Today in History:

1131 Series I Volume XVI-I Serial 22 - Morgan's First Kentucky Raid, Perryville Campaign Part I

Page 1131 Chapter XXVIII. BATTLE OF PERRYVILLE, KY.

by my regiment. I did not see any man flinch from duty, and although we crossed several fences a good line was kept. The enemy retired before us and many were shot as they went up the hill after leaving their place behind the rock fences in the creek bottom. Having orders to move in concert with the regiments on my right and left I was compelled to change, my course more to the left than I thought we ought to go. However, the enemy had retired over the hill out of sight and ceased firing upon us. The Forty-fourth having passed entirely around us and the Fifth Confederate having disappeared I do not know where, I was left on the extreme left of the brigade, and meeting General Adams, was advised by him to advance by the left flank and take position on the left of his batteries, then firing upon the enemy. This I did, and had just formed when I discovered the enemy advancing toward the battery, but discovering us between him and the battery he retired, except the pickets, which were seen all the time we held this position. In a short time the batteries advanced and I supported them, keeping just in rear, and forming in a little hollow just below where a house was burned, according to your own instructions. This position I held until the batteries ceased firing. I then marched by the left flank, unmasking the other regiment, and, leaving the low ground, again sent out skirmishers. Not finding the enemy on the left and seeing the batteries retire I marched back on the hill and took position on the hill. Nearly at night I again advanced and took position behind a rock fence and sent out pickets to the left. They soon reported that the enemy was placing batteries on the hill above us and sent a report of the same to you. The regiment was next ordered toward Perryville on picket. Two companies were sent to the woods 300 or 400 yards to the front. I then rested until ordered to take the position occupied by my command the day before.

My command only lost 8 men wounded and 1 missing, who was sent to the hospital in charge of a prisoner picked up by him, said prisoner being slightly wounded.

I am gratified to be able to report to you that not an officer or soldier of my regiment failed to do his whole duty. I think the men deserve great applause for the spirit with which they obeyed orders, being as they were very sore and tired from the effects of our late march from Sparta via Gainesborough, Livingston, and Burkesville without stopping a day and marching several nights.

Respectfully,

J. M. HUGHS,

Colonel, Commanding Twenty-fifth Tennessee Regiment.

Brigadier General B. R. JOHNSON.


Numbers 43.

Report of Colonel Moses White, Thirty-seventh Tennessee Infantry.

OCTOBER 18, 1862.

SIR: On the 7th instant the Thirty-seventh Tennessee was in position near a creek in the vicinity of Perryville. We slept there that night. On the morning of the 8th, after considerable maneuvering, the regiment was advanced to a hill several hundred yards to the front and remained there until about 1 o'clock in support [C.] Swett's and some


Page 1131 Chapter XXVIII. BATTLE OF PERRYVILLE, KY.