Statewide County IN Archives History - Books .....Chapter II Perryville Campaign 1893
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Book Title: History Of The 82nd Indiana Volunteer Infantry

CHAPTER II.
PERRYVILLE CAMPAIGN.

  On the morning of October 1, 1862, the army breaks camp at Louisville and
starts in pursuit of Bragg's army. The three corps move on different roads for
the purpose of more rapid marching, and to be ready to take advantage of the
movements of Bragg's and Smith's Confederate forces, and if possible to prevent
the consolidation of the two forces. Our Third Corps moved directly on Bardstown
through Shepardsville. General Sill's Division of McCook's Corps, and General
Dumont's Division (a separate command) moved on the extreme left toward
Franklin, to prevent, if possible, Smith's command from joining Bragg. The
balance of McCook's and Crittenden's Corps moved on Bardstown. It was expected
the rebels would give battle at this point, but later developments showed
plainly they only aimed to catch our army in detail, and so do it as much damage
as possible without engaging our whole force. Soon after leaving Louisville the
head of our column met the enemy's advanced skirmishers (principally cavalry)
who took advantage of every position to give us trouble, in order to cause as
much delay as possible, and if possible to give them a chance to catch some
detached force to attack. Our advance became more desperate from day to day, the
enemy showing heavier forces to contend with. Bragg's idea was to catch the
Third Corps at Perryville without support and wipe it from existence. It was not
his intention to bring on a general engagement, therefore he sent General Polk
in command of two corps to do the job, while he was attending to the honors due
the Governor. Our corps (Third) moved on the direct road to Perryville, arriving
within three miles on the evening of the 7th and deployed in line of battle, the
enemy being there in force. The First and Second Corps were ordered to
concentrate on Gilbert's position, as the enemy gave warning that a battle was
certain at this point. The roads were very dusty and water extremely scarce. The
troops were suffering for water. Our lines were advanced for the purpose of
procuring water, bringing on a spirited battle for a short time. Night coming
on, and having secured water sufficient (but of very poor quality) our troops
were halted and every arrangement made for the night, the enemy not appearing
very anxious for a night engagement. Both armies were making arrangements for an
early attack in the morning. On the opening of the morning of the 8th both
armies appeared to know re-enforcements were coming to both, and from some cause
the battle was deferred until about 1 o'clock p. M. Two corps of the enemy
opened on McCook's Corps, and made a desperate effort to crush the left flank.
Our troops fought most determined and succeeded in holding their lines.
Sheridan's and Mitchel's Divisions of the Third Corps were on the front line,
and had a spirited battle. Schoepfs' Division was in reserve and did nothing but
watch and listen to what was going on. Had we been under a commander that
believed in hurting the rebel cause there would have been but a small rebel army
left for battles. General Buell says he never knew that McCook was engaged until
informed at night. This may be in keeping with his military ideas, but it fails
to show any ability for a man to be in command of an army. Having been under
General Buell once before my confidence in him as a commander, or as a man of
loyal elements, was not of the highest grade. This battle failed to raise him in
my estimation. Even the file felt and openly expressed their thoughts that had
Pap Thomas been first in command the rebel army would have been Utterly torn to
pieces, and the heavy trains of army supplies would have fallen into our
possession. After this blunder of conducting the army in battle he remained idle
until the 11th, giving Bragg three days' time to retreat and make sure of his
heavy trains. On the 12th the army started in pursuit, Gilbert's Corps taking a
road midway between Harrodsburg and Danville, passing through Lancaster to Crab
Orchard, where McCook's and Gilbert's Corps were halted. Crittenden's Corps
followed the enemy as far as London. The country was poor and rough, with but
little to feed an army at best, and having been stripped by the rebel army it
was quite a job to subsist an army, and there being no further use for forces in
this quarter McCook's and Gilbert's Corps were ordered to march for Bowling
Green. Our corps moved through Stanford, Lebanon, Campbellsville, Lawrenceburg
and Cave City. While on this trip as we were going into camp one evening between
Cave City and Bowling Green, Col. Hunter, wishing to protect his men from the
ravages of the older troops, gave the following order: "Attention,
Eighty-second, put your knapsacks, haversacks and canteens under your heads to
keep the G-d d-n Seventeenth Ohio from stealing them." The Seventeenth had been
stopped about a mile back for picket duty, but heard the order and told us about
it the next day on the march. The Eighty-second wasn't exactly like the Sixth
historian says they were, "paid for everything they took," but, on the contrary,
took everything they could get their hands on (if they wanted it) from friend or
foe (they learned this from the Seventeenth Ohio), and if those losing anything
wanted any pay for it they could do as done by or take it out of their hides. It
wasn't long until the Seventeenth Ohio was glad to draw the line- we will quit
