Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1862-10-28
The Battle of Perryville.-Generai Bragg's
Official Report.
The following is copy Of Major General
Braegs official report Of the battle OF Perryvlle,
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT NO. z,
Byrants. lie, KY. Oct llLh. !


KY:
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT No. 2, s
Byrants. lie, KY. Oct lllh. &
SIR :--Finding The enemy pr, ssng heavily In
his rear, near Perry vii Major General Hafdee,
OF Polk,s command, was o0i geu To halt and
check him at that pOin'. Havlns arrived at
Harrodspurg from FrauKfort, 'ieserninea -
give INN battle there, and acs5iss ngiy conc
irated tnree divisions vi my vi cYmlnan'i--the
arr,,v Of the Missssippi--l,s W under Major Ge u
erai poik-Cheata1n's Bucknos'S s, anu Anucr-
son,s-and directed General Polk 10 take the
cor, m nd ON The 7th, and attack the enemy nsxt
norn,t o. Wither's division nad gone the day
before to support Smith. Hearing On the night
of The tn that the force IN front oI omllh hao
rapidly reiterated. l moved carry neA' moinins
70 ne present at the operations OF folks FORCES.
The two armies were formed confronting each
other ON o,nosite sides of the town Of Perryvlle.
After consulting the General anc reconnolter-
ing the ground and examining MS olspositionS,
declined to assume command, Dut suSg0Sleo
some changes and notifications OF MS arrange
ments which he promptly adopted, Inc actlon
onanod at IL p M. between the skirmlshers
and artillery on both sides. Finding the enemy
indisposed to advance upon us, ana knowing ne
was receiving heavy relnforcements, deeheo
it best to assail him vigorously, ana SO oiIecteu.
The engagement became general soon thefeai-
ter. and was continued furlously from thal tinio
to dark, our troops never laiterihs anu no'0A
failing in their efforts. :,
For the time engaged it was the seyerest and
most desperately contested engagement within
my knowledge. Fearfully outnumDereo, our
troops did not hesitate to engage at any ocdS'
and though checked at times, they eventually
carried every position, and drove the enemy d.
bout two miles. But for the intervention Oh
night we should have completed the work. we
had captured fifteen pieces of artillery by the
M darno charges. Killed one, anu WOuHOGO
two Brigadier Generals, and very large num-
Der of interior officers and men, estimated at no
less than 900, and captured 400 prisoners, In
GLIDING three staff officers, with servants, car
rage and baggage OIL Major General McCook.
The ground was literally cuyerei with his
dead and woundsd In such contest our own
loss was necessarily severe, probably moi less
than 500 tiled, wounded and missing In
cluded in the wounded are Br,gadier Generals
W God. Cleburn ard Brown, gallant ana nopie
soldiers, whose loss Iii De severely iet Dy 'heir
com lands. To Major General Folk, comniana-
ing the forces, Major Geuerai Hardee, com
handing the lett wing, Two divisions, ana Major
Generals Cheatam, Buckner and Anderson, COM
handing divisions is mainly due the brilliant
achievements of this memorable field. No0ler
troops were never more calamity LED. Inc
country owes them debt OF gratitude, WHICH
am sure will be acknowledged.
Ascertaining that the enemy was heavily rein
forced during the night, l withdrew my force
early the next morning to HarrodsDurg ano
tn ence to this point. Major General smith ar
rived at Harrudsbnrg with most of his forces
and Wither's division the next day, 10Th, and
Yesterday withdrew the whole 10 this point
the enemy following slowly but not pressing US.
am sir very respectfully, your obedient SER
want. ss
(Signed) BRAxToN BRAGG,
General Commanding.
~ D,ob,