The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1862-11-11

Ft@Ns AtN ~ f"~~ -
aid, to see Gen. Gilbert, whe was rid
ing with the column. Capt. Fisher
then reported to Gen. GiIbert thai
Gen. McCooks entire command was
engaged, that the reserves were all in
line, and the safety Of his corps was
compromised. Gen. Gilbert referred
him to Gen. Buell., ts whom the aid
reported.
Gen. McCosk remained with his left
until the enemy's troops were entirely
routed, and then galloped to tbs right
of the line, but only in time 10 see it
turned by large force Of the enemy.
AT the same time the right Of Ros-
seau's division, the main column Of
which supported jackson on the left,
was compelled to iall back to avoid
being enveloped by the enemy. The
advance Of the rebels on the right was
then checked by batteries Of artillery.
Gen. McCook then rode to Gen. Ros.
seau's position and met Gen. Robert
d. Mitehells division advancing to re-
inforce him. With this assistance the
enemy were driven back and the po-
siiion on the right regained. Imme-
diately thereafter Gen. Steadman re-
ported on the right with his brigade Of
Schoepf's division. II was then near
" dark, and the last reinforcemenis
hal scarcely been posted when the fir
ing ceased. Meanwhile the left Of
the line bad been retired by Gen. Ros-
seau. The line was further retired
and the men disposed for the night.
The enemy posted his pickets about
fifty yards from Gen. McCook's front,
but during the night abandoned the
field with such precipitation that the
dead and wounded were left behind.
The guns that had been taken from
Gen. McCook during the engagement
were all secured the next morning,
except two Napoleon's. The enemy
retreated across Chaplin river TO the
Harrodsburg turnpike and thence TO
Harrodsburg.
The battle field was chosen one Of
the enemy. They marched from lIar-
rodsburg 10 give the Union army bat
lie, at or near Perryyille. The ground
upon which the battle was fought was
very much broken by hills and deep
ravines, which offered every facility
for them to conceal their troops. The
bluffs and dry channels of Chaplin riv-
er and Doctors Fork also gave the
enemy every advantage for concealing
and massing large bodies of troops.
Gen. McCook compliments General
Rosseau and several brigade and reg
mental commanders for their bravery.
He mourns the loss Of Jackson, Ter
rell, Webster, Jewett, Campbell, Ber-
ryville, Herrell and others, who fell
upon this bloody field.
The conclusions at which we arrive
from perusal Of this report are that
Gen. Buell. was aware of the position
Of the enemy both at Harrodsburg and
Perryville; he undoubtedly knew that
they were in strong force he so plan
ned the attack that Gilbert should be
on Gen. McCook's right, yet failed 10
give that officer sufficient authority TO
enable him to promptly assist General
McCook or save his right from being
turned. While the battle ragged hard
est on the left, the right was turned,
and not till then were reinforcements
sent forward to aid Gen. McCook.
Gen. Mitchell, in his report, states
that his column was advanced little
before sunset by direction Of Genera!
Buell., and took position to support
Gen. McCook's right, which be did
until the close of the contest. Short
ly after taking position, Gen. Mitchell
reinforced Cen. Sheridan, who was on
the extreme left of Gen. Gilbert's
corps, and who was attacked by that
column of the enemy which turned
Gen. McCook's right.
II was this reinforcement and Gen.
Mitchelrs impetuous charge that re.
stored the position of Gen. McCook's
right and enabled il to regain its lost
ground. The casualties in Gen. Mitch
ellis command we're 12l killed, 324
wounded, IS prisoners and 29 miss
ing. Considering that this section was
engaged but very brief time--from
lust before sunset until the close of
the baitle-some idea may be formed
Of the Losses Of Gen. McCook's divis-
ion, which bore the heat of the con-
u r..