if you will. This settled it. The Eighty-second was never known to strike even
an enemy when he said, "I surrender." The Eighty-second had two good chaplains
during their time, Samuel W. McNaughton and Mathew M. Campbell, who did their
full duty at all times, and were loved and respected by all members of the
regiment. Yet the balance of the regiment did not make any claims for chaplain
positions during the war. As a regiment we did not think it any disgrace to take
sustenance for man or beast from a rebel. On the contrary we deemed it a
pressing duty, and always took great pride in performing every duty assigned us.
As the command passed Cave City twelve or fourteen from my brigade accompanied
me to the Mammoth Cave and spent a fine time exploring its many wonders. There
are many things in this renowned cave that would pay any one for going to see.
Gilbert's Corps reached Bowling Green the latter part of October. About this
time the much needed job for which the army was languishing was attended to.
General Buell was relieved from further control of one of the best armies in the
United States. While the man that succeeded him was much the best officer, yet
Rosecrans was a failure as soon as the tide turned against him. The army was now
designated the "Fourteenth Corps;" later, "Army of the Cumberland." The troops
that had marched from Stevenson, Alabama, and points in Tennessee to relieve the
danger of Louisville and Cincinnati were needing rest, and the new troops called
into the field, having entered immediately upon an active campaign, needed
drilling to make them efficient soldiers. The army was distributed from
Louisville to Nashville, having been threatened continuously from the time the
army fell back to Louisville until McCook's Corps made its arrival there. Two
divisions under the command of Generals Negley and Palmer had been holding the
place against the assaults and demands of Breckenridge and his rebel command.
Schoeff's Division, to which the Eighty-second belonged, was moved to Gallatin,
Tennessee, and was kept busy guarding points of importance, foraging, drilling,
etc. While here the Thirty-first Ohio, Lieutenant-Colonel Lister commanding, was
sent to Cage's Ford, on the Cumberland river, to guard it against cavalry
crossing. General Morgan, and some of his officers dressed as citizens, paid him
a visit and talked very nice and loyal, but looking up the lay of the forces for
the purpose of an attack. On account of good camping ground Lister had formed
his camp on the opposite side of the river. After these loyal citizens had left
his camp he thought perhaps there might be some trick about it, and moved his
regiment across the river and awaited developments. About daybreak next morning
these citizens, and a gang of the same kind, came on to the camp with a grand
charge, but meeting with a volley from the Thirty-first they beat a more speedy
retreat. The Eighty-second was sent down to assist the Thirty-first, making a
forced march of six miles, but found them masters of the field. While we lay at
Gallatin everything was on the alert to keep the rebel cavalry from doing damage
to our communications. We had to stand to arms from four o'clock to daylight
every morning. Drilling, picket duty, foraging and scouting kept us very busy.
While here the mumps and measels caused the loss of many men to the regiment.
Every man that had never had them took down. Many were never able for duty
again, and many were discharged by doctors who thought more of money than they
did of their country. We had many deserters up to this time, relatives and
friends writing them to quit the abolition war and come home, the society of the
K. G. C. would protect them and there was no danger of being captured and taken
back. On their arrival home they found the cowardly hounds who wished the rebels
well hadn't courage enough to open their mouths, and they had to lay concealed
in the woods. As soon as President Lincoln issued his proclamation, saying all
deserters who would return to their commands by such a time the charge of
desertion would be removed and nothing further done, the boys came in squads and
the regiment looked like old times again. Most of the desertions was caused by
home folks, and, with very few exceptions, it was a one-sided affair. During the
forepart of December Walker's Brigade moved to Nashville and made all
preparations to assist in the campaign against Murfreesboro. (We were extremely
sorry on our arrival to find the "goats" all gone, but when we found the Sixth
had gotten them felt better.) The other two brigades of the division were left
behind as guards for the railroad, to keep it in running order, so as to insure
sufficient supplies for the campaign. The army having been reorganized, we
formed a part of the First Brigade, Third Division, Fourteenth Corps. The
division was commanded by Brigadier General S. S. Fry. Our brigade was composed
of the Seventeenth, Thirty-first and Thirty-eighth Ohio; Eighty-second Indiana,
and Fourth Michigan Battery. During our stay at Nashville we kept up our usual
work when in camp, drilling, picket, etc. The regiment was much reduced in
numbers, yet what was on duty were in good shape for a hard campaign, which was
so close at hand.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

HISTORY OF THE EIGHTY-SECOND
Indiana Volunteer Infantry,
ITS ORGANIZATION, CAMPAIGNS AND BATTLES.

WRITTEN AT THE REQUEST OF THE MEMBERS

BY
ALF. G. HUNTER,
Late Adjutant.

INDIANAPOLIS:
WH. B. BURFORD, PRINTER AND BINDER.
1893.


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