Battle of Perryville
On July 31, Confederate leaders met in Chattanooga to devise a plan that would reshape the war's western theater. General Braxton Bragg and General Edmund Kirby Smith agreed to invade Kentucky with combined forces totaling over 50,000 men. The goal was to secure supplies, recruit new soldiers, and divert Union troops from Tennessee. President Abraham Lincoln had warned privately that losing Kentucky meant nearly losing the entire game. This border state sat between Southern states like Virginia and Tennessee and Northern states such as Illinois and Ohio. Its central location made it vital for controlling key rivers including the Ohio River.
Confederate political elements within Kentucky had declared neutrality early in the conflict but this stance collapsed when Confederate Major General Leonidas Polk occupied Columbus on the 3rd of September 1861. Two days later Union Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant seized Paducah. Despite these violations, Kentucky never officially seceded from the Union. Confederate sympathizers established a temporary capital at Bowling Green in November 1861 though it wielded little real power inside the state. The Confederate flag added a star representing Kentucky to its design.
The initiative to invade came primarily from Kirby Smith who believed local support would be overwhelming. Colonel John Hunt Morgan led a successful cavalry raid into Kentucky adding 300 volunteers to his 900-man force. He confidently promised Smith that 25,000 or 30,000 men would join them immediately. Bragg eventually agreed to relocate his Army of Mississippi to join Smith after moving 30,000 infantrymen via railroad through Mobile and Montgomery to Chattanooga. Supply wagons and artillery moved overland under their own power through Rome Georgia.
Bragg faced significant challenges because President Jefferson Davis had made Smith's Department of East Tennessee an independent command reporting directly to Richmond. This decision caused friction during the campaign. On August 9 Smith broke the agreement and intended to bypass Cumberland Gap leaving a small holding force behind. Unable to command Smith to honor their plan Bragg focused on movement toward Lexington instead of Nashville. He cautioned Smith that Buell could defeat his smaller army before Bragg's forces could unite with them.
An extremely wet winter and spring of 1862 gave way to dry conditions during June which stayed that way throughout summer and early fall. The Southern states remained locked under a stagnant high-pressure ridge sending daytime temperatures soaring with little rain to cool things down. Heat was oppressive for both men and horses while few sources of drinking water provided by rivers and creeks west of town were reduced to isolated stagnant puddles. These scarce resources became desperately sought after by soldiers from both sides.
Hardee selected Perryville for several strategic reasons. The village of approximately 300 residents had an excellent road network connecting it to nearby towns in six directions allowing for tactical flexibility. It was located to prevent Federals from reaching Confederate supply depots at Bryantsville. Finally it served as a potential source of water despite the drought conditions. On October 7 Union cavalry clashed with Wheeler's rearguard throughout the day as Buell reached the Perryville area.
Buell issued orders for all corps to move at 3 a.m. the next day and attack at 10 a.m. However movements of the I and II Corps were delayed having deviated several miles from their line of march in search of water. Buell decided to delay his attack until October 9 to complete deployment but suffered injuries when thrown from his horse preventing him from riding. He established headquarters at the Dorsey house about two miles west of town.
The terrain around Perryville included Peters Hill Bottom Hill and Open Knob. Doctor's Creek ran through the area though its bed was mostly dry except for algae-covered pools where thirsty troops gathered. Chaplin River flowed near the battlefield while Bull Run Creek served as a tributary of Doctor's Creek. These geographical features dictated troop positions and movement patterns during the engagement.
On October 1 Buell's Army of the Ohio left Louisville with Major General George H. Thomas as second-in-command. Two days earlier Buell had received orders from Washington relieving him of command to be replaced by Thomas. Thomas demurred refusing acceptance while campaign continued leaving Buell in place. The 55,000 troops advanced toward Bragg's veteran army in Bardstown on three separate roads. Many soldiers described themselves as undisciplined unprovided with suitable artillery and unfit for active operations against disciplined foes.
