the battle-field. I also acknowledge my indebtedness to Lieutenants Geo. W. Landman, Second Ohio, William Quinton, Nineteenth Illinois, and James H. Connelly, Thirty-seventh Indiana, the signal corps of the third division, for gallantry and valuable services on the field. They attended me voluntarily, (though not their place to do so,) through the thickest of the fight. My Orderlies, Sergt. Damos, Emery, and the rest, behaved gallantly during the battle. Col. Buckner Board, of the Second Kentucky cavalry, and his command, rendered efficient service in making reconnoissances to the front and skirmishing with the enemy. commanding, but was informed that they had been directed by Major-Gen. McCook to support a section of artillery which General Terrell was working. The positions of the other regiments had all been changed. The Second Ohio, LieutCol. John Bell commanding, and the Thirty-third Ohio, Lieut.-Col. O. F. Moore commanding, were fiercely engaged with the enemy, who were making desperate efforts to pierce the centre. It was at this point that Lieut.-Col. Moore was wounded and taken prisoner. I saw the necessity of holding my position, with or without support, until the right was successful or compelled to retire, and I determined to do so. If I had been I herewith transmit the reports of Cols. Stark- driven back, the Seventeenth brigade would have weather, Harris, and Pope, and also a list of cas-been cut off from the main body, and in my judg ualties in my division, amounting, in all, to one ment irretrievably lost. During this part of the thousand nine hundred and fifty killed and wound-engagement Col. Scribner informed me that the ed. My division was about seven thousand strong when it went into action. We fought the divisions of Anderson, and Cheatham, and Buckner. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, LOVELL H. ROUSSEAU, Brigadier-General Commanding Third Division. COLONEL HARRIS'S REPORT. regiment on the right was not firing. I sent Lieut. Spencer, my Aid, to inquire the cause, and to ascertain what regiment it was. On his return he informed me that it was the Tenth Ohio, and that Colonel Lytle said that they were reserving their fire. Half an hour afterward I sent to Col Lytle, informing him I had been compelled to withdraw the Tenth Wisconsin, for want of am Captain McDowell, Assistant Adjutant-General:munition. (The withdrawal of this regiment left SIR: I have the honor to report the part taken an interval of two hundred yards on the left of by the Ninth brigade in the action of the eighth of October at "Chaplin Hills." At the commencement of the action, the brigade was on the right centre and on the left of the Seventeenth brigade. By direction of the General, Capt. Simonson's Fifth Indiana battery was placed on my right, where Loomis's battery was engaged, and the Tenth Wisconsin regiment directed to support it. The Thirty-third Ohio was on the left, with skirmishers well advanced to the front in the woods, the Second Ohio and Thirtysixth Indiana in the centre, with the Ninetyfourth as a reserve. The firing becoming very warm on the right, by direction of Major-Gen. McCook, the Thirtyeighth Indiana was sent to their support. I placed them in the rear of Simonson's battery, Loomis having withdrawn. The action had now become general along the whole line. Capt. Simonson, with two batteries playing on him and a heavy infantry force advancing in front and firing, nobly fought his battery, until, having lost sixteen horses and fourteen men, in killed and wounded, by direction of Major Cotter, Chief of Artillery, retired his battery. I immediately directed the Thirty-eighth Indiana to take position where the battery had been. This was not done a moment too soon, as the enemy were advancing on us. By a well-directed volley from the Thirty-eighth Indiana (Col. B. F. Scribner commanding) and the Tenth Wisconsin (Col. A. R. Chapin commanding) they were driven behind the crest of the hill. They again advanced, but were driven back. This was done for the third time, when they took position behind the crest of the hill. At this time the firing was very heavy. I now sent back for the Ninety-fourth Ohio, Colonel Frizell the Thirty-eighth Indiana.) In the mean time the Fifteenth Kentucky and Third Ohio, which were on the extreme right, were compelled to retire. Colonel Scribner now informed me that they had exhausted their ammunition, and were using the ammunition of the dead and wounded. My aid, that I had sent after support and ammunition, informed me that no support could be had, and that ammunition was some distance