The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1862-10-31
The Battle of Perryville General
Bragg's Official Report.

DIu66 . SLuCldl IbopOTb.
The following is copy of Gen. Bragg's
official report of the battle of Perryvile,
KY, telegraphic synopsis of which was
published yesterday:
HEADo'Rs DEPARTMENT No. Q, |
Bryantsvlle, KY, Oct. IL, 1862.
Sir: Finding the enemy heavily pres
sing in his rear, near Perryville. Major.
General Hardee, of Folks command, was
obliged to halt and check him at that
point. Having arrived at Harrodsburg
from Frankfort, determined to give him
battle there, and accordingly concentra.
ted three divisions of my old command
the army Of the Mississippi-now under
Gen. Polk-Cheatham's, Buckner's, and
Anderson's--and directed Gen. Polk &c
take the command on the 7th, and at
tack the enemy next morning. Withers
division had gone the day before to sup.
port Smith. Hearing, on the night OF
the 18th, that the force in front of Smith
had rapidly retreated, 1 moved early next
morning to be present at the operation
of Folks forces.
The two armies were formed confront
ing each other on opposite sides of the
town Of Perryville. After consulting the
General and accommodating the ground
and examining his dispositions, declin-
ed to assume the command, but suggest
ed some changes and notifications OF
his arrangements, which he promptly
adopted. The action opened at 124 P.
NJ, between the skirmishers and artillery
on both sides. Finding the enemy in.
disposed to advance upon us, and know.
In hn as,,fD
ments, deemed it bestto assail MIN Wig.
orously, and so directed.
The engagement became general soon
thereafter. and was continued furiously
from that time to dark. our troops never
faltering and never failing in their ct.
forts.
For the time engaged it was the Sc
verest and most desperately contested en-
gagement within my knowledge. Fear
fully outnumbered, our troops did moi
hesitate to engage at any odds, and
though checked at times, they eventually
carried every position, and drove the en-
envy about two miles. But for the inter
vention of night. we should have com
pleted the work. We had captured Il
pieces of artillery by the most daring
charges, killed one and wounded two
Brigadier Generals, and very large
number of inferior officers and men, es
timated at no less than 1000, and cap
tured 400 prisoners, including three stat
officers, with servants, carriage and bag
gage of Major General McCook.
The ground was literally covered will
his dead and wounded. In such a con
test our own loss was necessarily severe
probably not less than 2, 800 killed, wound
ed and missing. Included in the wound
ed are Brigadier Generals Wood. Clebur
and Brown, gallant and noble soldiers
whose loss will be severely felt by thei
commands. TO Maj.-Gen. Polk, CON
manding the forces, Maj. Gen. Hardee
commanding the left wing. two divisions
and Mai. -Gens Cheatham, Buckner, an,
Anderson, commanding divisions, is main
ly due the brilliant achievements of thi
memorable field. Nobler troops wer
never more calamity led. The countr
owes them debt of gratitude. which
am sure will be acknowledged.
Ascertaining that the enemy was heavi
ly reinforced during the night, / with
drew my forces early the next morning
to Harrodsburg and thence to this point
Mai Gen. Smith arrived at Harrodsbure
with most of his forces and Withers' d
vision the next day, 10th, and yesterda
withdrew the whole to this point-th
enemy following slowly but not pressin
US. | am, sir, very respectfully, you
obedient servant,
(Signed) BRAXTON BRAGG,
General Commanding.
To Adj't GenI, Richmond, Va.