged forward. Casualties were horrible from the crossfire, and the accurate fire from the two Union batteries spun the Southern troops into confusion. Donelson’s lines wavered and changed direction twice. The unexpected artillery barrage nearly ended Donelson’s advance. Although the fire from two Union artillery batteries had killed and wounded dozens of soldiers and had caused chaos in the Southern lines, the Confederates reformed and continued their attack. Pressing the Union soldiers, Donelson’s brigade drove a Union infantry regiment out from behind a fence and continued westward up the valley." - Battlefield Interpretive Marker
"At 2:30pm, Confederate General Bushrod Johnson's brigade, the lead element of General Simon B. Buckner's division, came over this ridge and opened the battle in this part of the field. At Perryville, Johnson commanded 1,500 men in five Tennessee regiments, plus the 5th Confederate Infantry and Captain Putnam Darden's Mississippi Battery of four cannon, which deployed at this spot. Johnson was originally ordered to advance straight west toward Doctor's Creek and Loomis Heights (in front of you), but at the last minute Buckner changed their route to the southwest (to your left-front) to take advantage of the terrain. Not all of Johnson's units received the new orders, and as the brigade jumped off, some went west while some angled southwest. The brigade quickly became confused as regiments slalomed back and forth in the face of Union artillery fire. Just as the Confederates started to straighten things out, severe artillery fire came from their left and rear. Surprised, the 25th Tennessee, 44th Tennessee, and 5th Confederate sheared off to charge the cannon - which they discovered to be the friendly 5th Company of the Washington Artillery, posted on the hill to your left across the road. The Louisianans had been shelling Union infantry along Doctor's Creek when Johnson's men blundered into their line of fire. Buckner rode forward and finally straightened out the confusion, and set Johnson's men on the right path. Meanwhile General Patrick Cleburne's brigade arrived on the field, and Buckner sent the two brigades westward against the waiting Federals." - Battlefield Interpretive Sign
George P. Webster's Brigade (USA) -- 14:30pm
"In these fields, a Union brigade commanded by Colonel George Penny Webster supported the main Union battle line. Webster's troops, numbering more than 3,000 men from Ohio and Indiana, were new soldiers who would soon experience the horrors of battle for the first time. Many of the men carried antiquated Prussian muskets that were old and unreliable. During combat, many of the guns would not fire at the oncoming enemy. Posted on high ground in support of Captain Samuel Harris' artillery battery, Webster's infantry formed a second line against the brunt of the Confederate attack. When the Federal brigade in front of them finally retreated, the advancing Southern troops hit Webster's men squarely for the first time. As the enemy swarmed near them, Colonel Webster was shot in the hip, and he fell from his horse. Taken to a field hospital, Webster eventually died from his wound. Inexperienced and hindered by their outdated weaponry, his troops quickly retreated to the west. The Battle of Perryville was a vicious baptism of fire for these raw troops. The brigade suffered 90 killed, 345 wounded, and 144 missing. Their experience was indicative of many Union soldiers who fought at Perryville. Untested in battle, many of these men were forced to retreat when threatened by veteran Confederate soldiers." - Battlefield Interpretive Marker
"In 1862, an elderly widow named Mary Bottom lived in a cabin at this site. Mary was the mother of Henry P. Bottom, who owned most of the land upon which the battle was fought. When Confederate troops crossed Doctor's Creek to attack the center of the Union lines, they formed near the cabin before moving forward. Like most Perryville homes, the Widow Bottom house most likely became a field hospital following the battle. After the Civil War, on April 10, 1866, two Perryville residents named Bill and John Taylor murdered the Widow Bottom during a robbery. According to one resident, this brutal act "had the whole town wild." Citizens formed a posse and caught the culprits. Taken to Perryville, the Taylors were hanged from a tree at the edge of the town's Hillcrest Cemetery. Somehow, Bill Taylor managed to escape, but he was recaptured and sent to prison. John Taylor was not as fortunate. When a group of schoolchildren visited the cemetery and found his corpse, one of the children promptly fainted. Because of the lawlessness that pervaded Kentucky in the years following the Civil War, many residents turned to vigilante justice. As the years passed, the mobs disbanded and Perryville residents learned to readjust to peace. It is unknown when the [Widow Bottom] house was razed." - Battlefield Interpretive Sign