to the rear. The only aid I now had with me having had his horse shot under him, I rode over to Col Lytle and informed him of the condition of things. Upon my return to the Thirty-eighth Indiana, I found they had exhausted the cartridges of the dead and wounded. Col. Scribner then directed his men to fix bayonets and hold the position, which was promptly done. Without a round of ammunition, under a heavy fire in front, and an enfilading fire from the artillery, they held their position for twenty-five minutes. Seeing the hopelessness of longer attempting to hold the po sition, I gave the order to retire, which was done in perfect order. I had not fallen back more than one hundred yards, when a tremendous fire from a column of infantry, which had turned the right flank of the Tenth Ohio, was poured in upon their left and my retiring column. I retired to the woods in the rear of the corn-field, where I met the Thirty-third Ohio, who had just replenished their cartridges. I directed Major Lock, who was commanding, to place them in position parallel to the fence separating the woods from the cornfield, and at right angles to the road, and immediately opposite the white house, directing them to hold the enemy in check until the Thirtyeighth Indiana and Third Ohio were supplied with cartridges. The Tenth Ohio came up at this moment, under command of the gallant Colonel Very respectfully, Colonel Commanding Ninth Brigade. L. A. HARRIS, Burke, and took position on the left of the Twen-hundred and fifty (2250) strong, including Simonty-third Ohio. At this time the Second Ohio son's battery. were warmly engaged with the enemy on our then left, stubbornly falling back, and husbanding their ammunition, which was nearly exhausted. I also met the gallant and lamented Colonel Webster rallying a regiment of his brigade, which was in confusion. REPORT OF COLONEL GOODING. HEADQUARTERS THIRTIETH Brigade, SIR: In obedience to your order requiring me to furnish a report of the part taken by my bri gade in the late battle of Perryville, I have the honor herewith to submit the following: I assisted him, and as soon as order was restored, requested him to form in the rear of the Thirty- | Gen. R. B. Mitchell, Commanding Division : third and Tenth Ohio regiments, so that the balance of my command might supply themselves with ammunition. This he promptly did. At this moment I again met Gen. Rousseau, riding among and encouraging the soldiers. As soon as As ordered, I had massed my brigade in the the Second and Third Ohio, the Thirty-eighth In- edge of a dense wood, joining General Rousseau's diana, and the Tenth Wisconsin were supplied right, to await your orders. Precisely at half-past with ammunition, I formed them into line to cover three o'clock P.M., I received orders directly from the retiring of the Thirty-third and Tenth Ohio, Major-General Gilbert, Commanding Third corps and that portion of Webster's command engaged, d'armée, to proceed immediately to the support directing the Tenth Wisconsin to move obliquely of Gen. McCook, on my left. I then proceeded to the right, to support a battery engaged to the at double-quick in the direction where General right of the road. From this point, by your or-McCook's forces were engaged. On reaching the ders, I retired the line about one hundred yards, field I found the forces badly cut up and retreatwhen I met and attached to my command the ing, (they then having fallen back nearly one Fiftieth Ohio, under command of the Lieutenant- mile,) and were being hotly pressed by the eneColonel, and bivouacked for the night. When all my. After receiving instructions from General have done so well, it is sufficient to say, from re- McCook, I ordered my brigade forward into the ports of commanding officers of the regiments and fight; the Twenty-second Indiana taking position iny own observations during the day, that the on the right, the Fifty-ninth Illinois on the left, field and line-officers, without an exception, con- and the Seventy-fifth Illinois in the centre, and ducted themselves nobly and to my entire satis- the battery took position on an eminence in our faction. Too much praise cannot be awarded the rear, which was bordered by a dense wood. I soldiers, every one acting like a hero. My Acting again ordered the brigade to the support of a briAssistant Adjutant-General, Lieut. George A. Van-gade fighting on my left, which, as soon as I had degrift, and Aids, and Lieuts. F. G. Fitzwilliam and H. E. Spencer, were of great service to me during the day, coolly and bravely carrying my orders to all parts of the