Today in History:

922 Series I Volume XVI-I Serial 22 - Morgan's First Kentucky Raid, Perryville Campaign Part I

Page 922 KY., M. AND E.TENN., N.ALA., AND SW.VA. Chapter XXVIII.

command exhibited great courage and endurance. Heavy and continued volley were given, and the enemy was often severely handled. His loss seemed to have exceeded ours, but the perfect discipline of his troops enabled him to break our front, while his superior numbers made it easy to flank our lines in masses that were irresistible. His force at all times engaged must have exceeded ours three times in numbers. He seemed to have in each attack a superior number to our front, which as many on each flank. The account of the whole battle may be summed up in a few words. It was an attack by at least 15,000 well disciplined troops, under experienced officers, upon 6,250 citizens, ignorant of war, without officers of experience. The wonder really is that the latter fought so well for a whole day, could be twice rallied after being panic-stricken, and that any escaped slaughter or capture.

Before closing the report of this disastrous fight it is just to say that there were many instances of great personal valor exhibited by individual officers and men which came under my observation. Colonel Warner, Lieutenant-Colonel Landram, and Major Bracht, of the Eighteenth Kentucky, exhibited proper courage and daring. The former, I regret to say, is reported mortally wounded, and the latter two had their horses shot under them. Colonel Link, of the Twelfth Indiana, was badly wounded in the fearless discharge of his duties. Colonel McMillen, of the Ninety-fifth Ohio, was cool and brave during the whole day, and was wounded in the last fight. Major Morrison and Captain John F. Baird managed the Sixty-sixth Indiana in creditable manner and exhibited soldierly qualities upon the field. They were both captured during the retreat. Lieutenants Hale and Andrews, of the Michigan battery, acted gallantly throughout the day, using their pieces effectively, and, with their gunners, standing by them in every extremity. They brought them safely away from all the engagements, but lost them in the retreat. Lieutenant-Colonel Chiles, of the Third Tennessee, was left in rear of the town during the engagements, and his command took no part in them. It was, however, engaged with the enemy's cavalry during the retreat and is reported to have behaved well. Lieutenant-Colonel Chiles was captured by the enemy. Copies of the reports of the regimental commanders and commanding officer of Andrews' battery are herewith appended, marked respectively A, B, C, D, E, and F. In these reports many instances on individual bravery are noted and commended to the consideration of the major-general commanding.

The detailed report of Surg. Joseph Fithian, acting brigade surgeon, is herewith submitted. The report exhibits the following summary of the casualties of the brigade, to wit:

Killed. Wounded.

Regiment. Off Men Tot Off Men Tota Aggr

ice al ice l egat

rs rs e

12th Indiana Volunteers -- 7 7 3 31 34 41

95th Ohio Volunteers -- 10 10 5 33 38 48

66th Indiana Volunteers 3 21 24 5 63 68 92

18th Kentucky 4 28 32 6 101 107 139

Volunteers

Andrews' battery -- 2 2 -- 9 9 11

Total 7 68 75 19 237 256 *331

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*But see revised statement, p.909.

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Page 922 KY., M. AND E.TENN., N.ALA., AND SW.VA. Chapter XXVIII.