Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 5.
Frank Moore, Ed.

[513] promised, the enemy having attacked him in overwhelming numbers. About the same time I received from Gen. Sheridan warning that he could not hold his position if not supported with reinforcements immediately, and confirming the unfavorable intelligence respecting the First corps. I at once ordered Schoepff's to close more to the left to support Sheridan, and also to cover the movement of the First corps, which was gradually swinging around toward our rear, under the strong pressure brought to bear upon it. To support Sheridan's right, I ordered Mitchell to close in to the left and cooperate closely with him.

These orders given, I continued on toward the left, and was shortly met by Capt. Hoblitzell with an urgent demand for support for the First corps. He was furnished with a brigade and a battery from Mitchell's division, though at the time my own lines were assailed in the most lively and vigorous manner. Shortly after Major Wright brought an order to send two brigades from Schoepff's division to support the First corps; but as one brigade had already gone, and my own lines were undergoing a dangerous assault, I despatched only one of Schoepff's brigades. That moved toward the right of the First corps. The enemy's columns, as they followed up their success, came now to present their left flank to Sheridan's batteries, and he at once turned his guns upon them, and disposed his infantry to demand their further attention, if they should presume to continue their progress. This, with the movement of the brigade from Schoepff's division, brought to a stand the left of the enemy's attack. At the same time, Mitchell threw forward his right upon the repulsed and broken lines, which had attacked Sheridan and himself, and with gallant Carlin in the lead, drove them beyond Perryville, and occupied the town with his skirmishers. Sheridan could not venture to join in following up the successful repulse of the enemy from his front, as his entire attention was directed to the columns then threatening to continue their progress toward my left and rear. It was about one hour before sunset that the enemy was repulsed from the front of my lines.

In disposing my troops for battle, I had the timely advice of the Major-General Commanding, whose presence in the midst of my corps inspired all, from the highest to the lowest, with complete confidence.

The Third corps presented itself on the field in an orderly and compact style; and I am indebted to Captain O. L. Baldwin, of the Second Kentucky volunteers, Assistant Inspector-General, for his energy in clearing the roads of the wagons, which, on the seventh, had, under some mistake, become involved among the troops, and lined the road all the way back to Lick Creek, and were materially impeding the progress of the troops, especially the artillery.

The other members of my staff; (Capt. J. Edward Stacy, A. A.A. G.,) my two Aids-de-Camp, (Lieut. George K. Speed and Lieut. John Speed,) and Capt. George S. Roper, C. S., were active and efficient in transmitting my orders.

Surgeon George R. Weeks was active and ready in the duties pertaining to his office as Medical Director.

The officers of the signal corps rendered ready and useful service all day on the seventh and eighth.

Brig.-Gen. Mitchell this day sustained fully the reputation which he won at an early period of this war for energy and daring.

Brig.-Gen. Sheridan I commend to notice as an officer of much gallantry, and of high professional ability. He held the key of our position with tenacity, and used the point to its utmost advantage.

Col. McCook, of the Fifty-second Ohio volunteers, was at this point, and I can bear testimony to the fine discipline and excellent fighting qualities of his brigade.

Col. Carlin, of Mitchell's division, is spoken of in terms of high praise, which I can most safely endorse.

Inspector-General Gay, in charge of the cavalry in my front, was active and highly efficient. His thorough professional training gave me confidence in all of his reports, and enabled me to prepare in time, and at a proper distance, for a more cautious and methodical advance upon the point at which the enemy had taken up his position.

I feel it my duty to report Col. George Ryon, of the Seventy-fifth Illinois volunteers. He deferred reporting his regiment deficient in ammunition until the division to which he belonged was on the point of going into battle. He was arrested on the spot. Thanks to the efficiency of my ordnance-officer, Lieut. Ben. J. Horton, of the Twenty-fourth Ohio volunteers, the regiment was supplied and was put in position, with full cartridge-boxes, before the fight became general.

During the night my dispositions were completed for the general attack ordered at daylight, but the withdrawal of the enemy in the mean time brought to a termination the encounter begun on the previous day.

Of the two brigades sent to reinforce the First corps, Gen. McCook, I presume, will make a report. The Thirtieth brigade lost more than the Third. It was sent toward the left when the battle was raging the most furiously. The Fifth brigade was sent toward the right of the First corps, and had the close support of Sheridan's left and the remaining brigade of Schoepff's division, still held in reserve.

The casualties of the Third corps, as far as ascertained at this date, are as follows:

Ninth division: Killed, 121; wounded, 324; prisoners, 35; missing, 29; total, 509.

Eleventh division: Killed, 44; wounded, 274; missing, 12; total, 330.

First division: Killed, none; wounded, 7; prisoners, 9; total, 16.

Very respectfully your obed't servant,