Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1862-11-08
sTANFORD,s BArTERY AT PERRY.
CAMP NEAR KsoxvnLE, TENNESSEE,

WILLIE
CANT NEAR KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE,
October &c, 1862.
Brivadisr. General A. F. Stewart, Commanding Second
Brigade. First Division A. W. A.. NJ;
About u o'clock, NJ, on the 9Th instant, nay
battery left the position south Of Perryville
which it had occupied since IL o'clock the night
before, and moved with the brigade on the Har
rodsburg road one mile, thence diveTging 20 the
left passed to the extreme right of General Har-
dee's command, when I found myself in front Of
the enemy, who were moving apparently with
the view of turning our right flank. 1 proceed
cd immediately to place the battery in position
to commence firing, aud had already unlimbeTed
when l received an order from M2Jor-Genersl
Chesthsm to move to a position occupied by
Captain Carnes' battery. Captain Carnes had
for some time been engaged in an unequal ON
bat with a rife battery of the enemy, and finding
his smooth bore guns ineffective, asked to be
withdrawn, and hence my rife battery was Or
dered to the position. In taking this position
the battery was formed under d most Calling
FIRE. the enemy having obtained our range,
handled their pieces with more than ordinary
ability. This engagement lasted, without inter
| mission, for one hour and a half. They changed
their position once during the time to get out OF
| our range, and finally ceased firing altogether.
| A%ferward l had the satisfaction to learn that
we had killed a number Of men and horses, be
I sides bursting up a csisson. About this time
he 30th Mississippi regiment, which had been
pasted in rear of the battery, moved forward
with a shout and were soon engaged in the dead.
" strife. Remembering that our orders were
"a onward IN the direction of the heaviest firing, "
l moved to the right, taking the only practicable
route, crossed the creek and mounted The higt
bluff. Then turning to the left, 1 soon found q
favorable position on the border Of the old field
which he'd for the most part been the scene o.
! conflict. From this point the infantry Of the
enemy were distinctly to be seen at a distance oil
half a mile, behind a stone fence aud near to
some stacks of corn or fodder, At this j%unetuTe
1 had some fears about firing, lest / should dis.
turb the right Of General Hsrdee's command,
who at that time were only q little to the left Of
the direction of the enemy referred TO, and about
two hundred yards from them. Finding these
troops held in check by the superior numbers Of
the opponents, l determined to risk the effects
of the fire, and threw one or two shots by way
of a feeler, which passed about one hundred
yards to the right Of our friends, and into the
ranks of the foe. The effect was such % was
anticipated. Their flags were Immediately semi
out and waved in order that We might know
them as friends. This signal was promptly an.
sWeTed by my nag WhlcA immediately Restores
confidence. It was then that l gave command
to the battery to commence firing This was
heartily responded to-and with such terrible
effect as to produce confusion in their ranks.
after the discharge Of four rounds. On seeing
this l ceased firing, in order to give our infantry
an opportunity to advance, which they did, aud
took possession of the field, driving the enemy
before them. Here ended the part which the
battery had the fortune to play in the scenes OF
that terrible day. Our loss was two %annoneers
killed and one severely wounded, also one horse
killed. The members Of the company acted
with the c~solness and deliberatiOn Characteristic
of Southern veterans. Lieutensnts McSwine,
Hardin and Mccall were all at their posts and
done their whole iuty.
All Of which is respectfully submitted,
4. J. STANFORD,
Can't. Cong Light Battery.