BATTLE OF PERRYVILLE.
At 7 o'clock on the morning of October 8th, we resumed our march,
returning and taking the Lebanon and Danville pike. A few minutes after
reaching the main road, we heard heavy firing some distance in advance. A
halt was made, and the order given to transfer all extra baggage from the
pieces and caissons to the baggage wagons, and be prepared for action. The
report was then prevalent that the enemy were some five miles ahead, and
had made a stand, and were already engaging our advance force. A fierce
battle was now anticipated, and our men were anxious to participate in it,
after the long chase we had given the enemy.
The firing had now become more frequent and distinct, and our men were
becoming more and more eager for the conflict. As usual, there were all
sorts of rumors regarding the number and position of the enemy. After a
halt of one hour we again moved forward, and soon came on the Perryville
pike. Proceeding one mile further, we turned off into a field on the left
of the road, and took position on a high piece of ground, our division
being posted at different points. We held our position until near dark,
when we moved forward half a mile, and were then stationed on a hill to
the right of the road. The fighting in the meantime had been most
desperate, and was chiefly confined to General McCook's division, which
maintained its ground in fine order, the men showing great bravery. The
battle lasted until dark, when the enemy retired, and, on the following
morning, retreated to Harrodsburg. The Union loss was eight hundred and
twenty killed, between two thousand and three thousand wounded, and over
four hundred missing. Enemy's loss, one thousand and eighty-two killed,
and four thousand two hundred and sixty-one wounded. Our Battery took no
part in this action, as we were, during the time, out of range. It was the
intention, on our part, to renew the battle the next day--the enemy
willing--but they wanted to be "let alone," and withdrew from the field.
On the day following the battle, our Battery was kept constantly on the
move, charging through woods and cornfields, but no enemy was there. At
night we camped near Perryville.