Perryville

— The Battle for Kentucky October 8, 1862 —

Their faces and hands begrimed from the smoke of battle, and their ears ringing with the constant ripping of musketry, Starkweather's shattered brigade retreated to the ridge in front of you. They had saved several cannon, pushing them back to a new position. Most of the Union infantry took cover behind a stone wall that ran across part of the hill. Perryville's rolling terrain allowed the Federals to establish another defensive position on high ground.

Maney's Confederates regrouped and rushed through the valley. They fought desperately at the stone wall, assaulting the Union troops again and again. Finally, a Union counterattack forced Maney's exhausted brigade, now low on ammunition, to retreat back to this hill.

Both sides refused to renew the struggle. Maney's brigade fell back to Parsons' Ridge, and Starkweather's troops retreated to the west.

While Maney's attack helped the Confederates secure a tactical victory at Perryville, Starkweather's stand saved the Union army. Bloodied in victory, some Confederate units lost more than half their command. The Southern army soon marched out of Kentucky. Never again was there a concerted effort to hold the Commonwealth for the Confederacy.

...the ground around was slippery with blood, many a poor dark looking powder begrimed Artillery man was laying stretched out upon the ground around us, torn and mutilated, their countenance plainly indicating the awful manner of their death.
Union Captain Robert B. Taylor

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Show me all markers in:  Perryville, KY  |  Boyle County  |  40468  |  Kentucky  |  United States of America

Starkweather's Hill
Act of Mercy
The Cornfield
On this Spot Brig. Gen. James S. Jackson Fell
Sanctuary
Stewart's Attack
Defense of Parsons' Ridge
Defense of Parsons' Ridge
Union Monument
The Battle of Perryville

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