field. become engaged, retreated and fell back in confusion. The battle now raged furiously; one after one my men were cut down, but still with unyielding hearts, they severely pressed the enemy, Major Johnston, Tenth Wisconsin, Capt. Ber- and, in many instances, forced them to give way. ryhill, Acting Major, Second Ohio, Captain John Here we fought alone and unsupported for two Herrel, Second Ohio, and Captain Drury, Ninety-hours and twenty minutes, opposed to the rebel fourth Ohio, fell, gallantly fighting at their posts. Gen. Wood's entire division, composed of fifteen I thought proper to mention other regiments as regiments and a battery of ten guns. Fiercer and they became attached to my command, during fiercer grew the contest, and more dreadful bethe progress of the action, through the loss of came the onslaught. Almost hand to hand, they their brigade commanders. I also send you re- fought at least five times their own number, often ports of regiments which were not under my im-charging upon them with such fearlessness and mediate eye, during part of the day. impetuosity as would force them to reel and give The following is the loss of the brigade: way, but as fast as they were cut down their ranks were filled with fresh ones. At one time the Twenty-second Indiana charged on them with fixed bayonets, and succeeded in completely routing and throwing them from their position on our right, but at the same time they brought in a reserve force on our left. I now ordered the Twenty-third Indiana as quickly as possible to the aid of the Fifty-ninth Illinois, on the left, which order was promptly obeyed. 2d Ohio,.. Commiss'd Officers. Non.-com. and Privates. Killed. Wounded. Killed. Wounded. Missing. 4 2 25 77 83d Ohio,.. 4 21 70 18 88th Indiana,. 29 121 1 10th Wisconsin,. 25 16 8 This list is furnished from the men actually buried, and the wounded in the hospitals. Some of the missing have since returned, having been taken prisoners while going for water, and paroled. The brigade went into action two thousand two The impetuosity of the firing now ceased for a moment, and I advanced to ascertain, if possible, the position of the enemy. As I advanced down the line, we were greeted with a heavy volley of musketry, which plainly enough told the direction of the enemy. With shouts and exclama one hundred and sixty-two; missing, twelve." tions, my men again rallied to the onset. Here it was that fell the gallant Lieut.-Colonel Keith, while at the head of his regiment, and in the act of flourishing his sword, and urging his men on-gaged sixty-eight. Killed, one; wounded, two. ward to victory. Total loss, three. At this time my horse was shot from under Of the brigade, there were engaged one thoume, and before I could escape, through the dark-sand four hundred and twenty-three. Killed, ness, I was taken prisoner and conveyed from the one hundred and forty-one; wounded, three hunfield. Although my men fought desperately, it dred and sixty; missing, forty-three. Total loss was of no avail; for, being overwhelmed by vastly of brigade, five hundred and forty-nine. superior numbers, they were compelled to with- Very respectfully, I am, General, draw from the field. Retreating under cover of a Your obedient servant, hill, the brigade was again formed in line of batM. GOODING, tle by the senior officer of the brigade, when, after consultation and learning that we had no support within one mile distant, it was deemed advisable to withdraw from the field, and fall back upon our lines, which they did. I cannot speak too highly of the officers and men generally of my command, but they deserve the highest honor for their patriotism and courage. I would here again mention the name of Lieut.-Col. Keith, of the Twenty-second Indiana. Until he fell from his horse, he was every where in the thickest of the fight. Where the battle raged hottest he was to be found, animating and cheering his men by his lofty words and noble example. He was universally loved by all who knew him, and his loss is much regretted. In his example there is every thing worthy of imitation. Major Winters, of the Fifty-ninth Illinois, has my grateful thanks for the coolness and courage which he displayed during the entire engagement. He displayed a patriotism and courage that is highly worthy of imitation. Colonel Commanding Thirtieth Brigade Colonel Curran Pope, Commanding Seventeenth SIR: I herewith present a report of the operations of the regiment which I have the honor to command, during the engagement of the eighth instant: At eleven o'clock A.M., my regiment was or dered to take the