The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-12-26
The Late Campaign in Kentucky.
OFFICIAL REPORT OF GEN. BUELL.
THE BATTLE OF CHAPLIN HILLS.

Under date OF Louisville, Nov. 4, Cen
eral Buell. has made detailed report Of
the operations Of the army Of the Cumber-
land, lately under his command, from the
time of the movement from Louisville
against Bragg's forces, until the moment
OF his own supercedure by Gen. Rosecrans.
The following is an abstract
The army marched on the 1st ultimo, in
five columns. The left moved towards
Frankfort, to hold in check the force of
the enemy, which still remained at or near
that place; the other columns, marching
by different routes, finally fell, respective
", into the roads leading from Shepards-
vile, Mount Washington, Fairfield and
Bloomfield, to Bardstown, where the main
force of the enemy, under Gen. Bragg,
was known to be. These roads converge
upon Bardstown, at an angle of about fif-
teen degrees from each other.
Skirmishing with the enemy's cavalry
and artillery marked the movement from
each column from within few miles of
Louisville. 1t was more stubborn and for
midable near Bardstown; but the rear of
the enemy's infantry retired from that
place eight hours before our arrival, when
his rear guard of cavalry and artillery re-
treated after a sharp engagement with my
cavalry. The pursuit and skirmishing
with the enemy's rear guard continued
toward Springfield.
After leaving Bardstown, | learned that
the force of Kirby Smith had crossed to
the west side of the Kentucky River, near
Salvisa, and that the enemy was moving to
concentrate either at Harrodsburg or Per-
ryville. General McCook's route was
therefore changed from HarrOdsburg to
Perryvile. .
On discovering that the enemy was con-
centrating for battle at Perryville, l sent
orders on the night of the 18th to General
McCook and General Crittenden to march
at three o'clock the following morning, so
as to take position respectively, as early as
possible, on the right and left of the centre
corps, the commanders themselves to re-
port in person for orders on their arrival,
my intention being to make the attack that
day if possible.
The fight commenced early in the day,
with feeble attack on tile centre corps !;
then later, the attack fell with severity
and pertinacity on Rousseau's right bri-
gade; then, somewhat later, on Terrill's
brigade, and on Rousseau's Sd brigade on
the extreme left. TWAS successful against
Terrill's brigade, composed of new regi-
ments. The gallant commander Of the di-
vision, General J. S. Jackson, was killed
almost instantly. The heroic young Brig
adler Terrill lost his life in endeavoring to
rally his troops, and ten pieces of artillery
were left on the ground; two of them were
carried off by the enemy next morning,
the rest were recovered.
The main weight of the battle thus fell
upon the Sd division under General ROus-
seau.
simultaneously with the heaviest attack
on Rousseau's division, the enemy made a
strong attack on Sheridan's right Sheri-
dan was reinforced from Mitchell's division
by Colonel Carlins brigade, which charg-
ed the enemy with intrepidity and drove
him through the town to his position be-
yond, capturing in the town two caissons
and fifteen wagons loaded with ammuni-
ton, and tie guard that was with them,
consisting of three officers and 1873 men.
This occurred about nightfall, which ter
minated the battle.
The corps of General Crittenden closed
in, and Wagner's brigade Of Woods divi-
sion became engaged, and did good service
on the right of Miitchells division, but
knowing nothing of the severity of
the fight on the extreme left, the
rest of the corps did not get into the
action.
No doubt was entertained that the enc
my would enduavor to hold his position.
Accordingly, orders were given to the COM
manders of corps to be prepared to attack
at daylight in the morning
They received instructions in person, at
headquarters that night, except General
Crittenden, for whom instructions were
given to Maj. Gen Thomas, second in COM
mand.
General McCook supposed from indica-
tons in his front, that the enemy would
throw formidable force against his corps.
in pursuance of the original attempt to
turn our left.
He represented also thas his corrs was