The I Corps commanded by Alexander M. McCook marched along Mackville Road with 13,000 men divided into two divisions under Lovell H. Rousseau and James S. Jackson. The II Corps led by Thomas L. Crittenden moved along Lebanon Road with 20,000 men organized into three divisions commanded by William Sooy Smith Horatio P. Van Cleve and Thomas J. Wood. The III Corps under Charles Champion Gilbert took center position along Springfield Pike with 22,000 men split among three divisions led by Albin F. Schoepf Robert B. Mitchell and Philip H. Sheridan.
Buell was several miles behind the action unaware that a major battle was taking place until late afternoon. He did not send any reserves to front lines despite hearing distant gunfire. An acoustic shadow prevented sounds from reaching his headquarters located about four miles away. This communication failure meant he committed no reserves until late in day when it mattered most.
Union troops on left flank stabilized their line after being reinforced by two brigades though Confederate attack sputtered to halt later. Three Confederate regiments assaulted Union division on Springfield Pike but were repulsed falling back into Perryville. Union troops pursued skirmishing occurred in streets until dark. By that time Union reinforcements threatened Confederate left flank forcing Bragg to withdraw during night.
Cheatham's artillery bombardment began at 12:30 p.m. but he did not immediately order infantry forward. Union troops continued filing into line extending their flank north beyond intended avenue of attack. Cheatham moved division into Walker's Bend assuming redirected attack would strike Union open flank. Unfortunately cavalry reconnaissance withdrew before McCook placed artillery battery under Lieutenant Charles Parsons and brigade of Brigadier General William R. Terrill onto Open Knob prominent hill northern end battlefield.
Brigade of Daniel S. Donelson crossed Chaplin River climbing bluffs west bank beginning attack around 2 p.m. Two regiments detached leaving only three for assault. Cheatham shouted Give them hell boys while Polk seconded cheer giving it to them boys give them what General Cheatham says! Brigade found performing frontal assault center Union position instead striking expected open flank. 16th Tennessee Infantry under Colonel John H. Savage raced ahead attempting reach artillery battery Captain Samuel J. Harris.
Savage held Donelson disdain considering him drunkard limited military ability often paid little attention orders from commander. He considered Donelson's order attacking Harris's battery death sentence against himself. As movement west depression came crossfire from 33rd Ohio Infantry eight guns Parsons' artillery on Open Knob north. Cheatham ordered George E. Maney brigade forward dealing with Parsons though Donelson's brigade could not withstand fire withdrawing starting point 2:30 p.m. about 20% casualties. Savage's regiment lost 219 men 370 total strength.
Maney's attack continued west reverse slope Open Knob through cornfield across Benton Road after which steep ridge occupied 2,200 men Union 28th Brigade Col. John C. Starkweather twelve guns. Those guns made Open Knob untenable position. Starkweather placed 21st Wisconsin cornfield time Maney attacking Parsons' position. Inexperienced men 21st some never fired weapons before regiment formed less month earlier could see little through 10- to 15-foot tall cornstalks.
Union casualties totaled 4,276 including 894 killed 2,911 wounded 471 captured missing. Confederate casualties were 3,401 comprising 532 killed 2,641 wounded 228 captured missing. In all casualties totaled one-fifth those involved making Battle of Perryville one bloodiest battles Civil War relative engaged strengths armies. It largest battle fought state Kentucky.
The 22nd Indiana suffered highest percentage any Federal regiment engaged at Perryville with 65% casualty rate according to historian Kenneth W. Noe. Colonel Squire Keith killed causing casualties 65% in regiment when Liddell's Confederates fired hundreds muskets single volley after Polk rode into lines bluffing way out pretending Union officer shouting Federal troops cease fire. Although Liddell wanted pursue assault Polk unnerved personal contact enemy halted attack blaming falling darkness.