advance of the brigade to which it belongs, and proceeded to the crest of a hill overlooking a branch of Chaplin Creek, when the enemy in front opened upon us from a battery, and we were ordered to retire to the foot of the hill, some hundreds of yards in the rear. There we formed in line of battle, and remained for more than an hour, while the batteries were replying to those of the enemy. About two P.M., the enemy were seen advanc ing toward our position, and my regiment was or dered to the crest of the hill. A battery known Lieut. West, of the Thirty-ninth Illinois, and as the Washington battery, at once opened upon A.A.A.G., is entitled to great credit for the time- us, and I ordered my men to lie down and wait ly aid he afforded me, and for the energy and the approach of the enemy's infantry. The latter promptness with which he delivered my orders. advanced under cover of a house upon the other During the action he was wounded in five differ-side of the hill, and reaching a point one hundred ent places, but did not quit the field until entirely and fifty yards distant, deployed behind a stone disabled. fence, which was hidden from us by standing corn. At this time my left wing rested upon a lane known as the road, my line of battle extend Lieut. Adams, Acting Adjutant of the Twentysecond Indiana, is also a worthy young officer. He had his horse shot from under him, and though wounded himself, he remained on the field, pre-ing along the crest of the hill, and passing near serving great coolness and calmness of mind, and to and somewhat beyond, a large barn filled with constantly urging his men forward. Also, much hay. In this position, with a well-handled bat praise is due to Orderly" Gray, for his courage, tery playing upon us, our first fire was delivered promptness, and energy in delivering my orders. -the enemy replying with destructive effect. Capt. Pinney, of the Fifth Wisconsin battery, cannot be spoken of too highly in this report. He delivered his orders with great coolness and deliberation, and his battery did great execution, in forcing the rebels from their position. The following is a list of casualties: Of the Twenty-second Indiana there were engaged three hundred. Killed, fifty-five; wounded, ninety-eight; missing, nineteen. Total loss, one hundred and seventy-two. Of the Fifty-ninth Illinois, there were engaged three hundred and twenty-five. Killed, fortythree; wounded, ninety-eight; missing, twelve. Total loss, one hundred and fifty-three. Of the Seventy-fifth Illinois, there were engaged seven hundred. Killed, forty-seven; wounded, Captain H. E. Cunard, company I, was one of the first to fall, shot through the head while gal lantly performing his duty. A little later Capt Leonidas McDougal, company H, while waving his sword and cheering his men, fell, pierced by a ball through the breast. Later still First Lieut. Starr, company K, died like a soldier in the midst of his men. About one hundred and seventy-five of my regiment were killed and wounded upon the crest of the hill. Our line was steadfastly maintained until the barn on our right was fired by a shell from the enemy's battery, and in a few minutes the heat became so intense that my right was compelled to fall back; after rallying we were relieved by the Fifteenth Kentucky, Col. Curran Pope, and our ammunition being nearly exhausted, we retired to the bottom of the hill. Soon after, I sent companies A, D, and F, to act in conjunction with two companies of the Fifteenth Kentucky, in endeavoring to hold a fence which ran along the side of the field in which we had been fighting, and perpendicular to our former line; but the fire of the enemy's battery, combined with that of his infantry, was so deadly that these men were again ordered to retire. left, about a regiment and a half distance on the crest of the hill, to support the same battery at this point. Finding myself the ranking officer present of the regiment, I assumed command, and ordered it to the front, and commenced firing to resist the enemy, who was closely and rapidly marching on us. The movement was successful, and the steady and continuous fire of the Fiftieth regiment drove the enemy back. I was then or. dered by Col. Webster to make a charge directly The Fifteenth Kentucky having by this time to the front, over a fence and through a cornleft the crest of the hill, and the enemy opening, field, down a ravine, which was done so promptly from a new battery on our right, a fire which and successfully that the enemy fled in great discompletely enfiladed our line, I concluded, after order. The