miles west of Perryville. The enemy came up in fine style to within

about 200 yards, when they discovered our position. We then fired

upon them with excellent effect, thoroughly stampeding their entire

front. So effectual and unexpected was this stampede of so large a force

of cavalry, artillery, and a portion of their infantry that our cavalry

could not be p]aced in a position to charge them in time to accomplish

all that could be desired. As it was we succeeded in capturing 1 officer

and 8 men, together with about 50 stand of superior arms, and great

numbers of blankets, saddle-bags, &c., which they had thrown away in

their flight. In a few hours they returned in a force which finally com-

pelled us to retire slowly before them, skirmishing with their advance

during the entire day. Toward evening we succeeded in making

successful charge with a few men, driving in their advance and captur-

ing several prisoners. In this charge we lost about 7 officers and men

killed and wounded, including Captain Cathey and Lieutenant Clan-

ton. Unfortunately, before we withdrew, our flank was so warmly

attacked that most of the prisoners made their escape during the fight

which ensued.

By keeping our lines continuously skirmishing until night we pre-

vented the enemy from making any demonstration that day upon our

infantry, which had deployed in line of battle to meet the enemy on the

field of Perryville.

During the night I received orders to place my brigade on the left of

our general line of battle for the engagement which was to take place

the following day.

At daylight the skirmishing again commenced, and at about 8 o'clock

my brigade was deployed as directed. Pickets and scouts were imme-

diately thrown out on all the approaches to Perryville from the south

and southwest as far as the Lebanon and Danville road and all pre-

caution taken to prevent a flank movement of the enemy.

Seeing myself confronted by a large body of troops of all arms de-

ployed in line of battle and gradually increasing their front my line

was advanced to hold them in check sufficiently to prevent their farther

advance.

About 10 a.m. my pickets on the Perryville and Lebanon road were

pressed in by a large body of cavalry, which proved to be the First

Kentucky and Seventh Pennsylvania Regiments, which were moving

down the Lebanon and Perryville road with a large force, partly dis-

mounted, deployed on each side. At this moment, receiving orders

from General Polk to clear that road of the enemy, we charged the

enemy, throwing their entire force of cavalry into confusion and putting

it to flight.

We pursued them at full charge for 2 miles, capturing many pris-

oners and horses in single combat and driving the remaining under

cover of their masses of infantry. The enemy also fled terror-stricken

from a battery placed in advance of their general line and left it at

our disposal. The charge, one of the most brilliant of the campaign,

was made in column; detachments of the First and Third Alabama

Cavalry with the gallant Cols. [W. W.] Allen and [James]Hagan being

in advance. Colonel Hart, who had just come up with a body of about

400 cavalry, followed for a short distance, but. owing to some mistake

turned off the road, carrying all his own command, together with all in

his rear, thus leaving the combat to the few brave men of the First and

Third Alabama Regiments. With these Jew, who, after sending our

57 R R--VOL XVI