The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1900-07-04
BATTLE OF PERRYVlLLE.
Recollections Suggested to Confederate
Veteran by the Recent Reunion at
Louisville, KY.

the many attractive features Of the
magnificent program Of the recent
Louisville reunion of the United Con-
federate Veterans that failed of exc
eution on account Of the daily down
nour rain was the sham battle of
Perryville, Ky. 1t was this feature
Of the program more than all others
Latinduccd me to attend that reunion.
was notified that it would take place
Thursday evening, May 3lst, I was on
hand with uniform ard reported to
Gen. Harden, chief of ceremonies, for
duty. But this rain forced the COM
mittcc to defer till Friday. Another
downpour, which carried the time
over to Saturday. Another rain came
a. before and the battle was declared
off. I read several superficial descrip-
tions Of that battle in the Louisville
paper, but they were SO meagre and
unsatisfactory and on the whole so
uncomplimentary to Bragg and his
determined Confederates that as
mater of history as well as personal
duty l take this opportunity to place
on record my c#n participations and
observations as one Of the actors in
that mcmorabl. campaign. The reader
can more readily grasp the situation
Of that historic campaign conducted
by Gen. Bragg by first knowing the
primal causes that instigated it. It
will be remembered that the Army of
Mississippi under Beauregard was in
shattered condition. The battles of
Shiloh, Tupelo and Cedar Creek had
been fought and Albert Sidney John
son had fallen, Jubal Early defeated
and Beauregard dismayed. Davis
held aar council in Richmond.
They recognized the stern necessity
Of springing crisis upon the entire
western department Of the Confed-
eracy. that the impending collapse of
the Confederacy should be diverted.
At this juncture Yanoy, Helm and
Hardin, together with Kirby Smith,
then operating in Kentucky, declared
it to be their conviction thatif force
with munitions Of war should march
into Kentucky, showing ability to
defend the property and inspire conf
dence in the Confederacy, that $4,000
Kentuckians would rallysto the Con-
federate flag and boldly proclaim their
fidelity to- the Southern cause. Inn
pressed with SO Aattering a PROPOSE
tion from SO prozninent-and reliable a
representation it was agreed at once
that Bragg should be placed in COM
mand Of Sthe western forces. It was
with intense eagerness that I, thena
private in the Mobile Dragons, the
first company of volunteers that en-
listed in Alabama, watched these STIR
ing movements. Having sent mes.
sage to my personal friend, j. w.
Hardee, expressing wish to join him
in the Kentucky move and receiving J
areciprocal sentiment, I set about-to
get transfer, but nothing but sub
sttute could be granted. This was
quickly done and being free to choose
accompanied Gen. Hardes as one Of
his personal aids. The first thing.
Bragg did after assuming command
was to issue a proclamation to all
kcntuckians 10 the effect that he
would move inmediate!5 into Ken
lucky at the head Of united army
able to cope with all Federal opposi-
ton. That his purpose was to liber-
ate Kentucky from Federal oppression,
protect them against Union agrees
sons so much complained of through
their public men, civil and military,
and that he would have munitions Of
var sufficient 70 equip and supply
$4,000 soldiers.
These stores we're sent forward to I
Bryantvills and Bragg pursuant TO his
PROCLAMATION moved forward at; the
head Of 45, 600 troops into Kentucky,
expecting to be met with welcome
hearts on all sides and $4,000 rein
fOrcements. Kirby Smith sent hum
dreds ofhis soldiers as couriers among
the Kentuckians with Braggss procla-
nation exhorting them to rally around
the Confederate flag. Backner, Smith,
Hardee aud Cheatham issued commits
slons to suitable persons, empowering
them to raise troops and form compa-
oies, battalions and regiments for the
Southern army. These efforts were.
almost a total failure. Col. johnson.
Inc nephew UIsAIDert Sidney johnson,
was the only4man Of prominence Who;
like Lafayette, openly espoused our
cause. We marched Ia Rardstovn.