regiment continued to hold this poconsultation with Col. Pope, to leave the ravine-sition (at which point I was ordered by Colonel filed off into the road, and was marching toward the rear, when I perceived the enemy emerging from the woods upon our right, and coming in great force toward the ground we had just been holding. I immediately ordered my regiment to face about, and advanced to meet the enemy, intending, in the absence of ammunition, to charge him with the bayonet. I was met here, however, by Lieut. Grover, of Col. Lytle's staff, with an order from him to retire. Accordingly, we turned into a ravine on the right of the road, and were supplying ourselves with ammunition, when, hearing that Col. Lytle, my brigade commander, was killed, and being separated from the other regiments of the brigade, I reported to Col. Harris, commanding the Ninth brigade, for further duty. Night soon came on, however, and the engagement ceased. During the battle, the flag presented by the people of Ohio to the Third regiment was gallantly upheld. It never once touched the earth, although the Color-Sergeant, McCrovie, was killed, and, after him, five others who successfully bore it, were shot down. My regiment went into action with five hundred men. Our loss was forty-five killed, one hundred and forty-four wounded, and fifteen missing; a list of whom is hereunto annexed. Fully appreciating the valor of my own officers and men, I desire to bear testimony to the gallant conduct of the Fifteenth Kentucky, whose members fought side by side with ourselves. JOHN BEATTY, Colonel Commanding Third Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. REPORT OF LIEUTENANT-COLONEL STRICKLAND. SIR: I have the honor to submit the following brief report of the part taken by the Fiftieth Ohio regiment volunteers in the battle near Perryville, on the eighth instant. The regiment was thrown into line of battle by order of Colonel Webster, commanding Thirty-fourth brigade, Tenth division, (the regiment in command of Col. J. R. Taylor,) in the ravine to the left and rear of the Nineteenth Indiana battery, at half-past two o'clock P.M. At three o'clock P.M., Col. Webster commanded Colonel Taylor to change position to the Webster to halt it) until about five o'clock P.M., when not having seen nor heard from Col. Web. ster for some fifteen minutes' time, an Aid rode up and reported Col. Webster mortally wounded, and that the order was to move by the left flank. At this moment I saw the Nineteenth Indiana battery moving to the rear. Without having any further orders, I moved the regiment to the left about two hundred yards. I then filed the regiment to the left about battalion distance, where I was met by Gen. Rousseau. He ordered me to move to the front to support a battery, which I promptly did. I must here mention that company A, Captain Cook, and company F, Captain Clark, by order of Colonel Webster, from the first were left to the immediate support of the Nineteenth Indiana battery, and remained in that position, under the command of Capt. Cook, during a continuous and heavy fire of musketry, which was as effectually returned until the moving to the rear of the battery, when the two companies moved off, supporting the battery in perfect order. The officers and men under my command behaved coolly and bravely through the entire engagement. It would be injustice to make any distinction. Captain Carr, of company D, fell in the charge while boldly leading his men on. Captain Carter, of company I, fell as gloriously, with his face to the foe, as a soldier should. Lieut. Key, of company I, after the fall of Captain Carter, while bravely leading his boys in the charge, was seriously wounded in the knee. I must acknowledge in grateful terms the invaluable services throughout the day of the gallant soldier, Major Thomas L. P. Defrees. I also take great pleasure in bearing testimony to the promptness and bravery of Adjutant George R. Elstner, in his constant assistance throughout the engagement. Although out of the ordinary course of a report of this kind, still I hope you will permit me to make honorable mention of the bravery and timely assistance rendered me at a critical point of the engagement by Lieut. J. T. Collins, of company E, Ninety-eighth Ohio regiment, acting Aid to Col. Webster. The Fiftieth Ohio regiment went into action 467 with five hundred and ninety-seven men,. 597 And came off the field with four hundred and sixty-seven men,. Lost in killed, wounded, and missing, one hundred and thirty, ... 