The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1906-05-24

Harrodsburg to the stores at Bryants-
willie. Bragg divided Polk's Corps, TAX
ing from it Withers's Division, which
he sent to reinforce Kirby Smith. He
ordered Polk to go with Cheatham's
Division to join Hardee at Perryville.
With these three divisions he was to
attack and overwhelm McCook in front
Of Perryville, and then hurry back To
the right to join Kirby Smith and crush
the Federal left in that neighborhood.
On the afternoon of Oct. Buell.. rid
ing with Gilbert's Corps, arrived at a
to find strong force of rebels in his
front, when he Immediately drew up
his own men in line Of battle and sent
whereupOn Mitchell's and Sheridan's Di-
march at o'clock the next morning
to close in upon the center. McCook did
not receive this order until $3.50 q. m.,
Oct. 8. and was on the march at
o'clock. Scarcity OF water had compell-
ed Thomas to move off Crittenden's
Corps some six miles from the line of
march, and he was therefore several
hours late in reaching his position on
the right of Gilbert. During the night
the scouts had discovered some pools
OF water in a small creek about two
and a half miles from PerryviIle, and
Col. Dan McCook went forward with
his brigade to secure their possession
for Gilbert's Corps. This movement was
sharply resisted and alarmed Buell., and
little later more determined attack
was made to drive Col. McCook back
whereupon Mitchel's and Sheridan's Di-
visions were ordered up to his assist
ance, and TO hold the position. The ene-
my was repulsed, but Buell. feared that
the attack would be repeated by Bragg's
entire army, and he was quite nervous
about the isolated position OF Gilbert
until Gen. McCook began to arrive on
the Mackville road between 10 and IL
o'clock. The pools Of water which had
been discovered were in small stream
called Doctors Creek, a tributary OF
Chaplin's Creek or River. which runs
from the south to the north. with the
little village Of Perryville at the point
where the road crosses Chaplin's
Creek. The country between these val
leys Is hilly and thickly wooded. Gen.
Hardee, with two divisions, was on the
hill at Perryville and the eastern bank
of Chaplin's River. II was he who had
tried to dislodge Col. McCook, but had
not made very determined assault,
since Polk's forces were not yet up to
help push the attack home. Gen. Nc
Cook, coming up between 10 and IL
o'clock TO take position on Gilbert s
left, found his men famished for water
all that there was in Doctors Creek be
ing taken for Gilbert's men. McCook's S
Rousseau's, Of about 1000 men, and
Jackson's, which had only two bri-
gades of new troops who had never
been under fire, numbering about 5000
McCook's Faulty Management.
AS usual with McCook, he handled his
corps badly. He sent Rousseau to the
front, but Jackson appealing to him to
be placed I'm position as far as possible
from Rousseau, he directed him TO the
left, and Jackson marched with such
- ,cipitancy that he cut Rousseau's line
Ia two, separating from 1t Starkweath-
er's Brigade, a matter of the utmost i'm
portance, as 1t left Rousseau only two
brigades. Buelrs line was thus formed
in a measure with Crittenden on the
extreme right beyond the reach Of sigh,
or sound. Gilbert's Corps was on the
right Of the Springfield and Perryville
road. with Sheridan's left reaching that
road. Mitchelrs Division on his right
and Schoeprs Division In reserve a good
distance to the rear. At some distance
to the left McCook went into position,
with many Of his men stacking arms
and going In search Of wood and water.
ISytie's Brigade Of Rousssaus Division