Jones' Crossing (CSA) -- 14:35pm
"When the contending armies converged on Perryville, it hadn't rained in central Kentucky for several months. Many streams and creeks were completely dry, and Doctor's Creek was nearly drained from the severe drought. Only a few pools of stagnant water remained. As musketry rattled from the opening Confederate attack, a Southern brigade led by Colonel Thomas M. Jones crossed the muddy banks of Doctor's Creek and formed here before attacking the center of the Union line. Several hundred yards behind Jones was another Confederate brigade, led by Brigadier General John C. Brown. These troops were to follow Jones in attacking the Federal position. Because of the steep terrain, Jone's Confederates could not see the Union soldiers. Hearing only the distant echo of rifle fire and the sporadic explosion of artillery shells, the Confederates had no idea that terror and near destruction awaited them on the other side of the ridge." - Battlefield Interpretive Sign
Jones' Crossing (CSA) -- 14:35pm
"When the contending armies converged on Perryville, it hadn't rained in central Kentucky for several months. Many streams and creeks were completely dry, and Doctor's Creek was nearly drained from the severe drought. Only a few pools of stagnant water remained. As musketry rattled from the opening Confederate attack, a Southern brigade led by Colonel Thomas M. Jones crossed the muddy banks of Doctor's Creek and formed here before attacking the center of the Union line. Several hundred yards behind Jones was another Confederate brigade, led by Brigadier General John C. Brown. These troops were to follow Jones in attacking the Federal position. Because of the steep terrain, Jone's Confederates could not see the Union soldiers. Hearing only the distant echo of rifle fire and the sporadic explosion of artillery shells, the Confederates had no idea that terror and near destruction awaited them on the other side of the ridge." - Battlefield Interpretive Sign
Stewart's Advance (CSA) -- 14:45pm
"The battle opened with great fury. To your left, Donelson's brigade hurled themselves against the Union lines, but their attack momentarily stalled. In the fields to your right, Maney's Confederate brigade also assaulted the Federal position. To support these troops, Brigadier General A. P. Stewart's brigade entered the battle. Placing his five regiments into one long line, Stewart's men advanced behind the other attacking Confederate troops. Stewart's regiments immediately came under heavy Federal fire. At one point in the combat, his Confederates grew panicked when they reached a split-rail fence. Instead of climbing over the fence or taking down the rails, dozens of his men tried to squeeze through a small opening. Scores were shot down as the troops attempted to force their way through the gate. Man-made structures on the battlefield could be deadly obstacles. Despite the severity of the fire, Stewart's brigade continued to move forward." - Battlefield Interpretive Marker
Maney's Attack (CSA) -- 14:45pm
"Confederate Brigadier General George Maney was growing concerned. On the hill to your front, eight Union cannon blasted away, killing and wounding dozens of Southern soldiers. Maney knew that his brigade had to take the hill and quickly silence those guns. As he formed his 1,600 soldiers into two lines in the fields behind you, trees and rolling terrain hid his men from the Union battery. Four Confederate cannon rolled into position here and began answering the fire from the Union battery. Amidst the thundering concussion and swirling smoke of a close-range artillery duel, Maney’s men advanced to within striking distance and then charged into the deadly fire of the surprised Union cannon crews." - Battlefield Interpretive Sign
Defense of Parson's Ridge (USA) -- 14:45pm
