The National tribune., 1889-03-07

The Battle from a Rebel Standpoint,

asked by number of old soldiers of the Union
army 10 write an account of the fight at Per
Tyville, KY, from a Confederate, or rebel,
standpoint. ] feel impressed with the magnl-
tude of the task, but viii do the best / can. i
wish it understood that ] will only attempt to
write of what / saw myself, and as there were
great many persons other than myself en-
gagged in the fight, it may be possible that did
not see all that took place that day. saw
ali ] wanted 10, and heard more than ! saw
will admit that l felt just little bit scared,
for my own precious body was to be exposed
Had l been in command / believe that would
have taken little time to consider matters,
and would have offered 10 compromise without
fighting. Our officers evidently did not think
as did, and so the fight went on.
want 10 say right here that, wild rebel as
l was ! never got into a fight that / was
not scared, and that bad Somehow always
felt that someone might get hurt, and that
someone might be your humble servant Now
for the fight
On the sth of October. 1862, our regiment
the Isl KY. Cav was camped about midway
between Lexington and Perryville, on the main
road between the two places. About daylight
on the morning of the Sth we We're In the sad
Gle and moving in the direction of PerryvlIie,
and when within five miles OF the battle-ground
we began TO pass large bodies of cavalry, who
seemed to be ready to move at a moments warn
that we passed 1t was known as Col. Witchers
Border Men" A more villanous looking set
OF men II was never my fortune, OF misfortune
TO see. remarked at the time that we had more
TO fear from those men than from the Yankees.
Let me say here that not long after this these
sellsame Identical chaps stole IL head OF our
best horses right out Of our camp and il was
with difficulty that we got them back. Such
men should have been used as charges in our
heaviest guns, and fred into the nearest mud
hole. The first Union troops we encountered
were as near AS ] can remember. about two miles
from the battlefield proper. They were cav
airy. and had with them q band, which kept
playing. l do not remember the piece il might
have been The cid Ship of Zion" l know
our Colonel did not like the sentiment, and or
dercd rs to prepare to dry it up. Not many
minutes were required to prepare, and off we
went on a charge. The Yankees now all
changed 10 musicians. never saw such won
deriul musical talent developed IN so short
time, with only change of instruments, and
they al played their part we'll too.
We did stop the music though, and sent the
boys In blue flying before US 1t was to all in
tents and purposes a blue streak Reinforce
ments now began to arrive on both sides, and
general cavalry fight ensued, which did not last
very long but was exceedingly warm while it
lasted. We now fell back to the real battle
ground. Gen Kirby Smith was here, and his
infantry regiments were going into position.
Artillery was being placed where it would do
the most efficient work. Our regiment took
u. position on the extreme right and to the
rear OF the Infantry, on rising piece of ground,
IN hearing but not in sight of the battle-ground.
The hot work OF the day was now 10 begin.
The artillery now took leading part This
artillery duel WAS the grandest thing / ever
heard; it was sublime, and / cannot reconcile
my mind TO the idea that it was net dangerous
7 10 q, Il -
II made me tremDle, too / can hardly describe
my feelings ct the time. it seemed to Inc that
my inside works had all been removed and
the case only remained. ! would have given
all my future prospects in the Southern Con-
federacy 10 be at home with my people But
bark what is that? 1t is the blending of
mus6erry with the roar of artillery. The bat
tic OF Perryyille is fully on. Now, boys men
Ia * about the Bloody Angle at Gettysburg;
what about the stone fence on tne left and CEN
ter at PerTyY.ile? Did not between five and
SIX thousand men die there IN less than two
hours timer ii not, let some one speak up.
But ] must cOHfne myself to the battle
AbOut the time We expected to see reinforce
ments coming forward, ard thinking this
would be one of the greatest battles OF the
war, tie entertainment suddenly came to
staudstill. The battle Of Perryyille was over
Bragg and Buell. had heard of the little diff
Guilty and promptly ordered itstopped. 1t was
said q can't say how true it was) that they
were playing q game Of cards together when
the battle commenced. After the fight was
over. the two armies moved off in opposite di-
Tections, and thus ended the battle of Perry
vile.
II there was any advantage gained in this
campaign, it was on the side Of the Confederacy
Gen. Bragg loaded thousands of wagons with
supplies, which were much needed in the South
al the time. A great many fine cattle and
horses were driven of, and Brdgg's depleted
ranks were filed with recruits. very much
doubt if he had amy other object in view than
the one Of plunder.
The battle of PerTyville has always been a
mystery TO me. a very decisive battle could
have been fought That it was not done was
evidently the fault Of those who were in COM
mand. This article may not give satisfaction.
1t has one merit at least; it is cold truth In
conclusion let me wish you all happy New
Year. Old Father Time IS doing his work. A
few years at most and all OF both armies will
be gathered home. Lee, Jackson. Grant and
Sheridan have gone Oh before. Let us see to it
that we are posted in the tactics of the Chris
tian religion, so that when we are called home
by the Great Commander, we may be able to
pass the Jordan of death and enter into that
place prepared for Gods faithfully. Ii. HARD
WICK, near Berwick, Warren Co. III.