A National Park Service regimental website states 33rd Alabama sustained even higher casualty rate 82% 500 present though Noe lists 33rd Alabama 43% initial strength 380 14 killed 153 wounded. Hafendorfer states 82% figure cited Alabama War Records little high exact figures brigade not available. Despite these discrepancies the human cost remained staggering across both sides.
Major General Jackson Brigadier General Terrill and Colonel George Webster all mortally wounded during fighting marking final senior losses 10th Division. Previous evening Jackson Terrill Webster idly discussing possibility all three being killed dismissing thought mathematically negligible yet reality proved otherwise. Their deaths exemplified extreme losses suffered specific regiments throughout day-long engagement.
At 9 p.m. Bragg met subordinates Crawford House giving orders begin withdrawal after midnight leaving picket line place army joined Kirby Smith. As army marched toward Harrodsburg forced leave 900 wounded men behind. Bragg united forces Smith Harrodsburg Union Confederate armies now comparable size skirmished one another next week neither attacked.
Bragg soon realized new infantry recruits sought from Kentucky would not forthcoming although many Kentuckians willing join Confederate cavalry. Furthermore concluded lacked logistical support needed remain state made way southeast Knoxville Tennessee through Cumberland Gap. Quickly called Confederate capital Richmond Virginia explain Jefferson Davis charges brought officers about how conducted campaign demanding replaced head army. Although Davis decided leave general command relationship subordinates severely damaged. Upon rejoining army ordered movement Murfreesboro Tennessee.
Buell conducted half-hearted pursuit Bragg returning Nashville rather pushing East Tennessee Lincoln administration wished. Pent-up dissatisfaction Buell's performance resulted reorganization Western departments October 24 new Department Cumberland formed under Major General William S. Rosecrans. Buell's Army Ohio assigned redesignated XIV Corps. After Battle Stones River Murfreesboro late December another strategic defeat Braxton Bragg received more familiar name Army Cumberland.
Buell ordered appear commission investigating conduct during campaign remained military limbo year and a half career essentially ruined resigned service May 1864. Following battle Union maintained control Kentucky rest war historian James M. McPherson considers Perryville part great turning point war battles Antietam Perryville threw back Confederate invasions forestalled European mediation recognition Confederacy perhaps prevented Democratic victory northern elections 1862 inhibited government ability carry on war set stage Emancipation Proclamation enlarged scope purpose conflict.
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Common questions
When did the Battle of Perryville take place?
The Battle of Perryville took place on October 8 and 9, 1862. Union forces under Major General Don Carlos Buell engaged Confederate troops led by General Braxton Bragg during these two days.
Who commanded the Union Army at the Battle of Perryville?
Major General Don Carlos Buell commanded the Union Army of the Ohio at the Battle of Perryville. He was supported by second-in-command Major General George H. Thomas and corps commanders Alexander M. McCook, Thomas L. Crittenden, and Charles Champion Gilbert.
What were the casualty figures for the Battle of Perryville?
Union casualties totaled 4,276 including 894 killed, 2,911 wounded, and 471 captured or missing. Confederate casualties reached 3,401 comprising 532 killed, 2,641 wounded, and 228 captured or missing.
Why did General Braxton Bragg withdraw from Kentucky after the battle?
General Braxton Bragg withdrew because he realized new infantry recruits from Kentucky would not arrive and lacked sufficient logistical support to remain in the state. He moved his army southeast toward Knoxville through Cumberland Gap instead of holding Kentucky.
How many soldiers participated in the Battle of Perryville?
The combined forces involved over 50,000 men with Union troops numbering approximately 55,000 and Confederate forces totaling around 40,000 to 45,000 men during the engagement.
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13 references cited across the entry
- 4inlineNPS.
- 6journalLargest known historical eruption in Africa: Dubbi volcano, Eritrea, 1861Pierre Wiart et al. — April 2000
- 7webThe Drought That Changed the WarOctober 12, 2012