The New York herald., 1862-10-13
THE BATTLE OF PERRYvlllE.
Our Special Army Correspondence.


wearied braves oiling by the bright moonlight IN
burying their fallen companions, make a stump my
writing desk to give you hasty sketch Of the first Date
Of the Kentucky campaign.
ESEMy,
and they are not in our possession yet s uue'
but assigned by fse, thsntract being certified by
the tread Of the thousands of reniorcemens
now coming the field and taking their posi-
tons for the final struggle Of tomorrow No
sleep in camp tonight We have marched and
toied rcessanty for days and nights, catching
only occasional bits of chance might give
opportunity afew hours We have fought
overwhelming and desperate enemy since early this
morning tonight be spent in burying the slain Of
to-day and in caring for tho suffering wounded and to-
morrow must rc-enter the conflict and seize the
laursls wc have won to-day.
BATTLE DARK.
IL would be impossible for this time, and sur.
rounded by these circumstances give you clear and
ineligible report Of todays battle Night closed
the while the battle still ragged its intensity, and
opportunity has been had Of surveying the field but
such details as have will give you.
MARCH OF GENERAL MCoOK's CORPS.
General McCooks corps, consisting Of Roussoaus and
Jacksons divisions left wsburg yesterday afternoon
intending march all last night and reach Danvle this
morning with view OF cutting of any meditated retreat
Of the rebels down the turnpike Stamford, Cum
berland Gap.
THE COUNTRY MARCHED THROUGH.
Our march carried US through beautiful country, at
first level and well cultivated with plenty Of good water
and the roads in fine condition for marching. The
crocded forcard Nth the unoa expedition, the
march long one, and the time given which to
accomplish it limited Later the day the face OF
the country became uneven cut up by little
streams sunk deep beneath the surface rendering ford
ing rather troublesome. Gradually. advanced tho
country between these streams, which took north
westerly course, while moving southeasterly
became elevated until approached the second
crossing Of the Lick creek when the ridges
character Of hills.
Just as we entered upon this hill, country information
was that the enemy advancing against us
in great force. This information became positive
as we advanced, until, darkness creeping on, General
McCook considered il prudent halt and secure good
position.
BvoUAc.
We bivouacked low range-sca-cely sufficiently
elevated be called hillsabout five miles northwest of
Perry vile nearly guides could Judge of dis
tonce. The country here sparsely settled, with
thick growhs OF heavy timber surrounding all little
cearngs that and there dotted the general
Of the country
!. FORCES FORMED LINE,
Rousscaus division having the right and Jackson's
the left The extreme left OF Jacksons division held
by General Terrill, the gallant artierist who noby
distinguished himself Shiloh and promoted for his
bravery.
SCOUTS
Having formed the line, scouts ont in all d.
reciions strong pickets set and the
dered to sleep their arms readiness meet an at
tack at any moment.
BEFORE THE
was clear and beautiful, and under ordinary circum
would have inspired sleep In any eyes, but our
men too much excited to sleep. They expected
the enemy. and were impatient for his appearance.
Every sound noticed and commented upon; eyes
were strained In pccrn. away far the dim distance
beyond tho reach Of the moonlight illumination;
guns and cartridge boxes examined and examn
ed stories Of former campaigns told, and in this
manner the night wore away.
REPORTS THE SCOTS.
Scouts came occasionally and reported the proximity
of the enemy tracing his from the direction Of
Harrodsburg directly towards US and measuring his a-
proach with remarkable precision His force was stated
TO be thirty, forty hfty, and finally sixty thousand
LAST, AS MORNING APPROACHED,
though yet hours distant information received
that the rebels were securing position on the opposite
range Of hills scarcely three quarters of mile distant
And then could plainly be heard the rumbing of his ar
lery brought into position and could discern
occasional flashes Of lanterns; the braying OF mules
came to and the voices of men There
longer any doubt of it: the enemy in force
in front OF us and fight certain. II required no
effort spread the No long roll was necessary TO
arouse the men. Everybody of the situation
and anxious for tho FIRST dawn OF morning to commence
the battle.
nky1IGM-THE FIGHT BEGINS
AT last the tedious hours preceding the dawn wore
away and, daylight breaking the east the ball
opened. loud report from the encmys artillery
gave the signal and scarcely had echoes ceased
when General Icrrs batteries belcbed forth fierce re.
Then there succeeded continuous roar Of can
non in,erm.agloG with the ching OF shells and the
whstlng Of balls, creating pandemonum of discord and
terror The balls few heads dropped short Of
us fell all about rs and yet seemed do no general
damage occasionally poor fellow would be struck
down by passing ball. and more frequently expIod
ing socli would make gap in the ranks, and stretch
a dozen strong men mutatcd and in agony upon the
ground.
BECAME MORE PRECISE,
infantry sheltered in the woods ordered
lay concealed behind the undulaons Of the ground the
cavalry sent back to the and artlerss
were alone lert to carry the battle.
ARTILLERY ~ FIGHT.
1amypot able 10 say at this moment how much artillery
had IN the action; but 1t could have exceeded
thirty pieces yet these ~orkcd with won.
derful vigor and great effect. Opposed to us
| the enemy seemed TO have nearly twice that
number Of pieces and they Piled them well 1t was ter.
ribe cannonrding such have seldom heard before
But Of but little effect. True at one time the
enemy compelled TO withdraw q couple OF their
batteries owing to the accuracy fire. but the great.
er number theft pieces rendered the oss Of these two
batteries scarcely pe.ceptoe. And thus the hattie was
kept up during tho whole morning Our loss was but
trling In this duel scarcely dozen men were killed
and certainly fifty wounded Al first the casu.
ales all among the ntantry but, these being gra-
duay placed under shelter and the enemy getting better
ON our batteries our arcriss began te suffer
considerably.
1gg EFFECT os FIRING.
what eject we having upon the enemy could not
be surmised. We could not their batteries their
lines only our sirmshers would venture up cloee 20