"Union Brigadier General William Terrill was nearly panic-stricken. To his surprise, thousands of Confederates swarmed over the fields in front of you, moving toward the Federal lines. The shouts of attacking Southern troops and the crescendo of gunfire echoed among these hills. Terrill’s soldiers, mostly new recruits, were still maneuvering into position as they faced the terror of their first battle. Terrill ordered the eight cannon on this ridge to fire into the Confederate ranks. As the ground shook from the cannon blasts, Confederate troops suddenly appeared at a split-rail fence at the base of the hill. Fearful that his artillery would fall into enemy hands, Terrill ordered a bayonet charge by the 123rd Illinois Infantry. It was a poor decision. Outnumbered, they were driven back with heavy casualties. Even with reinforcements, Terrill’s inexperienced men could not withstand the persistent Confederate attackers who had now leapt the fence. Seasoned by battle, the Confederates determinedly loaded and fired, forcing the Federals from the hill and delivering a brutal initiation to the horrors of warfare." - Battlefield Interpretive Sign
Lumsden's Battery (CSA) -- 14:45pm
"The scene must have been spectacular to the members of Captain Charles Lumsden's artillery battery. Rolling their four cannon up to this hill to support the attacking Confederate infantry, the Southern cannoneers beheld the Union line that stretched across the far ridge in front of you. Thousands of Federal soldiers were positioned on that ridge, their bayonets gleaming in the October sun. When Lumsden's artillery was put into action against the Union position, Perryville's hilly terrain caused confusion among the Confederate gunners. While the Union line was two hills away, an optical illusion made the Federal troops appear to be on the first ridge in front of you. This deceptive terrain ruined the accuracy of Lumsden's cannon fire. Most of their shot and shell fell harmlessly into the first hill in front of you, 300 yards away from the Union position. Later in the day, Lumsden's battery moved from this hill and was replaced by Captain Thomas Stanford's artillery. Stanford's four guns moved into position to support Donelson and Stewart's infantry, as these Confederates advanced past the Widow Gibson cabin."- Battlefield Interpretive Sign
"Reaching the top of this ridge, Colonel Thomas M. Jones' Confederate brigade was met with a deadly surprise. On the hill across the valley, six Union cannon and 5,000 veteran Union soldiers faced Jones' three regiments, numbering less than 900 men. The outnumbered Mississippians tried to charge down into the valley, but they were forced back. Withdrawing to this position, dozens of Confederate dead and wounded were left scattered over the hillside. As the muskets fired and the cannon roared, a haze of black-powder smoke covered the valley between the two positions. According to local legend, the fighting was so severe that a sinkhole at the base of the hill ran red with blood. With hundreds of men killed and wounded, Jones withdrew, allowing John C. Brown's brigade to attempt to take the Federal position. Brown's Confederates took position here and continued the fight. The Federal position was very strong. Luckily for the Confederates, the Union soldiers were running out of ammunition. When the Union artillery retreated, their infantry was left unsupported. The strong Union line wasn't carried until a third Confederate brigade commanded by General S.A.M. Wood took up the fight." - Battlefield Interpretive Sign
"Reaching the top of this ridge, Colonel Thomas M. Jones' Confederate brigade was met with a deadly surprise. On the hill across the valley, six Union cannon and 5,000 veteran Union soldiers faced Jones' three regiments, numbering less than 900 men. The outnumbered Mississippians tried to charge down into the valley, but they were forced back. Withdrawing to this position, dozens of Confederate dead and wounded were left scattered over the hillside. As the muskets fired and the cannon roared, a haze of black-powder smoke covered the valley between the two positions. According to local legend, the fighting was so severe that a sinkhole at the base of the hill ran red with blood. With hundreds of men killed and wounded, Jones withdrew, allowing John C. Brown's brigade to attempt to take the Federal position. Brown's Confederates took position here and continued the fight. The Federal position was very strong. Luckily for the Confederates, the Union soldiers were running out of ammunition. When the Union artillery retreated, their infantry was left unsupported. The strong Union line wasn't carried until a third Confederate brigade commanded by General S.A.M. Wood took up the fight." - Battlefield Interpretive Sign
