The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1894-10-18
PERRYVILLE.
Something About the Action of Crittenden's
Corps at that Battle.


EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: In regard
to the Perryville affair l never heard until
since Sheridan's death that he was charged
with any misconduct there The general
impression in Crittenden's Corps or wing
WAS that McCook brought on the battle,
prematurely as it happened, but whether
against orders or not cannot say. L said
Crittenden's Corps lit was so called, but 1t
was the left wing of Buel's army, which
was divided into right and left wings and
center, the last being Thomas's and the right
McCooks.
Kirby Smith had been sent by Bragg, who
commanded the rebel army, with a large
force to Frankfort, KY, to inaugurate the
rebel Gov. Johnson and make a demonstra-
ton toward Cincinnati. As Bragg fell back
before the advance of Buell. from Louisville,
Kirby Smith was ordered to join him, and
it was expected that he would give battle
in the Danville triangle, composed of Perry
vile, Harrodsburg and Danville as the sa-
lient points.
Perryville being on Bragg's front had to
be kept open for Kirby Smith, and 1t was
currently reported that McC0ok being de-
siriOus of glory determined to throw him
self between Kirby Smith and Bragg, and
thus cut the former off and defeat him. For
this purpose he pushed forward and brought
on the engagement.
Woods Division, to which I belonged,
was marching on the Lebanon pike, and
about Is miles or more from the battle
field, when the cannonadiDg commenced
about a. H., or whereabouts. We were
moved forward for an hour or two very
rapidly through the fields on the roadside,
leaving the pike open for the wagons to
come up, when we were halted, the KNAPP
sacks piled I'VE carried a rubber blanket and
a WOODEN blanket in straps to sling like a
knapsack), 60 additional rounds of ammu-
milton issued, and the haversacks filed with
bareback and bacon. We then pushed on,
sometimes at double-quick and again at a
fast route step.
The day was very warm for the 9Th Of
October and the road dusty, aud many men
fell out We turned off the pike to the left
or east when near the fighting, and our hri-
gade (Wagner's) advanced in line OF regi-
ments, marching with the right of company
to the front. The regiments forming the
brigade were the 18th, 40th and 57th Ind,
and 9th Ohio. Oar brigade was followed
closely by the brigades of Hascall and
Harker.
As we moved over long rise of ground
we came in sight of part OF a rebel d.
vision max ing right wheel and presenting
it's left flank within 400 yards of US. The
com panies were thrown forward into line
and Wagner ordered a charge of the whole
brigade. The rebel force-which was VIII ell
ing to attack the flank of Sheridan's or some
other divislon-was dri, en- back.
This was probably 4:30 p. M, and we adj
vanced in line until dark our skirmishers
being frequently engaged. Over to the left
there was occasional cannonading for an
hour or so alter dark, but we lay in line
about mile and half from Perryville,
expecting the battle to be resumed in the
morning.
Now, Comrade Coddington is in error
when he says that e he (McCOok) sent to
Buell. for help. Buell. said No." etc; and,
but do know that reinforcements did not
come" Reinforcements did come, and at
very opportune time, too, as have shown,
anil / believe that all Of Crittenden's Corps
were on the line before dark, as well as
Thomas's commanded By Giibeit), but they
had severe marching to get there.
The rebels retreafed on the night Of the
battle, and we followed them up through
Danville and Stamford having fgnt with
their rear-guard at the latter place. Bragg
then crossed the mOunteins to London, Ky,
blockading the roads in his rear by filling
huge trees across them for miles, so that we
c0uld follow but short march beyond Crab
Orchard, where the road passes through the
defiles of Rockcaste River
] have no donbt that if McCook had
waited for the whole army to get in line we
could have given Bragg severe whipping,
a. we did at Stone RIVER or MurfTeesb0ro
the following Dec. 31-.Tau. g The Perry
vile campaign led t" BueIi's removal and
the assignment of Rosecrans to commend.
The soldiers were pveiudiced against y lell.
1t was commonly said that he was Bragg's
cousin and did not wish to fight him, and
they proved it" by referring 10 the iong
marches back and forth through Ken lucky
and Tennessee with no results.-WM L.
DOYLE, Adjutant, 18th Ind.