Perryville

— The Battle for Kentucky October 8, 1862 —

Confederate Brigadier General Daniel Donelson had been given great responsibility. His brigade was to open the Confederate attack by assaulting the northern end of the Union defensive line. Once Donelson's brigade moved forward, other Southern troops would enter the battle. It was imperative for Donelson's men to strike quickly and forcefully.

Before Donelson's infantry deployed, Confederate cavalry rode through these fields, scouting out the Federal position and driving off a Union advance guard. The cavalry failed to see Union troops forming on the ridges to the northwest. Their inability to establish the northern end of the Union line would have disastrous results for Donelson's men.

Forming into two lines on the flat ground behind you, Donelson's brigade moved forward. Because the Federal troops were still deploying on the ridges to your front, Donelson's soldiers, instead of striking the northern end of the Union line, moved more toward the Union center. This faulty deployment from a lack of reconnaissance nearly destroyed the opening Confederate attack.

?the whole line moved forward in beautiful order. All my conceptions of the hurrah and din and dust of battle were confounded by the cool, business-like operations going on before me. Those badly clothed, some shoeless, dirty and ragged-looking men walked into the harvest of death before them with all the composure and much less of the bustle that a merchant would exhibit in walking to his counting room after breakfast.
Reporter, Atlanta Southern Confederacy

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

Sgt. Harris B. Cope Memorial
Stewart's Advance
Introduction
Donelson's Advance
The Valley of Death
Soldiers' Reaction to Lincoln's Emancipation
Perryvile and the Emancipation Proclamation
Army of the Ohio
Squire Henry P. Bottom
Perryville Confederate Memorial

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