130 REPORT OF LIEUTENANT-COLONEL COWEN. Lientenant J. A. Mallony, Acting Assistant Ad- I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by the Fifty-second regiment in the battle of yesterday: I cannot speak in too high terms of praise of the conduct of the officers and men under my command during the whole of this memorable day. When all did their whole duty, it would seem unjust to make any apparent discrimination by specially naming any. Yet circumstances and the varied incidents of the day brought under my special observation the conduct of some, whom I therefore name. Captain I. D. Clark, of company A, Acting Major, from the time the first shot was fired on the skirmishers under his command in the early morning, until the battle was over and the victory won, discharged his varied and ardu In pursuance of the order of Colonel Daniel McCook, commanding the brigade, the Fifty-second regiment on the left of the brigade, moved forward at half-past three o'clock yesterday morn-ous duties with skill, courage, and promptness. ing from its position three miles west of Perryville, toward that village. After advancing about one and a half miles, and crossing a bridge spanning a small stream, the regiment was formed in line of battle; and being ordered to advance to and hold the crest of the hill some five hundred yards in front, company A, in command of Lieut. Bucke, and company H, under command of Lieut. Summers, both companies under command of Capt. Clark, acting Major, were deployed as skirmishers, and our line advanced to the position named. Some three hundred yards from the Run, at five minutes past four o'clock A.M., the skirmishers were fired on by the rebel pickets; they promptly returned the fire, and drove the pickets over the crest of the hill, into and through the field and wood beyond, and took their position some four hundred yards in front of the regi ment. I am thus particular in detailing these items, because to the Thirty-sixth brigade and to the Fifty-second regiment thus attaches the honor of opening the great and decisive battle of Perryville. Our skirmishers were almost constantly exchanging shots with the rebel skirmishers, and the regiment retained its position on the crest of the hill till half-past ten o'clock, when, in pursuance of Col. McCook's order, it moved forward about one half of a mile, where we remained without material change of position until four o'clock P.M., when the regiment was moved forward a short distance, with company D, under command of Captain Morrow, and company I, under command of Capt. Schneider, deployed as skirmishers. While thus advancing, the regiment was ordered by Colonel McCook to move to the right some five hundred yards, to assist in supporting Captain Barnett's Second Illinois battery, which was being threatened by a heavy force. The regiment moved rapidly to its position, immediately on the left of the battery, and in the rear of the Adjutant Blackburn and the officers of the skir mishing companies, also attracted my special notice, while the regiment was in its position behind the crest of the hill, on the left of Barnett's bat tery, and before it relieved the Thirty-sixth Illinois and became actually engaged with the enemy at that point. Sergeant Rudolph, of company H, was conspicuous, among others of the regiment, in assisting at the battery. At ten A.M., the Third Missouri regiment charged past the right of our line of skirmishers upon a force of rebel infantry, and private Samuel Marsh, of company A, joined them in the pursuit. Charley Commure, a little drummer-boy, having lost his drum, took a mus ket and fought manfully in the line. The following is a list of our losses, and it seems impossible to credit our apparent miraculous escape. I take the liberty to say that I ascribe it, to a very great extent, to the consummate skill with which the regiment was handled by our brigade and division commanders. Killed, none. Wounded, private James Moneysmith, company I, shoulder, dangerously; private Edward Grimes, company H, arm, severely; private George Wilson, company E, shoulder, slightly. Total wounded, three; missing, none. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, D. D. T. COWEN, Lieutenant-Colonel Commanding Fifty-Second Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. CINCINNATI " GAZETTE" ACCOUNT. BATTLE-FIELD OF PERRYVILLE, KY., I feel it a serious undertaking to write the history of a great battle immediately after its occurrence, because no individual can see all that takes place upon a battle-field, nor can he, even with the greatest painstaking and care, always produce a reliable account from the various con |